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Hi guys.
The UCR folks asked me to pass along my experience with crossing the Canadian border with my truck and race cars.
Executive summary: it was ridiculously easy to cross the border into Canada. I haven't yet tried to get back to the US, but I don't anticipate any problems.
For some background, me and my long-time race buddy (Jeff Wiggins) bought a big tractor rig and 48' trailer that will haul 6 cars. We look like any 18-wheeler rig running on the highway. That said, we are not commercial and we have the standard "private not for hire" stickers all over the rig.
In any event, I was pretty paranoid about having problems with border crossings because I did not want to ruin a race weekend.
Most people hire a commercial trucking shop to haul multiple cars across the border. They are "commercial" and know the drill about what that entails with regard to border crossings, registrations, permits, and IFTA licenses, etc. (which are a royal PITA, but can be navigated with enough patience and money).
We are a bit different. We are private and hauling our personal stuff across the border for non-commercial purposes. But, the truck is owned by an LLC that Jeff and I formed to own the truck and trailer. So, we are kind of a hybrid situation. I did not know how the border agents would view this even though we are not commercial and just hauling our personal stuff for essentially a vacation.
Long story short, crossing into Canada was comically easy.
We had all the necessary paperwork ready but we missed the turnoff to check in with US customs before hitting the Canada side of the area (Alexandria Bay crossing). Canada only wanted to see the inventory list of what was in the trailer. They did open everything (including luggage) and checked the truck and trailer. This took about 30 minutes and then we were on our way. They relaxed when it became clear that we were not commercial.
Even though we missed stopping at the US customs side as we left Canada, we don't expect any issues coming back through the US border since we are not commercial and we have the titles for each car in the trailer to show that we did not buy them in Canada.
The Canadian customs folks were very nice.
As part of my research to figure out the necessary permits and paperwork to get across the border, I reached out to two different customs brokers who were VERY helpful and nice. So, I want to give a shout out to Tammy Cerkez at Livingston International and Gaby Timerman at Merchant Customs Brokers. Both helped us get questions answered in advance. But I eventually had to speak with US border agent on phone to get definitive answers since we were unique in some respects. They were nice and helpful too by the way.
All has worked out fine so far.
We had a great time at the HSR race at Mt. Tremblant (just north of Montreal) last weekend. Fantastic track and location with really cool hardware to race with. (Think 1960's grand prix racers, Le Mans prototypes, old jags, cool 911s, 356 racers, indy cars, can am cars, LMP2s, and an Audi LMP1).
We have staged the truck outside of Toronto until we fly back to go to Mosport. See you guys there in a couple of weeks!
I received the PCA schedule but what is the T&T schedule?
As of now, TnT sign-in/registration and the Mosport paddock will be open Wed Aug 2 after 5pm.
Drivers meeting at 8:15 Thursday Aug 3 with two alternating run groups beginning at 9am. The two run groups will alternate all day with mid morning, lunch and mid afternoon breaks, ending at 5pm Thurdsday.
On line registration for the TnT and the Club Race at this bucket list track is at Clubregistration.net
As of now, TnT sign-in/registration and the Mosport paddock will be open Wed Aug 2 after 5pm.
Drivers meeting at 8:15 Thursday Aug 3 with two alternating run groups beginning at 9am. The two run groups will alternate all day with mid morning, lunch and mid afternoon breaks, ending at 5pm Thurdsday.
On line registration for the TnT and the Club Race at this bucket list track is at Clubregistration.net
Baby Blue will be at Mosport in SPB. Then on to Indianapolis DE. Then on to Road America PCA. Then on to Barber Park Chin. Then on to NOLA PCA. Then on to Road Atlanta Chin. Then on to Daytona PCA.
07-15-2017, 02:20 PM
