Iconic Drivers Villeneuve, Tagliani, Bourbonnais On Hand
MONT-TREMBLANT, Canada (July 12, 2010) - Legends of Motorsports, A Bobby Rahal Signature Event, capped its Canadian debut with a successful weekend of historic racing at Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Headlined by event Grand Marshal and race participant Jacques Villeneuve, attendees enjoyed exciting competition among multiple classes of inspiring machines representing decades of thrilling international racing.
Villeneuve, the 1997 Formula One World Champion and 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner, thrilled the assembled crowd by taking to the track himself. Driving an ultra-rare McLaren GTR, the national racing hero finished runner-up in the Group C/GTP Category on Sunday, July 11. Fellow Canadian open-wheel stars Alex Tagliani and Claude Bourbonnais joined Villeneuve in autograph and fan forum interview sessions during the weekend.
"I'm having a blast," Villeneuve said. "The atmosphere here is good. There's no politics, so it's good fun."
"It's great for [the participants] to have this opportunity to get in these amazing cars that made them dream when they were kids. The same for the people who come to watch. Maybe they didn't get a chance to see them run back in the day and now there's this opportunity to hear them and feel them, it's great."
Ferrari, long synonymous with the Mont-Tremblant track's serpentine road course, was celebrated as the official marque for the three-day event.
"It was extremely gratifying to see fans of all ages turn out in numbers to enjoy the amazing cars and drivers assembled at Circuit Mont-Tremblant," said series co-founder and 1986 Indianapolis 500 Winner Bobby Rahal. "It's been many years since I've raced at this magnificent track and returning brought back great memories. Clearly, Canadians are not only passionate for auto racing generally, but have a strong and sophisticated appetite for historic racing."
The fan-friendly event offered guests a wide variety of diversions ranging from live music to grid girls in retro clothing and even live public viewing of the FIFA World Cup soccer finals being completed during Sunday's event. Bolstered by the attendance of Villeneuve, Tagliani and Bourbonnais, media attendance was robust with nearly 100 journalists from among major print and electronic outlets in attendance.
Photo galleries and results from each Legends of Motorsports weekend are available at www.legendsofmotorsports.com. Having previously completed events at Barber Motorsports Park and Watkins Glen International in May and June, respectively, Legends of Motorsports now turns its attention to the final event of its debut season, December 3 - 5, at Florida's storied Sebring International Raceway.
QUOTE SHEET: LEGENDS OF MOTORSPORTS AT CIRCUIT MONT-TREMBLANT
What People Had to Say About Legends of Motorsports' Canadian Debut
MONT-TREMBLANT, Canada (July 12, 2010) - The atmosphere was electric at Circuit Mont-Tremblant, site of the Canadian debut for Legends of Motorsports, A Bobby Rahal Signature Event. Listed below is a collection of what the participants had to say about their experience, including commentary from legendary Quebecois drivers Jacques Villeneuve, Alex Tagliani and Claude Bourbonnais:
Jacques Villeneuve (1997 F1 World Champion, drove a 1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail in Group C/GTP):
"I'm having a blast. The atmosphere here is good. There's no politics, so it's good fun.
"It's great for [the participants] to have this opportunity to get in these amazing cars that made them dream when they were kids. The same for the people who come to watch. Maybe they didn't get a chance to see them run back in the day and now there's this opportunity to hear them and feel them, it's great.
"[Circuit Mont-Tremblant] has survived. It's been modernized. Normally, these old types of tracks disappear, because they're dangerous, they're not near a big town, they're in the middle of nowhere and they're expensive to bring to a modern standard. There's not that many people like Lawrence Stroll who will take their time and their money to do that, so it's great to see this track is still healthy."
Alex Tagliani (IZOD IndyCar driver, FAZZT Race Team):
"It's a very unique experience for everyone who came out, to see so many cars that have been part of the history of racing in Canada. The legends here are actually the cars, not the drivers. It's a good event for people who have followed racing for so many years and now they have the chance to see these cars live. It's great to bring back to life so many cars that have been a part of racing over the years."
Claude Bourbonnais (Former CART, Atlantic and Firestone Indy Lights Driver):
"I've enjoyed this immensely. I love the old cars. I've always thought I should have been born 20 years earlier so I could race these cars when they were new.
"There's a good fan base for racing in Quebec and also for old cars, and even old drivers as well. This is a good place to come for sure. I'm convinced it will come back.
Rick Carlino (Entered a 1975 Hesketh 308C in Historic Grand Prix and 1977 Chevron B36 in 2-Liter Sports Cars):
"Everybody's been very nice. We've had pretty good support for anything that we've needed. If we needed any changes, which haven't been many, everybody has said 'what can we do to help?' Peter [Stoneberg] has stopped by and Bobby's stopped by. I've enjoyed this. Everyone treats you wonderfully and they want you to be relaxed and have a great time."
