Inducted 2016 – Competitor – Drag Racing
Major-General Lewis MacKenzie is best known for his outstanding contributions to the Canadian Armed forces. Along with serving tours of duty in Vietnam, the Gaza Strip, and Cairo, MacKenzie commanded troops in Sarajevo. MacKenzie’s incredible leadership and bravery in opening the Sarajevo airport while under fire earned him a second Meritorious Service Cross, making him the only Canadian to be so honoured.
However, it isn’t Major-General Lewis MacKenzie’s military honours that have made him an inductee in the CMHF. It is his accomplishments as a drag racer and his advocacy for the racing community. MacKenzie, who started racing at 35, won back-to-back Formula Ford Championships in 1994 and 1995. He also won his division of Targa Newfoundland in 2004. In fact, MacKenzie, continues to race. At 77, his motto is “Grow old, not up” and as recently as 2016 he won two races in the F1600 series.
Since his retirement from the military in 1993, MacKenzie has devoted a great deal of time to his racing passion, as evidenced by his many championships and race wins. In addition to his active racing career. MacKenzie has also been a consistent presence in the Canadian motorsport community. He has helped with driver fundraising, going so far as to fly to a fundraiser while undergoing radiation treatment. He also raised funds for two amputee Afghan veteran soldiers, so they could compete in Targa Newfoundland in 2010 (they won their category). MacKenzie has also served in various honourary roles, including acting as the Grand Marshal at the CTMP Grand Prix this summer.