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RACE NEWS 2023 |
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| COVER: THE JR. DRAGSTER PROGRAM AT LUSKVILLE DRAGWAY HAS PRODUCED SOME OF THE BEST BIG DRIVERS ANYWHERE. | |||||
 IT
BITS NOV 27/23*Yes its the off season, but work never stops with and for Luskville Dragway. As annou  nced
last week the widening of the return road was completed, as well as three new
large run ways and paved parking for them in the upper pit lots. Now we have
turned our attention to a new ride on track scraper which we are securing the
parts for from Kurt Johnson's Total Track Concepts Company in Ohio. We had
thought, and many offers to build one here but have decided that we will go with
a proven commodity, that is used by many racetracks across the USA. We will
purchase all the hydraulics and mechanisms that are required for this unit and
then will have installed on a zero turn up here. If you have ever helped scrape
or have watched the process you will better understand just how hard this is by
hand, so hopefully this will make Derek and the Boys lives a little easier on
race day mornings. * We are working very hard on a BIG PAYOUT for the semi pro class at this years Malcolm Carpentry Opening Weekend presented by Precision Concrete Finishing. We have many that have signed up to take part in this event but need to get to 32 cars so we can commit to making it happen and make it GUARANTEED. The semi pro racers have been asking for larger purses and we are doing our best to make that happen, but we need semi pro cars to help make it happen. There has over the years been the battle of what comes first the chicken or the egg, not much different than what comes first in drag racing, drivers think big purses, track operators think big car count commitment, we are about to find out. *This past seasons awards banquet had a very cool part to it when all of the former Jr. Dragster competitors from the past few decades, that had moved on to big cars and are competing today where brought to the front of the hall. To s  ay
this was a large group would be putting it lightly, but just goes to show how
well the Jr. Program has worked at Luskville Dragway as well as many other
tracks across the country. The group included many Class Champions, as well as a
number of former Drivers of the year. Then the current Jrs. were brought to the
front of the hall, including this years track champion Julia Malcolm, who joined
her father Derek Malcolm a former Jr. Dragster track Champ, who went on to win 7
Super Pro Track Champions and races with his daughter every weekend these days.
The group included this years Super Pro Track champion Landyn Urslak who was a
Jr. Dragster Champ more than once. It also included Stephen Ballantyne former
Jr. Dragster racer who was this years Semi Pro Track Champion and has been more
than once. It also included this years Super Tour Semi Pro Champion Mike
Reynolds who was also a track champion in Jr. Dragster at Luskville Dragway. I
could go on and on about the accomplishments of the former and current Jr.
racers but there is no question, this is one program that NHRA introduced that
has with out question been the best thing for drag racing particularly on a
local level.* We finish this week with some very sad news, Canadian Drag Race Hall of Famer, and long time Luskville Dragway racer, sponsor, advertiser, and engine guru, Rolly Doucette has passed away. We will have a tribute to Rolly next week as we need time to dijest |
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PRECISION CONCRETE FINISHING CONTINUES IT'S SOLID AS CONCRETE, SUPPORT OF
LUSKVILLE DRAGWAY: NOV 27/23 Precision Concrete Finishing Renfrew, Ontario will continue its solid support of Luskville Dragway once again in 2024. .jpg) Carl
Jessup who is one of the original racers at the track and
someone who has
seen his fare share of winning over the years, has always been a strong
supporter of Luskville Dragway. These days Carl and Son Kyle, who does most of the
driving of the family Undercover rear engine dragster, can be found at
Luskville or on the tour almost every weekend. The Younger Jessup plays a
leading role with the racing operation, much like he does in the family
business as well, as Kyle has been working with his father from the first
day he was old enough to do so. Kyle who also has done a lot of racing with
ADM Motorsports over the years, now wheels the Corvette Roadster for ADM at the track and
any where the tours go. The company which is based in Renfrew,
Ontario has done a incredible amount of work within the racing community as
this is a perfect example of supporting those that support us. Precision
