It’s a proud moment for Don Tonsaker of the Nelson Road Kings as he took the winning trophy with his heritage car at the Langley Loafers Old Time Drags in Mission over the August long weekend.
Tonsaker won the pro nostalgia race with his 1962 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. He beat out 300 other Pro Nostalgia Association cars all older than 1970. Cars as old as the1920s competed, including souped-up Model Ts and muscle cars such as AA Supercharged cars.
“I’m a heritage guy,” said Tonsaker, who is also involved with the Nelson Heritage Preservation Society.
Racing for 28 years, he qualified for the quickest eight cars that led to the final win. They went several rounds racing a quarter mile in 9.86 secs at 135 miles per hour. He managed to beat out a 1957 Thunderbird from Langley.
With 870 horsepower and racing slicks on the red beauty, his Impala is tuned and maintained by crew chief Dave “Birdman” Taylor and is sponsored by Nelson Brewing Company and OK Tire.
Now the defending champions the Nelson Road Kings are revving up for their big Queen City Cruise premier event of the year in Nelson on September 5 and 6. A city cruise from the Bogustown pub to historic downtown city centre kicks off the “Car-Di-Gras” celebration.
The Show and Shine on Saturday expects to see 500 classic cars lining the length of Baker Street, followed by the Lordco poker run. The weekend finale is at the parkade rooftop with a dance and party featuring Eddie and the Stringrays from Las Vegas.
Call the Road Kings Car Club at 250-352-6843 to get your dance tickets in advance as this event sells out. Visit nelsonroadkings.com for more information.
