Let's all pitch in to get Paul Tracy an IRL ride in 2010

I love passionate people – particularly people who are passionate about motorsport. Two near the top of that list are Toronto graphic artist Steph Wallcraft and her Edmonton pal, Mike Cockrall.

TORONTO STAR FILE PHOTO

Paul Tracy at the 2009 Honda Toronto Indy

They are fans of the "Thrill from West Hill," Paul Tracy (who isn’t?), but rather than sitting around and complaining that he doesn’t have a full-time ride lined up in the Indy Racing League for next season, they’re determined to convince at least one potential sponsor, Monster Energy Drink, that it would be well worth their sponsorship dollars to have him in a car in 2010.

Said Steph in an email: "If you could give us a hand and direct people to the Monster web site (just click here), it would be greatly appreciated."

It would be my pleasure - but I had to call her up first. Where did this interest in racing - and Tracy - come from?

"My dad was an auto worker," she said over the phone Tuesday night. "He was a supervisor at the Chrysler plant in Brampton and back in the day when PPG was a sponsor in the CART series, they would treat people like my dad and their families to the Molson Indy Toronto.

"My mom and dad used to enjoy the hospitality suite and I’d take advantage of the grandstand tickets that were made available and I just fell in love with racing. But there's been something missing lately: Paul Tracy in every race. He should be in them all. Mike (Cockrall) and I have passion and energy for the sport and we’re trying to focus that on getting Paul back into the series full-time.

"Mike noticed that Monster had updated Paul’s biography on their website so that indicated to us that they are still very interested in him. We felt that if we got enough people to go to the Monster site and to take a few minutes to fill out a ‘Shout Out’ (a comment), that would show them and other potential sponsors the support Paul still has in the racing community."

Steph and Mike have been busy sending out emails and three or four of the more popular IRL chat sites have climbed aboard the bandwagon. In less than a week, more than 400 comments have been entered on the Monster "Shout Out" board.

I left mine at about 8:30 Tuesday night. I said Paul Tracy’s the most exciting driver to ever strap himself into a race car.

I want him back in the IRL so that when he wins I can write about it and when he gets me mad I can write about it. As we say in this business, he’s good copy.

If you feel the same way, I invite you to join Steph, Mike and me in getting the message through to Monster – and any other potential sponsors out there. If this grassroots movement is successful, it'll be to everybody's benefit.

Comments

[Andrew Bernstein]

Wonderful use of your colunm to support this grassroots effort, and to add your voice in support of Paul Tracy. Thank you!

"Great career, PT's best day is yet to come. Hope it's a Monster!"

Andrew Bernstein
Powell, Ohio

[Female F1 sort-of Fan]

Remember the days when the Toronto Indy gave free tickets to the average Joe and family? Sad, but now none of us can even afford one day at this race (and I loved your idea Norris of the cheap $10 tickets; it's too bad they tend to ignore your great ideas).

It would be great to see PT in a seat but it would be better if I could afford to take my family to see him, in that seat.

[exCARTRace fan]

PT is done like toast...the way he wrecks cars....who can afford him.!!

[magnaflow]

just amazing thanks for the share

[ScarecroW]

I cant say I agree more, after speaking to Paul on several occations I can truely see he is doing everything in his power to land that ride for 2010 and its not about money for him, with this its all about the fans and his love for the sport. If Monster doesnt pull through on this one for their "personal" spokesman I feel sorry for them as a company and more so as an individual in sports entertainment, for a company who claims to be extreme sports driven they arent showing much to the fans of the IndyCar Series which in my books is the grandfather of extreme sports. Anyways as I said I am hoping that Paul is able to land this because I have a feeling that between KVRT and Monster they could have a true champion on their hands...Cheers!