Canadian Tire revs up racing as title sponsor of ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championship & Rotax Team Canada

TORONTO, Ontario (August 3, 2010) – Canadian Tire continued its tradition of supporting Canadian motorsport today announcing title sponsorship of the Canadian Tire ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championship, to be held August 18 – 22, 2010, at Le Circuit, Mont Tremblant, Quebec. In addition, Canadian Tire will be a sponsor of the Canadian team entry at the Rotax World Finals taking place November 15 – 21, 2010, at Muro Leccese in Italy.

“As Canada’s largest automotive retailer, Canadian Tire has a long tradition of supporting auto racing and motor sports in Canada,” said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Automotive. “Sponsoring karting allows us to extend our support to Canadian driving up and comers, at home in Canada and at the “Olympics of Karting” in Italy. This is a natural fit for our business of helping Canadians be ready for driving with our unmatched assortment of automotive parts and accessories.”

Canadian Tire’s sponsorship of the ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championship includes:

· Title sponsor of the ASN Canada FIA Canadian Karting Championship.

· Support for fourteen Canadian champions comprising “Team Canada”, participating in the Rotax World Finals in Italy in November against drivers from 58 countries.

“I’m thrilled that Canadian Tire is taking the lead on support for young developing race driving talent and am really looking forward to seeing the team develop at the Canadian Championship that will then go to Italy to represent Canada,” said Ron Fellows, Canadian Tire racing team member, whose race driving career started in kart racing.

“We are proud and excited to receive this level of support for our kart racing drivers from Canada’s leading automotive company, Canadian Tire, and from Canadian racing legend Ron Fellows. The prestige for the sport of kart racing that comes from this association is fantastic,” said Paul Cooke, Vice-President, ASN Canada FIA.

Visit one of Canadian Tire’s 480 Canadian Tire stores to check out the very latest in automotive parts and accessories; including innovations in car care and the new online tire locator, http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/4/Auto/1/TiresRims.jsp?locale=en .

About Canadian Tire: Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a, CTC), is one of Canada’s most shopped general retailers with 480 Canadian Tire stores across the country. Our core retail and automotive operation is strengthened by PartSource, an automotive parts specialty chain; Canadian Tire Petroleum, one of the country’s largest independent retailers of gasoline; Mark’s “Clothes That Work,” a leading retailer of men’s, women’s and work apparel; and, Canadian Tire Financial Services, which has issued over five million Canadian Tire MasterCard credit cards. More than 58,000 Canadians work across Canadian Tire’s organization from coast-to-coast in the enterprise’s retail, financial services and petroleum businesses.

About ASN Canada FIA: ASN Canada FIA is the sanctioning authority for motorsports in Canada appointed by the Federation Internationale de l’Automotible, and ensures safe and fair motorsport competition.

From Stephanie Bonk | Advisor, Automotive Communications | Canadian Tire Corporation, Ltd.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at the Toronto Indy

NASCAR announced that Canadian racing legend Ron Fellows will be part of the live broadcast team on TSN for Saturday afternoon's Jumpstart 100 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at the Honda Indy Toronto.

"DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – NASCAR announced today the broadcast team for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 Jumpstart 100 event, scheduled for Saturday, July 17 at Toronto’s Exhibition Place, that will be telecast live on TSN and TSN HD. Canadian racing star and part-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Ron Fellows headlines the on-air crew and will be joined by Vic Rauter, Dave Bradley and Todd Lewis. ... TSN’s coverage for the Toronto event will commence at 2:30 p.m. ET with the Jumpstart 100 taking the green flag at 2:45 p.m."

Canadian Motorsports Expo: 2010 Show Video

The 4th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo, held Jan. 22-24, 2010 at the International Centre, was a great success. Stars like Matt Kenseth, Paul Tracy, Ron Fellows, Derek Daly, the Duhamels, Jessica Zemken, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champ Andrew Ranger and several NCATS racers were on hand to make the show the biggest yet.

The 5th CME is slated for Jan. 21-23, 2011 at the International Centre. Show sponsor packages are available and prime booth space is already being scooped up by exhibitors who did fantastic business at the 2010 show. Visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com for more info or email expo@insidetracknews.com (or call 416 962-7223) to inquire about being part of next year's CME.

Thanks to Joel Robinson of JRA for putting the video together.

Canadian Motorsports Expo Photo Gallery - January 23, 2010

This photo gallery is from Friday and Saturday at the Canadian Motorsports Expo, at the International Centre (Toronto). NASCAR Sprint Cup star Matt Kenseth packed the house for a fan Q&A and autograph session. Canadian racing star Ron Fellows was another star of the show.

Canada's top racers were honoured on stage with the Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards, including Overall Canadian Racer of the Year Andrew Ranger, who also scooped the Stock Car Racer of the Year award.

The show continues Sunday when Paul Tracy participates in a fan Q&A and autograph session, prior to participating in celebrations launching Mosport's 50th Anniversary Season.

Canadian Motorsports Expo: Official Show Program

The free, online version of the Official Program of the 2010 Canadian Motorsports Expo is located here. The show takes place this coming weekend (Jan. 22-24, 2010) at The International Centre, adjacent to Toronto's Pearson Airport.

The piece includes schedules for the Canadian Tire Stage, the many racing seminars, bios for star attractions like Daytona 500 winner / NASCAR champ Matt Kenseth, IndyCar star Paul Tracy, Canadian racing legend Ron Fellows, former F1 / Indy Car racer Derek Daly, and the Duhamels; Canada's first family of motorcycle racing.

The Official CME Program also has a feature on Mosport International Raceway - which is set to kick off its 50th Anniversary Season of racing - with a celebration on Sunday at the CME.

Also included is a profile on the what you can see at the Canadian Motor Speedway booth - including a chance to meet with its project managers. You'll also find an exhibitor list and show map inside the program.

Check out the program and we'll see you at the show!

Ron Fellows to appear at Autobahn on Saturday, Dec. 1

On Saturday, Dec. 1 (from noon to 2 p.m.), Canadian racing legend Ron Fellows is making a personal appearance at AUTOBAHN (in Sherway Gardens Mall; 25 The West Mall, Unit 2 (QEW & 427), Toronto, ON).

For additional information, contact: Manny Silva, (msilva@autobahn.ca) 416-201-9877.