Here's how to get 'Mosport' back into Canadian Tire park's name

Ever since Mosport International Raceway became Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, there has been controversy about the name change.

Many people — me included — wondered why they couldn’t have kept “Mosport” as part of the new name.

Today, I am pleased to announce that my good friend Gary Morton has come up with the solution.

“When they were trying to invent a name for the place back in 1960-61,” he said, “is it not true that the name they agreed upon - ‘Mosport’ - is, in fact, a contraction of the words ‘motor’ and ‘sport?’ ”

(You can see where he’s going with this, can’t you . . .)

“So, because ‘motor’ and ‘sport’ became Mosport back then,” continued Mr. Morton, “why not do it again and call Canadian Tire Motorsport Park,  ‘Canadian Tire Mosport Park?’ ”

I think he’s got a point.

In fact, I think it’s brilliant.

Comments, please.

James Hinchcliffe of Oakville has been voted most popular driver in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

The HRT-Cosworth F1 team is on its last legs and unless some sucker — er, “investor” — has millions of dollars just lying around that he/she wants to flush down the toilet, it’s unlikely to be on the grid come 2013.

Things are so bad that when eight members of the team went to its Madrid headquarters Tuesday to pick up their final paycheques, a fight broke out. No details have been issued about what prompted the fisticuffs but a good guess would be that there were no paycheques there to be picked up.

The team’s owner, Thesan Capital SL, said on Nov. 12 that it was for sale.

Spanish police said the fight ended when officers arrived and no one was arrested.

Meantime, Williams F1 announced today that former F3 and GP3 champion Valtteri Bottas of Finland will join veteran Pastor Maldonado for the 2013 season.

This means Bruno Senna is out of a ride but he is not without options. Although Romain Grosjean is still listed as the second driver at Lotus beside Kimi Raikkonen, he hasn’t been confirmed and his crash-filled 2012 season, which included a one-race ban for careless driving, could work against him.

There is also a seat open at Force India beside Paul Di Resta and that team could use the $14 million that Senna has in sponsorship. Other possibilities are Caterham and Marussia, who both have only one driver (Charles Pic, Timo Glock) under contract for next year.

The 2012 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals are taking place at the Kartodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, today through Friday and Canadians are looking good in at least four classes.

To follow all the action, and to keep track of Our Guys, go to ekartingnews.ca

Speaking of Mosport (we were up above, remember?) Reg Wesson, president of the Oakville Trafalgar Light Car Club for many years, died this week on Tuesday. Those of us who are older will remember that it was the Oakville club that ran the very first race meet at Mosport when it opened back in 1961.

Comments

[Just sayin']

‘Canadian Tire Mosport Park?’ has been suggested by many since the day after Canadian Tire took over. LOL

[Howard Cohen]

I like the name 'Mosport Raceway at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park'. That keeps me happy as it has been Mosport since I can remember and it keeps the sponsor happy as their name is still there. Shall we start sending notes to Ron Fellows?

[Adam]

Remember the Motorsport Expo last year?
I complained bitterly about the disappearance of Mosport to Fellows and to the media panel.
I gave two years to the Canadian Tire name that it won't work, so I guess time is coming up for the reversion.

[john]

Well I completely agree, I'm still calling it Mosport regardless. But yes, "Canadian Tire Mosport Park" rolls off the tongue perfectly.

[Kyle]

I think it's all about people having to say the name of your brand, in this case Canadian Tire's. The call it "Canadian Tire Motorsport Park" because people are more likely to refer to it by its full name. If they called it Canadian Tire Mosport Park as suggested, people will simply keep referring to it as Mosport at the exclusion of it's corporate title. Likewise, when Rogers bought the SkyDome they renamed it "Rogers Centre" when they could've called it Rogers SkyDome or Rogers Dome.

[Nick Danger]

They can call it whatever they want as long as they keep upgrading the facility and bringing in quality events. Sitting in a lawn chair at turn five, enjoying the sights and sounds of racing (while reminiscing about Clark in the Lotus 49, Andretti in a bent up 66 Charger and McLaren in Penske's Xerex Special) is pure bliss.

[GD]

It was, is and always will be Mosport

Canadian Tire has a nickname of Crappy Tire for a reason

Running NASCAR trucks around here just makes it crappy and I predict most of them will meet with the tire wall at turn four, drivers right.

[David White]

What is the duration of the naming rights????

[Driven]

Frankly, not all ideas are good ones. Things progress and no question the history of the park is legendary within Canada. We should be thankful that some good people joined forces and SAVED it from a potential housing development. Agree, that the play on words was likely considered ahead of its time. Thanks to the Hudes Family. For me, it is not so much what you call a place but rather its function and appeal. Maybe a Mosport Hall of Fame could be built on-site for today's and future generations to enjoy. Now, that does make sense. Make it a destination and people (race fans and non-race fans) will make the short trek to Bomanville.