STP® Returns to the Hood of Legendary No. 43 for the First Time in Six Years
FT. WORTH, TEXAS (April 7, 2006) – Showcasing its commitment to Petty Enterprises, the makers of STP® products announced today a return to the hood of the legendary No. 43 car being driven by former Nextel Cup champion, Bobby Labonte. The familiar red, white and blue STP logo will highlight a retro paint scheme designed to pay tribute to one of the longest running sponsorships in the history of stockcar racing and to launch the new STP® Oil Stabilizer.
STP will be the primary hood sponsor of Labonte’s No. 43 Dodge for the Aaron’s 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway on April 30 and the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the Richmond International Raceway on September 9. To commemorate the occasion, the makers of STP® products will donate $43 for each lap raced during these two events to the Petty family’s charity, Victory Junction Gang Camp (VJGC).
“We have been working hard to make Petty Enterprises a more dynamic, competitive racing team,” said seven-time Nextel Cup champion, Richard Petty. “We are excited to have Bobby behind the wheel this year and it feels like old times again seeing the STP logo back on the hood of the No. 43.”
Along with Labonte, Petty Enterprises has recruited veteran championship crew chiefs Robbie Loomis as Executive Vice President of Operations and Todd Parrott as crew chief of the No. 43 car with hopes of bringing Petty Enterprises back to the winner’s circle. The makers of STP® products look forward to more victories for Petty Enterprises and are committed to supporting the organization both on and off the track.
Petty Enterprises and STP® products have not only renewed their 34- year sponsorship, but Richard Petty will be back on the bottle of STP® products. For the first time in 12 years, Petty will appear on bottles of the new STP® Oil Stabilizer, a product designed to maintain oil quality between oil changes.
“It is a unique honor to drive the legendary No. 43 car with the STP logo back on the hood. I am proud to be a part of this historic partnership and looking forward to driving this team back into victory lane,” said Bobby Labonte, driver of the No. 43 Dodge.
One way the makers of STP® products have supported Petty Enterprises off-the-track is through donations to Victory Junction Gang Camp. For the second year in a row, the makers of STP® products will make a donation of more than $25,000.
The goal of the VJGC is to enrich the lives of children with chronic or life-threatening illnesses by creating camping experiences that are memorable, exciting, fun, empowering, physically safe and medically sound. It is solely supported by contributions and donations from corporations, individuals and foundations. For more information, or to make a donation to VJGC, visit its Web site at www.victoryjunction.org or call (336) 498-9055.
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About STP
While the STP® name has been involved in racing for a very long time, 1969 to be exact, we have been making oil and fuel treatment products even longer! Our first oil treatment was launched in 1954, and we entered the fuel additives business in 1960. Through the years, we have continued to innovate and provide products consumers know and trust . Our most recent product, STP® The Racer’s Edge® Oil Stabilizer, is yet another example of our relentless commitment to providing great products to improve the performance of consumers’ cars all over the world.
The Armor All/STP Products Company is a leading manufacturer of quality car care products. The STP line of products includes STP® Gas Treatment, STP® Fuel Injector and Carburetor Treatment, STP® Super Concentrated Fuel Injector Cleaner, STP® Complete Fuel System Cleaner, STP® Octane Performance Booster and now the STP® Oil Stabilizer.
About Petty Enterprises
The 2006 season will mark Petty Enterprises’ 57th year of racing, evolving from a small A-frame shop in the middle of North Carolina into one of the most successful racing organizations in motor sports history. Combined, the Pettys have won 273 races.
FOR MORE INFORMATION LOG ONTO WWW.STP.COM
From Ketchum.com
Friday, April 07, 2006
Inside Track Releases 2006 Canadian Speedway Guide
Popular aid for race fans now in its ninth year
TORONTO, ON - For the ninth time in as many years, Inside Track Communications has released its annual Canadian Speedway Guide, included free in every copy of the May 2006 issue of Inside Track Motorsport News.
