Car FYI

Kay Petre behind the wheel of one of the many race cars she drove between 1932 to 1939. (Photo Credit: Newspress) Even as motorsports have resided as a male-dominated domain since its inception in the early 20th century, the majestic scene of an automobile in motion refreshingly won the attention of some women. When it comes to the history of women in auto racing, it’s intriguing to realize how a Canadian-born driver became one of the sport’s earliest female stars.  Born in 1903 in what is now part of Toronto, Ontario, Kathleen Coad DeFries spent her young life in both Canada and England. She would be popularly recognized as Kay Petre after her 1929 marriage to her second husband Henry Petre, a decorated First World War aviator and pioneer pilot who remained an active enthusiast for airplanes and other machines throughout his life. It was Henry who introduced her to the spectacle of auto racing with Kay’s affection for the sport quickly resulting to her getting behind the wheel. Co...

Photo Credit: Mazda North American Operations While some races of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule have yet to see a green flag, spectacular news items during July have pumped-up enthusiasm for the 2018 season. Before the month has ended, next season’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship promises two all-new, heavy-hitting DPi efforts guaranteeing to kick the level of sports car racing competition to new heights. Last week, rumours were confirmed when heavy motorsport player Team Penske broadcasted plans to rejoin sports car racing in association with Honda’s luxury brand Acura in time for next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Team Penske’s more than five decades of operations is notably celebrated by 16 Indianapolis 500 wins but also possesses success through previous sports car ventures including a 1969 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As impressive as a single win in the ultimate French endurance classic can be, Reinhold Joest’s race team perfecte...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Canadian automotive enthusiasts are on the cusp of finding some undiscovered wonders of 2017. As spring grows closer and (one of these days) the cold wallop of winter will be worn out of the Canadian air, our favourite time is when our choice car, truck or motorcycle can roam roadways idyllically. It is also a time when motorsports shift into high gear as engine noises and tire smoke will fulfill our senses. In preparations and preview of what the 2017 automotive calendar will entail, the Motorama Custom Car and Motorsport Expo fills Mississauga’s International Centre on the outskirts of Toronto. The third annual event under its current motorsport and customized vehicle focus, the 2017 Motorama Custom Car and Motorsport Expo establishes unity of speed, style as well as thrill. With prizes and honours up for grabs by exhibitors, there is a guarantee for seeing some Canadian automotive greatness from March 10th to March 12th. Part of a grand view of moto...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy For the 29th time, the streets of Toronto around the Exhibition Place is surrounded by concrete barriers serving as the layout for a fantastic motor racing spectacle. Starting Friday, the Honda Indy Toronto will have high-powered race engines roaring alongside the shoreline of Lake Ontario. The regular presence of the Toronto auto racing stop has been a testament to the vitality of motorsports in Canada. Sporting a familiar temporary street course that has underwent only minor changes since the inaugural 1986 event, the race remains the sight for a premier American open wheel racing series. The Verizon IndyCar Series returns to Toronto bringing a close, contentious driver's championship with it. For 2015, the race reverts to the single-race format after a two-year experiment with a double-header style schedule. For Canadian race fans, the race remains the only opportunity for race fans to see the open wheel...