Carl Edwards at Expo today
The sixth annual Canadian Motorsports Expo is on at the International Centre in Mississauga this weekend and the big draw today is going to be NASCAR superstar Carl Edwards.
I suggest if you want an autograph that you put down the paper right now and get on out to the facility adjacent to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.
Edwards, runner-up to Tony Stewart for the Sprint Cup championship in 2011 (they were tied, actually, but Smoke won more races), is on a very tight schedule and will take Centre Stage (the Mazda Stage, actually) at noon sharp for a Q&A session.
Then he’ll sign autographs and pose for pictures before leaving right at 1:40 p.m.
But here’s why I’m demanding your attention: if you want an autograph, you will have to get out there early in order to get one of the 150 autograph “badges” that will be handed out. The rules are too complicated to go into completely here, but don’t say you weren’t warned. For complete details of the Edwards appearance, check it all out on the show’s website at canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.
Meantime, legendary NASCAR engine builder Robert Yates, Canadian racing champion (and new Mosport part-owner) Ron Fellows — he’s expected to announce some plans they have for the place — and IZOD Indycar Series star James Hinchcliffe of Oakville are some of the other racing greats who will be there today or tomorrow.
After the Edwards riot — I mean, appearance — the annual media panel discussion will take place later Saturday afternoon. This is when Toronto’s racing reporters try not to insult each other too much.
In my case, I really try to look as if I know what I’m talking about, which — as anybody who knows me knows — can sometimes be difficult. Thank goodness F1expert Gerald Donaldson, Toronto Sun reporter Dean Mcnulty and Jeff Pappone of The Globe and Mail will be there to add some dignity (and legitimacy) to the proceedings.
Sunday, Indycar’s Hinchcliffe will be the special guest.
As well, a reunion of CASCAR officials, racers, crews and fans is planned for 3 p.m. following a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Q&A and autograph session. CASCAR founder Tony Novotny, five-time national champion Don Thomson Jr., Dan Shirtliff, Alex Nagy and Kelly Williams are among the former CASCAR racers who’ve confirmed their attendance. Also on tap: Seminars, from “how to get involved in karting” to expert technical seminars featuring guys like Darrick Dong, Performance Friction Brakes’ Director of Motorsports, will be held.
Sunday morning, a technical forum will be held on stage with Grand Am racing star Scott Maxwell and several other experts discussing what it takes to do a fast lap around Mosport. (I kind of think this could be one of the sleeper attractions of the weekend.)
Mazda Canada will unveil details of a Canadian grassroots contingency program for Canadian road racers. nmcdonald@thestar.ca