CARAVAN to MOSPORT

[StephanAlfa]

Folks:
Trying to get a feel for who is going to MOSPORT and who is planning on a caravan.
FYI I have arranged with Nick F. to meet at the Charlton Service Center off I-90 (MASS Pike) at about 7:30 AM on Sunday July 29.
We are both driving the car (not towing) FYI

We can set up other "meeting points" along the way if this helps (I have done this before along the I-90 in NY (ex: Iroquois Service Center, etc.).

Plan is to take the thruway to Watertown-Alexandria and cross by the International Bridge as this is the best/fastest (in cruising speed) way for both driving and towing. Other routes takes you less time but more time on the Canadian side where gas is more expensive and use of radar detectors is illegal.
For this there are also 2 schools of thought after the I-90 thruway in NY State: Continue thru I-81 or take a "short-cut" thru NY-8/12 North to Watertown. It is now all paved (not like the "old days" er, thanks Sam ) where we could be stuck and making detours). Point is BOTH have the SAME travel time (one shorter but less cruising speed, other longer but better on avg cruising speed).

Some tips that always helps:
• PASSPORT: Is mandatory to cross the border!
• A list of things you are bringing to race in Canada is always helpful: list tools, extra tires, articles of value, etc. so that you don't get stuck at the border having to explain what you brought in or came back (that
sometimes is more important)
• Vehicle registration or bill of sale (in case the track car you are towing is not registered). Some form of proof that you own the car and you purchased it the USA
• I will skip all the formalities about bringing "adult beverages" and your own personal record. For additional info here is a helpful link: http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/faq.html


Safe travels!

[dradernh]

This is always an interesting subject.

I now take two days to make long tows like this one, and I take the route with the highest average speed/fewest potential chokepoints. That means Syracuse is on the way, so I stop there for the night. Then up to Thousand Islands & down to Bowmanville to the HIE. I'm done with so-called shortcuts.

My experience re: Stephan's tips:

Passports are optional, despite the rules. I went back & forth twice last year without one. It just takes longer because they make you go inside the building, wait in line, and then answer 20 questions. Last time, though, the US side let me back in without having to go wait in line. I now keep my passport handy at all times.

The list of things you are bringing to race in Canada is probably a good idea, but I know I won't do it until I'm forced to.

I sincerely hope that no one ever demands that I produce proof of ownership of my car.

No comment regarding my own personal record.

One thing that link doesn't show, nor should you apparently care about anyway, is that Canadian customs is required to confiscate any fuel you bring in. Yes, that means you'll lose the container, too. Only thing is, like so much else, they don't enforce it, even when the jugs are in plain sight. I hope they don't start.

[StephanAlfa]

The list of things you are bringing to race in Canada is probably a good idea, but I know I won't do it until I'm forced to.

I sincerely hope that no one ever demands that I produce proof of ownership of my car.

One thing that link doesn't show, nor should you apparently care about anyway, is that Canadian customs is required to confiscate any fuel you bring in. Yes, that means you'll lose the container, too. Only thing is, like so much else, they don't enforce it, even when the jugs are in plain sight. I hope they don't start.

I keep the list with you but not show until asked: "less is better" !

Car ownership: We got stuck once, took a while and it was coming BACK into the USA. I'd say have one handy as it will help speed the process especially if you are "caravaning".

Gas: Good point. Given I am driving I would not want ot potentially be smelling fumes for saving a few bucks.
Also note some gas station in CDN are max 91 octane and if you are looking for something more premim beware of this.
Here's the nearest one to the track with premium:
PETRO CANADA
310 Waverley Rd
Bowmanville, Ontario
L1C 3K3
Tel.: (905) 697-2109

[mug23]

I have gone to Mt. Tremblant and I pass Canadian customs with 2 jags of gas and no problem but that was like 3 years ago. What about race gas? What happens to people that needs to run race gas? Do you need to buy that once you reach Canada?

[StephanAlfa]

I have gone to Mt. Tremblant and I pass Canadian customs with 2 jags of gas and no problem but that was like 3 years ago. What about race gas? What happens to people that needs to run race gas? Do you need to buy that once you reach Canada?

Depending where come from the US, coming from VT you will reach St-Jean RIchelieu before reaching Montreal, there is a place:
Vp Racing Fuel : (450) 359-7858
673, rue Rossiter
Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu,‎ Quebec‎ J3B8A4
Email:vpfuelsquebec@videotron.ca
http://www.vpracingfuels.com/racing-fuel
They have it available at other locations just need to google and research.

