DRAGS: Elliott and Sipple team up for IHRA Top Fuel assault

CAYUGA, ON - Bob Elliott, one of Canada’s most prominent drag racers, has partnered with the John “Doc” Sipple Top Fuel Dragster team to run at major International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) events.

Known for his successes in Funny Car racing, Elliott and Northern Force Team Manager Bruce Mehlenbacher recently met with the Sipple family at its Berea, Kentucky headquarters. This meeting and subsequent discussions have led to a partnership where Elliott will drive Doc Sipple’s Top Fuel Dragster.



“This is a terrific deal that completes a major part of the puzzle,” stated Elliott. “Doc and I hit it off and I will be proud to be a part of this racing effort. After spending many hours with John, and his son Mike, an agreement was reached in principle where I will drive the car that the Sipples will continue to own and maintain.”

Doc Sipple is taking a sabbatical from driving his Top Fuel Dragster, and the team, which includes crew chief and son Mike Sipple, will continue to campaign the car. The team placed in the top ten of the 2004 IHRA Top Fuel Dragster World Championship competition, highlighted with a runner-up finish at the Motor City Nationals in Milan, Michigan in July.

Speaking for the Sipple family, Mike Sipple is very supportive of the partnership, and believes not only is there a stronger opportunity with this teaming, but thinks the team will mesh well.

“This partnership gives us an opportunity to enhance our racing efforts and gives us a stronger car,” said Sipple. “And Bob’s personality matches up with Dad as close as possible.”

The Elliott-Sipple team will race under the Northern Force banner at IHRA events. The Sipple crew, including Canadians Larry Panzini and John Ford, will continue their duties with the racing effort while Elliott will drive the 6000-plus horsepower car, and Doc Sipple will oversee the entire racing operation.

Top Fuel racing is the epitome of this exciting and colorful sport. The cars, powered with nitro methane fuel, produce upwards of 7000 horsepower, and are the fastest-accelerating race cars in motorsports. From a standing start a Top Fuel Dragster will complete the quarter-mile in less than five seconds with speeds of over 300 mph.

For more information, contact: Bruce F. Mehlenbacher // Team Manager // Telephone: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22 // Cellular: 905.517.5345 // Fax: 905.772.1799 // E-mail: bmehlenbacher@northernforce.com // Website: http://www.northernforce.com

London Indoor Event: No tire rule

LONDON, ON - London Gardens indoor race promoter Patrick Wood contacted Inside Track to say that there has been a rule change regarding the upcoming inaugural Canadian Indoor Racing Championship Series event at the London Gardens on Jan. 14-15.

The change concerns the tire rules for the event. According to Wood, there is now no tire rule, which means competitors can bring whatever tires they would like. The move is intended to open the event to more racers.



In other event news, promoter Wood has forwarded a copy of the event schedule for the first event:

Friday, January 14: Noon- Doors open
-5:45pm – 6:45pm- Back doors closed (Race car Loading\Unloading area) to start allowing heat in….. to warm concrete floor in preparation of track set-up. (Same scenario as Indoors in New York).
-7pm – 10pm practice /outside groove
-10pm Track closed and we’ll prepare to close facilities for the evening. All equipment may stay indoors. Security is on duty all night.

Saturday, January 15: Doors Open at8:30am
Practice – 10am – 1pm (All divisions)
Track review and touch up if required
-If approximately 18 cars or more show in Outlaws and Sr. Micro’s, Schedule A applies….
-If 16 or less, Schedule B applies.

Schedule: A
2-4:30pm Break
Micro heat 1,2,3 alternating
Outlaw heat 1,2,3 alternating
4:30pm Drivers Meeting
5-6pm Last hot laps
7pm sharp – Anthems & Races Start
TQ Midget heats 1-4
Outlaw Dash
TQ Dash
TQ B Main
Sr. Micro B Main
Outlaw B Main
Sr. Micro Feature
Outlaw Feature
TQ Midget Feature

Schedule: B
2-4:30pm Break
4:30pm Drivers Meeting
5-6pm Last hot laps
7pm sharp - Anthems & Races Start
TQ Midget heats 1-4
Sr. Micro heats 1-2
Sr. Micro Dash
Outlaw heats 1-2 (alternate w\Micros)
TQ Midget Dash
Sr. Micro Dash
Outlaw Dash
TQ B Main
Sr. Micro Feature
Outlaw Feature
TQ Midget Feature

Note: We may have time for driver introductions at some or all features- depending on the races and car counts. Be ready and prepared for both scenarios.

