Western Canada’s fabled Mission Raceway Park hosts it’s 2023 awards banquet….
The gathering which was held at the Clarion Hotel in Abbotsford BC (20 minutes from Mission Raceway) celebrated the achievements of various class racers as well as recognised employees.
The turnout was the best in years, and the food was spectacular. But most of all we noticed there was some different winners this time around with some 2nd place finishers from 2022 wanting the title in 2023.
16 Classes were given major awards this evening from Jr. Thunder and up to X275.
Junior Drag Racing at Mission continues to be a success with around 30 cars competing over last summer. We had a pair of first time winners with Bentley Johnson taking the Junior Dragster Thunder Championship (and Rookie of the Year) as Nick Bond (son of Justin Bond) crowned Junior Dragster Lightning Champ.
Tyler Smith who was second last year, took the Junior Street class over 2nd place Finisher Taryn Smith who finished 1st last year if you recall.
Pivotal race organizers, Scarlett and Al Morin will be leaving the Junior Drag Racing class as their son Colton Morin (2nd in Jr Lighting in 2023) will be in the big dragster in 2024 likely competing in Super Comp.
Nick Bond – Junior Lightning Champion
In the Sportsman division, Nick Douglas was points leader for 2023 over 2nd place Shawn Langley. In Hot Rod class, Dustin Hunter took that trophy over Rob Munro Jr.
Nick Douglas Sportsman Division Champion
Pro Class had Dustin Brewington take 1st over the always formidable Chris Stone, while in Super Pro Jan Christensen took Super Pro over last year’s winner Craig Johnson. Jan was unable to accept his trophy as was hanging out with Justin Bond’s Bahrain team in the United Emirates.
Pro Class points champion Dustin Brewington
Tom Tourand was tops in the ET Motorcycle class has he had knocked last years winner Al Omond to second to claim the big trophy. Tom also took the Outlaw Street class over fellow Motorcycle competitor Corey Craig.
Tom Tourand was tops in the ET Motorcycle category
In Real Street class, it was Rob Munro SR, showing Rob Munro JR how it’s done and the SR took it over the JR. Super Combo winner for 2023 Warren Jacobson with Martin Rachel taking 2nd. BC Super Shifter Trophy went to Jaime over Scott Winterbottom.
The Real Street Class season winners was Rob Munro Sr.
One of the other thrilling classes is Outlaw 275, and that again was a place change from 2022 with this year Daniel Rodrigue avenging 1st place finish and Alberta’s Jordan Brandon slipping to second. Limited Street had Max Nielson getting the 1st place nod over last years winner, Vanessa Richards who dropped to 2nd.
Outlaw X275 winner Daniel Rodrigue with daughter Candece.
The highly competitive Doorslammer class had Peter Lachanas take the big silver cup over 2nd place finish Paul Stretch. Peter also was awarded the Stefan Kondolay Memorial Award for Top Performer of 2023.
Peter Lachanas with Stefan Kondolay Memorial Award
The inaugural first season of the Western Canadian Top Fuel Nitro Motorcycle series was a new award this year, and veteran Nate Gagnon took that Championship over Pete Waugh. Jim Shellenberg ended up in 3rd in the series.
Western Canadian Top Fuel Nitro Motorcycle series champion – Nate Gagnon
Employees and volunteers do not go unnoticed either at Mission Raceway as Anna Dyck was Employee of the Year. Mathew Bazinet as well as Alishea LaFrance won Mission Raceway’s “Hidden Hero” award.
Anna Dyck was selected Employee of the Year for Mission Raceway Park for 2023
Post and photos by Les Puchala
