Joe's Photos - blast from the past continue

Fresh Joe and I used to cover a lot of territory around Ontario and especially around the City of Toronto. Some of our favourite things to photograph were racing, airshows, the Toronto Roller Derby and atmosphere.

You can see the atmosphere after the jump.

NASCAR Pinty's Series 2021 Schedule

Twelve races are scheduled in the upcoming NASCAR Pinty's Series for 2021, beginning in May and running into late September. Sadly the Honda Indy Toronto race will not be taking place this year so you will have to travel a bit, or check out TSN and RDS to see Canada's premier stockcar racing series.

Update: The best laid plans of mice and men are often foiled so the schedule has been thrown into disarray with some of the first races postponed. Here are some photos from Joe Hamilton's reserve.

NASCAR OFFICIAL STATEMENT MAY 20, 2021: "The start of the NASCAR Pinty’s Series season will be delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. NASCAR’s goal is to run a full championship season with a minimum of 10 races, potentially starting in August. We continue to work closely with local, provincial and federal officials to ensure the safety of all involved. An updated schedule will be released when finalized."

Hopefully the full schedule of races will be able to take place this year as vaccines will hopefully start bringing normal life back to Canada. The 2020 season was shortened to a six-race season under the banner of "Pinty's Fan Cave Challenge. This year will bring the 12 races to 8 tracks with the season opener at Sunset Speedway in Innisfil, Ontario May 23rd. 

2021 will only feature races in Ontario and Quebec which is a reduction in the travel from past years which also included races in the United States. It will be September 5th for NASCAR Pinty's Series to make it to my favourite track at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville.

From NASCAR Pinty's Series media release that the season will be "culminating with the championship race at Jukasa Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 25. Jukasa has hosted the season finale every year since its return to the schedule in 2017.

“Our team has worked hard to put together a full schedule that will showcase the exciting, door-to-door racing Pinty’s Series fans have come to expect,” said Chad Seigler, NASCAR Vice President, International Business Development. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are focusing on stand-alone events, especially as we kick off the season. Though we are unsure of when we can welcome fans back to the race track, we will continue to work with local and provincial officials to put on as safe an event as possible. The health and safety of our competitors, officials and fans are our top priority.”

The Pinty’s Series will again serve as the opening act for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) with two races on Sunday, Sept. 5."

2021 NASCAR Pinty’s Series Schedule
DATE - TRACK; CITY
POSTPONED Sunday, May 23 - Sunset Speedway; Innisfil, Ont.
POSTPONED Saturday, June 19 - Jukasa Motor Speedway; Hagersville, Ont.
POSTPONED Sunday, July 18 - Flamboro Speedway*; Millgrove, Ont.
POSTPONED Sunday, July 18 - Flamboro Speedway*; Millgrove, Ont.
Sunday, Aug. 15 - Circuit Trois-Rivières; Trois-Rivières, Que.
Tuesday, Aug. 17 - Ohsweken Speedway; Ohsweken, Ont.
Saturday, Aug. 28 - Circuit ICAR; Mirabel, Que.
Sunday, Aug. 29 - Autodrome Chaudière*; Vallée-Jonction, Que.
Sunday, Aug. 29 - Autodrome Chaudière*; Vallée-Jonction, Que.
Sunday, Sept. 5 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park*; Bowmanville, Ont.
Sunday, Sept. 5 - Canadian Tire Motorsport Park*; Bowmanville, Ont.
Saturday, Sept. 25 - Jukasa Motor Speedway; Hagersville, Ont.

*Twin features

Toronto CIAS Air Show 2019 coming

The Canadian International Air Show turns 70 this year as it takes to the sky of Toronto from Saturday, August 31 to Monday, September 2, 2019 as part of the Canadian National Exhibition. Labour Day long weekend is officially the end of summer and the beginning of a new school year so time to take in the Exhibition and watch the aerial action from noon till 3pm daily. Here are some photos by Fresh Joe Hamilton.

The British Red Arrows Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team flying their BAE Systems Hawk jets will join the roster of this year's performers.

From the Air Show's website; "Also featured in the 70th Anniversary show is another stellar aerial acrobatic jet team: the beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds. The Snowbirds return to the CNE to electrify crowds with their extraordinary aerial maneouvers performed by nine amazing pilots who come from across Canada."

