Organizers of the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) are pleased to announce its 10 new inductees who comprise the Class of 2026. Each is recognized for significant accomplishments and contributions to Maritime motorsports. They will be officially enshrined in the hallowed Hall at a ceremony planned for November 14 at the Best Western in Dartmouth; it will be the 20th annual gala celebration for the MMHF. On Sunday, November 15, Steele Wheels Motor Museum in Halifax will host an exclusive private function for the Inductees and invited guests to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the MMHF.
From New Brunswick
- Bill Jarvis – Antique Collector & Promoter
- Clovis LeBlanc, Gil LeBlanc, Terry LeBlanc – Builder/Recreational/Team (Karting)
- Richard MacArthur – Competitor/ Builder (Stock Car)
From Nova Scotia
- Carman Christie & Allan Christie (both deceased) – Competitor (Stock Car)
- Paul Gray – Competitor (Road Racing)
- Scott Lockhart (Scotty) – Competitor (Motocross)
- Robert J. McDonald (Bob) – Builder/Sponsor (Racing)
- Atlantic Region Race Control Association (ARRCA) – Club
From Prince Edward Island
- Andrew Hicken & Jonathan Hicken – Competitor/Builder (Stock Car)
- Floyd Newman – Competitor (Drag Racing
These new inductees will join 180 individuals and clubs already welcomed as MMHF alumni since the organization’s inception in 2006. Each has been selected by members of the current year’s Induction Committee. And each was nominated by their peers before that. Many thanks to all those who have contributed to the nomination process.
Organizers for the 20th Anniversary celebrations for the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame are thrilled to welcome Steele Wheels Motor Museum as the event sponsor. The private event will feature a tour of the world-class facility and a brunch. Located in the Chain Lake area of Halifax, the museum houses a spectacular collection of classic and exotic vehicles, special exhibits, and one of the region’s most unique event venues. To learn more about Steele Wheels Motor Museum, please visit SteeleWheels.ca.
Brief bios for the Class of 2026 follow (in alphabetical order):
Carman & Allan Christie (Deceased) “Christie Racing Team” – Barrington Passage, NS
Stock Car Competitors
They started racing back in 1964 at a track in Clyde River. Allan and Carmen played an integral part in the growth of stock car racing in the Maritimes, as well as 4×4 racing. Carman had at least 14 1st place finishes in 4×4 racing. Carman and a friend built and raced their first car as a team in 1962, racing mostly at the Plymouth track in Yarmouth County and the local track in Clyde River, rugged ¼ mile dirt circuits. In 1967, they mastered the ½ mile Yarmouth track. They were always trying new innovative ideas to remain competitive. Allan raced stock cars across the Maritimes, Eastern Ontario, and the Northeastern United States, often competing against Carman. After his stock car racing, he became involved in 4×4 truck racing. Allan’s racing days include driving the pace car at the NASCAR Southern 500. Allan often said he couldn’t have accomplished what he did without Carman’s help.
Paul Gray, Halifax, NS
Competitor Racer
Since 1992…Competed at Atlantic Motorsport Park, Mosport (Toronto), Mt. Tremblant, Shannonville, Trois Rivieres, Penfield Raceway, Halifax Moosehead Grand Prix, Canadian GP Montreal, Loudon (New Hampshire), Road Atlanta (Georgia). Competed in over 400 race events in various classes.
Classes Raced or driven- ITA, ITB, F11600, Barber Dodge, Spec Racer Ford, Spec Miata, GT3 BMW M3, VW GTI. Instructor- BMW/Porsche/ARMS Performance and ASCC Race Schools for 25+ years
Rookie of the Year – 1995 FF 1600. Champion- 1996 Formula Ford Atlantic open wheel Series (J and J sponsorship x 5 years). Moosehead Grand Prix Halifax 3 podiums over four years. Track Record – 1997 Formula Ford F1600 class, Atlantic Motorsports Park. Winner- 3 Hour Enduro ITB (with D. Lugar) Road Atlanta. Winner- Tremblant Fall Classic modified BMW M3 GTD class 2016. Championships Won – ITA, ITB, F1600, GT# Maritime Trac Tour Unlimited. Notable- Overall Winner, Jack Canfield Memorial Endurance race – 3 times, Podium 2 more.
Andrew Hicken & Jonathan Hicken, Montague, PEI
Stock Car Competitor/Builder
The brothers, Andrew & Jonathan Hicken, have had a long-time love of race cars. The boys were only 13 and 15, too young back then to race, and they purchased their very first 6-cylinder Rear Wheel Drive hobby car. In 1998, Jonathan was racing in the Hobby class; two years later, Andrew was racing. On Tuesday and Thursday evenings, they worked on their stock cars with the help of the crew members and their dad. They moved to Modified, then the Modifieds were sold, and the #5 Pro Stock was bought and raced by Jonathan. Andrew, Andi, and the crew, crewed for Jonathan. Andrew went to North Carolina in 2008 and worked with Dickie Woodman in Jeff Fultz’s race shop. In 2010, he returned home and went to Pictou, NS, to work with Rollie MacDonald at his race shop. Jonathan also moved to work with him.
Jonathan retired from full time racing in 2020. Jonathan has won the Mike Stevens Memorial race at Petty International Raceway four times, in 2015, 2016, 2019, and 2020, along with the 2016 250 championship at Shediac, NB.
