Racing runs deep in the Byrd family. Cole Byrd’s passion for motorsports began at a young age, watching his father George compete in the hobby stock class in Quesnel, B.C., during the early 1990s. The stories of his uncle Charlie “Chuck” Byrd only fuelled that fire. Chuck began racing in 1956 at just 15 years old and continued into the 1980s, piloting open-wheel sprint cars under the #97. He also helped lay the foundation for racing in Terrace, B.C., by building the Terrace Speedway in 1964—leasing a farmer’s field, borrowing a dozer, and rallying local support.
Cole’s own racing debut came in 2005 in the “Crash to Pass” class, racing alongside his brothers Jeff and Matt in Quesnel. In his very first outing, he finished sixth out of 33 cars and won a trophy dash. That marked the beginning of a long and passionate run—Cole competed in Crash to Pass 10 consecutive times at the Billy Barker Days event, and nine years in a row in Williams Lake’s Crash to Pass, consistently bringing the heat.
Over the years, Cole collected multiple trophies for fast times, dash wins, and top-three main event finishes. His best Billy Barker Days finish was fourth out of 40 cars—the same year his brother Matt won it. Matt also raced frequently, with notable results including a win in 2013 and second place in 2012. Jeff made a few appearances as well.
In 2013, Cole transitioned into Street Stock racing in both Quesnel and Williams Lake. That year, he captured two heat race wins. In 2014, he raced both Street Stock and Crash to Pass again, picking up the Year-End Crash to Pass win, along with multiple heat and dash victories.
By 2015, Cole focused entirely on Street Stock, now behind the wheel of a new car purchased from Shouster Johnson—this time running the #77, diverging from his usual #97. That season, Cole had a standout year: he won the Thunder Mountain Speedway Points Championship, took home the Sportsmanlike Driver award, Hard Charger award, and Best Looking Car and Crew honours. He also competed in the Tri-City Racing Series from 2013 to 2015.
Unfortunately, in 2016, Cole’s momentum was halted when his car was destroyed in a rollover crash just three races into the season. He stepped away from driving but stayed active as the crew chief for close friend Kane Fraser of Team Fraser Racing (TFR), working on both Street Stock and Wescar Touring Series cars.
After a seven-year break, Cole returned to the track in 2023, racing for TFR in the Hornet class in a 1990 Honda Accord. He made a strong comeback—scoring two fast times, four heat wins, three dash wins, and three main event victories out of five races in Williams Lake, narrowly missing the points title by just two points. He also won a Hornet main event in Quesnel.
Simultaneously, he brought out a 1990 Chevy truck for Crash to Pass, finishing third at the Stampede and winning both fast time and the main event at the Year-End in Williams Lake. He ran the truck for the 11th time at Billy Barker Days, finishing 15th out of 32.
In 2024, Cole returned with the same Honda Accord and claimed the Hornet class Points Championship, winning two fast times, three dashes, three heats, and four of the five main events. He also raced the trusty Chevy truck again in Crash to Pass at the Stampede, finishing second after a dramatic demolition-style final against veteran driver Brian Bettels, which left Cole’s truck on its side—its final run after five events.
Over the years, Cole has built 11 Crash to Pass cars and helped friends build many more. He’s raced Crash to Pass a total of 31 times, built three race cars, and is currently working on a new Street Stock for the 2025 season with plans to race in Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake and Penticton.
Cole’s racing legacy is far from over. His brother Matt continues to race Street Stock in Hythe, Alberta, and Cole’s son Garry will begin his own journey in the Hornet class in 2027 at the age of 14.
Cole would like to thank everyone who has supported him in the pits, the garage, and the grandstands. Special thanks go to his wife Monica Byrd, his son Garry Byrd, his brother Matt Byrd, and his friends Kane Fraser, Dennis Redlick, Jordy Bremner, Eddy Meers and many more who helped build not just cars—but lifelong memories.
