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Late 1977. Roger Peart receives a call from the president of the Fédération Automobile Québécoise. Its the Labatt beer company, the then-title sponsor of the Canadian Grand Prix held annually at Mosport near Toronto. They want to know if Montreal can host a Formula One race. "Great question," says Peart, who then asks for a little time for reflection — 30 minutes to be precise. "I first thought of Île Notre-Dame. Then, I looked at a route that would start and end at the Olympic Stadium, but that would have been devilishly complicated to implement. I even looked at [building a track at] Laval." "We didnt have to go far down those roads," says Peart. "The first idea was always going to be the best." After 30 minutes, he phoned his interlocutor back to tell him yes, Montreal could accommodate a full-fledged Formula One Grand Prix, and that the best venue was Île Notre-Dame – a man-made island built to host Expo 67 a decade earlier – if for no other reason than its excellent access to public transit. The timing was perfect. Montreals then-Mayor Jean Drapeau had just announced that the artificial island would be devoted to sporting events, while the neighbouring nature-made Île Sainte-Hélène would host cultural-type events. By April 1978, Montreals city council had accepted the idea of a racetrack — "on the express condition that it cost the taxpayers nothing," recalls Peart. Peart, an engineer, is well-known in the world of international racing. Over the past five decades, he has not only competed as a driver (largely in amateur races) but has monitored and inspected racing circuits all over the world. Now 80-years-old, Peart is still president of the Canadian National Sports Authority (ASN Canada), and the only sports commissioner in the country recognized by the Fédération Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA), Formula Ones governing body. Unsurprisingly, it was Peart who was given the mandate to design the Île Notre-Dame track, which would need to meet Formula Ones rigid standards. The Briton, who was then living in Montreal (he now calls Ontario home), still remembers the moment he went to first inspect what would become Canadas most famed racetrack. Mother Nature had dropped a major snowfall on top of the island, forcing him to develop the initial drafts without even being able to inspect the actual ground he was surveying. "I remember those days at my cottage in Saint-Sauveur in the Laurentians; when skiing conditions were poor, I drew up plans, plans and plans again." The challenge was more than he expected. "First, I had to ignore the old pavilions of the Expo 67 scheduled for demolition. Then I had to deal with some elements – the lake and park in the center, the river on one side, the Olympic basin on the other – that were obviously there to stay." "There wasnt much space and I had to fit a circuit in there, with rights and turns." Despite the challenges, the track, by and large, remains almost the same as Peart originally designed it. The buildings to the east of the island, where the boathouse was situated and where the hairpin turn is still today, were originally used as the pits. One weekend a year, the boats would then give way to the F1 cars — "It was an economical solution," recalls Peart. Because of the impracticality of this arrangement, new pits have subsequently been built in their current location, to the west, just before the Senna turn. This is the most significant change in the circuits 36-year history, a testimony to the excellence of Pearts original design. "Everything Was Going Too Fast!" The construction of the circuit that would later bear the name of Gilles Villeneuve was executed in record time. "It was a crazy time," says Peart. "Everything was going too fast!" After a winter spent developing the best possible layout, the British engineer travelled to Europe to attain approval for the plans by the FIA. By May 1978, after a meeting in Monaco, approval was granted and the construction began shortly thereafter, in July 1978. The first F1 race was held barely three months later. A Fairy Tale for All Sunday, October 8, 1978. The first of 35 Grand Prix of Canada races to be held on the new Circuit Île-Notre-Dame – its been held there every year since 78, except in 1987 during a sponsorship dispute between Labatt and Molson, and in 2009 when event funding became an issue – unfolds like a fairy. Its a fairy tale for Peart, who, serving as the race director, gets to hear firsthand from racers like Jackie Stewart that "his circuit" is "a little paradise in the middle of a great river." Its also a fairy tale for the Quebec public. In a race seemingly scripted by the gods of motor racing, Quebecs own Gilles Villeneuve takes the inaugural checkered flag in his Ferrari to the delight of more than 72,000 excited spectators. Its Villeneuves first win in 19 races, and he receives his much-deserved trophy from Prime Minister Pierre-Elliot Trudeau. For Ferrari, it is the companys first success in eight years. The track would be renamed in 1982 to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in honour of its first champion after Villeneuve tragically died in a crash during qualifying for the 1982 Belgian Grand Prix 36 Years Later: Peart Still Hasnt Missed a Race A technical track - Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve requires full concentration at all times and leaves