MISS GRAND PRIX EDMONTON PHOTOS AND DVD PREVIEW

THE MONKEY REPORT:

This posting can be considered a little out of date, but we wanted to share our experience at The Grand Prix of Edmonton last summer. It was another action packed Champ Car race set at the municipal airport in Edmonton, which made for an exceptionally fast and exciting race. Once again, we were there with the Face of Champ Car girls who all were competing in the world's ultimate sports model search.

Congratulations to all of the girls, especially to Alysha Csuti - Miss Grand Prix Edmonton, Natalia Lundrigan - 1st Runner Up and Whitney Macgregor - 2nd Runner Up.

We spent a week in Edmonton shooting the girls interacting with the drivers and competing in the event. Post production was considerable longer.

→ Watch the DVD's opening sequence.
→ Check out the photo gallery.

FACE OF CHAMP CAR AT THE GRAND PRIX OF DENVER

THE MONKEY REPORT:

A substantial amount of time has passed since The Grand Prix of Denver, but I feel obligated to post these images from the race and the Miss Grand Prix Denver event.

One would think that after the incident at The San Jose Grand Prix, things couldn't get any more exciting on the track, but no... another interesting turn of events happened in Denver. On the last lap of the race, in an attempt to pass race leader Sebastien Bourdais, Paul Tracy's car collided with Bourdais' car and rendered both cars undrivable and unable to finish the race. In an pretty gutsy move, Bourdais ran across the track and confronted Tracy. Watch the action here.

With regards to the Miss Grand Prix, everyone did a fantastic job and congratulations to all of the finalists, especially winner, Lauren Gardner, 1st Runner Up, Kady Zinke and 2nd Runner Up, Carley Walker.

Also of note, shortly after this event, all of the Miss Grand Prix winners from Canada, USA and Australia went to Mexico City to compete for the Face of Champ Car. The world's largest grid girl contest is an international event, culminating in the choosing of one exceptional girl who will receive a promotional contract to promote the Champ Car World Series. Congratulations to the 2007 Face of Champ Car - Lauren Gardner - for a job well done.

Enjoy photos from the Denver race week here.

FACE OF CHAMP CAR AT THE SAN JOSE GRAND PRIX

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Thanks to Lisa for continually harassing me about my negligence in posting images from San Jose Grand Prix.

The track in San Jose is actually the streets of the downtown core making for a really interesting and unique experience, so much so, that events transpired at this Champ Car race that were worthy of a boxing match. What you should realize is that tensions run high during the races and small mistakes can cause big effects. In this case, Paul Tracy collided with Alex Tagliani during the race and the result was not only that both cars were not able to finish the race, but a heated fist fight ensued in the pit area. Talk about excitement!!!

→ Bird's eye view of the fight from a helicopter with great audio.
→ The crash and the first part of the fight.
→ The 2nd half of the fight that was never broadcast.

The race and the brawl aside, the Miss San Jose Grand Prix event was a blast and a hearty congratulations goes out to all of the finalists in addition to the winners - Jennifer Field, as well as 1st Runner Up - Ann McDonald and 2nd Runner Up, Megan Sellers. Enjoy photos from the race week here.

FACE OF CHAMP CAR AT THE GRAND PRIX OF EDMONTON

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Although this posting is considerably out of date, I wanted to post the images from the Miss Grand Prix event at The Grand Prix of Edmonton which happened way back in July 2006. It was a great time, albeit incredibly hot - on race day I suffered the 40 degree celcius temperature trackside. I can't imagine how the drivers dealt with the heat. Nonetheless, everyone had a good time and congratulations to the new Miss Grand Prix Edmonton, Ashley Stewart, as well as 1st Runner Up - Natasha Boras and 2nd Runner Up, Christyna Chapman. Enjoy photos from the race week here.

GRAND PRIX of EDMONTON

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Another city - another race - another Miss Grand Prix! Here we are in Edmonton for The West Edmonton Mall Grand Prix presented by The Brick. Yeehaa!!! The weather is fantastic, the girls are beautiful and the track is spectacular, offering a view of 80% of the track from anywhere in the grand stands plus speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour!!!

