45 EVENTS. 10 YEARS. ONE UNBREAKABLE COMMUNITY. 🏆🏁
When John put on the very first Hard Times event a decade ago, running 5 to 7 events every season (45 total events), it was about pure love for the sport, keeping us safe, and passing that passion down to the next generation.
John did all of this while holding down a full-time job, grinding endless off-time hours alongside his wife Jes Forbes to keep grassroots racing alive. Together, they poured their blood, sweat, and dollars into prepping tracks, hand-welding trophies, and organizing classes so local racers and kids who want to drag race had a safe, legit environment to learn, build, and lay down real horsepower off the streets.
Through every high and low across 45 events—hitting both St. Thomas Dragway and Grand Bend Motorplex—John, Jes, and the ProStreet 519 crew held down the line for us. They gave us an escape, a family, and a safe place to teach the younger crew real drag racing culture. We NEED No Prep—it’s a legacy being handed down from one generation to the next.
At the True North Turbos 10-Year Finale at St. Thomas Dragway, the lanes were packed and the backside No Prep action was absolute war. But as final trophies were handed out, reality set in. John announced he’s taking a break and doesn’t know for sure if Hard Times is coming back—even though deep down, the passion is burning hot and we all know how much we need John and Jes putting these events on for us and the kids at a safe track.
Imagine 30+ new racers pulling up, hitting John’s line, and locking in a spot on the tree next season! Ontario’s grassroots No Prep scene cannot afford to lose ProStreet 519.
John worked a full-time job and, together with Jes, built a safe place for us and the next generation out of pure love. Now it’s on US to show them why we need them to keep going.
DROP A COMMENT BELOW! Tell John and Jes what Hard Times means to you, share a favorite memory, tag a racer, and let them know loud and clear: WE NEED JOHN & JES TO BRING NO PREP BACK NEXT YEAR!
🏎️ TO THE RACERS & NO PREP FAMILY:
To every driver who ever bought a tech card, strapped in, and staged on that tree over the last decade: THANK YOU! You are the heartbeat of this series. Huge respect to all family members, kids, pit crews, and supporters across these 45 events!
❤️ CREW & TRACK WORKERS:
Endless respect and love to John’s wife Jes Forbes, his entire family, and the crew who grinded behind the scenes:
• St. Thomas Dragway & Grand Bend Motorplex Staff: David M. Meurs & track crew (Sparta & Grand Bend will always feel like home!)
• Crew Squad: Jaden Forbes, Beau Smith, Josh Rudorfer, Alex Rocheleau, Jess Ru, Graham Fisher, Nate Cooper, & Susie Forbes!
🙏 SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS:
⚙️ True North Turbos & Nick Sceviour (Presenting Sponsor)
🔧 BMS Dyno-Tune & Performance
⛽ Gulf Race Fuel
⚙️ TurboPartsCanada.ca (FB: Turbo Parts Canada Inc.)
🔒 Securiix.com (FB: Securiix)
⚡ Lowdollar-Motorsports.com (FB: Lowdollar Motorsports)
🏎️ Sinister Performance Club (FB: Sinister Performance Club)
📸 5252RPM.com
🏆 HARD TIMES 10-YEAR FINALE CHAMPIONS:
🏁 Small Tire: Tctuned Trevor
🏁 Extreme Street: Mike Corley
🏁 Hard Tire: Erica Munson
🏁 Bikes: Vasylyy Lukivskyy
🏁 Grocery Getter: Rav
🏁 Stick Shift: Chris Pegelo
🔥 IN THIS RECAP VIDEO:
Ultimate trackside mix reel with raw finale footage! Every violent launch, bumper drag, close finish, and emotional trophy handover from the backside No Prep surface.
🍔 FOOD & VENDORS:
• Meat Kandy BBQ (@meat_kandy_food_truck) — Smoked meats trackside! 🥩🔥
• Lemonade Smash (@lemonade_smash) — Keeping everyone refreshed! 🍋🥤
• Cravable Grubz — Beef jerky and snacks! 🥩🍬
🎥 MEDIA SQUAD TRACKSIDE:
Fastlife519, ProTree Videos, & Tetanus1948 Videos!
Catch the full livestream replay over on ProTree Videos:
📺 Livestream Replay:
🔴 Subscribe:
👕 Merch:
Those legacy belts and solid metal cups aren’t just awards—they’re pieces of history.
LEAVE YOUR MESSAGE FOR JOHN & JES DOWN BELOW! ARE WE BRINGING NO PREP BACK NEXT YEAR OR WHAT?! 🏎️💨👇
#HardTimes #TrueNorthTurbos #BringBackNoPrep #BringBackHardTimes #StThomasDragway #GrandBendMotorplex #Fastlife519 #ProTreeVideos #Tetanus1948Videos #MeatKandyBBQ #LemonadeSmash #CravableGrubz #10YearsOfHardTimes #ThankYouJohnAndJes #NoPrep #NoPrepRacing #GrudgeRacing #ProStreet519 #SmallTire #GroceryGetter #LondonOntario #CarCulture #OntarioCarEvents #BurninTiresTurninTimes #LondonCarScene #BacksideBeatdown #OntarioDragRacing #SpartaDragway
source