Ready… set… go!
Tucked away in Northwestern Ontario lies Terrace Bay’s tiny airport. While now largely decommissioned, every summer it comes to life with Dragfest, a weekend-long drag racing festival. The smell of burnt rubber lingers and the chatter of excited spectators fills the area as cars, dragsters, junior dragsters, motorcycles and snowmobiles speed down a quarter mile strip. When not racing, the vehicles lay in wait around the grounds, proudly being shown off by their racers. Scattered amongst them are those who look at what was once dominated by men and laugh: these are the women of racing.
Founded in 1998, the Superior Classics Car Club had a dream of providing a “high quality, high access, low cost, professionally operated drag race.” (Superior Classics) In 1999, they achieved that dream and have been growing it each year. The numbers of spectators can be as high as 10,000 for the entire weekend, while Terrace Bay has a tiny population of a little over 1600 (Statistics Canada). Beyond the actual races, people can wander around the grounds to admire the various vehicles, vote on their favorite car in the car show or watch other racing entertainment — this year, they had Clif Bakx with the Wild Cow, Todd Bruce with the Vanishing Warrior, and Tim Senkow of Senkow Motorsports, all from the Mid-West Wild Bunch. The name of the game here is bigger, louder, faster.
These races are performed in different classes, from fastest to slowest times: quick 16, super pro, pro, super street and street; allowing for anyone with a dream of racing to participate. There are also the snowmachine/motorcycle and junior dragster classes. These drag races allow more than standard racing cars and dragsters: any car that meets the tech standards under the National Hot Rod Association and the International Hot Rod Association can race. This can even include more casual street cars. To date, the top speed reached is 220 mph by Clif Bakx, driving his Wild Cow dragster. Speaking of Dragfest 2019, Superior Classics Car Club president Wesley Fenton had this to say:
“This was our 21st year of Dragfest, a charity-based drag weekend. Over the last 20 years, we have donated approximately $380,000 to local clubs and charities. It is a drag race supported by local groups and volunteers including the township of Terrace Bay, as well as the Terrace Bay senior clubs, firefighters from both Schreiber and Terrace Bay, the sea cadets corps along with numerous volunteers from the community itself. It is truly a community-based festival with the support of the township of Terrace Bay and volunteers’ time. It has grown to be one of the largest motorsports attractions in Northwestern Ontario.”
Walking around the grounds, many women can be found spectating and in various pit crews. But what about racers? Speaking with Wesley Fenton, he stated that, annually, approximately 25 percent of racers were women across the various classes, and that they weren’t particularly focused in any one class. In fact, the 2019 winner of the pro class was Rachel Peppard of Neebing. (Superior Classics, Fenton)
Unlike other types of racing such as Nascar and Formula One (in which 16 and five women have raced respectively; ESPNW, BBC Sport) drag racing has a significantly higher percentage of women. Leah Pritchett, a professional drag racer with six NHRA Top Fuel awards, said to USA TODAY: “Drag racing has embraced it (driver diversity) from the series to the teams to the fans. NHRA prides itself on that diversity. It’s a stereotype that’s already been stepped over. Females are perfectly capable of driving.”
While it’s generally accepted that racing continues to have a higher percentage of men, it’s also generally accepted that there’s no glass ceiling on the drag tracks.
I had the opportunity to speak with four racers — in drag racing, ice racing and autocross — for their thoughts on equality on the track, advice to those seeking to start racing and more.
