Albertans “Saddle Up” Again! « DragRaceCanada.com

Albertans “Saddle Up” Again!

by editor on Jan.02, 2014, under Hotzone

Albertans “Saddle Up” Again!

The just past 2013 Canadian drag racing season included a very significant re-emergence for one of Canada’s most recognized names in drag racing – Glen Kerunsky….

Glen, along with his wife Cindy, who are based from Priddis, AB., and who have a real deep and successful history within Canada’s Pro Mod scene, returned to the sport after about a 3.5 year sabbatical.

“World Travellers” Glen & Cindy Kerunsky have returned to Canada’s Pro Mod scene.

At about mid-season last year the duo decided to form an alliance with another Alberta-based racer, Gary Mason, and together proceeded to rekindle their drag racing program by running a supercharged ’53 Corvette which was formally owned by Rick Distefano.

Together the team made a couple of event appearances, which included a pretty good showing during the independent Street Car Super Nationals held at Las Vegas last November.

Kerunsky & Mason have begun to campaign a Corvette formally owned by Rick Distefano

“Gary Mason had a Pro Mod but got out of the sport about 2008,” Kerunsky explained. “He is a good friend and we got talking one day. He still had a couple of motors and told me that if I were to buy a race car — he would supply the engines. That kind of offer doesn’t haven everyday — so we decided this was a good thing to do again.”

Gary Mason

“The reality was that everything we acquired was pretty new to us – because we had sold off all of our previous stuff,” Glen continued. “But by season’s end, we were getting a handle on our new combination. We were quite pleased with the way we ran – given we were out of this for quite some time.”

While away from drag racing – Glen and Cindy were anything but idle. After selling off a very successful business they took off to tour the world in their amazing boat dubbed the “Mystery Ship” (see photo below).

“We had a lot of fun and have a lot of stories doing that,” Glen laughed. “We spent a good part of 3 years on the sea and crossed to the South Pacific. About six months ago we sailed back to Costa Rica — but now we keep our boat stored in Mexico.”

“But to be honest – we we’re getting a little bored,” he revealed. “I began to think that I might be a bit to young to be retired and I realized over the past couple years that I really missed drag racing.”

Glen, Cindy and Gary plan to continue their association in 2014 but Glen was quick to point out that they will not run anywhere near the aggressive season schedule’s they have done in the past.

“When I quit last time it was after 16 years of racing and three consecutive full seasons on the tour,” he added. “That takes a toll both financially and physically so going forward we don’t want anything too stressful. Instead we are going to focus on six or seven major races in the west – PSCA, NMCA and Canadian Pro Mod events. Those are good racing and good socializing.”

For team partner Gary Mason, who is involved in Alberta’s oil patch industry, the partnership fits well too. Gary too is back in the sport with new energy and it is allowing him to utilize again some impressive Les Davenport technology (blower and engine) which he ran while racing his ex-Mitch Stott Corvette between 2007-08.