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NASCAR Conservative
Innisfil Enterprise
June 20, 2007
By Peter Van Loan, MP, York-Simcoe
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to
participate in the launch of the
Conservative Party sponsored car for the
NASCAR Canada circuit. The number 29
car, driven by Ottawa news blogger Pierre
Bourque, was unveiled at the launch of this
year’s NASCAR Canada series at Mosport.
NASCAR auto racing is growing rapidly in
popularity among Canadians. I have
learned that it is unwise to be a politician
knocking on doors in Alcona when people are
busy watching the NASCAR race on TV
In my previous private sector life, I was
involved in an early effort to bring NASCAR
to Canada. While that proposal was
somewhat ahead of its time, I’m delighted
that the model we were promoting at the time
has now largely become a reality.
So, when the Party asked me to be part of
the launch of the NASCAR Canada Conservative
Party Car, I jumped at the opportunity.
We started with media availability.
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said a few
words and lots of photos were taken of the
politicians, the driver, and the car with a
prominent Conservative logo on the hood.
The atmosphere in the infield paddock at the
race track is festive, with the cars on
display, sponsors hosting booths, and the
excitement of race anticipation.
After the media launch, a barbeque lunch
gave us a chance to mix with other sponsors,
race officials, and family members of
drivers.
Ad the race approached, I was taken for a
high speed circuit around the track in the
official pace car. This was followed
by my shaking hands with drivers as they
were introduced at the starting line.
Included among the drivers was York-Simcoe’s
own Kerry Micks from Mount Albert – who
qualified in the fourth position for the
race.
Then, the word came, “Drivers… start your
engines!”
As a child, I would attend the weekend stock
car races at the Sutton Speedway. Just
down the road from my farm. While that
track has been gone for decades, the
excitement I felt as a child came back
quickly as the engines fired up, and the
race began. I’m sure my late mother
was thankful I was at this race as a
dignitary – rather than fulfilling my
childhood ambition to become a race car
driver.
For the Conservative Party, it was an ok
day. While our car didn’t win the
race, it finished and didn’t crash, break
down or run out of gas – all of which could
have been fodder for all kinds of political
jokes.
Typical NASCAR fans are the kind of people
who work hard, pay their taxes, play by the
rules and are trying to build a brighter
future for themselves and their families.
That’s why it made sense for the
Conservative Party to sponsor the number 29
car on the NASCAR Canada circuit.
That’s why I was thrilled to be a part of it
all!
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