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Racing legend Mario Andretti in Burlington today

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He had one of the longest and most successful careers in the history of sport. 40 years, in which he performed at – or near- the top of his class. Mario Andretti is a name virtually synonymous with racing. Today Scot Urquhart managed to do something that Andretti’s competitors often could not. Catch up, to one of the greatest drivers of all time.

From the time he was a young boy in Italy Mario Andretti knew what he wanted to do. ” I saw my first Grand Prix when i was still living in Italy, 14 years of age. And Monza, the Italian Grand Prix ”

5 years later, in the United States, Andretti began a career that would span four decades and cement his legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time. He competed and won in almost every major class of racing, taking the 1967 Daytona 500. The 1969 Indy 500. And finally in 1977, the race that inspired his long career: The Italian Grand Prix. ” When I won the Grand Prix in 1977, that had to be special probably. The one that I appreciated the most.”

His life-long association with Firestone, brought him to Burlington, just days after Canadian James Hinchcliffe returned to the Indy Car circuit following a near fatal crash, four and a half months ago. Andretti knows the Oakville native well, as he spent three years racing for Andretti motorsports.

Despite the severity of Hinchcliffe’s accident, Andretti believes the Oakville driver had one advantage that drivers in his era did not have. “The big difference in the car of today, is the safety aspect. They are safer than they’ve ever been, and rightfully so.”

But andretti says that safety, is not what draws young drivers, to the sport. “That’s the allure. I mean probably…even look at it myself. Maybe, if it wasn’t say… dangerous per se, you figure like ‘what the heck? what’s the challenge? ”

The challenge for Andretti these days, is to find a moment to sit down, or travel with his wife. He owns a winery, a fuel business, and is constantly involved with his brother, his nephews, and his grandchildren, who are all in the racing game.

But just like that young kid that dreamed of a championship, Andretti, isn’t quite ready to take his foot off the pedal just yet. “Maybe when i get a little older, I’ll do that. “