Toronto Report So Far

[Liz]

Anyone else who is at Toronto can add to this thread!

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Friday was a very successful day. We arrived early and dropped off our stuff for the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame exhibit (go to see it if you are there) and then went up to our grandstand seats to see First Practice. Naturally the Penske Boys dominated, but there were some surprising runs by the likes of Tags and some dismal performances by the likes of Bruno (pull up your sox, boy, today's for real!) As we were walking through the Automotive building to get to Thunder Alley and the Paddock, we were passed by Mario Andretti on a paddock scooter. He was obviously on a mission. We followed him and the mission appeared to have a great deal to do with a room marked "Men." We waited outside (we're not proud) until he came out and snapped his photo, then spoke with him very briefly but he was in a hurry and he soon skurried away.

Then we went into the paddock and watched them work on the cars, trolled for pilots (Alex Zanardi, TOny Kanaan, the two Japanese pilots and Roberto Moreno were the only ones we saw, although there was an unconfirmed sighting of Paul Tracy on a paddock bike). Mainly we talked with engineers and mechanics, who are very flattered to be noticed and very talkative!

I have also got my "Gil is the Champion" shirt too! Penske has finally concluded a deal with Speedgear, and there are many fine items for sale with the Penske logo thereon now - including a wonderful shirt that says "I climbed the fence with Helio" that memorializes his win of the Indy 500. I am wearing that shirt today.

And finally, I got my autographs - of course the Penske Boys, and they autographed the photo I had taken with them last year, amid much hilarity. Helio immediately pounced on Gil with the remark, "Look at him in that picture! He never smiles! Look at him, he looks as if he has to go to the bathroom!" Gil looked at him as if he was quite used to it and seemed to be amused. Or maybe he's just used to it. I just said, "Oh, Helio, that's mean!" I also got Max Wilson's autograph (he is absolutely gorgeous) and Michel Jourdain Jr., as they had short lines, I didn't have their autographs yet, and I can get the the Target Boys today at a separate session.

We are on our way back to the track in a few minutes. I will report again tonight.

Oh, and I saw Jay yesterday in the autograph line. He wouldn't let us cut in line with him.

P.S. I have a great idea for next year's Indy. I will expound it later.