Pulling up to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport Park/International Raceway) we could hear the engines from the NASCAR cars doing their warm-ups. I knew for sure this was going to be a kick ass event; the weather was great (hot) and there wasn’t a cloud in sight – which we’ll later find out wasn’t so great thanks to sunburns and heat exhaustion (the things we do for our readers ). We rolled up and picked up our track side passes (thanks to Sports Car Boutique) and parked on the in field of the track. From the hillside we could see some serious hardware just beyond the parking area, and we hadn’t even reached the paddocks yet.

Canadian Tire set the event up in a way that pretty much all parts of the race was attainable to the spectators. You could wander in the paddock, talk to the mechanics/drivers, and if you brought your kids which many did there was even a play area (yay bouncy castle!).

There were multiple race venues being held this weekend, hence the speed weekend. NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the Vortex Brake Pads 200 and the ground-pounding muscle cars of the Trans-Am Series. Two Canadian series’, the Canadian Touring Car Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, and new for this year the F-1000.

We spent some time checking out the paddocks, and met and old friend who used to work with Turtle which was a nice surprise! I was surprised to see a few Dc5 platforms prepping for CTCC, the rest mostly filled by Gen-coups, and FG2′s. There was also much larger then expected GT3 cup cars prepping which was great to see.

As we made our way to the pits we could feel the heat start getting to us. We quickly finished shooting some of the NASCAR cars and took a much needed re-hydration (at which point all the drinks Kham brought were depleted within minutes… – Ed.) break.

The CTCC cars then lined up in the pits and we got back to shooting. At this point we decided it was best if the two of us split up. One would cover the pit area and the other further down the track. Oh! was I a fool to volunteer to go further down the track (bring shorts next time, fool. Lol!- Ed.).

As I ventured down the track I passed by a multitude of fans who had come earlier before and camped out vying for the perfect camp site and vantage point. I pushed on like Alice, lost in Wonderland, with Gun’s & Roses and Metallica cheering me further, eventually reaching Turn 5 with the final chorus from CTCC cars making their last rounds.

A small break later and the F-1000 hit the track. Think F1 but smaller, almost as fast and loud. How fast? Fast enough that it was almost impossible for me to track with my camera, and I’ve shot Indy cars!! I gave up and watched the final laps of the race and got ready for GT3.

GT3′s were a delight. I could hear the squadron of Cup cars make their way even before I could see them. Being just mere meters from the cars as they passed one by one at full throttle was exhilarating. I could feel the hair in my ears vibrating (note to self bring hearing protection next time). The race quickly split down the middle. Half the cars in the lead pack and half in the not as fast. Battle for top three was heated. By the time the race was over I had seen two spin outs and some love taps. Being able to see the action and the drivers control gave me new found respect.

As I made my way back, exhausted and seriously dehydrated, I knew I was doomed (note to self: bring more water). If you saw a guy literally crawling back to the entrance that was me!

All that so we can deliver to you these photos! Being right in the middle of all the races weren’t to shabby either.

Enjoy!

(check our facebook page for even more photos once Eddie finishes editing! )