Sylvan Lake “Spiderman” Spreads Web
Ken Webster’s versatility within Canadian drag racing continues. Based from Sylvan Lake in central Alberta, the innovative owner of “Webster Motorsports” is at it again with new additions to his already impressive multi-car operation…
During the recent IHRA Mopar Rocky Mountain Nitro Jam at Edmonton, Ken Webster was a rather surprising name printed out on the Nostalgia Nitro FC entry list. Did I say surprising (?) –probably a poor choice of words given Ken’s history for fielding a wide variety of race cars.
Alberta's Ken Webster has been impressive right out of the gate since acquiring the ex-Todd Lesenko Nostalgia Nitro Burner
At Edmonton, Ken was entered at that race for the first time ever in a nitro car. He made his debut in a 1970 Camaro, after acquiring that complete operation from fellow Albertan Todd Lesenko, who as we all know has now graduated to NHRA’s Full Throttle Series.
“Over the last few seasons I had been racing Geoff Goodwin’s Synoil TAFC and I learned a lot and got great experience in that seat,” Webster explained. “That got me thinking more about Funny Cars. I found out that Todd had some of his iron up for sale so I went down to Las Vegas to check out his Jolly Rogers Camaro which was sitting there turn key. It was a proven car — and Todd doesn’t mess around with things like this so I knew exactly what I was getting. I was convinced pretty quick that this was going to be my deal going forward.”
Ken brought the race car back to Alberta but initially had no plans to race it this season.
“Then I got talking with Geoff Goodwin and Gordon Jenner about two weeks prior to the Rocky Mountain Nationals,” he continued. “Gordon came over and checked out the car – we did a few warm ups and decided then to give it a go.”
Webster put together a rather “make shift” team that also included talented names like Neil Fedderly and Mike Grekul. To be honest that group has looked anything but “make shift” so far.
At their Edmonton debut race, they had a very strong best time of 5.971 secs which qualified them #3 for that field. In round one Ken beat Tim Nemeth on a holeshot before himself falling victim to a holeshot by eventual winner Tim Boychuk. In that semi final match Ken ran a 6.045 secs compared to Boychuk’s winning 6.131 secs.
That strong result has fueled some speculation about Webster’s racing plans into the future.
“I don’t have anything serious planned right now because things are just beginning to jell,” Ken continued. “Mike, Ed, Neal and Gordon are an awesome bunch of guys and this thing is really fun to drive. I can see us running a few more races this year and then see where all that takes us.” (Note: the team also raced at Mission’s rained out FC event last weekend).
In total Ken now personally owns some 10 fully operational drag racing vehicles. That includes a TAD which has never been run and also a new exhibition Chevy pick-up wheel stander.
Ken Webster's racing ventures seem to give new meaning to the word versatility!
“The wheel stander is also new this season,” Ken added. “To be honest I started out looking for a Jet dragster but ended up with this! It’s odd to drive but I plan to dabble with it too from time to time.”
“Put me in a seat – buckle me up – I will race pretty much anything,” he concluded. (No kidding! Ed.)
Just "some" of Ken Webster's other drag racing cars!
Webster Motorsports, is a 100% self-funded racing operation, the end result of a list of oilfield service companies which Ken has founded and established over the years. That includes KEW Services, Webster Oilfield and Webster Compressor – all specialists within the rich Alberta oilfield industry.
Posted by: Bruce Biegler – Photos by: Bruce Biegler