“Every winter I consistently get phone calls or emails from readers and race fans asking when the new Canadian Speedway Guide will hit newsstands,” Inside Track Motorsport News Editor-in-Chief Greg MacPherson said. “It’s amazing just how popular it has become over the years.
We hear stories about how the Speedway Guide spends the summer in racing fans’ glove boxes, and that by the end of the racing season it’s dog-eared and worn out. We often hear from people who are fans of one type of racing, but who have enjoyed broadening their horizons by attending a different type of motorsport than they usually do.”
The 2006 Canadian Speedway Guide features up-to-date schedules of nearly every track across Canada, from Avondale Speedway in Newfoundland to Western Speedway in British Columbia and everything in between. Also included are detailed schedules for U.S. Border Tracks like Ransomville Speedway in New York State or Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
As well, the event dates of major and minor Canadian racing series like CASCAR, the Canadian Rally Championship and the WESCAR Stock Car Series are included in the 2006 Canadian Speedway Guide, along with a similar selection of popular International race organizations such as NASCAR, the Champ Car World Series and the American Le Mans Series.
Rounding out the guide, there are also sections devoted to Canadian Motorcycle and Karting tracks and series.
As a bonus, for those fans interested in learning how to participate in the on-track entertainment, the 2006 Canadian Speedway Guide includes information from six of Canada’s top racing schools everything from stock cars to road racing and rallying are featured, giving potential rookie competitors or veteran racers a broad selection of venues and disciplines to choose from.
The 2006 Canadian Speedway Guide, along with the May 2006 (Volume 10, Issue 3) Inside Track Motorsport News, will be mailed to subscribers by mid-April, and should hit newsstands not long after.
RIDE WITH US TOUR 2: Update from Keith Hepburn
Greetings Everyone:
Just an update on the "Ride With Us Tour...2" for The War Amps being held on August 6, 2006. Everything pertaining to this event is progressing very well. Sponsors are starting to donate. Participant prizes are starting to file in. Things are starting to fall in order.
The route for this years event has been scheduled to cover parts of beautiful Grey & Bruce Counties.
After a fundraising breakfast at Steelback Sauble Speedway, with the food & drinks being donated by Solway's IGA in Wiarton, this tour will be departing from Sauble Speedway and proceeding to Tobermory via some breath taking water view sceneries.
I have attached a picture of one of the many spectacular sites you will see while travelling on our proposed route. Please plan on attending this event, it will be awesome.
The return trip of this tour will finish at Sauble Speedway for our event ending ceremonies before the start of the Shouldice ALSTAR Series Quaker State 100 for anyone interesting in attending this highly publicized stock car racing event.
Don't forget to mark this date on your calendar now, August 6th, 2006 for a great day of fun. I will be following up with a schedule of times & the route soon.
Hope to see you there!
Drive Safe
Keith Hepburn
ALSTAR Charity Ride Event Co-ordinator
UPDATE: NBC goes hunting for racists at Martinsville... and comes up empty
Here's a story in the USA Today in which NBC defends its tactics.
And in this one, NASCAR goes on the offensive, congratulating its patrons for not taking NBC's bait. Something tells me they're not happy with their broadcast partner.
From the NASCAR article, by B. Dwayne Cross:
NBC News baited the hook, but netted nothing in its "sting" attempt to find anti-Muslim sentiments during the Martinsville race weekend.
By its own admission NBC News was so "intrigued by the results of a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll and other articles regarding increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States" that it decided to make the news, rather than merely report.
NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.
Syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin on Monday posted an e-mail -- an apparent solicitation to Muslim groups -- on her Web site. Malkin does not work for NBC, but posted the e-mail under the heading "NBC: Staging the news again?" The e-mail, written by Tarek El-Messidi but not authorized by NBC News, in part said:
I have been talking with a producer of the NBC Dateline show and he is in the process of filming a piece on anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in the USA. They are looking for some Muslim male candidates for their show who would be willing to go to non-Muslim gatherings and see if they attract any discriminatory comments or actions while being filmed.
They recently taped two turbaned Sikh men attending a football game in Arizona to see how people would treat them. They set them up with hidden microphones and cameras, etc.
