NEED CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS?

The Inside Track Holiday Buyers' Guide is on its way to subscribers in the new issue of ITMN (Volume 9, Issue 10). You should be receiving it by the end of the week.

For those hoping to get a jump on their shopping for the motorsport fanatic in their family, we've produced a PDF file of the Holiday Buyers' Guide.

Click here to download your own advance copy of the 2005 Inside Track Holiday Buyers' Guide. (NOTE: This file is 2 Mb)

CONGRATULATIONS: Glenn Styres Wins 360 Promoter of the Year

The results are in from the annual National 360 Sprint Car Poll and a pair of local competitors were recognized.

Glenn Styres, Owner/Promoter of the Ohsweken Speedway was named the 360 Sprint Car Promoter of the Year while Adam West received multiple votes for National 360 Sprint Car Driver of the Year. Congratulations go out to both for their achievements and success in 2005.

The full release is available at: http://www.southernontariosprints.com

- SOS Insider

TSN: Villeneuve will race for BMW in '06

TSN.ca Staff // 12/1/2005 9:09:21 AM

Jacques Villeneuve will not be going anywhere in 2006. The Canadian has been confirmed as Nick Heidfeld's teammate on the BMW-Sauber Formula One team for next season.

"We took a close look at Jacques' performance level at the end of last season. After an extremely tough first half of the year - which showed that even a former World Champion cannot come back after a period away and be competitive from day one - he got closer and closer to his team-mate over the second half of the season," explained BMW Motorsport boss Mario Theissen.

"We are in no doubt that Jacques will make the BMW Sauber F1 Team stronger."

Despite months of speculation, which had linked Alexander Wurz and Sebastien Bourdais to the F1 ride, Villeneuve maintained he had an iron-clad contract to return with the team in 2006.

"Between 1999 and 2004 I experienced first-hand the difficulties and complexities involved in setting up a new team," said Villeneuve, "but I've never been afraid of a challenge. Sauber was already a good team and now we also have the resources of BMW behind us. I will do everything I can to contribute to the success of the BMW Sauber F1 Team."

It's also believed that Villeneuve's buyout clause, rumored to be upwards of $15-million, did not make financial sense for BMW, who will enter the sport as a constructor for the first time next year.

Villeneuve will begin his winter test campaign with BMW-Sauber next week at Jerez, Spain using the interim C24B chassis which has already been fitted with the new V8 engine.

LEXUS BECOMES LATEST ELITE MANUFACTURER TO JOIN GROWING AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES

Lexus is the second premium automobile manufacturer in three days to announce its entry

Courtesy The American Le Mans Series

Braselton, Ga. - Culminating an unprecedented week of competitor growth, the American Le Mans Series announced today Lexus as the second of two elite manufacturers that in a three-day span have made commitments to field a two-car, factory-backed racing program for the 2006 season.

For its "Passionate Pursuit of Perfection," Lexus will compete with a pair of IS 350 sport sedans in the American Le Mans Series' GT2S class."Much like we hope the new IS will become, we view the American Le Mans Series as an aspirational series," said Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter. "It's an ideal fit for Lexus because it celebrates the technology and performance inherent in the best cars."

Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series, echoed those thoughts."The Lexus brand coming into the American Le Mans Series is as close to a natural fit as we could ever imagine," Atherton said.

"When anyone mentions Lexus, many of the same attributes that are associated with the American Le Mans Series come to mind - words like luxury, high performance, leading-edge technology, style and quality describe both brands. On behalf of the series, and its manufacturers and competitors, we are proud and honored to welcome Lexus into our competitive ranks."

Lexus is the second premium manufacturer to announce its participation in the American Le Mans Series this week. Tuesday, BMW confirmed its plan to bring two factory-backed M3s to the series grid starting at the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March.Lexus will join with its racing partner Team Lexus, which will build, develop and campaign the new cars with technical assistance and backing from Lexus. Work already has started on preparing the IS 350s for the 2006 American Le Mans Series, and driver lineups will be announced at a later date.

For 2006, two Lexus IS 350s will compete in the American Le Mans Series' GT2S class."Developing and racing two brand new cars in a series new to us will be a major challenge but one that we relish," said Team Lexus owner Chuck Goldsborough. "We've been building our team along with the new cars this year and are looking forward to some of the most exciting and competitive road racing in North America.”

