Tag Archive for: Ludwig Heimrath

VARAC Announces Ludwig Heimrath as 2016 CHGP Grand Marshall

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.

Our Grand Marshall is one of the most famous names in Canadian auto racing, Ludwig Heimrath, who won the Canadian Sports Car Racing Championship (later known as the Canadian Driving Championship) in 1961, which was the first year the title was awarded, and again in 1964. He was the first runner-up in ‘62, ‘63 and ‘65.

Ludwig Heimrath

He was the first Canadian to drive in Formula 1 when he was entered by Porsche, in Pau, France in 1962. He won the SCCA Trans- Am championship twice.  He was an expert long-distance racer and teamed up with such champions as Johnny Rutherford and Craig Hill in entering the Sebring 12 Hours and the 24 Hours of Daytona. He was a USAC IndyCar competitor in ‘68 and ‘69 and raced in the Canadian and Continental Formula A division in 1970. Heimrath raced touring cars until 2000, before retiring at the age of 66.

Join Ludwig Heimrath at “Legends of Mosport Racer’s Reunion”

Toronto Star Wheels Editor, Norris McDonald will host this “Meet the Fans & Press” session Sunday morning with Ludwig Heimrath and other champions like Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, and more.  Open to all at no cost.  Mix with old friends, racers and champions.

Ludwig Heimrath

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. More information at www.varac.ca

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.