Hooker holds off Thompson in ALSTAR thriller at Mosport
BOWMANVILLE, ON – The Shouldice ALSTAR Late Model Series made its lone visit of the season to Mosport Speedway on Saturday night. When the 75-lap feature race was finished, Kirk Hooker was in victory lane after surviving a relentless attack from reigning series champion Robbie Thompson for the final 20 laps.
Hooker’s win was the fourth ALSTAR victory of his career, and the first one not to take place at Peterborough Speedway. The Country View Golf Course Chevy driver, who hails from Chatham, ON, started ninth and climbed to second in the field of 20 starters by lap 20 and immediately started to challenge Chris Morrow for the top spot. A half-dozen laps later, Hooker worked his way past the Morrow Electric Chevy racer and into the lead.
With 20 laps remaining, Hooker led hometrack favourite Kyle Donaldson (Custom Engines Ford), Glenn Watson (Racing-Radios Chevy) and the hard-charging Robbie Thompson, who battled back into contention after an early-race pit stop, which sent him to the back of the pack on lap 25.
Just a handful of laps later, Thompson’s SMP / Logel’s Dodge was into second and it was all that Hooker could do to keep the Southampton, ON driver behind him. Over the closing laps, Thompson searched high and low for a way past Hooker, and even gave him a few taps on the rear bumper, but to no avail.
At the finish, Hooker earned the win and moved to second place in the Shouldice Stone ALSTAR points. “We’re really happy,” said Hooker, after the race. “We didn’t have the fastest car, but I know I had the widest racecar out there tonight. Robbie raced me really clean and I appreciate that.”
Runner-up finisher Thompson was pleased with his result, after starting 14th and going to the back early. “Kirk is a great racer. We came a long way back and came up one position short, which isn’t too bad.”
Third-place went to Derrick Tiemersma, for the second week in a row. Following three races, the Wayfreight Chevy driver from Newmarket, ON has finished on the podium in all three events and leads the Shouldice ALSTAR points chase heading to Race #4 next Saturday night (June 18) at the newly-configured Barrie Speedway. Tiemersma’s climb from 17th to third earned him the “Hard Charger Award” for the third time in as many races.
The Mosport race was slowed by five cautions and took just 40 minutes to complete all 75 laps at the half-mile speedway. During qualifying for the 75-lap feature race at Mosport, reigning series champ Robbie Thompson won a pair of heats, while single checkered flags went to Jason Shaw and Kyle Donaldson.
Shouldice ALSTAR Late Model Series
RESULTS: Race #3 of 12 // Mosport Speedway // Bowmanville, ON // June 11, 2005 // 75 Laps
FIN. ST. # DRIVER (HOMETOWN) SPONSOR / MAKE LAPS
1 9 38 Kirk Hooker (Chatham, ON) Country View Golf Course / McColl’s Chevrolet 75
2 14 9 Robbie Thompson (Southampton, ON) Shear Metal Products / Logel’s Dodge 75
3 17 7 Derrick Tiemersma (Newmarket, ON) Wayfreight / Gates / Wix Chevrolet 75
4 6 22 Glenn Watson (Barrie, ON) Racing Radios / Rival Office Solutions Chevrolet 75
5 12 53 Kyle Donaldson (Queensville, ON) R Custom Engines / Downtown Rug & Flooring Ford 75
6 13 72 Rob MacDonnell (Allenford, ON) MacDonnell Fuels / Siegrist Trucking Chevrolet 75
7 15 76 Tyler Williams (Chesley, ON) B&L Farm Services / Hank’s Auto Wreckers Ford 75
8 11 67 Steve Tiemersma (Newmarket, ON) Aurora Automotive / Pennzoil 10 Min. Oil Change Pontiac 75
9 3 57 Brett Murray (Minesing, ON) Videoflicks / Cardwell Signs Ford 75
10 19 3 Ken Naves (Sauble Beach, ON) TIM-BR Mart / Golden Eagle Cottages Chevrolet 75
11 5 11 Chris Morrow (Minesing, ON) Morrow Electric / Edenvale Flying Club Chevrolet 75
12 4 93 Tim Cole (Courtice, ON) Oshawa Office Equipment / Kwik Signs Pickering Chevrolet 75
13 20 75 Jeff Cassidy (Cambridge, ON) Highway Sterling – Western Star Ford 75
14 10 4 Craig Zurbrigg (Listowel, ON) Benshaw Motor Controls / Trinity Village Health Care Ford 73
15 7 98 Michael Almand (Alton, ON) Alliston Transmission / Finish Line Graphics Chevrolet 68
16 18 8 Paul Gresel (Sauble, ON) R Sauble Fall’s Tent & Trailer Park / H&H Patio Encl. Chevrolet 67
17 2 30 Jim Molenhuis (Churchill, ON) R.E.V. Mobile Audio / Performance Chevrolet 67
18 1 42 Richard Holmes (Hilsburgh, ON) Gormac Roofing / Astro Automotive Ford 56
19 8 82 Jason Shaw (Guelph, ON) Spira Fire Protection / Del Metals Ford 7
20 16 69 Alan Inglis (Mississauga, ON) National Moving & Storage Dodge 5
R after the hometown denotes Rookie contender.
TIME OF RACE: 40 Minutes // CAUTIONS: 5 // HEAT WINS: #9 Robbie Thompson (2), #82 Jason Shaw, #53 Kyle Donaldson // BROWN’S TOWING MOST LAPS LED AWARD: #38 Kirk Hooker // HARD CHARGER AWARD: #7 Derrick Tiemersma // INSIDE TRACK MYSTERY POSITION AWARD: #98 Mike Almand // HOOSIER TIRE AWARD: #76 Tyler Williams // CRC TOP 5: Kirk Hooker, Robbie Thompson, Derrick Tiemersma, Glenn Watson, Kyle Donaldson // 69 AUTO WHEEL AWARD: #72 Rob MacDonnell
Contact ALSTAR at (519) 371-7588 or visit www.alstarseries.com
Prepared by Inside Track Communications. // Contact: Greg MacPherson (416) 561-2320 (cell).
Comments regarding additions to – or deletions from – this mailing list should be sent to: greg@insidetracknews.com
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Friday, June 10, 2005
2005 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX: VILLENEUVE SLAMS HIS WAY HOME
By James Neilson
Villeneuve-Gate has made its way home for the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix at the beautiful Isle Notre Dame and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Canadian Driver is embroiled in yet another war of words with his team boss Peter Sauber.
The 1997 World Champion claims the Sauber team isn’t listening to his input and that his experiences as a past champion are being wasted. But enough about what is quickly becoming a tired and depressing story about one of Canada’s greatest athletes. Somewhere 1981 World Champion Alan Jones is sympathizing, or thanking the lord it’s not him this time!
The Final practise session saw Mclaren’s third driver, Pedro De La Rosa, continue to dominate the weekend. The Spaniard’s best time, 1:14.662, was nearly 2 seconds clear of his best time in the first session. His Teammates, Juan Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen, continue to hammer home Mclaren’s newfound turn of speed setting the fourth, Montoya, and fifth, Raikkonen, quickest times of the day.
Slotting into second place on the timesheets was Toyota’s Ricardo Zonta who continues to impress in his role as Toyota’s third driver. His teammates, Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, set the ninth and 11th best times of the day. That has to be a disappointing turn of pace for the lead Toyota drivers as Trulli has been a new man at his new team in 2005 and Ralf has been the pole-sitter for the last two Canadian Grands Prix.
Fernando Alonso Continues his metronome-like charge to the title and sits at the head of the "race drivers" timesheets after practise. His 1:15.376 time was good enough for third behind De La Rosa and Zonta. His Teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, was equally impressive on his way to the sixth fastest time.
The BAR team looks good to score their first points of the season, at least if no one finds anything fishy in their fuel tanks. After practise Jenson Button and Takuma Sato sit in 7th and 8th respectively.
Ferrari continue to struggle, presumably with their tires, as Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher languish down the timesheets in 10th and 16th places respectively.
Mark Webber managed to stay ahead of his red hot teammate Nick Heidfeld but the Williams team as a whole struggled on a track they usually dominate. Webber sits in 12 while Heidfeld sits in 15th place.
Jacques Villeneuve can take some solice from the practise session as he achieved a rare feat this year by staying ahead of his teammate throughout it. Villeneuve and his teammate, Felipe Massa sit in 13 and 14th places respectively.
Thr Red Bull team struggled as David Coulthard and Christan Klien could only manage the 17th and 18th fastest times of the day. The team’s thrid driver, making his F1 debut in Canada, Scott Speed, spun and only managed half the laps of his competitors. He sits in dead last.
Business as usual at the back of the grid with the Jordans and Minardi’s bringing up the rear as usual. Do you even care in what order? Didn’t think so.
For Full practise times visit www.formula1.com for more details.
Villeneuve-Gate has made its way home for the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix at the beautiful Isle Notre Dame and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. The Canadian Driver is embroiled in yet another war of words with his team boss Peter Sauber.
The 1997 World Champion claims the Sauber team isn’t listening to his input and that his experiences as a past champion are being wasted. But enough about what is quickly becoming a tired and depressing story about one of Canada’s greatest athletes. Somewhere 1981 World Champion Alan Jones is sympathizing, or thanking the lord it’s not him this time!
The Final practise session saw Mclaren’s third driver, Pedro De La Rosa, continue to dominate the weekend. The Spaniard’s best time, 1:14.662, was nearly 2 seconds clear of his best time in the first session. His Teammates, Juan Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen, continue to hammer home Mclaren’s newfound turn of speed setting the fourth, Montoya, and fifth, Raikkonen, quickest times of the day.
Slotting into second place on the timesheets was Toyota’s Ricardo Zonta who continues to impress in his role as Toyota’s third driver. His teammates, Ralf Schumacher and Jarno Trulli, set the ninth and 11th best times of the day. That has to be a disappointing turn of pace for the lead Toyota drivers as Trulli has been a new man at his new team in 2005 and Ralf has been the pole-sitter for the last two Canadian Grands Prix.
Fernando Alonso Continues his metronome-like charge to the title and sits at the head of the "race drivers" timesheets after practise. His 1:15.376 time was good enough for third behind De La Rosa and Zonta. His Teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, was equally impressive on his way to the sixth fastest time.
The BAR team looks good to score their first points of the season, at least if no one finds anything fishy in their fuel tanks. After practise Jenson Button and Takuma Sato sit in 7th and 8th respectively.
Ferrari continue to struggle, presumably with their tires, as Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher languish down the timesheets in 10th and 16th places respectively.
Mark Webber managed to stay ahead of his red hot teammate Nick Heidfeld but the Williams team as a whole struggled on a track they usually dominate. Webber sits in 12 while Heidfeld sits in 15th place.
Jacques Villeneuve can take some solice from the practise session as he achieved a rare feat this year by staying ahead of his teammate throughout it. Villeneuve and his teammate, Felipe Massa sit in 13 and 14th places respectively.
Thr Red Bull team struggled as David Coulthard and Christan Klien could only manage the 17th and 18th fastest times of the day. The team’s thrid driver, making his F1 debut in Canada, Scott Speed, spun and only managed half the laps of his competitors. He sits in dead last.
Business as usual at the back of the grid with the Jordans and Minardi’s bringing up the rear as usual. Do you even care in what order? Didn’t think so.
For Full practise times visit www.formula1.com for more details.
SHOULDICE ALSTAR SERIES: 98 The Beach Signs On
Great News for SHOULDICE STONE ALSTAR Race Fans: We are pleased to announce that "98 the Beach" a New FM Radio Station Serving the Lighhouse Coast will also carry the Race Live at 8:55 p.m. You can also catch the Race Live on www.radioowensound.com
We would like to welcome "The Beach" to the ALSTAR Racing Series, and we are sure the Listeners on the Coast will enjoy Every Lap of this exciting Series. Again thanks to Bayshore Broadcasting in Owen Sound, owner of "98 The Beach FM," and "AM 560 CFOS", for Broadcasting our Races Live. "The Only Live Racing Radio Broadcast in Canada" For More Information: www.alstarseries.com
Join Fred and Dave at 8:55 This Saturday Night Sat. June 11th/05 live From Mosport Speedway
LE WALKER TRANSPORT & MID AMERICA FREIGHT SYSTEMS HOLD OPEN HOUSE
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment.
June 10, 2005. Ever wonder what its like to drive one of those large transport trucks you see on the highway? Have you never had the opportunity to see a CASCAR Super Series race car up close? This Saturday, June 11th is your opportunity to experience both.
From 11AM to 3PM LE Walker Transport, sponsor of the #42 LE Walker Chevrolet driven by Sean Stafford in the CASCAR Super Series and Mid America Freight Systems will welcome those interested in learning about driving, both the large transport kind and the racing variety to their Ancaster, Ontario location on Hwy 52 just west of Hwy 2.
CASCAR pilot Sean Stafford will be on hand to sign autographs and meet with drivers and race fans, many of which are the same. "I drive these trucks, including our CASCAR hauler, it's a very exciting and challenging career opportunity" said Stafford. "Part of our responsibility to LE Walker a van carrier, and to Mid America Freight, a flatbed carrier, is to help them recruit top AZ class drivers, and I'm a guy who knows first hand what's involved in this type of career.