One by one, Atherton's promises of delivering new manufacturers and teams to the American Le Mans Series in his September "State of the Series" address at Petit Le Mans are materializing. And with an outstanding 10-race schedule that impacts nine of the top 20 markets across North America, the best television package in the series' history and 2005 season results indicating double-digit increases in sponsorship ROIs, times have never been better.

"The American Le Mans Series, with its 'premium brand of motorsport' platform, is experiencing an unprecedented level of growth and expansion, and Lexus has recognized this," Atherton said. "This represents more than the addition of another prestigious manufacturer to our ranks. Lexus will bring another wave of elite sponsors, high-end clientele and a level of activation that we expect will establish a new benchmark. Lexus' involvement in the American Le Mans Series will have a positive impact by every measure. But the best part is that there still is more good news to come."

Cars competing in GT2S are not eligible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans at this time. However, GT2S entries will be classified in the GT2 class of the American Le Mans Series and will be eligible to score championship points. Series officials are working closely with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) to evaluate the involvement of GT2S cars in the American Le Mans Series with the possibility of making them eligible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future.

MULTIMATIC: up for American Le Mans Series assault

Courtesy Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz

The program will be run out of Multimatic s Toronto race shops independently of the other Panoz related motorsport organizations. Technical support of the program will continue to be provided by the car s design and manufacturing source, Elan Motorsports Technologies (EMT).

The idea here was to create an independent entity to run the factory GT2 race effort explained Larry Holt, Vice President and Motorsports Technical Director of Multimatic.

This is the organizational methodology utilized by most car manufacturers involved in racing and so Don and Danny Panoz felt it was time to take the same approach.

Don Panoz continued, This is in no way a reflection of what Panoz Motor Sports has been able to achieve, after all the team had some great results this past year. But we felt that with all of the other programs being undertaken within the Panoz Motor Sports Group that Larry and Multimatic could give us a more focused, and aggressive, approach to campaigning the Esperante GTLM.

The Canadian engineering organization has provided extensive support to the Panoz factory program over the past four years, but will now increase its involvement to take overall responsibility for the Braselton, GA-based manufacturer s sports car racing activities.

Multimatic Motorsports has a history of sports car success and most recently led the factory Ford Mustang FR500C assault on the 2005 Grand Am Cup Championship winning the driver s, manufacturer s and team s championship. In 2000 the team won the LMP675 class at the fabled 24 Hours of Le Mans; this representing the proudest moment in the company s motorsport history - the only Canadian team to have achieved such a victory.

Multimatic also achieved success in 2002 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona taking the first ever Daytona Prototype victory in the debut race for the class with a car of their own manufacture.

Taking the Esperante to victory at Road Atlanta earlier this year was an outstanding achievement for Panoz proving that the car is an equal to the established European brands. Our plan for 2006 is to ensure that it becomes a regular visitor to victory lane.

The Panoz Esperante is a high performance hand crafted limited production sports car in Braselton, Georgia by Panoz Auto Development Company (PADC).

The racing version of the car, known as the GTLM, has been developed for FIA/ACO GT2 competition by EMT with chassis engineering and manufacturing support from Multimatic. The car is available to customers through EMT and, in addition to the factory ALMS effort, will be campaigned by Team LNT, primarily in Europe. I foresee us having a cooperative arrangement with LNT s two car effort in Europe, except for when we are competing against each other!!! Holt said.

All technical development will continue to be led and coordinated by EMT assuring that customers get the latest technical advancements from the race track.

"From this perspective not much will change; it is only the at-track running of the cars that is being passed to us and even there I am trying to bring as many of the old Panoz Motor Sports staff into the fold because of their experience and expertise. Unfortunately somebody told them about the Canadian winters, so I won t be getting all of them.

The world s leading manufacturers like Audi, Porsche, BMW, GM and Aston Martin outsource their factory motorsport programs and we are very pleased to now have Multimatic running our ALMS GT2 campaign said Danny Panoz, President of PADC.

Multimatic again proved its championship winning credentials this year and I recognize the importance of competition success in helping establish the Panoz brand. We all feel the intense level of responsibility associated with competing against the likes of Porsche, BMW and Ferrari. I know Larry takes this very seriously and will represent us at the highest possible level.

Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz will make its competition debut next March at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

Multimatic is a privately held Canadian corporation supplying components, systems and services to the global automotive industry. The company is headquartered in Markham, Ontario, Canada, and has operating divisions in North America and Europe with partners in Asia, South America and Australia.

Multimatic specializes in the manufacture of stampings, welded assemblies, mechanisms, and suspension components, as well as the design and development of automotive body and chassis systems. Multimatic uses advanced technologies to achieve outstanding product quality, delivery and functional performance.

Announcing: STEELBACK SAUBLE SPEEDWAY

SAUBLE BEACH, ON – Joe Chisholm president of Sauble Speedway is proud to announce that Steelback Brewery of Tiverton Ontario, producers of truly great Canadian beer have joined forces with an unprecedented title sponsorship.

Steelback Sauble Speedway will undoubtedly produce top quality entertainment in the summer of 2006. Featuring edge of your seat racing action at Steelback Sauble Speedway, every Saturday night and Sunday nights of most long weekends. Add in the "STEELBACK CHALLENGE" for Ontario’s Premiere SHOULDICE ALSTAR Series that is a must see event.

Steelback Sauble Speedway will definitely be the place to be in 2006 with a great mix of Cars and Stars.
Keep your eye on http://www.saublespeedway.com/ for additional major announcements that will be released soon.

Steelback - It is What it is.

Peter Thomson becomes the 2005 Canadian Rally Champion

Courtesy the Canadian Rally Championship

Bancroft (Ontario), November 27, 2005 – The 2005 Canadian Rally Championship hosted its final and decisive round this weekend in Bancroft, Ontario with the presentation of the Tall Pines Rally. The highly exciting event saw Toronto, Ontario’s Peter Thompson – who traded its Subaru for a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 8 for this final round – finish in third place to become the new national rally champion.

A stunning surprise came however from legendary rally driver John Buffum, a multi North American rally champion, who skilfully avoided all the pitfalls on the snow covered country roads to clinch the victory, scoring a record 43rd triumph in the Canadian Championship. This victory also gives Buffum’s co-driver Nathalie Richard the North American title. The St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec’s Richard had already claimed the Canadian co-driver title last year.

One of the rally favourites, Quebec’s Antoine L’Estage was running in second place when the right front wheel hub broke during the 6th special stage, forcing L’Estage to retire and ending all his hopes of beating Thomson in the title chase.

American Matthew Iorio finished second, less than 20 seconds from Buffum. It was the third time in four events that Iorio was finishing in second position. Frank Sprongl, the driver of a Suzuki Swift + was third overall when he arrived too early at the last checkpoint of the event and was given a four-minute time penalty. The incident promoted Thomson to third place, scoring the two championship points he needed to claim the 2005 title. The Toronto driver enjoyed an impressive and successful season, taking two wins and finishing all the events in the top 4.

Quebecers Jean-Paul Pérusse and Frédéric Labrie completed the top six, finishing ahead of Martin Donnelly of Ontario, Americans Jake Himes and John Cassidy, and the top rookie, Robert MacKenzie of Ontario. Twenty-three of the 40 teams that took the start of the Tall Pines bravely made it to the finish.

Peter Thompson is first on the final points’ table with a total of 62, followed by Antoine L'Estage (60), Matthew Iorio (55), John Cassidy (36), Frank Sprongl (35) and Joël Levac (23). The following three drivers - Buffum, Nichols and Pérusse – are all tied at 20 points. The overall co-driver title goes to Rod Hendricksen and Subaru claims the constructors’ championship. The scoring in the various categories and all other information about rally competitions in Canada can be found on the web site of the Canadian Association of Rally Sport at http://www.carsrally.ca/

The Canadian Rally Championship concluded its 49th season of competition with the Tall Pines. The 2006 season will kick off February 4, 2006 in Maniwaki, Quebec with the presentation of the Perce-Neige.

