Hot Cars / Hot Topics – Late Season Updates

by editor on Nov.24, 2024, under CJI/KHR Hot Cars/Hot Topics

Presented by KHR — More significant news as Canada’s 2024 drag racing season winds down….

Season Ending Spoils! — Talk about ending a racing season on a high! Langley BC-based veteran drag racer Joe Mellof earned his biggest career prize ever during last week’s NHRA In-N-Out Burger Finals at Pomona! Driving his 2009 Jerry Haas-built GXP – Joe scored his first ever NHRA national event title win – taking the Top Sportsman event crown.

Joe & Shelly Mellof

After qualifying #13 of 30 cars entered, Mellof collected four win lights within the T/S tournament, defeating (fellow BC racer) Mike Lucas, Chris Newman and Paul Mitsos. In the championship round his opponent Robert Strohm had a red-light foul start – and with that the prestigious event title was secured.

This GXP, which is part of Mellof Racing’s impressive 4-race car stable, is powered by a Sunset performance engine 708 cubic inch BBC with a Coan turbo 400 3-speed transmission. The car had previously been campaigned in NHRA Competition eliminator as a B/AA.

“Finally,” said a very relieved Joe Mellof. “We have the car running the most consistent it ever has, but going into that final I knew I had to keep it green. I feel so lucky to be here and in this position – doing this with my wife Shelly and all my family!”

Versatile & Victorious — Highly talented BC-based “hired gun” driver and tuner Jordan Lazic added even more success to his phenomenal 2024 drag racing season. Lazic, who was crowned as the NHRA’s 2024 Congruity Pro Mod class World Champion while driving for Bahrain 1 Racing, added another win just one week later – staring in Dallas at the Texas Radial Round Up event (Nov 9th). Jordan (owner and operator of Gen 3 Speed) was driving and tuning the Gobert Racing-owned 2017 Camaro which features a 959 CID nitrous-injected monstrosity motor, and took that to victory lane. Then, just for good measure, Lazic did the trackside tuning for another team (JDR Racing) which ultimately led them to victory lane too – for the event’s X275 class program.

Luskville to Migrate – A premier and long-standing Eastern Canadian drag racing facility located just outside Gatineau Quebec, is set to enter a new chapter.

Brothers Fred and Frank Angers, well-known in Canadian drag racing circles for their on-track success and contributions as race promoters, will assume ownership of Luskville Dragway from Arnie Malcolm in the spring of 2025. Joining them as partners are Derek Malcolm and Troy Davis, who bring extensive experience and dedication to the operation.

The Angers brothers have built a legacy over the past 20 years as prominent race promoters, successfully running two of Canada’s most popular bracket racing series. Their accomplishments include the Série Para-DragRaceQuébec at Sanair (2008–2012) and, more recently, the Super Tour Drag Racing Series, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2025. With Derek and Troy as partners, the team brings a wealth of expertise and a strong passion for the sport, making them ideal successors to carry on the storied legacy of Luskville Dragway.

Arnie Malcolm, a former NHRA Super Gas racer who raced nationally in his heyday, has led Luskville Dragway for 43 years, establishing it as Canada’s top drag racing venue. Known for bringing big-money bracket racing to Canadian audiences, he was a pioneer in offering significant payouts and drawing top-tier racers to his events. Though he steps back from ownership, Arnie will continue to be involved as a consultant, supporting a smooth transition and overseeing upcoming site improvement projects.

Under the Angers’ leadership, the 2025 season will feature nine race events, including three Super Tour Championship races and a prestigious NHRA Canadian Championship National Open Event. With longtime Luskville staff members Derek Malcolm and Troy Davis joining as partners, the new ownership team aims to maintain the track’s high standards and further enhance the racing experience.

10th Anniversary Season — Eastern Canada’s premier ET circuit – the Super Tour Drag Racing Series — will enter and celebrate a decade of operations in 2025.

The 2025 Super Tour Drag Racing Series (Canada’s largest drag racing series) will schedule five thrilling and lucrative race weekends split between Napierville Dragway and Luskville Dragway.

The event dates are — May 30, 31, and June 1 (Spring Bracket Break) and June 27, 28, and 29: (Summer Bracket Nationals) both @ Napierville Dragway.

Luskville Dragway will be the site for rounds 3 and 4, July 31 to August 3: Bracket Bonanza Week and then
August 29, 30, and 31: Fall Bracket 10 Years Anniversary Race.

September 26, 27, and 28 will be the concluding season round — the Canadian Bracket Finals grand finale at Napierville Dragway.

The 2025 season will bring several exciting new features, including a new prize format and some rule adjustments – details to be announced soon.