![](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/50-Years-of-Grand-Prix-in-Canada-4G2662-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\nToronto Star\u2019s Norris McDonald hosted a sneak preview of the 50 Years of Grand Prix Racing in Canada special exhibit that is on display throughout the Canadian International Auto Show on February 17-26, 2017.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Racing legend Jacques Villeneuve, the only Canadian driver to ever win the Formula 1 World Championship, helped the Canadian International Auto Show launch an exhibit celebrating Canada\u2019s rich history of Grand Prix racing over the past 50 years.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/50-Years-of-Grand-Prix-in-Canada-4G2694-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Surrounded by Grand Prix memorabilia \u2014 including two cars that belonged to his famous racing father, Gilles \u2014 Villeneuve told the large audience of media and guests that he vividly remembers the day he made history by edging past German superstar Michael Schumacher to win the F1 Championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe didn\u2019t expect it. I can still see he face. I can still see his sweat. He was a driver who didn\u2019t sweat, except for that day,\u201d he said. \u201cIt ended up being a fairytale.\u201d<\/p>\n
Notable personalities that shared their stories about Canadian racing scene:<\/p>\n
Bob Hanna the first executive director of the Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs, President of ASN Canada FIA and designer of the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve Roger Peart, Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame\u2019s Dr. Hugh Scully, three time winner of Formula Atlantic and former Canadian F1 driver Bill Brack, former Canadian F1 driver Allen Berg, former Formula 1 broadcaster Brian Williams, Walter Wolf former Canadian Team Owner, Rod Campbell first F1 GP announcer and Manufacturer\/Driver Promoter, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park\u2019s Ron Fellows, past Canadian Grand Prix president Normand Legault and current Canadian Grand Prix president Fran\u00e7ois Dumontier and Jacques Villeneuve\u2019s mother Joann and sister Melanie.<\/p>\n
![](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/50-Years-of-Grand-Prix-in-Canada-4G2664-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The Auto Show showcase of Grand Prix memorabilia, imagery and iconic cars includes many fascinating and important pieces from the Villeneuve clan\u2019s storied racing history. The centerpiece of this special exhibit is a 1978 Ferrari driven by Jacques\u2019 late father, on loan from Ferrari of Ontario, and the 1997 Williams driven by Jacques when he won the F1 Championship crown. It is the first time the car has been in North America since that 1997 season (it normally resides at the Williams Historic Museum in the UK), and still has on it the tire mark from where Schumacher tried to run him off the track in that final race.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/50-Years-of-Grand-Prix-in-Canada-4G2732-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
A 1991 Benetton driven by the German star \u2014 a seven-time Canadian Grand Prix Champion \u2014 is on display, one of two cars on loan from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum for the exhibit.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/50-Years-of-Grand-Prix-in-Canada-4G2704-800x533.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Furthermore, two of Canada\u2019s historic Grand Prix venues \u2013 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve \u2013 will be present displaying some fascinating documentaries from those very first races, and offering Show goers opportunities to win race tickets, including a pair of grandstand tickets to the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix to be given away at each day of the Show.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2017, we not only mark Canada\u2019s 150th birthday,\u201d says Campbell, \u201cit is also the 20th anniversary of Jacques Villeneuve\u2019s World Championship, 40 years of Williams Racing, 40 years since a Canadian car \u2014Walter Wolf\u2019s \u2014 won the 1977 Grand Prix of Canada at Mosport Park and 50 years of Formula 1 in Canada. We have a lot of reasons to celebrate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other cars featured in 50 Years of Grand Prix in Canada, include: 1961 Cooper Climax T55 driven by Bruce McLaren, 1974 Parnelli driven by Mario Andretti, 1978 Walter Wolf WR6 driven by Jody Scheckter, 1987 Lotus 99T\/5 driven by Ayrton Senna, and 1990 Ferrari 641 driven by Nigel Mansell.<\/p>\n
A newly refurbished 1971 Boss Mustang \u2013 complete still with Monaco plates \u2013 owned by Gilles Villeneuve is being displayed for the very first time courtesy of Headrush Motors and Joann Villeneuve.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n
Please visit our Photo Coverage of the 2017 Canadian International Auto Show<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n