DRIVEN TO DRIVE

Aston Martin to Showcase One-77 at Canadian International Auto Show

Irvine, CA, 10 February 2012 – Aston Martin will premiere the company’s ultimate supercar; the One-77 at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto next week as the 750bhp sports car makes its public debut in the region.

Joining the British marque’s presence at the show in conjunction with dealer partner Aston Martin of Ontario, the appearance marks the culmination of a One-77 tour of the Americas which started late last year and affords Canadian enthusiasts a rare opportunity to see the car in person. The One-77 will be joined on the stand by a new Virage and V8 Vantage S, both of which were launched last year. 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 »

Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Over seventy of Canada’s top automotive journalists spent this week in the picturesque tourist town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; but not for the scenery or the wine tasting. Journalist members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) were here for the express purpose of determining the ‘Best New’ cars and SUV/CUVs in 11 different vehicle categories, as part of AJAC’s annual Canadian Car of the Year Awards program.

The four days of intensive, back-to-back testing and evaluation are known in the automotive industry as “TestFest”. The results of the journalists’ test-drive evaluations were made known today during a press conference wherein the category winners were announced. The press conference was held at the Niagara Drive Centre, located at the Niagara District Airport where “TestFest” is staged each year.

The winners are:

1. BEST NEW SMALL CAR (under $21k) Hyundai Accent
2. BEST NEW SMALL CAR (over $21k) Hyundai Elantra
3. BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (under $30k) Kia Optima
4. BEST NEW FAMILY CAR (over $30k) Kia Optima Hybrid
5. BEST NEW LUXURY CAR Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 4MATIC Sedan
6. BEST NEW PRESTIGE CAR (over $75k) Mercedes-Benz S-Class S350 BlueTEC 4MATIC
7. BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (under $50k): Hyundai Veloster
8. BEST NEW SPORTS/PERFORMANCE CAR (over $50k): BMW 1 Series M Coupé
9. BEST NEW SUV/CUV (under $35k) Dodge Journey
10. BEST NEW SUV/CUV ($35k-$60k) Volkswagen Touareg TDI Clean Diesel
11. BEST NEW SUV/CUV (over $60k) BMW X3

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The Canadian International Auto Show is once again coming to Toronto. Register before December 31st, and get a 25% discount off your admission fee.
The show is open to the public from February 17 to 26, 2012.
Here’s a direct link to the Auto Show’s website – AUTOSHOW

On Saturday (November 19 2011) evening at the Porsche Club banquet celebrating the Club’s 35 anniversary, I had the privilege of listening to Lorraine Sommerfeld, columnist for the Toronto Star, tell how she met Aaron Prevost, a blind auto mechanic who loved cars. Lorraine arranged for Aaron to meet Rick Bye, Porsche’s fleet manager and an accomplished race car driver, the idea being that Rick would drive Aaron around Mosport so he could experience the thrill of being on a race track. It seems things escalated and Aaron got drive a Porsche around Mosport for five laps. Here is an in-car video.

Aaron at Mosport from Rick Bye on Vimeo.