“I’ve been racing for five years. Being the only woman in the sled and bike category is definitely something that I would like to see change!” -Keely Rainville
Theresa Bonifacio
Fast facts
Name: Theresa Bonifacio
Birthday: May 22, 1988
Make and model of car(s): 1995 Mazda MX-3 Precidia; 2004 Mazda Miata NB
Years spent racing: one year ice racing; three years autocross
Michelle DiFelice
Fast facts
Name: Michelle DiFelice
Birthday: April 27, 1988
Make and model of car(s): 1962 Ford Falcon and 1993 Ford Mustang
Racing class in Terrace Bay’s Dragfest: Super Pro and Pro
Years spent racing: six
Melissa Stevenson
“I have been coming to the track since I was a kid to watch my uncle and it has been a fun experience. In 2013 my uncles and I started building the Demon together and got it ready for Terrace Bay.” – Melissa Stevenson
Fast facts
Name: Melissa Stevenson
Birthday: October 2, 1991
Make and model of car: 1971 Dodge Demon
Racing class in Terrace Bay’s Dragfest: Pro Division
Years spent racing: 10 years
What is your racing story?
Melissa: My two uncles and I built the Demon together. It came from the States, and we put a lot of hours in a short amount of time into it. Kevin is my one uncle and he is a body man and redid some stuff on the car. I remember working two jobs at the time and working on the car in all my free time. There were many late nights at the shop as they usually liked to stop around 11. But sometimes we went past that. I remember wrenching under the car a few times awaiting a wrench and falling asleep on the creeper. Brian and I were working on the rear end and almost finished but he forgot to seal it so we had to rip it all back apart and he was trying to get rid of me but I said “no, we are in this together,” so we were up the until 3 in the morning on the Monday night and got it done. Building this was one of the greatest memories I will never forget.
Do you think women in racing are particularly rare? If they are, why?
Theresa: I wish there were more women that would participate. In autocross we have four women that compete regularly (myself included) and four regularly in ice racing (myself included). I’m not sure if there is just a stigma about it or women are just not interested in cars or maybe afraid to try it.
Melissa: I think women in racing is rare; there are a few girls I know that race, but it might be rare because not as many are interested or maybe have the opportunity to do it.
What are the different locations and festivals that you race in? Do you have a favorite?
Theresa: Ice racing is always located at Mission Island. It is held every Sunday during the winter. On average there are 10 races depending on weather conditions. Autocross is held at different lots throughout the city. We often use WSIB, WSP, TBRHSC overflow lot “I” and we have been given permission once a year to have races in Terrace Bay. My favorite hands down is ice racing! I love the thrill of being on the ice with different weather conditions with other cars out there. It’s not a time attack, the goal is always to get ahead of the person ahead of you without causing a collision. As for autocross I like the smaller lots like WSIB because it’s more suited to the car I drive.
Michelle: I race in Terrace Bay at Test ’n Tune and at Drag Fest, also in Rock Falls in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and in Brainerd. My favorite would be Rock Falls.
Melissa: I have been to Brainerd International Raceway, and Rock Falls Raceway. My favorite would have to be Terrace Bay, it is close to home and lots of friends go racing there. Anywhere you go racing, you usually know people and they are like a family. Everyone is always friendly and always willing to help lend a hand or tools if you are ever missing something. I always enjoy visiting everyone at the track to catch up.
As a woman that races, do you believe you’ve ever encountered (to you or in general) any sexism or discrimination? If so, what happened?
Theresa: I’ve only ever gotten the occasional comment like “I’m a sucker for a pretty girl” or you’ll hear banter with some of the younger guys about having a girl beat them. I generally don’t even notice since either I slough it off or it’s not said directly to me.
Michelle: I have not encountered any discrimination, a lot of people can be surprised that I drag race and they support it and think it is pretty impressive.
Melissa: No I have not, I feel very well respected as a female racer.
What was your most memorable race?
Theresa: In ice racing: lots! The top one that sticks out in my mind is when I took a corner too fast and crashed on the snowbank hard jamming my fan. I ended up overheating and heat soaking the car but finished the race. In autocross: last year my husband bet me I couldn’t beat him that year in autocross. I remember it was my favorite lot (WSIB) when I beat his time on my last run. He still had one run left. The pressure was too much and he hit a cone (+2 sec to his time). I was so proud of myself for showing him that I could do it!
