The 44th edition of the Bracket Bonanza is now in the books and, true to its reputation, the event delivered an exceptional weekend of racing. Once again, the Super Tour promoters and the Luskville Dragway team came through for the 180 racers who took part in four action-packed days.
THURSDAY – CLARMO AND ALLARD START STRONG
In the Super Pro class, Ottawa’s local racer Jamie Clarmo in his RaceTech Dragster claimed the $5,000 win over Félix Ballabey in his Power Chassis Dragster from St-Michel. Clarmo had eliminated Max Gauthier from Belleville in the semifinals, while Ballabey had taken out Dan Lanctôt from St-Eustache. It was Clarmo’s second career win on the Super Tour circuit, after his first victory in 2021.
In Footbrake, Dan Allard from North Bay in his Vega earned his first Super Tour win by defeating Éric Monaghan from Valcartier in a Mustang. Allard beat Stéphane Pichette in the semifinals, while Monaghan had the upper hand against Stephen Ballantyne.
Thursday also featured the popular 330’ Shootout, an event that keeps growing in popularity every year. Nearly 40 cars were entered in this short-distance, high-intensity showdown. The 2023 Super Tour Champion, Brock Godmaire from Kirkland Lake, Ontario, claimed this year’s edition with a final-round victory over yet again Dan Lanctôt.
FRIDAY – URSLAK AND GERMAIN SHINE
In Super Pro, Landyn Urslak from Oxford Mills earned his second career Super Tour win, following his 2020 win, by defeating Frank Angers from Laval in a Chevy Nova SS. Urslak had eliminated Jake Hodge, who came all the way from Kentucky, while Angers had taken out Allen Ray.
In Footbrake, Dominic Germain from La Prairie, driving his Mustang, came out on top over Randy Houze after beating local driver Patrick Alarie, also in a Mustang, in the semifinals. Houze had earned a bye-run.
In Juniors, third-generation driver Julia Malcolm took the win by defeating Cohan Gagné in the semifinals and Merrick Gagné in the final. Logan Gagné, the third sibling, also made the semifinals but lost to his brother.
Also on Friday night, the traditional golf cart race was held. Félix Ballabey and his co-driver Simon Tisseur claimed the victory and the $1,500 prize.
SATURDAY – BARKER AND BALLANTYNE STEP UP
In Super Pro, Brandon Barker, a two-time Super Tour champion and the defending class champion, earned his seventh career Super Tour win and his first since 2019, taking home the top prize of $10,000. Barker defeated Frank Angers from Laval, who was making his second final-round appearance in a row. Barker had beaten veteran Richard Arnold in the semifinals, while Angers had the edge over Ralph Coe.
In Footbrake, Stephen Ballantyne from Luskville continued his hot streak with a seventh Super Tour win, this time over Jean-Guy Renaud from Cornwall. Ballantyne defeated Martin Lassiseraye in the semifinals, while Renaud had a bye-run.
In Juniors, Julia Malcolm made another final-round appearance but was defeated by Parker Seguin from North Bay. Katie Adams and Logan Gagné were the semifinalists.
SUNDAY – THE DOUBLE UP SHOWDOWN
To close out the weekend, Brandon Barker returned to the final round for a second day in a row, this time against American racer Jake Hodge. Hodge got his revenge after Friday’s performance where he had been eliminated twice in the semifinals, even though he held two of the four remaining entries at that stage. On Sunday, Hodge bounced back to claim the final $10,000 payday. Daniel Lanctôt and Darren Frasso rounded out the semifinals.
In Footbrake, Dan Allard capped off a dream weekend with a second win, this time over Daniel Blanchette from St-Honoré-de-Shenley. Allard earned a bye in the semifinals, while Blanchette took out Maxime Proulx.
In Juniors, Parker Seguin also completed a double victory, defeating Mavrick Angers from Laval in the final. Seguin had eliminated Julia Malcolm, while Angers had taken out Émy Roberge.
DAN LANCTÔT CROWNED MVP OF BONANZA 2025
Although no official Bonanza Week championship was on the line this year, several drivers stood out with their consistent and exceptional performances. Dan Lanctôt emerged as the most consistent driver of the weekend with a final-round appearance in Thursday’s 330’ Shootout, a semifinal in Super Pro the same day, a quarterfinal on Friday and another semifinal on Sunday, earning him the unofficial title of MVP of the 2025 Bracket Bonanza.
Right behind him, Frank Angers also had an impressive weekend with back-to-back final-round appearances in Super Pro on Friday and Saturday, followed by a quarterfinal on Sunday. Brandon Barker had a standout weekend with a win on Saturday and a runner-up finish on Sunday, while Jake Hodge impressed with two entries in the semifinals on Friday and a victory on Sunday. In Juniors, Julia Malcolm delivered a remarkable performance with a win on Friday, a final-round appearance on Saturday and a semifinal on Sunday. Dan Allard, in Footbrake, completed a strong double with wins on Thursday and Sunday, while Parker Seguin in Juniors also secured two victories on Saturday and Sunday. Finally, Stephen Ballantyne added to his record with a win on Saturday and a semifinal finish on Thursday.
ON TO THE FINAL STRETCH
With the Bracket Bonanza now behind us, all eyes turn to the final stretch of the season. The next stop is the Labor Day weekend event from August 29 to 31, once again at Luskville Dragway, before wrapping things up at the Canadian Bracket Finals in Napierville.