little room for error. It is a circuit of long fast rights, interrupted by tight corners where, even today, the tires, brakes, engines and transmissions are strained to their limits. However, "unlike so many other F1 racetracks, Montreal has several opportunities for overtaking," says Peart. "That means the races are always exciting." Peart has not missed a Canadian Grand Prix since 1978. He watches every race from the control tower, as one of the three sports commissioners delegated by the FIA. This year will be the first exception as Peart has delegated his position to another steward — hell still be there, just with a different view. And if you happen upon him and ask if, after all these years, he would change anything about his original design? Hell tell you that, to this day, throughout the world, he has never seen a track as perfect. Encounter With A Young Gilles Villeneuve Early 1970s. Peart is, at the time, chief instructor at the Fédération Automobile du Québec, when as he recalls, "a quiet little man from Berthierville comes to see me." "He wanted to drive race cars. I asked him about his experience, and he replied that he was racing, of all things, snowmobiles. "As our summer events were all finished, I suggested he rent [some time at] Sanair [Super Speedway], bring along a car and we would see what kind of automobile racer he would make." "The day he showed up with his brothers Mustang, I had to leave for a business appointment. But I asked a fellow instructor to work with him and give me a report. Later in the day, the instructor called me, excitedly saying, Hey, boss, we may have something here!" "Each and every lap, the young Gilles Villeneuve was faster than his instructor. Obviously, we gave him his racing license." "I remember that to thank me, he wanted to give me a five-dollar tip." Via www.Autofocus.ca Wayne Simmonds Jersey . This week they discuss Russias mens hockey team, the ineptitude of the IOC handling the Nicklas Backstrom situation, John Tortorellas many apologies, and Canadas strong showing in curling. Bobby Clarke Jersey . UCI President Brian Cookson said Wednesday the commission will investigate allegations "that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past -- allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport. http://www.nhlflyersproauthentic.com/bri...-hockey-jersey/. -- D. J. Williams finally has his packing strategy down. Bernie Parent Jersey .com) - Patrick Reed poured in a 19-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole Monday to defeat Jimmy Walker and win the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Claude Giroux Jersey . -- Rodney Stuckey scored 15 of his 21 points in the second half, and the Detroit Pistons beat the New York Knicks for the first time in eight meetings, 92-86 on Tuesday night.Sky Sports Paul Merson is back to look ahead to another crucial round of Premier League fixtures. Following Leicesters capture of the title, the Foxes coronation takes place live on Saturday Night Football as Everton travel to the King Power Stadium.With the title wrapped up thoughts turn to the race for the top four and the battle to stay in the division, and nowhere is this more evident than at Carrow Road where relegation-threatened Norwich host Manchester United in Saturdays early kick-off. Pick your team Aguero? Ozil? De Bruyne? Pick your Fantasy Six-a-Side team for the chance to win ￡10,000 Our Super Sunday double bills gets underway at White Hart Lane where Spurs look to secure second spot behind Leicester when they host Southampton.All eyes will then turn to the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City and Arsenal will try to cement their respective positions in the top four.Read on to see who the Magic Man is backing... Last weeks predictions Result Merses prediction Arsenal 1-0 Norwich 3-0 Everton 2-1 Bmouth 2-1 Newcastle 1-0 Palace 2-1 Stoke 1-1 Sunderland 1-1 Watford 3-2 Aston Villa 1-1 West Brom 0-3 West Ham 1-2 Soton 4-2 Man City 1-1 Man Utd 1-1 Leicester 2-1 Swansea 3-1 Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea 2-2 Spurs 3-2 Leicester v Everton - Saturday Night Football, from 5pm, Sky Sports 1 HD This is a big game for Roberto Martinez. I dont think he can go there, roll over and watch Leicester win the trophy. I think itll be a very, very entertaining game, but I do think Leicester will win it. With their momentum, and everything about the game, I can see them winning it, just to finish the party off. Martinez is getting a lot of criticism. I think hes a very good manager abroad, I think his teams play good football but I think it suits La Liga and not the Premier League.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 15/2)Tottenham v Southampton - Super Sunday, from 1pm, Sky Sports 1 HD All of a sudden Tottenham have gone from title chasers to wondering if theyre going to finish above Arsenal. For me, theyve got to give their all for this game if they can. If they dont finish above Arsenal, thats a double blow after not winning the league, for the fans especially. Theyve had a great season, but I think this will be a difficult game. Im going to go 2-2, I think Southampton are a decent team, and Tottenham may just have a hangover. Ronald Koeman has done a brilliant job at Southampton, and Id like to see him at Arsenal if Im honest. Hes a top, top manager.