"What does Racing mean to you?" Robert Lavigne has asked this question before. Today, he answers his own question for you.

Sponsorship is one thing. But what about Mosport?

For the 2012 Victoria Day weekend, we spent our time at our favourite track, Mosport. However, Mosport is no more, or is it? Since it's 50th Anniversary, Mosport has been sold to new owners, secured a long term sponsor for the track, and has made major improvements to the motorsport park.

Would my cherished track be the same as I remember it? Yes, Yes, Yes and No.

Mosport International Speedway has a special place in my heart. It is at Mosport that I learned to track my Porsche 951. Recently, it has been my primary source of material for my Motorsport Documentary (now in it's 3rd season). Mosport has a deep rooted history in Canadian racing and must live on to tell its complete story. #TDGv Racing will continue to tell it's story in this new era.

WATCH #TDGv Racing: A Motorsport Social Novel

While I was at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, I collected footage for Season 3 of #TDGv Racing: A Motorsport Social Novel. While having been referred to as "the camper invading the media room", I managed to get some pretty good racing footage. In addition, I interviewed key personalities associated with the track to get their thoughts on the shift from Mosport International Raceway to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

What did they make of the new bridges in corner 2 and 7? What about the new tunnel at 9 capable of fitting two semi-trailers and still having room for two pedestrian walkways? What about all of the landscaping work being done to facilitate and accommodate more campers? What about the plans for the new Media Centre and VIP booths? What questions would I ask?

When all was said and done, I asked them all one very simple question,

"What does Racing mean to you?"

In the process of asking this question over and over, I got to hear answers from various groups associated with the racing community. I heard from racers, organizers, reporters, and fans alike expressing how inter-twined racing is with their life.

After a long day of interviews, we found a suitable spot for our campsite and claimed it as our cottage for our race weekend. It was during our overnight stay camping at the bottom of corner 2, that I had to think hard about answering the question "What does Racing mean to me?"

From Humble Beginnings a Community will Grow

What does Racing mean to me? Racing is at the core of my belief that for a business to thrive, it must maintain an innovative spirit. Nothing to me says innovation more than racing. The very concept of racing is to find the limits, test them and push them. Through this process you, as an individual, become stronger and better. Your momentum, as an organization, is carried through an innovative spirit to be smoother and faster.

Many people think that racing is all about speed. If this was the case, we would be watching racing in an empty vacuum. Racing is more than just about speed. Racing is about smoothness, grip, mechanical issues, team work, sponsorship, competition, collaboration, and chaos. Racing comprises every aspect of your life and your business. In racing, the perfect work/life balance exists to those who call it their domain and their passion. To someone in the racing community, there is no work/life balance, there is simply balance (inspired by Mitch Joel).

While Mosport had a history, Canadian Tire does as well.

Let's now address my thoughts on Mosport International Raceway, now being called Canadian Tire Motorsports Park. First and foremost, recognize that the Mayor of Mosport himself Ron Fellows is part of the new ownership team. This is like Wayne Gretzky joining your team as a hockey coach. The is no denying the passion and experience that Ron Fellows brings to the table. Ron Fellows has seen probably every track in the world. He knows what has been missing at Mosport and now has the funds to deliver on his vision. The question is, do the other owners and the sponsors share in Ron Fellow's vision for what was formerly called Mosport International Speedway?

What is Ron Fellows' vision for Canadian Tire Motorsports Park? Well, based on what I saw so far, It is all about giving back to the campers, the media, and the sponsors. Numerous improvements to the grading and landscaping have been undertaken in the winter months. There is no doubt that campers are part of their growth strategy. This means future improvements will be made to washrooms and guest facilities.  Personally, I think they should build a few 2-4 people sized cabins at the bottom of Corner Two.

Bridges connect Sponsors and Community

From our newly claimed spot at the bottom of Corner Two, we watched a community re-establish itself at their Motorsport Park. From our vantage point, we watched fires being built across the diverse landscape. As the night progressed, the fires grew in size. Where small fires burned, often a larger fire would emerge as the group joined around a common fire. Where large fires raged, smaller fires would spawn as arguments arose. The sound of fireworks made way to the sound of laughter and cursing. Everything was reminiscent of watching a time-lapse of a new settlement being formed. The question forever remained fully unanswered, "What does Racing mean to them?"

WATCH #TDGv Racing: A Motorsport Social Novel

The Grandelicious Entrepreneurs of Brantford are Revitalizing the Economy with #Brantastic Food, Wine and Entertainment

Karen Thomson and Robert Lavigne Cheesing It Up at Grandelicious

On May 4, 2012, Karen and I were invited to attend the VIP Gala of Grandelicious in Brantford. It would mark the launch of the three day weekend event showcasing Food, Wine and Entertainment available in the Brant and Grand River region. The event would see thousands of people attending over the weekend, due in part by Lynn Crawford of the Food Network gracing the stage.

Honoured Dignitaries, Trevor Cherewka and Jamie Stephens (Organizers)

The first innaugural Grandelicious Food and Wine Show is the brainchild of two local event organizers and emerging community leaders. Trevor Cherewka, best known for his highly successful Tweetstock Social Media conference, joined forces with Jamie Stephens, best known for organizing the Brantford Comedy Festival. Having had the honour of being a guest panelist for Tweetstock in the past, I knew going into the event that this would be a top notch effort on both their parts.

Chris Friel, Mayor of Brantford and David McKee, Brantford Town Crier

The VIP Gala started with Municipal, Provincial and Federal dignitaries extolling praise for what Trevor and Jamie were spearheading in the region. After the formal announcements, I caught up with Chris Friel (Mayor of Brantford), Jan Vanderstelt (Brantford City Council), and Phil McColeman (MP - Brant) to capture their insights on this event. David McKee (Brantford Town Crier) even graced me with a secondary reading of his speech from the opening ceremony.

What earmarked this as a successful event to me, was not the 4500 in attendance, the 35000 samples given out, the 34 vendors, the 44 booths, or the 8 musicians. For me, it was the fact that as I walked up and down the isles, I recognized the majority of the vendors, participants, attendees and volunteers. The fact that I have lived in Brantford for just shy of a year speaks volumes to the fact that it doesn't take long to see that there is an emergence of community leaders in Brantford. There is a new generation spawning multiple generations coming together to redefine what it means to live the Brantford lifestyle.

Brantford has been hard hit by the economic realities of a small town on the outskirts of a metropolitan mega city. One of the reasons I moved from Toronto to Brantford is to help this city redefine itself for the twenty-first century. It is events like this that remind me that I am not alone in this venture. Events such as the Grandelicious Food and Wine Show are a reminder that it only takes the will of a few to redefine the will of many.

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