Tag Archive for: Canadian Historic Grand Prix

June 2014 Pit Signals

The June 2014 edition of VARAC Pit Signals by Jeremy Sale has been released!

Click here to download your personal copy.

VARAC Pit Signals

Features this month include:

  • Extensive Coverage of the 2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix
  • CHGP Stories from members Peter Viccary, Phil Lamont, Joe Lightfoot, Andrew Celovsky, Alister & Charles McLean
  • Bill Hirst Memorial Cup
  • Volunteer Recognition
  • In Memory: Oliver Clubine, Al Pease, Raymond Lafleur
  • The #3 Dodge at Glory Days
  • Gary Allen Reports From Summit Point
  • Harry Sale on the CASC Spring Race School and a first track adventure
  • The Pop Rivet Special by Jeremy Sale
  • and more!

Bob Tullius named Grand Marshal for 2014 Canadian Historic GP – June 13-15

This week the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) named one of North America’s greatest sports car racers and creator of “Group 44 Inc.’’, Bob Tullius as the Grand Marshal for its annual Canadian Historic Grand Prix.  Tullius created one of the longest lasting and most successful racing stables in North America, spanning over twenty-five years.  During that time, Group 44 represented British Car Manufacturers and iconic brands such as Triumph, MG and Jaguar.  Tullius and company raced everything from a Triumph TR3 in which he won his first-ever race in 1961 to Jaguar XKEs to his own prototype Jaguar XJR-7.  He is counted as royalty amongst Triumph owners, drivers and racers because of his huge success racing Triumph Cars.

 

Tullius accomplished a great deal on courses as varied as Le Mans and all of the great Trans-Am race courses, including Sebring, Watkins Glen, Mosport, Daytona, Riverside, Laguna Seca and St. Jovite, winning several championships along the way, but he counts Mosport as his favourite.

 

I have often categorized Mosport as the most exciting and challenging track of all,“ says Bob Tullius. “In fact, it is my personal favorite. Having won six out of the seven times that I raced there may have something to do with my affection for the place, however!”

 

His return to the Mosport will be a reunion for him in more ways than one as he meets up with old friends and competitors like Toronto-based former Trans-Am Champion, Eppie Wietzes as well as two of his famous championship winning cars – the Group 44 Triumph TR6, made famous by both himself and actor/racer Paul Newman, now owned and driven by Bill Warner, producer of the Amelia Island Concours D’Elegance in Florida and also the Trans-Am Jaguar XJS, now owned by Andy and Steve Moore of Toronto.

 

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.  This year VARAC will feature the “Triumph vs MG Showdown”, pitting those two great British makes against each other in the ongoing battle for world sportscar dominance.  US based racing clubs – Friends of Triumph and MG Vintage Racers will be on hand to fill out the grids and provide large fields that will make for exciting racing.

 

Del Bruce, President of VARAC said: “Just let me say that it is an honour for myself and all members of VARAC to welcome Bob Tullius as the Grand Marshal for our 2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix.  As you know, the race weekend will feature the decades old battle between the two great British rivals that formed the bedrock of sportscar racing in North America, Triumphs and MGs.  We will see them in pitched battle on the racetrack just like in Bob’s day. We expect Triumph and MG Car Clubs to come out in large numbers to cheer them on.” 

 

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

 

·        advance tickets available at: http://store.ctmpark.com/index.php?crn=225

 

  

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. 

 

For more information contact Bob DeShane: [email protected]

VARAC To Preview the 2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix at the CME

CanadianMotorsportsExpo

 

The Canadian Racing Season Begins February 7, 8, & 9, 2014

at Toronto’s International Centre

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 10, 2014) Vintage car racing is widely recognized as the fastest growing motorsports discipline in the world, with a multitude of events attracting entrants and loyal fans in ever increasing numbers. Accordingly, one of the most popular dates on the annual southern Ontario racing calendar is the Canadian Historic Grand Prix, held annually at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

Produced and presented by the Vintage Auto Racing Association of Canada (VARAC), and sanctioned by CASC-OR, this three-day celebration of classic automobile competition brings to life the concept of ‘Racing Into The Past,’ with on-track activities, car cruises and shows, and celebrity forums.

