This Friday though Sunday at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario), the motorsports fraternity will gather for the third annual Canadian Motorsport Expo.
The 3-day event will feature a wide variety of racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports (stock cars, road racers, dragsters, motorcycles, karts, power boats and more). As well, the show includes manufacturer displays, vendors, seminars and forums, all designed to put a little heat into this cold Canadian winter.
Highlighting the show is Saturday's appearance by former Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve. The Canadian racing star - who also sports the CART (Indy Car) title and an Indy 500 win on his resume - will sign autographs from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on the show's main stage. Later in the afternoon, he will participate in a public information session and Q&A, also on the main stage.
NASCAR Canada is participating in the show, presenting a pair of stock cars from the Hendrick Motorsports fleet. They are the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup car of 3-time champ Jimmie Johnson and the No. 88 AMP Chevrolet of Dale Earnhardt Jr., one of NASCAR's most popular drivers.
Several NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers, including 2008 champion Scott Steckly, will sign autographs on Saturday afternoon at the CME. Steckly's No. 22 Tow Truck in a Box Dodge will be on display in Hall 1 of the International Centre.
Legendary Canadian racer Ron Fellows will lead the Career in Motorsports forum on Saturday afternoon, while Canada's Multimatic Motorsports is presenting an extensive display of their racing vehicles, trophies and technology.
On Sunday afternoon, the C.N.E. / Pinecrest Reunion will celebrate the Golden Years of Ontario stock car racing with the cars, stars and officials who created legendary memories on the ovals of southern Ontario. Vehicles on hand will include Don Roberts' '61 Super Modified and the CNE stock car of Hall of Fame racer Ted Hogan.
The show will also feature Spencer Lewis' presentation of his Top 10 Ontario Asphalt Stock Car racers of 2008, with awards going to several of the province's elite short track stock car racers. That takes place Friday night on the main stage.
For information about the show, including show times, special events, directions, admission prices and a $2 Off Admission coupon, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.