Our History

ALL OF OUR HISTORY
INVOLVES WINNING

2,125

LAPS LED

26

RACE WINS

4

CHAMPIONSHIPS

ABOUT

MARK MOTORS RACING

In 1958, German born Louis Mrak came to Canada and opened Mark Motors of Ottawa, a central European car service center on Montreal Road. This was just down the street to where the Mark Motors Porsche dealership stands today. Over Mark Motors’ 65-year history, Louis Mrak expanded Mark Motors and went on to represent some of the greatest car companies in the world. Today, Mark Motors operates as a full service Porsche dealership that carries the most desired Porsche models, as well as three Audi dealerships, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Over the years, Mark Motors has fostered a close connection with racing. It began in the early 60’s when Louis Mrak worked as the mechanic for a small Volkswagen racing team in Ottawa. From 1985-1988, Mark Motors also sponsored driver Paul Tracy in the 944 Racing Series.

ABOUT

MARK MOTORS GROUP

The Mark Motors Group is synonymous with excellence.

At Mark Motors, you are more than a customer or an employee - you belong to a community of premium car lovers who appreciate beautiful design and performance. This tradition of excellence began with our founder Louis Mrak who instilled a passion for doing a job well, keeping his word and giving back to the new place he called home. We take great pride in our 58-year history. Mark Motors is a name recognized across the city as Ottawa’s most successful luxury car family business, carrying dealerships for Alfa Romeo, Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Maserati and Porsche.

MMO // HISTORY TIMELINE

1935

Louis Mrak was born in Maribor, Slovenia, just 16 kilometers from the Austrian border. He was raised by a foster family who had 7 children of their own.

1952

Louis moved to Austria to escape Communist rule. His time in Austria was fulfilling with education at a mechanics college and a good job. At the age of 21, he was hungry to travel the world. And so he did. He boarded the SS Columbia, one of the smallest Ocean liners crossing the Atlantic. It was a 2-week voyage to Canada.

1956

Louis Mrak came to Canada by boat and landed in Montreal. The train took him from Montreal to Bourget where the train never stopped… just slowed down enough for him to jump off and for them to drop off the mailbags. He came to Canada with no knowledge of the English language, a suitcase and a few dollars in his pocket. He learned the English language as he worked at a service center in Rockland and took some classes. He remembers coming to Canada in one of the hottest, most humid summers. He always wondered why the residents of Rockland would burn fires in barrels in front of their homes: it was the only way to keep the swarms of mosquitoes away.

1957

Louis met his future wife Margaret Rapp (maiden name), who also came to Canada from Hanover, Germany around the same time. She in fact, supported him during the earlier years with his room and board. Margaret was employed by the Chateau Laurier at the time and they later married in 1959. Louis and Margaret were married ever since.

1959

Louis Mrak opened up his business and called it Mark Motors. It was located a few doors down on Montreal Rd. from the current 611 Montreal Rd. location. He opened it up as a central European car service center. At the time he had 2 mechanics that worked along with him.

1961

He moved Mark Motors to 611 Montreal Rd. and hired another 2 mechanics to make up a team of 5 technicians who repaired European cars.

1973

Louis Mrak bought the popular Royal Burger spot beside his service garage and hired another 2 technicians. Over Mark Motors’ 50 year history Louis Mrak has represented some of the greatest car companies in the world: BMW, Alpha Romeo, Lamborghini, and Lloyd – but his focus and passion lay with Porsche and Audi.

1974

Porsche gave Louis the franchise to sell and service the renowned sports car.

1976

Audi franchise offer followed shortly thereafter.

1985

From 1985-1988, Mark Motors also sponsored driver Paul Tracy in the 944 Racing Series.

2005

Mark Motors opened up a stand-alone Audi Flagship store on Hunt Club Rd.

2011

The passion for motorsport culminated in 2011, when Mark Motors was part of the inauguration of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race series at Ottawa’s local track, Calabogie Motorsports Park.

2013

A new era began for Mark Motors, as they entered their own racing team comprised of Perry Bortolotti and Marco Cirone.

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THAT MAKES IT ALL HAPPEN