Ajax Driver Bovenizer to Join Fellow Vintage Racers June 19-21
Excerpt from Sports Durham Online – original posting here: sportsdurham.ca/varac
Canadian Historic Grand Prix ready to roar at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
Vintage auto racers from across North America will be taking over the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park June 19 to 21, and Ajax resident Bill Bovenizer will be there front and centre, nearly 50 years after his first race back in 1966.
Seventy- year-old Bovenizer made his racing debut in an MGB in 1966, and he hasn’t quit yet! In 2015 he will be racing in a 1968 Titan Mk III Formula B Racecar at the Canadian Historic Grand Prix at the former Mosport track.
The Grand Prix, hosted by the Vintage Auto Racing Association of Canada (VARAC), is one of the most prestigious events on the Vintage and Historic Racing Calendar in North America, says Del Bruce VARAC President and Race Director. It is the largest and most popular event of its kind in Canada and counted as a “Major Spectator Event” at Mosport since 1999, says Bruce.
The field will include a wide variety of vintage vehicles including Formula Fords, MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Porsches, Alfa Romeos, Lotus, Minis, Corvettes and more to challenge the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit.
Open-Wheel Formula Ford Racers will be the “Featured Marque”for 2015 and will compete for the Oliver Clubine Trophy in honour of Ollie Clubine, a champion and pioneer of Canadian Road Racing.
Vintage Auto Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) is staging what promises to be the largest ever such contest in its history.
In addition to the Formula Ford Feature, racing fans will once again be thrilled to witness a huge grid of fast Triumphs and MGs piloted by drivers from across Canada and the US, returning to vie for the claim of victory in the Triumph vs MG Challenge.
In addition, there will be three full days of exciting racing for six groups of cars including Monoposto (single seat open-wheel vintage & historic race cars), Small Bore Vintage & Historic Cars (under 2000cc), Big Bore Vintage & Historic Cars (over 2000cc), Wings & Slicks (very fast purpose-built racing cars running on slick tires), G70+ and G90 Cars (cars dating from 1973 to 1994 including all kinds of Alfas, Corvettes, Porsches, Mustangs and a host of others.
Bovenizer raced the VAY Canada Class in 1967 and then a Lotus 51 in 1968. This was followed by a Crossle 16F in 1969 and then the Canadian Championship and Continental series in 1970 in a Brabham BT 21.
He competed until 1980 in Atlantic F 5000 and a 2 litre Chevron B 21, finishing second in the Canadian National championship in 1975.
When Bovenizer decided to get back into racing “It had to be in a real race car, and formula (open wheel cars) have always been my passion.
“I love the old and new friendships and the atmosphere of the vintage racing. The Canadian Historic Grand Prix is the highlight of the year and 2015 will be a great one. Come and see some wonderful cars at one of the world’s great race tracks, Mosport!”
The Canadian Historic Grand Prix is about more than on-track racing, says Bruce., adding spectators and car enthusiasts of all stripes will enjoy the scope and scale of experiences open to their participation on the weekend.
These will include”
Track Touring Sessions – On-track sessions are offered twice daily.
“Legends of Mosport Racer’s Reunion” – Toronto Star Wheels Editor, Norris McDonald will host this “meet the fans & Press” session Sunday morning with other champions and greats like Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, Ludwig Heimrath, Craig Fisher, Walt Mackay and more. Open to all at no cost. Mix with old friends, racers and champions.
A Concours d’Elegance conducted by the Mercedes Benz Club of America – Toronto Section on Sunday
“Mini Meet North” all weekend – Canada’s largest Mini gathering,
“Field of Dreams Car Show” – welcoming hundreds of sports cars, classics and hot-rods, owners and car clubs from far and wide featuring Canada’s largest on-track parade open to car show participants and featuring discounted park admission for entrants.
Free weekend camping courtesy Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
The public is welcome to attend the Grand Prix, says Bruce. Fans can wander around the paddock and meet the drivers all weekend. Tickets are $30 for the weekend Super Ticket, $20 for Sunday only. There is racing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