Race distances
TQ Midgets, Sr. Micro & Outlaw Heats- 12 laps
TQ Midgets, Sr. Micro & Outlaw Dashes- 12 laps
Sr. Micro & Outlaw Feature- 30 laps
TQ Midget Feature- 50 laps

Merrittville looks to expand membership rewards program

THOROLD, ON - In 2004, Merrittville Speedway’s member drivers shared in an awards program that totaled more than $83,000 in point fund monies, certificates and other prizes. For 2005, drivers will expierence further growth as Opening Day nears.

“Initial response has almost been overwhelming,” relates (GM) Erica Bicknell, adding “we’re almost at capacity with our returning and new event sponsors…other areas are also showing enthusiastic support.”

“While we are still finalizing many promotional details,” adds Bicknell, “race fans can look forward to many new and unique promotions and activities leading up to Showtime each week and for our race teams…many new companies have shown interest in our contingency program.”

The 2005 Membership Rewards program will be revealed in the upcoming Driver’s Meetings at the Holiday Inn in St. Catharines on Sunday, January 16th.

Making a return will be the 2nd Annual Pasta Night presented by Club Castropignano which is part of the Trevor Wilkens Memorical 358 Modified Classic on Monday August 1st. Awaiting a date confirmation, the popular Lobsterfest Night will once again provide fans and teams a unique dining experience at a dirt track prior to that night’s racing action.

While DIRT MotorSports is finalizing details on 2005 Super DIRT Series events for the 358 Modifieds and Sportsman Divisions, race fans can look forward to many special events throughout the season.

Making returns in 2005 will be the popular Empire Super Sprints and the BRP Can-Am Super Stocks. The full-bodied Late Model cars will headline the August 20th race card. A date for the BRP Big Block Modified Tour is yet to be finalized.

To help celebrate the 54th consecutive season of stock car racing, Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee will once again host the Jerry Winger Memorial for 358 Modifieds in addition to the pre-race Reunion Night and L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame inductions.

J&S Heating and Air Conditioning will once again present the Rose Weber Memorial International Dwarf Car Classic for Dwarf Cars and Mod Lites that will also see a 50 lap special for the Hoosier Stocks and 25 laps for the 4 Cylinder Division. For the second straight year, the season will close with a special Sunday show with the running of the 2nd Annual Wine Country Run Enduro – September 11th.

After pre-season Race Car and Kart shows throughout Niagara, Merrittville Speedway is once again preparing to host the Bicknell Racing Products Chassis Seminar and Driving School the weekend of April 16th and 17th. Race teams looking to reserve a spot can do so by calling Erica or Nancy at 905-685-7223.

An Inspection, Test & Tune Day for all the divisions that make up the DIRT Weekly Racing Series – L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Seneca Niagara Casino Dwarf Cars, Hoosier Stocks and 4 Cylinders is set for Saturday April 23rd. During the open track sessions, the 358 Modified and Sportsman drivers will time trial for qualifying spots for the 2005 Season Opener presented by Hoosier Tire Canada, Saturday April 30th.

Race fans in Southern Ontario can look for Speedway representatives at the upcoming Speedorama Show being held at the National Trade Center at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario the weekend of January 28 – 30th.

Reserved and General Admission Season Tickets are currently available from the Speedway’s Winter Office by calling 905-685-7223. Economical Saturday Night Live Grandstand Ticket Flexbook’s and Family passes are also available.

For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s 2005 Season call the Winter Office at 905-685-7223 or the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266, or visit us at www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

AIM Autosport Enters Formula Mazda Series

TORONTO, ON - AIM Autosport, long recognized for its success in developing young open-wheel drivers and engineers, announced today that it will be entering a three car team in the upcoming 2005 Star Mazda Series North American Championship presented by Goodyear.

