The Pro Modified Racing Association will present The John Massingberd Memorial Award on April 13 during the Drag Strip Memories Show. This annual award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to motorsport.

The award honors John Massingberd, a prominent figure in Canadian motorsport known for his insight and creativity. He played an important role as a national ambassador across various racing disciplines.

In the late 1980s, Massingberd co-founded Promark Motorsport International and Raceline Motorsport Television. These ventures expanded the audience for Canadian motorsport through comprehensive coverage of various racing events.

Massingberd also launched Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, the Raceline Radio Network, alongside Erik Tomas in 1993. He co-produced and anchored Snowtrax Television, a snowmobiling program that reached viewers across North America.

His knowledge, professionalism, and unique perspective on motorsport are greatly missed. Massingberd’s pioneering efforts in radio and television transformed how Canadian motorsport was covered.

After a lengthy battle with ALS, Massingberd passed away in December 2008 at age 54. He was inducted into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2022 and the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame in 2023, both posthumously.

Past recipients of the John Massingberd Memorial Award include Carl Spiering, Fred and Betsy Smith, and Erik Tomas, among others.

Drag Strip Memories will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, just south of Hamilton. The venue offers ample free parking for attendees.