Radical Speed Sport Auto Show: Bolid and Celebrities

The city of Moncton is considered the capital of vintage car and restored hot rod enthusiasts in Atlantic Canada. It’s no surprise that the 52nd edition of the Radical Speed Sport Auto Show attracted over 20,000 enthusiasts over the weekend at the Moncton Coliseum.

Visitors were treated to a diverse menu, including the presence of several celebrities, a variety of articles, and the 265 displayed hot rods.

There was a bit of everything in the vast amphitheater, from a 100-year-old Chevrolet, a dragster racing family, to thousands of accessories of all kinds.

Promoter Joe Savoie is not surprised by the excitement generated by this annual event. “Moncton is certainly the hub of antique or restored vehicle culture in the Maritimes. There are some everywhere, but the two biggest exhibitions in the Maritimes are here. We compete even with the biggest events of this kind in Canada,” he says.

According to him, it’s the personal and deep attachment people have towards hot rods that often resonate with their childhood or adolescence.

“The goal of all our exhibitions is always the same: to offer people from all over the Atlantic an unique and authentic experience.”

Family Affair

The Christensen family came from Cape Breton to attend the show.

At first glance, they might seem like any other family passionate about cars. But in reality, dad Tommy, mom Ashley, and young Sophia are all race car drivers.

“We do stock car and dragster races. I’ve been in this field since I was very young. My dad had a drag race car when I was little,” laughs Tommy.

His partner Ashley got into a hot rod for the first time in 2025. “It’s probably his fault!” she says, mockingly looking at her partner.

She doesn’t think this type of competition is dangerous. “It’s more dangerous to drive a car on the roads. There’s less traffic on a drag strip! I reach speeds of 125 mph in my car.”

“It goes really fast. We experience quite a sensation at that speed.”

Nine-year-old Sophia shares this passion for speed aboard her junior dragster. “I love it. I’m not scared in my car. I like to go fast,” she confesses.

Her mother seemed very proud of her daughter. “The first day she went on the track, she asked me if she could go faster!”

Even though her hot rod can reach a speed of 90 mph, the maximum allowed in her category is 70 mph.

And it’s only a matter of time before her sister Delaney also finds herself behind the wheel.

“She’s only one year old. So we have four more years to introduce her to the sport,” says Ashley Duggar.

A Centennial Car

Further along, Marc Mercier presented his 1926 Chevrolet V-Roadster.

“There are practically none left. I’ve had it for years, and the gentleman who had it before me did some research: in 1982, there were only eight left in Canada and the United States,” explains the Dieppe resident.

The avid collector also owns 16 old gas pumps. “I’ve worked for GM for about ten years, and I’ve always owned Chevrolets or Buicks. Once you’re with a certain brand, you stick with it,” he mentions.

“I also have a 1916 Chevrolet and one from 1917. They are not restored yet. These two cars were built before the creation of General Motors in 1918. I also have models from 1928 and 1930, in addition to a 1980 Buick Regal Limited. I still have work to do!”

This old Buick was his first car in 1983 when he was 18 years old.

“I went through a parking lot and saw it was for sale. People around me told me not to buy it because it was a big car that consumed a lot of gas. At the time, everyone was looking for small, economical cars,” he explains.

“But I loved it and bought it.”