Tag Archive for: Canadian Historic Grand Prix

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.

2012 CHGP Photos and Results

Thank you all for participating in and attending the 2012 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

This year’s events were captured by numerous professional and talented amateur photographers, photos are available here

The feature race results are available here

2012 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix

The following are images from the 2012 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix held on June 15-17 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 News – 2012 CHGP Program – Website

Click to launch the full edition in a new window
Online Publishing from YUDU

John AveryCGHP PhotosContact

Jim Bowie – CGHP PhotosWebsiteContact

Richard ColburnCHGP PhotosWebsiteContact

Please ignore the button that says “Buy”, these photos can be downloaded for free

Doug GarrisonCHGP ArtworkWebsiteContact

Doug’s fantastic digital/watercolour portrayals of racing are available for purchase from his website

Hugh HawleyCHGP PhotosWebsiteContact

John WalkerCHGP PhotosWebsiteContact

Various Registry of Corvette Racecars – CHGP PhotosContact

Diane Dale – Contact

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”70″ gal_title=”2012 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix – Diane”]

Peter ViccaryContact

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”71″ gal_title=”2012 VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix – Peter”]

2012 Canadian Historic Grand Prix & YOU!!!

(June 10, 2012-Bowmanville) The Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada will hold its annual Canadian Historic Grand Prix event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park from June 15 to 17, 2012 on the Mosport Grand Prix Circuit – Canada’s Home of Motorsport.  Participating racers from across Canada and the US will converge on the Toronto area track to compete in three days of racing in six race groups:

·        Group 1 – Monoposto – Vintage and Historic open-wheel race cars

·        Group 2 – Vintage Sports Cars – Pre ’62

·        Group 3 – Historic Sports Cars – ’62 to ’72

·        Group 4 – Classic Sedans – to ’72

·        Group 5 – Wings & Slicks – Open Wheel Formula Cars & Sports Racers running on slicks

·        Group 7 – G70+ – ’73 to ’89 Closed Wheel Cars

·        Corvette Feature Race – All Corvette Grid

Join us this coming weekend June 15-17 for a car enthusiast’s dream weekend.  There will be fabulous racing action with 200 vintage and historic cars in six race groups battling for the honour of a sharing the podium and receiving trophies from Canadian Racing Greats, Eppie Wiezes, Ludwig Heimrath, Bill Brack, Craig Fisher, Gary Magwood and Walt MacKay.

And there is more!  Bring your classic car out on the evening of Friday June 15th to the “Checkered Flag Cruise” to be held right on the Start/Finish Straight – walk where championships have been decided and the world’s greatest drivers have taken the Checkered Flag.  The Cruise will start at 6pm and the entry is free with a $5 donation per car to Wounded Warriors of Canada.  The Cruise will combine Hot-Rods and Muscle Cars with Sports Cars and Race Cars.  In addition to witnessing this fantastic Cruise Event, attendees will have the opportunity to explore the paddocks and see what a great spectacle the VARAC – Canadian Historic Grand Prix presents. Souvenir Dash Plaques will be provided to all cars entering the Cruise.

Saturday June 16th features the Wilson-Niblett Hillfest Corvette Gathering with 200 Corvettes attending to honour this year’s featured marque of Corvette – America’s Sportscar in its 60th year of production.

Eppie Wietzes, who won two Trans-Am Championships driving Corvettes will be the Grand Marshal for this year’s Canadian Historic Grand Prix.  Eppie will also present the “Eppie Wietzes Trophy” to the winners of the All-Corvette Feature Race on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday June 17th morning from 10am to 11:30, “The Great Canadian Racers Reunion” takes place in the marquee tent welcoming anyone involved in racing over the years to come out and meet old friends and celebrate racing at Mosport, Canada’s Home of Motorsport.  Gary Magwood, Canadian Racing Champion hosts “The Legends of Mosport” and welcomes our greatest drivers to a “Meet the Press and Fans Panel” in the Marquee Tent.  So, come out and hear what these Champions who formed Canadian racing have to say.

The “PartSource Field of Dreams Car Show” also takes place on Sunday Morning from 9am on the infield at Corner 8.  A special admission rate of $20 per car applies to those coming in for the day and entering the Car Show.  Souvenir Dash Plaques will be provided to all cars entering the Car Show.  The noon-hour parade laps are an annual feature.  We will continue that tradition this year by offering Car Show attendees the opportunity to register on-site for the “Dream Laps” with a donation of $10 to the Wounded Warriors of Canada will be required and special Souvenir Windscreen Stickers will be provided to entrants.

With all of this racing action and the variety of ways to participate, you won’t want to miss THE GREATEST SHOW ON TARMAC! the VARAC – 2012 Canadian Historic Grand Prix on the Mosport Grand Prix Circuit at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, June 15 to 17, 2012.

To answer any questions you can contact the VARAC CHGP Director, Bob DeShane

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2012 CHGP June 15-17, The Greatest Show on Tarmac Plus!

