Canada’s longest running major drag race event – set for celebration!…

The WDRA CANADIAN NATIONALS will hit it’s milestone 25th Anniversary this coming weekend at Grand Bend Motorplex.

The WDRA Canadian Nationals continues to be one of the largest drag racing events in Canada. This is the 25th Anniversary edition of the event (we would have celebrated 25 years in 2024 — but lost one event to COVID).

The 2025 edition will showcase some of the best drag race vehicles Canada has to offer.

Paton Racing – Top Fuel Dragster

For Top Fuel, Canada’s own Todd Paton, a staple name associated with many of these events, will continue the Paton Racing’s 60th anniversary season tour with a match race against Kyle Satenstein, new driver for the Leverich Racing Top Fueler (from Michigan).

The weekend lineup also includes the Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars of Brian Christie and Greg Jacobsmeyer but for for even more nitro there will be a Chicago-style shootout showcasing some of Canada’s best A-Fuel dragster talents – including (all from Ontario, Jeff Veale – Jeff Chatterson and Brian Peters). A 4th car is TBA.

Greg Jacobsmeyer – nitro burning Nostalgia Funny Car

Jeff Chatterson’s A/FD

Canada’s own amazing HELLFIRE Jet Truck – owned and driven by Russ Lethbridge — will be making his first appearance in Ontario in 2025, Russ always puts on a great show.

Russ Lethbridge’s “Hellfire” Jet Truck

We have 4 (yes 4!) very cool Nostalgia Jet Funny cars ready to stage up including (Quartermaster, Black Pearl, PT the Pirate and Pirate’s Payday).

Drag racing’s nostalgia aspect will also be well represented — including some front engine dragsters, AA Gassers and a group of True North A Gassers.

On the competition side the event is the 2nd race in the Bears Performance Products PSDS series presented by Strange Engineering featuring Pro Mods, Top Sportsman and Top Dragsters.

The WDRA Canadian Nationals ET bracket program features $2500 to win races for Box and No Box plus a Bike/Sled and Junior dragster program, all programs are racing for the prestigious WDRA Rod Trophy.

To top it all off we have legendary Shirley Muldowney coming back as our Grand Marshall. Shirley was the headliner at our very first National event in 2000 — so it is great having her back for our 25th. Shirley will be greeting people in the pit area and selling some of her merchandise. Make sure you stop by and say hello to a true Drag Racing icon !

Ticket sales have been brisk but are still available at www.gbmpresales.com.

Posted by Paul Spriet
Photos Courtesy of GBM – DragRaceCanada file photos by Mike Gregg – Steve Embling – Stacee Richards