Canada’s Longest Running Major Drag Race – now rebranded – is back for its 23rd year…..
There will be nitro & a lot more as Grand Bend Motorplex again preps to host one of Canada’s most mainstay annual major event attractions.
Now under the WDRA banner —Canada’s Largest Drag Racing event will take place August 4th-6th. Like previous years there will be a great lineup showcasing all levels of racing talents — including an abundance of nitromethane “fume-logy”.
Canada’s Paton Racing 2-car Top Fuel stable will be at event centre stage this weekend with cars piloted by Todd Paton as well as newly licensed driver Spencer Hyde from local Stratford Ontario at the controls.
Paton Racing will bring it’s formidable 2-car Top Fuel operation to Grand Bend Motorplex for the WDRA Canadian Nationals.
Grand Bend will help to anchor Spencer’s new foray into the Top Fuel category. He is scheduled to drive the Paton car for the first time in competition – this coming weekend — at Empire Dragway in Western NY state. Prior, Spencer’s budding career had so far been moulded mostly driving fast doorslammers and Pro Mod* class cars.
(*Spencer won the marquee annual Drag Illustrated 2023 World Series of Pro Mod event earlier this season in Florida!)
“Grand Bend Motorplex is where it all started for me — in a Junior Dragster,” Spencer stated. “I was a 14-year old kid who dreamed of driving a Top Fuel car. Now 17 years later, I get to live that dream — match racing Todd Paton at our home track — it’s pretty surreal and feels very special. The Paton’s are great people. Everyone on the team made me feel right at home from the first time I hung around their pit.”
Spencer Hyde will race in Top Fuel at his home track – August 4-6th.
“We run our own Pro Mod car almost exclusively in the USA now,” Spencer added. “That’s hard on me and the team because we’ve been long time supporters of local racing. So again to be able to come back to Grand Bend and race in front of family and friends is very exciting for me.”
In addition the WDRA Canadian Nationals event will include arguably the very best four Canadian injected nitro burning cars currently in existence. That stellar field will see Canada’s quickest A/ Fuel teams in a head-to-head Chicago style shootout competition. Entered are Daniel Mercier (Quebec), Jeff Veale & Jeff Chatterson (from Ontario) and Clif Bakx (Manitoba) with his driver Todd Bruce.
Daniel Mercier – top – (from Quebec) will bring in his highly potent A/FD as will Clif Bakx (from Manitoba) making his first appearance at GBM.
Funny Cars will also be featured with the nitro nostalgia cars raced by USA drivers Greg Jacobsmeyer (All Star Dodge) and Brian Christie (Gone Ballistic) in attendance.
“We we have four 6-second 200 MPH Nostalgia Alcohol Funny Cars and also the modern day NHRA TAFC owned by Larry Dobbs,” Paul Spriet, GBM track owner added.
The event’s Funny Car contingent includes Greg Jacobsmeyer “All Star Dodge” Challenger
The racing schedule will also showcase Nitro Harley motorcycles as well as jet cars with “Northern Warrior” piloted by Neale Armstrong and the crowd favourite “Hellfire” Jet Truck of Russ Lethbridge.
Russ Lethbridge’s “Hellfire” Freightliner Jet Truck.
The weekend will of course also include a ferocious Sportsman class lineup – highlighted by the newly formed Bears Performance products PSDS series (presented by Corriveau Concrete Forming) which features the Stroud Safety Top Dragster and Strange Engineering Top Sportsman programs. The PSDS boasts the quickest bracket racing series in Canada with many competitors being 6-secs & 200 mph capable.
“We will have the 3rd race in the Heads Up Bike series that features the quickest bikes in the province – some reaching the 200 mph mark,” Paul added. “We will round out the event with our backbone Box, No Box, Bike/Sled and Junior race classes.”
Advance Tickets are available at www.gbmpresales.com
For more information visit GBM : HERE
Posted by Bruce Biegler
DragRaceCanada File Photos
