HISTORIC: Varac Vintage Festival-Mosport
15 April 1999
During 1949 an event took place in British Columbia that was the beginning of the sportscar racing craze in Canada. That summer, Abbotsford Field, a WW2 airport facility near Vancouver was the site of the first race for sportscars ever held in Canada. Following that event, many abandoned wartime airport runways in Ontario and the Prairies were quickly developed into full-time primitive sportscar racing tracks. Servicemen returning from overseas could find competition in their newly acquired Allard, MG, Porsche, Triumph and Jaguar sportscars. Racetracks with names like Green Acres, Edenvale, St. Jovite, Gimli, St. Eugene, Harewood and Westwood developed a loyal following of Canadian racing fans. Fans that today enjoy world class racing events such as F1 in Montreal, CART in Toronto and Vancouver and World Sportscars at Mosport.1999 is going to be a celebrated year in Canadian vintage racing as it marks the 50th anniversary of that first sportscar race. We'd like to invite everyone to come and experience the excitement of this special 50th Anniversary of Sportscar Racing Vintage Weekend.
Taking place July 2,3,4 1999 at the scenic Mosport Park road racing circuit just north of Bomanville, Ontario the celebration promises to be one of the highlights of the 1999 sportscar season. As many as 200 vintage race cars representing a half century of competition are expected to take to the 2.459 mile Mosport Circuit. This collection of racing machinery whether MG, Corvette, Porsche or McLaren will be sure to excite the senses and bring back many memories of earlier races. Organized by VARAC (Vintage Automobile Racing Association Canada), many of its members will be joined by a large contingent of vintage racers from the United States. Together they will be bringing to the track a rarely seen variety of vintage race cars that played a role in Canadian motorsport history and still meet the adventure of serious competition today.
The ten turn challenging Mosport circuit is the ideal location to host this 50th anniversary celebration of sportscar racing in Canada. Opened in 1961 the track has played host to nearly every form of motor racing and is considered by the many of the famous drivers who competed there to be one of the most demanding tracks in the world. A true drivers circuit.
The weekend is designed to be an enjoyable relaxed affair for both racer and spectator alike. Many activities are planned over the weekend to make the event a success. For the racer there is three days of competition including a endurance race and an MG only race for the coveted Simms Cup. Also featured will be those pre-war and early post war racers that began the sport. As we take a journey through 50 years of racing history, spectators will enjoy the action from the many excellent vantage points around the circuit. You'll want to stroll through the pits getting up close with many of these historic machines or visit "gasoline alley" to find that something special. Don't forget your chair and camera.
For those who like the competition of vintage rallying, "The Rally of the Small Pines", a timed tulip rally is planned for the Saturday. This event is open to individual sportscars as well as car clubs competing in three car teams for the "Team Challenge Award". This adventure will start at the track early Saturday and finish in Lindsay that evening. For those who wish to take a more leisurely scenic tour of the area, self guided route maps will be available that showcase the many wonderful attractions the Kawartha Lakes Area has to offer.
Activities for the weekend will center around the 600 forested acres of Mosport Park and the picturesque Lindsay area 20 minutes north of the circuit. Lindsay is a beautiful small town situated on the River Scugog between Lakes Sturgeon and Scugog. It boasts one of the widest downtown streets in Canada, unique Victorian architecture, a 3000 foot board walk along the winding river system as well as many interesting craft, antique and specialty shops.
Those wishing to camp for the weekend may do so for free on the scenic wooded areas surrounding the Mosport course. Showers, rest rooms and a full restaurant are located inside the circuit. If motel or other tourist accommodations is your choice, that is readily available in nearby Lindsay or throughout the Kawartha Lakes tourist area. Information on the area is available from their website at http://www.countyofvictoria.on.ca.
Friday night a giant BBQ, reception and bonfire featuring live entertainment is planned at the track and everyone is invited to attend. Food and drink tickets will be available at the event. This is an enjoyable relaxing opportunity to meet and talk with many of the racers and fellow sportscar owners. For those wishing to add a little more excitement to their evening and try lady luck. Arrangements are being made with the Blue Heron Casino on Scugog Island just a short distance from the track to host us later that evening.
Saturday evenings activities take over the historic town of Lindsay's main street as car shows and entertainment fill the downtown core. Spend the night dancing to the sounds of the big band era at the live concert in the park. A racers reception takes place that evening with a limited amount of tickets available. The Concour d'Eligance for vintage race cars will be held near the Armories while a Classic Car Cruise fills the main street. Local restaurants and watering holes will offer special menus combined with local entertainment. Enjoy an evening of live summer stock in the restored Academy Theater or just take a summer evenings stroll along the boardwalk on the banks of the River Scugog.
Saturday and Sunday at the track, an automotive flea market and "Gasoline Alley" will be open combining new and used parts for your car and hard to find automobilia and automotive art. Automotive companies will be showcasing their new products. Anyone with extra parts to sell may do so at the boot sale. There will also be a car for sale section. Clubs wishing to use this area to set up club displays are also encouraged to do so. Clubs are allowed to include membership information, club literature and regalia.
On the Saturday during the lunch break a number of pre-registered sportscars will be allowed to take a few touring laps of the Mosport circuit.
Sunday, a special car show in the infield will feature British, American, German, Italian and many other makes of cars. Awards will be presented to show winners in different classes and all participants are eligible for draw prizes. Clubs are encouraged to get involved by creating a special display based on the theme "A Day At The Races". This club display can include a maximum of 3 vehicles and there are no other rules. Your area can also be used as the meeting spot for members to socialize. A special award will be given to the best club displays.
All weekend long there will be a exhibition of vintage photo's and racing artifacts covering the 50 years of Canadian motor racing. This will be on view in a special museum area in the garages. Visitors will also be able to display your personal memories and photo's of these early days. Over the years dozens of sportscar clubs have come and gone in Canada. Clubs such as the DKW Owners Club, The Oakville-Trafalger Light Car Club and the North Toronto Motor Club. This is an opportunity for members of past and present clubs to contribute to this rapidly disappearing part of our history. A special 50th anniversary reception area is also planned on the Sunday where individuals who made a contribution to those fifty years of racing (former marshals, drivers, mechanics, organizers, etc.) can meet to renew old acquaintances and enjoy the on-track festivities. It's hoped that many of the former racers, both amateur and professionals who competed over the last 50 years will be in attendance.
Falling between Canada Day and the American July 4th Weekend, this is an excellent opportunity to celebrate together. A true Can-Am weekend. American visitors also have the added luxury of a leisurely drive home on the holiday Monday or the possibility of visiting a little longer, making for an economical funfilled Canadian getaway based on the strength of their dollar. Weekend tickets may be purchased at the track for $25 Cdn. or $15 Cdn. for the single day pass. These tickets are only available at the gate. They include admission to all events at the track and in Lindsay with the exception of the BBQ and racers reception. Those wishing to take in all the events may purchase an additional ticket for the BBQ at the track Friday night or the racers reception in Lindsay on the Saturday night. The reception space is limited so book early.
Further information on this event, accommodations, schedule and other events can be obtained by visiting us at our new website at; http://www.vintageracing.net or writing to us at Vintage Race Canada. This website will be updated regularly until the event.
Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot photos
and racing art, please visit The Racing Image
Galleries and The
Visions of Speed Art Gallery .