VARAC 2013 Race Season Gets Underway This Weekend

TORONTO, ON (April 29, 2012) – The snow has melted and the grass is finally getting green so it’s time for the competitors from the Vintage Automobile Racing Association (VARAC) to hit the track for their first race of the season.

Cars from the Vintage/Historic and Group 70+ classes will be participating in the BEMC 63rd Annual Spring Trophy Races this Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th at the newly refurbished Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

2013 VARAC Race Season Starts This Weekend

During the off-season the addition of a VARAC Festival Championship in concert with vintage clubs in the U.S. was formulated to compliment the already popular VARAC Regional Championship which is run as an integral part of the CASC Ontario Region schedule.

It was also announced a short time ago that Shellbourne Fuels has come on board as the VARAC Driver’s Championship Primary Sponsor, providing the club with some necessary resources and the competitor base with a fully customizable fuel program.

“This is going to be a great season of racing,” said VARAC President Del Bruce. “We have been working diligently over the winter to continue to grow the sport of vintage car racing.  Our new sponsorships and our evolving relationship with some key vintage groups in the US are really enhancing the vintage racing experience for our members,” he added.

The highlight of the season is always the Canadian Historic Grand Prix, this year taking place June 14-16 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The event will continue to celebrate the history of Canadian motorsport as this years featured class will be the Rothmans Cup Porsche 944’s that provided some of the closest racing ever seen and launched the professional careers of many home-grown stars.

The full weekend schedule is available here

Complementary tickets are available here

 

VARAC is the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada whose members share a desire to preserve, restore and race historically significant cars in a form as close to the original specification as possible.  We race cars made in 1989 or earlier in Ontario and Quebec.  The highlight of our season is the Canadian Historic Grand Prix held annually in June at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.  The 2013 CHGP will feature Porsche.

For more information on VARAC: www.varac.ca
For more information on VARAC’s Canadian Historic Grand Prix:
For more information on CASC-OR: www.casc.on.ca
For more information on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park: www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com

Follow us on Twitter at @VARACBoD

Shellboure Fuels Sponsors the 2013 VARAC Drivers Championship

TORONTO, ON (April 15, 2013) – VARAC is pleased to announce Shellbourne Fuels as an Official Sponsor of VARAC and the 2013 Driver’s Championship.

The Sponsorship includes Shellbourne providing the series trophies as well as a customized fuel program for VARAC members. Competitors will receive discounted fuel through the arrangement and fuel specific to the unique requirements of every vehicle.

“Approaching the management team of any progressive racing association isn’t that simple,” said John Shane, President of Shellbourne Fuels. “The organization has a seasoned background. They do their due diligence when approached by any fuel company – especially when every vehicle in their exclusive circle is very different, normally expensive and as important as their first born. We have 44 years of experience, we staff our operations with the likes of Ludwig Heimrath, we have our fuels being used daily at some of the most renowned automotive shops in the country and raced by some fairly quality-critical owners. It has taken a couple of seasons to get here but it’s a pleasure and an honour to be associated with VARAC in this capacity,” he added.

When the opportunity to work with a quality company like Shellbourne Fuels presented itself we jumped at it,” said VARAC President Del Bruce. “John’s company has the experience and knowledgeable staff and will provide an excellent service to the membership. The customization of the fuel program and the discounted rates, coupled with the trophies supplied by Shellbourne will continue to enhance the allure of vintage racing with VARAC.”

Specific details of the program can be found here

 

 2013 VARAC Drivers Championship
Sponsored by Shellbourne Fuels

 

Shellbourne Fuels     VARAC

 

Shellbourne Fuels has its roots in Canada. They started from humble beginnings with a handful of customers that wanted fuels to meet their specific needs. Shellbourne Fuels had the background, knew the science and so started to blend fuel ingredients based on the engine specifications and the race format. Six years later, the loyalty has been overwhelming with a customer base that ranges from vintage street car to alcohol fueled pro modified straight liners clocking 260 MPH in 6 seconds.