This is an off weekend for the CASCAR Super Series competitors. Competitors next hit the track to tackle the world class road course at Mosport International Raceway. "This is where I first raced in CASCAR and I'm really looking forward to going back their again" said the excited LE Walker Transport Chevrolet driver.
For more information on Mid America Motorsports and the CASCAR Super series log onto www.cascar.ca and watch all of the races on Rogers Sportsnet.
Contact Information: Mid America Motorsports, Dave Didero, President, (905) 741-9244.
SOS: Ohsweken Speedway
Courtesy Ohsweken Speedway
The Southern Ontario Sprints will have one hot weekend of action on the track. The 2005 points battle will really take shape as three features will be run in two nights.
First on Friday night the SOS returns to Ohsweken where the pack will be trying to dethrone Glenn Styres who has won both events there this year. Then on Saturday the SOS returns to Brighton.
First up will be the May 7th postponed feature, then a special Dash for all cars that didn't run the May 7th event.
This will all be followed by the regular SOS program AND ALL OF BRIGHTON'S REGULAR RACE FEATURES:
SOS Top Ten after Race 3 of 16:
1. Adam West 494; 2. Glenn Styres 480; 3. Mark Schulz 462; 4. Jim Porter 419; 5. Bob Crawford 414; 6. Jamie Collard 396; 7. Craig Downie 389; 8. Dick Mahoney 383; 9. Fred Cade 374; 10. Jack Pillon 368
For more information visit www.southernontariosprints.com
LUCAS OIL FLAMBORO SPEEDWAY: CVMs and TQ Midgets on the busy card this Saturday
Home Page: "Lucas Oil Products presents
the LUCAS OIL TWIN 25 OPEN
Saturday Night, June 11th, at Lucas Oil Flamboro Speedway
Twin 25 Lap Features for the Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds
Plus the Lucas Oil Can-Am TQ Midgets,
Midtown Carstar Thunder Cars, and Waterdown Napa Mini Stocks
Grandstand opens at 5pm. Racing at 6pm."
the LUCAS OIL TWIN 25 OPEN
Saturday Night, June 11th, at Lucas Oil Flamboro Speedway
Twin 25 Lap Features for the Lucas Oil Canadian Vintage Modifieds
Plus the Lucas Oil Can-Am TQ Midgets,
Midtown Carstar Thunder Cars, and Waterdown Napa Mini Stocks
Grandstand opens at 5pm. Racing at 6pm."
SUNSET SPEEDWAY: Thunder Car Extravaganza
Sunset Speedway Official Website: "Thunder Cars Go 50 Laps This Weekend
The Thunder Cars of Kawartha, Mosport and Peterborough Speedways invade Sunset this weekend as Sunset's leg of the Thunder Car Coalition Invitationals hits the track.
The 'Battle Of The Tracks' consists of invitationals for Late Models and Thunder Cars at at each of the four tracks on a night when that class is off at the others, giving drivers the opportunity to try out different venues without affecting their home track points position.
Also on schedule will be our Sunset Late Models, Four Cylinders and Four Funs for a night of regular points racing - the action has been fast and furious as of late and the Late Models will surely be ready to get back to action after a week off. Spectator Races will run during the intermission.
And a reminder - this week will mark the start of pre-race qualifying for the Four Cylinders and Four Funs. Their first set of heats will get underway at 6:15pm, so be sure to get there early to catch the action."
The Thunder Cars of Kawartha, Mosport and Peterborough Speedways invade Sunset this weekend as Sunset's leg of the Thunder Car Coalition Invitationals hits the track.
The 'Battle Of The Tracks' consists of invitationals for Late Models and Thunder Cars at at each of the four tracks on a night when that class is off at the others, giving drivers the opportunity to try out different venues without affecting their home track points position.
Also on schedule will be our Sunset Late Models, Four Cylinders and Four Funs for a night of regular points racing - the action has been fast and furious as of late and the Late Models will surely be ready to get back to action after a week off. Spectator Races will run during the intermission.
And a reminder - this week will mark the start of pre-race qualifying for the Four Cylinders and Four Funs. Their first set of heats will get underway at 6:15pm, so be sure to get there early to catch the action."
BARRIE SPEEDWAY: Saturday preview
Welcome to Barrie Speedway: "Great race action on the way this Saturday night!
All three Barrie Speedway home series divisions are in action this Saturday night with the CARQUEST Late Models, St. Onge Recreation Thunder Car and Yanch Heating & Air Conditioning Pure Stocks all hitting the track.
As an added treat, we'll have Junior pit rides prior to race time and of course King of the Hill will be along during intermission. The spectator gates open at 5:30 pm with the green flag flying at 7pm sharp -- this weekend's show presented by the Madison County Food & Beverage Company."
All three Barrie Speedway home series divisions are in action this Saturday night with the CARQUEST Late Models, St. Onge Recreation Thunder Car and Yanch Heating & Air Conditioning Pure Stocks all hitting the track.
As an added treat, we'll have Junior pit rides prior to race time and of course King of the Hill will be along during intermission. The spectator gates open at 5:30 pm with the green flag flying at 7pm sharp -- this weekend's show presented by the Madison County Food & Beverage Company."
Thursday, June 09, 2005
SHOULDICE ALSTAR: Next Race - Mosport
SHOULDICE ALSTAR SERIES: Next Event: Mosport Speedway June 11
The next event for the Shouldice ALSTAR Late Model Series takes place Saturday night (June 11) at Mosport Speedway.
SCHEDULE:
Pit Gate Opens at 3p.m.
Practice: 3:30 to 5:30
Racing starts at 6 p.m.
Autograph Session: 8:30
75 LAP FEATURE RACE: Green Flag at 8:55 p.m.
After a one-race hiatus, the internet radio broadcasts will be back online again for this Saturday night's race at Mosport (www.radioowensound.com), as well as on AM 560 CFOS for those within radio range of Owen Sound.
ROUND #2 (Sunset) Results are available at: http://www.alstarseries.com/ALSTAR_Officia/Round_2_at_Sun.html
Heading into Race #3 at Mosport, veteran Late Model driver Derrick Tiemersma leads the point standings on the strength of a pair of podium finishes in the season's first two events.
TIEMERSMA QUOTE: "I’m leading the points, but I’m not even paying attention to that right now. I was leading last year and that’s when I started having engine woes. I’m just going racing right now and not worrying about the points. I’ve had two podium finishes so far and now I’m looking for the win."
- with files from Joe Chisholm & Greg MacPherson (ITMN)
The next event for the Shouldice ALSTAR Late Model Series takes place Saturday night (June 11) at Mosport Speedway.
SCHEDULE:
Pit Gate Opens at 3p.m.
Practice: 3:30 to 5:30
Racing starts at 6 p.m.
Autograph Session: 8:30
75 LAP FEATURE RACE: Green Flag at 8:55 p.m.
After a one-race hiatus, the internet radio broadcasts will be back online again for this Saturday night's race at Mosport (www.radioowensound.com), as well as on AM 560 CFOS for those within radio range of Owen Sound.
ROUND #2 (Sunset) Results are available at: http://www.alstarseries.com/ALSTAR_Officia/Round_2_at_Sun.html
Heading into Race #3 at Mosport, veteran Late Model driver Derrick Tiemersma leads the point standings on the strength of a pair of podium finishes in the season's first two events.
TIEMERSMA QUOTE: "I’m leading the points, but I’m not even paying attention to that right now. I was leading last year and that’s when I started having engine woes. I’m just going racing right now and not worrying about the points. I’ve had two podium finishes so far and now I’m looking for the win."
- with files from Joe Chisholm & Greg MacPherson (ITMN)
WIN GREAT PRIZES FRIDAY AT SCOTIA SPEEDWORLD
By Joan Roué, Scotia Speedworld
HALIFAX, NS (2005 June 8) - You could WIN special Budweiser Racing prizes and tickets to Monster Jam this Friday night at Scotia Speedworld. It's Budweiser Race Night and we will have Dale Earnhardt, Jr. look-alike and Best Dressed Bud fan contests along with a full slate of Budweiser Weekly Racing action.
All five Budweiser Weekly Racing divisions will be on hand for round two of their 2005 championship chase, including the C&R Auto Supply Sportsman, Nova Automotive Hobby Stock, RV Contacts Legends and Miller Tire BFGoodrich Thunder & Lightning divisions. Last week, the first meet of the season, saw a whopping 79 racecars on hand. Each division will see qualifying heats and a feature race.
Fans are invited to enter two different Budweiser Racing contests on Friday night, both linked to the Budweiser campaign on the NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit and driver of the No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Come dressed as a Dale Earnhardt, Jr. look-alike or Best Dressed Bud fan (wear all the Budweiser racing garb you own) and you could WIN great collectible prizes from Budweiser.
Lucky fans will also have the chance to WIN tickets to next weekends Monster Jam show at Scotia Speedworld.
The pit area opens Friday night at 4:30 pm with practice for the racers starting at 5:15. The grandstand opens at 5:30. Kids young and old will have fun with announcer Mike Kaplan in the Pepsi Pre-Race Show at 7 pm. Racing starts at 7:30.
Grandstand Admission is just $12 for adults, $2 for youth aged 8 to 15. Children 7 and under are admitted FREE. All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. HST is included in all ticket prices.
SOD ENTERS VACATION COUNTRY AS THE POINTS BATTLE HEATS UP
By Ken Pelkie of Sprints on Dirt
Michigan Vacation Country plays host to the Engine Pro, Sprints on Dirt, presented by Total Seal, touring series this weekend as Winston Motor Speedway welcomes them back on Friday night, June 10th after a one year absence. The last appearance in 2003 saw Jason Blonde of Litchfield, Michigan take the win in a rain plagued event. Look for series point leader Tim Norman to be on hand with a host of entries which will include Ben Rutan, Nick Mulheim, Dain Naida, Gregg Dalman and defending series point champion, Dustin Daggett along with many others.
Saturday, June 11th the series moves up to Merritt Speedway just outside of Houghton Lake for a 25 lap feature event on the fast quarter mile. Last season, Tim Allison edged Dustin Daggett in the June event in a hotly contested battle while Daggett came back to claim the other two appearances in the three race series at the Speedway. Racing is always fast and furious when the sprints are at Merritt.
For all the latest news be sure to log on to the official website of SOD at www.sprintsondirt.com.
DIPIETRO AND WILLIAMSON WIN THIRD STRAIGHT EVENTS AT MERRITTVILLE
By Jim Irvine, Assistant General Manager, Merrittville Speedway
THOROLD, ONTARIO … Merrittville Speedway opened the month of June with two drivers – Dave DiPietro and Mat Williamson earning their third straight wins respectively in the Ed MacPherson Construction Junior 2 and KC Auto Parts Junior Restricted Light Original Pizza Logs Divisions – June 7.
Tyler Walker also won his third event in four starts in the RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division.
Two Drivers earned their second wins of the season also. Ron Spatorico earned his second Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Senior win of the season while Erick Rudolph won his second straight event in the Best Fuels & Lubricants Junior Restricted Heavy Division.
First time 2005 starter Ryan Teeto had appeared to be the winner of the Original Pizza Logs Junior Heavy Event but was disqualified after failing post-race tech with bad fuel, handing the win to Rudolph.
Finally in Original Pizza Logs Novice action, Burris Tire Heat Winners were Travis Majuery, Matt Vann and Josh McPherson.
Racing continues with Tuesday June 14th. Gates open at 5:00 with racing beginning at 7:00. Grandstand admission is free.
Bicknell Racing Products Heat Results
Original Pizza Logs Novice Division – 8 laps
Group 1 Heat 1 – Travis Majuery, Matt Vann, and Noah Ferri.
Group 1 Heat 2 – Matt Vann, Travis Majuery, and Noah Ferri.
Group 2 Heat 1 – Josh McPherson, Braeden Bilinsky, Kevin Daunce.
Group 2 Heat 2 – Josh McPherson, Travis Miller, Braeden Bilinsky.
RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 8 laps
Group 1 Heat 1 – Tyler Walker, Ben Werth, and Teagan Andrews.
Group 1 Heat 2 – Tyler Walker, Teagan Andrews, Blaine Barrow.
Group 2 Heat 1 – Colin Spatorico, Jesse Johnston, Sam Junkin.
Group 2 Heat 2 – Sam Junkin, Jesse Johnston, Matthew Farnham.
Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – 8 laps
Group 1 Heat 1 – Brandon Brown, Colin Smith, and Cody McPherson.
Group 1 Heat 2 – Mitchell Brown, Corey Bodman, Cody McPherson.
Group 2 Heat 1 – Dave DiPietro, Matt Fiander, Dillon MacPherson.
Group 2 Heat 2 – Dave DiPietro, Matt Fiander, Chris Watson.
KC Auto Parts Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Light Division – 8 laps
Heat 1 – Mat Williamson, John Matthews, Brian Cullen.
Heat 2 – Mat Williamson, Brian Cullen, John Matthews.
Best Fuels & Lubricants Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Heavy Division – 8 laps
Group 1 Heat 1 Andy Tallman, Erick Rudolph, Jimmy Lutz.
