Calabogie Boogie!

How can you turn down an invitation to ride on a race track! Well you simply do not. That was the main feature of this weekend, a trip to Calabogie Motorsports a new race track west of Ottawa. We where in touch with the organizers of the Goodwood in the Valley day to see what they were putting together. Goodwood, as you may know, is a fun-filled event in the UK where vintage racers gather to take their rides around the track. Some for fun, but there is a serious side too, for those who really want to exercise their engines. Trackside, observers are free to peruse the field and see, up close, what was then the top engineering of the day.

The opportunity to get in on something like this, and perhaps add to its future, was too good to miss. We were in touch with the organizers to get an idea of what this was all about. The track and idea for the event are new, so we all thought it best to make a preliminary visit, make contacts and plan for the next years event.

The track itself is very new having only been completed this September and the facilities are not yet finished. The organizers were keen to have us, and we were "recruited" to come back next year and set up a display. What it will be is, well, no sense in spoiling the surprise, you will just have to wait. With this event being about racing, we would follow that theme, with appropriate "Singer Style".

This year's gathering was mainly just to get the wheels started. Admittedly, they said that October was not the best time of the year, but with the track having been open just about a month, there was precious little time in the rest of the season to have it any other time. Next year's Goodwood in the Valley should be earlier... wait for further news.

We were also invited to ride around the track. Not as drivers, yet, but as passengers. After the appropriate waivers were signed we were off. Phillip's ride was a sleek BMW. The driver kept him informed throughout the ride by providing a running commentary. What he was doing, how he was steering, application of the gas and brakes. A mini-schooling in the art of racing I would imagine.

My chariot was a Honda Si, from the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) no doubt! My driver definitely pushed this peppy little rice rocket around the track. Reaching over 165 Km (100 mph) in the straights and skidding through the curves... 20 of them! This is no oval track.

After regaining my balance, we thanked our host with a promise to return next year.
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Treasures in the Attic - Hudson 2006

A bit like Antiques Roadshow, Treasures in the Attic is a chance for you to dust off that old thing that Aunt Bee gave you a long time ago and find out just what it is. So while the Missus is cooing over the old dresses and china, the husband is relegated to the classic repetitive "uh-huh" to feign interest.

Well, this year we were asked to provide a little diversion for the other half by way of a small display of our own. A few members of HACK (Hudson Antique Car Klub) were prompted to bring out their cars. 3 examples were there each from a different era. Phillip and his '36 LM for the pre-war, myself with the '48 Roadster for the post war and Greg with his fresh barn-find '60 Vauxhaul Velox. I have to say that the Velox was an amazing find! Mint to a "T". The car has only 20k miles and even had the "Breaking in your Car" sticker in the windshield! A full tool roll, complete with waxy coating and a dealer installed alarm system. WOW, a rare car in such great shape. Quite the treat.

Mother nature lent us a hand by making it such a nice day. Another pleasant surprise was the organizers of the "show" were kind enough to provide the guys with sandwiches and salad for lunch. The whole event had a homey feeling, perfect for the venue at an old church in Hudson.

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