Remembering Mosport International Raceway

When I was I child like so many of us who grew up just outside of Toronto, Ontario - Mosport International Raceway played a huge role in our love for  motorsports. I was lucky enough to be able to get up close with the drivers and their cars since my father was involved in the sponsorship of races and was even involved in Swiss Chalet's sponsorship of Canadian racing legend Eppie Wietzes. Like many of us I really miss the days of watching Eppie race the Swiss Chalet sponsored Chevrolet Corvette and the famous yellow #7 Cook Woods Lola race car.

I can still remember walking through the paddock area which at times could be a very busy place. The first thing you learn as a child is that it is best to move out of the way of race cars making their way to the track. Looking back I am so happy that I was able to get up close with everything going on at the track. This allowed me to have a connection with racing that most people never get. I was even lucky enough one year to meet Hurley Haywood who gave me the opportunity to take an up-close look at the Ferrari F40 he was racing at that point in his career.

Mosport International Raceway

Since my father was involved in the sponsorship of many racing events and drivers most of my childhood memories revolve around attending races at Mosport International Raceway. As a Child and all the way into my teens going to races at Mosport was a yearly summer tradition. I even remember watching Jeremy Dale and Steve Millen race the #76 and #75 IMSA GTO Nissan 300ZX race cars.

Thinking back I really believe that I was lucky to grow up at a time when racing was fully supported by vehicle manufactures. I grew up watching Ron Fellows race in the Porsche 944 Rothmans Turbo Cup and the racing in that series was intense. It was amazing to watch as drivers pushed their cars to the limit each and every lap. I am also sure that everyone remembers the Player's Challenge Series and watching Chevrolet Camaro's and Pontiac Trans Am's race hard for the win.  Some might call these the good old day of racing and I would agree.

Thankfully racing is still alive and well and after all these years Mosport International Raceway is still going strong. With new ownership and plenty of improvements the future is bright for this historic Canadian raceway which played a major role in my life and my love for Motorsports.