SPORT PROFILE: LEGENDS CAR RACING

In the early 1990's, racing officials began noticing a great need across North America for an affordable race car with a unique design that required little maintenance, time and cost. Research showed that tracks featuring cars in the $10,000 to $20,000 price range with low maintenance expenses had significantly higher car counts. As a result of this research, 600 Racing Inc. was launched in January of 1992, and so began a highly-accelerated Research and Development program of a new race car that would be affordable, race on smaller tracks and have low maintenance costs. The first Legends Car was unveiled at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in April of 1992, and the concept of creating a fun and affordable 'spec' class of racing for anyone to participate in was born. Since then, Legends Cars have become one of the fastest growing segments of motor sports today, and is toted as a family-oriented sport. Drivers are classified in four divisions: Pro Division (experienced drivers), Masters Division (40 years and up), Semi-Pro & Young Lions (ages 12-16). The cars are 1934 - 1940 Chev, Ford and Dodge replicas and continue to be produced by 600 Racing Inc., currently the largest mass producer of race cars in the world.

RACER PROFILE: TIM FERNANDES

With the success he's already seen, you might get the impression Tim Fernandes has been there, done that when it comes to racing. The 2007 Canadian Legends National Champion has his sights set on an even bigger prize for his next challenge. Fernandes, a self-employed mechanic and welder from Peterborough, Ontario will chase another Legends car championship. The 39 year-old will run Wednesday nights at Ottawa's Capital City Speedway and also follow the majority of the Ontario Legends touring series.

For most drivers, that daunting task would be enough - but Fernandes will also make his debut in a Late Model at Kawartha Speedway, looking to add the track's rookie of the year title to his racing resume. In the past, he has described himself as a weekend racer but Tim Fernandes hopes 2008 will see him make auto racing his full-time profession.

Despite his long list of accomplishments - including several motorcycle and snowmobile championships earlier is his career - racing on 4 wheels is something relatively new. The opportunity to drive a Legends car came about in 2005, after a 15 year racing hiatus. That brief turn behind the wheel was all it took to get him hooked again and a new challenge born. With the support of his many sponsors including Hutchinson Signs, National Leasing, Parkway Radiator and Transmission, Gateway Powersport and Marine, Trailers Plus, Premier Windows and Doors, Buy-Sell Network Realty and Praxair Fernandes finished 10th in the 2007 INEX world standings for semi-pro Legend Series racers.

Most racers are content to stand-pat and rest on their previous laurels, but the first green flag of the 2008 season will clearly see Tim Fernandes taking charge of his racing destiny. For more information, visit his C.B.S. group designed web-site, www.driveitlikeyoustoleitracing.com