After months of preparation the Hot Rod Classics Vintage Race Car Series (HRC) is ready for its inaugural race this Saturday, to be held at Petty International Raceway in River Glade, New Brunswick as part of the historic River Glade International event.
The series will be known as the Hot Rod Classics Powered by NTN, thanks to NTN Bearing Corporation of Canada – a longtime supporter of motorsports worldwide, and especially in the Maritimes.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Hot Rod Classics,” said Darrell McKay, Territory Manager for NTN Bearings of Canada Corporation. “We’ve been watching the series develop over the past year and are impressed with its momentum. It’s a good fit for us in reconnecting with veteran fans who are familiar with the NTN motorsports history in the region, and also in connecting with newer fans who have an affinity for vintage cars on and off the track.”
Series associate sponsors include EIT Race Radios, Homestead Restaurant, Maritime Car Wash, Mazda Canada, and Steele Mazda. This week’s Hot Rod Classics Powered by NTN race sponsor is Subaru of Moncton.
HRC organizers greatly appreciate all of the support it has received from fans, racers, and tracks since the series was announced last summer – and especially for these companies that have joined its corporate family in advance of Saturday’s inaugural race.
Fans will see an exciting array of vintage race cars including Ron Hefler’s 1965 Chevy II replica of ‘The Hound’ – a tribute to North America motorsports legend Jr. Hanley ( a native of Nova Scotia), Jim Rankin’s 1972 Dodge Demon, Patrick Horne’s 1965 Ford Galaxie, Maurice Horne’s 1968 Ford Fairlane, Cy Harvey’s 1949 Chevy Coupe, Patty Lawrence’s 1978 Pinto NASCAR Tour-Type Open Modified, and more yet-to-be-unveiled Hot Rods.
Fans who wish to show their support for HRC and our Maritime motorsports heritage can purchase series-branded hats, t-shirts, and more by visiting The General Store – now offering special sale prices through Saturday. Fans who will be at Petty this Saturday can save the shipping if they order by end of day Wednesday for pick up at the track. A portion of all General Store sales benefits the IWK Foundation.
The Hot Rod Classics Powered by NTN is the first vintage stock car racing series in eastern Canada; vintage racing is the fastest-growing division in North American motorsports. HRC showcases race cars from 1980 or older – some original, some rebuilt, and some newly built – allowing veteran fans to relive precious memories and at the same time providing a forum where newer fans can experience race cars of a bygone era.
The Hot Rod Classics Powered by NTN joins an impressive lineup at Petty on August 15; besides the vintage race cars, fans will see a Pro Stock 150, Sportsman 100, Legends Cars, and Bandoleros. Racing starts at 6 p.m. Please visit pettyinternationalraceway.com for complete event information as well as COVID-19 guidelines.
Since its launch in mid-2017, Heart of a Champion’s social media following has flourished to over 8,800 with a weekly reach approaching 100,000 – clearly demonstrating an interest in and passion for our Maritime motorsports heritage.
Heart of a Champion was founded in 2017 to help preserve Maritime motorsports heritage. Organizers used a 1967 vintage stock car they had restored to rekindle memories with veteran fans and to educate new fans, showing the car at motorsports events throughout the Maritimes. At the same time launched a website and a Facebook page, using it to share vintage racing photos, stories, and a weekly ‘Saturday Salute’ to someone who has helped build motorsports in our region – someone with the Heart of a Champion. In 2018 the group acquired a vintage open wheel modified race car. In 2019 they used it to garner interest in the potential for a vintage race car series in the region and in July 2019 announced their intent to form the HOAC Hot Rod Classics Vintage Race Car Series. In the fall of 2019, HOAC announced an affiliation with the IWK Foundation as an awareness and fundraising partner.
About Petty International Raceway
Petty International Raceway is located on Highway 106, just 40 km west of Moncton, New Brunswick. To learn more about Petty International Raceway please visit www.pettyraceway.com.
About NTN
Founded in 1918, NTN is one of the world’s largest producers of premium quality ball and roller bearings, long recognized for the most stringent quality standards in the industry. With plants around the globe and a strong domestic manufacturing network, over 80% of the products sold by NTN in North America are made by one of the 10 plants the company operates in Canada and the USA. NTN is also a leading provider of bearing services which include technical support, maintenance and reliability services, engineering consulting and training. NTN’s company vision is “to transform into Canada’s leader of the Ultimate Bearing Experience.” For more information, please visit www.ntn.ca.
About Heart of a Champion
Heart of a Champion is dedicated to preserving Maritime motorsports heritage by rekindling memories for veteran fans and educating new fans about the people and events that have helped shape motorsports in the region. To accomplish this, they use static and interactive mediums and in 2020 will launch the region’s first-ever vintage race car series, the Hot Rod Classics. To learn more please visit www.heartofachampion.ca or www.hotrodclassics.ca. Fans can also follow Heart of a Champion on Facebook and YouTube.
