I know that most of you are too young to have seen the original Can Am series that ended in 1974, but this weekend at Mosport there is a reunion weekend planned bringing back a lot of the cars for an Historic Race. The original Can Am cars had injected big block Chevy 454 McLaren's and Lola's, the flat 12 Ferrari's, turbo Porsche 917 K3's, Dodge powered UOP Shadows, BRM's, etc.... The ground truly thunders when these cars blast past and you had to be a "REAL MAN" to handle the 700 - 800 hp and 600 lb/ft of torque in a 1200 - 1500 lb car. There was also a class for under 2.5L cars that was populated with very fast Lotus, Chevron, Lola and homemade specials. Very cool cars. They had pontoon cars with the driver in one pontoon and the drivetrain in the other. They had a huge wing stretched between them. There was also the Led Zeppelin sponsored McLaren. The GoKart sized Big Block UOP Shadow with 13 inch wheels, it was the home for innovation and crazy engineering for years. I am getting all tingly just typing this out.

I don't want to come across all geezer like, but I remember the first car race I went to. It was the 1973 Can Am at Mosport. There were so many people there that we had to park over a mile away from the track and walk in. I could hear the Porsche's come on boost and shriek up the back straight and I think my heart stopped for a second every time a big block car went by at 7,000 rpm. It took me from somebody who was sorta interested in cars to the mainlining racer that I am today.

Al Balinsky is planning to run his RX7 in the G70 race on Sunday so you can still see a rotary run, but even Al will agree the sound of big block V8's at full chat is the best racing sound in the world.

Please make some time this weekend to come out and see these cars, it could change your life. It changed mine.

Eric

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnl_K...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cijk...eature=related

 

I will be there on Sunday, enjoyed last year with the historic F1's. Tremendous entry/participant list even though only 7-8 Can Am cars are confirmed.

http://www.varac.ca/pdfs/2008%20Fest...try%20List.pdf

 

Watch this video of a Historic Can Am race. Right at the very end is the Micro UOP Shadow car. It is smoking out the right bank so it is noticable. Imagine driving this thing and trying to control 750 hp in this platform.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdXcz...eature=related



Eric

 

I've always loved these, and have a soft spot for them - everything from the Chaparals to the 917's. Would love to be there on the weekend but I can't.... I'm going to see them in July though.

Take some pics!

 

Can Am... always a treat

 

I love CAN AM, even though I've never seen them in person.
If I was even within remote driving distance of this I'd find a way to be there.

I'm jealous you guys have the opportunity

 

I found out this afternoon that an acquaintence of mine owns the Lola T530 that Patrick Tambay won the 1984(?) Can Am Championship with and has it sitting in his garage ready to go. As well a guy in Vancouver has a Lola T-70 Can Am car and a McLaren M8F in his shop in Vancouver.

The shocking thing is how sorta reasonable the going price is for those single seat Second Generation Can Am cars are. The T530's and Lola T332 based cars are going in the mid $150,000's. Almost seems cheap if you say it quick enough.

Eric

 

What's the running schedule like? The website doesn't have any info on it. I think I'll only be able to make it on Sunday. What time does it start, etc? (I can't believe I have to ask that)

If I show up either day will I be able to at least look at all of the cars? I think Can Am cars are still terrific looking.

 

Unusual I know but the VARAC site notes that a formal schedule will be set rather late and will only be first availble at registration. Give me a call if you want to caravan down.

 

Is it rain or shine? What time of the day should I show up?

 

Rain or shine, I'll likely only attend if the weather is favourable.

Best to show up early i.e. 8:30 or 9am and walk the paddock to get the best close-up (and before the larger crowds arrive) views of the cars. There is lots to see on these weekends as the turnout is in the hundreds of cars instead of dozens.

On track activity is likely to start at 9 or 9:30am as there are many classes that will see their own track time.

 

Races start at 9am sharp on Sunday, we are the 4th race in the morning (G70) and the 7th race in the afternoon. Schedule attached:
http://www.varac.ca/pdfs/VARACDriversSchedule2008.pdf

 

I just saw this on the VARAC site:

Competitors who are expected to attend -

Brian Blain, '69 Lola 163
Ray Boissaneau, McLaren M1B
Lou Casazza, '67 McKee
Norm Cowdery, '67 McKee Mk 10
Mike Dunkel, '68 McLaren M8F
Jay Esterer, McLaren Mk 6
John Giordano, Ferrari 512
Dave Handy, '68 McLaren M6B
Andy Hauck III, '71 Lola T260 (L&M ex Stewart)
Dan Lipetz, '69 Lola (ex Revson)
Tom Malloy, Lola T70
Robert Ryan, '68 McLaren
Jim Simpson, '70 McLaren 70M8C Tom Simpson, '66 McKee
Tom Stephanie, 'Genie Mk 10 (Vinegaroon)
Johan Woeheide. 'Lola T70 (ex Gurney)


Looks good along with the cars that have already entered. I can't wait, I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Eric

 

While it was a tragic day I still really enjoyed looking at all of the historic cars. Here are some pictures that I took.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/2789150...7605762730011/