Returning to AIM Autosport is Toronto, Ontario’s Mark Wilkins who under the AIM banner has competed in the North American Formula Renault series for the last two seasons with one win, one pole position and five podium finishes.

“There are several race series at this level for drivers to choose from, and we feel that Star Mazda Series North American Championship offers a competitive package with many excellent incentives,” said AIM Autosport Team Manager Ian Willis.

“This series offers a great deal of marketing exposure thru aggressive print and on-air media campaigns by Mazda and prime time broadcasts on the Speed Channel Network in the United States and the Sky Sports in Europe. Traditionally the Star Mazda series competes at ALMS events throughout North America, in 2005 anticipated new venues could include, IRL, Champ Car, and USAC race events.”

The Star Mazda series has been identified as the second level of the AIM Autosport driver development process. The Pro Mazda car with significant increase in power and aerodynamic performance as well as longer race distances has emerged as the ideal place to continue the AIM development process.

Skills acquired at this level include an advanced understanding of aerodynamic influences, race craft, tire management, increased physical and mental conditioning- all of which are essential in the development of professional drivers.

Recent experience gained through an engineering contract with a Formula Mazda team during the 2004 season has provided AIM engineers with a distinct early advantage in pre-season testing, with Wilkins setting quickest times at several venues. Testing continues in the lead up to the opening race in the 2005 season at Sebring Florida.

- From AIM Autosport // www.aimautosport.com

ALSTAR: Tech Official Wanted

SAUBLE BEACH, ON - Shouldice Designer Stone ALSTAR Series promoter Joe Chisholm is looking for another full-time tech official to work for his growing touring series in 2005.

Anyone interested should contact Joe at (519) 371-7588 or via e-mail at: thebeach@bmts.com.

SOS: 2005 Schedule Released

The Southern Ontario Sprints has released its tentative 2005 schedule. Club President, Peter Turford states, “We are very excited about our 10th anniversary season and the schedule we have put together. We will be working hard to build on our successful return to South Buxton Raceway last season with a couple of shows in 2005. We are also very pleased to be returning to Humberstone Speedway (formerly Gasport). In addition to this, the SOS will be running 13 events at our two mainstay tracks, Ohsweken Speedway (7) and Brighton Speedway (6).”

The 16-race schedule put together for the 10th anniversary season will no doubt allow the SOS to continue its growth and showcase the talent of its many regular competitors. In addition to the regular schedule, there will be several specials.

Once again Knoxville Speedway will be holding the 360 Nationals (televised on Speed) and the Brodix Tournament of Champions, both in August. Also in August, the Sprints on Dirt (SOD) will be sanctioning a 2-day special at I-96 Speedway in Michigan.

Then for Canadian race fans, the big one will be at Ohsweken Speedway in mid-September. The Canadian Sprint Car Nationals will be a multi-sanctioned event that will surely attract a huge field of the very best drivers from both Canada and the US. To stay current with all the latest news on the SOS, visit our web site at www.southernontariosprints.com.

DATE / TRACK
May 7 Brighton
May 20 Ohsweken
May 22 Humberstone
May 29 Ohsweken
June 10 Ohsweken
June 11 Brighton
June 18 South Buxton
July 8 Ohsweken
July 9 Brighton
July 22 Ohsweken
July 23 South Buxton
July 30 Brighton
Aug. 4 & 5 Knoxville 360 Nationals (non-points)
Aug. 6 Knoxville Casey’s Night before Tournament of Champions (non-points)
Aug. 7 Knoxville 360 Brodix Tournament of Champions (non-points)
Aug. 12 Ohsweken
Aug. 19 & 20 SOD Special – I-96 Speedway (non-points)
Sept. 3 & 4 Brighton (Labour Day Classic Weekend)
Sept. 16 Ohsweken (SOS Invitational)
Sept. 17 Ohsweken Canadian Sprint Car Nationals (non-points)

-- By Bill Oldroyd

London indoor event approaching

LONDON, ON - Patrick Wood, the promoter of the upcoming indoor racing event at the London Gardens 'The Special Events Centre" has forwarded a copy of the promotional poster for the Jan. 14-15 event.



Click here for a larger version of the poster or here for a copy of the driver registration form. For more information on this inaugural event, visit their website at www.indoorracinglondon.com