08/06/07 - HISTORIC SPORTSCARS TO ATTEND VARAC'S MOSPORT VINTAGE FESTIVAL

While Historic Formula One is the feature at this year's Vintage Festival, June 22-24, a number of significant Sportscars will also be challenging the Historic Mosport track. Among those will be Jim Hall's Mark 1 Chaparral which had competed at Mosport when new. While, strictly speaking, it wasn't a Jim Hall design, he was involved from the drafting board to the finished product, laying the groundwork for the imagination and methods that led to the innovations in the subsequent Chaparrals. Present owner Jack Boxstrom remembers being lapped by it during the race while he was driving his Lotus IX.

Of particular significance to Canadians will be the presence of the ex- Peter Ryan Lotus 19, the car with which he won the 1961 Canadian Grand Prix for Sportscars. Ryan went on to be the first Canadian to compete in a Formula 1 Grand Prix and landed a factory ride with Lotus in 1962. Unfortunately Ryan was killed in a racing accident before he could show his true potential. Carl Moore, who now owns the car is excited about returning the car to its home track.

Another exciting Sportscar is the 1967 Lola MK IIIB Spyder originally driven by Parnelli Jones and Mario Andretti.. A regular competitor in the 1967 and 1968 Can-Am series it has undergone a recent restoration by owner Hamish Somerville of Ottawa. Somerville, always a strong competitor on the Vintage Circuit, will be well worth watching as he puts the Historic Lola through its paces at Mosport.

A Historic Formula 1 Feature, exotic SportsCars, plus Production Sportscars and Sedans the total entry is expected to be in the 250 car range. This is truly an event not to be missed!

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The MkIIIB of Hamish Somerville in action on the track.
(Picture Bob Harrington)
Hamish Somerville is seen here at Elkhart Lake during last year's CanAm 40th Anniversary Reunion.
(Picture Lola Heritage)