Elliot Lake cancels drag race event, cites lack of interest, economic losses
The City of Elliot Lake has cancelled its annual drag racing event.
The Northern Shore Drag Race has been going on for the past two decades, and typically draws hundreds of vehicles and a thousand people.
Dan Gagnon, the city’s chief administrative officer, said the cancellation was primarily due to financial losses and decreasing interest. Gagnon said attendance has dropped in recent years.
He said organizing the event ties up municipal resources.
“The level of effort municipal staff time that needs to go into this. It’s a big, three-day event,” he said.
He said there were also changes in insurance requirements.
“We used to be able to hire a service club and provide a donation to them to do a certain piece of the logistic of the event and over time our insurers were concerned with that,” Gagnon said.
“It’s a fee for service and perhaps the service clubs aren’t insured adequately, so there was a lot of logistics.”
Gagnon said the economic boost wasn’t as significant as they originally hoped because the event was held at the airport.
“I have no doubt the economic impact for the event is great for the Province of Ontario, for grocery stores, and gas stations and beer stores from Ottawa to Wawa,” Gagnon said.
“What we see locally in Elliot Lake is not commensurate with the size and effort it takes to put on this event.”
Meanwhile in Chapleau, the township will host a drag race of its own the same weekend. Mayor Ryan Bignucolo said it was a good weekend to host a drag racing event.
“Drag racers go from one community to the next, you travel to all the different events,” he said.
“With (Elliot Lake’s) being cancelled … we took a chance and put it on that weekend because people already had it reserved for holidays and other things.”
Chapleau previously held a drag racing event in 2019 and Bignucolo said it was successful, drawing 1,000 people. He said he hopes the event this year will double that.
“I think it’s going to bring some good things to our community,” he said.
Gagnon said, while the city didn’t make the decision lightly, it is hopeful a non-profit will pick up the event next year.
The event will be held in Chapleau on the July 14 weekend. Bignucolo said volunteers and sponsors are still needed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6964821.1721080803!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Follow Live: JD Vance officially nominated at RNC
The Republican National Convention kicked off this week, with delegates and officials descending on Wisconsin amid the tumult that follows a Saturday assassination attempt on Trump as he becomes the GOP’s official nominee. Follow for live updates of the RNC.
'Somebody who knows Canada well': Ambassador says of Trump running mate JD Vance
Canada's ambassador to the United States says Sen. JD Vance, the recently announced pick for former U.S. president and Republican nominee Donald Trump's running mate, 'knows Canada well.'
Manitoba man who rammed gates of Rideau Hall granted statutory release
A Manitoba man who armed himself and rammed the gates of Rideau Hall with a truck in 2020 to confront Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been granted statutory release.
Motive of man who tried to assassinate Donald Trump remains elusive
Former U.S. president Donald Trump called for unity and resilience after an attempt on his life injected fresh uncertainty into an already tumultuous presidential campaign, while President Joe Biden implored Americans to 'cool it down' in the final stretch and 'resolve our differences at the ballot box.'
Sask. TikTok star Bella Brave dies after latest hospitalization
Sask. TikTok star "Be Brave" Bella Thomson has died. She was 10-years-old.
Trucker who caused Broncos crash applies to have permanent resident status returned
The truck driver who caused the deadly Humboldt Broncos bus crash has applied to have his permanent resident status returned.
'Balaclava rapist' Larry Takahashi gets full parole more than 40 years after attacks
A serial sex offender known as the "balaclava rapist" for attacking 23 women in Edmonton more than 40 years ago has been granted full parole while he continues to serve three concurrent life sentences.
Who is JD Vance? Things to know about Donald Trump's pick for vice president
Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday chose Sen. JD Vance of Ohio to be his running mate as he looks to return to the White House.
Corus Entertainment says ongoing job cuts will amount to 25% of full-time positions
Corus Entertainment Inc. says it expects to have slashed 25 per cent of its full-time workforce by the end of next month compared with the beginning of its 2023 fiscal year, as the company continues to "aggressively cut costs."