Ladies and gentlemen,
It gives us great pleasure to announce that the grand opening of the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit was a huge success. On June 6, 2016, we cut the ceremonial red ribbon to what was, a once in a lifetime project. Guests joined us from all across Canada and some as far away as Germany, Mexico and the US to celebrate this momentous occasion. With over 400 invited friends, associates and celebrities from the entertainment and motorsport scene, the opening was full of surprises.
On track performances were led by Max Papis, former Formula 1, Champ Car, Nascar and sports car driver/race winner and Kevin Schwantz, former Motor GP World Champion. Local racing legend Pieter Baljet drove a few of his collectible race cars including a 1985 Lola CanAm Car that was formerly driven by Mario Andretti and Patrick Tambay. In addition to Papis, Schwantz and Baljet were Tim Brown, Tony Morris Jr and drift driver Brody Goble.
Our charity partner, The David Foster Foundation, brought star power in form of multi Grammy Award-Winner David Foster and Canadian TV icon Jim Treliving from the Dragon’s Den. Foster also brought American TV personalities Brody & Brandon Jenner and former American race car driver Danny Sullivan, who has earned 17 wins in the CART IndyCar World Series. We would like to sincerely thank Michael Ravenhill, John Danson and the team at The David Foster Foundation for bringing this special group to our grand opening.
The opening also presented our track designers, Tilke GmbH, with their first opportunity to inspect the final product of the Circuit. Peter Wahl, Managing Partner as well as Christian Epp, Director of the Americas passed inspection of the Circuit with flying colours.
The idea to build the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit came to us only approximately 3 years ago and the construction began in the spring of 2015. Since then, some of the best construction companies and trades within the industry have come together to build this incredible facility. Thank you to everyone who helped in making this dream become reality.
We would like to extend our gratitude and thanks to:
- The Staff of GAIN for all your help, support and dedication to the success of this project from the beginning.
- Tilke GMBH, for designing a world class track facility and for giving us their expertise, experience and know how and credibility. All doors opened overnight when we announced that we were going to hire their services to design our track.
- SupErb Construction, for their immense effort and dedication as the General Contractor of the project. Chris and Marianne Erb, Brent Brownsell, Trevor and Joel are the driving force in this company and the results speak for themselves.
- Triple T Excavating under the leadership of Rick Tomlinson for everyone’s tireless efforts throughout the entire project.
- James E. Irwin Architects for the stunning design and the beautiful fit and finish of the Clubhouse.
- Amy McGeachy and McGeachy Interior Design, for the final interior design in the Clubhouse.
- Island Paving, for their record breaking paving performance and their willingness to learn how a Formula One grade facility should be paved.
- Rudi & Company for their continued support of not only this project but for everything we do as a whole. Rudi also so graciously leant us the amazing displays and artwork for the Grand Opening which were the talk of the day. Thank you Rudi and team for making this day and everyday so memorable for us.
- Russ Heinl for capturing the entire process of this project on film for us to cherish and look back on for many years to come.
- Zooropa Media Agency for documenting the entire project on video to allow us to show the progress of the Circuit after each milestone.
- All Metals Installations
- Apex Landscaping
- Avalon Mechanical
- C.H.F. Contracting Ltd.
- Corix Water Products
- Dan’s Precast
- Dodd’s Lumber & Building Supplies
- Driftwood Carpentry Inc.
- Duncan Paving
- Fantastic Cleaning
- Fine Floral Designs
- Gordon N’ Gordon Interiors
- Go Green Insulation
- Herold Engineering Ltd.
- HotEarth Energy Systems
- Island Concrete Finishing
- Island Floor Centre
- Island Overhead Doors
- James E. Irwin Architect Inc.
- J.E. Anderson & Associates
- Lewis Sheet Metal
- Martin Custom Builders
- Mazzei Electric
- McGregor & Thompson Hardware Ltd.
- Richmond Elevator
- Rutland Glass
- Ryzuk Geotechnical
- Scho’s Line Painting
- Sneddon Masonry
- Surespan Ready Mix & Surespan Structures
- Tower Fence Products Ltd.
- Top Line Roofing Ltd.
- Triple T Excavating
- Triumph Engineering
- Tyler Mechanical
- Viking Reinforcing
- Wescor Thermal
- E & K Painting Ltd.