Offering a preview of the 2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix, VARAC organizers – along with several of their classic cars – will be in attendance at this year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo.

The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News runs from February 7-9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport.

“We run Vintage, Historic and G70+ class races at most Ontario regional events, but the Canadian Historic Grand Prix is the ‘big’ show of the year; it’s our true vintage celebration,” explained Bob DeShane, Director of the CHGP. “The Canadian Motorsports Expo is the best place for us to tell our story, and to promote our unique brand of racing to the motorsport community.”

The Canadian Historic Grand Prix takes place June 13-15, 2014 at CTMP. The featured event this year will be the ‘Triumph versus MG Canadian-American Showdown,’ with entries already confirmed from across Canada and the United States. For the fans of German marques, the CHGP will also present the ‘Legends of the Autobahn’ featuring Mercedes, BMW and Porsche cars.

Meanwhile, the off-track action will be just as entertaining.

“Bob Tullius will be our Grand Marshall this year,” continued DeShane. “Most people will remember him for his Group 44 Jaguar Racing team. People will have a chance to exchange memories with him and maybe get a photo or autograph. And on Sunday morning, we will take a couple of hours to host the ‘Legends of Mosport, a ‘meet and greet’ for fans at the banquet tent.”

Bringing the local community on board for the Canadian Historic Grand Prix weekend, DeShane and the VARAC team – in conjunction with the Bowmanville (ON) Business Improvement Association – have organized a Friday night, ‘Checkered Flag Cruise’ which will take over the downtown core of the host town for a automotive street party.

“The CHGP weekend gets bigger every year, we expect to have well over 200 competitors in six different divisions showing up in 2014,” states DeShane.

He adds, “There are lots of classic race cars still sitting in barns and garages. If people think they’d like to get them ready and bring them out to the track, we’d be more than happy to have them. They can come out to the Canadian Motorsports Expo and we can give them all the information that they need. And if they just want to do some ‘bench racing,’ we can do that, too!”

ABOUT THE VINTAGE RACING ASSOCIATION OF CANADA (VARAC): Formed in 1976, the Vintage Auto Racing Association of Canada was created provide a central organizing body through which the vintage racing enthusiast could communicate and organize race meetings for eligible Vintage and Historic racing and sports cars. A regular attendee on Ontario regional racing weekends, the Canadian Historic Grand Prix is VARAC’s feature annual event. It’s a standalone, three day festival of vintage motorsport held at the 2.459-mile Canadian Tire Motorsport Park facility. For further information on the Vintage Auto Racing Association of Canada, see their website, www.varac.ca

ABOUT THE CME: The 8th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News takes place February 7, 8 & 9, 2014 at Toronto’s International Centre, adjacent to Pearson International Airport. The show features motorsport content geared to racers, fans and automotive enthusiasts. NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Ryan Newman will be at the CME on Saturday, February 8. For information about the show, including news, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, call (416) 962-7223, or email [email protected]. The CME’s website is located at www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com.

VARAC MEMBERS RECEIVE A $6 DISCOUNT TO ADMISSION
(Show your membership card at the ticket purchase booth)

Friends and Family can use the CME Coupons found here

Canadian Historic Grand Prix Returns to CTMP in 2014

2014 Canadian Historic Grand Prix
Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
June 13 – 15, 2014

The Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) is gearing up for what promises to be the biggest, most exciting and best-attended event in its history. The Canadian Historic Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events on the Vintage and Historic Racing Calendar in North America and it is the largest and most popular event of its kind in Canada and counted as a “Major Spectator Event” at Mosport since 1999.

