With a passion for racing, at 15 years of age, Darrin built a mini stock for his brother-in-law to race at Onslow Speedway. Dangerous Darrin Boom Boom Butcher got into the driver’s seat of a Duke car in 1991, the same year he married his biggest fan, Ann. His enthusiasm continued with numerous successes, building and racing Street Stock and Sportsman cars. In 1996, with a championship under his belt, Darrin and Ann’s first son Cole was born. Two years later, Jarrett came along, and the focus was on family and business commitments.
Ann and Darrin’s energy for racing reappeared when Cole started racing motocross at age 5, having his brother Jarrett join him shortly after. With Legends cars gaining popularity on the Maritime race scene, interest in the entry-level Bandolero class grew. After considerable research, Darrin purchased and introduced the first two Bandos to Atlantic Canada. In 2006, with the help of Dwight Giddens and Ernie Ledwidge, the first-ever Maritime Baldolero race was held at Scotia Speedworld, where six cars competed. The class has since expanded to several other Maritime tracks and fostered international champions while providing the perfect stepping stone to Legends and ProStock racing.
With the boys now accumulating championships of their own, it was time to move on to Legends cars. Participating in over 25 races per season with the Scotia Weekly series and the Maritime League of Legends Tour, Darrin and Ann became directors of the tour for several seasons. Ann soon took the reigns as president, acquiring sponsors and growing the series significantly.
As the brothers continued to race Legends, gathering wins and Championships, the focus turned to the next step, the premier stock car series in the Maritimes. At age 16, Cole started racing the Maritime ProStock Series, soon to be followed by younger brother Jarrett.
The success continues today, with 11 championships claimed by the Butcher family. The resume also includes winning the prestigious Oxford 250 and Mike Stevens Memorial and several podium finishes at the Snowball Derby.
Throughout the years, the Butcher family has supported the racing community with sponsorship for the Maritime League of Legends and Maritime ProStock Tour as co-sponsor of the Summer Clash 250.
Darrin’s passion and capabilities for building and setting up race cars as a 15-year-old remain ingrained in his makeup. He continues to work as an integral part of their teams with both sons in the shop and at the track. Ann is always working behind the scenes, handling logistics and preparing meals for the crew, which often exceeds 25 people.
Philanthropy is embedded in the Butcher family DNA. Many drivers and teams have been the recipients of their silent generosity. While profit from t-shirt sales at the Clash goes to the local Boys and Girls Clubs, they match all funds raised by their employees for an annual truck convoy benefiting Special Olympics. In addition to her family/business responsibilities, Ann has successfully planned and executed 10 years of events, raising over 740,000.00 for Make-A-Wish and granting over 30 large and numerous small wishes for children.
The Butcher family have and continue to devote countless hours to the growth of racing in the Maritimes. Appreciating the family’s dedication to the sport, they have been inducted into the Maritime Motorsports Hall Of Fame.