Big Eastern Canadian drag racing news development includes famous “First Family” name…
The Fletcher Family, who are known synonymously within Ontario’s drag racing history annals, open another chapter.
During recent months, there has been much rumblings and speculation about potential change of ownership for at fabled Cayuga Dragway at Toronto Motorsports Park being in the works. That notion is however now currently parked (**) and an exciting “Plan B” is being set into motion.
Instead, St. Thomas Dragway (Sparta ON.), currently owned by Spriet Investments, has officially been sold to Bill and Rachelle Fletcher and it is on the cusp of some major undertakings, including the restoration of it’s former icon name – London Motorsports Park.
Bill Fletcher, who is nephew to John and Sharon Fletcher, (Canadian Hall of Fame members who owned and operated London Motorsports Park so very famously during the 1990s), has confirmed the track acquisition.
Bill Fletcher
“Our conversations with the Spriet ownership group started in earnest about 3 months ago and moved to a definitive agreement over the last couple of weeks,” Bill Fletcher said. “We’re taking over operations effective Nov 1st 2026 — with the current staff and remaining 2026 event calendar staying intact.”
Initial plan details for the track and property while “walk before run” are both impressive and potential ridden — inspiring for both racers and fans within the Southern Ontario area.
“Year one will be about listening before spending,” Bill continued. “That said, the priorities we’ve already identified include an all new track surface including concrete and shutdown-area resurfacing. A new timing system and displays and video/timing board package will be added– as well a new guardrail and safety infrastructure start to finish.”
An aggressive to-do list does encompass work and upgrades to staging lanes, pit power, addition of free Internet, Track App and many spectator amenities – including restrooms, concessions and shade. Improvements too will be for return road and tow-vehicle logistics.
“Our priority is to set the basis for a real fan experience, things like great sight lines, amazing sound and even a next level food menu (with your order delivered to your seat or pit at major events!)
“Our events will be filled with spectator interactions throughout the entire event, something that has been missing for a long time,” Bill affirmed. “We will be introducing “LMP Cares” an initiative to reach out to underserved families in the London and surrounding areas.”
From a traditional drag racer/drag fan perspective, important clarification has come from Bill that the facility will be returned to and maintained as a 1/4 mile facility.
“These grounds at St. Thomas (which held it’s first race ever back in 1962) started as and have always been a 1/4-mile strip. The full 1320 is simply part of the track’s identity — and it will absolutely stay that way,” Bill affirmed. “However, with more and more 1/8 mile race days being requested — that too will be accommodated. For sanctioning: St. Thomas was the first drag strip outside the United States to be NHRA-sanctioned, back in the 1960s and our intent is to continue as an NHRA member track. Conversation with NHRA for that has already been opened.”
“Our end goal is the reintroduction for the London Motorsports Park name and heritage and re-establish LMP as Canada’s “Fastest Drag Strip” not just a slogan but as a bar we intend to clear.” Bill explained.
Bill and Rachelle are also very proud of the heritage aspect for the facility and that motivation is genuine.
“Honestly, it’s the part of this deal that means the most personally. John and Sharon Fletcher bought St. Thomas in 1990, ran it as London Motorsports Park through the ’90s under NHRA. They brought in some huge names (including John Force to Sparta X3) during what was a great era for Canadian drag racing history. So being able to pick that thread back up, at the same track, with the family name on the gate again, isn’t something you can put a dollar figure on. We owe a lot to what the Harvey family first built in 1962 and to what John and Sharon built on top of it, and we intend to honour both.”
During the 1990’s era London Motorsports Park attracted many major league players for drag racing – including legend names like John Force & Chuck Etchells (above) and Jim Oddy (below).
The “Nouveaux” London Motorsports Park, is an acquisition being made through Fletch Racing, with Bill and Rachelle as principals. It is not a syndicate or an investor-fund purchase. It is hands-on track ownership and from the management side the leadership team is now being developed — however we can confirm that Dan Fletcher will be at the helm — for LMP.
Bill – Dan & John Fletcher
While exact event details into the future are premature at this point – Canadian drag racing fans can/should be excited about the possibilities – which include — return of a marquee annual event back to Sparta (something in the spirit of the Can-Am Nationals and the Force-era exhibition weekends).
“Our signature event announcement will (when ready) come separately — but yes a big one is planned — and we intend for it to be “the” Canadian drag racing event of the year!”
These developments for at LMP do by their very nature and locale have an effect on proximity facilities Grand Bend Motorplex and Toronto Motorsport Park.
About that situation, Paul Spriet (Grand Bend Motorplex) stated:
“Timing is everything because we had recently been discussing possible succession plans. So when Bill approached us about purchasing St Thomas it is a great fit for all involved. We will complete the ’26 season there, then my son Jarrett who has been doing a great job with St Thomas, will move over to GBM to work with that team. I have been running GBM for 30 years now so I plan to step back into more of an advisory role. So having St Thomas go back into the hands of a family with tons of history in the sport for Canada is the best of both worlds. Bill plans to invest in the facility to take it to the next level, which benefits all racers — I think it’s a win-win-win for everyone involved.”
**As for Toronto Motorsports Park – Bill Fletcher did add:
“During our negotiations I had a lot of respect for what is happening at Cayuga. In fact — I have kept the door open for a future purchase. For the present, St. Thomas was the right track, at the right time, with the right ownership group to sell to a buyer who cares about the heritage and future of the sport. The Fletcher connection to this specific facility made it a natural fit — but we all know — Cayuga Dragway also has the Fletcher name heritage connected to its history. So perhaps when the time is right, we can continue things there.”
Fletch Racing (which was first established in 2024) also does field an impressive grouping of race cars within — which see action both in Canada and in the USA. That fleet includes four Mustangs and a Junior Dragster; driven by Bill Fletcher, Logan Kendall, Aaron Burley, Rachel Bell and Mason Burley.
Rachelle & Bill Fletcher
Posted by Bruce Biegler
DragRaceCanada File Photos
