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Race cars hit town at the
2009 Montréal International Auto Show

Montreal, January 15, 2009

As part of its special attractions, the 2009 Montréal International Auto Show (MIAS), taking place from January 16 to 25, 2009, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal, will have the privilege this year of welcoming a very special guest: Dan Mercier, the first Quebecer, and very first Canadian, to have ever won a championship event on the National Hot Rod Association (N.H.R.A.) circuit. The champion driver will be on hand to present his very special vehicles: Dragsters.

Dan Mercier will be bringing with him two of his amazing cars; including the brand new 2009 dragster he will be using at the start of the new N.H.R.A. season, this upcoming February. These unusual vehicles are powered by nitromethane fuel injected engines. It was on board one of these very cars that Dan’s team, DM Racing, broke the Canadian speed record with an astonishing performance in excess of 270 mph (425 kph).

Even as a young child, Dan Mercier was fascinated with the notion of speed. After studying to become a civil engineer, he made a name for himself in the world of high-speed boat racing. Always searching for bigger thrills, he decided to make the leap into Top Alcohol Dragster racing, where, in 2006, he made quite an impression by winning the N.H.R.A. North-East American Division championship. In 2007, Dan exceeded his personal bests with a record time of 5.29 seconds in Atlanta, Georgia, and a top speed of 277.04 mph (436.02 kph) in Reynolds, also in Georgia. Lighting struck twice in 2008, when he managed to match his record time of 5.29 seconds in Maryland.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to get a close look at these amazing racing machines while they are in town!

People interested in obtaining additional information about the 41st Edition of the Auto Show or those who wish to purchase tickets online can do so by visiting our Web site at www.montrealautoshow.com.

The Montréal International Auto Show, organized by the Montréal Automobile Dealers Corporation, is presented by Desjardins General Insurance, in collaboration with The Gazette.