There will be a new chapter coming for a rekindled racing partnership within Eastern Canada this season…….

After first getting together for drag racing circuit racing back in 1989 – Ontario’s Bob Park and Dean Moggach will once again join forces more formally this coming year — announcing plans to field a potent 2-car Chevy Super Stock racing team.

Bob and Dean, who both reside as neighbours in Dundas Ontario and who are cousins by relationship, are making plans to be highly active in 2021 with two Chevy Camaro cars, Bob with his circuit familiar 1982 model and Dean with his recently acquired 2002 Camaro.

For a period during the 1990’s — Bob and Dean were a force to be reckoned with within Eastern drag racing while campaigning both a ’69 Camaro and then a 1980 Oldsmobile Starfire.   During that time Bob was the car owner and Dean was predominately the driver and they were very successful together including multiple class and event wins and also scoring an overall track championship (at Cayuga Dragway) in 1993.

Bob Park and Dean Moggach did terrorize the competition within Eastern Canada during the early 1990’s — that included a season dominating track championship at Cayuga Dragway.

“My first race ever came in Bob’s ’69 Camaro,” Dean admitted.  “From that point on Bob always give me perfectly prepped race cars to drive and we enjoyed some great seasons together.  In 1993 we had an event winning record of 33% — 11 wins for 33 races we entered.  We raced together up until 1995 when I had to step aside to move along with my career and raise a family.”

Since that time Bob Park has been a high longevity player within Eastern Canadian and USA Super Stock class racing.  Both his commitment and success within drag racing is well recognized and even earned him a deserving spot within the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame – where he was inducted into in 2018.

Bob Park is recognized as one of Eastern Canada’s most committed and seasoned Sportsman racers — he was inducted into the CDRHF in 2018.

“I did drive for Bob a bit starting again in the 2016 season – and really realized how much I missed it,” Dean continued.  “Then as fate would have it Wally Clark made me an offer for this 2002 Camaro at the end of last year that I couldn’t refuse.  It’s going to be fun for both of us, really just a continuation of things.”

Dean Moggach will race this 2002 GT/GA classed Camaro
Circa 1982 LEDs ?!

Both team Camaro’s have undergone extensive off-season work and upgrades.  Bob’s GT/KA Camaro has a 327 CID motor originally built by Brian Tilburg and Dean’s GT/GA (formally owned by Steve Novosel) has a 400 CID Manley engine.  Both those motor programs have been freshened with work by Rob Becker.

“My Camaro does have new paint,” Bob Park added.  “But for both cars there is nothing that really hasn’t been touched.  We’re in a very good spot to start our season.”

The team does plan to campaign extensively in 2021.  Needless to say a full Can/Am Stock/Super Stock season series of races would be a high priority as would any of the Eastern Canadian NHRA National Open events be (if COVID restrictions do allow for that scheduling).

Bob and Dean both did emphasize a lot of behind the scenes support they received which allows for this racing reunion – including help from Wally Clark, Rob Becker and FJ Smith.  Jamie Wildgoose (Race Car Services), Waterdown Collision, Brant Auto Body and Rob Potter are also on that high priority list as are wives Judy and Sue.

Drive In Deception?:  A little novel history about the Robert C. Park Racing Team’s early influence factor!  One of his team’s longest and continuing associate sponsors is company Moon Heavy Haul (Drumheller AB) which is owned by Bob Davidson (originally from Ontario).  A team urban legend has both Bob Davidson and also driver Dean Moggach’s first ever experience in drag racing having similarity.  At very young ages (ie: 8-9 years old) the story has it that both were smuggled into the drag strip — undetected. Using a towed open trailer — both were hidden under the hood in between the grill and the radiator of Bob’s — then campaigned — ’57 Chevy Stocker (!! LOL) — and as they say — now for the rest of the story…..  

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Bruce Biegler & Rob Potter