Concrete has always been responsible or involved for any and all of the concrete work
at Luskville Dragway, even when Bellai was doing the main
 lanes Kyle was
always there to over see everything and do all he could. Precision then
installed the concrete center section and tree base that looks so good now
at the track. Precision has also done work for many other racers
including Derek Malcolm (Malcolm Carpentry) Troy Davis, Tom Orr, Brian White and Joe
Kavanagh to just name a few. Their work is much like the title of their
company, done with precision, perfection and pricing that is matched by
none. As many racers have proven this is a perfect example of a company that
you the racing community can support, whether it be a garage floor, basement
floor, walkway or complete house foundation Precision concrete is someone
that can take care of your needs. Precision Concrete Finishing will once
again present the Mulligan Saturday Portion of Malcolm Carpentry Opening
weekend which is shaping up to be the biggest ever.THANKS TO PRECISION CONCRETE FINISHING SUPER PRO WILL RUN FOR $5000. TO WIN MAY 18/24: Once again in 2024 Super Pro Drivers will run for $5000. to win on the Precision Concrete Finishing Mulligan Saturday of the Malcolm Carpentry Opening Weekend. Drivers will run in a gamblers race on Friday afternoon, $5000. to win Super Pro on Saturday and at least $2500. on Sunday. STAY TUNED FOR MORE GREAT NEWS. |
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| IT
BITS NOV 20/23 *I think its safe to say that the Banquet was a big hit with everyone, but like every year there is always some exciting news coming out of the banquet, and this year no different. First of all we are pleased to announce that Lewis Gagne has purchased a new dragster for 2024. Yes Lewis as  bought
the former Francois Roberge American Car which has been to many winners circles.
A number of potential buyers actually took a look at the car on the Saturday
Morning preceding the Banquet, but it was Lewis who won the bidding war and took
home the car. Lewis will not sell his current ride which as been to a number of
big dollar winners circles, but will instead moth ball it until oldest son, and
current Jr. Dragster racer Logan Gagne is old enough for it. Lewis has quite a
stable now, with 4 Jrs. and two big cars, yes he is holding on to Logan's white
Jr. for one of the other boys as they get older after buying Cole Krottner's
2023 ride for Logan.*Also coming 
out of the banquet was more good news surrounding a new too the track race team
out of Sudbury, Al Nadeau who not only bought a Jr. for son Miguel to drive this
past season but also bought a race car for himself to start his drag racing
career. Al bought the former Cole Krottner Jr, (3 year ago car) and then
proceeded to buy Steve Peloqin's Super Pro Monza. Al began his drag racing
career this past season in Semi Pro but will move to Super Pro in 2024. Al will
also have the car taken to BW Race Cars this winter to have a brand new four
link set up put in the car which will with out a question make it a much nicer
ride. Al has had the Big Block freshened and will be all ready for the Long
weekend in May and the Kick of to the 2024 Chase. Plans are for the Nadeau's to
be part of the entire season at Luskville Dragway which Al was quick to say he
now calls his home track.*Had the pleasure of talking with Paolo Giust this week after he wrapped up his RVW Race 
in Orlando, Florida Nov 10-11-12. Paolo confirmed something we had mentioned
earlier on, and that is he is going to return to the world of Pro Mod Racing
immediately. There is no question and I think everyone will agree that many of
us are very excited about this, as Paolo has a tremendous Canadian Following who
cant wait for this to happen. Paolo has been very entertaining for many of
us with his wild rides, unbelievable wheel stands and incredible performances
over the last few years in the Radial VS. The World racing. But new BIG Tires
and Wheels have already been ordered, car will under go the necessary chassis
adjustments to turn it into a full tilt Pro Mod. There is no question that the
Pro Mod Class has had a very, very strong revital ization
the last few years after being very strong during the Good Years of IHRA. The
Pro Mod racing at NHRA has been very strong and getting stronger, but I believe what Wes Buck and
Bradenton Motorsports park have done is as much as any one, with their World of Pro
Mad Race in March. This is a INVITE race, but it would be unthinkable that Paolo
(former Canadian Pro Mod Champ) would not get a invite. Paolo will be at
Bradenton in February for the USA Street Car National Pro Mod Race and if not
invited by then would be very, very surprising for the March Race. This is also