Bill Jarvis, Moncton, NB
Antique Collector & Promoter
In 1970, Bill joined the Halifax Antique Car Club. In 1973, he bought a 1947 Studebaker Champion and immediately joined the Studebaker Drivers Club (SDC). He has been the Chapter’s treasurer, president, and is now the past president. He is also the SDC Regional Manager for the Atlantic Provinces and Quebec. In 1974, Bill joined the NB Antique Auto Club Inc. (NBAAC). He has served the NBAAC as flea market treasurer, secretary, magazine editor, and Southeast region director. The past 19 years, he has been the NBAAC’s provincial treasurer.
Clovis LeBlanc, Gil LeBlanc, Terry LeBlanc, Dieppe, NB
Motorsport Builders, Recreational/Team – Karting
They did not know each other before the first Go Kart meeting in 1986. All three individuals revised the sport of go-karting in the Moncton area. They were the original Club organizers and Club executives. The 3 brought various skills to the organization. The club’s dream was always to have its own racetrack. By 1988, the Club had raised enough money to purchase 10 acres. The three of them all became co-owners of the track; it was called Champlain Motorsport Park. They each had to reach into their pockets yearly to meet the financial obligations. They kept the facility running for numerous years until it was sold. The track still operates under the name East Coast Karting. The Club still races there. They retired in 2000.
Scott Lockhart (Scotty), Springhill, NS
Motocross Competitor
He started racing in 1974 at age 13 on a Honda CR125. 1976, in the Senior class, winning several races and being on the podium most weekends. In 1977, he turned Expert, finishing in the top three in most races. Landed a Husqvarna Canada sponsorship, won the Ice racing 250, and Open-Ice. 1982 won both the 125 and 250 Atlantic Champions. In 1983, he won the 250; in ‘84, Scott won the 125. At age 30, he entered the Vet class and went on to win the Vet Championship for the next 10 years.
Robert Joseph McDonald (Bob), Halifax, NS (Deceased)
Motorsports Builder, Sponsor
Bob McDonald started Bob Mcconald Chev Olds in 1965 and quickly realized a market for performance Chev models. He formed an alliance with Motion Performance in Long Island, NY. In 1967, with the introduction of the new Camaro, he opened a Speed Shop to build about 51 exclusive Black Panthers.
He sponsored and promoted Ron Locke and Giles Trembley with 427 Motion prepared cars. At the same time, he sponsored Jr. Hanley in stock cars with the Hound. Bob also sponsored several Chevys in racing at the Atlantic Motorsports Park road course, Drag City, Scoudouc, Pennfield, Oyster Bed Bridge, and the Maitland drag strip. He also sponsored Don Hogan, Ron Locke, and John Risley with three 1967, 427 Vettes at Mosport, Ont. Bob supplied advertising and pace cars at many races in the Maritimes for many years. Always stocking a wide range of performance vehicles, some were modified by the Speed Shop for other local GM dealerships to race and sponsor. Bob was a promoter of all auto sports, including car shows, parades, etc.
Richard McArthur, Fredericton, NB (Deceased)
Stockcar Competitor/Builder
In 1967, Richard bought a 1957 Chev. He owned 7 different cars before he retired in 1983. For years, he raced 3, and sometimes 5 nights a week at Brookside, River Glade, Miramichi, and Danny’s Speed Bowl, which were his main tracks. He made 1 or 2 trips to Oxford, Maine. In 1976, he won the track championship at Danny’s, finished 2nd at Brookside, 2nd at Newcastle, and 4th at River Glade. Richard was a fan favorite at Danny’s. In 1983, he raced with the MASCAR tour. After he retired, to stay involved with racing, he drove the pace car for the next three years. He sponsored the Hard Luck Trophy for the tour, then sponsored racers at the local level at the Geary track. All he wanted was to show up, compete, and be competitive.
Floyd Newman, Charlottetown, PEI
Drag Racing Competitor
Floyd Newman started Drag Racing around 1975. In 1976, Floyd was featured in the Maritime magazine, called “Motorway.” 1984, Moosehead/Export Drag Racing, 1st place Street Points at Oyster Bed.
1985 Moosehead/Export Drag Racing 1st place Pro points at Oyster Bed. 1986 Moosehead/Export Drag Racing 3rd place Super Pro points. At Oyster Bed, he finished 1st, then he ran the King of the Hill against names like Stan Brennan and the Armstrong’s, beating them out, then up against Vince Hazel in the finals to finish 2nd. Floyd still has the same car that he started racing in 1980. He also built transmissions for fellow drag racers, stock cars, and pulling tractors. He loves old cars and helps other people to restore their cars. Retired in 1995.
Atlantic Region Race Control Association (ARRCA), Timberlea, NS
Club
Atlantic Region Race Control Association (ARRCA) was established and registered with Joint Stocks as a non-profit association on July 15, 1971, organized and operated by a volunteer Board of Directors, and averages 30 to 35 volunteer members each year. They are from NS, NB, and PEI. They provide front-line safety support for both motorcycle and car racing at tracks. In addition to providing marshal services for regional and national events Many of ARRCA’S members frequently travel to other parts of Canada, the United States, and throughout the world, to join up with other clubs to provide marshalling services at National and International events. The significance of a track marshal is unquestionable. They are the men and women, dressed in “white”, who oversee racing and track events to help ensure a degree of safety. Without them, races would not start.
To learn more about the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHF) please visit the MMHF museum in Petitcodiac or online at www.mmhf.ca.
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