Final standings, Tall Pines (for complete results, please check http://www.rallyscoring.com/):

1) John Buffum - Nathalie Richard (Hyundai Tiburon 4WD) - 1h54'17"
2) Matt Iorio - Ole Holter (Subaru Impreza WRX) - 1h54'36"
3) Peter Thomson - Rod Hendricksen (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.8) - 2h02'10"
4) Frank Sprongl - Dan Sprongl (Suzuki Swift +) - 2h02'33"
5) Jean-Paul Pérusse - Marcel-Paul Raymond (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.7) - 2h02'42"
6) Frédéric Labrie - Robert Labrie (Subaru Impreza WRX) - 2h10'23"
7) Martin Donnelly - Robin Fleguel (Subaru Impreza WRX) - 2h12'43"
8) Jake Himes - Matti Himes (Mazda RX-7) - 2h13'25"
9) John Cassidy - Dave Getchell (Subaru Impreza RS) - 2h13'42"
10) Robert MacKenzie - Jeff Hagan (Honda Civic) - 2h21'17''

Competition Speed Racing Engines jumps on board with PMRA

By Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

November 28 2005 - Jordan Station, ON – The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, is pleased to have the participation of Competition Speed Racing Engines to post a contingency award at each series event in 2006.

“We have been behind the PMRA right from its inception,” explained Terry Vince, owner and operator of Competition Speed Racing Engines. “The program is simple, the teams utilize our services and they cash in. It’s a win-win situation!”

Competition Speed Racing Engines, http://www.competitionspeed.com/, is located at 2390 South Service Road in Jordan Station, Ontario. Owner Terry Vince has been building engines for all types of motorsports for 14 years, and specializes in complete assemblies for the hardcore racer. In 2005, this new location has allowed the opportunity for access to complete dyno services.

“We see this Competition Speed Racing Engines program as the first of many more to come,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “Terry’s company will pay a cash award to the low qualifier at each of the PMRA events in 2006 and double up if they go on to win the event. This is the kind of racer incentive our teams need.”

At Competition Speed Racing Engines a knowledgeable staff will assist in the fine tuning of all engine packages. The firm sells as well as works with the customer to finish each project. See Terry and his group at all major races throughout Ontario in 2006.

CASCAR: BEAUCHAMP & THE MOPAR PARTS TEAM CELEBRATE SOLID SEASON, NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO THREE MORE!

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the Mopar Parts team began the 2005 CASCAR racing season looking for improvement. They found it at race number one and all season long, culminating with a sixth place finish in the overall Super Series standings.

With a brand new race car the Mopar team was confident but cautious heading into the racing season. By the time race number one was over they knew they were onto something good.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. claimed victory at the Mopar 250, the opening event of the season and remained one of the fastest cars at every Super Series race event. “Last winter, we built this new car step by step” said Beauchamp. “We did some significant research spent a lot of time getting it set up the way we wanted and it all came together, what a great season”.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and Team Mopar were recognized for their accomplishments this season at the annual CASCAR Awards Banquet held recently in London, Ontario. The list of awards is impressive, they include; The Inside Track Editors choice award for Race number one at Delaware Speedway, Goodyear Belts & Hose award for the most fast race laps recorded, Fifth in the Snap On Tools “Most Laps Led award, Second in the Mopar Top Five at seasons end, and Sixth in the overall CASCAR Super Series points standings helping Dodge to the Manufacturers Cup victory.

“We sure had a much improved season” commented Beauchamp. “It was such a boost to get that first win right away, and then to back it up with solid performance all season was really important. The Mopar Parts Charger not only claimed victory at Delaware Speedway, but also at Peterborough Speedway. There were also two other podium finishes and a total of five top-five finishes, and nine top-tens. “It sure gives us a lot of inspiration for next year” stated the driver.

The long time relationship with Beauchamp Motorsports and Mopar will continue. It has been confirmed that Ron Beauchamp Jr. will be back behind the wheel for the next three seasons in the Mopar Parts Charger.

On behalf of everyone at Beauchamp Motorsports, have a wonderful holiday season; we’ll see you back at the track in 2006.

The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Stock Car Racing series with events scheduled this year at famed oval tracks including Delaware Speedway & Cayuga Speedway along with road courses and temporary street circuits like the Toronto Indy. You can keep up with the latest news on the CASCAR Super Series by logging onto the website at http://www.cascar.ca/

This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

CASCAR: SATISFYING SEASON FOR BRAD GRAHAM AND THE CHALLENGER MOTOR FREIGHT/LOGEL’S AUTO PARTS DODGE TEAM

This season Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Charger Dodge team took a significant step forward in their CASCAR Super Series racing program. Those accomplishments were rewarded with a fifth place overall finish in the championship standings.