Michelle: There would be two that are my favorite, breaking my fastest time in my Falcon and taking my dad’s car down the track and getting the fastest MPH in it.
Melissa: My most memorable race was at Terrace Bay Dragfest in 2013. We just finished putting the car together in under two months, getting further around in each round was super exciting, I remember one guy said “If you win this you know, you are in the money round.” I replied “I am not here for the money, I am here to have fun!” A few rounds later I was in the finals against a black Mustang. I remember as soon as I saw the last yellow light go down, I hammered the gas and waiting to shift, it was so close, and by the finish line I had no clue if I won or lost but the feeling that I even made it this far was awesome. I remember driving down the return road and shaking because I was so excited, while pulling up to get my slip my uncle Brian was there and greeted me with a white slip and his smile was from ear to ear. It was an unreal feeling that I made him so proud.
What is the appeal of racing to you?
Theresa: I love the thrill. For the duration of the race, it’s you and your car. Nothing else matters. Besides these the biggest appeal to racing for me is that it’s something I can share with my family. If it wasn’t for my husband I wouldn’t have given it a try.
Michelle: It’s just exciting to watch a girl put on a helmet and zip up a fire suit and get behind something that all these guys are getting into. When I was younger I remember looking at women drivers and thinking, how can they be so fearless? And I wanted to be like them. I’m a girl. I like to go shopping and talk on the phone. But when I get in the car, I mean business. I feel like the adrenaline rush I get from being behind the wheel is like no other and it is addicting to me.
Melissa: The appeal of racing to me is a fun family event. I have been going since it started in 1999; my uncle always races his 1971 Challenger and I always had a blast being his pit crew. I always thought cars were really cool and he was awesome for going so fast. It was also awesome to watch him when he won his class in the first year.
Do you have any tips for anyone wanting to break into the industry?
Theresa: Don’t go out there on your first race thinking you will win. There are guys out there that have been racing a long time with high end mods and setting the bar and expectations that high will discourage you. It’s all about seat time and learning your car (the limits and where you can push it). Be open to suggestions from other racers. There are many of them that want to help you.
Melissa: If you are interested in breaking into the industry and you are nervous even a little bit you could start off in the street class. I did and I had a good experience. I started out in a ’03 Dodge 2500: it was a 16 second truck, but it was so fun. I raced in street for about five years before we built a car. Everyone has to start somewhere and that is a good starting place. If that makes anyone nervous, in June, Terrace Bay does a Test ’n Tune. This is a good place to jump in a vehicle with a friend just to get used to the vehicle and going down the track. It is an excellent learning experience for new people coming into it. If you ever have any questions or concerns there are people that can help you go through the burnout box and teach you what to do.
Is there anything else about racing that we should know about?
Theresa: Don’t be scared to try something new. These types of racing are done in a controlled setting. The speed is nothing to worry about and comes with practice and time. You learn a lot about cars and how to handle different situations that can be applied on the roads.
Michelle: Girls can do anything that men can do, and sometimes they do it better. So don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.
Melissa: It is a fun sport and I highly recommend it. You always meet new people and learn lots along the way.
Answers edited for clarity.
Walking around racing grounds, it can appear that women aren’t properly represented — but as Keely Rainville, Theresa Bonifacio, Michelle DiFelice and Melissa Stevenson have shown — this is far from the truth. Settling down into their vehicles, one thing becomes apparent: cars don’t care about gender. In the end, only one thing matters: how fast they can get to the finish line.
I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the racing community for allowing me to experience life a little more differently. I give special acknowledgements to Clif Bakx, Wesley Fenton, Keely Rainville, Theresa Bonifacio, Michelle DiFelice and Melissa Stevenson for allowing me to spend time learning about the ins and outs of racing, and for allowing me to interview/photograph you!
To hear more about drag racing, be sure to check out Her Story’s “I Won A National Drag Competition.”