They want to do the same thing 2 or 3 other times (in various parts of the USA) with one or two Muslim men in each setting. They are looking for men who actually "look Muslim". They want a guy with no foreign accent whatsoever, a good thick beard, an outgoing personality, and someone willing to wear a kufi/skullcap during the filming.
That said, I'm urgently looking for someone who can be filmed this April 1st weekend at a Nascar event (and other smaller events) in Virginia. NBC is willing to fly in someone and cover their weekend expenses. The filming would take place all day on Saturday and Sunday.
The inference is that NASCAR fans are bigots, and NBC News was hoping to bait fans into making insensitive remarks to the Muslim / Arab people it had planted at the track.
Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications, said Wednesday that no instances of unrest were reported. "No one bothered them," Poston said.
It's hard to imagine that NBC News would try to entrap fans in a ploy to make its Dateline segment juicier. But apparently the network did just that; NBC did not deny its actions when confronted by NASCAR.
In a statement released by NBC, it noted that more "plants" are in the works: "It's very early on in our newsgathering process, but be assured we will be visiting a number of locations across the country and are confident that our reporting team is pursuing this story in a fair manner."
Mind-boggling, that's the only way I know to describe that mentality.
"NASCAR thinks it's absolutely outrageous that you have a news organization trying to make the news instead of reporting the news," Poston said.
While NBC News is at it, why not send a few Kluxers into the infield at Talladega? Talk about being short-sheeted by the end of the night.
NBC News should know that NASCAR isn't the last bastion of redneck; the people at NBC Sports thought so much of NASCAR -- and its diverse fan base -- that it chipped in with TNT to spend $1.2 billion for broadcast rights the past six years.
Mike Smith, director of public relations for Martinsville Speedway, said that the Dateline crew's presence wasn't as stealth as it possibly hoped.
"Our security knew almost immediately that [the Dateline crew] were on site and they were monitored the whole time they were here, for obvious reasons -- their protections, fans protection -- and they were not disturbed," Smith said. "It says a lot about our fans.
"If there is an upside, it shows that the image so many people have of NASCAR fans is a false one, and it shows that not only at Martinsville Speedway, but at NASCAR tracks in general, it shows what type of security we have in place that can discover something like this, observe it and make sure nothing happens.
"We've gotten calls [Thursday] from fans praising our security and wanting the number for Dateline," Smith said. "As disappointed as we are, we feel pretty good about the end result."
Take a bow, NASCAR Nation.
And in this one, NASCAR goes on the offensive, congratulating its patrons for not taking NBC's bait. Something tells me they're not happy with their broadcast partner.
From the NASCAR article, by B. Dwayne Cross:
NBC News baited the hook, but netted nothing in its "sting" attempt to find anti-Muslim sentiments during the Martinsville race weekend.
By its own admission NBC News was so "intrigued by the results of a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll and other articles regarding increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States" that it decided to make the news, rather than merely report.
NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.
Syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin on Monday posted an e-mail -- an apparent solicitation to Muslim groups -- on her Web site. Malkin does not work for NBC, but posted the e-mail under the heading "NBC: Staging the news again?" The e-mail, written by Tarek El-Messidi but not authorized by NBC News, in part said:
I have been talking with a producer of the NBC Dateline show and he is in the process of filming a piece on anti-Muslim and anti-Arab discrimination in the USA. They are looking for some Muslim male candidates for their show who would be willing to go to non-Muslim gatherings and see if they attract any discriminatory comments or actions while being filmed.
They recently taped two turbaned Sikh men attending a football game in Arizona to see how people would treat them. They set them up with hidden microphones and cameras, etc.
They want to do the same thing 2 or 3 other times (in various parts of the USA) with one or two Muslim men in each setting. They are looking for men who actually "look Muslim". They want a guy with no foreign accent whatsoever, a good thick beard, an outgoing personality, and someone willing to wear a kufi/skullcap during the filming.