Group 1 Heat 2 Erick Rudolph, jimmy Lutz, Andy Tallman.
Group 2 Heat 1- Dave Janker, Ryan Teeto, Aaron Barker.
Group 2 Heat 2 - Ryan Teeto, Aaron Barker, Dave Janker.
Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Original Pizza Logs Senior Division – 8 laps
Group 1 Heat 1 Tim Fidanza, Bryan Boyle, Brett Stratford.
Group 1 Heat 2 Tim Fidanza, Brett Stratford, Bryan Boyle.
Group 2 Heat 1 Ron Spatorico, Blake Priestley, Darrell Borkenhagen.
Group 2 Heat 2 Chris Steele, Ron Spatorico, Blake Priestley, Nick Herriven.
Group 3 Heat 1 Blake Cunningham, Bobby D’Ambrosio, Brandon Sherwood.
Group 3 Heat 2 – Bobby D’Ambrosio, Brandon Sherwood, Blake Cunningham.
Burris Tire Feature Results:
RCM Racing Equipment Original Pizza Logs Junior 1 Division – 15 laps – Tyler Walker, Jesse Johnston, Colin Spatorico, Blaine Barrow, Teagan Andrews.
Ed MacPherson Construction Original Pizza Logs Junior 2 Division – 15 laps – Dave DiPietro, Cody McPherson, Colin Smith, Dillon MacPherson, Mitchell Brown.
KC Auto Parts Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Light Division – 15 laps – Mat Williamson, Brian Cullen, John Matthews.
Best Fuels & Lubricants Original Pizza Logs Junior Restricted Heavy Division – 15 laps – Erick Rudolph, Jimmy Lutz, Aaron Barker, Joey Mastroianni Ryan Lucas.
Philbrick Farm & Garden Equipment Original Pizza Logs Senior Division – 20 laps – Ron Spatorico, Nick Herriven, Tim Fidanza, Bryan Boyle, Brett Stratford.
TAKE THE HOOSIER TIRE CANADA FINISH LINE CHALLENGE AT MERRITTVILLE
By Jim Irvine, Assistant General Manager, Merrittville Speedway
Thorold, Ontario … Merrittville Speedway is posing a question to its Hoosier Stock Drivers – would you like to take the Hoosier Tire Canada Finish Line Challenge?
“ Our Hoosier Stock drivers provide some of the best racing Saturday Nights,” relates Merrittville co-owner Nancy Bicknell, adding, “ the teams have put so much into their cars … it’s something that will surely create some excitement on the track and in the grandstands.”
Starting June 11th, the winners of each DIRT Weekly Racing Series Event Qualifying Heat will have the option of either starting their feature from their handicapped starting slot or take the Hoosier Tire Canada Finish Line Challenge and start last on the field.
If the Challenge participant is successful and wins the feature event after starting last then that driver will receive a bonus that starts at $200.00 and increases by $50 each event until it is won.
At the end of the season, any money that is left in the Challenge ‘account’ will go the winner of a 10 lap Dash for Cash amongst all of the drivers that attempted the challenge all season prior to the 50 lap $1000 to win Hoosier Stock Showdown set for the J & S Heating and Air Conditioning Weekend September 10th.
“We’re real proud to be the title sponsor of the division,” relates Hoosier Tire Canada’s Ron McKay, adding “ we’re real excited about this new program too … maybe the money will be shared between a number of drivers through the rest of the season or maybe it will all go to one at the end.”
Merrittville Speedway and Hoosier Tire Canada invite you to come out and cheer on the exciting Hoosier Stock Drivers and to see if any of them have what it takes to complete the new Finish Line Hoosier Stock Ultimate Challenge.
Hoosier Tire Canada – tires designed for champions – carries a full line of performance tires for the track and street. For information call 905-685-3814 or 716-285-7502 or visit www.hoosiertire.com.
The Hoosier Stock Division is part of Merrittville Speedway’s DIRT Weekly Racing Series program that also features the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds. The Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, the Dwarf Cars/Mod Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
Merrittville Speedway’s DIRT Weekly Racing Series program opens every Saturday night at 5:00 with show time at 7:00.
For further information on rules for any class or schedule information visit – www.merrittvillespeedway.com or call 905-892-8266.
YONGE LEADS TWO ESS POINTS CHASES TO MERRITTVILLE’S DAVID CHEV OLDS SPRINT SPECTACULAR
By Jim Irvine
THOROLD, ONTARIO … After a successful return last season, the Empire Super Sprints will be featured at Merrittville Speedway Saturday June 25th - a special presentation of David Chevrolet.
Prior to the only Sprint show of 2005 at Merrittville, the ESS will compete in a marathon Spectro Oils Canadian Invasion with a weekend at Granby, Drummondville and Cornwall preceding the Southern Ontario Shoot-out that begins at Ohsweken Speedway June 24th.
After Brockville’s event, Lance Yonge leads the Canadian Invasion and overall ESS Points with two victories to date. Veteran Ray Preston won the season opener, Canadian star Alain Bergeron has also scored a win while Dan Kaszubinski was the last winner at Utica-Rome.
Kaszubinski was the winner of last year’s Merrittville Empire Super Sprint Show and currently sits in 4th spot in current overall points. Leader Yonge, Jeff VanDusen, Jeff Cook and Don Sharp Jr sit in top 5 in points and will be among the field of the fan favorite alcohol belching speedsters.
In the Spectro Oil Canadian Invasion Point Standings after Brockville’s event, Billy White, Kyle Wilson, Bobby Podolak and Bergeron sit behind Yonge as the top 5.
With 4 Canadian events scheduled before the trip to Merrittville – both Point Races could have a different look though as the season heats up.
Since 1985, the ESS have provided some of the most exciting racing on the challenging d-shaped Thorold oval in front of some of the most enthusiastic fans on the circuit.
David Chevrolet has been providing the Speedway with Official Pace Vehicles for a number of years and 2005’s edition is a real attention getter. The red 2005 Colorado Pickup is one of the sharpest looking of any race track.
Located at 915 Niagara Street in Welland, David Chevrolet invites all race fans and teams to their dealership to view their new and used Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, Corvette and Chevy Truck lines. Call 905-735-3690 or visit www.davidchev.gmcanada.com.
With the ESS in the spotlight, the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds will not be in competition. The night will also feature the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Dwarf Cars/Mod Lites. Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.Gates will open at 5:00pm with Showtime set for 7:00pm.
Sprint Car fans looking forward of the Southern Ontario ESS Shoot-out can spend the weekend in one of the most famous tourist destinations while enjoying the Sprint Car action. With the Ohsweken and Merrittville dates back to back, a huge field of Sprint Car teams may make the trip into Southern Ontario.
Merrittville Speedway is located in Thorold Ontario – minutes from the International Border Crossings in Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
For further information call 905-892-8266 or visit either www.merrittvillespeedway.com or www.empiresupersprints.com.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: MOPAR 250 TV Broadcast Schedule
PREMIER PLAY: SATURDAY JUNE 11th @ 11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. (EST) on SPORTSNET
REPLAYS:
EAST: TUESDAY, JUNE 14th @ 1:30 P.M. (EST)
ONTARIO): FRIDAY, JUNE 17th @ 1:00 P.M. (EST)
WEST: MONDAY, JUNE 13th @ 1:00 P.M. (EST)
REPLAYS:
EAST: TUESDAY, JUNE 14th @ 1:30 P.M. (EST)
ONTARIO): FRIDAY, JUNE 17th @ 1:00 P.M. (EST)
WEST: MONDAY, JUNE 13th @ 1:00 P.M. (EST)
LUCAS OIL WWS: Vanderwyst & Pearn head to Kawartha
LONDON, ON - The NASCAR Dodge Late Model team of Cole Pearn and Pete Vanderwyst will travel to Peterborough this Friday, June 10th, to compete in the late model division at Kawartha Speedway.
This will be the second time in as many weekends that the two car team has hit the road to compete in a WWS Lucas Oil Series race. June 4th, Pearn and Vanderwyst raced at Flamboro in the Grisdale Triple Crown race. Vanderwyst won the race and Pearn finished sixth.
The two car team is attracting fans with their electrifying performances. On May 21st, in the second of two 50 lap races, Vanderwyst came from the back of the field to take the race lead; only to be beaten to the finish line on the last lap by Pearn. Vanderwyst has also posted a win at Delaware Speedway, on opening night when he and Pearn finished first and second.
Both Vanderwyst, a native of St Thomas Ontario, and Pearn have previously raced in the CASCAR Super Series and both bring a wealth of racing experience to the team. Pearn is a full time co-op engineering student at Waterloo University.
Changes this season to the rules for the late model division at Delaware Speedway now allow these cars to compete with late models from other tracks for the first time in over 20 years. “We are doing this because we can” says Vanderwyst. “And we are having a blast”.
Press Release prepared by Jenesis Dynamics - Comments regarding this release and additions to or deletions from this mailing list should be sent to: jendyn@hotmail.com // For more information contact Pete Vanderwyst at (519) 671- 6218
This will be the second time in as many weekends that the two car team has hit the road to compete in a WWS Lucas Oil Series race. June 4th, Pearn and Vanderwyst raced at Flamboro in the Grisdale Triple Crown race. Vanderwyst won the race and Pearn finished sixth.
The two car team is attracting fans with their electrifying performances. On May 21st, in the second of two 50 lap races, Vanderwyst came from the back of the field to take the race lead; only to be beaten to the finish line on the last lap by Pearn. Vanderwyst has also posted a win at Delaware Speedway, on opening night when he and Pearn finished first and second.
Both Vanderwyst, a native of St Thomas Ontario, and Pearn have previously raced in the CASCAR Super Series and both bring a wealth of racing experience to the team. Pearn is a full time co-op engineering student at Waterloo University.
Changes this season to the rules for the late model division at Delaware Speedway now allow these cars to compete with late models from other tracks for the first time in over 20 years. “We are doing this because we can” says Vanderwyst. “And we are having a blast”.
Press Release prepared by Jenesis Dynamics - Comments regarding this release and additions to or deletions from this mailing list should be sent to: jendyn@hotmail.com // For more information contact Pete Vanderwyst at (519) 671- 6218
Canadian Gaunt makes mark in NASCAR
Canadian Gaunt makes mark in NASCAR
Canadian Press
6/8/2005 5:33:22 PM
Very few Canadians have managed to break into NASCAR, which is what makes Marty Gaunt's unlikely journey from a Canadian Tire service manager in Richmond Hill, Ont., to part-owner of a Trucks Series team all the more amazing.
Born in London, England and raised in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill, Gaunt's love of racing grew from watching older brother John whiz around the racetrack.
At 13, Marty became a crew member on his brother's team. At 17, he got his own ride and drove for five years, until funding his car became too difficult.
''I think I just paid off the last loan two years ago,'' Gaunt quipped during an interview Wednesday. ''Racing will suck a lot of money really quick. It really wasn't that hard a decision. When I look back upon it, you never realize what's going to turn out later in life.''
It was then he decided that he belonged on the business and technical sides of racing, setting upon a road that would lead him to stints with greats like Roger Penske, Karl Haas and Michael Kranefuss and, eventually, into an owners' chair.
His business savvy was on display Tuesday, when he helped complete a deal that should inject new life into his team. Thomas C. DeLoach, Jr., who takes over as majority owner, and Jeff Hammond bought out Dan and Karen Whitt and changed the team's name from Clean Line Motorsports to Red Horse Racing LLC. Gaunt retained his share.
''I really love the challenge of the business-side of racing,'' said the 39-year-old Gaunt. ''It's become such big business. Putting corporate deals together and building the team is what I look forward to when I get up in the morning.''
Gaunt's career got rolling once he shed the racing helmet for good, becoming the crew chief for his brother's team, which by then was running in CASCAR. A few years later, he took over as crew chief for Peter Gibbons of Stouffville, Ont., who was driving in the ARCA and Sportsman circuits.
That gave the careers of both Gaunt and Gibbons a boost by exposing them to higher-level racing in the United States, but it wasn't easy. Both were still working day jobs to make ends meet.
''We used to drive 24 hours to get to Daytona (to race) and come back at four in the morning, take a shower and go to work at Canadian Tire,'' Gaunt recalled, laughing. ''We'd try to come in and look like we'd been asleep on the weekend.
''I was working during the day to support my bad habit at night.''
In 1995, Gibbons decided to move his team to Mooresville, N.C., and take a shot at NASCAR's Busch Series. Gaunt decided to follow him south and the decision changed his life.
Mingling with the real movers and shakers in stockcar racing's heartland, Gaunt began making critical connections that would later serve him well. When Gibbons lost his sponsor after the 1996 season, Kranefuss/Hass Racing hired Gaunt as its general manager.
''I guess it was the right time, the right place,'' Gaunt said. ''If Peter would have never moved south and I would have never got down here, my opportunity would probably have never come around.
''It's really, really hard for a Canadian to break into it down south. If you know someone, you grab onto them and do whatever you have to do.''
Penske later took over the team, first buying out Kranefuss and then Haas, and Gaunt immediately fell under his influence. He was impressed by the way Penske ran his team and remembers one meeting that ran eight hours and included three separate meals.