very exciting as Paolo would join the Likes of last years winner Canadian
Spencer Hyde, Scott Wildgust, Kenny Lang, Eric Latino and many others. This is also a race that many Canadians take in as it is right
in the middle of winter vacation for many. Paolo's return to Pro Mod also means
we will in likely hood get a chance to see him in action at some local pro mod
races, which is also good news for all that have only been able to watch him on
the internet.*LUSKVILLE DRAGWAY/SUPER TOUR AWARDS BANQUET BOOKED FOR 2024, NOV 16th. AIRPORT HILTON "BE THERE" |
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MALCOLM CARPENTRY OPENING
WEEKEND MAY 17-18-19 WILL KICK OFF 2024 POINTS CHASE: With the banquet now a week behind us, and everyone ones thoughts now turning towards the holiday season, we hope that it brings some good things to the racing community. So with that in mind we bring the first good announcemen  t
of many to come, as we announce the kick off too the 2024 Napa Auto Parts Track
Series May 17-18-19 2024. Malcolm Carpentry & Construction, like they have done
for the past number of years will once again hold the title rights and will make
it possible for us to have this big weekend. With increased purses
for both Super Pro and Semi Pro we are certainly hoping to attract a number of
out of town drivers to this event. The race will also feature a Super Pro High
Roller on Saturday Afternoon like the very successful one's we have run in the
past and has been met with a great participation. Malcolm Carpentry and
Construction is owned and operated by 7 time Track Super Pro Champion Derek
Malcolm. The privately owned business operates in Ottawa and has grown to the
point where the work almost interrupts Derek's Racing program, however the love
of drag racing and the friendships from it, keeps him making adjustments to make
things work. Derek is not only busy with his company and his drag racing but he
along with his wife Tiziana are on the run with their two young girls all the time,
from Music lessons to Basketball to Volleyball to Jr. Dragster racing and much more. As many know
besides racing at Luskville Dragway Derek also plays a key role in making the
track work, whether its the staring line or the timing system he is on top of it
all the time, many times interrupting his racing. Malcolm Carpentry specializes in renovations and
specialty construction of
recreation rooms, bathrooms and kitchens and comes with plenty of
recommendations. Most of the new work this company attracts comes from
recommendations made by people that he has done work for, and that tells you
one thing his work is superior.Opening weekend will  see the track open up on Friday for camping and
pitting, with plans to run time trials and a gamblers race on Friday Evening,
Saturday will see a full day of racing for Super Pro, Semi Pro, Jr. Dragsters
and Street Cars starting at 10:00 AM, The super pro high roller will take place
following the regular day of racing, and will then be followed by Busters Bar
and Grill Cruise Night. Sunday will also see a full day of racing for all four
class's. We will have more exciting news
about this weekend in the weeks ahead which will include more increased
payouts which should make everyone happy. Again remember to support those that support Luskville Dragway and if your
thinking about projects around your house give Malcolm Carpentry & Building
Construction a call. You can check them out at
www.malcolmcarpentry.com |
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| PIT
BITS NOV 13/23 *Well the banquet is now behind us and the reality of a long winter is ahead of us, is probably setting in the racing community. But it is a time to regroup, rebuild and rejuvenate and get ready for what we believe will be the biggest year ever for Luskville Dragway. Yes I know you think you have heard that before, and yes you have and we have met those goals in the past, and we fully expect to meet them next season. Show me another race track that will pay $5000. to win Jr. Dragster, Drag Week is something NO Other track would even try, and its you the racers that make the difference and make it happen. *Even though winter is just around the corner, Thanks To Jason Hynes Construction more improvements are taking place ahead of the snow. Yes even though the season has been over for almost two months, we have not stopped working on 2024 and the future of Luskville Dragway. The widening of the return road all the way up to the ticket booth has been completed, making for a much better access for everyone, with golf carts being able to pass each other with ease, or pass Jr. Dragsters with ease. A number of new run ways have been added in the upper field as we expand the pit area down track, (all of them spoken for ). As well as the expansion of paved pit spots continue down track to where we are almost half way through the shutdown area now. This will make for much better parking on our big events, and will also help with water flow on wet days leading up to our big weekends. We keep our promise to keep improving Luskville Dragway and all we ask is for your support. More improvements in the planning stages as we speak. |
