Stephen Richard Allard

Stephen Richard Allard, a well-known dirt track sprint car driver in Northern California, died Monday, Dec. 24, 2012, in Cameron Park, Calif. He was 40. Allard worked at The Harris Ranch in Wilton and previously at North State Auto Parts in Chico, but his passion was racing sprint cars. He was a two-time track champion at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, where he ranks in the top 20 for all-time main event wins. In 2012, he finished second in points at the sprint car division at Placerville Speedway and won a total of six main events at Placerville Speedway and in the Civil War Series. A fierce competitor behind the wheel, Allard was often the first to humbly offer advice and assistance to fellow competitors. All will miss his offbeat humor and practical jokes in the pit area.

Allard was born Nov. 26, 1972, in Sacramento. When he was about six months old his family moved to Chico, where he was raised and lived most of his adult life. At age eight, his parents introduced him to BMX racing. He shifted to racing go-karts at age 12, winning a championship at an indoor track in Red Bluff. He attended Chico High School and later graduated from the Welding Technology Program at Butte College in Oroville. He also enjoyed water skiing, riding jet-skis, snowboarding and working out.

While sprint car racing was a life passion, Allard cared most about his family and friends. He was a dedicated father, a loving son, a devoted brother and a gracious husband. In October 2011, he married Lovleen Kumar. Earlier this year, they bought their dream home in Cameron Park.

Allard is survived by his wife, Lovleen; daughter, Ashley (from a previous marriage); parents, Ken Allard and Tory Allard; step-mom, Debbie Allard; brothers, Jonathan and Kenny Allard; and step-grandparents, Jerry and Leora Silva.

There will be a gathering of family and close friends on Jan. 5, at 11 a.m., at Stephen and Lovleen’s home in Cameron Park to commemorate their life together. For more details, contact Lovleen. The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made in memory of Stephen Allard to the Knoxville Bound Trip, c/o JP’s Paint and Body Works, 1840 Park Ave., Chico, CA 95928, or to the Stephen Allard Memorial Fund, c/o El Dorado Savings Bank, Account No. 013246228, P.O. Box 1208, Placerville, CA 95667. A celebration of life will be held on Jan. 12, at noon in the Commercial Building at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico. People attending are welcomed to start arriving at 11:30 a.m. For more information, look at www.stephenallard.com