Details to a major upgrade for one of Quebec’s most dedicated and storied race teams….

After a rather timeless span of nearly 30 years with a very creative and very unique race car – Beaulieu Performance – announces plans to page forward to a new and faster team chapter in 2022.

Since 1993, team founder and patriarch Ghislain Beaulieu has been a familiar player within Canada and also the U.S. Northeast, while running a 1990 model Chrysler LeBaron.

That hand fabricated car, originally a Pro Stock style chassis, began life as an 8.90 index car (Super Comp) before being morphed to a longer wheelbase, double rail Pro Mod style chassis, and then into competiton in both Top Sportsman and Pro Mod class racing (using various engine programs).

The Beaulieu Racing LeBaron shown from 2005 – prior to turbocharged

Last season however, the team which now features Ghislain’s talented son Cedric as driver, and which placed high within final points for Napierville’s FuelTech Pro Modified Series (#3), did come to a decision to upgrade their program – when opportunity knocked.

The team acquired a spectacular 1969 Camaro which was formally owned by Edmonton’s Jim Bell (founder of JB’s Power Centre in Alberta). While Jim did drive this car on a limited basis initially, the keys for it were eventually passed over within a partnership between Jim and Carl Stevens Jr. (based from New Jersey state), who drove it up until last year.

Long time Canadian drag racer Ghislain Beaulieu with his newest project!

“As friends of Jim and also being in touch with Carl while buying parts and one of his motors — it arose that Jim offered us the car and we took the opportunity,” Cedric revealed. “This car is fully equipped with the best class tech there is and it was built by Jerry Bickel. We already had a Hemi XRE (Xtreme Racing Engines) 521 CID motor from Carl for our LeBaron – which we plan to use. That motor produces about 4500 HP using 94mm Garrett Turbos and a Holley EFI system.”

Ghislain and Cedric plan to focus primarily on Napierville Dragway’s full FuelTech Pro Mod Series for 2022 — but also will tour with the car, including to Grand Bend Motorplex in Ontario and also into the USA for some PDRA or NEOPMA events.”

“We’re excited about the performance leaps to come,” Cedric admitted. “We are looking to run in the low 3.70’s (secs) — but also have a goal to go 3.60’s over 220 mph.”

This development for 2022 will be the biggest challenge for driver Cedric who first drove the family’s LeBaron 20 years ago (age 16) before then becoming the team’s primary driver at age 26.

Cedric Beaulieu

The close knit and self funded team, which is based from Lac Etchemin (located not far south of Quebec City), also includes Mom Louise Beaulieu and long time crew member Viateur Carbonneau.

Beaulieu Performance has been in operation since being first formed in 1983.

And while team excitement bounds, Cedric also confirmed that the team’s, familiar, tried and true LeBaron will be put up for sale. There will thus be some team emotion because of that, simply because of the time span and family man hours involved with that project over so many seasons.

“That race car has certainly been around,” he smiled. “In fact after making its drag strip debut way back in 1992 — it’s has been highly modified and morphed quite a few times — so it may be a little difficult to part with.”

The Beaulieu Performance LeBaron placed #3 in final FuelTech Pro Mod Series points – last season.

Posted by Bruce Biegler
Photos Courtesy of Beaulieu Performance
DragRaceCanada File Photos by Bruce Biegler & Brennan Shortall