Supercars get set to race CF-18s at Race the Base fundraiser
BY TIM YIP, EDMONTON JOURNAL AUGUST 27, 2010 2:34 PM
It's rare enough just to see supercars like a Ferrari or Lamborghini on the street, but seeing one of these dream cars nearing top speed next to a CF-18 is a fantasy come true for exotic car lovers and speed worshippers.
The supercar-owning community is abuzz with the unique Race the Base event, in which owners of the world's rarest and fastest sports cars will drive flat out, potentially exceeding 300 km/h, in a safe, controlled environment. What's more, the public is invited to witness this festival of speed scheduled for Aug. 27-29 at the base in Cold Lake.
Calgary businessman Zahir Rana, owner of ZR Auto, has teamed up with CFB Cold Lake in this fundraiser to support four charities -- Military Families Support Society, Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Bonnyville Health Foundation and Hearts for Health Care. For a $1,500 registration fee, owners of supercars get to push their machines to top speed on the 3.7-km, eight-lane-wide air strip.
Seventy-five owners of cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Corvette have already signed up, and drivers are allowed to have a guest rider on board for their speed run for a $500 fee.
"This is a good, fun event for the car enthusiast. We've got 100 registrations available," says Rana, whose company specializes in the sale of exotic cars and performance tuning.
Principal organizer of the event at CFB Cold Lake, Lt.-Col. Rob Carter, says, "This event is unique in Canada. Where do people with these nice cars get to drive them (to the maximum) and receive training, without having to go to a racetrack in the U.S.?"
The event includes a Friday ground school for drivers, practice sessions, car show and parade, and attendance by the Snowbirds four-plane public relations team.
In addition to the speed runs, there will be Grand Finale events featuring side-by-side runs pitting a CF-18 Hornet against Rana's personal, modified twin-turbo 860-horsepower Ferrari Enzo (which the owner says is valued at $2 million and has reached 392 km/h during testing in Germany) and top drivers.
Jumbotron televisions will show live feeds from inside the CF-18 and Ferrari during the exhibition runs. For more information on this event, registration and spectator tickets, visit www.zrauto.ca.
Enter the Edmonton Journal's online contest to win a VIP package to Race the Base Aug. 27-28. We'll fly you there, give you VIP access to all events and let you choose your dream ride for a rip down the runway.
BY TIM YIP, EDMONTON JOURNAL AUGUST 27, 2010 2:34 PM
It's rare enough just to see supercars like a Ferrari or Lamborghini on the street, but seeing one of these dream cars nearing top speed next to a CF-18 is a fantasy come true for exotic car lovers and speed worshippers.
The supercar-owning community is abuzz with the unique Race the Base event, in which owners of the world's rarest and fastest sports cars will drive flat out, potentially exceeding 300 km/h, in a safe, controlled environment. What's more, the public is invited to witness this festival of speed scheduled for Aug. 27-29 at the base in Cold Lake.
Calgary businessman Zahir Rana, owner of ZR Auto, has teamed up with CFB Cold Lake in this fundraiser to support four charities -- Military Families Support Society, Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation, Bonnyville Health Foundation and Hearts for Health Care. For a $1,500 registration fee, owners of supercars get to push their machines to top speed on the 3.7-km, eight-lane-wide air strip.
Seventy-five owners of cars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Corvette have already signed up, and drivers are allowed to have a guest rider on board for their speed run for a $500 fee.
"This is a good, fun event for the car enthusiast. We've got 100 registrations available," says Rana, whose company specializes in the sale of exotic cars and performance tuning.
Principal organizer of the event at CFB Cold Lake, Lt.-Col. Rob Carter, says, "This event is unique in Canada. Where do people with these nice cars get to drive them (to the maximum) and receive training, without having to go to a racetrack in the U.S.?"
The event includes a Friday ground school for drivers, practice sessions, car show and parade, and attendance by the Snowbirds four-plane public relations team.
In addition to the speed runs, there will be Grand Finale events featuring side-by-side runs pitting a CF-18 Hornet against Rana's personal, modified twin-turbo 860-horsepower Ferrari Enzo (which the owner says is valued at $2 million and has reached 392 km/h during testing in Germany) and top drivers.
Jumbotron televisions will show live feeds from inside the CF-18 and Ferrari during the exhibition runs. For more information on this event, registration and spectator tickets, visit www.zrauto.ca.
Enter the Edmonton Journal's online contest to win a VIP package to Race the Base Aug. 27-28. We'll fly you there, give you VIP access to all events and let you choose your dream ride for a rip down the runway.
