Raceway Chrysler marked a major milestone in Canada, celebrating its 50th anniversary in business in Etobicoke, Ont, this year.
Hundreds of people — family, friends, employees, and customers — gathered at the flagship store where it all started 50 years ago, to mark the special occasion with a VIP night on July 19, 2018. Laughter, food, drinks, and music filled the dealership before long-time business liaison turned family friend, Joe Orlando, Eastern Business Centre, Sr. Manager, FCA Canada, took the stage.
“In 1968, Mr. Ed Nimeck began his journey with Raceway Chrysler. He created this foundation for success. This is a foundation that was built on honesty, hard work, loyalty, and perseverance. The road was not always easy but through the support and dedication of all his employees, his family and the FCA brand, Ed inspired his children to not only carry on his work, but to expand and grow into the successful business it is today,” said Orlando.
Ed’s sons, Gord and Reg Nimeck, took over the family business and purchased another dealership in 2011 under the Raceway Auto Group umbrella, continuing their father’s legacy.
“From the beginning, my father’s vision for Raceway was to run the business based on his values of fairness, honesty, teamwork and we’re proud to carry these values into our business practices today,” said Reg Nimeck, President, Raceway Auto Group. “On a milestone such as this, I think about my father and what he would say. I wish he would be here to celebrate with us. But in 2007 he passed away,” he said emotionally, with his mom, Joyce nearby.
“I’m sure Ed would have closed his eyes for that very last time and would have been happy knowing that Raceway was always going to be there to look after his family, the way he looked after us. I know he’s looking over us tonight with warm eyes, happy that we’re taking the time to commemorate history,” he added.
Unbeknownst to him, Ed also inadvertently helped shape and launch the career of other automotive pioneers in Canada including Susan Gubasta, CEO of Mississauga Toyota in Mississauga, Ont. and the first female president of TADA (Trillium Automobile Dealers Association) in its 110 year history, who was also on hand to mark the occasion.
“Our relationship with the Nimeck family goes back to when I was two. My dad actually worked for Ed when Ed started here in 1968. My dad was here for the first couple of years and then my dad went out and got involved in a partnership in another Chrysler store. We’ve known the Nimecks and grown up with them for all of our lives… It’s a true testament to who this family is and what you’ve accomplished, what you’ve been able to do to continue the legacy of your family for your family, for your father. I know that your dad is so proud of you guys. He always hoped that his sons would want to get into the business and you did just that and look at what you’ve accomplished,” she said.
Reg remained humble, acknowledging the teamwork necessary to achieve success within the Raceway Auto Group. “What we do here is not revolutionary. We sell cars. But I know what makes us different. It’s the family-oriented attitude and the way all of our staff come together in times of stress or chaos. I’m extremely proud of our Raceway family. I can say wholeheartedly we have the greatest group of people working for us,” he said.
Raceway Chrysler is one of Ontario’s top Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealerships. Besides its flagship store, the Raceway Auto Group also includes three other dealerships: Galt Chrysler, Oakville Chrysler, and South Oakville Chrysler. Together, the four stores employ more than 300 people.