''I learned so much that day from Roger about how he does business and how to treat people and what business is all about - people,'' Gaunt said. ''You can buy all the nicest equipment but you can't get anything done without people and he's really big on that.
''That really fit into my way of thinking and my way of management.''
Gaunt went on to have stints with Robby Gordon and Kyle Petty before getting into business with the Whitts, whom he met in June 2003.
The Whitts were seeking a Trucks Series ride for their 19-year-old son Brandon and Gaunt saw potential in the youngster. Soon after Clean Line Motorsports was born with Brandon Whitt behind the wheel of a McMillan Homes/Cure Autism Now truck. The team set up shop in Mooresville before the 2004 season and finished 19th in the standings in its rookie year.
''The whole plan has been to build this team and to build a young driver,'' Gaunt said. ''You try to look into the crystal ball and say where is it going and what's happening. Brandon is now coming into his own, especially this year.''
Through eight races Whitt is 26th out of 53 drivers this season, a victim of accidents the past three races. He was running second at the UAW-GM Ohio 250 with 27 laps to go when a blown tire knocked him out. At the Quaker Steak and Lube 200, he was sixth with five laps left when another blown tire ended his day.
That's around the time talks between the Whitts and DeLoach, a former colleague of Gaunt's with Penske, and Hammond began.
''We sat down a few weeks ago and said, `How do we get to the next level? We've got fast trucks, Brandon is coming along but how do we get stronger?''' said Gaunt. ''Like anything else, when you get stagnant you get behind in a real hurry.
''So we decided let's look at doing a different ownership group.''
Friday's Chex 400 in Fort Worth, Texas will be the team's first race under the Red Horse name. Gaunt believes the team is now positioned for better things down the line.
''The long-term goal would obviously be to run (Nextel) Cup,'' he said. ''We haven't talked a lot about that, we've talked about Trucks racing and Busch racing and we're going to see how we grow.
''These deals at this level of racing, it's all on what your marketing partners want to do.''
One thing high on Gaunt's wish list is a NASCAR race in Canada.
He feels the operational and marketing agreement signed between NASCAR and CASCAR last November will open the door for Canadian drivers down south in coming years and that a race north of the border is imminent.
''I've lobbied for it, I think it would be great,'' he said. ''I've definitely expressed my interest to people in the Trucks Series and to people at the NASCAR headquarters and given them my opinion whether they like it or not.
''I personally think we're going to race in Canada. I don't know if it's going to be in '06, I hope it is, but if not I think you're going to see it in '07.''
-------------------------------------------------
Great to see one of our guys breaking into NASCAR.
Greasemonkey.
Canadian Press
6/8/2005 5:33:22 PM
Very few Canadians have managed to break into NASCAR, which is what makes Marty Gaunt's unlikely journey from a Canadian Tire service manager in Richmond Hill, Ont., to part-owner of a Trucks Series team all the more amazing.
Born in London, England and raised in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill, Gaunt's love of racing grew from watching older brother John whiz around the racetrack.
At 13, Marty became a crew member on his brother's team. At 17, he got his own ride and drove for five years, until funding his car became too difficult.
''I think I just paid off the last loan two years ago,'' Gaunt quipped during an interview Wednesday. ''Racing will suck a lot of money really quick. It really wasn't that hard a decision. When I look back upon it, you never realize what's going to turn out later in life.''
It was then he decided that he belonged on the business and technical sides of racing, setting upon a road that would lead him to stints with greats like Roger Penske, Karl Haas and Michael Kranefuss and, eventually, into an owners' chair.
His business savvy was on display Tuesday, when he helped complete a deal that should inject new life into his team. Thomas C. DeLoach, Jr., who takes over as majority owner, and Jeff Hammond bought out Dan and Karen Whitt and changed the team's name from Clean Line Motorsports to Red Horse Racing LLC. Gaunt retained his share.
''I really love the challenge of the business-side of racing,'' said the 39-year-old Gaunt. ''It's become such big business. Putting corporate deals together and building the team is what I look forward to when I get up in the morning.''
Gaunt's career got rolling once he shed the racing helmet for good, becoming the crew chief for his brother's team, which by then was running in CASCAR. A few years later, he took over as crew chief for Peter Gibbons of Stouffville, Ont., who was driving in the ARCA and Sportsman circuits.
That gave the careers of both Gaunt and Gibbons a boost by exposing them to higher-level racing in the United States, but it wasn't easy. Both were still working day jobs to make ends meet.
''We used to drive 24 hours to get to Daytona (to race) and come back at four in the morning, take a shower and go to work at Canadian Tire,'' Gaunt recalled, laughing. ''We'd try to come in and look like we'd been asleep on the weekend.
''I was working during the day to support my bad habit at night.''
In 1995, Gibbons decided to move his team to Mooresville, N.C., and take a shot at NASCAR's Busch Series. Gaunt decided to follow him south and the decision changed his life.
Mingling with the real movers and shakers in stockcar racing's heartland, Gaunt began making critical connections that would later serve him well. When Gibbons lost his sponsor after the 1996 season, Kranefuss/Hass Racing hired Gaunt as its general manager.
''I guess it was the right time, the right place,'' Gaunt said. ''If Peter would have never moved south and I would have never got down here, my opportunity would probably have never come around.
''It's really, really hard for a Canadian to break into it down south. If you know someone, you grab onto them and do whatever you have to do.''
Penske later took over the team, first buying out Kranefuss and then Haas, and Gaunt immediately fell under his influence. He was impressed by the way Penske ran his team and remembers one meeting that ran eight hours and included three separate meals.
''I learned so much that day from Roger about how he does business and how to treat people and what business is all about - people,'' Gaunt said. ''You can buy all the nicest equipment but you can't get anything done without people and he's really big on that.
''That really fit into my way of thinking and my way of management.''
Gaunt went on to have stints with Robby Gordon and Kyle Petty before getting into business with the Whitts, whom he met in June 2003.
The Whitts were seeking a Trucks Series ride for their 19-year-old son Brandon and Gaunt saw potential in the youngster. Soon after Clean Line Motorsports was born with Brandon Whitt behind the wheel of a McMillan Homes/Cure Autism Now truck. The team set up shop in Mooresville before the 2004 season and finished 19th in the standings in its rookie year.
''The whole plan has been to build this team and to build a young driver,'' Gaunt said. ''You try to look into the crystal ball and say where is it going and what's happening. Brandon is now coming into his own, especially this year.''
Through eight races Whitt is 26th out of 53 drivers this season, a victim of accidents the past three races. He was running second at the UAW-GM Ohio 250 with 27 laps to go when a blown tire knocked him out. At the Quaker Steak and Lube 200, he was sixth with five laps left when another blown tire ended his day.
That's around the time talks between the Whitts and DeLoach, a former colleague of Gaunt's with Penske, and Hammond began.
''We sat down a few weeks ago and said, `How do we get to the next level? We've got fast trucks, Brandon is coming along but how do we get stronger?''' said Gaunt. ''Like anything else, when you get stagnant you get behind in a real hurry.
''So we decided let's look at doing a different ownership group.''
Friday's Chex 400 in Fort Worth, Texas will be the team's first race under the Red Horse name. Gaunt believes the team is now positioned for better things down the line.
''The long-term goal would obviously be to run (Nextel) Cup,'' he said. ''We haven't talked a lot about that, we've talked about Trucks racing and Busch racing and we're going to see how we grow.
''These deals at this level of racing, it's all on what your marketing partners want to do.''
One thing high on Gaunt's wish list is a NASCAR race in Canada.
He feels the operational and marketing agreement signed between NASCAR and CASCAR last November will open the door for Canadian drivers down south in coming years and that a race north of the border is imminent.
''I've lobbied for it, I think it would be great,'' he said. ''I've definitely expressed my interest to people in the Trucks Series and to people at the NASCAR headquarters and given them my opinion whether they like it or not.
''I personally think we're going to race in Canada. I don't know if it's going to be in '06, I hope it is, but if not I think you're going to see it in '07.''
-------------------------------------------------
Great to see one of our guys breaking into NASCAR.
Greasemonkey.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Ryan Litt Hoping to Carry Momentum from Successful Little 500 into Big Doubleheader Weekend
From Litt PR
June 8, 2005: Ryan Litt surpassed all expectations, including his own, by finishing in 7th place in his very first Little 500, which was held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The 18 year old from Lyons, Ontario, Canada narrowly missed taking home Rookie of the Year honours as Mat Neely was the recipient of that award, but he completed 485 grueling laps on the high banked pavement ¼ mile that is Indiana’s Anderson Speedway.
The event, which is the world’s longest and richest pavement sprint car race, is usually a battle of attrition and this year’s 57th edition was no different as only 12 of the 33 starters were running at the end, and only the winner – Eric Gordon – finished all 500 laps. The week did not start off on the right foot for Ryan as he missed the feature in Wednesday’s USAC National Sprint Car event at Anderson, but he didn’t let that get him down and bounced back by qualifying solidly into the Little 500 field and subsequently finishing 7th. Ryan’s finish is even more impressive when considering the fact that the team did not have the necessary tools in place to make pit stops and were much slower in the pits than most of the other teams, which resulted in some lost laps.
This coming weekend finds Ryan back in Indiana for two more events on the USAC National Sprint Car slate. Thursday June 9 will find Ryan and the #07 BRR Media BS&B Radiator Beast/Claxton Sprint Car at the Indianapolis Raceway Park for “Thursday Night Thunder”. After that, it’s off to the famous Winchester Speedway for the “Kenny Irwin Classic” on Sunday afternoon, June 12. Following those two events, tentative plans are in place to put the wing back over Ryan’s head for the “World’s Fastest Short Track Show” at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway on Friday, June 17. For more information, results, and photos, please visit www.ryanlitt.com.
June 8, 2005: Ryan Litt surpassed all expectations, including his own, by finishing in 7th place in his very first Little 500, which was held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The 18 year old from Lyons, Ontario, Canada narrowly missed taking home Rookie of the Year honours as Mat Neely was the recipient of that award, but he completed 485 grueling laps on the high banked pavement ¼ mile that is Indiana’s Anderson Speedway.
The event, which is the world’s longest and richest pavement sprint car race, is usually a battle of attrition and this year’s 57th edition was no different as only 12 of the 33 starters were running at the end, and only the winner – Eric Gordon – finished all 500 laps. The week did not start off on the right foot for Ryan as he missed the feature in Wednesday’s USAC National Sprint Car event at Anderson, but he didn’t let that get him down and bounced back by qualifying solidly into the Little 500 field and subsequently finishing 7th. Ryan’s finish is even more impressive when considering the fact that the team did not have the necessary tools in place to make pit stops and were much slower in the pits than most of the other teams, which resulted in some lost laps.
This coming weekend finds Ryan back in Indiana for two more events on the USAC National Sprint Car slate. Thursday June 9 will find Ryan and the #07 BRR Media BS&B Radiator Beast/Claxton Sprint Car at the Indianapolis Raceway Park for “Thursday Night Thunder”. After that, it’s off to the famous Winchester Speedway for the “Kenny Irwin Classic” on Sunday afternoon, June 12. Following those two events, tentative plans are in place to put the wing back over Ryan’s head for the “World’s Fastest Short Track Show” at Ohio’s Toledo Speedway on Friday, June 17. For more information, results, and photos, please visit www.ryanlitt.com.
SHOULDICE ALSTAR: Rookie Dan Delisle Injured
Windsor, Ont. – ALSTAR rookie Dan Delisle driver of the #1 KFC/Morton Industrial Chevrolet was injured in a work related accident on Monday at his job in Windsor, Ontario. The LaSalle driver injured his right shoulder and has been sidelined from competition by his orthopaedic physician for an undetermined amount of time.
“I just can’t believe this, said the dejected driver. I feel terrible for my crew that has worked so hard to put us where we are now. The KFC/Morton Industrial Chevy was definitely going to challenge for the ALSTAR championship. Right now my doctor has me sitting out for a couple weeks and hopefully I can get back in the car after this short break”.
“We were ready for Mosport. We figured out our handling issues that seemed to creep up on us in the last two weeks and I know I had a shot at winning this race.”
“I spoke with my Team Manager last night, and he is speaking with our sponsors today as well as Joe Chisholm, President of the Shouldice ALSTAR Series, and we will determine if the car will seat another driver for the next couple weeks or if we just prepare the car for Peterborough(hopefully) later this month.”
Dan Delisle currently sits 1st in qualifying points and is currently only16 points out of first in championship points.
Formula BMW USA hits Montreal
Gelles Racing to continue winning streak
Courtesy Michel Poirier-Defoy, Press Officer, Gelles Racing
Front Royal, June 7th, 2005 – Gelles Racing will be heading to Montreal for the next two rounds of the Formula BMW USA series as part of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend with plans of continuing its winning streak of four podiums in four races. With veteran Maxime Soulet from Belgium and Californian Justin Moon who gave the podiums to their team, Gelles stands a very good chance not only to spray champagne but also to earn a first win this season. Going into the third double header of the season, Soulet is second in the drivers’ standings by five points and Gelles trails by one point in the team standings. For many members of the Gelles crew, Montreal is home and the opportunity to up the ante and the goal is to shine with one of their drivers on the top step.
