Indy Weekend 2002


catherine barr

THEY call it "the fastest weekend" in Vancouver, but there's much more to Indy weekend than the race. Parties and celebrations start long before the green flag waves attracting all kinds of local and non-local celebs. Last Wednesday, auto dealer Brian Jessel got the ball rolling with a Maserati Launch Party held at Lorne Segal's Kingswood residences. On Thursday it was off to Le Crocodile where the champagne flowed and the drivers gathered for autographs. Later that same night, it was time for tuxedos as Gotham's hosted the gala of all galas raising over $100,000 for the Greg Moore Foundation. The Drivers' Party on Friday night was hosted by Paul Tracy at the Commodore where the Miss Indy swimsuit finals and music by 54 40 got everyone ready for the race in style. Wow!


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Greg Bobolo, publisher of Dream House Magazine, will be raising lots of eyebrows with his new publication which he was introducing to clients at the Maserati launch.

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Toasting the new Maserati car were Debbie Nichol (left), Rhoda Rizkalla, Nasim Tyab and brother Parvez.

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Auto dealer Brian Jessel, seen here with Natalie Smallwood, hosted his own elegant affair on Wednesday night with the launch of the latest Maserati coupe.

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Faye Dietrich made the trip from the North Shore to schmooze with guests at Michel Jacob's upscale Le Crocodile restaurant.

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West Van's Gregor Mowatt (left) and Mildara Blass Estates rep Scott Oliver ensured glasses were full at Le Crocodile.

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BC-CTV Channel 9 sales rep Brenda Smith-Longhi and main man David Melloy toasted the occasion at Le Crocodile.

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Alex Vlach accompanied Diane Cote through the crowd of Indy fans outside on the patio at Le Crocodile.

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You should have been there ladies. Indy driver Max Papis was only one of the handsome CART men who looked like they came to the Gotham gala alone.

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Former playboy model Penny Phang (left) and Cam Watt (of Troll's and Keg Ceasar's fame) got a chance to see all the Gotham's bidding action up front alongside MC Jennifer Mather.

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Almost every barge in the waterfront bears his family name. Handsome Kyle Washington (left), artist Lane Timothy and diamond gal Julie Ferguson had front row seats for the Gotham's gala auction.

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Ric Moore, father to the late Greg Moore, stood on stage at Gotham's in front of a Lane Timothy painting of his son which sold for $57,000. The last of Greg's helmets also sold for $33,000 and was purchased by fellow driver Tony Kanaan.

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Movie star Ashley Judd accompanied her new Indy driver husband Dario Franchitti (right), who later won the race, to the big Gotham's gala. Molson Indy general manager Stuart Ballantyne (centre) was happy to welcome them.


If you would like a larger copy of any of the above photos, please send an email to cbarr@westvancouver.com (or click below). You must include the name of the event, the date, the names of the individuals in the pictures AND the number code of the picture (just drag your mouse over the photo - it will be something like DCF0001.jpg). Thank you.

Page created by Catherine Barr on 7/28/02