The greatest Show on Tarmac PLUS!!! Checkered Flag Car Cruise, PartSource Field of Dreams Car Show, On-Track Parade Laps & MORE!

Two weeks & counting! The Green Flag will drop on the VARAC 2012 Canadian Historic Grand Prix from June 15 to 17th, 2012. Will you be there to take it?

We’d like you to join us for the best Vintage and Historic Racing in Canada on the fabulous Grand Prix course at Mosport – now renamed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. You’ll have a blast!

Millions of dollars have been spent to improve the facility at CTMP and you’ll be both amazed and pleased with the changes, the most significant of which is the new double-wide and tall tunnel and all-new roadways. It is the same great historic race track with the look and feel of a new one. At LBMC, we are proud to be part of VARAC and part of this fantastic event! We’ve got great racing, large grids, an Enduro and that’s just the racing! There’s Mini Meet North, the largest annual Mini Gathering in Canada, the Checkered Flag Cruise on Friday Evening right on the hallowed tarmac of the Start/Finish straight of the Grand Prix Circuit, Wilson-Niblett Hillfest welcoming 200 Corvettes on Saturday, the Legends of Mosport Great Canadian Racers Reunion Sunday Morning, the Field of Dreams Car Show and Parade Laps Sunday morning and noon. There’s good food, lots of awards, posters, event shirts, a charity – Wounded Warriors of Canada, and all sorts of activities both on and off the track to keep you entertained. You can even join our TOURING SESSIONS and get a feel for the track at brisk but safe speeds. Why not join us? Friday Evening Checkered Flag Cruise – FREE ADMISSION for all with a small donation to Wounded Warriors. SPECIAL SUNDAY GROUNDS ADMISSION PRICE OF JUST $20 PER CAR – AND FREE ENTRY TO PARTSSOURCE FIELD OF DREAMS CAR SHOW.

2012 Canadian Historic Grand Prix – June 15 – 17, 2012

The Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) will hold its 33rd Annual Vintage Racing Festival , renamed for 2012 as the “Canadian Historic Grand Prix” at the world-renowned Mosport International Raceway, June 15 to 17, 2012. This technically demanding, very fast 2.459 mile track and former home to the Formula One Grand Prix, Can-Am, Trans-Am and Formula 5000 is just one hour northeast of Toronto.

Corvette will be the featured marque for 2012. Corvette racing cars from across Canada and the United States will descend on the Clarington track for the second major historic Corvette focus event following the very successful Corvette World Tribute held at Road America in Wisconsin this past August.

In addition to Corvette racing, VARAC will make High Performance Driving and Touring sessions on the Grand Prix track available to Corvette owners and there will also be lots of activities both on and off the track for Corvette Clubs and other enthusiasts including a Saturday rally/tour of the area.

To make the weekend even better for Corvette enthusiasts, Canadian racing driver and Corvette legend, Ron Fellows has tentatively agreed to act as Grand Marshall for this prestigious event.

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 1800cc), Big Bore Vintage & Historic Cars (over 1800cc), Wings & Slicks (very fast purpose-built racing cars running on slick tires), G70+ Cars (cars dating from 1973 to 1989 including Porsches, Mustangs, etc.) and of course Corvettes.

The weekend will also play host to the only Canadian round of the Small Bore Challenge Cup, an enduro series for small bore vintage & historic racing cars.

VARAC extends a special invitation to all drivers, crew, marshalls, volunteers and media involved with racing in past years to join in the Mosport Racer’s Reunion on Sunday. This will be a great opportunity to re-connect with old friends and celebrate the history of Canadian racing. Former Canadian National Champion, Gary Magwood will host the “Legends of Mosport” driver’s reunion and many of Canada’s racing greats will be in attendance.

The VARAC Festival is about more than racing. This year VARAC has added a new event on Friday evening – the “Checkered Flag Charity Cruise”, which is open to all criusers with proceeds going to the VARAC charity. The cruise will be held on the Start/Finish Straight of the famed racing circuit and will give participants and spectators alike a glimpse of the excitement surrounding this race weekend. The public is encouraged to come out for the cruise as well and join the party.

Other features of the weekend include Canada’s largest Mini gathering, Mini Meet North as well as the very popular “Field of Dreams” car show that welcomes sports cars and hot-rods and car clubs from far and wide with Sunday noon parade laps on-track. Entry to the car show and parade laps is free! That’s a lot of action and a super value!

Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the VARAC Canadian Historic Grand Prix where you are encouraged to take it all in. Walk through the paddock and get up close to the cars and drivers who will be happy to greet you. Youngsters will enjoy meeting the drivers and being photographed with the race cars. Enjoy free camping. Explore the booths of vendors of all types. Within the park you’ll also find good food and beverage and modern comfort facilities.

Vintage racer, cruiser, motorsport enthusiast, sports car or Corvette owner, you won’t want to miss this event! Be sure to put it on your calendar today, June 15,16,17, 2012.