“It is true Montreal is home to many of our crew members, says team owner Bob Gelles. Half of our team comes from Quebec. Crew chief Denis Nadeau, lead mechanics Luc Drapeau, Jean-Luc Lee, Martin Guimont and hospitality coordinator Kim Largie: so Montreal is very special for them. We expect a strong contingent of our sponsors and their guests to be present at Montreal and I really want to provide them the excitement and result they deserve. Maxime Soulet, another Frenchman, and Justin Moon anticipate racing on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. And to be part of a Grand Prix weekend, Montreal or Indianapolis, is very exciting, especially in a series as competitive as Formula BMW. For our other drivers, Darin Marcus and Ryan Campbell, it is also a dream come true to compete there.”
“I heard so much about Montreal and its French atmosphere, I admit, it was one of the reasons why I came to race in America. But I won’t let this take my focus away from the job I want to do on the track, and that’s winning my first race in this championship. Consistency is my strong suit, I am the only driver to finish every race in the top-5 and I keep counting points,” Maxime Soulet said. Soulet earned three podiums and a fifth place in the first four rounds and sits in second place in point's standings, five points out of first place.
“The tracks we visit this year are all first-class venues. But Montreal and Indianapolis are in a class of their own. I will savor those two weekends because I’m lucky to be racing in two Formula One events at age 16,” Justin Moon said. After an up and down start, Justin recovered with a well-deserved third place in Mid-Ohio. He wants to be consistent throughout the weekend. “When you’re consistent, good results follow.”
Darin Marcus
So far, for Darin Marcus, the season has been a big learning curve for the 19 year-old. “I look forward to getting more speed and hope for a Top Ten finish in Montreal.”
This has to be a high point in Ryan Campbell’s career, being a Canadian. “I have been fascinated by the Canadian GP since I was a boy and to be part of it is very exciting. I will enjoy every minute.”
Gelles drivers will practice on Friday at 12:45 PM and qualify at 4:55 PM. First race will take place Saturday morning at 11:30 AM just prior to Formula 1 Qualifying while the second will be Sunday at 9:15 AM before the Formula 1 Race.
Gelles Racing enters four cars in the Formula BMW USA 2005 Championship. Western Union, USA TODAY, Heberts and LeBleu, Care Centric and BMW of Sterling sponsor the team. Gelles Racing is currently in second place in the team standing.
Courtesy Michel Poirier-Defoy, Press Officer, Gelles Racing
Front Royal, June 7th, 2005 – Gelles Racing will be heading to Montreal for the next two rounds of the Formula BMW USA series as part of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend with plans of continuing its winning streak of four podiums in four races. With veteran Maxime Soulet from Belgium and Californian Justin Moon who gave the podiums to their team, Gelles stands a very good chance not only to spray champagne but also to earn a first win this season. Going into the third double header of the season, Soulet is second in the drivers’ standings by five points and Gelles trails by one point in the team standings. For many members of the Gelles crew, Montreal is home and the opportunity to up the ante and the goal is to shine with one of their drivers on the top step.
“It is true Montreal is home to many of our crew members, says team owner Bob Gelles. Half of our team comes from Quebec. Crew chief Denis Nadeau, lead mechanics Luc Drapeau, Jean-Luc Lee, Martin Guimont and hospitality coordinator Kim Largie: so Montreal is very special for them. We expect a strong contingent of our sponsors and their guests to be present at Montreal and I really want to provide them the excitement and result they deserve. Maxime Soulet, another Frenchman, and Justin Moon anticipate racing on Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. And to be part of a Grand Prix weekend, Montreal or Indianapolis, is very exciting, especially in a series as competitive as Formula BMW. For our other drivers, Darin Marcus and Ryan Campbell, it is also a dream come true to compete there.”
“I heard so much about Montreal and its French atmosphere, I admit, it was one of the reasons why I came to race in America. But I won’t let this take my focus away from the job I want to do on the track, and that’s winning my first race in this championship. Consistency is my strong suit, I am the only driver to finish every race in the top-5 and I keep counting points,” Maxime Soulet said. Soulet earned three podiums and a fifth place in the first four rounds and sits in second place in point's standings, five points out of first place.
“The tracks we visit this year are all first-class venues. But Montreal and Indianapolis are in a class of their own. I will savor those two weekends because I’m lucky to be racing in two Formula One events at age 16,” Justin Moon said. After an up and down start, Justin recovered with a well-deserved third place in Mid-Ohio. He wants to be consistent throughout the weekend. “When you’re consistent, good results follow.”
Darin Marcus
So far, for Darin Marcus, the season has been a big learning curve for the 19 year-old. “I look forward to getting more speed and hope for a Top Ten finish in Montreal.”
This has to be a high point in Ryan Campbell’s career, being a Canadian. “I have been fascinated by the Canadian GP since I was a boy and to be part of it is very exciting. I will enjoy every minute.”
Gelles drivers will practice on Friday at 12:45 PM and qualify at 4:55 PM. First race will take place Saturday morning at 11:30 AM just prior to Formula 1 Qualifying while the second will be Sunday at 9:15 AM before the Formula 1 Race.
Gelles Racing enters four cars in the Formula BMW USA 2005 Championship. Western Union, USA TODAY, Heberts and LeBleu, Care Centric and BMW of Sterling sponsor the team. Gelles Racing is currently in second place in the team standing.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: MacLeod Moves to CASCAR Rookie Lead
By: JAJ Entertainment
June 4, 2005, Montreal, QC - CASCAR Super Series Autodrome St-Eustache Whelen 200 and moved into the lead for the PowerWater Rookie of the Year honors.
"Finishing in the top-20 was pretty good for our first start at St-Eustache," explained Tara MacLeod. "Our Central Merchant Services car was good at the end, but we struggled with handling problems all day. We could have used some more practice but overall the team is happy with our finish," she added.
Kerry Micks won the Whelen 200 at Autodrome St-Eustache's tight 4/10ths-mile flat asphalt oval followed by D.J. Kennington in second and Ron Beauchamp Jr. in third.
"I'm really looking forward to running my first road course event in a couple of weeks at Mosport," smiled MacLeod. "We had a good test there a few weeks ago and the Central Merchant Services car should be good. We are hoping for a good finish to move up in the CASCAR Super Series points and strengthen our lead in the PowerWater Rookie of the Year standings."
The next CASCAR Super Series race of the season will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19 at Mosport International Raceway located north of Bowmanville, Ontario on the 2.5-mile, 10-turn road course.
For information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at www.mosport.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
Under the team banner of MacLeod Racing, www.taramacleod.com, 32-year old Tara MacLeod has been a strong competitor on the Ontario short-tracks for the past 10 years, with several awards to her credit.
She has always wanted to step up her racing career, and is very enthused about competing in the entire coast-to-coast 12-race CASCAR Super Series and 2005 will mark her first year in CASCAR.
MacLeod's Ford Taurus race cars are being prepared by Micks Motorsports of Mt. Albert, Ontario, under the leadership of Kerry Micks, veteran CASCAR Super Series competitor known as "The Iron Man."
Project Track Champion on Course: July 1st on the Horizon
Courtesy Denny Snider
It's just one month away from the tentative grand unveiling of the Project Track Champion race car. I saw the car this past weekend, and it is coming along really well. A lot has been done, but a lot has yet to be done. The Project Track Champion team is working feverishly to meet the goal of July 1. The event will start at 11:00 a.m., and end about 3:00 p.m., with regular racing continuing well into the evening.
It's just one month away from the tentative grand unveiling of the Project Track Champion race car. I saw the car this past weekend, and it is coming along really well. A lot has been done, but a lot has yet to be done. The Project Track Champion team is working feverishly to meet the goal of July 1. The event will start at 11:00 a.m., and end about 3:00 p.m., with regular racing continuing well into the evening.
You can stay for as short or as long a time as you wish. Varney Speedway, located between Durham and Mount Forest on Highway 6, is generously sponsoring free admission for the individual with the disability, and their care giver. Regular admission for others is $10 for adults, $9 for students and seniors, $4 for children, $28 family pass (2 adults & 3 children).
I also toured Varney Speedway. A section has been set aside for our exclusive use. It has a great view of the pit area, as well as the entire race track. It is close to the wheelchair accessible bathroom. It's important that you bring lawn chairs to view the activities. There is a concession stand on site as well as ample free parking.
We are trying to get a count of how many children and adults with disabilities will be coming out and how many will want to go for a free ride around the race track. If you are interested in attending this event, please let me know.
Volunteers from all walks of life, who care about children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities, are planning two exciting days (tentatively scheduled for Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2), for that special needs child or adult for whom you care.
The event, which will take place at Varney Speedway, will centre on a specially designed and built race car that will accommodate a person in a wheelchair or two special needs individuals. Come out and be part of the fun!
Our website is www.project-track-champion.com
To get on the list for Project Track Champion updates, contact Sylvia Mannonen either by phone or e-mail: 519-376-7346, 376-1951, ext. 239, mannonen@bmts.com
2005 Medicine Hat Speedway Schedule is a GO!
Courtesy of the MHARA
REGULAR SCEHDULE:
June 11 Legends, Steet Stock, Bombers, Mini Stock, Thunder Trucks
June 25 IMCA Stock Cars, Street Stock, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Demo Derby
July 9 Super Trucks, Street Stocks, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Thunder Trucks
July 23 IMCA Modified, Street Stocks, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Tuff Trucks
Aug 13 Baby Grands, Street Stocks, Bombers, Mini Stocks, Thunder Trucks
Aug. 27 Legends, Street STocks, Bombers, Mini Stocks,
INVITATIONALS:
Sept. 10 Bomber Invitational-Mini Stock Second Class-Thunder Trucks
Sept. 24 Street Invitational-Bomber Second Class, Thunder Trucks
Oct. 8 Mini Invitational-Street Stock Second Class-Thunder Trucks
REGULAR SCEHDULE:
June 11 Legends, Steet Stock, Bombers, Mini Stock, Thunder Trucks
June 25 IMCA Stock Cars, Street Stock, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Demo Derby
July 9 Super Trucks, Street Stocks, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Thunder Trucks
July 23 IMCA Modified, Street Stocks, Bomber, Mini Stocks, Tuff Trucks
Aug 13 Baby Grands, Street Stocks, Bombers, Mini Stocks, Thunder Trucks
Aug. 27 Legends, Street STocks, Bombers, Mini Stocks,
INVITATIONALS:
Sept. 10 Bomber Invitational-Mini Stock Second Class-Thunder Trucks
Sept. 24 Street Invitational-Bomber Second Class, Thunder Trucks
Oct. 8 Mini Invitational-Street Stock Second Class-Thunder Trucks
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Steckly St-Eustache Report
The CASCAR Super Series was headed to St. Eustache, Quebec for the second race of the season last weekend. Coming off a disappointing 22nd place finish at Delaware, Scott was looking to get back on track at St. Eustache. This was the first CASCAR race at the Autodrome St. Eustache in two years.
On Friday June 3, the 22 Racing Grand Prix and International 9900ix were on display at a customer appreciation open house at Metro St. Laurent, who was the sponsoring International dealer for the Whelen 200.
During time trials Steckly, driving the Erb Group/ Metro St. Laurent Pontiac Grand Prix posted the 13th fast time. However, following tech inspection his car was deemed to be too low and as a result he was sent to the back of the 25-car field.
The penalty to Steckly did not daunt him as he began to work his way through the field in short order. By the first caution he was up to 17th place. Pit stops came shortly after, on lap 65 when the Erb Group/ Metro St. Laurent team came in to change 2 right side tires. The 22 car remained in the 17th position, but once the green flag dropped Steckly resumed his charge toward the front.
After another caution on lap 83 because of the spin by #71 Bryan Cathcart, Scott had the car up into 12th place. Throughout the race, Scott was bumping and grinding his way through the field in an effort to make it into the top 10. Finally, by lap 114 Scott worked his way into ninth place. That would be as high as the #22 car would get one this night, as 10 laps later Scott was caught up in a wreck after a spin by rookie driver #37 Tara MacLeod.
Following another MacLeod spin on lap 154. Crew chief Ken Gropp elected to pit and take a right rear tire and a round of wedge to loosen up the race car. The Erb Group Grand Prix restarted the race in 15th place and by the end had fought his way up to 11th.
The late stages of the race were not without excitement as Dave Whitlock in the #39 and Don Thomson Jr. in the #4 took turns beating their cars into each other for which Whitlock was given a black flag penalty for rough driving.
After the race Scott had this to say “St Eustache is the wrong track to start from the back of the field, Track position is just too important here. We just spent all night banging around with lapped cars while the leaders drove off. We’re going to work on our qualifying setup and work on getting some of them bonus point that go along with a top 5 starting position”.
Next up in the CASCAR Super Series is the Clarington 200 at Mosport Road Course on June 18 and 19, 2005. http://www.mosport.com/roadhome.htm
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Marc Miller St-Eustache Report
Courtesy CarharttRacing.com
MONTREAL, QC (June 6, 2005) --- Marc Miller and his Carhartt Racing #8 Dodge made a hard-fought debut in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series schedule at the Whelen 200 at Autodrome St. Eustache this past weekend. The sole American in the field was entering his first race behind the wheel of his new DJK Racing prepared Carhartt Dodge and gritted it out on the tight ¼-mile flat-track to finish a strong 16th position against the top stock car racers in Canada.
