June 5, 2014- Historic Downtown Bowmanville will be alive with motorsport history on Friday, June 13th. The Business Improvement Area Association (BIA) will be hosting a huge motorsport-themed street party as part of their annual “Summerfest” celebration.
This year, working together with the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada (VARAC) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the BIA has moved to re-establish Bowmanville as the Hometown of Motorsport in Canada with the “Canadian Historic Grand Prix Tribute”.
The weekend-long affair will feature car shows, exhibits, sidewalk sales, street vendors, food trucks, live bands, a special “Boots & Hearts” concert featuring Lindsay Broughton as well as the arrival of real vintage racing cars straight from the track. The events begin at noon and will carry through into the evening on the Friday.
Bowmanville was centre stage for Canadian motor racing during the hearty days of the Canadian Grand Prix and the Can-Am Series racing in the 1970’s when racing teams from around the globe descended on the quaint little town closest to Mosport.
In those days, the town would come alive with the hustle and bustle of racing teams and throngs of fans, the sounds of racing engines and clatter of wrenches as teams often toiled overnight in local garages and parking lots, like that of the famed “Flying Dutchman Motel” to make ready for the next day’s competition.
The re-invention of Canada’s greatest race track by the new owners at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and the effect that has as the public rediscovers the excitement of motor racing, coupled with the vision of business leaders in nearby Bowmanville set the stage for the creation of the “Canadian Historic Grand Prix Tribute” in conjunction with Canada’s largest and most prestigious Vintage and Historic race event taking place all weekend at the track.
Bob DeShane, event organizer for the VARAC – Canadian Historic Grand Prix said “I had the idea to create an off-track event that would emulate the fabulous street party that happens annually at Watkins Glen during the United States Historic Grand Prix.”
“When I approached the folks at the Bowmanville BIA, the response was an immediate YES! The BIA has been wonderful to work with and it is going to be a fabulous event that everyone can get involved in. We really encourage owners of Hot Rods, Street Rods, Cruisers, Sports Cars and Motorcycles to come out and join in the car and bike shows in the downtown area.”
Jade Chaput of the BIA said “We are thrilled to be hosting such an event as Bowmanville is definitely the hometown of Canadian motorsport. We encourage everyone to come out and enjoy both the Canadian Historic Grand Prix Tribute on Friday and the Annual Show & Shine on the Saturday. This is a weekend for the race enthusiast in all of us!!!”
When asked how he felt about the new Bowmanville event, Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park said “we are excited to be a part of a community event such as this one. The Canadian Historic Grand Prix Tribute is a great opportunity to showcase the history and race cars to the people of Clarington that might not have the chance to make it up to the track. The annual vintage racing festival is always a crowd favourite and one that we look forward to each year.”
The weekend of racing will involve two hundred beautiful racecars from all over North America racing in six different classes. The grids will be large and the racing intense. This year the ‘Triumph vs. MG Showdown’ is the featured event, which will pit the two famous British Sportscar makes against each other once again in a decades old battle for track supremacy.
Be sure to take in both of these fabulous outings on your weekend. Kicking off in Historic Downtown Bowmanville on Friday June 13th, followed by a race filled weekend at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
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.
For more information go to www.canadianhistoricgrandprix.com or
contact Bob DeShane: bob.deshane@varac.ca or call 705-878-5422
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