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Archives for August 2010

2010 Grand Prix of Mosport: an overview

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The 2010 Grand Prix of Mosport was a weekend packed full of action and stories both on and off the track. The headliner for the weekend was the always exciting American Le Mans Series, with support from IMSA Lites, Star Mazda, Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship.
IMSA racing has played a big part in the history of Mosport, so it was fitting that the grand Prix was a key event in Mosport’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

The Grand Marshal of the weekend was the legendary Bobby Unser, who won his first IndyCar race at Mosport in 1967. I was fortunate to spend some time with him on Friday afternoon and found him to be an absolutely wonderful guy as we chatted about how the track has changed over the years. Joining Unser over the weekend were Canadian racing champions Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, Ludwig Heimrath Sr., Craig Hill, Horst Kroll and Ross de St. Croix who all signed autographs and mingled with the fans.
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The Legendary Bobby Unser Named As Grand Marshal For The Mobil 1 Presents The Grand Prix Of Mosport

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Mosport press release

Motorsport legend Bobby Unser has been named as Grand Marshal of Canada’s biggest sports car race of the year, the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport, August 26-29.

Bobby, the older of the two famous racing brothers (along with Al, Sr.), established the family name many years ago by winning three Indy 500 titles, in 1968, 1975 and 1981. Unser’s first career IndyCar victories came at Mosport when in 1967 he took the chequered flag in both the twin 100 mile races.

“Mosport will always have a special place in my heart. The 1967 Mosport IndyCar race became one of the most important events in my whole life because it was my first IndyCar win. So it’s a real honour to be the Grand Marshal of the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport and to help the track celebrate their 50th anniversary season,” said Unser.
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Canadian Legends of Motorsport to be honored at the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport

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Mosport press release

Six Canadian Hall Of Fame Drivers To Help Celebrate Mosport’s 50th Anniversary Season And Meet Race Fans

(BOWMANVILLE, ON – August 18, 2010) Their names are memorable, their
accomplishments are great, their ties to Mosport are unmistakable and next
weekend, six Canadian Legends of Mosport will be on hand as part of
Mosport’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The circuit will pay tribute to these Canadian road racing stars from
Mosport’s storied past, recognizing their achievements and providing
fans with an opportunity to meet them and learn about their careers.

The Legends taking part in the festivities are all members of the Canadian
Motorsport Hall of Fame; Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, Ludwig Heimrath Sr.,
Craig Hill, Horst Kroll and Ross de St. Croix.
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Memories: Craig Hill in Lotus 30

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Thanks to Ken Graham for sharing this image of Canadian racing legend Craig Hill in a Lotus 30. This was in 1966, as Hill was on his way to a national win at Harewood Acres. The name of the photographer is not known.

Details about the car from Ken:
The car was ordered by Competition Motors in London, Ontario through Autosport in Cooksville, Ontario for the same event that Jim Clark had his Lotus 30 entered at Mosport. Not sure of year, 63 or 64.

The car for Craig was delivered two weeks after that race. The car sat for two years because of money problems!! Then Craig had some rich guy buy it. They took it to Marlboro Race track in Maryland, it got bunted off the track. They repaired it and took it to Harewood and won. Craig can’t remember where the car went after that!!

Hill will be in attendance at the Grand Prix of Mosport this weekend as part of the track’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

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A real bargoon

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What has to be just about the best entertainment bang for a buck, if not the best, in Ontario are the CASC Regional races at Mosport. You can go to any of the three remaining races for either one day or both days for the huge sum of zero. That is correct. Nothing, Nada, Zip. Well almost. You do have to drive to get there. Judy and I came from Victoria Harbour on Georgian Bay and our total gas usage was less than a half tank for the round trip in a Cobalt. Judy made sandwiches for lunch and we bought a 6 pack of beer. We were there just for Saturday as Judy had to work Sunday.

Free tickets are available to the races through the CASC website and follow the link for complimentary tickets at the top right of the front page.

As mentioned you can take your own food and drink, unlike a certain race in Toronto. That includes booze. You are going to eat if you stay at home anyway.
Of course, you can eat at the track restaurant where the food is fairly good and reasonably priced. For the Region races the various concession stands around the track are not open.
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Mosport Counts Down To Canada’s Biggest Sports Car Race Of The Year

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Mosport press release

The top sports car racing teams and an international field of drivers from 13 countries will arrive at Mosport International Raceway in one month’s time as Mosport’s 50th anniversary season culminates with the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport featuring the American Le Mans Series, August 26-29.
The highlight of the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport will be the prestigious American Le Mans Series, now with Tequila Patron as a presenting sponsor, making their only stop north of the border in 2010. It will be the eighth of nine rounds, making this race critical in the chase for the championships in the Prototype and GT classes.
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2011 BMW X5 xDrive50i

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My ride last week was a BMW X5 xDrive50i and given that I was shooting at Mosport all week, I didn’t expect to drive it much. For knocking around the dirty, dusty track, I usually prefer to drive my own crusty old 4×4.

To be honest, I’m usually drawn more towards SUV’s that excel in the U department more than the form department anyway but I decided to use it for the drive up to the track on Tuesday morning. That one drive changed my plan for the week. The X5 is an absolutely stunning back road cruiser and I couldn’t pull myself out of it for the rest of the week. It meant that I walked to many of the spots I would have gone in my own truck as I didn’t want to scratch the BMW, but I need the exercise anyway.

Our tester was equipped with the Executive, Technology and Audiophile packages, which means it had just about every option that has ever been devised for an automobile and likely a few that most drivers have never even thought about. From dark bamboo trim to heads up display, navi, voice controls, a killer stereo with satellite radio and much more, the 50i is a techno gadget junkie’s paradise.
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Review: Infiniti EX35

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It’s understandable to be in awe of what Infiniti has accomplished over the past decade, as it is no mean feat. The G-series sedan and coupe are arguably the first cars to stand toe to toe with the Gold Standard of the sport sedan, the mighty, and feared BMW 3-series. Over the years, Infiniti has broadened the G-series line, giving buyers the option of rear or all-wheel drive, and more recently, a convertible. But for the buyer seeking a satisfying driving experience who also needs some extra space, the BMW 3-series Sports Wagon (or Cadillac CTS Sportswagon) was the only game in town.

Until this year. Infiniti likely recognized North American’s strong preference for crossovers, and resisted the temptation to cobble together a G37 Sport Wagon of their own. The challenge for the EX35 is twofold-retain the sporty character of the G-series cars on which it is based, while offering the space and utility the crossover buyer expects. Did Infiniti manage to serve two masters? Read on.

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Some Ferrari lapping day love

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I’m feeling a little guilty these days, as I’ve been negligent in posting here in The Garage. Fear not though as my negligence is in the name of some seriously gnarly gearhead activity. Two days of shooting bikes last week and I’m still not caught up with editing. Today, I spent the day taking pics of Ferrari’s and I’ll be shooting lapping days for the next 3 days. Saturday? NASCAR arrives at Mosport for the Dickies 200.

That yellow beast up above is Mike Louli’s Ferrari Challenge car. There will be much more Ferrari porn in the coming days. I promise!

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