“As hard of a night this was, it sure feels good to get this race under out belts at probably one of the toughest tracks on the CASCAR calendar,” said Miller. “We got only a few laps in practice but managed to get the car gridded 15th with a solid time. The car felt very good in practice so I was hoping to be able to keep the nose clean and be there for a top-10 at the end.”
Things didn’t go so smooth for the Carhartt team as a problem with the transponder limited the number of laps Miller could run in practice. The team rebounded with a car that could run consistent & competitive lap times for the race and was prepared to battle it out for 200 laps.
The green flag waved to the sound of thousands of cheering Quebec fans and Miller took his Carhartt Dodge up the order quickly, gaining a few spots right from the start. As quickly as the charge began, Miller had another competitor try to close the door on him and hit the right front. Miller made it through the bump but it was later determined that damage had been done to the sway bar, taking away the great set-up the team had put in the car for the race. The race continued and Miller battled for real estate but lacked the exit grip necessary to really contend for a top-10 finish.
“I got freight-trained on the restarts because the car had no forward bite,” said Miller. “The car turned into the corner and rolled well through, but as soon as you wanted to get back on the throttle, she just wasn’t up to it. We pitted to fix a damaged right front and the crew did a stellar job getting me back out o the lead lap with fresh right side tires. I was hoping to give the team, Carhartt and all of our sponsors more tonight, but that is just the way it goes sometimes.”
Miller was sitting in a good position battling for the 11th spot before coming in during a caution for tires on lap 109. With fresh rubber, and only 90 laps left the team felt comfortable that a top-10 was still within reach but Miller was turned around coming off of turn four by another driver pointing the Carhartt Dodge in the wrong direction. Miller got the car back around but unfortunately lost a lap in the process.
“That is how tough short track racing is,” said Jason Leuschen, Miller’s crew chief on the #8 machine. “You work hard to find a good set-up, but all it takes is a bit of rubbing to make the car hard to handle on these tight tracks. Marc did a good job getting through all the carnage and brought the car back with only minor battle scars. We felt as though if we would have stayed on the lead lap, we could have really turned some heads in our oval debut.”
The team will be back for the next CASCAR event at Mosport Park’s 2.5-mile road course event, the Clarington 200, on June 19. Miller, a seasoned road-racer, hopes to improve on his strong 9th place finish last year and expects to be able to qualify and finish strong.
“I am definitely not afraid to push hard on the road courses,” said Miller. “I am in great comfort running at high speeds and with the new car and extra year under the team’s belt, we should be contending for podium results there.”
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Dilley St-Eustache report
Dilley sixth in Quebec with Dodge Power Water Charger
From Don Brooks
St-Eustache, QC – Jun 04 2005: Mark Dilley recorded the eighth fastest time during practice at the tight little 4/10-mile oval near Montreal, and improved that to seventh for his qualifying position during CASCAR’s second 2005 event - the Whelan 200.
Dilley kept his #9 Dodge Power Water Charger in the top 10 all day, avoiding all of the incidents that caused ten different caution periods. But he was severely hampered by what he felt was a problem with the new tire compound provided for this event, and was glad to salvage a sixth-place finish.
"I was real happy with the car today but those tires just wouldn’t perform the way they needed to" said Dilley from Barrie, ON. He went to the pits twice during the caution at lap 96 to have his team see what they could do, but things just didn’t get any better even with replacement tires. Crew Chief Giulio Montanari was also frustrated explaining that although one-third of the 96 laps on that first set of yellow tires were under caution, they were not even worn. Most everyone else had chosen to use the proven white-letter Goodyear tires.
"Even still, we had a good time with our Quebec friends from Leland Industries today. I wished we’d been able to do better but it was a good race and we stayed out of trouble, which here at the Autodrome is something you can never predict" said Dilley. "And it was great seeing four Dodges in the top ten- just too bad Whit wasn’t there with us this time."
Winner Kerry Micks had a mirror-full of Dodge Chargers with DJ Kennington just .388 seconds behind, while Ron Beauchamp Jr. scored his second podium in a row with a third place finish. Beauchamp continues to lead the points, with Dave Whitlock in 3rd just 23 markers behind, and Dilley sits 4th just another seven points back.
Interestingly, the Lapcevich brothers Jeff and Jim are not twins – but are currently tied together at 10th in points.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Whitlock St-Eustache report
Whitlock leads most laps at St-Eustache
From Don Brooks
St-Eustache, QC – Jun 04 2005: Dave Whitlock qualified his Avenue / NMT Dodge third fastest and led most laps of the Whelan 200 on Saturday night at this 4/10 mile oval near Montreal. But when each of the podium finishers was asked by the announcer if they saw the drama that had unfolded behind them during the closing laps, they each said yes but were glad to not be a part of it.
Don Thomson Jr. passed pole sitter Peter Gibbons on lap 16, and Whitlock drove past Thomson for the first of three times to assume the lead on lap 21. Eventual winner Kerry Micks passed Thomson shortly thereafter and the trio raced hard for nearly 100 laps. With ten cautions in total, getting around the slower-car traffic was continually a challenge for the leaders, but the ability of Whitlock to keep his Dodge up front was never seriously challenged. It was traffic that finally caused a scramble at lap 117 when Micks and Thomson got by the trapped Whitlock. The trio forged ahead of all others until lap 181 when again Whitlock passed Thomson for second and began his pursuit of Micks. But three laps later, that drama began to unfold.
Coming out of turn two, Thomson and Whitlock took opposite sides passing a lapped car and were side-by-side entering turn three. Slight contact upset Whitlock’s #39 resulting in him spinning, and the ninth caution. With only ten laps remaining and Whitlock in 14th, he was on a mission, working the lapped traffic and chasing the best finish he could salvage.
On lap 195, he charged under a lapped car going into turn one just as 10th-place Jeff Lapcevich was doing the same from the outside groove. Unfortunately, the two made contact, causing the #23 to spin and bring out the final caution. The drama heightened dramatically when race officials assessed a stop-and-go penalty to Whitlock. When the green flag waved, Whitlock again charged forward and entered the pits on lap 196. He had gained enough track position on the restart to return to the track just as the leaders were approaching. As the four-car pack headed for the white flag, slight contact again emerged causing Thomson to slip back two spots, finishing 4th.
That drama brought the crowd to their feet and caused tempers to flare. It is that same drama that will emerge many more times as teams all pursue the commitments made during their Media Day comments. It will be a season where more drama will cause the sweet taste of victory, and for many, the painful agony of defeat. And drama will be just one small part of the ultimate victory earned by whomever is crowned Champion at the 2005 CASCAR Awards Banquet.
EMPIRE SUPER SPRINTS: Weekend off before the next race
Courtesy Team Bergeron - Alain Forcier
Following the last very loaded weekend that Alain Bergeron and his team had, there were no races this weekend for the 'Empire Super Sprints' drivers.
After being second in the series standing last Saturday, Alain Bergeron is now in the sixth spot. It shows how the competition is close in this series. There is practically no room for mistakes, since the beginning of the season, there are more than 33 drivers on average trying to qualify for the A-Main. At the first race of the season, more than 41 drivers were present to have a place among the 24 available for the A-Main. Just to qualifying for the A-Main is a feat unto itself.
The next race will be next Friday At Little Valley NY followed by the long awaited weekend in Quebec, with the race on Friday June 17 at Granby, the following day at Drummondville and Sunday June 19 at Cornwall Ont.
At the last six Alain Bergeron visits to Little Valley, three have been rained out.
His best result at that track is a second place in 2002. The Saint-Pie driver is now in sixth place in the ESS championship points, one point behind fifth position and 58 points off of second place with still a lot of races to go.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Doug Brown St-Eustache Report
BROWN CHARGES TO SEVENTH PLACE AT ST. EUSTACHE
Courtesy Ken Spencer, Marketing and Media Relations, Brown Auto Racing
A pre-race penalty imposed during post qualifying inspection that relegated Doug Brown to the rear of the 25-car starting field didn’t deter the Brantford racing veteran’s efforts at St. Eustache on Saturday night.
He simply shrugged of the incident (for failing to meet the roof height requirement) as one of those things to be more cognizant of for the next event then focused his attention on his racing strategy.
That strategy led to a solid seventh place finish in the Whelan 200 and a major jump from 29th to 15th place in the early season CASCAR Super Series points’ standings.
At the drop of the green flag Doug knew he had to make some moves early and by lap 15 had worked his NAPA Autopro Monte Carlo halfway through the starting field.
With caution flags for accidents and debris on the track slowing the pace 10 times during the event, some of the restarts became a game of chance. Several times the #10 car was involved in bruising fender-to-fender and bumper-to-bumper skirmishes that fortunately resulted in no significant damages. As the laps wore down, Brown had moved to within a few car lengths of Mark Dilley’s Dodge (running sixth) and had his sights set on Dave Jacombs’ Ford (fifth place runner) but the final caution flag on lap 194 broke his momentum.
On the final green flag lap Doug made a desperate attempt to get past Dilley but backed off for fear of spinning both cars out of contention especially with John Fitzpatrick and Brad Graham closing fast on his tail.
Kerry Micks of Mt. Albert captured the event in his Power Water Ford leading D.J Kennington of St. Thomas (Castrol Dodge) and points’ leader Ron Beauchamp Jr. of Windsor (MOPAR Parts Dodge) to the checkered flag.
The traditional post race fireworks weren’t the only sparks flying during the event as a number of cars went home minus body panels, overheated engines and an assortment of other physical damages.
Among those incident was the contact between Hamilton’s Don Thomson and Wyoming’s Dave Whitlock on lap 183 that caused Whitlock to spin in turn 3 costing him a lap and what appeared to be a top-three finish. In what appeared to be a retaliating move following his return to the track, Whitlock made contact with Thomson again with just a few laps remaining dropping Thomson from second place to a fourth place finish and allowing Kennington and Beauchamp to gain their positions on the podium.
The next event of the NAPA /Autopro team is Fathers’ Day weekend on the road course at Mosport International Raceway.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Stu Robinson Jr. St-Eustache Report
AWESOME RUN FOR TEAM 3 RED CUT SHORT AT WHELEN 200
Courtesy Jamie Hakonson, Team 3 Red
June 4, 2004- St. Eustache, Quebec - Sun and humidity meet Team 3 Red as they traveled to the 4/10th-mile asphalt oval of Autodrome St. Eustache Saturday afternoon for the Whelan 200.
CASCAR has raced many times around this quick 4/10th of a mile track, but it was the first time that Team 3 Red driver Stu. Robinson Jr in his #3 Snap-on Tools Dodge, had seen the track after the CASCAR Super Series took a one year sabbatical from the track in 2004.
After a tough weekend at Delaware two weeks ago the Team was pumped and ready to take the off-camber race track on for the Whelen 200. The car practiced very well and with only mere 10ths of a second separating the qualifying spots, Stu qualified the car in the 16th position.
With 25 cars in the starting field, there was plenty of action on the track and cautions came early and often starting at the end of lap one. In just this first lap Stu had moved up to 14th. As the race continued, on this tough one groove track spotter, Mike Wagner worked with Stu and kept him hitting his marks on the track. At the half way point Stu had avoided numerous spins, was 12th 1n the order and was staring to truly get the hang of the race track.
On lap 105 Robinson was spun by another car. He recovered quickly without a caution flag and remained on the lead lap. Crew Chief Duane Swinkels brought the car in changed the left rear tire, checked the car for damage and sent the #3 Snap-on Tools Dodge machine back out into competition. Some 30 laps later running in the 13th spot, Stu was spun on the entrance to turn 3. The car was brought in again and the crushed airbox was repaired. Stu went back on to the track, but later retired the car for the night on lap 158 posting a 21st place finish.
Stu was proud of his team. "We had a tough weekend at Delaware, but we knew we were stronger than we what that weekend showed. The Team worked together and this was a lot of fun tonight. The crew worked well and the car was awesome. We were headed toward the front and we in line for a top 10 finish tonight. We are disappointed that we had to retire the car early, but I learned a lot and I am looking forward to the next race!"
The next stop on the 2005 CASCAR Super Series schedule will take Team 3 Red to their first of two road course events. They will be at the 2.459-mile, 10-turn road course of Mosport International Raceway, near Bowmanville, Ontario for the Father's Day Weekend June 18 & 19.
Team 3 Red is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Arctic Car ATV's, Super 8 Motels, Advantex Freight Forwarders, Fast Eddie Racewear and Choko Motorsports.
McIntosh bounces back at Brands
Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations
Brands Hatch, England (June 5, 2005) Formula Renault UK challenger Sean McIntosh bounced back from an electrical malfunction at Brands Hatch this morning, which stalled the Canadian on the start grid in Round 5, to just miss out on a podium finish in Round 6 this afternoon, the 20-year-old taking the checkered flag in fourth just three tenths of a second shy of a top-three result.
Yesterday’s qualifying sessions placed the inaugural “Graduate Cup” Champion fifth on the grid for today’s double-header 24-lap sprints round the 1.22-mile Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch. The Kent venue once again produced the tightest grids of the season with the Formula Renault UK field split by just over a second in the first session and less than seven tenths of a second in Round 6 qualifying.
