Ever since North America’s open wheel racing series was torn apart by Tony George and his American only plan, I, like many fans have dreamed of the day the two series would quit struggling and get back together. At its peak, CART offered some of the best racing in the world. What followed would be years of lackluster racing, sponsorship woes and odd business practices. Little did I dream that when the marriage between the two series, our Toronto race would be a victim of the battle.
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Ever since Tony George ripped open wheel racing in North America apart, there have been annual rumors that a reunification between Champ Car and the IRL was in the works. Every time, it has turned out to be nothing more than wishful thinking.

SpeedTV is reporting that the powers that be may have an announcement as soon as tomorrow or Thursday. It would indeed be wonderful to see the Indy Racing League and Champ Car become one again. Let’s hope this all isn’t just another pipe dream.

My main concern falls in the last 2 paragraphs of the speed article:
The fast, challenging airport circuit at Edmonton, which drew a legitimate 175,000-200,000 people during its first three years, will likely find a place on the IRL schedule as well. And Surfer’s Paradise, Australia was also being heavily considered.

It would bring the combined schedule to 19 races for 2008 and George is likely to consider other Champ Car circuits like Toronto or Mexico City for 2009.

Where would this leave the 2008 Toronto Grand Prix, which is generally considered the favorite event on the Champ Car schedule?

When the financial woes of Steelback Brewery and the D’Angelo brands hit the news last month, we felt certain that it would affect the Toronto Grand Prix for Champ Car. Officials from Wasanda Enterprises, who have been funding Steelback, said at the time that the event sponsorship would not likely be affected.
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So things have been quiet here in The Garage today, because things in the real life garage were going crazy all day. For tonight, we’ve got some shots of the Speed GT series at the Steelback Grand Prix, taken during Friday evening practice.

Created with flickrSLiDR.

Often, the most excitement of a pro race weekend is provided by the support series. That was definitely the case at the Steelback Grand Prix, where the Castrol Canadian Touring cars were every bit as exciting as the World Challenge cars and maybe more so than the Champ cars.

Lots of photos after the break
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