A torque wrench manufacturer based in Abbotsford has acquired the naming rights to one of the more notable multi-track auto racing facilities in Canada.
The Edmonton-based racetrack and complex formerly known as Castrol Raceway has been re-named the RAD Torque Raceway.
The news was made public last week and signals a new five-year sponsorship between the owners of the raceway and the Abbotsford-based RAD Torque Systems - a torque wrench manufacturer.
A torque wrench is a tool used to apply a specific torque to a fastener such as a nut, bolt, or lag screw.
Dan Provost is RAD Torque System’s founder and president, and he and his family have been heavily involved in motorsports for many decades — often sponsoring drag race cars, teams, and events across North America.
“Canadian drag racers have not been allowed in the U.S. to compete for the last two years due to COVID-19, so our participation in the Edmonton race facility is welcome news for all of us,” Provost stated in a press release. “This partnership is a natural fit for us. Many RAD Torque customers are from Alberta as a result of the oil and gas industry, and many drag racers in the province know us and use our tools.”
Dan Provost has been racing for more than 12 years. But it was his son, Darien — a drag racer himself — who introduced his father to the Reeves family, who own the racetrack.
“I was first introduced to Chevy Reeves, and I was impressed with him as a person and a racer. I agreed to sponsor his beautiful dragster with the RAD Torque logo,” Provost stated. “I later found out that there was an opportunity to take over the sponsorship of the entire race facility. Needless to say, I was very enthusiastic to become such a large part of the amazing facility in Edmonton.”
The new partnership and facility name also comes with facility improvements: the quarter mile dragstrip will be resurfaced, new sound systems will be placed throughout, LED lighting upgraded, and app-based competitor tech and registration enhanced.
The facility features an 8,500-seat ¼ mile International Hot Rod Association -sanctioned dragstrip, and a 4,500-seat 3/8 mile clay oval. There is also a pro motocross track, a mini-sprint car track, and a 2.7 km road course which opened in 2013.
It also regularly hosts the National Hot Rod Association’s Mopar Rocky Mountain Nationals event, which is the largest national event of its kind in Canada.
RAD Torque Systems initially began over 25 years ago in a small garage in Abbotsford. The company expanded to a large new warehouse at 30580 Progressive Way in 2020.
For more on the company, visit radtorque.com.