While Sean’s plan of attack was to make up places at the start of Round 5 this morning, with overtaking notoriously difficult on the Indy Circuit, electrical gremlins quickly altered the Vancouver-native’s strategy as the field toured round on the warm-up lap. The electrical malfunction that materialized repeatedly stalled McIntosh’s engine. Sean successfully wrestled the #24 Team Firstair entry to the start grid, with his engine intermittently cutting in and out, but as the start lights flicked from red to green the Canadian once again found himself without horsepower and he quickly dropped down the order as the field streaked by.
Sean got going but immediately found himself down in 15th and quite literally powerless to make progress as he continued to battle the car’s on-going electrical problem as well as the cars ahead of him, with overtaking virtually impossible at Brands Hatch. Demonstrating exceptional car control in frustrating circumstances, Sean nursed his stricken car to a 15th place finish at the flag.
Round 6 this afternoon brought Sean back into the thick of the action as the Team Firstair crew worked relentlessly during the break to locate and subsequently eradicate the electrical problems that blighted the first race. Sean, together with his engineer Chris Gorne, opted for a couple of additional set-up changes which greatly improved the car’s handling enabling him to race up-front.
The race proved to be somewhat processional as the running order remained static for the first ten laps, Sean holding fifth, until Patrick Hogan fired his car off and into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend from a solid second place. With the entire field gaining a place and the race extended to 27-laps to make up for the ensuing safety car period, Sean stepped up to fourth and looked to make a move on Sebastian Hohenthal ahead of him.
His opportunity came on the last lap as the Swedish racer ran wide at Druids. While Sean ran deep to try and snatch the final podium place Hohenthal kept it together to inch ahead of his Canadian rival the battlingg duo separated by a mere three tenths of a second at the checkered flag.
Following a long day with mixed fortunes McIntosh remained optimistic about his championship challenge.
“There are definitely positives we can come away with today," Sean commented. The problems this morning were frustrating but in the Formula Renault UK Championship you get to drop your three lowest scores from your final points tally so hopefully my 15th place finish is one to go! Obviously it leaves little room for error and there are still another 14 races remaining after this weekend but we showed we could bounce back and get to the front where we belong.”
“I have to say that the team did a phenomenal job to turn things around today and the car this afternoon was probably the best it’s been all season. We had the pace to run at the front, that’s evident when you look at just how tight the lap times were, and when we return to race at Brands Hatch in October we’ll be in much better shape!” Macintosh said
Oulton Park hosts Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2005 Formula Renault Championship in two weeks time, 18th-19th June, and Sean has every reason to look forward to a return to the Cheshire circuit. Last year at Oulton he became the first Canadian to ever win a Formula Renault UK race, the rookie racer dominating proceedings in just his seventh start.
Sean’s back on home territory next weekend as he takes in a flying visit to Montreal to sample Formula One action at the Canadian Grand Prix, 10th-12th June. With visits to the F1 paddock and several media engagements lined-up, Sean’s “weekend off” looks set to be a busy one!
Brands Hatch, England (June 5, 2005) Formula Renault UK challenger Sean McIntosh bounced back from an electrical malfunction at Brands Hatch this morning, which stalled the Canadian on the start grid in Round 5, to just miss out on a podium finish in Round 6 this afternoon, the 20-year-old taking the checkered flag in fourth just three tenths of a second shy of a top-three result.
Yesterday’s qualifying sessions placed the inaugural “Graduate Cup” Champion fifth on the grid for today’s double-header 24-lap sprints round the 1.22-mile Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch. The Kent venue once again produced the tightest grids of the season with the Formula Renault UK field split by just over a second in the first session and less than seven tenths of a second in Round 6 qualifying.
While Sean’s plan of attack was to make up places at the start of Round 5 this morning, with overtaking notoriously difficult on the Indy Circuit, electrical gremlins quickly altered the Vancouver-native’s strategy as the field toured round on the warm-up lap. The electrical malfunction that materialized repeatedly stalled McIntosh’s engine. Sean successfully wrestled the #24 Team Firstair entry to the start grid, with his engine intermittently cutting in and out, but as the start lights flicked from red to green the Canadian once again found himself without horsepower and he quickly dropped down the order as the field streaked by.
Sean got going but immediately found himself down in 15th and quite literally powerless to make progress as he continued to battle the car’s on-going electrical problem as well as the cars ahead of him, with overtaking virtually impossible at Brands Hatch. Demonstrating exceptional car control in frustrating circumstances, Sean nursed his stricken car to a 15th place finish at the flag.
Round 6 this afternoon brought Sean back into the thick of the action as the Team Firstair crew worked relentlessly during the break to locate and subsequently eradicate the electrical problems that blighted the first race. Sean, together with his engineer Chris Gorne, opted for a couple of additional set-up changes which greatly improved the car’s handling enabling him to race up-front.
The race proved to be somewhat processional as the running order remained static for the first ten laps, Sean holding fifth, until Patrick Hogan fired his car off and into the gravel at Paddock Hill Bend from a solid second place. With the entire field gaining a place and the race extended to 27-laps to make up for the ensuing safety car period, Sean stepped up to fourth and looked to make a move on Sebastian Hohenthal ahead of him.
His opportunity came on the last lap as the Swedish racer ran wide at Druids. While Sean ran deep to try and snatch the final podium place Hohenthal kept it together to inch ahead of his Canadian rival the battlingg duo separated by a mere three tenths of a second at the checkered flag.
Following a long day with mixed fortunes McIntosh remained optimistic about his championship challenge.
“There are definitely positives we can come away with today," Sean commented. The problems this morning were frustrating but in the Formula Renault UK Championship you get to drop your three lowest scores from your final points tally so hopefully my 15th place finish is one to go! Obviously it leaves little room for error and there are still another 14 races remaining after this weekend but we showed we could bounce back and get to the front where we belong.”
“I have to say that the team did a phenomenal job to turn things around today and the car this afternoon was probably the best it’s been all season. We had the pace to run at the front, that’s evident when you look at just how tight the lap times were, and when we return to race at Brands Hatch in October we’ll be in much better shape!” Macintosh said
Oulton Park hosts Rounds 7 and 8 of the 2005 Formula Renault Championship in two weeks time, 18th-19th June, and Sean has every reason to look forward to a return to the Cheshire circuit. Last year at Oulton he became the first Canadian to ever win a Formula Renault UK race, the rookie racer dominating proceedings in just his seventh start.
Sean’s back on home territory next weekend as he takes in a flying visit to Montreal to sample Formula One action at the Canadian Grand Prix, 10th-12th June. With visits to the F1 paddock and several media engagements lined-up, Sean’s “weekend off” looks set to be a busy one!
IHRA: Dukes of Hazzard Named as Title Sponsor for Motor City Nationals
Courtesy C.J. Perry, IHRA Director of Public Relations
Clear Channel Entertainment-Motorsports, IHRA and Milan Dragway have announced that the upcoming major motion picture The Dukes of Hazzard, starring Johnny Knoxville, Seann William Scott, and Jessica Simpson, will be the title sponsor for the Motor City Nationals, presented by GM Performance Division brought to you by Heritage Newspapers.
The Dukes of Hazzard, based on the original characters of the hit television series that ran from 1979-1985 that followed the trials and tribulations of the Duke family and their run-ins with Jefferson Davis J.D. Hogg, is slated to be one of the biggest hits of the summer movie season. I can t tell you how excited I am about this sponsorship opportunity, said IHRA President Aaron Polburn. We couldn t have come up with a better sponsorship than The Dukes of Hazzard. The show holds a special place in the hearts of a generation.
Four-time consecutive IHRA Top Fuel World Champion Clay Millican will even be driving a Top Fuel dragster with a Dukes of Hazzard-themed paint scheme. I think everybody knows that my first race car was a 69 Charger, painted just like the General Lee, said Millican. This is going to be a real cool deal for our team, for IHRA, and the Motor City Nationals.
Milan Dragway s Director of Events, Deneen Baxter, also feels that the sponsorship is a perfect fit. It is the Motor City Nationals, she said, and there might not be a more famous automotive tie-in than having the General Lee in your corner. With Heritage Newspapers and GM Performance Division as presenting sponsors, this event is going to be special.
Polburn hopes that this sponsorship is a harbinger of things to come for IHRA and its national event schedule. We’re definitely looking into the possibilities of non-traditional sponsorships for our events. It s a brave new world, and we re hoping that bringing The Dukes of Hazzard on board as a title sponsor for one of our premier events is just the tip of the iceberg.
CASCAR Super Series: Jacombs St-Eustache report
JACOMBS POSTS TOP FIVE AT AUTODROME ST. EUSTACHE
Hamilton, ON: Dave Jacombs posted a season high fifth place finish Saturday night in the Whelan 200 at Quebec's Autodrome St. Eustache. The #88 Lou's BBQ/FAG Automotive/CPS Flooring Taurus Team had a great car all day. Practice saw them notch the 2nd quickest time overall. When time trials were finished Jacombs was 6th fastest, with the #1 Peter Gibbons breaking the track record to take the pole.
The #88 Taurus took the green flag from the third row and quickly moved into the top five. Just after the half way point Jacombs moved into the top three but a tap from another racer pushed him high and out of the groove. Dave lost several positions but was able to battle back to fifth for the checkered flag.
"The car was great tonight," stated Jacombs after the race. "I could go just about anywhere I wanted. We made a lot of changes to the car after Delaware and they worked," he added.
Results 1. #02 Kerry Micks, 2. #17 D. J. Kennington 3. #60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. 4. #4 Don Thomson Jr. 5. #88 Dave Jacombs.
The #88 Jacombs Team are unofficially ranked 8th in the National Point Standings.
Several sponsors support Jacombs Racing. They include Lou's BBQ, FAG Automotive, CPS Flooring, Canadian Linen, Corteco, New Generation Racing Engines, Praxair, Kool Graphics, Wix Filters and Luk Clutches.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Stafford St-Eustache report
Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
June 5, 2005 - After working hard for two weeks to repair the #42 LE Walker Transport Chevrolet from the opening race of the CASCAR Super Series, Sean Stafford and the Mid America Motorsports team were ready for a solid outing in round number two at the Autodrome St. Eustache.
CASCAR has raced here many times but it was the first visit to the very flat but very fast 4/10th of a mile oval just north of Montreal. "It's a pretty tough track to get around" concluded the driver after the practice session. "You want to go deeper and deeper into the corners but you can't, I'm getting it though". With only one short practice session before qualifying Sean Stafford was able to secure a 13th starting spot on the grid.
With 25 cars traveling at great speed on this small a track it's easy to see how quickly trouble can arise. The key is to stay out of the trouble and finish all 200 laps. That's the mission the team set out with. Sean and the LE Walker Chevy accomplished that goal.
Caution periods came early and often with a total of ten on the night. "It's almost inevitable that you'll hit somebody" stated Sean. "I just tried to stay away from guys that were too aggressive and hit my spots. I was fighting the handling just a bit and got into it with another car and that knocked the toe out, but strangely the car actually felt a little better".
As the race continued and damaged lap cars started to be even more of an issue it was imperative that Sean continue to focus on the goal of finishing. With just about everyone, including some of the leaders bumping into each other in the closing stages, Sean was able to finish the 200 lap race on the lead lap with a 13th place finish. "For this team to come up with that finish here is great" claimed Stafford afterwards. "They worked really hard, fixed a ball joint problem after practice and kept me pumped up during the race; it was a really good day for the LE Walker team".
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Cathcart St-Eustache report
A LONG NIGHT FOR BRYAN CATHCART AT ST EUSTACHE
Courtesy Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
June 5, 2005. After battling some tough luck in round one of the CASCAR Super Series, Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes team was hoping for even better things in the second race of the season at the Autodrome St.
Eustache.
With a tight bullring track of 4/10th of a mile and 25 top CASCAR teams all vying for track position you can expect plenty of carnage during a 200 lap feature race event. The important thing is to try and not be a part of any collateral damage.
"It's really important to start up front here because of all the stuff that can happen" stated the driver of the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge. "If we can qualify okay then I hope we can stay out of anybody else's problems". With only a one our practice session before qualifying Cathcart was able to claim the 15th starting position on the grid.
When the green flag dropped Cathcart found that the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge did work pretty well in racing conditions and was challenging other drivers for position very quickly. However the good feeling within the team would go away quickly. Forced to start in the back half and with all the bumping that takes place on these tight tracks Cathcart found himself caught up in other drivers troubles.
Inadvertently collected as part of another accident, Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge sustained some wounded body panels and also the more serious problem of a damaged radiator. "It's too bad" stated Cathcart afterwards. "We had a better car than our starting spot, that's my fault. Then it's just one of those things that we get tangled up in another problem. I've got to thank my crew for working so hard this weekend and getting the repairs done so we could go back out. This is a great group we've got here and even with our bad luck we enjoy being part of CASCAR".
Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge resume competition on the Father's Day weekend at Mosport International Raceway on the famed road course. Race fans can also enjoy the television broadcast of the first race of the CASCAR season, The Mopar 250, on Saturday June 11th on Rogers Sportsnet.