VARAC is the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada whose members share a desire to preserve, restore and race historically significant cars in a form as close to the original specification as possible.  We race cars made in 1989 or earlier in Ontario and Quebec.  The highlight of our season is the Canadian Historic Grand Prix held in 2013 on Jun 14-16 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

 

For more information on Shellbourne Fuels: www.shellbournefuels.com
Communications: John Shane [email protected] (905) 842-6074

CANCELLED! VARAC Test & Tune, April 20, 2013 CTMP

It is with great disappointment that we must announce the following:

ATTENTION VARAC MEMBERS PARTICIPATING IN THE
TEST AND TUNE DAY on SATURDAY APRIL 20 .
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

We have just received notice from Myles Brandt at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park that due to snow on the track edges and the weather forecast calling for -2 C on Friday night and wet snow mix on Saturday with a high of 6 degrees the Test and Tune Day has been CANCELLED.

Information regarding refunds for registered entrants will be made available shortly. We will process refunds as quickly as possible. Your patience is appreciated.

NOTE: CASC-OR Technical Inspection will be available at the CASC-OR Spring Fling event at Shannonville on Friday April 26 and Saturday April 27.

VARAC Board of Directors

VARAC Names Dave Deacon Grand Marshal for 2013 CHGP June 14-16

April 6, 2013 – Toronto – This week the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) named Canadian veteran racer and creator of the “Rothman’s Porsche Challenge and Turbo Cup Series”, David Deacon as Grand Marshal for its 2013 Canadian Historic Grand Prix.

Dave Deacon

The VARAC 2013 CHGP is Canada’s premier Vintage & Historic racing event. It will be held Father’s Day Weekend in mid June at the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, Ontario. The “Featured Marque” for the 2013 event is Porsche 944 and the weekend will be a tribute to the iconic Rothmans Series that saw so many great Canadian drivers as challengers including both Deacon and co-Grand Marshall, Ludwig Heimrath.

Del Bruce, President of VARAC said: “On behalf of all VARAC members, it gives me great pleasure to announce that David Deacon has accepted our invitation to act as Grand Marshal. As you know, the VARAC 2013 CHGP will feature a tribute to the extremely competitive and groundbreaking Rothman’s Porsche Challenge and Turbo Cup Racing Series of the mid to late 1980’s that David Deacon created. That series showcased many, many of Canada’s greatest drivers, including David and his co-Grand Marshal, Ludwig Heimrath, battling it out at Mosport and racing circuits across Canada in Porsche 944s. Just let me say that it is an honour for myself and all members of VARAC that David has accepted our invitation.”

We at VARAC look forward to welcoming racers from across the continent and fans alike to another fabulous weekend of vintage and historic racing this coming Father’s Day weekend at Canada’s Home of Motorsport.”

David Deacon said: “I am really looking forward to seeing this re-enactment race. What fabulous memories it will bring back. It was a great era, with so many about to be famous drivers like Scott and Paul and guys who I always thought could have been up there with a little bit of a break, like Kees and Billy and Richard. And then there were also guys like Ludwig and myself who had a lot of experience and some reasonable success at that point to keep them all honest. You could say, with me at 6′ 6″ and Ludwig at whatever he is on his tip toes, as co grand marshals, you have the long and the short of it for a lot of Canadian Porsche racing in the 70’s and 80’s. I used to joke that in my height category I was the fastest in the world for about a decade. Unfortunately they didn’t have height categories and I had to race against little guys like Ludwig. Can’t wait for him to read this..The guy rises to all bait! That’s what made him such a competitive driver. Hope someone out there does us all proud.”

Advance tickets available here.

About David Deacon: David is a Canadian Racing Driver. In 1980 he was Class Winner in the Molyslip Endurance Series in his Porsche RSR. He was co-driver with Marc Surer and Dieter Quester in the 1981 24 Hours of LeMans for the BMW Factory Team. He was co-driver with Jacques Villeneuve and Ludwig Heimrath Jr. in the 1983 24 Hours of LeMans. David was both creator and competitor in the Rothmans Porsche Challenge Cup Series. He is a successful businessman and artist.