Right from the beginning of the year the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Charger Dodge team was a top flight contender recording a total of nine top-ten finishes, five top-five finishes including a season best second place finish at Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon, BC. “This was a year of change for us” stated driver Brad Graham. “We moved into the new Dodge Charger and John Logel and Logel’s Auto Parts brought their support to our team and it all helped us improve our performance on the track”.

Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Charger Dodge team were recognized at the recent CASCAR Awards Banquet for their accomplishments this season, they included; The competitor finishing the season fifth overall is acknowledged each year with a cash award from Jones Brown Inc. The Inside Track Editors Choice Award for their performance in Race number seven at Sun Valley Speedway. Plus, The Mopar Top Five award, Brad tied for second among Mopar drivers, a collects a $3,000 cash award. Brad’s solid performance this season also helped Dodge win the Manufacturers Cup award.


“It was definitely an exciting year for this team and I’m proud of all the guys on this team, their hard work made this possible” commented driver Brad Graham. “This team got better every single week, and we’re already working on our equipment for next season. That’s the most impressive part really, the success we had in 2005 is making us hungrier for next year. We haven’t set any specific goals yet, but a race win is certainly on the list”.


Included in 2006 plans for the team is the continued support of Logel’s Auto Parts. John Logel stated “we’re definitely back again next year. This season was great success for all of us and we’re looking forward to more next season. Brad an the entire Challenger Motor Freight team are a first class outfit, and we at Logel’s Auto Parts are very pleased to be part of the team”.

For everyone at Graham Motorsports, Happy Holidays. We’ll see you at the races next season.

The CASCAR Super Series is Canada’s only sanctioned National touring stock car racing series competing from coast to coast. CASCAR stages events at the most famous oval tracks in Canada such as Cayuga Speedway and Delaware Speedway and also competes on the temporary street circuit at the Molson Indy Toronto.

For more information regarding Brad Graham and the Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Dodge log onto cascar.ca.

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

CASCAR: MEYERS TRANSPORT/PETERBOROUGH HOMES/PARKVIEW HOMES DODGE TEAM ENJOY A HARD CHARGING SEASON

Bryan Cathcart had a memorable season of racing in the CASCAR Super Series with the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes Dodge Charger. With strong sponsor support and a top notch crew the #71 was in the mix at every event.

“All in all it was a pretty exciting year for us” stated Bryan Cathcart. “We put together a good team of guys with Bill Burns as our crew chief, Tim Ellas helped out too, and we had some good equipment. With that kind of foundation it really helps. The competition in the CASCAR Super Series is really tough”.

At the CASCAR year end awards banquet Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes team were recognized for a significant achievement this past season. The Fast Eddie Racewear “Hard Charger” award is awarded to the Super Series competitor that gains the most positions in feature races during the season. Cathcart was the 2005 winner after gaining a total of 61 positions during the season. The aggressive pursuit of improved position by Cathcart also helped Dodge claim their first Manufacturers Cup award for the Super Series.

“I’m very happy to be given this award, improving every weekend was our goal this year and it shows how hard we worked at it” said Cathcart. “This kind of a season also isn’t possible without all of our sponsors. They really supported us all season long”.

With the holiday season fast approaching Bryan Cathcart and the Meyers Transport/Peterborough Homes/Parkview Homes team would like to take this opportunity with you and yours all the best this holiday season. They look forward to an exciting 2006 racing season.

The CASCAR Super Series is the only National Touring Series of Stock Car Racing in Canada. All CASCAR Super Series Races can be seen on Rogers Sportsnet and SPEED TV. For more information and to follow the progress of Bryan Cathcart and the CASCAR Super Series log onto www.cascar.ca

This release prepared by Todd Lewis, TL Sports & Entertainment, tandt@pathcom.com

I.S.M.A. SUPER MODIFIEDS, SAMMUTS RETURN TO DELAWARE

September 29, 2006 Will Be First ISMA Delaware Appearance in Over 20 Years

Delaware, ON (November 30, 2005): The I.S.M.A. (International Super Modified Association) Super Modifieds will be returning to Delaware Speedway in 2006 for the first time in over 20 years. The event, set for Friday, September 29, 2006, will serve as a homecoming of sorts for local I.S.M.A. star, Mark Sammut of London.