Confirmed Performances (to date):
The Royal Air Force Red Arrows
Canadian Forces Snowbirds
Canadian veteran Gord Price in the Russian-built Yak 50
USAF A-10
USAF Black Hawk Helicopter SAR Demonstration
MiG 15
Brent Handy in a Pitts Special
RAF A400M
RCAF Griffon
Expeditor
RCAF CH-148 Cyclone
With more acts to follow.

Toronto No Pants Subway Ride 2018

No Pants Society returns with another zany adventure held around the world - wherever there is a willing subway, on Sunday, January 7, 2018. As they say - "pants are just a fancy word for leg jail." Photo at top by Joe Hamilton.

The 16th anniversary of this event starts at Finch Station Designated Waiting Area (DWA) at 3pm. Then at 3:20pm the pants come off and the journey begins. At 4pm there is a pantless and no doubt cold walk to the after party location departing from Osgoode Station at 3:50pm. Check their facebook page to keep up to date on the specific meet locations.

"And don't forget your plaid shirts and velvet chokers, we're throwing it down after the ride with a '90s No Pants Dance Afterparty incl dance offs and prizes for the raddest no pants and 90s gear." The Afterparty will be at the Office Pub (117 John Street).

"Happening simultaneously in 50+ cities around the world, the No Pants Subway Ride is a celebration of silliness to bring a smile to commuter's faces. Ain't no subway ride like a pantsless subway ride. As always, we'll be throwin' it down on the dancefloor for a ragin' after party and pantsless parade to the venue."

You can see photos from the 2012 no pants subway ride here and the 2015 no pants subway ride here.

A Fall Heat Warning for Toronto

Wow, summer is finally coming to the big city - in the Fall. With information from Environment Canada the Medical Officer of Health issued the warning for Toronto today. People should drink plenty of fluids, try to keep cool and seek an air conditioned space if you are affected by the warm temperatures. Here are some photos from Fresh Joe to help you forget the heat.

You can visit air-conditioned malls, libraries, community and civic centers and if you need help you can call 311. Please remember to not leave people or pets unattended in a car. Here is a list of the town centres where you can escape the heat.

• Metro Hall, 55 John St. (24 hours)
• East York Civic Centre, 850 Coxwell Ave. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St. (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Driftwood Community Centre, 4401 Jane St. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
• Etobicoke Civic Centre, 399 The West Mall (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• McGregor Community Centre, 2231 Lawrence Ave. E. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)
• Centennial Community Centre, 1967 Ellesmere Rd. (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

Miss Budweiser Pit Crew competition

The temperature in Toronto on Saturday, September 23 will hit 31 degrees Celcius at 4pm with the humidex peaking at 39.

See more of Joe Hamilton's photos after the jump.

Toronto CNE and the CIAS coming soon

Here we are, mid-Spring and all, trying to forget that summer is proceeding without us, or without the hot temperatures that carry us through the cold, Canadian winters, and we are slowly approaching the return of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and the new school year. The annual big city fair comes back starting August 18 and continues to September 4, 2017.

The Ex is preceded by their grubby little casino which resembles one held for a cheap bachelor party thrown in someone's unfinished basement. The games of chance start July 29 so you can go in and try to win something other than stuffed toys of varying sizes before the CNE officially opens.

The Exhibition closes with the 68th Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) during the Labour Day long weekend (September 2-4) from noon to 3pm. So to get us in the mood for airplanes to fly past us on the waterfront, here are some plane pictures from Fresh Joe.

Birds of the GTA

Bird watching is a popular pastime for many and with the wealth of birds in and around Toronto you can always find some type of feathered subject for your photos. Fresh Joe spent some time looking for elusive owls which, in many cases, people keep secret to protect the location of rare species. One of my favourites is the cute little Chickadee which is prone to fly into your hand if you have some peanuts handy. There is very few things in nature as satisfying as the Chickadee fluttering about and then coming to light on your fingers, grab a quick nut and in a flash fly away again. All these pictures are by Joe Hamilton, including the Blue Jay pictured above.

Northern Cardinal

Red Shouldered Hawk

Chickadee

A Mute Swan and her babies (cygnets)

Osprey

More birds after the jump.

Fresh Joe's Atmosphere 2

Its been awhile since we last checked out photos from Joe, time to go back into the file folders for some pretty ladies.

All photos by Joe Hamilton - miss you dude.

A little of this, a little of that

It's time for a little bit of variety for the upcoming spring warmup. All photos by Joe Hamilton.