That said, I'm urgently looking for someone who can be filmed this April 1st weekend at a Nascar event (and other smaller events) in Virginia. NBC is willing to fly in someone and cover their weekend expenses. The filming would take place all day on Saturday and Sunday.
The inference is that NASCAR fans are bigots, and NBC News was hoping to bait fans into making insensitive remarks to the Muslim / Arab people it had planted at the track.
Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications, said Wednesday that no instances of unrest were reported. "No one bothered them," Poston said.
It's hard to imagine that NBC News would try to entrap fans in a ploy to make its Dateline segment juicier. But apparently the network did just that; NBC did not deny its actions when confronted by NASCAR.
In a statement released by NBC, it noted that more "plants" are in the works: "It's very early on in our newsgathering process, but be assured we will be visiting a number of locations across the country and are confident that our reporting team is pursuing this story in a fair manner."
Mind-boggling, that's the only way I know to describe that mentality.
"NASCAR thinks it's absolutely outrageous that you have a news organization trying to make the news instead of reporting the news," Poston said.
While NBC News is at it, why not send a few Kluxers into the infield at Talladega? Talk about being short-sheeted by the end of the night.
NBC News should know that NASCAR isn't the last bastion of redneck; the people at NBC Sports thought so much of NASCAR -- and its diverse fan base -- that it chipped in with TNT to spend $1.2 billion for broadcast rights the past six years.
Mike Smith, director of public relations for Martinsville Speedway, said that the Dateline crew's presence wasn't as stealth as it possibly hoped.
"Our security knew almost immediately that [the Dateline crew] were on site and they were monitored the whole time they were here, for obvious reasons -- their protections, fans protection -- and they were not disturbed," Smith said. "It says a lot about our fans.
"If there is an upside, it shows that the image so many people have of NASCAR fans is a false one, and it shows that not only at Martinsville Speedway, but at NASCAR tracks in general, it shows what type of security we have in place that can discover something like this, observe it and make sure nothing happens.
"We've gotten calls [Thursday] from fans praising our security and wanting the number for Dateline," Smith said. "As disappointed as we are, we feel pretty good about the end result."
Take a bow, NASCAR Nation.
A1 Team Canada: Pace-setting Canadian wraps up pre-season testing
Nurburgring, Germany (April 07, 2006) - Canada's Sean McIntosh concluded the final two days of pre-season testing in the World Series by Renault by heading the timesheets at Germany's Nurburgring Circuit on Wednesday before finishing third fastest in yesterday's final day of practice ahead of the start of the season at Zolder in Belgium, 29th-30th April.
Following mixed fortunes at Le Mans last weekend, set-back by an engine failure on the first day before responding with the seventh quickest time on the second, there were to be no such problems this week as the 20-year-old from Vancouver started to lap the 5.148km German circuit, home of the European Grand Prix, on Wednesday. Firing on all cylinders from the off, Sean's fastest lap, 1m43.188s, posted him firmly at the top of the timesheets on day one, two tenths of a second faster than his closest challenger from the 30-car field.
While inclement weather conditions delayed Thursday morning's track activities, when the action resumed Sean was on it again, quickly up to speed in the #6 Team KTR entry. Opting not to use up another set of Michelins towards the end of the final session, Sean's best lap on Thursday, a 1m43.248s, placed him third fastest on the day with Wednesday's hot lap placing him third overall on the times set at the test - an encouraging way for the young Canadian A1 Grand Prix winner to wrap up pre-season testing.
Sean McIntosh:
"Obviously I'd have liked to have been P1 again on Thursday but the conditions were quite different and we were comfortable knowing what we were capable of running so we didn't need to bang out a time at the end. We were at the front of the pack for both days which reflects the progress we've made since we began testing at Barcelona last month. Overall I'm really happy with how we've spent our time and the relationship developing with Team KTR. It's good to be heading to Zolder at the end of the month amongst the pace-setters!"