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| BROCK GODMAIRE
FLY'S TO HIS FIRST CHAMPIONSHIP AND PLANS TO BACK IT UP IN 2024: NOV 13/23 Brock Godmaire hails from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, and although he is a good 6 hours from Luskville Dragway him and his family call Luskville Dragway HOME. This race team is very much a family race team and most weekends many of them travel with Brock and Luc to be at the races with them. I don't think you will find any harder working teams out there either, and that has paid off with their first Super Pro Super Tour title. I like to think that us bringing drag racing to Kirkland Lake back in the late 90's played a part in this family getting into the sport, and we are all very much glad they did. Starting out his racing career in a Chevy powered Mustang they went through some growing pains of racing against the very best with maybe just less of a ride than the competition had. Well that all changed with they purchased the "Flying Frog" Monza as the improvement was seen very soon and very often. Brock and the team quickly started to bang on the door of thier first win, but time after time they would just come up a little short. I along with many kept telling Brock and the team it was only a matter of time before they would be celebrating a win, and visiting the winners circle. And that all happened at the Fall Bracket Finals at Luskville Dragway when Brock picked up his frist Super Tour Win. But he did not win the championship because of one win, the team had the car going rounds each and every weekend and had them in a great spot when they did pick up the win, which pretty much sealed the deal. At the time no one knew that the fall race would be the last one as the Last Tour Race of the season was rained out, confirming what many of us thought would happen anyway, Brock Godmaire and the "Flying Frog" where super tour over all CHAMPIONS. |
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| AWARDS BANQUET
A HUGE SUCCESS AND A GREAT TIME HAD BY ALL: NOV 13/23 Many race tracks don't have an awards banquet, many just do it in a restaurant which is much easier and much less formal, but since 1980 we have been making sure our last big event of the year is done up well, and proud of it. Over t  he years we have been in some of the nicest ball rooms in the
city, and that trend continued on Nov 11th as we took over the ball room at the
Airport Hilton in Ottawa for the 2023 awards banquet for Luskville Dragway and
the Super Tour. Many where not around when we use to take over the Talisman
Hotel, fill bath tubs full of ice and beer and party until the sun came up, we
cant do that anymore LOL. and how about when we use to be at the Hilton in the
east end with race cars in the hall, until someone decided to start one up, LOL
But this is a time of year when most of us have not seen each other
for a few months now, and just getting back together is a great thing in itself.
So as over 150 people started to fill the banquet hall many bench racing
sessions could be seen to take place all over the room. The dinner as usual was
tremendous and the awards portion of the night began right on time with a short
introduction by Arnie Malcolm. Most of the awards portion of the ni ght
is predetermined as its based on where you finished in the points, however there
is some exciting parts of the night when the unknown awards are given out. Prior
to the actual awards all former Jr. Dragster Drivers from Luskville Dragway who
where present and race in big cars these days where asked to stand up, the
numbers are incredible. Up first was the Speedy Auto Service JR. Dragster
Class of 2023, with Julia Malcolm being the last one up and also being the
CHAMPION for her class. This was a proud moment for me as it marks a 3rd
Generation Malcolm and another generation of Malcolm Championships following in
her Dads footsteps (seven time super pro track champion) Derek Malcolm. The Semi
Pro Class of 2023 was a large one again this season and former Jr. Dragster
Track Champion Stephen Ballantyne would claim yet another Track Championship in
Semi Pro, there is no question that many believe this kid would be deadly in
Super Pro with the right car. The Super Pro Track Championship had a Jr.
