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2010-01-20 Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame: To Honour Inductees

Twelve Canadians and one Canadian organization are among those to be inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame at the Hall’s official Gala scheduled for April 17, 2010 at Sheraton Centre Toronto.

Ten of the inductees were originally nominated for the 2009 Gala, which was moved to this year, while three new inductees have been added to the list for this year’s April event.

The Hall of Fame comes under the jurisdiction of the newly formed Canadian Motorsport Heritage Foundation, created by a group of leading international businessmen.

The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation aims to preserve the collection and exhibits installed in the former Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, as well as provide visitors with a comprehensive and interactive look at the long and storied history of motor racing in Canada.

Canadian Inductees to be honoured in April include: Michel Mercier, Shannonville On. (motorcycle competitor); Wayne Kelly*, Ottawa, (competitor, builder); F.J. Smith, Cayuga, On. (Drag Racing); Bill Adam, Formerly of Oakville, ON now living in Fort Lauderdale, FLa. (competitor ,builder); Norm Mackereth, Toronto, On (Oval Competitor) ; Bill Le Feuvre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON ( Ice/Off road Racing ); Gary and Bruce Vessair , Honey Harbor, On, ( snowmobile competitors); Doug Fairchild* Hamilton, On ( builder, contributor); Alan Bunting,* Toronto, On ( builder, contributor) ; Carl Bastedo, Chatsworth, ON. (competitor, builder, contributor ) Jim O’Donnell, Toronto, On. (contributor, builder) and the Canadian Race Communications Association). * denotes to be awarded posthumously.

The Foundation also created a new International Category for this year and former Le Mans 24-hour winner Carroll Shelby of California will be the initial inductee under this new category.

“I was delighted last fall, when the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Foundation announced expansion of the Hall of Fame to include an International category to recognize people outside of Canada who helped develop and grow Canadian motor sport. It was no surprise to me that Carroll Shelby would be the first inductee.” said Paul Cooke, Comstock Racing Team Manager from 1963 to 1968.

“In the 1960’s, Carroll Shelby was hugely instrumental in helping Chuck Rathgeb’s Comstock Racing Team of Canadian drivers such as Ludwig Heimrath, Eppie Wietzes, George Eaton and Craig Fisher become household names as well as all being inducted to the Hall of Fame.”

Chuck Rathgeb forged a long-term relationship with Ford and Carroll Shelby and the Shelby organization worked directly with Comstock to field the Cobra 289, Cobra 427, King Cobra and Shelby Mustangs.

“History shows that the Comstock Racing Team was the most successful Canadian racing team ever seen at the time. The support given to Comstock under the direction of Carroll was invaluable,” concluded Cooke.

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame will be housed in a new facility at Parc Downsview Park. Construction is currently underway at the new home. In addition, the hall will have a special display at the Canadian Motorsports Expo January 22-24 at the International Centre in Mississauga, featuring Paul Tracy’s Player’s Indy car and the Multimatic Mustang GTS-1 cars as well as general information on the Hall.

For further Information: Sid Priddle, 705 431 6277

Change of location

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and Museum is closed in preparation for opening our new and much expanded museum at 39 Carl Hall Road in Downsview Park, Toronto

The new museum, to be known as the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Museum, will feature new displays, an interactive Race Experience Centre where visitors can try their hands at driving a race car on one of several simulators, a 40-seat theatre featuring some of the most exciting races from the 1960s to the present day, a new archive library, a race garage where you can watch real race cars being worked on, a gift shop with lots of racing related items for sale, many new displays and vehicles and of course the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

Check back soon to read about the plans for our grand opening in the Spring of 2010.

