For those of you who don't know, this weekend at the Toronto Congress Centre there will be a Motorsports Expo. This is the first all motorsports exposition held in Canada in over 15 years. It is the first event for this show, so the displays will be modest. If we all support the show and a ton of attendees go through then it can grow and get bigger each year.

I go to the PRI Show in Orlando every couple of years and it costs over $50 to get in and you have to have a Motorsports Business to attend. For this show everybody can get in and it costs about $15 Cdn. I expect there will be a lot of information on Ontario Motorsport of all kinds and I know that there will be a large Roadracing contingent at the show and autograph sessions with Ron Fellows and Scott Maxwell (2 of Canada's most successful racers).

Come out and support the sport!

Here is a link for more information http://www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com/

Eric

 

I hope everyone attends this weekend! If the show receives enough support it will be back next year and get bigger and better every year. Like Eric said this is the Canadian version of the Performance Racing Industry show in the U.S. It too started out in a small venue in Indianpolis. It now takes 2-3 days to cover the whole show at the Orlando Convention Center! I know the show will be small this year to start, but it will grow and prosper with our support. My car will be on display at the CASC-OR display (new engine not in as of yet).

 

Will any manufacturers have displays there i.e. Tilton, MSD, Aeroquip, XRP, Canton, C&R, Baer Brake, Toyo, Borla, Moroso, Koni, KYB, Wilwood, SRP, ACT, Turbosmart, Kuhmo, SRP, Hawk, Intercomp, Flaming River, Autometer, B&M....? Doubt it. I'm not paying to go see cars I see every other weekend and CSC Racing selling their stuff. Not trying to be a naysayer, I just think Mr. Butt is in over his head. I wish we had a PRI here and we have to start somewhere but... heck... schmooze the manufacturers to bring their displays and product gurus.

Yep, just checked the exhibitor list. Lame. Seminar Schedule: "Coming in March"... I'll support local racing but...

 

I'm definately in. This should answer a lot of questions for a noob like me. Just one question, where the hell is the congress centre?

 

Jason, you know as well as anyone that the Canadian Market (and especially the Ontario market) is not big enough to have any direct race parts manufacturer involvement at this show. The total Ontario market is substantially less than the total motorsport market in most U.S. states. Everything up here is handled through distributors and brokers.

I counted at least a dozen parts and equipment suppliers in attendance and a couple of world-class racing teams will have booths as well. There will be a bunch of local racers at the event and some people on this forum may be interested in seeing what is going on at a local and achievable level.

Sure, I could be negative about this show in comparison to todays PRI or the Autosport Show, thats the easy route. The first PRI Show I went to in Indianapolis was in a football stadium and primarily focused on stock car racing with a bit of Indycar and Drag Racing and has grown from there over the last 15 or so years to what it is today. I think that someone who is willing to invest there time and money into trying to grow a Canadian based show or series should be supported and applauded. Glen Butt has a ton of connections locally and is willing to be the entreprenueur to get it off the ground. More power to him or anybody else who is willing to do the hard work to make it happen rather than just talking about it.

I will continue to support Canadian and local motorsport when I see an opportunity to and it isn't a rip-off. It is a stepping stone to International motorsport. $15 is pretty cheap admittance when you look at it just to see what the show is going to be like and as an investment in the potential future. If it is successful this year then it can only get better next year and the year after that. I have no involvement in this show other than wanting to help people enjoy and get educated about a sport that I am passionate about like I try to do in a number of ways.

Eric

 

Well put Eric, if we dont attend the show it will never have the chance to grow.

 

Alright alright. Maybe I'll attend next year.

 

Sounds great, I'm looking forward to it. I'm glad you posted this, I had no idea.

Brent

 

I spent a good part of today at the show. It is quite small but it is a starting point for bigger and better things. I talked to a couple of the drivers suit manufactorers there and will probably have a new suit this year. I saw a couple of RX-7 club members there and just wanted to say thank you for your support! The CASC-OR display where my car is has a great display, I thought my car looked cool yesterday until the other car for the display rolled in. A BRAND NEW Viper Competition Couple!

 

Went to the show today, I must say, it wasnt big, but it was the most worthwhile hour or two I spent in a while. I dont think I could have learned what I did today anywhere else. And being a small show wasnt such a bad idea, it gave me the chance to talk to everyone 1 to 1. Basically, well worth it, and hope to see it next year! 01 racing, your car looks mint! too bad that sexy viper was taking all the attenion away, lol.

Carthik

 

Went to the show today, 01 racing, your car looks sweet. Too bad I didn't get to meet you and talk. I didn't stay long but I'm glad I went. Look forward to seeing events like this grow.


Brent

 

I had a long talk last night with the guy who put on the show, and he told me it was very successful. He has already booked everyone who was there for next year! My neighbors are CRC (Country Racer Clothing) who make drivers suits etc, they told me the picked up 2 new distributors of their products! I think it will be back next year bigger and better like we had hoped. The biggest change is that it will be in Jan or Feb next year.

 

For those of you unable to go here is a link to a photographic display of what was there. I thought it was fine and a great place to get information on racing in Ontario. By the way there was a beeuuatiful RX7 on display.

http://theracesite.com/index.cfm?template=pa&pa_id=2497

 

It was a good show. Good to see the rotary was well represented there with Al's car. I liked the shop that sold the racetech seats and the stand21 helmets. They were from Montreal. Chatted with them for a while about hans devices, how they are used, how to properly install seats. Finding the right helmets etc...

I almost picked up a case of royal purple from one of the vendors, But I remember I had a case of redline still in the garage.

Good show. Spent 1/2 the morning there. Here are some pics.

I heart Formula4. They are so close to fsae cars. I miss working on the Queen's FSAE car.

 

Thank you for posting the pics! I was wondering if you could email them to me??
abalinsky@scarboro.mazda.ca