More posts later in the week, but until then why not take this opportunity to learn a little more about Champ Cars and racing?

MISS GRAND PRIX of TORONTO

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Apologies once again for the lack of postings, but time is at a premium around here and as soon as we get home we are headed out the door again. This time Toronto lured us away for the Grand Prix of Toronto. The race can be summed up in a few words... hot, big and exciting. We can't forget the real reason for being there - The Miss Grand Prix of Toronto competition. The competition was stiff, however a well deserved congratulations goes out to Natalie Waples who is the 2006 Miss Grand Prix of Toronto. Diana Ciccone was the 1st Runner Up and Randall Lome received the 2nd Runner Up title.

Here are some photos from the race weekend.

GRAND PRIX OF CLEVELAND A RACE PACKED FULL OF EXCITEMENT

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Back from another exciting trip... this time to Cleveland, Ohio where I encountered every kind of weather imaginable. Luckily, the rain stopped by race day and it was sunny and clear for the 25th annual Grand Prix of Cleveland. It's a very unique race as it takes place on a fully functioning airport runway (closed for the race). The airport locale led to some fast racing and plenty of action and accidents on the track.

Over on the stage, a new Miss Grand Prix of Cleveland was appointed. Congratulations to Skylar Starks. Also of note and congratulations to them as well, are 1st Runner Up, Jessica Gidley and 2nd Runner Up, Ashley Deihl. All of the finalists did a fantastic job and wowed the crowds. A surprise to everyone, including 2005 Miss Grand Prix of Cleveland, Sarah Blanton, was when her boyfriend appeared on stage and proposed to her. He is now officially her fiance.

Here are some photos from the race weekend.

MISS GRAND PRIX of CLEVELAND

THE MONKEY REPORT:

We're off again to spend some time with the wonderful girls who are competing in the "Miss Grand Prix of Cleveland" event. The actual race course is pretty unique as it is a 2 mile road course that incorporates airport runways and give fans views of the entire track from anywhere in the grandstands.

Please don't get mad, but posting may slow down while on this job.

FACE OF CHAMP CAR THE MISS GRAND PRIX OF HOUSTON

THE MONKEY REPORT:

Apologies for the delay in posting this, but it has been incredibly busy around the UNP office. Nonetheless, The Miss Grand Prix of Houston was a success and the first ever Champ Car night race at The Grand Prix of Houston was amazing. Congratulations to Miss Grand Prix winner Brooke Adams and runners-up, Angela Rutledge and Lindsay Mayfield. Also congrats to Sebastian Bordais who won the race and is on his way to yet another championship. Check out a small selection of photos here.

FOCC at THE GRAND PRIX OF HOUSTON

THE MONKEY REPORT:

As posted earlier, I have been working with the folks at Face of Champ Car and this week finds me on a plane heading to Houston for the Grand Prix of Houston. Hopefully I won't melt in the heat and humidity. I will try to post some things from the race. Apologies if I can't.

FYI: The above photo is titled, "Missed it at 300 kilometers per hour."

FACE OF CHAMP CAR - THE TECATE MISS GRAND PRIX OF LONG BEACH

THE MONKEY REPORT:

The time has come to expand on my earlier post. As mentioned before, I am The Monkey responsible for paying the bills around here. In an effort to do so, I have become affiliated with the folks at Procon Leisure International. They are responsible for a competition the revolves around beautiful women and race cars. Call me crazy, but how could I resist.

For the 2006 Champ Car race season, United Nathan Productions has been enlisted to document the happenings of each event. Essentially, girls compete in a beauty pageant - The Miss Grand Prix - that takes place in 8 cities - Long Beach, Houston, Cleveland, Toronto, Edmonton, San Jose, Denver and Australia. Winners from those cities then go to Mexico City for the prestigious opportunity to become the Face of Champ Car and take on all the responsibilities that entails.

Taking place on April 9, The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach was the first race of the season. I was there and although I concentrated on my responsibility of capturing moving images of all of the beautiful women, I managed to grab a some photos. Check them out here. Congratulations to The 2006 Miss Grand Prix of Long Beach - Holly Weber, as well as Lauren McDonald - first runner up, Venus Ramos - second runner up and all of the gorgeous girls that competed.