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Richard Heistand Talks 2019, 2020 with GRT Grasser, and Le Mans

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Third year sports car driver Richard Heistand is realizing a childhood dream in racing in the world’s longest sports car races.

It’s been one hell-of-a-ride from car-crazed youngster to Le Mans hopeful, but Heistand’s track record proves he has earned his stripes the hard way.

Heistand has been racing professionally since 2005, but after a decade away from the sport, he returned to the track in 2018; it’s safe to say he has finally entered his racing prime.

His return to motorsport began in 2018 by competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which is the toughest one-make series in the world.  Heistand put in strong performance after strong performance in the globe-trotting series that accompanies Formula 1.

In 2019, Richard raced for Aim Vasser Sullivan in the Lexus RC F GT3 in the IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship.  He was tasked with representing Lexus in their only motorsport and marketing program in North America. And represent he did, Heistand was behind the wheel for two series victories at Detroit and Mid Ohio with co-driver Jack Hawksworth.

“2019 was an amazing year for me.  It was nice to take the skills I developed in Europe and apply them in the premier sports car racing championship in IMSA.  It was rewarding to be able to capture a pole position and race wins in my rookie season against experienced, silver rated professional drivers,” said Heistand.

Heistand now races for GRT Grasser Racing/Lamborghini in the IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship.  The factory-supported effort features Lamborghini factory drivers and is expected to contend for the win any time that it hits the track. The blue-ribbon races in that championship consist of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and two of the most renowned motor-sport races in the world, the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans. The races are broadcast live on NBC and NBCSN.

“We had an unlucky Rolex 24, but I know the GRT Grasser Racing Team will come back strong.  I am happy to be with them in 2020 and know that we will be in the hunt at Sebring.  The attention to detail shows why they win the biggest races.”

Yet it was the IMSA Weather-Tech Sportscar Championship competitor’s auto-invite into the 2020 edition of the 24 Hours Le Mans, which is mounting to be his largest challenge.

Heistand explained, “I earned an auto-invite into Le Mans because I was the top bronze-rated driver in last season’s GT Daytona Class. I’ve accepted the entry, and I’m part of a team that won’t settle for anything less than an all-out win. Races like Le Mans is why I became a professional racing driver in the first place, and I can’t wait for the green flag and the action to begin.”

Jenny is one of the oldest contributors of Bigtime Daily with a unique perspective of the world events. She aims to empower the readers with delivery of apt factual analysis of various news pieces from around the World.

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World

Top Road Trip Destinations in Canada

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Did you know that 1.93 million Americans traveled to Canada in 2020? That number was down year-over-year due to COVID-related travel restrictions. 

While some Americans visit the Great White North via plane, others prefer road trips. It can be fun to plan an itinerary, book a hotel, pack the luggage, load your family into the car, and head to the border. But if a road trip to Canada is in the plans for you and yours this summer, what Canadian destinations are worth the potentially thousands of miles of driving? Keep reading to learn about the top road trip destinations in Canada.

Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park is one of Canada’s 44 national parks and park reserves. Whether you’re an earlier bird or a night owl, the national park in Southern Saskatchewan provides an ideal prairie landscape. It’s the perfect place to unwind, immerse yourself in nature, and recalibrate your life.

Enjoy the great outdoors on a campsite, or take part in hiking adventures by exploring trails. The solitude and breathtaking beauty of this national park will leave you in awe. Make time for the Ecotour Scenic Drive. It’s about 20 km (around 12.5 miles) long and will take one to three hours to complete depending on your pace. 

Toronto to Stratford, Ontario

If there’s one Canadian city most Americans have heard of, it’s Toronto. Toronto, the capital of Ontario, is the fourth largest city on the continent. It’s also home to the only authentic castle in North America. Casa Loma, located in midtown Toronto, is worth the visit. So, too, is the CN Tower, which is the biggest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The city also has citizens representing 200+ ethnic groups. 

While there’s plenty to see and do in Toronto, why stop there? It’s a good idea to include a Toronto-to-Stratford excursion while on your road trip to Canada. You must travel 150 km (about 93 miles ) west to get to Stratford. You’ll see Victorian architecture and get to take in the live theater. Most Americans probably haven’t heard of Stratford before. But when you come for a visit, there’s a good possibility you won’t ever forget it.

North Cape Coastal Drive, Prince Edward Island

If you haven’t ever taken a road trip to Prince Edward Island, you don’t know what you’re missing. It’s Canada’s smallest province, but it sure offers a boatload of fun. Are you a foodie or do you like to indulge in the local cuisine when traveling? Check out the western peninsula. You can delight your tastebuds with the range of food available. 

Make time to visit the Canadian Potato Museum in the province. After taking in the sites and attractions at the museum, enjoy a meal at the onsite PEI Potato Country Kitchen. The menu has items like the chili topped baked potato, which features a baked potato, homemade chili, and cheese. Meanwhile, the pulled pork potato features a baked potato topped with pulled pork, cheese, and sour cream on the side. That’s just a sampling, and all baked potato dishes are served with fresh-cut, homemade chips.

If you’re intersted in a U.S. to Canada road trip this year, the options above will give you some ideas. The sky’s the limit since there’s so much to see and do. 

You’ll want to ensure your vehicle is in good working order to avoid breakdowns. You’ll also want to stay alert on the road since you’ll be traveling a lot of miles and spending hours behind the wheel of your car. 

If you get into an accident, you must know what to do. In addition to reporting the accident, calling your insurer, and possibly even booking a rental car to complete your road trip, you’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if anyone is injured. 

No one wants to consider accidents or injuries when on a road trip. But it’s best to hope for the best while being prepared for the worst. You’ll enjoy the journey and the destination a lot more when you’ve done everything possible to prepare for any possible issues.

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