With 31 career Indy wins, Paul Tracy, ‘The Thrill from West Hill’ is the single most successful Canadian open wheel driver. Period.

When Paul, or as friends and colleagues refer to him ‘PT’ was a young boy in suburban Toronto, he would spend entire days at a local kart track, Goodwood Kartways. He still spends days at the track, but now it's with the Champ Car World Series, and PT continues to be recognized as one of the stars of the sport. A brilliant and aggressive driver, he has the ability to create magic at any time when he’s behind the wheel.

After becoming the youngest Canadian Formula Ford champion in history at age 16, he progressed rapidly through the ranks of Formula Ford 2000, Formula Atlantic and Indy Lights. Winning the Indy Lights title in 1990, he made his CART debut in 1991 driving for Dale Coyne Racing, then signed with Team Penske as a test driver, taking part in three more races that season. His first full year of Champ Car competition came in 1993 and he made the most of the opportunity. He won five times with his first win at Long Beach.

In 2003, he won it all, finishing first while racing for Player’s Forsythe Racing.

This fiercely competitive individual has entertained fans the world over, racing in his own inimitable style. No crew chief or team owner has ever had to take PT to one side and ask, “Can you drive just a little faster?”

We recently had an opportunity to sit down with Paul Tracy (“call me PT”) when he was in Toronto early May to promote his third consecutive year of Honda Canada sponsoring his car for the historic 25th running of the Honda Indy Toronto and the Edmonton Indy later this summer. PT will be behind the wheel of the number 8, Make-A-Wish Canada/Dragon Racing/Honda/Dallara/Firestone car.

Check back for Part 2 of this feature when we get up close and personal with the Canadian motorsports legend.