Southwinds Sixtieth! « DragRaceCanada.com

Southwinds Sixtieth!

by editor on Aug.10, 2026, under ACE MFG Northern Exposure

Central Canada set to come together again for a very special event — this coming weekend….

Western Canada’s Oldest Drag Strip (Saskatchewan International Raceway) is in final prep mode for the “Biggest-Loudest and Fastest” event in Saskatchewan Motorsports History!

SIR is gear-head ready as it marks six decades of grassroots drag racing with the 2026 Flaman Sales Southwinds Showdown. Taking place on Saturday, August 15, 2026 this landmark event promises to be the largest, loudest, and most high-octane motorsports spectacle ever hosted in the province.

Originally opened in 1966 as Southwinds Dragway, SIR is celebrating 60 continuous years as a cornerstone of Canadian drag racing. Operated by the non-profit Saskatchewan Drag Racing Association Inc. (SDRA), the facility has served as Western Canada’s oldest and longest-operating drag strip, delivering safe, legal, and adrenaline-charged action for generations of racers and fans.

The weekend’s lineup and schedule is very high octane as the 2026 Flaman Sales Southwinds Showdown will showcase top-tier competitive classes, high-horsepower exhibition vehicles, and championship-caliber bracket racing:

•Feature Classes (40 cars): Jet Cars, Nitro Funny Cars and Dragsters, Alcohol Dragsters & Funny Cars, Pro Mods, Nitro Harleys, Top Sportsman, and Turbo Street machinery.
•Western Canada’s Premier Bracket Racers: The best Sportsman competitors in the West battling for ultimate bragging rights on SIR’s legendary prepared surface.
•60th Anniversary Firework Finale: A massive 20-minute fireworks show set to ignite the night sky immediately following the final feature pass.

Event Day Schedule (Saturday, August 15, 2026)
• 9:00 AM: Spectator Gates Open & Sportsman Racing Begins
• 2:00 PM / 4:30 PM / 7:00 PM: Main Feature Car Rounds
• 9:00 PM: Estimated Final Track Shutdown
• 9:05 PM: 60th Anniversary Fireworks Display

“This event is a tribute to our past, a showcase of today’s talent, and a look forward to the future of drag racing in Saskatchewan,” said Trevor Jacek, President of the Saskatchewan Drag Racing Association. “Celebrating 60 years of operation at SIR is a monumental milestone for our racers, volunteers, and fans. The Southwinds Showdown will be an unforgettable chapter in our track’s history.”