Tag Archive for: Vintage Racing

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

Steam Whistle Paddock Tour at CHGP – Friday June 17, 2016

Join us for the Steam Whistle Paddock Tour – a social event being held Friday, June 17 at 6:00 pm in the upper paddock at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. All competitors, crew (with a ticket) and volunteers of the Canadian Historic Grand Prix are welcome to attend.

First Whistle Stop – near Corner One, hosted by Tom and Carol Burgess and the MG community. Steam Whistle Pilsner, Black Prince Wines, and chicken wings by Simply BBQ and crudites.

Second Whistle Stop – in the middle paddock, hosted by Move Motorsports and the open wheel community. Steam Whistle Pilsner, Black Prince Wines, Subway sandwiches and chips.

Third Whistle Stop – near the Mock Grid, hosted by the VARAC Board of Directors. Tim Horton’s coffee, cookies and other light desserts.

Looking forward to seeing you on the Tour!

Black Prince WinerySimply BBQ

May 2016 Pit Signals

The May 2016 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:

  • Racing in Australia with Andrew Celovsky
  • Amelia Island and Watkins Glen with David Holmes
  • A Long Lost Volvo by Dave S. Clark
  • BEMC Spring Trophy Races
  • Richard Poxon and Garry Allen at the Ice Races
  • Former BARC racer still has need for V8 Thunder by Perry Mason
  • Memories of Racer Stan Ward, by his wife Linda
  • Van Worsdale’s Birthday… and more!

Can-Am Roars Again at VARAC CHGP June 17-19, 2016

TORONTO, ON (May 20, 2016) – Mosport will echo once again to the powerful sound of four Can-Am cars doing demonstration laps at the Canadian Historic Grand Prix, June 17-19, 2016.

“The Spirit of Mosport” Can-Am cars will include a McLaren M8E, a McLaren M1B (tribute car), a Lola T70 and a Chaparral 1. These fabulous cars will do laps on all three days and fans will also be able to get up close and personal at “The Spirit of Mosport” static display in a large tent on the west side of the upper paddock.

VARAC Can-Am

The Canadian Historic Grand Prix is one of the most prestigious events on the annual vintage and historic racing calendar in North America and it is the largest and most popular event of its kind in Canada, counted as a major spectator event at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) since 1999.

Feature Race
This year we are featuring “Flat 6 versus V8 Muscle”, which will be a race between Porsche and American horsepower. Fitting, we have invited well known Porsche driver and 1977 Trans Am Champion Ludwig Heimrath to act as Grand Marshall for the weekend. He will be joined at “Legends of Motorsport” event by another Trans Am Champion, Eppie Wietzes, winner in 1981 driving for Corvette.

Racers from across Canada and the United States will be competing in cars such as Porsche, Formula Ford, MG, Triumph, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Lotus, Mini, Corvette and many more, racing on the world famous Mosport Grand Prix Circuit, 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.

Fans will enjoy 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 2000 cc), Big Bore Vintage & Historic Cars (over 2000 cc), 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.

This year VARAC celebrates our 40th anniversary! The club was founded in 1976 and now has more than 220 members. Approximately 100 of those members are active racing drivers, who compete in vintage and historic racing events across North America and abroad. Our club is made up of racing enthusiasts from all walks of life. If you are interested in historic race cars we invite you to join us, on the track or as non-racing members! As you will see this weekend, VARAC members know how to enjoy their racing!

For more information see event information or contact [email protected]

2016 BEMC Spring Trophy Races – Canadian Tire Motorsport Park

VARAC’s 2016 season started off in style with a strong sportsman grid at the BEMC Spring Trophy Races hosted at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park this past weekend.

Luckily Richard Coburn was on hand to capture some on track shots – click the link to see more

 

VARAC by CoburnPix

 

Race Fan Registration Open for 2016 CHGP Events

Registration is now open for the many “race fan” experiences that occur at VARAC’s annual Canadian Historic Grand Prix.   This year’s event is being held June 17-19 at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and has so much in store for the fans!

Sign Up Now for:

  • Track Touring Sessions: Twice on Saturday and Sunday. Sign up now to receive early-bird pricing.
  • Legends of Motorsport: Meet and mix with Canada’s greatest all-time racing legends like Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, Ludwig Heimrath, Gary Magwood and more! The session will take place Sunday morning at 10:30 in the “New Tower” building. Toronto Star Wheels Editor, Norris McDonald will MC the gathering and interview the drivers. Bring your cameras and autograph books. Don’t miss out on this!
  • Field of Dreams Car & Motorcycle Show: Join the Field of Dreams Car & Motorcycle Show! It is free with your SPECIAL RATE gate pass. Just show the GATE attendant that you have registered for the car show and get a reduced rate pass.
  • Field of Dreams On-Track Parade: Join in Canada’s largest race day on-track parade! The parade makes up to two laps of the course (depending on available time). A favourite of our guests for years.

More information on the CHGP including race registration is available here.

January 2016 Pit Signals

The January 2016 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:

  • The Dick Baker MGA
  • The 2016 Canadian Historic Grand Prix – Flat 6s vs V8s
  • Dunlop Vintage Race Tires Are Back
  • The V.A.Y. Special Rides Again…
  • A Real Life “Hot Wheels”
  • Canadian Motorsport Flashback
  • At The Turkey Bowl
  • The Birth of the Cam Am Series
  • Bob Polak, Willy Goebbels, Bill Pickthorne, Mystery Photos, Classifieds and More!