CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO
This past weekend was the inaugural edition of the Canadian Motorsports Expo, held Friday through Sunday near Toronto's Pearson Airport.
To get the bad news out of the way, the crowds were disappointing in terms of the quantity of people who came to the show. The fact that it was a first-time effort, on a holiday weekend, competing against the Leafs/Canadians game and the Masters were all considered contributing factors for the turnout.
Crowds aside, the show was an excellent demonstration of what the southern Ontario racing scene needs going forward. It was about racing, racing and racing. There were no hot rods or girlie shows, which seem to be the focus of so many so-called performance shows in the region. The people who were there, were there because they were racing fans. We actually sold three times as many subscriptions as we did during the Performance World Show, in March.
On Saturday afternoon, I had the honour of being part of a media forum featuring respected motorsports journalists like Chris Economaki, Norris McDonald, Erik Tomas and Tim Miller. Dean McNulty was piped in via the PA system for live updates from the Champ Car race in Las Vegas. And there were also several driver autograph sessions (Ron Fellows, Scott Maxwell, Pete Shepherd & J.R. Fitzpatrick to name a few).
I have never attended a show where the promoters paid such attention to the comfort and input of the show-goers and participants. By Sunday afternoon, rather than a feeling of discouragement based on the numbers who came through the gate, the feedback I was getting was that it was a positive first step. It's in our collective interest to have a racing-only show in this market.
Glenn Butt and his team deserve a pat on their backs for very good first effort. The easiest thing in the world is to sit back and do nothing. They did something and should be congratulated for it.
JIM PAULSON TRIBUTE
At the show on Saturday, I was approached by Ken Graham. He let me know about a get together of Jim Paulson's racing friends, who will congregate on April 19 to celebrate the life of their recently departed friend.
WHEN: April 19 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Musket Restaurant (40 Advance Road in Etobicoke, ON; M8Z 2T4). It's located off Kipling between the QEW & Bloor St.
INFO: Call Ken Graham at (905) 336-7356
BOND THE PUN-STER
Having spent enough time in the Inside Track offices, Russ Bond (like the rest of us) has developed a flare for writing corny headlines. This morning – before any of us had a sip of coffee – we were treated this this gem from Russ: "It takes Will Power to win in Vegas!!!!"
GROAN!
MCINTOSH RETURNS TO A1 TEAM CANADA
A1 Team Canada will welcome back race-winner Sean McIntosh from Coquitlam, B.C., for the final two rounds of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport starting with next weekend's penultimate meeting at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, 13th-15th April, followed by the season finale at Brands Hatch Circuit in the United Kingdom, 27th-29th April.The 21-year-old will return to race for Canada at both events while Québec's Kevin Lacroix will continue to undertake his rookie duties for the team, the 18-year-old participating in the Friday morning 'Rookie-Only' sessions in China and the United Kingdom, as previously fulfilled by the Star Mazda stand-out in South Africa and Mexico.
... cont'd at the link above (From Stuart Morrison)
LUCAS SIGNS ON WITH CARQUEST PRO STOCK TOUR
Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited is pleased to announce that Lucas Oil Products Inc. has joined the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour as a sponsor for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Lucas Oil becomes the “official oil” of the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour and in addition will sponsor two races in 2007 at Scotia Speedworld, the Lucas Oil 100 on May 26th and the Lucas Oil 100 on July 7th. (From Ken Cunning)
AARON PRITCHETT TO SPONSOR MCKEAN MOTORSPORTS
OPM Records is excited to announce the teaming of Canadian Recording artist Aaron Pritchett with Alberta Legends Racing Series McKean Motorsports in the 2007 Chase for the Mac’s Cup and FedEx Kinko’s 2007 Northern Series.
With 14 races ahead, Pritchett plans on backing driver Dave “Good Stuff” McKean in his 1934 Chev Coupe as he looks to compete for the Pro Division Championship of the Alberta Legends Racing Series and expand his speeding accomplishments.
Hailing from Lloydminster, AB, McKean and his team enter this new season riding the winning formula from last season which brought them Semi-Pro Championships in both the 2006 NAPA Northern Series and the 2006 NAPA Touring Series.
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