1967 was Canada's centennial year making it relatively easy to name a national event




Bill Balicky (left) and Ford of Canada's Bill Monteith flank Winnipeg's Mayor Steve Juba Dave Archer photo


it isn't often a major city official offers a proclamation such as this for the sport of drag racing ( click on the proclamation for a larger view )

Scott Wilson and his Eastern Canada based SOHC Ford fuel dragster be still my beating heart...     and, thank you, Mr. Felske

event winning Jim Hodges' Camaro from the Twin Cities in the far lane unusual topless Chevy2 "Canuck" in near lane was one Dale Armstrong yes, that Dale Armstrong note guardrails cleverly disguised as photographers

downtrack on the same qualifying pass

same image - different crop while not a prerequisite, goofy headwear was popular as too were plaid shirts, apparently

and, on the top end

Beach Blanket Dragstrip? Roadsters Car Club made good use of Al Ducharme's T to sell souvenir's on spectator side 6 carbed 348 Chev powered local hot rod was featured in Rod & Custom magazine so, where's Annette?

Hodges' colorful Musicland Camaro

interesting comparison of early funnycars with John Petrie in far lane against an un-identified Chevy2 the Chev, with "Rebel" and #1 Chevrolet signage, is of the altered wheelbase variety while the Ford of Canada sponsored Comet of Petrie had one of the first all 'glass flip flop bodies
track tech director Dave Yamada's '56 ragtop snuggles in close to the tower similar images of same would be appreciated here in the bunker
this gets our vote as an earlier version of the above Deuce we also have it on good authority, from Todd Knowles out Edmonton way, that it was a Ron Hodgson car if the name is not familiar to Manitobans, think Pacemaker, Gordie Bonin, et al thanks Todd

speaking of guardrails

Ron Johnson's historic rat motored digger from Minneapolis
and, are you ready for this?
Standing Room Only a local excercise in engineering extremes

Willys and Model A pickups above are fine examples of the race cars of the day

as is this un-identified dragster

also unknown, and also a great picture

again un-identified, but keep your eye on the striped car in the far lane

another great image of the day with the striped car in near lane
why all the fuss over the striped car you ask?
the above blurred photo was taken earlier in 1967 which tells us it's a local car, or at least a frequent visitor so far, all we know is who it isn't it isn't the Roadsters Car Club and it isn't the Timers is it possibly Wayne Single? perhaps the Northerner of Walter Nachbauer out of Selkirk? anyone know? huh? eh?

Bill's Speed Centre dragster, the Colour Machine, strikes a pose in front of Bill Balicky's own '51 Monarch

the dragster on the move

and, yet again ...     in colour, no less

cowl art metalflake sprayed by Bob Swanky and yes, colour is spelt korrectly

Bob Buccini with that famous smile a great picture

ok Bob, I cleaned up most of it maybe next time we skip breakfast

spectator to the left says he wants nothing to do with these guys Wally Dyck and Bob Buccini havin' fun

that looks a lot like Donnie Chapman stealing speed secrets on the left Balicky, Buccini, et al, likely doing their best to confuse him

can anyone ID this interesting period 'vette? we've drawn a blank

what is it? it's a Sweet Thang

Roger Johnson with his pride and joy homebuilt 1928 Briggs-bodied, Ford Model-A Sport Coupe hailed from the Fargo / Casselton, ND area

Eugene Johnson more than capably shared the driving duties with his brother using a high winding injected Chevy followed by a Muncie M-22 4 speed car set Brainerd B/SR track record with a time of 11.00 @ 125.38 mph

the Johnson's got down the track @ Keystone rather well, too

well, I declare... Sweet Thang going through customs at Emerson, MB
Sweet Thang photos and info kindly submitted by Roger's son, Chad Johnson Chad wonders, as do we, if there are any other photos out there? thanks, Chad
Don Chapman and Jim Hoglund's Fiat altered

Wally Dyck joined the fray with this C/Modified Production '55 Chev courtesy of Wayne Wedge
Hey look, everyone...     Wally's on TV
actual Free Press ad from Aug 5, 1966

an excellent posed shot of Ken Murray with the original Thrushmobile Willys We won't mention a thing about the Great Halloween Ride

Minot, North Dakota's Bob Struksnes

injection was nice

blower was better photo courtesy of Bill Balicky

a good example of local ink clipping courtesy of Jim L'Esperance
So, you think your car is rare, do you?
Jim L'Esperance tells us his '67 Mercury Comet was very rare indeed factory 427 / 425hp in a Capri package was one of three known to exist, period. Jim had the only one in Canada we'd say that would constitute rare

Unidentified Flying Olds

fence leaning, stocker style

carnival act...    alcohol fed rat motor in bed of Corvair truck
speaking of wheelstanders

the real deal right down to those fabulous Hurst wheels

one famous race car from the high country quick, somebody call Ralph Nader

and another from the rare air of Denver, Kenz and Leslie's cammer