Hinchcliffe tests Mazda & Atlantic before trip to Austria

GUELPH, ON – Formula BMW USA Rookie-of-the-Year, James Hinchcliffe has been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. With tests in a Pro Formula Mazda and Toyota Atlantic the young Canadian also traveled across the pond to Austria as a guest of BMW’s motorsports announcement.

The first on-track activity took place at BeaveRun Raceway as Hinchcliffe reunited with his Rookie-of-the-Year championship winning team AIM Autosport. Hinchcliffe joined four other pilots for the early November test and managed to out pace both in his first time in the car.

“Those cars are amazing” stated Hinchcliffe. “I can’t believe the power and the overall grip that the cars have. I am sure they would be a blast to drive during race competition. The team did a great job with the new car and it is definitely a car I can see myself racing this year.”

Next on Hinchcliffe’s jam packed schedule was a trip south for a November 29th and 30th test in a Toyota Atlantic. Joining Hinchcliffe at Sebring Raceway were a handful of Champ Car teams and Polestar Racing Group, the team that would provide the Canadian with this amazing opportunity. The always professional Polestar team brought their race crew to the test as well as driver Ronnie Bremer who was on hand to provide support to the young Canadian. As a result of the Rookie-of-the-Year championship, Hinchcliffe received this two day test from BMW and proved to be extremely fast in his first time in the car.

“Everything about these cars are incredible. The acceleration, corning and top speeds were truly amazing.” expressed and excited Hinchcliffe. “The braking was the hardest thing to master but with the support from Polestar and the information provided by the team engineer and Ronnie Bremer, I was able to get up to speed quickly.”

By the time the second day came to a close, Hinchcliffe had completed over 350 miles in the car and gained a wealth of knowledge. After the final session the Oakville, ON resident learned that he had circuited the nine turn Sebring Raceway faster then any other previous test completed at the same Sebring track by Polestar.

“I would like to take this time to thank everyone who has been involved in my career to date. I would also like to thank both AIM Autosport and Polestar for the generous tests that were provided.” James also went on to say, “The tests were a great learning experience for me and with them now complete, it will be time to determine what the plans are for next season.”

Next up for Hinchcliffe was a trip to Austria where the aspiring motorsports star was a guest of the BMW Motorsports. Hinchcliffe traveled half way across the world to represent Formula BMW USA in the BMW conference.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities on James Hinchcliffe please visit www.jameshinchcliffe.com or contact James at 416-522-7470. For additional media support please contact Autosports Media at 416-678-4939 or via e-mail at autosportsmedia@earthlink.com.

By: Autosports Media // 416-678-4939 // autosportsmedia@earthlink.net

McColl launches new website

LONDON, ON – McColl Racing Enterprises Inc., one of Canada’s premier race car builders, is pleased to announce the launching of a comprehensive and informative website devoted to stock car racing and the involvement of the McColl product.

This new site, www.mccollracing.com, not only offers information on McColl racing products, it also will provide the latest auto racing news related to racing teams using McColl products. Along with these timely features, the site provides schedules for the more prominent stock car racing series, a background on the development of the McColl line of products, and a section on team successes.

A user-friendly on-line buying section offering the entire line of McColl products, services, and supplier parts for the stock car racing world is planned in the near future.

“It’s taken a while, but I realize the power and convenience of the web,” said Mike McColl. “I want present and new customers to be able to see what we have to offer. We also believe this is a great way to promote not only our product but those who support us.”

For more information, contact:
Mike McColl
McColl Racing Enterprises Inc.
185-D Exeter Road // London, ON. N6L 1A4 // Telephone: 800.423.3407 // Fax: 519.652.3896
Email: mike@mccollracing.com

Telecom merger to impact Nextel Cup?

There's an interesting story by the Associated Press that discusses the repercussions to NASCAR of today's announced merger between Sprint and Nextel.

Although the merger isn't supposed to have an impact on the Nextel Cup for this year, you have to wonder about down the road. After all those years of Winston sponsorship, NASCAR let them off the hook part way into that deal and signed a 10-year title program with Nextel.

They spend billions painting everything yellow and black... and now, just one year in, Nextel is becoming part of something called "Sprint Nextel". When they made their deal with Nextel, NASCAR made it clear that they were looking for a longterm partner to title its top series. They couldn't have had this in mind when they signed the Nextel deal.

STOCKS: Ron Williams passes away

WATERLOO, ON - The Ontario stock car community lost a longtime friend on Saturday (Dec. 10) when Ron Williams, of Waterloo, passed away following a stroke two nights earlier.

During his career in racing, Williams, 60, was a ‘starter’ at Sauble and Varney Speedways, as well as a pit steward and crew member / crew chief on various racing teams.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, daughters Jackie Langan & Wendy Watson, and four grandchildren (Corey, Kyle, Jessica and Jake).

Sauble Speedway / ALSTAR Series promoter Joe Chisholm held Williams in high regard. “Ron was a dynamite guy,” said Chisholm. “He used to work at Sauble before I bought the track. He was a familiar face in the pits; I got to know him through Tim Ellis. Ron was a big supporter of Tim’s.”

Chisholm respected Williams’ comments when it came to track matters. “He’d keep you on your toes. If he gave you a critical comment, it was from the heart and it was constructive. Every time he spoke, I listened. It’s too bad that he’d gone… He was a really good guy.”

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 14 from 2-4 p.m and 7-9 p.m. at the Edward Good Funeral Home in Waterloo (171 King St. South // ph: (519) 745-8445). There will be another visitation at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 15, followed by the funeral service (at 11 a.m.) and internment at Parkview Cemetery, in Waterloo.

Inside Track offers its condolences to the family and friends of Ron Williams.