Racers from across Canada and the United States will descend on Canadian Tire Motorsport Park just north of Bowmanville, Ontario with their MGs, Triumphs, Jaguars, Porsches, Alfa Romeos, Lotus, Minis and more to challenge the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit. Mosport is one of only three true historic Grand Prix tracks in North America along with Le
Circuit Mont Tremblant in Quebec and Watkins Glen in upstate New York. Mosport is an awesome, technically demanding, fast 2.459 mile track with challenging corners and impressive elevation changes. It is the current and former host to world-class racing such as ALMS, the NASCAR Truck Series and the Formula One Grand Prix of Canada, Can-Am, Trans-Am and
Formula 5000. Moreover, it is a place for cars and drivers to come home to.

Triumph and MG Racers will be the “Featured Marques” for 2014 as VARAC steps back in time to in time to recreate the epic battle for sportscar supremacy between British manufacturers – Standard Triumph and MG Cars. Mosport’s tarmac has seen that battle play out decade after decade and now, VARAC is staging what promises to be the largest ever such contest in its 2014 Triumph vs MG Can-Am Challenge. This year, racing fans will once again be thrilled to witness a huge grid of swarming, fast Triumphs and MGs piloted by cunning and experienced drivers from across Canada and the US, returning back to claim victory as they challenge the Mosport tarmac and each other once again.

In addition to the featured Triumphs and MGs, there will be three full days of exciting racing involving full grids for all Vintage and Historic racing machines from Minis to Mustangs and Canada Class open wheelers to Can-Am cars. There will be 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+ Cars (cars dating from 1973 to 1989 including all kinds of Alfas, Corvettes, Porsches, Mustangs and a host of others.

The Canadian Historic Grand Prix is about more than on-track racing! Spectators and car enthusiasts of all stripes will enjoy the scope and scale of experiences open to their participation on the weekend such as:

• The “Historic Grand Prix Tribute” hosting the “Checkered Flag Cruise” this year for the first time in Downtown Bowmanville from noon to nine on Friday, just like the world-famous street party at Watkins Glen. You don’t want to miss this!
• Track Touring Sessions – On-track sessions are offered twice daily.
• Road Rally/Tour – a 100 mile rally/tour throughout the hills and dales and quaint villages of the local area, including a lunch stop on Saturday.
• “Legends of Mosport Racer’s Reunion” – Canadian Champion, Gary Magwood hosts 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 others. Open to all at no cost. Mix with old friends, racers and champions.
• “Stars of the Autobahn” Concours d’Elegance conducted by the Mercedes Benz Club of America open to all German cars.
• “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
• Advance tickets available here

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.

July 2013 Pit Signals

The July 2013 edition of VARAC Pit Signals by Jeremy Sale has been released!

Click here to download your personal copy.

VARAC Pit Signals

Features this month include:

  • Extensive 2013 VARAC CHGP Coverage – Pictures, Stories, Reports, Thanks
  • Doug Elcomb wins the prestigious Bill Hirst Memorial Trophy
  • VARAC at MGVR Focus Event – Summit Point

2013 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix

The following are images from the 2013 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix held on June 14-16 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

VARAC was very lucky to have many talented photographers on site at this year’s CHGP. The following are links to downloadable photographs capturing the weekend events (some are free for download, some are for purchase). As a gracious thank-you please be sure to credit the photographer if you use their photos, and maybe even drop them a line to tell them how much you enjoy their work!

Inside Track Motorsport News2013 CHGP ProgramWebsite

Globe and Mail ArticleGlobe and Mail Article – June 12, 2013

Mini Meet North2013 CHGP from the Mini Meet North Perspective

Richard ColburnCHGP PhotosWebsiteContact

Please ignore the button that says “Buy”, these photos can be downloaded for free (many thanks to Richard)

Hugh HawleyWebsiteContact

If you’re interested in high resolution versions of any of Hugh’s pictures, please contact him with the HWDP #### from the following flicker sites:

CHGP Part 1

CHGP Part 2

CHGP Part 3

CHGP Part 4

CHGP Part 5

John WalkerCHGP PhotosWebsiteContact

Mai-ai Photography by Michael Patrick

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”29″ gal_title=”2013 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix – Michael”]

Peter ViccaryContact

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”30″ gal_title=”2013 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix – Peter”]

Miscellaneous Photos from Members

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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.