Kurt Mollekens - KTR Team Manager:
"I'm very happy with the outcome of pre-season testing. As a team we have good cars and good drivers and this is set to be an extremely competitive season of World Series by Renault. Sean was really impressive at the Nurburgring. Despite having to learn the circuit he was simply on it right from the start. He was quick on used tires and extremely competitive throughout. I've got no doubt if we'd put a fresh set of tires on at the end of Thursday's session he'd have been P1 again. Sean's adapted really well to this car and I'm confident heading into the start of the new season."
From Stuart Morrison Public Relations
Thursday, April 06, 2006
2 nd ANNUAL “CANADIAN SPRINT CAR NATIONALS” AFFILIATE SANCTIONS GROWS TO SIX
Courtesy Ken PelkieAn even stronger field of 360 sprints will converged on the Styres family owned Ohsweken Speedway, a fast three-eights mile clay oval located on the Six Nations Reserve just outside Brantford, Ontario when the 2nd annual running of the “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” set for September 15th and 16th takes place. Not to say that last year’s seventy-two entries who attended the 2005 edition of the race was disappointing by any means.
In fact, the inaugural event run last September 17th was much more than expected. The four regional sprint series bordering the area which threw their support behind the race was impressive; and the huge crowd that turned out was unbelievable. Kenny Jacobs of Holmesville, Ohio driving a JEI chassis prepared by Mike Woodring took the win over Jeff VanDusen in one of the greatest events in the modern day era of dirt track racing in Ontario. The reception received from the fans and race teams provided the encouragement to the organizing staff to go with a second race and proceed with a plan to develop the Nationals into the annual premier event at Ohsweken.
With that in mind, CSCN staff has been able to secure “affiliate sanctions” from two more bodies neighboring the region. The NRA (National Racing Alliance) headquartered in Lima, Ohio are the last to join the CSCN group. Represented by several teams at the inaugural race last year including J.R. Stewart, Tim Allison, and Cory Seeling the NRA is expected to send a large contingent to this year’s race. The other group to throw support behind the CSCN this year will be the URC (United Racing Company) operating out of Dover, Delaware. Recently reorganizing, the former United Racing Club is rich in sprint car tradition with over fifty years of sanctioning experience. Still operating under the direction of John Zimmerman and Bob Miller, the URC boasts of such notables as Kramer Williamson, Curt Michael, Kevin Welsh, and Dave Ely of DMI Sprint Racing Parts and should also send a strong contingent that will raise the bar of competition. They join the New York state based ESS (Empire Super Sprints) and PSG (Patriot Sprint Group who have recently been absorbed by ASCS), the ASCS Sprints On Dirt (SOD) from Michigan, and the home grown SOS (Southern Ontario Sprints). Together they form all of the 360 sanctioning bodies in the north-east region operating in nearly 1.25 million acres in seven states and two Canadian Provinces.
The second “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” presented by Arrow Express, will retain a one day format and look very similar to the inaugural race. Time trials will once again set the starting line-ups for the heat races. There will however, be a couple of subtle differences. First of all, the winner will collect $6,000, up from $5,000 in 2005 while second place will now pay $3,000. And secondly, two additional positions will be added to the starting field of the 30 lap “A” Main which will now total 26. Each of the additional positions will pay $500.
Friday night September 15 will also feature a program of sprint cars with the second running of the “Village Pizza - Ohsweken Shootout” headlining the program. Also on the card will be a series of sprint heats lined up by a random draw and a pair of 15 lap features with the two winners guaranteed starting positions in the Nationals “A” Main the following night.
Make your plans now to join us at Ohsweken Speedway on September 15 & 16, 2006 for the “Canadian Sprint Car Nationals” weekend. More information will be released in the coming weeks as momentum grows and entries begin to be filed.
Antoine Bessette still looking for a ride in 2006
Courtesy Service Presse
Montreal, Canada, April 6th. – Unable to strike a deal with a few teams in the new Champ Car Atlantic championship, Quebec’s own Antoine Bessette is seeking for a seat left in other competitive series in 2006. Negotiations with four teams did not materialize and the double Gilles-Villeneuve award winner does not want to remain idle and wants to try his luck with the very competitive prototype racers. