The more I go to these Indy events the more they amaze me. It’s really an amazing show these folks put on. Of course, Toronto where I’m from, has quickly become one of my favourite events. Not only for the fact that it’s on Canadian soil, but for the track and the action also. It’s an intense circuit with non-stop action throughout the whole weekend. You surely get your moneys worth when you attend this event..
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It was really double duty for me this round in Toronto as the Fastco boys were racing in the CTC class with the Hyundai’s and I was there to do some testing on the transmission’s of the 74 and 75 car. In the 74 they ran the standard Castrol and in the 75 we chose Amsoil’s MTG 75w90. This week I’m taking a lab sample of each so we can see how each fluid is holding up. Stay tune for results!
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It was a great balance between working there, watching the events and hanging out with my sister. Between our schedules it’s nearly impossible to get time together, so we take advantage as much as we can.
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The whole trip to the Toronto Indy is a work/play environment and I love it when it turns out like that. I got in on the Wednesday and headed up to Barrie and stayed the night with my godfather, got to see my Grandmother, Aunt, family friends and wrapped up a great night. Thursday I headed into Toronto where I checked in at the Westin Harbor Bay Castle. I think the funniest parts of staying in hotels is watching the valets trying oh so hard to park the WR04. With its stage III clutch it’s nearly impossible to drive if you don’t know it well. So there the WR04 stayed parked right in the lobby since the guys eventually just gave up.
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Thursday and Friday I was in and out of the track checkin in on Martin and the Fastco crew, meeting some contacts in the Nascar North Series and of course, eating great meals and enjoying a few Molson Canadians. It was also super cool because I caught up with a buddy Dave that I haven’t seen in years…gotta be 10-15 since we last chatted together. It was a great afternoon that’s for sure!
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Saturday was the first CTC race and I hung out with those guys in the Fastco pit and watched Glenn and Lee rip it up in the Fastco colours.
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After all that was said and done, we enjoyed some pizza and beer on the rooftop pool area before heading downtown with the Fastco crew and the boys from GT Racing. We hit up a few places around the T-Dot, had a great time, but it wasn’t too late of a night because Sunday…is race day!
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I was a tad late waking up Sunday morning, but hit the trackside just in time for the CTC race. This one really ended well for us with Lee placing 6th overall. With 40 cars in tow, it’s quite the action packed race and I’ll tell ya…these cars rip. SO MUCH FUN!
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After that race, I had a bunch of friends coming in so I was back and forth between the paddocks, trailers and the front gate. It’s great that people give the effort and come down for the event, it’s a great day and I thank them all for that.
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I brought in my buddy Dave that I mentioned above and he brought his lil guy Connor. It was his first ever race event and let me say, I surely made a race fan of this little tyke! Despite the hot weather, he kept on being amazed by the noises, cars, action…who knows, maybe we’ll see this kid in future go-cart races!
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Before the race started, I was lucky enough to meet up with a buddy Nick Ford who is workin on Dario’s car. He was kind enough to give me and the Fastco crew a quick tour of the area they work in. As many times as I see it, I’m always again amazed at how well these guys are set up. The talent mixed with the equipment is as awesome as it comes. Nick plays his part in this team that’s for sure and once again, I thank him for taking the time to chat with us on such a busy day. He’s also building his own Mustang project back home in Indianapolis and I can’t wait to help him out with a supercharger setup! Gonna be great!
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Before heading up to the grandstands, one of my favourite things to do is get out on the starting grid for the fly-by and National Anthems.
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Taking it all in right there in front of the cars, the pits, the people is still priceless every time.
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Once I collected everybody and got up to the stands for race start, we settled in and simply waited for the carnage that this Toronto track always leashes out. We didn’t wait long though as on the 2nd lap TK got slippy causing the first of many cautions. From there on out it was a battle for everyone. Spins, contact, pushing, shoving, we all got one race of a show. When it came time for the white flag I was ecstatic to watch Dario pull away to the checkered and tape up a win for him and my buddy Nick. I love it when friends come up and win in “my” country..just gives me a good feeling. So again, a big congrats to Mr. Ford and his crew, for a job well done!
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Off to victory circle we went and watched the celebrations. I ended up snagging Dario’s winning champagne cork and giving Nick a well deserved high 5. I love victory circle!
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After that was all said and done, it was back to the hotel and dinner with old friends Ricky, Keith and their brides, a few beers and goodbye’s and off to Hinchcliffs party with Bec and Lauren. Pretty wild ride over there I tell ya! Great times though.
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Cheers to the Mayor of Hinchtown!
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And like that, comes Monday morning and a reality check. It was check out, WR04 and an open highway back to Woods Racing…despite all the fun, there was work to do back at the shop with the Drift-zilla.
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Stay tuned for news from that crew because I know you’re all asking questions, but we will have a press release about that early next week.
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Once again, thanks everyone for reading my blog and staying current in this crazy world of racing I live in. Also, BIG BIG shoutout to Rebecca, Lauren, Mark, Brian and the rest of the Indy team. Another awesome show you guys put on, you are the back bone of it and it wouldn’t be the same without you!
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Cheers! Stay fast everyone!
Jul 15th by Bannon