Dragster connection as well as former JR. Track Champion Landyn Urslak was
crowned Super Pro Track Champion for the past summer. Landyn had a great year
and will be a force to reckon with over the years to come. Then came the
specialty awards wish started out with Hannah Hewitt being crowned Jr. Rookie of
the year, followed by Ryan Clarmo as Semi Pro Rookie of the year, and Super Pro
Rookie went to Kayle Urslak, The hard charger award went to Randy Bellefeuille
who with out a question was well deserving. Super Tour awards would follow with
Leah Monaghan being crowned Jr. Dragster Champ, Mike Reynolds Semi Pro Champ and
Brock Godmaire Super Pro overall champion, Phil Harvey was the champion on the
Dragster side but could not attend as they where in Florida racing. Then the
award that most anticipate the greatest, DRIVER of THE YEAR, and this year it
was "Drivers" as it was apparent it was time to acknowledge the success of the
female drivers that call Luskville Dragway Home. So Julia Malcolm, Leah
Monaghan, Pam Rennie, Chantal Grenier, and Becky Ray "The Ladies of Luskville"
where crowned drivers of the year. We will have more pictures later this week or
on next weeks post. |
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PIT BITS NOV 6./23 *Yes the banquet is upon us this upcoming Saturday, this is a great time of year as we are all able to get together someplace other than a drag strip. Yes many of us get together with smaller gatherings over the winter time, but this much like the Drivers meeting, which is by the way April 6th 2024, will see close to 150 of us in one place at the same time. Many tracks and associations dont put as much time and effort into the season ending Banquet like we do, but we are very proud of our Banquet and believe it is a big part of how we operate. Hope you are one of the 150 that we will see this coming Saturday Night. *Look for a BIG announcement surrounding Opening weekend May 17-18-19-2024, hopefully it will start the wheels spinning this winter, and get a record turnout for the kick off to the new season. The weekend will also feature a Super Pro & Semi Pro High Roller on Saturday Night, followed by a cruise night. We will have more to say about the support for this event and the details once we get into the Winter race track talk. *Had the Pleasure of visiting Rai Pillwien at his home and new garage in Luskville, Quebec, yes Rai will be right down the street from Luskville Dragway, you drive right by his place on your way to the trac  k
and from the track. Was great to have some time to talk with Rai and have look
at what will be the new shop at some point, but no plans to close the Front
Street, Alymer Location right now. Rai also informed me that he has sold the
Chevy 11 to a racer in Michigan, you have heard the story many times, "just got
an offer could not refuse. And that is exactly what happened, as a Chevy II
fanatic wanted the car for his collection and wanted it badly. Rai also said he
plans on being back out racing in 2024 with the Blue Nova, which he says Son Dan
prefers to drive. The Red and White Chevy II was always a pretty sight at
Luskville Dragway and im sure it will be where ever it race's |
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| ANOTHER FORMER
JR. DRAGSTER RACERS CLAIMS A CHAMPIONSHIP: NOV 6. 2023 This is another story that is fairly easy to write about as it involves a champion driver who got his start at Luskville Dragway, grew up through the growth of Jr. Dragsters and has become a champion in a a big car class.  Mike
Reynolds claimed the 2023 Semi Pro Championship and did so in fine style locking
it up very early in the season with his overpowering driving and winning of
round after round. Mike like so many grew up at Luskville Dragway driving Jrs.
with his younger brother Kyle. Coming from a third generation of drag racing
family Mike made his mark very quick in the Jr. Dragster class wining more than
once and claiming more than one championship. After leaving the Jr. Class he
jumped right into Super Pro with a older style rear engine dragster, Mike did
not see the success in this car that he did in Jrs. so car was sold and a brief
lay off happened. But that did not last long, as it does with so many drag racer
who try to stay away from the sport, Its impossible. Return with Don Hardy built
Vega Mike immediately started to have success in the Foot Brake Class, which was
more like how he was use to racing in the JR. This car was then traded with
Jamie Tupper (who sold it to Max Gauthier) for Mikes current ride the former
Tupper 77 Vega which we all know came with a winning ability. Well with a
winning car and a winning driver it wasn't long before Mike started making his
mark as one of the drivers to beat and one of the best in the Semi Pro Class.
Mikes first season in the car showed a lot of success, but 2023 was his break
out year, pardon the pun, as he manhandled the Semi Pro class with numerous wins
and many, many rounds locking the title up earlier than anyone has ever done.
Mike also dabbled in the Super Pro Class with moderate success, but don't be
surprised if you don't see him do that more often in 2024. With the rumors
running rampant that the Miller and Giff Team will return in 24, and Fred
Macdonald is now back in full force we could have a battle of the Titans in the
upcoming season, stay tuned.
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| 2023 OCT. | |||||
