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John Bkila Editor jbkila@oakvillebeaver.com Oakville's Hinchcliffe to compete on Dancing with the Stars IndyCar driver will be among a number of celebrities making their dancing debut on ABC at 8 p.m. on Sept. 12 by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene 43 | Thursday, September 8, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Oakville's James Hinchcliffe isn't one to shy away from a challenge. After overcoming life-threatening injuries in a crash during practice for the 2015 Indianapolis 500, the Verizon IndyCar Series driver said he's been seizing every opportunity that has come his way. "The experiences of last year have just kind of taught me a lot about life, and one of those lessons is to take opportunities, not shy away from things, don't be afraid," he said. "You've got to kind of live your life." Hinchcliffe will be hitting the dance floor in two weeks time and the thought has his stomach in knots. The 29-year-old, who currently ranks eighth in the Verizon IndyCar Series standings after finishing second in the Aug. 13 Firestone 600 by a scant 0.008 of a second - the closest finish in Texas Motor Speedway history, will be trading in his racing gear for a pair of dancing shoes as he joins the Season 23 cast for ABC's Dancing With the Stars. He's been partnered with professional dancer Sharna Burgess for the competition, which begins Sept. 12. Other celebrities to the cast include Olympic gold-medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez, swimmer Ryan Lochte, singer-songwriter Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds and Maureen McCormick, who portrayed Marcia Brady on the 1970s sitcom, The Brady Bunch. "Well, I can honestly say this will rank just above the Indy 500 as one of the most nerve-wracking things that I've ever agreed to do," Hinchcliffe said. "Normally I'm used to working under pressure in front of a live audience, but I can't see them, so this should be a totally new experience for me and especially as someone with no ability to it would be that," he said. "But I've got the competitive spirit, and IndyCar drivers have a pretty good record on this show, so hopefully that counts for something." Hinchcliffe is the second IndyCar driver to participate in Dancing with the Stars, following in the footsteps of Castroneves, who won the Season 5 competition in 2007. He spoke with Castroneves at length before he committed to doing the show. Oakville's James Hinchcliffe will be trading in his racing gear for a pair of dancing shoes as he joins the Season 23 cast of ABC's Dancing With the Stars. The first episode will air on Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. | Metroland file photo The experiences of last year have just kind of taught me a lot about life, and one of those lessons is to take opportunities, not shy away from things, don't be afraid. You've got to kind of live your life... Dancing is not something I would consider myself any type of expert at or even -- if there's something lower than amateur, it would be that. But I've got the competitive spirit, and IndyCar drivers have a pretty good record on this show, so hopefully that counts for something. Verizon IndyCar Series driver dance whatsoever." Hinchcliffe has four career Verizon IndyCar Series wins and earned the pole position and the right to lead the 33-car field to the green flag at the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil in May. He also reached the podium at the Honda Indy Toronto in July, placing third behind Will Power and Helio Castroneves. Known as a Canadian favourite, Hinchcliffe has also been developing his public profile off the racetrack creating his fictional online city, Hinchtown, of which he proudly proclaims himself the mayor. He hosts The Mayor on Air, a spontaneous, offthe-cuff podcast before each race featuring fellow drivers and series officials as guests. None of that, however, has prepared him for what's in store for him when he makes his debut on the televised dance competition. Calling himself "dancing challenged," he said Burgess, an Australian making her eighth appearance in the competition who finished second in Season 21 with singer Nick Carter, has her work cut out for her. "Dancing is not something I would consider myself any type of expert at or even -- if there's something lower than amateur, James Hinchcliffe "He thoroughly enjoyed it, so much he went back for a second time," shared Hinchcliffe. "It was great to get to chat to him, and he warned me about the amount of work that it is, but said that it's going to be an awful lot of fun. He kind of helped me warm up to the idea." Hinchcliffe still has two races to finish before he fully devotes himself to becoming the best dancer he possibly can be. see Hinchcliffe on p.44 Big Movies, Small Prices! 171 Speers Road (at Kerr) Oakville General: $8.50 children (3-13): $6.50 Seniors (65+): $6.50 tuesdays: $5.00 905-338-6397 www.film.ca facebook.com/filmca @filmcacinemas Sully (pG) September 9 bridGet JoneS baby (14a) the maGnificent Seven (14a) September 16 September 23 StorkS (Stc) September 23 miSS pereGrine'S home ome for peculiar children (Stc) September 30