Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame 2016 Inductee Harold Parfett’s journey into the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame begins over 50 years ago when he attended his first drag race in at the renowned Edmonton International Speedway.

It was at that race he met his drag racing hero, Don Garlits – pioneer, innovator and world champion – who moved the sport of drag racing through his developments and experimenting – and Harold’s life was set on a course that drove his life-long passion for race cars and drag racing.
For Harold, there was one dragster that ignited that passion – the Hawaiian top fuel dragster owned by the famed Roland Leong and driven by another legend Don “the snake” Prudhomme and Mike Snively. The team won two of the drag racing’s most prestigious events, the Winternationals at Pomona, CA and the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, IN in back-to-back victories with Prudhomme in 1965 and Snively in 1966.
The was the first of many dragsters that Harold pursued as part of his race car collection. His collection of race cars, classic cars and hotrods are supported with memorabilia that honors the early days of the owners, drivers and tracks that made history and fond memories.

Outside his collection of race cars, Harold has been instrumental in the growth, sustainability and success of many drag race teams, locally, regionally and internationally. His support goes beyond the race track and is a champion of education and programs that support young drivers.

One of those programs is known as NHRA Street Legal. NHRA member tracks run a weekly drag race event that encourage young drivers to get off the street and onto the track.

When the provincial police force Royal Canadian Mountain Police or as their better known, RCMP, approached Harold and ask for support as part of their “Say No to Drugs” campaign, Harold was eager to step up. Modeled after the U.S. based Super Cops program the Canadian version also has law enforcement officers building and driving race cars. The campaign’s aim was to foster a positive image of law enforcement among young drivers while targeting important issues such as the responsible operation of motor vehicles and an awareness of drug and alcohol abuse. The year was 1997, the race car was a 1970 Chevrolet Nova race car. Harold’s support allowed to the team to build the first police race car in Canada and participate as part of Edmonton Street Legal program. Through their efforts both on and off the track, the RCMP race team was presented with an award by the Chiefs of Police in Edmonton in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Traffic Safety. To Harold this was as an extremely rewarding experience to his investment in the team. From local and regional drag racing teams, to off track initiatives to national sponsorship of NHRA top-tier drag racing teams with the likes of Kalitta Motorsports, ACE Racing has stood behind many winners so the ACE Racing brand is out-front. Since its inception in 2001 ACE Racing has sponsored 15 race cars, Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association (CMDRA), drag racing Outlaw 6.99 event and his local track: Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Canada.

Harold’s support, both financially and with services-in-kind have helped many racers start their careers, build competitive teams and win championships. Beyond the drag race team’s he currently supports, Harold continues to invest in motorsport facilities and educational racing programs that build a future generations of drag racers and fans.

It is with these accomplishments that have propelled Harold Parfett into the  Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame
Richie Crampton – DHL/Kalitta Air dragster goes out first round