“Everybody’s pumped right up, ourselves included,” said Sammut of the I.S.M.A. return to Delaware. “It’ll be great to have a show at home. Last time I ran at Delaware would have been in 1996 when I won with the Can-Am Midgets. Hopefully we can do that again and win one for the home crowd.”

Mark and his father, Tony, are not entirely sure the exact year that I.S.M.A. last ran at Delaware Speedway, though both guess, “Either 1983 or 1984. Over twenty years anyway.”

The return of I.S.M.A. to Delaware Speedway in 2006 seems fitting, as next season will mark the track’s 55th anniversary. At one time, Super Modifieds used to run weekly at Delaware, which is partly how the Sammuts became involved.

“I had a ‘Super’ for one season, and then went to a Late Model in ’68 or ’69,” said Tony. “I wasn’t very successful so I packed it in. Previously I had worked with John Norton’s Super Modified running Delaware, Flamboro and Nilestown. After I quit that I went to work with Harvey Lennox who ran the London Machinery Car.”

Following in the footsteps of his dad, Mark grew up around racing, specifically Super Modifieds: “When he was a few months old, we used to run Oswego and Delaware and we took him along,” Tony said.

Mark, who began his racing career with go karts and Can-Am Midgets before progressing to the Super Modifieds, will be entering his eighth season racing with I.S.M.A. It’s been at least that long that the Sammuts have been hoping for a Delaware date.

“I have been asking for seven years for I.S.M.A. to go back to Delaware,” said Tony. “I’m thrilled about it.”

The I.S.M.A. Super Modifieds travel around the Northeastern United States, including stops at tracks in New York, Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. As of this writing, the Delaware Speedway show was the only Canadian date on the 2006 schedule.

“We couldn’t be more excited about being a part of the I.S.M.A. schedule,” said Delaware Speedway General Manager Kevin Bulmer. “All through this past year, we got asked – by fans, sponsors and racers – about when and if I.S.M.A. was coming back. We were asked about I.S.M.A. more than any of the other touring groups combined, and I can’t thank Mark and Tony Sammut enough for helping us get that date.”

Advanced tickets for the I.S.M.A. race will go on sale in early December and will be available both through the track and at the PartSource store at 618 Wharncliffe Road in London. A separate announcement will be made once tickets become available.

Delaware Speedway’s full 2006 tentative event schedule should be released within the next week.

More information about the I.S.M.A. Super Modifieds is available at www.ismasupers.com.

For more information contact: Kevin Bulmer, Delaware Speedway, (519) 652-5068 ext. 202 or kevin@delawarespeedway.com // Photos of Mark Sammut of London courtesy I.S.M.A. 2006

CASCAR: Great videos from the Robinsons / JRA

Joel Robinson has passed along a few video files that were run at the CASCAR Super Series / Sportsman Series banquet on Saturday night in London.

The first is a compilation video that Joel prepares for every banquet, featuring race action and shots of everyone that makes up the CASCAR community.

Click here to watch the 2005 CASCAR Banquet Video. (NOTE: This file is 7.5 Mb)

The second video comes from the Robinsons' final show of the season, from Kawartha. It includes footage from the 2005 season as well as some scenes from Don Thomson's incredible five-season CASCAR Super Series National Championship streak.

Click here to watch the video honouring Don Thomson's Super Series National Championship dynasty. (NOTE: This file is 2 Mb)

Thanks again to Joel and Jim Robinson for letting me show these videos on this site.

ALMS: BMW ANNOUNCES RETURN TO AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES WITH TEAM PTG

BRASELTON, GA - Returning to the stage where it successfully battled for GT glory in the early days of the American Le Mans Series, BMW has confirmed its full factory re-entry into North America's premier sports car series for 2006. It is the latest manufacturer to enter the American Le Mans Series, which opens its season March 18 at the 54th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

"Today we welcome The Ultimate Driving Machine back to the ultimate professional sports car racing series - and we could not be more pleased," said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series. "This announcement fulfills one of the 'predictions' that was referenced during my State of the Series address in September. This continues the string of positive announcements and builds upon the momentum that has been growing within the American Le Mans Series over the past year."