About VARAC: Founded in 1976, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada has over 220 members with approximately 100 members who are active racing drivers. VARAC is sanctioned by Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs – Ontario Region under ASN Canada and the FIA. VARAC is a founding member of the Vintage Motorsport Council, an umbrella organization representing all Vintage Motorsport Clubs in North America.

VARAC members compete in Vintage and Historic Racing events across North America and abroad. VARAC is made up racing enthusiasts from all walks of life. Several Canadian Champions are included amongst the membership.

VARAC Names Ludwig Heimrath Grand Marshal for 2013 CHGP June 14-16

March 23, 2013 – Toronto – This week the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) named famed Canadian veteran racer, Ludwig Heimrath as Grand Marshal for its 2013 Canadian Historic Grand Prix.

The VARAC 2013 CHGP is Canada’s premier Vintage & Historic racing event. It will be held Father’s Day Weekend in mid June at the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park near Bowmanville, Ontario.

Del Bruce, President of VARAC said: “I am pleased to confirm that the VARAC 2013 CHGP will feature a tribute to the extremely competitive and ground-breaking Rothman’s Porsche 944 Challenge and Turbo Cup Racing Series of the mid to late 1980’s. That series showcased many, many of Canada’s greatest drivers battling it out at Mosport and racing circuits across Canada in Porsche 944s. We at VARAC look forward to welcoming racers from across the continent and fans alike to another fabulous weekend of vintage and historic racing this coming Father’s Day weekend at Canada’s Home of Motorsport.”

“I am also pleased and very proud to announce our Grand Marshal for the upcoming CHGP. Ludwig Heimrath has agreed to act as Grand Marshal. It is truly an honour for us that he has accepted because not only did Ludwig race in the original 944 series that we pay tribute to this June, but he is also an Inductee into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and one of the most
famous and enduring names in Canadian auto racing. Just let me say that it  is an honour for myself and all members of VARAC that he has accepted our invitation.”

Ludwig Heimrath, known throughout his career as an intense man and one of  few words said: “It is an honour to be invited to be Grand Marshal for such  an exiting racing series. I am really looking forward to being part of this Vintage Racing Festival.”

Advance tickets are available here

About Ludwig Heimrath: Ludwig Heimrath won the Canadian Sports Car Racing Championship in 1961 and in 1964. He was first runner-up in ’62, ’63 and ’65. He was only the second Canadian to race in Formula 1 when he entered the U.S. Grand Prix at Watkins Glen in 1963. Later, he won the SCCA Trans-Am championship in 1977. He was an expert long-distance racer, entering the Sebring 12 hours and the 24 Hours of Daytona. He also raced Indy cars and Formula A and his record goes on. In November 2012 he was named an “Honorary Member” of VARAC.

About VARAC: Founded in 1976, the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada has over 220 members with approximately 100 members who are active racing drivers. VARAC is sanctioned by Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs –
Ontario Region under ASN Canada and the FIA. VARAC is a founding member of the Vintage Motorsport Council, an umbrella organization representing all Vintage Motorsport Clubs in North America.

VARAC members compete in Vintage and Historic Racing events across North America and abroad. VARAC is made up racing enthusiasts from all walks of life. Several Canadian Champions are included amongst the membership.

VARAC Members Participate in Winter Testing at GP Kartways

VARAC Karting January 2013January 13, 2013 – Toronto – It doesn’t take a long time before we get anxious to be back on track… and what a great way to keep those social skills up by attending the VARAC Karting Night! Close to 20 members participated in the first VARAC karting night of 2013 last week hosted by Grand Prix Kartways.  The 47,000 sq ft facility provided more fun than we could handle – very fast electric karts (that prevent that post event “fuel headache”), a VIP lounge where you can watch the races trackside and even a 6 lane slot car race track (where member Leon Lok relived his passion of slot car racing!)

Look for our March invite to another VARAC karting night – the sequel!  (Please note, 13/13 rules do not apply at this event.)

Photos from the event can be found in our gallery.

2013 VARAC Karting at GPKartways

Images from the VARAC Karting event at GPKartways on January 9, 2013; A lot of fun had by all – stay tuned for the rematch in March 2013!

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”33″ gal_title=”2013 VARAC Karting at GPKartways – January”]