In case you didn't click on the link inside this article, here is another on Hart.....
JUNE 27, 2006
Hitman to attend Toronto GP
By Chris Johnston, Canadian Press
TORONTO (CP) - Bret (Hitman) Hart looked out at the large crowd waiting to get his autograph in the heart of the city's business district on Tuesday afternoon and couldn't help but marvel at his own popularity.
It's been six years since he last stepped in a wrestling ring but his appeal hardly seems to have waned.
From the guys at the front of the line who had waited hours to meet Hart to those walking by in suits on their lunch break, all seemed to be in awe of the man widely considered to be Canada's greatest professional wrestler.
"I'm kind of like Mickey Mouse," Hart said before signing autographs for an hour. "I can't escape (the attention) and I certainly don't mind it. I marvel at the fact that people still remember me the way they do.
"I always scratch my head and wonder why that is."
That kind of appeal helps explain Tuesday's announcement of an agreement between The Fight Network and the Molson Grand Prix of Toronto, which will see a series of appearances by wrestlers like Hart as well as some actual fights during the July 7-9 race festivities.
Two rings will be set up near the 2.8-kilometre street track over the race weekend and will host mixed-martial arts demonstrations along with Muay Thai kickboxing and even bikini babe wrestling.
Hart and other celebrities from the fighting world - who have yet to be officially announced - will also be on hand to sign autographs and mingle with fans.
Mike Garrow, co-founder of The Fight Network, says he thinks there are a lot of parallels between the sports.
"There's a lot of cross-over between the racing fans and the fight fans," said Garrow, who came up with the idea for his network with a friend over wings and beer. "Whether you're bombing down the track or throwing bombs in the ring, the guys that compete in those sports have a very unique skill set.
"At the end of the day, it's all about the competition."
More than 150,000 fans traditionally attend the race each year and the grand prix association is always looking for more ways to keep those patrons happy, says its president and CEO.
Charlie Johnstone thinks partnerships like the two-year deal it signed with The Fight Network bring more buzz to the race.
"There's going to be more stars, more celebrities to see, more things to do," said Johnstone. "It's all about bringing new initiatives.
"We're in the entertainment business."
It's a business Hart knows a lot about.
Since retiring from the ring in 2000 after suffering a serious concussion, he's kept busy with several projects - including compiling a three-disc DVD of his career footage and appearing as the Genie of the Lamp in the children's musical Aladdin, which will gets its second run in Toronto this fall.
Hart says he never expected to maintain his popularity in retirement or to have enjoyed his time away from the ring so much. It's why he enjoys events like Rumble at the Race, which keep him busy and help him connect with fans.
"You always ask yourself, 'What do you do now?"' he said of his feelings after leaving the sport. "I've been really lucky in that I find myself falling into things all the time."
What I'd like to do to Sandy Winick!!
