The sights and sounds of summer set to return to Shannonville Motorsports Park!….
After a few years hiatus, drag racing has returned to the 1/8th mile dragstrip and personally, I couldn’t be happier! On a personal note, my first time to a drag strip in the early 90’s was here and this is where I formed my love with the almighty burnout! As years went on, I picked up a camera – and my love for motorsports photography was born!
The person leading the way is not one locals would’ve imagined. This person is not local at all – he calls Windsor, Ontario home. Chuck Fram Sr is the man with the plan. 23 years ago he approached Grand Bend Motorplex with an idea of starting a racer appreciation day for his business – Chucks Speed Shop, and he called it “The Windsor Weekend”. On that day they expected 30 or 40 cars, but they had over 160 in the lanes. 2 years later, they had approximately 7500 fans in the stands and the lanes were packed. It has continued on ever since.
Chuck is a racer at heart, had always wanted to promote his own series, but with the tracks already having plans in place, his idea was shelved. This is until a friend told him about a vacant drag strip 5hours away that could use his promoting skills. He reached out to owner John Bondar and started the conversations.
The result of that conversation is a 4 weekend series that will include the ONDR (Ontario Nostalgia Drag Racers) for the first weekend, it’s the called the Nostalgia Weekend. The 2nd weekend will be a high rollers race with enhanced payouts in the box class. The 3rd weekend is a No Box weekend, also with enhanced payouts. This event will also include a Foot Brake race. The last race is a Street Spectacular race. This race will include a trophy class for those looking to try drag racing for the first time and will also have a cheaper entry fee.
The racers can look forward to prepped lanes set up for racers from the Jr Classes all the way to high horsepower dragsters & door cars. The classes will include Pro, Super Pro, Street, a Nostalgia Class and Jr Dragsters. But take note – the series needs your attendance! With racer participation, the only way is up! Larger payouts, larger events & larger crowds.
Chuck would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to his wife Kathy, who keeps it all together behind the scenes , his nephew Kevin who is basically his go –to person, and other family members who are helping out.
The series is always looking for sponsors, but they would like to say thanks to The Dock & Door Company, Chucks Speed Shop, Red Seal Weld Tech, Shannik Mobile Repair & Bossline Spray Foam.
See attached page for dates & payout information.
Visit Shannonville Drags Official : HERE
Posted by Brennan Shortall