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 12/1)Man City v Arsenal - Super Sunday, from 3.30pm, Sky Sports 1 HD I think Arsenal win this game. Man City will have a hangover, although Ive never seen anything like that game at the Bernabeu. I had to watch the game and remind myself it was a Champions League semi-final. After 15 minutes, Sergio Aguero is getting the ball off the centre-half. Ive never seen anything like it. If theres ever a chance for Arsenal to win at the Etihad again, this is the game. If they dont win this game, youd have to ask serious questions. Man City are there for the taking, all day long.PAUL PREDICTS 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1) Paul Merson runs through his Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side team as he takes on Phil Thompson for Man City v Arsenal Norwich v Man Utd - Saturday, 12.dddddddddddd45pm I think this will be a good game, its one of those that both teams have to win. Theres no point playing like Man City, theyre both going to come out and have a go, and Ill go Man United to pip it in a high-scoring game. Itll be entertaining, Norwich are fighting for their lives and so are United but in a different context. I just dont see this one being a boring game.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-3 (Sky Bet odds 28/1)Aston Villa v Newcastle - Saturday, 3pmI think theres more of a twist than people think in this. Newcastle are odds of 1/2 here. Theyve taken one point away from home in 2016, how can you justify being 1/2? I know Villa havent been great, but you cant be backing a team at 1/2 away from home with a record like that. Im going 1-1 here, because Newcastle will have to come out and have a go, and Villa will cause a few problems. Newcastle went down at Villa in 2009 and will be out for revenge but the Villa fans wont want to lie down either. I just think people see this as nailed on, but I dont.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)Bournemouth v West Brom - Saturday, 3pmWest Brom have done the job by staying up. There could be three huge football clubs going down this year, and West Brom are staying up, that just tells you everything about the job Tony Pulis has done there. Fans might want more as the years go by with Pulis, but Charlton wanted a bit more when Alan Curbishley kept them up every year, where are they now? Be careful what you wish for.Eddie Howe is up there among the managers of the year. Bournemouth have done a good job, but next season they might not be riding on that wave after promotion.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 7/1)Crystal Palace v Stoke - Saturday, 3pmI knew Stoke wouldnt lose last weekend after being beaten badly three on the trot, and I was impressed with Palace giving it a right go at Newcastle. Palace wont start resting players for the FA Cup final just yet, and its the last home game of the season so I think theyll try and put on a bit of a show. Theres not a lot between these two sides. Some would say Stoke have been indifferent this season with Mark Hughes, but its only really been the last few games. Other than that I think theyve been very entertaining. Everybody is being judged compared to Leicester it seems, so for everyone else its a bit of a benchmark, but theyve finished above teams they probably didnt think they would at the start of the season.PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)Sunderland v Chelsea - Saturday, 3pmThis is massive, and Im predicting Sunderland to win this. I say that because Chelsea had their cup final on Monday, and now a lot of players will have their eyes on the Euros. If Sunderland can come out and start getting stuck in early on, make it a real cup tie if you like, a lot of the Chelsea players will have one eye on the summer. Sunderland should have more fight about them, Chelsea put most of theirs into Monday, and I wouldnt be surprised if a few players are rested. Its so much more important for Sunderland.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)West Ham v Swansea - Saturday, 3pmI can see West Ham winning this easily - 3-0. Swansea go to Leicester and lie down, and then host Liverpool and theyre like the Harlem Globetrotters, and that sums it all up for them this season. West Ham can still creep into the top four, and I really think theyll win their last three games. Even if they dont, this is a superb season for them going into the Olympic Stadium. Theres a buzz around Upton Park, and they should carry that down the road. The last game will be emotional, but I see them romping to a win here.PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)Liverpool v Watford - Sunday, 4pmAfter their Europa League win, surely Liverpool have to rest their key players until the final, its their chance of getting through to the Champions League. Football has gone mad with this Quique Sanchez Flores situation. This is the first time theyve stayed up after being promoted to the Premier League, and he got them to the semi-final of an FA Cup. They got promoted last year and sacked the manager, so nothing surprises me. The problem is, they dont get it wrong too often, so you cant be too judgmental. Well have to see, they just want to keep improving.PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)PLAY SUPER 6!Theres another £250,000 jackpot up for grabs in the latest round of the Soccer Saturday Super 6 game. All you have to do is predict the scores of the six selected matches. 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