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Brad Graham St-Eustache report
CHALLENGER MOTOR FRIEGHT/LOGEL'S AUTO PARTS TEAM EARN TOP TEN AT ST. EUSTACHE
Courtesy Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment
June 5, 2005. Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts car rolled into the Autodrome St. Eustache for the second event of the CASCAR Super Series season knowing they had put the first race disappointment behind them and were well prepared for what can be a very difficult race track.
The last time CASCAR visited St. Eustache Brad Graham had a strong car that was capable of winning. Graham led plenty of laps but mechanical problems ended his night early. With the new Mopar powered Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto Parts car the team felt confident of a solid finish at the tricky 4/10 mile oval.
Qualifying with only one short practice session left the team with a decent, but still somewhat disappointing 11th place starting spot. "You don't want to be too far back because plenty of trouble can happen at this track". With a total of 10 caution periods in the 200 lap event there was plenty of trouble out there for those who wanted to find it.
Brad managed to keep the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel's Auto parts machine away from most of the carnage and moved up a couple of positions and ran solidly in the top ten through the early stages of the race. As track conditions changed and the cars handling was beginning to go away the team made a pit stop for tires and adjustments. "We debated how much to tighten up the car" stated Graham after the race. "It was my call to just go a little; we probably should have been more aggressive"
None the less, with fresh rubber and a somewhat better handling race car Graham managed to avoid the rest of the trouble on the track and bring the Challenger Motor
Freight/Logel's Auto parts Dodge home in 9th position. "This was as hard a ninth place finish as I've ever had" concluded the driver afterwards. "We had to battle all the competitors and we're still learning a bit about the inner workings on this new car but we've made some definite steps in the right direction. The whole team worked really hard and I'm proud of them".
The CASCAR Super Series resumes competition in two weeks on the very challenging road course at Mosport International Raceway. Race fans will also be able to enjoy the season opening event, the Mopar 250, on Saturday June 11th when it is broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet.
BEAUCHAMP CLAIMS ANOTHER PODIUM, LEADS THE OVERALL POINT STANINGS!
Courtesy Beauchamp Motorsports
June 5, 2005. Still full of enthusiasm from their opening round win at Delaware Speedway Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Dodge rolled in the Autodrome St. Eustache for race number two of the CASCAR Super Series looking for more success on a track that had been good to them in the past.
This flat but very fast 4/10 of a mile oval is a tricky one for racers to
get used to; however Beauchamp has run well here in the past and captured his first
series victory in 1998. A few changes and adjustments were made to get the car ready for this race track but Ron Beauchamp Sr. felt that nothing really dramatic was necessary.
The results of time trials put Ron Jr. in the 9th starting spot in the 25 car field. "It wasn't as good as we would have liked but I knew if we stayed away from the trouble early we had a good car," Beauchamp said.
With the caution flag waving on the very first lap it appeared as though it might be a long night, but through the first half of the race Beauchamp was able to snake through whatever problems arose and moved up several positions. "Things looked pretty good early and I was just trying to save a little for the end," stated the driver. Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts Dodge would be there at the end.
More caution periods filled the closing stages of the race. Ron Jr. had kept the Mopar powered Charger in the thick of the battle but found that his car worked better on longer green flag runs that weren't materializing. Working to secure a top five finish there was more trouble in front of Beauchamp but he was able to benefit from others misfortune. As the #39 car emerged from pit lane after serving a penalty there was contact with the second place #4 car dropping him back and allowing Beauchamp to move the Mopar Parts Dodge into third position and claim the final place on the podium. Afterwards the driver surmised that "We had a decent car tonight and a little bit of luck in the late going, but we'll take it and move on."
With the second podium finish in as many races Ron Beauchamp Jr. continues to lead the overall Super Series point standings. Teams will enjoy a weekend off before resuming competition on the Father's Day weekend at the famous road course at Mosport International Raceway. "A few years ago the road courses weren't my favourite events," stated Beauchamp. "But I've run pretty well and Mosport and like it much better now".
Race fans will be able to get their fix of the CASCAR Super Series next Saturday
afternoon as Rogers Sportsnet broadcasts the first event of the season, the Mopar 250 from Delaware Speedway. It will be a great opportunity to relive the exciting victory for the Mopar Parts team.
New Brunswick International Speedway: Races Rescheduled
Courtesy Gord Curran, General Manager, NBIS
NBIS has moved the Enduro 200 scheduled for Sunday, June 12th to October 2nd. This event was originally scheduled for May 23rd, but was rained out and re-scheduled for this coming weekend. NBIS felt that the new date was lost in a flurry of changes to the NBIS schedule.
Due to a significant number of rainouts in May, NBIS was forced to move events around on the schedule. However, with the exception of the Enduro moved to June 12th and a regular points race re-scheduled for later in the summer, it was a case of swapping events on already scheduled dates. After some deliberation and consideration of the number of changes, NBIS Management feels that moving the Enduro to June 12th was too short a timeline to re-schedule an event on a completely new date.
NBIS co-owner Steven Burns explained that the change is another outgrowth of a
difficult start to the season. "It's not normally difficult to move to another rain
date. However, given the number changes to the schedule, we felt that the new date was lost in the shuffle." Burns added, "That's not fair to the Enduro fans and drivers.
Burns said that the re-scheduled Enduro was different that most of the changes, "Most of the revisions to upcoming events in June or July occur on already scheduled race dates. For example, our regular fans know that we race every Saturday night, so now it's just a matter of clarifying what race they will be seeing. In retrospect, we felt that we didn't leave ourselves enough lead time to properly promote a completely new Enduro date like we did for new regular racing date re-scheduled to August."
Revision:
Enduro 200 will now take place on October, 2nd instead of June 12th.
First Enduro will be the July 2nd Enduro 200 as already scheduled.
FORMULA BMW: Kevin Lacroix's high moment in the season
Courtesy Lacroix Racing Team
St-Eustache, Quebec, June 6th – Kevin Lacroix, from St-Eustache, will without any doubt have a thrilling weekend this coming Friday as he takes his Uni-Select BMW single seater to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for the third double header of the Formula BMW USA 2005 series.
After four races, Kevin has earned two victories, stood on three podiums and deservingly leads the season standings with a five-point margin. But his first visit to the fame Montreal facility is yet an other landmark in the career of this 16-year old French Canadian.
“I keep telling myself this season has 14 races," says Lacroix. "But racing on this
famous racetrack as part of the Canadian Grand Prix means a lot to me in my first
open-wheel season. I fell privileged to take part in such an event. I would have liked to come to Montreal with a bigger margin in the standings but I was bumped off the track in the second race in Mid-Ohio and could not score any points.’’
The schedule will be very tight for this Grand Prix weekend and Kevin will take to the track only four times. Friday will be very important with a 30-minute free practice session starting at 12:45 PM, followed in late afternoon by another 30-minute qualifying session at 4:55 PM.
“We will have a single qualifying session with my best time counting for the first race and my second best for the second race,” Lacroix said.
Obviously, Kevin’s car will have to be perfect from the top. “My team (AIM Motorsport) was here last year and they have valuable data about the track, the races and the car setup. My engineer Yvan Turcotte has prepared the car after Mid-Ohio and it should be very competitive. We have to consider the track is freshly paved.”
Race number one will take place Saturday just before Noon (11:30 AM). Kevin adds: “This is a terrific opportunity for us. We will race after two Formula One practice sessions and just before their qualifying session. This means the track will be better for us after those cars have put more tire gum on the new asphalt.”
Race number two is scheduled for early Sunday morning (9:15 AM). “An early start on a clean track means we have to get the tires warm enough before getting to speed. I will give my utmost all weekend: my goals are to win at least a race and leave Montreal ahead in the standings. Next will be Indianapolis, another one of my dreams.”
St-Eustache, Quebec, June 6th – Kevin Lacroix, from St-Eustache, will without any doubt have a thrilling weekend this coming Friday as he takes his Uni-Select BMW single seater to the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for the third double header of the Formula BMW USA 2005 series.
After four races, Kevin has earned two victories, stood on three podiums and deservingly leads the season standings with a five-point margin. But his first visit to the fame Montreal facility is yet an other landmark in the career of this 16-year old French Canadian.
“I keep telling myself this season has 14 races," says Lacroix. "But racing on this
famous racetrack as part of the Canadian Grand Prix means a lot to me in my first
open-wheel season. I fell privileged to take part in such an event. I would have liked to come to Montreal with a bigger margin in the standings but I was bumped off the track in the second race in Mid-Ohio and could not score any points.’’
The schedule will be very tight for this Grand Prix weekend and Kevin will take to the track only four times. Friday will be very important with a 30-minute free practice session starting at 12:45 PM, followed in late afternoon by another 30-minute qualifying session at 4:55 PM.
“We will have a single qualifying session with my best time counting for the first race and my second best for the second race,” Lacroix said.
Obviously, Kevin’s car will have to be perfect from the top. “My team (AIM Motorsport) was here last year and they have valuable data about the track, the races and the car setup. My engineer Yvan Turcotte has prepared the car after Mid-Ohio and it should be very competitive. We have to consider the track is freshly paved.”
Race number one will take place Saturday just before Noon (11:30 AM). Kevin adds: “This is a terrific opportunity for us. We will race after two Formula One practice sessions and just before their qualifying session. This means the track will be better for us after those cars have put more tire gum on the new asphalt.”
Race number two is scheduled for early Sunday morning (9:15 AM). “An early start on a clean track means we have to get the tires warm enough before getting to speed. I will give my utmost all weekend: my goals are to win at least a race and leave Montreal ahead in the standings. Next will be Indianapolis, another one of my dreams.”
Monday, June 06, 2005
CASCAR SUPER SERIES: Don Thomson Jr. fourth at St-Eustache
(Montreal, Ontario) – Following a fourth-place finish in the 2005 CASCAR Super Series season opener at Delaware Speedway on Victoria Day weekend, Don Thomson Jr., and his Home Hardware Chevrolet Monte Carlo arrived at Autodrome Ste. Eustache for the Whelen Industries 200 sitting third in the championship point standings.
The day began with an hour-long practice session and Thomson was fifth-fastest of the session with a quickest lap of 18.047 seconds.
Don looked to continue his pole run of seven consecutive events in qualifying, but came up one position short, as his 17.778 seconds was 6/100ths of a tick behind pole-sitter Peter Gibbons. “We had a problem with the carb that was hurting us off the corner in practice, and that was showing on the speed chart, but we got it fixed for qualifying, and just missed the pole by the smallest margin.”
With a furry of fireworks lighting the sky, Thomson took the green from the outside of the front row and raced Gibbons tough on the outside for the first few laps before falling into line in second. Thomson continued applying pressure to Gibbons, and on lap 17 he was able to take the lead.
Dave Whitlock had found his way to second, and was close enough to take advantage of some lapped traffic and shuffled Thomson back to second. He would fall to third on lap 52 as Kerry Micks found his way around the Home Hardware machine. “Kerry was really putting a lot of pressure on me, so I let him go and was hoping he could get both of us by Whitlock.”
For the next 65 laps, Thomson stalked Micks, while Kerry tried to find a way around Whitlock. On lap 117 Micks made his move for the lead and place Whitlock in the upper lane. Don brought his # 4 to the bottom and followed through to second.
With just 18 laps to go, and Thomson sitting second and pressuring Micks, Whitlock found a way by Don on the bottom, but a few laps later Whitlock got up in the marbles, spinning, and handing the position back to Thomson.
The evening’s final yellow set up a five-lap shootout, while Thomson coming to the line second. Micks got a better restart and opened up three car lengths entering turn one. By the time the duo got back to the start / finish line, Thomson had reeled in Micks again, but Whitlock, who had served a stop-and-go for rough driving emerged from pit lane and raced Don into turn three. The pair pushed up the track, and in the end, both D.J. Kennington and Ron Beauchamp Jr. rushed past, and Thomson came home with a fourth-place result.
“I don’t know if I would have got Kerry. Our car was awesome all night long, and I was just waiting for him to make a mistake, and in the end Dave got into me a bit in three and four, and opened the door for D.J. and Ron to get by. It was still another top-five for us, and we ran strong all night, but Kerry didn’t make a mistake.”
The next event for Don and the Fitzpatrick Motorsports Team will be June 18-19, as the CASCAR Super Series takes on the world renowned Mosport road course as part of the Father’s Day 500 Weekend. The weekend will feature Super Series qualifying on Saturday afternoon with the Power Water Sportsman Series taking to the Mosport oval on Saturday night. The Super Series main event will be run on Sunday afternoon.
Thomson is looking forward to the Series’ annual trek through the hills north of Bowmanville, “I got my first win at Mosport in 1992, and have been close to winning a few other times, so I’m sure we’ll be fine this weekend. Jeff Lapcevich is probably the man to beat, and Peter Gibbons will be tough too.”
For more information on Don Thomson Jr., Fitzpatrick Motorsports, CASCAR, Autodrome Ste. Eustache, or Mosport, please visit, www.cascar.ca, www.autodrome-st-eustache.com, or www.mosport.com. Or contact Maudsley Motorsports at maudsleymotorsports@sympatico.ca
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