Mercifully — the long and frustrating wait is over for Southern Ontario area drag racing fans……

Grand Bend Motorplex has confirmed details for it’s “big show” lineup for the IHRA Canadian Nationals – coming July 30-Aug 1st.  

Following a forced one year pandemic layoff, this historical signature annual event for Ontario will begin a comeback presenting a great mix of machines as well as returning favourites. 

Racing fans will be treated at long last to the return of nitro fumes — with the Paris Ontario-based Paton Racing dragsters headlining the event and with Todd Paton and Jeff Chatterson driving.

After a much too long of a layoff — the Paton Racing team will be back in action!

Quebec’s Daniel Mercier will race Ontario’s Jeff Veale with their highly potent NHRA injected nitro cars and London’s Rob Brown will bring in his nitro-burning Harleys.  

Mountain motor Pro Stock cars will be on hand — with the legendary Konigshofer Brothers Mustang set to match race the Paone Brothers Chevy Camaro.

Canada’s first family for Pro Stock racing — the Koningshofer Brothers will be at GBM

A series of additional exhibition runs are on the event menu — including front-engined nostalgia dragsters raced by Perry Kerry and JC Goodacres,  Neale Armstrong’s “Northern Warrior” Jet Dragster and Russ Lethbridge’s “Hellfire” Jet-powered Freightliner.

Russ Lethbridge’s Hellfire Jet-powered Freightliner!

The IHRA Canadian Nationals edition will also present ferocious qualified fields for Pro Mod, Top Sportsman and Top Dragster eliminators.

Officially the feature cars will make two laps Saturday evening and one on Sunday — however the likelihood of some pre-race testing for Friday evening — is very high.

While Daniel Mercier’s primary objective will be racing his A/FD at GBM — we do have it on good authority — maybe some runs too in his new Funny Car?

DragRaceCanada will release more details about the IHRA Canadian Nationals a bit later — however drag racing fans should note — that this coming weekend (July 16-18) – Grand Bend Motorplex will provide a tasty preview – with Pro Mod – Top Sportsman and Top Dragsters in competition.

Advance tickets available soon at Grand Bend Motorplex : HERE

Post and photos by Bruce Biegler