The season begins in 3 weeks! Hopefully everyone has been busy in the garage and will be ready to hit the track!

VARAC Fun and Test Day, Dunnville, April 29 (www.dunnvilleautodrome.com)

First up is an amazing opportunity to dust off the cobwebs, test out the engine, driver ability and post-winter social skills. VARAC is holding a test day that includes race car testing and lapping, controlled street car lapping, annual technical inspections and lunch. Entry forms are available in the latest VR newsletter. Consider yourself warned – this is a cheap event $130 if you send your cheque in NOW – otherwise it’s $170 when you show up. (Contact Stefan Wiesen at wiesen@sympatico.ca for more information.) Get the car out and make sure everything works two weeks before our first race of the season!

BEMC Spring Trophy Races, Mosport (May 13/14)

Typically this hasn’t been our most attended race – but I think that’s going to change this year. Don’t wait until the Festival to get your racing fix – start early! Register now at www.casc.on.ca/forms/raceontarioentryform06-a.pdf

VARAC Vintage Festival – TRANS AM Feature (June 23/24/25)

The 27th Annual International Racing Festival is celebrating 40 years of Trans-Am racing! Most G70+ cars will be eligible for the feature race. Make sure you spread the word with your racing friends who have eligible cars – this will be yet another exciting festival year! Entry packages have been mailed out. www.varac.ca/Festival/fest_welcome.html if you didn’t receive one. Volunteers are needed – don’t be shy! www.britishcarenthusiast.com/VARAC/volunteer.html

Toronto Molson Grand Prix Update (July 7/8/9)

Time Warp Racing in association with the Toronto Grand Prix Association has announced The Canadian Vintage GT Challenge race that will take place July 7, 8 and 9 at the Toronto Molson Grand Prix. Many Group 70+ cars along with select SVRA Group 6 cars will be competing in this exciting event. Contact Jonathon Brett (twr9@execulink.com) for more information.

VARAC Membership and Group 70+ Car Registration Forms

Be sure to renew your VARAC membership and racing number for the 2006 season. Membership forms can be found at www.varac.ca/membership.html . Group 70+ race numbers are now registered as part of VARAC’s membership application.

In addition to membership, Group 70+ car registration forms need to be filled out. If we don’t have yours on file (or your car has changed since you sent it in), please fill out the form and fax/email to Jonathon Brett. (www.varac.ca/technical.html)

VARAC Group 70+ Rules and Regulations

Note that there are NO changes to Group 70+ Rules and Regulations for 2006 (other than the inclusion of the CASC-OR roll cage and fuel cell safety requirements which were already in effect). HOWEVER, if you take a look at page 14 of the March 2006 issue of Vintage Racer you will see a proposed motion for the 2007 season. This can be discussed throughout the 2006 season and will be voted on at the annual AGM to be held on November 26, 2006.

2006 Group70+ Schedule

Compete for the VARAC Driver’s Championship! Group 70+ break-out Mosport lap times are as follows: Group E (up to 1:38.000), Group F (1:38.001 to 1:41.000), Group G (over 1:41.001); Don’t let the lap times intimidate you – there’s a big variance in our speeds. We’re a fun and friendly group and you can win the championship through participation and a mechanically sound car!!!)

• April 29, VARAC Test Day at Dunnville
• May 13/14, BEMC Spring Trophy Races at Mosport
• June 23/24/25, VARAC Vintage Festival at Mosport
• July 7/8/9, Canadian Vintage GT Challenge at the Toronto Molson Grand Prix (presented by Time Warp Racing – non-points race)
• August 12/13, BARC Canadian Touring Trophy at Mosport
• August 26/27, VARAC/CRDA Presidents Cup at Mosport
• September 30/October 1, CASC-OR Celebration at Mosport
• November 26, VARAC Annual General Meeting and Banquet (note – important G70+ rule changes to be voted on at the AGM!)

Entry forms are available to register for regional weekends at www.casc.on.ca/forms/raceontarioentryform06-a.pdf

Optional test days are available for all Mosport events. www.casc.on.ca/forms/PanozTestDays06.pdf for details and entry form.

And Last but not Least…

• Did you guys see the latest issue of VR??? WOW! Packed full of great information, stories, anecdotes, viewpoints, ads and pics. If you’re not a VARAC member – join now to catch up on what you’re missing. (Including a really interesting article on Group 70+ participant Hugh Kwok and his father Clyde who design and build super exotic Porsche-based cars.
• A couple of weekend adventures to checkout – April 16th is the Ancaster Show and Swap meet (including a VARAC sales table if you’ve got things to sell) – and the Boot’n Bonnet Swap Meet in Eastern Ontario (http://www.britishcarenthusiast.com/BNB/Events/PDF/2006autojumble.pdf for more info).
• 2005 G70+ Class Winners! If you didn’t make it to the VARAC 2005 Year End Banquet to receive your trophy, contact John Greenwood to arrange pick-up. (haggisbasher@sympatico.ca)

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 - TWR9@execulink.com (technical eligibility)