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MONTREAL, Quebec – The John Massingberd Memorial Award has been presented by the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) to a new, deserving individual who represents the same commitment, dedication and passion that John Massingberd conveyed for the sport of auto racing. Massingberd, a long-time motorsports media personality, was instrumental in promoting Canadian motorsports until his passing in December of 2008 after a long and courageous battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. This year’s award was presented to John Scotti on November 8 at the 10th Anniversary Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala at the Armon Plaza Montreal Airport Hotel in Montreal, Quebec. John Scotti has been passionate about the sport since he was 16, working as a mechanic for his mentor, John Dingman, who was one of the leading mechanics for performance racing engines. This led Scotti to pursue a career in the automotive industry, in which he has become an icon. Drag racing became an obsession, over 25 years ago, he hit a record time of 8.08 seconds on the quarter-mile with his dragster. In 2012, after learning that John Dingman had passed away, John Scotti set out to create the Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame to honour the men and women of the sport he loved. The Canadian Drag Racing Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honours the significant contributions of individuals who have played a major role in drag racing in Canada. The CDRHF is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history and legacy of drag racing in Canada. Its mission is to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the sport, whether as racers, mechanics, builders, or advocates. By honouring these achievements, the Hall of Fame seeks to promote the rich heritage of Canadian drag racing, inspire future generations, and foster a deeper appreciation for the sport’s impact on Canadian motorsport culture. Through its annual inductions, exhibits, and events, the organization serves as a lasting tribute to the dedication and passion that have propelled drag racing to prominence nationwide. In 2024, John Scotti established the NHRA John Scotti Canadian Championship Series and has supported the Can-Am Stock/Super Stock Series for the past eight seasons. John Scotti’s John Scotti Automotive is Canada’s uncontested leader in luxury automobiles. After five decades of growth, innovation and success, founder John Scotti has carved out a unique place for himself as an entrepreneur and builder of the automotive industry. As owner of Lamborghini Montreal, the largest and one of the most respected dealerships in the world for the Italian marque, John Scotti looks back with pride on his career and his company’s position. John was 16 years old when he obtained his class 1 mechanic certification, making him the youngest person to get this accreditation from the Comité Paritaire de l’Automobile de Montréal. “When I opened my first garage in 1975, I had no idea we’d be here 50 years later,” he said. “I’ve always shied away from the spotlight, but after starting from scratch and building a successful business, I wanted to turn the spotlight on my team and our achievements”. John Scotti Automotive grew to include major brands such as Lamborghini, Lotus, Jaguar, Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Subaru, Alfa Romeo, and Volvo. John Scotti has earned high praise from clients and Lamborghini management. According to Andrea Baldi, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini America, “John Scotti is a key player in our dealer network in Canada. He has always taken the brand’s success to heart, and we wish to recognize, with this anniversary, his passion, partnership, and devotion to Automobili Lamborghini. His personal Lamborghini collection is breathtaking and among the best in North America. We congratulate John for all his achievements.” John Scotti Automotive’s is the dealership about to sell its 1,000th Lamborghini, but a new state-of-the-art facility will also be inaugurated in the coming months. John Scotti arrived in Canada in the late 1950s at the age of two, and his story goes far beyond his car dealerships and impressive collection of luxury vehicles: it’s about a warm-hearted, hard-working man with a passion for motorsports. Over the years, he has actively given back to his community through numerous charitable events. These include the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Canada’s annual Drive for Smiles classic, for which he helps create unique experiences for sick children and their families through his luxury cars. The John Massingberd Award honours a national ambassador of Canadian motorsport in all disciplines who demonstrates keen insight and entrepreneurial creativity. In the late 1980s, John co-established Promark Motorsport International, which included Raceline Motorsport Television and SnowTrax Television, with Bruce Mehlenbacher, two media ventures responsible for bringing Canadian motorsport to a greater audience and well-deserved prominence. Along with coverage of drag racing, stock car racing, road racing, and tractor pulls, he co-founded and co-anchored Raceline Radio with Promark Motorsport International and Raceline Television in 1992. John was the executive producer of Canada’s first nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, the Raceline Radio Network, along with Erik Tomas. Raceline Radio was Canada’s first and only nationally syndicated motorsport radio program, celebrating 31 years on the air in 2023 as Canada’s National Radio Motorsport Authority. All who knew John quickly recognized his larger-than-life stature. With his warm, friendly, yet firm handshake, quick wit, and genuine charm, John had a fantastic ability to never be at a loss for words. He pioneered his field, breaking new ground in radio and television coverage of Canadian Motorsport. In keeping with the spirit of the Pro Modified Racing Association, it is appropriate and altogether fitting to recognize John Scotti with this annual award.
Past Recipients:
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