The South Cariboo has a resident with a claim to fame that many folks may not know about.
Bob “Bo” Work was recently inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame for his long and illustrious career in racing mechanics that brought about several wins at Daytona and a World Formula 750 Championship.
At Daytona in the 1960s, Work and rider Yvon Du Hamel won both a first and a second place, and set a track record that still stands (on the oval) today – with their Yamaha motorbike reaching 242.8 km/h, or more than 150 mph.
Work grew up in Vancouver, and was inducted into the Greater Vancouver Motorsport Pioneer Society Hall of Fame in 2004.
Both halls of fame noted his remarkable history in the event programmes handed out at his induction ceremonies.
Work joined Trev Deeley and three other investors to become the first North American Yamaha distributor in 1962, which then set up dealerships across Canada.
Soon after, he moved from his role as its Canadian service manager into its racing department.
Work and du Hamel then became one of the most successful race teams in Canada, and on top of their success at Daytona, also won all but one 250cc race on the AMA National Circuit together during that decade.
In 1972, Work hooked up with another young racer, Steve Baker, to form yet another incredible, ground-eating team. In 1977, they became the first North Americans to win the World Formula 750 Championship.
Work says that tour saw him and Baker on the race circuit oversees for eight months against number 1 and 2 riders from across Europe.
They also placed second in the 500cc class at the Worlds, won a first, second and a third at Daytona, and achieved many wins in CMA and AMA races across Canada and the United States.
remained with Yamaha until 1981, during which time he set a record of wins by tuning up the rides for 18 motocross, four dirt track, two trials and 14 road racers.
“For motorcycles, I have been in every state in the United States racing, every province in Canada and every country in Europe,” he explains.
Work was also a champion North American race-car mechanic and has appeared in three movies as well as commercials.
He is on a first-name basis with a number of famous racers, such as Mario Andretti and Rick Mears.
Now retired, Work says he came to the South Cariboo in 2000, and then in 2008, got together with Jack and Donna Barnett to found the Hot July Nights Car & Bike Show event that still runs successfully each year.
“I’ve been around cars and motorcycles since 1951. They hadn’t had a car show here for quite a few years … so Jack and I took it on our own and restarted it.”
The 2014 programme notes that as Yamaha’s race team manager, Work has been responsible for more than 40 Canadian championships, seven White trophies, three Bill Webster awards and close to 100 provincial championships.
Despite all this history, Work is humble about being inducted into the Canadian Motorcycle Hall of Fame amongst numerous other worthy individuals.
“I just about fell over when I heard I was being inducted. I am very honoured to be in it.”
A poster signed by both Work and Baker was auctioned off at the 2014 event in Edmonton for $1,200.
