January / February 2005

Happy New Year! The 2005 season is upon us – and is busier than ever. Jon and I have heard from quite a few people developing new G70+ projects over the winter – it’s going to be really exciting to see all the new (old) cars this season! And without further adieu… I know you’re all wondering what we’ve got in store…

2005 VARAC Schedule

This year’s Board of Directors has put together a very exciting and diverse 2005 schedule. It incorporates a mix of local regional events as well as some very special vintage events for those of you who want to try some of the popular out-of-town tracks. (G70+ hits the road for the first time!!!) We know there are many events for you to choose from and hope that you’ll find your first choices on our list!

Note that some of these dates are marked tentative. Unfortunately we haven’t been able to finalize with the organizers – trust me – we’re trying as hard as we can! We’ll let you know as soon as the dates are confirmed.

• April 30, May 1 – BARC Grand Prix of Ontario at Mosport – TENTATIVE
• May 7 – VARAC Fun Day at Dunnville – TENTATIVE
• May 14, 15 – BEMC Spring Trophy at Mosport – VINTAGE/HISTORIC and GROUP 70+
• June 4, 5 – CRDA Shootout at Shannonville – VINTAGE/HISTORIC ONLY
• June 24 to 26 (optional test day June 23) – VARAC Vintage Festival at Mosport – VINTAGE/HISTORIC and GROUP 70+
• July 9, 10 – Beaver Run, PA – TENTATIVE (Group 70+ does NOT have a grid at this event however there is a BMW/Porsche Challenge grid and some Group 70+ cars may be eligible)
• August 13, 14 – BARC Canadian Touring Trophy at Mosport – GROUP 70+ ONLY
• August 20, 21 at Calabogie – TENTATIVE
• August 27, 28 – CRDA Regional at Mosport – TENTATIVE
• September 23 to 25 – Fall Classic at Mt. Tremblant – VINTAGE/HISTORIC and GROUP 70+
• October 1,2 – Panoz/CASC Celebration at Mosport – VINTAGE/HISTORIC and GROUP 70+
• November 26 – VARAC AGM and Dinner/Dance at the Boulevard Club

The preferred events are certainly the VARAC Vintage Festival and the Fall Classic at Mt. Tremblant. Last year’s attendance records and bench racing stories proved that. And what about the new Calabogie venue? Everybody is VERY anxious to try the new track.

Stay tuned - we’ll be doing a poll later this month to find out what events you plan on attending.

2005 Panoz Testing Days

Pre-registration for any of the Mosport Panoz Test Days can save you money. Register with the following form (www.casc.on.ca/documents/mosporttestdays05.pdf)

• April 29 – Panoz Testing Day, Mosport
• May 13 – Panoz Testing Day, Mosport
• August 12 – Panoz Testing Day, Mosport
• September 16 – Panoz Testing Day, Mosport
• September 30 – Panoz Testing Day, Mosport

VARAC Social Night – February 24

A VARAC film/social night will be held at the Blue Danube Restaurant (1686 Ellesmere Road near the Scarborough Town Centre). VARAC members are invited to come and watch some interesting in-car movies (you never know, you may be the star!) as well as commercial free professional vintage shots. Entry is FREE, but be prepared to grab a meal there (it’s not expensive).

VARAC Memberships

VARAC Memberships can be purchased or renewed now for the 2005 season. Contact Nick Pratt at npratt@ca.ibm.com and see the VARAC website for more information (www.varac.ca/membership.html). Once you’ve gotten your VARAC membership in good standing you’ll be able to access the CASC members only area (www.casc.on.ca/welcome.php). Use your email address (that you gave to VARAC) and the password of your postal code. (It is case sensitive and you must put in the space (i.e. A1B, 2C3)). Once logged into your profile you can reset your password, update your profile, register your car, apply for your competition licence online etc. As an added bonus – CASC is planning upcoming promotions and discounts available only in this online members area.

CASC Racing Licenses

CASC Licenses can be renewed now for 2005. (www.casc.on.ca/forms.php). If you’re new to racing, you’ll need to attend and be approved by a CASC affiliated school. Register now as these are the only sessions available and spots fill up fast!

