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The first automobile race in Canada took place in Winnipeg in 1901. By 1905 the Winnipeg Automobile Club had formed and was holding regular evening races. Automobile racing was also gaining popularity in Toronto in the early 1900s. It was at this time that Pete Henderson, one of Canada's earliest-known drivers, began his racing career. He finished in the top 10 at Indy in 1916 and 1920. But despite an early start in Canada, auto racing has always been of minor interest to Canadians compared to other sports. In the last two decades, however, the sport's popularity has dramatically increased. This is largely the result of the introduction of the Can-Am races in 1966, and the Canadian Grand Prix for Formula One cars in 1967. The first Canadian to win the Canadian Grand Prix was Gilles VILLENEUVE in 1978. The legendary Villeneuve won six world championship races, including the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. In 1982 he was killed in a qualifying race in Belgium. In recent years his son, Jacques VILLENEUVE, has emerged as the most celebrated Canadian driver. In 1995 he became the only Canadian to win the Indianapolis 500. He was awarded the LOU MARSH TROPHY as Canada's outstanding athlete. The daring Villeneuve then switched to the famed Formula One cars. By 1997 he was the champion driver in the Formula One, and again honoured as Canada's top athlete. Canadian racing fans were saddened again in 1999 when British Columbia's Greg Moore was killed in the Marlboro 500. Moore was only 24 years old. He was competing in the Championship Auto Racing Team's final race of the season at Fontana, California. "Stock" car races and drag racing, though not as thrilling as the Formula One, continue to draw crowds in Canada. Some Canadian "stock" car drivers have ventured into the American Grand National Circuit.
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