[Brendan]

No personal experience or knowledge about this other than not getting challenged before: Regarding fuel, I saw this posted elsewhere (3/2011) in relation to a fishing boat and fuel for the boat (Similar situation if you think about it)

I submitted the following question to the Canada Border Services Agency at CBSA-ASFC@canada.gc.ca

An American fishing colleague wants to bring his own fishing boat, motor and trailer into Canada in June 2011 for a week long walleye fishing trip. How many gallons of gasoline (including gasoline in his boat tank and any extra gasoline in approved gasoline containers) can my fishing colleague from Ohio legally bring into Canada without any incurring any charges? My fishing colleague would like to be able to bring enough gasoline with him for his own use during his week long fishing trip. If I had to hazard a guess of approximately how much gasoline that might be, I'd say maybe 50 US gallons in total (20 gallons in the boat tank and six additional 5 gallon tanks). I have been unable to find this information at
http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/menu-eng.html or at http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/publications/pub/ ... .html#s2x3

Here's the response I received today.

Section 4 of the Non-residents' Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances Regulations states that baggage that non-residents temporarily import under tariff item number 9803.00.00 consists of any goods that such persons import for their personal use and that are appropriate for their needs and consistent with the purpose, nature, and duration of their intended stay in Canada.

With regard to the importation of fuel by non-residents visiting Canada, such as tourists bringing in extra cans of gasoline for powering a boat, the fuel would fall under the provisions of tariff item number 9803.00.00 and the Regulations. The relevant policy is outlined in Memorandum D2-1-1, Temporary Importation of Baggage and Conveyances by Non-Residents, at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications ... 1-eng.html

Therefore, where fuel is imported within quantities that are consistent with the purpose, nature, and duration of a person's visit to Canada, it would qualify for free importation under tariff item number 9803.00.00.

We hope you find this information helpful. Thank you for contacting the Canada Border Services Agency.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications ... 1-eng.html

[boltonite]

Fwiw since the late 90s and have never been hassled about title or fuel but I >HAVE< been hassled about my extra sets of tires. I also have been grilled for no passport but a drivers license is OK if driving across. If you have an enclosed trailer expect a search on the return trip, they are looking for illegals but spend more time looking at the race car.

[dradernh]

Therefore, where fuel is imported within quantities that are consistent with the purpose, nature, and duration of a person's visit to Canada, it would qualify for free importation under tariff item number 9803.00.00.

Good to know. I got my info a couple of years ago talking on the phone to a Canadian customs agent at Stanstead, but this text is consistent with how border agents are behaving.

If you have an enclosed trailer expect a search on the return trip, they are looking for illegals but spend more time looking at the race car.

The most common question is "How fast does it go?"

[boltonite]

The most common question is "How fast does it go?"

You would think so but in my case its more like, "Is that rustoleum?"

[blindsidefive0]

So who is actually going to carpool?

So far there's me and Stephan driving. Anyone else?

I know Bruce A, Derek T, and Dave W are trailering - just a suggestion that you could use a similar meeting time/place.

Are others who have posted here planning on joining: Fred, Doug, Brendan, David??

Fox, David D., Jon C. - I see you are all signed up...

My $0.02 regarding border crossing - on top of what others have provided, don't tell them you are "going racing". Some may assume money is involved. Using words like "driving school" and "volunteer" seems to help.

[dradernh]

Are others who have posted here planning on joining: Fred, Doug, Brendan, David??

My $0.02 regarding border crossing - on top of what others have provided, don't tell them you are "going racing". Some may assume money is involved. Using words like "driving school" and "volunteer" seems to help.

My schedule is looking like: ~2 PM Friday - Depart Chester, VT for Syracuse; ~10 AM Saturday - Depart Syracuse for Bowmanville; ~Noon Sunday - Cruise on up to the track to watch the Time Attack guys run. It's a decent track for viewing all the fast parts so that you can pick up what other drivers are doing out on the course. If anyone is going to be up there on Sunday & would like to join me at the track, they're certainly welcome.

Early on I was always asked if there was money involved in what I was doing. They've stopped asking in the last couple of years.

[ST1Ddope]

I was planning on going up with Dave D. But his car might not be finished at the shop. We were planning on leaving on Saturday eve and going as far as Syracuse then finishing the trip on Sunday morning. I will know tomorrow if his car will be ready and solidify my plans then. So I might be looking to meet up with some people towing on Sunday morning if my other plan really fails.

[Brendan]

Joe Lu and I are trailering up, leaving from Medford/Somerville area early on Sunday but haven't really set a departure time or real plans yet...

[Dtangard]

Dave W and I were planning to caravan again. If anyone else wants to join let me know. We haven't made any official plans yet, but I'm guessing we will likely meet at the Chelmsford rest area on 495.

So who is actually going to carpool?

So far there's me and Stephan driving. Anyone else?

I know Bruce A, Derek T, and Dave W are trailering - just a suggestion that you could use a similar meeting time/place.

Are others who have posted here planning on joining: Fred, Doug, Brendan, David??

Fox, David D., Jon C. - I see you are all signed up...

My $0.02 regarding border crossing - on top of what others have provided, don't tell them you are "going racing". Some may assume money is involved. Using words like "driving school" and "volunteer" seems to help.

[StephanAlfa]

Meeting at Charlton rest are MA pike near intersection of I84 at about 7:30 AM Sunday FYI