• HRC Horizon Racing Club Inc. will be holding a school at Shannonville on April 7, 8 and 9. (www.tractechracing.com/hrc/index.html) contact Katia DiFrancesco (905) 640-1777
• MCO Motorsport Club of Ottawa will be holding a school at Shannonville on July 2 and 3. (www.mco.org) contact Rob Microys (613) 822-7204 (H), (613) 765-5744 (W)
• Trac Racing Academy offers two schools near Montreal on April 9, 10 and April 16, 17. This is the school that approves the Quebec regional licenses – rumor has it that CASC is considering this school for affiliation (I couldn’t get confirmation at time of print). Contact Carl Wener for more information at Trac Racing Depot (450) 472-0676 x303 – ask about their affiliation status for CASC-OR licenses before signing up!

2005 Rules and Regulations

While VARAC Rules and Regulations have remained the same for 2005, there are updates to the 2005 CASC Regulations. All licensed drivers are responsible for reading and being very familiar with the rules on how to race… brush up while the tracks are still covered in snow! Links to the required documents are as follows:

• VARAC Rules and Regulations (www.varac.ca/technical.html)
• CASC General Competition Rules (www.casc.on.ca/bulletins.php)
• CASC Ontario Region Race Regulations (www.casc.on.ca/bulletins.php)

G70+ Car Registration Forms

The VARAC Group 70+ Car Registration Form is required to be filled out by every entrant on the Group 70+ grid. It only has to be filled out once per vehicle and must be re-submitted if major changes are made to your car). The form is available at www.varac.ca/technical.html and is faxed to Jonathon Brett (fax number is on the form). Having trouble with details on the form? Email Jon at kim.zachjess@sympatico.ca and he’ll gladly help you out.

Still wondering if your car is period eligible? Various series and year rules and regulation sets are available for your eligibility research – email me at lddale@hotmail.com.

Group 70+ Car Numbers

If you don’t have a reserved Group 70+ racing number yet, please let me know. A few guidelines about the numbers:

• If you are a VARAC member running in a second VARAC class (as well as Group 70+) you will have a VARAC Vintage race number that will be the same for both classes (this number is maintained through VARAC membership secretary Nick Pratt, varacmembership@rogers.com)
• If you are a VARAC member running in only Group 70+ you will have a VARAC Group 70+ race number that will be unique for Group 70+ but may duplicate an existing VARAC Vintage race number that is not used in Group 70+ (this number is maintained through Diane Dale, lddale@hotmail.com)
• VARAC race numbers are issued on a first come first serve basis
• If you are non-VARAC member (i.e. member of another Vintage organization like SVRA, HSR etc) you may have to change your race number if it conflicts with another VARAC member on the grid

And last but not least…

• So you know your car won’t be ready this season? You don’t think you’re ready to race this year? There are still MANY opportunities to get involved. Email and let us know your availability and interests – we’ll find some fun things for you to do!
• Are you new to racing and don’t know which way to turn? Or where to go for help? Email us and we’ll gladly lead you through the steps and connect you with some great friends and resources.
• Ice racing is still happening until the end of February. Get yourself up to Minden to watch or participate in the fun! (www.casc.on.ca/events.php)
• VARAC Member Andrew Celovsky has kindly extended an invite to all VARAC members to attend a vintage car only drive-in night hosted by the Fiat-Lancia-Unlimited car club. Attend the BBQ and movie night at one of eastern Ontario’s last remaining drive-ins on August 14, 2005! (You can’t say you didn’t get enough advance notice…)

Group 70+ is a VARAC promoted racing class that currently celebrates the history of racing from 1973 to 1987. VARAC is the association of vintage racecars in Canada that celebrates the passion of preserving, restoring and racing vintage racecars.

You're on this email list because somewhere along the line you expressed an interest in VARAC's Group 70+, perhaps in the capacity of driver, organizer, spectator or just plain keener trying to keep on top of things in the racing world. Let me know if you don't want to be on the list anymore, or feel free to pass it on to others who might be interested.

Diane Dale - lddale@hotmail.com (administration and promotion)

Jonathon Brett - kim.zachjess@sympatico.ca (technical eligibility)

Nick Pratt – varacmembership@rogers.com (VARAC memberships)