BMW represents a piece of the foundation on which the American Le Mans Series was built in 1999. An active member of the series both on and off the track, the marque has a rich history of GT racing with its M3 and M3 GTR, and also in prototype racing.

BMW will go down in series history as the winner of the first race in the history of the American Le Mans Series. JJ Lehto, Tom Kristensen and Jorg Muller piloted a BMW V12 LMR to victory in the 1999 Twelve Hours of Sebring. That same year, BMW became the first team from the American Le Mans Series to win the overall championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In all, BMW teams have won 15 times in the series - nine in GT2 and six in LMP1.

Some of the most recognizable names in sports car racing have driven for BMW: Lehto, Kristensen, Hans Stuck, Boris Said and Bill Auberlen, to name a few. Now five years after it last won in the American Le Mans Series, BMW is back.

"The American Le Mans Series represents authentic, world-class sports car racing that is a perfect fit for BMW's authentic, world-class road cars," Atherton said. "It has been a mutually frustrating separation, but with today's announcement we are all back together in the right place."

By returning to GT, BMW will renew its battle with fellow German manufacturer, Porsche, along with competing against the factory-supported Panoz Esperante effort of Multimatic Motorsports Team Panoz and other teams to come. For the first three years of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche and BMW went head-to-head for class honors. BMW won the 2001 GT manufacturers' championship, and BMW teams captured two of the first three team championships in class.


Team PTG will field two factory-backed BMW M3s in the 2006 American Le Mans Series' new GT2S class for sedan-style cars.
Click here for Hi-Res
For its return, Team PTG (Prototype Technology Group) will carry the BMW banner. Team PTG has a place in American Le Mans Series lore, having won the series' first GT team championship behind a stable of drivers including Stuck, Said, Johannes van Overbeek, Brian and Peter Cunningham, and Brian Simo.

"BMW of North America's racing operations, run by Tom Milner's Prototype Technology Group, is a textbook example of the type of program the American Le Mans Series is all about," Atherton said. "They represent the addition of another very professional team with manufacturer support behind them and top level drivers."

"In 2006, BMW fans will see more M3s racing in professional sports car championships than ever before," said Larry Koch, M Brand Manager for BMW of North America, LLC. "With BMW Team PTG ensuring that 'the car is the star' in the American Le Mans Series . we are anticipating another stellar racing season."

Team PTG, BMW's primary U.S. motorsports research and development team for the manufacturer's M3 model, will go down in history again in 2006. The two-car effort will be the first of what is expected to be many entrants in the new GT2S class, a subcategory of GT2. Created by IMSA to encourage passenger car participation for sedan-style cars, all GT2S teams will compete for GT2 points and podium positions in the American Le Mans Series, but they will not be eligible for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.


BMW and Team PTG will receive tire support from long-time partner Yokohama for the 2006 American Le Mans Series season.
Click here for Hi-Res
"This is a historic occasion for everyone at the American Le Mans Series and IMSA," said Tim Mayer, IMSA's COO. "Expanding our grid and increasing the level of competition in our fields is one of our primary goals. It doesn't get much better than bringing back BMW and Team PTG to our series in this capacity."

As was the case in the early days of the series, Yokohama will be the tire supplier for BMW and Team PTG. It was a partnership that worked extremely well in the past.

"We are very excited to renew our motorsports relationship with BMW in the American Le Mans Series," said Robert Dole, Yokohama Product Promotions Manager. "Using the ADVAN race tire, we look forward to building on our past successes with BMW/Team PTG and once again giving the loyal BMW fans something to cheer about in ALMS competition."

All three will return as a team at the American Le Mans Series' Wheels Down Winter Test Days at Sebring International Raceway on Jan. 23-25.

"Along with their long-time partner, Yokohama, we are confident BMW will pick up where they left off with their cars challenging for the GT2 podium at all our events," Atherton said.

For the past two seasons, Team PTG has competed in the Rolex Series' GT class, reeling off 17 victories in 26 events and winning the 2004 manufacturer's championship. That series' decision to allow tube-framed GT chassis with a bolt-on body didn't meet the mindset of BMW to directly market its wares.

