NV resident prefers street feel of sedans NORTH VANCOUVER media relations consultant John Beaudoin will be driving his 1970 Datsun 240Z in the IP1 class of the Sedan Invitational on Saturday and having fun. With two firsts and three seconds at Mission this year and a first in the IP2 class at the Molson Indy last year, Beaudoin also expects to be competitive. In addition to moving up a class this year he will be making a pit stop during the 45-minute event to change drivers. so another win would be a major achievement. Last year the driver change was a mandatory requirement but this year it is optional. However, Beaudoin will make one anyway so that his brother Peter will get to race too. After all. racing is a family affair for the Beaudoins. “You name it, we do it all. We enjoy it. It’s a good opportunity for the family to hang around together.” Beaudoin started racing in the mid-70's straight out of high school. He learned to race at the Jim Russell school in Quebec and raced Formula Fords while working at the track. It was there he had the worst crash of his career while testing a Formula Ford. “T took one into a guard-rail at well over 100 m.p.h. and totally destroyed the car. I had tire tracks across my helmet. “I was on crutches for a couple of weeks but as soon as I was able to function without them they threw me back in a racing car and away I went to dispel any built up fears.” Beaudoin, now, 39, has picked up drives throughout the years. He is sponsored by De Cotiis Group Racing and Pennzoil. Mingay running two cars at Indy From page 26 litre Ford Cosworth engine. His crew chief is Gord Bentley. Ross's brother. The cars are limited to 180 horse- power under race rules, so the 195 m.p.h. reached at Daytona is not a possibility, but Mingay expects to be hitting 162 m.p.h. on Vancouver's long straightaway. Mingay laughs at suggestions that he may be getting too old. “I'm probably driving better now than I ever have. I have no illusions at 42 that I'm going Indy Cur racing, but I could be racing at Daytona in my old age —~ or at least for another eight years.” Mingay will be running two cars at the Molson Indy, the second dri- ven by Ginelle Gerard of Richmond. Both will carry Petro Canada Centiguard sponsorship. Mingay’s true race car will wear No. 70 (Gerard’s car is No. 72). “It's a constant fight in the busi- ness locking for sponsorship.” says Mingay, but he maintains there ts lots in it for local sponsors. “There’s dispkiy opportunities in malls and other locations during pre- race buiid-up, there's the motivation for employees and then the hespitali- ty at the event. “It's a good deal for the modest dollars involved and you should see the eyes of someone mildly interest- ed in racing light up when they sit behind the wheel of a true race car.” je ay ay | ny y NEWS photo Paul McGrath NORTH VANCOUVER media relations consultant John Beaudoin has been interested in racing cars since his high school days. He will be one of the home town favorites in his 1970 Datsun 2402 at Saturday’s Molson Indy Sedan Invitational. The new C class race car. A 400 HP technological marvel. FAST FACTS: TICKETS “Tickets. are.on sale. now. from: ‘TicketMaster, the. Molson Indy, Ticket Hotline (604) :280-INDY, or from Gate A, B.C; Place. - Stadium, Monday thru Thursday,9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at race week. ; “Tickets are.on sale,during race. weekend from 8:00 a.m. thru'5 ; > p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Gold: ‘three-day reserved peat. Includes paddock pass; “VIP pit walk-through: Available only with gold ticket, $20. Red: tance terial eat, $82.5 : Baddock admission only:: three-day, $35; Sunda . Saturday only, $15; and Friday only, io. TAYLGHMOTIVE? | BRAKE SPECIALISTS B.C.A.A. - A.R.A. - APPROVED BRAKES - LIFETIME WARRANTY {on shoes or pads) OUR 36TH YEAR FREE ESTIMATES 176 PEMBERTON AVE.N.VAN. 985-7455 MINUTE Why would you buy any car when you can buy a new Mercedes for under $35,000? The new C class, from $34,995. Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. 984-9351 1375 Marine Dr. North Vancouver