Race Car Emergency Extrication Demonstration coming soon at Toronto Motorsports Park…
What happens when a race car crashes and a driver needs to be safely removed from a vehicle specifically designed to withstand the forces of a serious racing accident?
Residents will have an opportunity to see that emergency response firsthand during WHEN SECONDS COUNT — Race Car Emergency Extrication, a realistic, controlled emergency-response demonstration taking place Thursday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga.
The demonstration will help kick off the Labour Day Weekend Spectacular, featuring the John Scotti Canadian Championship Series as part of the NHRA National Open double-header — September 4–6 at Toronto Motorsports Park.
Everyone is welcome to attend and will have a unique opportunity to observe the coordinated emergency response from a designated safe viewing area. The demonstration will provide an inside look at how first responders and motorsports safety personnel work together during a serious racing incident, while highlighting emergency preparedness, first-responder cooperation and motorsports safety.
The demonstration will realistically stage a serious racing incident, bringing together fire and motorsports safety personnel, along with other participating emergency services, to demonstrate how responders work together when faced with the specialized challenges of a race car incident.
Unlike conventional passenger vehicles, competition race cars incorporate roll cages, multi-point racing harnesses, window nets, head-and-neck restraint systems, electrical shutoffs, specialized fuel systems, fire-suppression equipment and purpose-built chassis construction. Those systems are designed to protect the driver but can also create unique considerations for emergency personnel during extrication.
The event is being organized by Glenn Grow of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), Bruce F. Mehlenbacher and Neale Armstrong, Track Manager at Toronto Motorsports Park.
An actual race car chassis will be available for the hands-on extrication exercise, allowing firefighters to work directly with the specialized construction of a competition vehicle. Dave Connors, Extrication Specialist with M&L Supply Fire & Safety, representing AMKUS Rescue Systems, will be on hand to provide technical knowledge, rescue-tool expertise and support during the exercise.
AMKUS is the Official Rescue Tool of NHRA, supplying rescue equipment to the NHRA Safety Safari and working with the safety team on training and the specialized use of rescue tools in motorsports emergency response.
Haldimand County Fire Services — Station 12 Fisherville and Station 4 Cayuga have confirmed their participation. Additional emergency-service participation is being finalized.
The event is also being supported by Plazek Auto Recyclers, which will provide vehicles, and Ray’s Towing, which will assist with their transportation, helping organizers create the realistic staged incident scene for the emergency-response demonstration.
The exercise is intended to give emergency responders an opportunity to share knowledge, become more familiar with competition vehicles and strengthen cooperation among those who could be called upon during an actual emergency.
“This is about bringing the people who respond when seconds count together before they are faced with the real thing,” said Glenn Grow of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). “Race cars are very different from passenger vehicles. This gives firefighters and motorsports safety personnel, along with the other participating emergency services, an opportunity to learn from one another and work through those challenges in a controlled environment.”
For Neale Armstrong, Track Manager at Toronto Motorsports Park and one of the event coordinators, the demonstration also has a strong local connection.
“As a lifelong resident of Haldimand County, I’ve always been proud of our volunteer fire departments and the people who serve in them,” said Armstrong. “I know many of these firefighters personally, and I’ve seen the dedication and commitment they bring to protecting our communities. They give their time, train hard and are prepared to respond when their neighbours need them most. This demonstration is an opportunity to bring that dedication together with motorsports safety experience, share knowledge and help everyone be better prepared should they ever face a serious incident at the track.”
Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, who has firsthand experience in motorsports as both a racer and spectator, emphasized how important a rapid and skilled emergency response can be.
“At the track, 30 seconds can feel like minutes. I’ve seen that firsthand as both a racer and a spectator. This demonstration is a powerful reminder that when something goes wrong, the speed and skill of our first responders can make all the difference,” said Brady.
MPP Bobbi Ann Brady and Haldimand County Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley have both confirmed their attendance at WHEN SECONDS COUNT.
For Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, one of the event coordinators, the evening will also have special personal significance.
“I’m especially proud that this event will involve three generations of the Mehlenbacher family,” said Mehlenbacher. “My daughter Jodie Mehlenbacher, a member of Haldimand County Fire Services — Station 12 Fisherville, will be participating, along with my grandson Lucas Ecker, a member of Haldimand County Fire Services — Station 4 Cayuga. Having three generations of our family involved in an event centred on public safety, community service and supporting our first responders makes this particularly meaningful to me.”
WHEN SECONDS COUNT will also give those attending an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the training, equipment, teamwork and specialized knowledge required when first responders are faced with a motorsports emergency.
EVENT DETAILS
WHEN SECONDS COUNT — Race Car Emergency Extrication
Thursday, September 3, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Toronto Motorsports Park
Cayuga, Ontario
PUBLIC WELCOME
