Keven Hebert doubles at Canadian On-road Nationals
The 2017 Protoform Canadian Onroad Nationals, the 8th running of the race, which started its life as the Can-Am RC Challenge, took place in snowy Welland, Ontario, Canada just a short drive from the Canada/US border. A record 450+ entries have turned this from a local trophy race into one of the largest RC car races in the world. Always one of the most unique races of the year, this year’s event saw a major change. In past years, the race has been held in the Centre Court of the Seaway Mall, allowing the public mall shoppers to be exposed to high-end RC racing. Race organizers Mark Frechette and Mike Wilson wanted to continue to grow both the track size and the overall scope of the event. With Centre Court’s limited size only allowing a 85′ x 40′ space, it was decided to move the event down the hall to a former Target store that had since closed. With the mall food court only a short walk away, racers have convenience and selection not found at many other events. Pit space was abundant in the former department store, after years of cramming into other empty stores to set up pits. Mall shoppers were still welcomed in to watch the action and scope out the many full-scale race cars on display around the track area.