For more information please contactl info@cmhf.ca

For information on the archives or any historical subject, please contact archives@cmhf.ca

2009-07-03 2009 Celebration of Speed

Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame invites you to ride along with some of Canada's fastest, most successful and dynamic racing drivers. Kelly Williams in her Porsche GT3 will be there along with Nick Majors, the 2008 Ontario Road Racing Champion in his Audi R8. Take a ride with Eppie Weitzes, one of Canada's most prolific racers, a two-time Formula Atlantic Champion and CMHF Inductee who also raced in Formula 1, Trans Am, F5000 and sports car races at Sebring and Daytona, in his Porsche or Ferrari. Also there will be Peter Klutt of Legendary Motor Cars and Dream Car Garage - a competitor in NASCAR's Nationwide Series, the Canadian Tire NASCAR Series and North American sports car racing. Alex Habrich, the 2007 Ontario Road Racing Champion will also be there to offer an exciting ride in his Ferrari and Bob Armstrong, the 2005 Ontario Road Racing Champion, 3-time Formula Ford Champion, two-time runner-up in the North American Pro-Ford Series, 1994 Michelin Endurance Series Champion and 2003 Canadian Touring GT Champion in a Mercedes SLK 350. Other stand-out drivers may also join us - Robin Buck of Formula Ford, FAtlantic, Player's GM and CASCAR fame; Ludwig Heimrath, a fierce competitor in Porsches of all descriptions and series - Rothman's Porsche Turbo Cup, Trans AM, also Formula 1, CAN-AM, Sebring and Daytona endurance racing and Hall of Fame Inductee and James Hinchcliffe , a rising Canadian star in A1GP and Formula Atlantic. Join us for an, exciting, fun and safe day at the track this Monday, July 6th at Mosport International Raceway.

2009-06-09 2009 Celebration of Speed!!!

CELEBRATION of SPEED!!! July 6th, 2009 Mosport International Raceway [More]

2008-12-19 Feb 2009 Induction Gala Postponed

In light of the recent economic downturn, and after careful and great consideration, the Board of Directors of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame has decided to postpone the February 2009 Inductee Gala to 2010. North American financial and economic factors that are occurring at this time lead the Board to feel that it is unreasonable to ask Inductees and patrons to spend their money on the extravagance of a such a gala. Postponing the Gala to 2010 will allow us to ensure a meaningful and memorable experience for all inductees and other attendees.

2008-11-19 Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame Announces 2008 Inductees

Motorsport Competitors and Builders to be Honoured. The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the ten individuals to be inducted at the 16th annual Gala on Saturday, February 21, 2009, in Toronto.The Induction ceremony and Gala dinner, including a silent auction, will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Saturday February 21, 2009. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Sid Watkins, renowned neurosurgeon and former FIA Safety and Medical Delegate. [More]

2008-11-19 2008 Inductee Biographies

Individual biographies of all upcoming inductees are available here: [Biographies]

2008-11-19 2009 Gala Ticket Order Form

2008-07-07 Celebration of Speed II

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame is presenting their second annual "Celebration of Speed" on Monday, August 11th with a track day for experienced drivers and a ride-along program for enthusiasts at Mosport International Raceway. Both race cars and street cars are welcome. The cost is $375.00 per entrant payable to the CAC/Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. All proceeds from the track day go to the Canadian Motorsport Heritage Group, Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. [More]

2008-04-03 2008-2009 Inductee Nomination Deadline Fast Approaching!

The deadline to submit 2008-2009 inductee nominations for entrance into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame is fast approaching. If you wish to make a nomination please make sure to get your submission in by April 30th, 2008.
Please ensure that you have prepared your submission in accordance with the Nomination Eligibility and Criteria outlined in the "INDUCTEES / Inductee Eligibility & CMHF Induction Form / Page 3 of the printable nomination form".
Bob Armstrong,
Chair, Nominations Committee
[Inductee information page]

2008-03-29 15th Annual Gala a Hit

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame's 15th annual Induction Gala took place on Saturday, February 23rd, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on the final evening of the Canadian International Auto Show partly taking place in the same building. The evening was one of celebration and reflection as a sold out house welcomed the newest inductees into the hall and listened intently to each of their speeches. Additionally all attendees were treated to the wonderful reflections on racing from guest speaker Alain de Cadenet who charmed all with his memories of a more glorious time, and gave advice to the young racers who were present. [More]

2008-03-05 CPT Racing Experience, "A Celebration of Speed"

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that it will be participating in the CPT Racing Experience, "A Celebration of Speed", March 15th and 16th in London, Ontario. On display at the show will be 3 historic vehicles from the Hall -- the Indy car Scott Goodyear drove to a second-place finish in the 1992 Indianapolis 500, a Champ Car driven by Jacques Villeneuve, and Ron Fellows' Player's GM Challenge Series Camaro from the late 1980s. [More]