Spotlight is shined to Canada’s drag racing spectrum and history during 2025 CDRHF inductions…
On November 8th the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame (CDRHF) hosted its 10th anniversary Inductee’s Gala taking place in the opulent surroundings of Montreal’s Armon Plaza Hotel.
The event continued the ongoing CDRHF celebration to the immense contributions and achievements of individuals in the world of Canadian drag racing.
Hosts John Scotti (CDRHF Founder and CEO) along with Bob Aubertin (Director) – presented the 2025 season affair that recognising 13 new celebrated participants from the world of drag racing. The 2025 Inductees were:
Ryan Hodgson – Champion Funny Car driver & Crew Chief
Ryan Hodgson – was the NHRA’s Hot Rod Heritage Series World Champion for Nitro Funny Cars in 2017.
Kevin Wicke – Highly accomplished Ontario-based driver & team owner
Micheal Bastin – Successful Mopar-brand racer
Canadian Mopar brand drag racing proponent – Micheal Bastin
Kenny Lee – Renowned deep history Pro Stock racer
Kenny Lee (on right) with Pennzoil Pro Stock racers Jerry Eckman and John Waldie (@ London Motorsports Park 1997).
Brian and Corinne MacMillan – Decades long Sportsman racing dedication
MacMillan & Wife Camaro
Ev Rowse – Scott Wilson T/F Crewman
Mike Hishon – 60 Years reputed Grassroots Racer
One of the many versions — Ontario-signature — “Hishon Brothers” Willys
Justin Bond – Top ranked British Columbia-based Pro Mod racer
Canadian Pro Mod seriously standout driver – Justin Bond
Carl Spiering – Highly popular multi-time IHRA Pro Mod winner
Brian Oakes – Famous Maritimes-based Super Stock veteran
Brian Oakes’ deep racing resume includes successful campaigns with this John Armstrong build SS/BA Camaro.
Norbert Siegfred and Brian Bly – Record-smashing VW Brand drag racers.
Siegfried & Bly’s – national record holding Bug!
About the CDRHF — The CDRHF is dedicated to recognizing the significant achievements of individuals in the sport of drag racing in Canada. Founded by John Scotti, the Hall of Fame has been celebrating drag racing legends and their contribution to the sport since its inception in 2015.
To view detailed bios on all of these inductees and for more information about CDRHF visit their official: HERE
An Additional Honour!
The November 8th evening celebration did also include some very special recognition for CDRHF Founder & CEO – John Scotti – who was the 2025 recipient for the John Massingberd Memorial Award.
The John Massingberd Memorial Award has been presented by the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) to a new, deserving individual who represents the same commitment, dedication and passion that John Massingberd conveyed for the sport of auto racing.
Massingberd, a long-time motorsports media personality, was instrumental in promoting Canadian motorsports until his passing in December of 2008 after a long and courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
This year’s award was presented to: John Scotti.
Bruce Mehlenbacher with John Scotti
John Scotti has been passionate about the sport since he was 16, working as a mechanic for his mentor, John Dingman, who was one of the leading mechanics for performance racing engines. This led Scotti to pursue a career in the automotive industry, in which he has become an icon.
Drag racing became an obsession, over 25 years ago, he hit a record time of 8.08 seconds on the quarter-mile with his dragster. In 2012, after learning that John Dingman had passed away, John Scotti set out to create the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame to honour the men and women of the sport he loved.
In 2024, John Scotti established the NHRA John Scotti Canadian Championship Series and has supported the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series for the past eight seasons.
John Scotti’s John Scotti Automotive is Canada’s uncontested leader in luxury automobiles.
After five decades of growth, innovation and success, founder John Scotti has carved out a unique place for himself as an entrepreneur and builder of the automotive industry.
As owner of Lamborghini Montreal, the largest and one of the most respected dealerships in the world for the Italian marque, John Scotti looks back with pride on his career and his company’s position.
John was 16 years old when he obtained his class 1 mechanic certification, making him the youngest person to get this accreditation from the Comité Paritaire de l’Automobile de Montréal.
“When I opened my first garage in 1975, I had no idea we’d be here 50 years later,” he said. “I’ve always shied away from the spotlight, but after starting from scratch and building a successful business, I wanted to turn the spotlight on my team and our achievements”. John Scotti Automotive grew to include major brands such as Lamborghini, Lotus, Jaguar, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Subaru, Alfa Romeo, and Volvo.
John Scotti has earned high praise from clients and Lamborghini management. According to Andrea Baldi, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini America, “John Scotti is a key player in our dealer network in Canada. He has always taken the brand’s success to heart, and we wish to recognize, with this anniversary, his passion, partnership, and devotion to Automobili Lamborghini. His personal Lamborghini collection is breathtaking and among the best in North America. We congratulate John for all his achievements.”
John Scotti Automotive’s is the dealership about to sell its 1,000th Lamborghini, but a new state-of-the-art facility will also be inaugurated in the coming months.
John Scotti arrived in Canada in the late 1950s at the age of two, and his story goes far beyond his car dealerships and impressive collection of luxury vehicles: it’s about a warm-hearted, hard-working man with a passion for motorsports.
Over the years, he has actively given back to his community through numerous charitable events. These include the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Canada’s annual Drive for Smiles classic, for which he helps create unique experiences for sick children and their families through his luxury cars.
The John Massingberd Award honours a national ambassador of Canadian motorsport in all disciplines who demonstrates keen insight and entrepreneurial creativity.
In the late 1980s, John co-established Promark Motorsport International, which included Raceline Motorsport Television and SnowTrax Television, with Bruce Mehlenbacher, two media ventures responsible for bringing Canadian motorsport to a greater audience and well-deserved prominence. Along with coverage of drag racing, stock car racing, road racing, and tractor pulls, he co-founded and co-anchored Raceline Radio with Promark Motorsport International and Raceline Television in 1992.
John was the executive producer of Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, the Raceline Radio Network, along with Erik Tomas. Raceline Radio was Canada’s first and only nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, celebrating 31 years on the air in 2023 as Canada’s National Radio Motorsport Authority.
All who knew John quickly recognized his larger-than-life stature. With his warm, friendly, yet firm handshake, quick wit, and genuine charm, John had a fantastic ability to never be at a loss for words. He pioneered his field, breaking new ground in radio and television coverage of Canadian Motorsport.
In keeping with the spirit of the Pro Modified Racing Association, it is appropriate and altogether fitting to recognize John Scotti with this annual award.
Past Recipients:
Carl Spiering, Fred & Betsy Smith, R.W. (Bob) Slack, Vern Christy, John Waldie, Tim Miller, Bruce Biegler, Harvey Silverthorne, Rob Potter, Erik Tomas and Michael Shane.
Posted by CDRHF & Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
DragRaceCanada Archives File photos by Bruce Biegler
