Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation Planned

An organization with a goal of honouring the legends and history of Canadian motorsports is now in the planning stages. Conceived and financed by a group of highly accomplished businessmen, The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation aims to preserve the collection and exhibits installed in the former Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, as well as provide visitors with a comprehensive and interactive look at the long and storied history of motor racing in Canada.

The group of businessmen, all who have been involved in Canadian motorsports, include Rod Campbell, chairman of RWB Marketing and Communications LLC and founder of Campbell Co. agency; Tom Ryley former executive vice-president of Suncor Energy Products; Maurice McCaig, brother of CanAm racer Roger McCaig and former chairman of Calgary-based Trimac Transportation. Also involved are two-time World Superboat champion, Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, Lorne Leibel, and Ali Jalali, President and CEO of First Financial Underwriting Services (Canada) Inc.

 "We are pleased that with more than $500,000 raised so far, opening The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation is far beyond the wishful thinking stage," said Tom Ryley. "Applications for a non-profit, charitable foundation have been filed with the government.

Our group wants to protect and expand on the important work done by former Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame builders. We are intent on creating a long-term home that will not only house the country's important motorsports collection and safeguard its history, but will provide a state-of-the-art and interactive museum experience offering an exciting array of entertainment options to visitors, members, partners and sponsors."

The group has selected Toronto's Downsview Park, site of the 2002 papal visit and 2003 Rolling Stones concert, as the location of the new facility.

"We remain committed to identifying new entries and exhibits from all across Canada," said Calgary native Maurice McCaig. "While major motorsports events have been held in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver, the history of Canadian motorsports rests in hundreds of smaller towns and cities from sea to sea to sea," "I believe it is our job to ensure that the motorsports stories and heroes from cities such as Calgary, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Trois-Rivières, Charlottetown and St. John's are preserved. This is truly a national project."

The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation has received support from numerous individuals in the Canadian motorsport fraternity.

Media Contact: Sid Priddle // 705 431-6277 & Nicole Lascelle // 514 426-3364 // nicolelascelle@yahoo.ca