Instead, the marque opted for the American Le Mans Series, the only form of motorsport in the world that promotes diversity and imagination among its entries.

"Over the past few months we have announced new teams, new manufacturers, new sponsors, new events in important markets and the best overall television package in American Le Mans Series history," Atherton said. "BMW has recognized all of this and has again embraced the American Le Mans Series as the best fit for its business plan. BMW rejoins the host of other premium brands that have been actively benefiting from the unmatched ROI and genuine sports car competition the American Le Mans Series provides."

BMW's reach is a global one. Because it sells cars all over the world, it has developed one of the largest followings in the world from car owners. BMW will be one of many manufacturers to hold car corrals at American Le Mans Series events in 2006. Owners and fans were the most active group the series saw when BMW competed in the American Le Mans Series, and its return to the series will only strengthen that following.

"The biggest winners today are BMW fans. They have missed the American Le Mans Series and we have missed them," Atherton said. "We received more emails and letters from frustrated BMW fans than all other owners groups combined. But today we put everyone back where they have always wanted to be. We couldn't be happier about this news and I know BMW fans feel the same way."

- From ALMS

CASCAR Banquet impressions

I attended the CASCAR Super Series / Sportsman banquet on Saturday night in London.

Near the end - after bragging about his health and libido - Tony Novotny predicted that 2006 will be the greatest year in CASCAR history.

Click here to listen to an MP3 of Novotny's speech.

Novotny's tone was markedly more upbeat and less frustrated then when I spoke to him before he went on WindTunnel a few weeks back. I believe the situation regarding the sale of CASCAR to NASCAR has taken a positive turn.

While Novotny's speech was short on specifics - as humorously noted by emcee Todd Lewis (who did a great job, btw) - there was an optimistic tone to the evening.

NASCAR's Canadian point-man Richard Buck was in attendance. And although he didn't speak publicly, he was busy all night discussing the NASCAR situation with any and all comers. The fact that Buck was away from his family for the U.S. Thanksgiving Day Weekend was very much appreciated. I spoke briefly with him after dinner and I feel better about things based on that chat.

I cannot offer specifics about the NASCAR situation, because I don't know them. But I continue to believe that NASCAR has done its due diligence on CASCAR, and that is not what is holding things up. Everyone agrees that it would have been better to announce the sale months ago, but that didn't happen.

There were several strong indications that the situation holding up the sale is very close to being resolved. It sounds like something could happen before the end of the year. I hope that is the case.

Other than that, the night got off to a slow start because a light scaffold fell over while everyone was in the outer room, during the cocktail party. The delay in getting the presentations started cut down on the length of speeches, which was a bonus.

Don Thomson made fun of himself offering the same speech every year.... as he delivered the same speech again. He did a great job and received a few standing ovations from the crowd. Five National championships in a row against such tough competition is an awesome accomplishment.

The most enthusiastic applause was given to Christina Hughes (Chrissy), who resigned from CASCAR in early June to pursue other employment. I had the pleasure of working with her for over a decade and although I will miss her, I wish her nothing but happiness and satisfaction in her future endeavours. She is a great person and she did a great job. It was very nice for her to see that everyone in that room holds her in such high regard.

Everyone was also very happy for the DaimlerChrysler / MOPAR / Dodge contingent, who were on hand to accept their first-ever Manufacturers' Award. They have been one of the series' strongest supporters and they paid out $120,000 in contingency money to their teams in 2006. Wow.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. was smiling as he confirmed that he has extended his contract to drive under the MOPAR banner for another three years. Ron's timing in winning two events in 2006 was impeccable! Congratulations to all involved. Scott Steckly, it was announced, will be switching to a Dodge Charger in '06.

Dion Verhoeven was on hand to accept the 2005 Sportsman Series championship, as was series rookie Ron Lethbridge. TV star Tara MacLeod gave a thoughtful speech as the '05 Super Series rookie winner.

Joel Robinson's video was great once again, summarizing the season and offering lots of smiles. Joel said he'll send me the video to put on the site once he gets a few minutes. He also ran a short clip on Thomson's five championships, which he also might pass along.