DRIVEN TO DRIVE

Archive for the ‘MOTORSPORT’ Category

The Porsche Club Upper Canada Region held its first Driver Education this past weekend at the newly named Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, (formerly Mosp0rt International Raceway).  Not only will we need to get used to the new name, we’ll need to get used to the new track.  During the weekend and I’m sure, all this week, teams of workers have been and will be scrambling to get the facilities ready for the upcoming Victoria Day Speedfest Weekend presented by Castrol Edge. Read the rest of this entry »

NEW ADDITION TO CANADIAN MOTORSPORT HALL OF FAME FEATURED IN DISPLAY AT THE CME

TORONTO, ON / FEBRUARY 2, 2012 – The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame will feature the latest addition to the Hall’s collection at its display during the Canadian Motorsports Expo. The three-day show runs February 10, 11 & 12 at the International Centre, adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson Airport.

The vehicle is a Grand-Am Daytona Prototype, owned by the Wilkins Family. The car – Riley Chassis #001 – is the first-ever Riley DP produced for Grand-Am competition, and was active between 2003 and 2011. Originally owned by Chip Ganassi, the car won several races for Ganassi Racing. It also won while being race-prepped and run by Woodbridge, Ontario’s AIM Autosport. Read the rest of this entry »

TORONTO, July 15 /CNW/ – Excitement is building for Toronto’s top sporting attraction – the Honda Indy Toronto. To help kick off the race weekend, the Ontario Honda Dealers Association (OHDA) is underwriting the cost for admission to tomorrow’s session (July 16) at Exhibition Place.

“Our goal is for racing fans and those new to the sport to have the opportunity to enjoy the speed, sound and excitement of IndyCar racing,” said Jim Proskos, owner of Cobourg Honda, speaking on behalf of the OHDA.

“For anyone who has never seen open wheel racing up close and personal, we encourage them to take advantage of this no-cost opportunity to see some of the world’s top race drivers tackling the streets of Toronto. We are asking fans to donate their spare change to Make-A-Wish® Canada when they enter the gates to help make dreams and wishes come true for our Canadian children who are faced with life-threatening medical conditions.”

Accord to Charlie Johnstone, vice president and general manager of the Honda Indy Toronto, “This is one of the most significant initiatives in the history of the event for the community at large. To have free access to a world-class event is unprecedented.”

The OHDA-sponsored “Free Friday” on July 16 is designed to expose the thrill of open wheel racing to anyone interested. The Friday cash donations at the gates will support of Make-A-Wish Canada, the charity sponsor of Canadian Paul Tracy and his #15 Make-A-Wish Canada – KV Racing Technology – Honda – Dallara – Firestone car.

Fans can select any available seats on a first-come/first-served basis, even in the Gold and Silver sections around the track.

In addition to the open wheel and stock car racing series, there will be numerous activities including the ‘Auto Expo’ featuring fine cars and a variety of racecars, Budweiser Beer Gardens, driver and celebrity autograph sessions, Pizza Pizza ‘Family Zone, the race paddock, interactive games and exhibits, live music, stunt teams, ‘Thunder Alley,’ and a variety of displays and merchandise.

Honda Canada will again feature its unique Honda World in the Direct Energy Centre with racing simulators and a full complement of cars and trucks, including the all-new Honda CR-Z two-seat sports hybrid coming to Canada next month.

Information about the Honda Indy Toronto is available at www.HondaIndyToronto.com or by calling 877.503.6869.

About the Ontario Honda Dealers Association:

The Ontario Honda Dealers Association, which was founded in 1989, represents 78 Honda dealers located in 62 communities throughout Ontario, which is home to the two Honda of Canada Mfg. assembly plants that produce Civic, Canada’s number one selling car, in addition to the Acura MDX, ZDX and CSX. The 78 Honda dealerships in Ontario, which have a proven track record for providing maximum customer satisfaction, employ approximately 3,000 associates.

About Honda Indy Toronto:

The Honda Indy Toronto takes place from July 16 to 18 on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. With more than two decades of open wheel racing history in Toronto, the Honda Indy Toronto is among the most respected motorsports events in North America and features a festival-like atmosphere that includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes and three action-packed days of live entertainment a

Vintage Racing 2010 – Images by Michael A. Coates

With two high profile back-to-back open wheel race series due to open tomorrow – Formula One in Bahrain and IRL in Brazil – open wheel season is all set to begin. In F1 we have new teams and new drivers. We have old teams making a return and we also have one “old” driver making a comeback. On this side of the Atlantic, it’s a different story in as much as we have 4 women drivers ready to open the IRL season in San Paulo Brazil.

I’m sure someone, somewhere has asked this question. If not, I’m asking it now – when will we see women in F1?