After an eight year absence, the SCP show (formerly Sport Compact Performance now Sport Custom Performance) roared back into existence. Ditching the iconic Olympic stadium where all prior SCP events were held, the show chose the smaller Place Forzani just off Hwy 440 in Laval.
While still providing a vast indoor showcase, the complex allowed for an expansive outdoor expo featuring a dynamic zone and other elements. Due to a misunderstanding, however, the drift demo has to be cancelled because Place Forzani didn’t realize drifting would leave skid marks.
The show was comprised of many familiar faces & companies who had supported SCP in the past. It was a reunion for all the industry veterans whom all had high praise for Ben Woo and his new team of partners who resurrected the event.
Despite its long and colorful history, it’s important to consider this a first edition event rather than a ninth edition. The prestige and reputation SCP had built up over the years is still prevalent within the industry itself and is demonstrated by the quality of the show cars and the number of commercial booths at the show. That being said, the spectators who had come to know the product and who attended SCP shows year after year have likely grown out of the industry resulting in lighter than expected attendance. In order to achieve its former greatness, it will take several iterations to recapture the hearts and minds of the new 18-24 year-old generation who were merely youngsters during the glory years of the show.
In a nice twist, the former Quebec Cup which used to go to the best of show winner was renamed after the late Jimmy Rotundo who passed away in a trucking accident last month. The new Jimmy Rotondo award will award excellence and hard work in the industry and not necessarily for a car build. The winner of the first award was none other than MontrealRacing photographer Jeremy Glover who spends tireless days and night photographing all of our rides.
There is a solid foundation to build on here. It’s doubt any attendee was walked away disappointed with what was one of the coolest shows Montreal has seen in many years.