John DeLane (Entered 1972 Tyrrell 6 in Historic Grand Prix):
"It's been great. We're having a wonderful time and enjoying ourselves. It's really a great event and a lovely place. It couldn't be better. The hospitality and everything about the event is just spectacular. Having a Formula 1 event going on, on the same weekend in another country and being able to come in [to the Legends Club] and sit and watch the coverage and enjoy our breakfast - it couldn't be any better.
"I haven't been here in some years and it's such a great track. It's a treat to get to race here. It's a phenomenal track."
Peter Giddings (Entered a 1953 Maserati 250F, Chassis #2501 in Fabulous Fifties):
"You nice folks (Legends of Motorsports) decided to have a 50's group which I decided to support. I flew in from Scotland and my car came in from the West Coast. Next year, we'll have lots of my friends running with us.
"It's a little intimidating running against the bigger cars, but for the privilege of running Mont-Tremblant, I'll run with anything.
"Prior to coming, other friends have reported to me that these events are very well run, professional and appealing for the drivers. That sounded good to me. Now, having run it for myself, I can confirm that it's everything I was told it was."
Jim Peterman (Entered a 1965 Ford Mustang in Thunder and Lightning):
"It's the most well-run event I've ever been to. Everybody is so welcoming. I'm really impressed with the staff and people have been going out of their way to be very helpful.
"The hospitality tent is great and very convenient. You never have to worry about where to go for lunch or a cup of coffee. I'm here with my wife, my crew chief and his wife. They're really enjoying this event and having the tent makes it really easy for them.
"Tremblant is fun to come race because there's so much else to do in the area after the race is over. We've come up before and stayed a couple of extra days to see what it has to offer.
"Bobby Rahal came over and was asking about the car, he knew I was having problems. I saw him later walking around in the paddock and he asked if I got my problem fixed and that he saw me on track. It was really nice."
Ronnie Randall (Entered a 1967 Porsche 911S in Thunder and Lightning):
"The event is well run. Everything has come off on time, which is impressive. It's well organized. I love the hospitality tent. In all my years of racing, I've never had an experience like this. It's been a delightful weekend.
"This is my first visit to Mont-Tremblant and I love the track! It's a great venue. It's beautiful and a fun track to drive."
Janice Randall (Wife of Ronnie Randall):
"I've enjoyed the weekend a lot. I like the variety of cars here and there's some really unique cars too. I love being by the lake; it's beautiful here. The other events I've been to don't have the hospitality. We went in there the other day just to sit down and have some snacks. It was really nice."
About Legends of Motorsports
Legends of Motorsports is a premium race series owned by Historic Motorsports Productions LLC ('HMP'). Specifically, Legends of Motorsports is an annual series of premium historic racing events and related lifestyle experiences staged at historic North American venues. Based in Zionsville, Indiana, HMP's principal owners are racers and businessmen Bobby Rahal, Peter Stoneberg and Zak Brown. Additional equity investors in HMP include Spire Capital Partners and Just Marketing International, which provides comprehensive strategy, marketing, public relations, and event logistics services to the venture. For more information, please visit HMP on the web at www.legendsofmotorsports.com or by calling (317) 344-1998.
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About Circuit Mont-Tremblant
Circuit Mont-Tremblant is located in the picturesque Laurentian Mountains. Its twisty 15-corner design utilizes the natural topography of the land and is considered one of the finest and most demanding circuits in the world. In fact, Jackie Stewart said, "Le Circuit-Tremblant is second only to Monaco in difficulty." The hillsides around the track provide natural grandstands affording spectators with magnificent elevated vantage points.
With more than 100 hotels, motels, condos and bed & breakfast units in the region, lodging is plentiful. Also, Mont-Tremblant Resort, an alpine-style village right at the foot of the mountain, is a nearby facility. Visitors can enjoy and savor French or international cuisine in more than 100 restaurants surrounding the track.
Ed's love affair with cars and racing began in high school, working in an Allentown, Pa., transmission shop credited with giving Mario Andretti his first ride and with respected engine builder Jimmy Seidel.
Ed's accomplishments stretch far beyond racing. He served in the 11th Armored Cavalry, Black Horse Division from 1966 to 1968 and is a Vietnam Veteran, serving the Helicopter Unit from 1967 – 1968. He pursued a career in data processing and founded his own IT company, Associated Computer Systems, Ltd., in 1980. Ed sat on many advisory panels and commission for the likes of IBM and AVNET. He was also on the Board of Directors for the Goldfield Telephone Company. Grand View University recognized Ed as a "Distinguished Alumni," and invited him to serve on their Board of Trustees. Ed sold his company in 2009, ready to spend his retirement traveling the country to races with his wife.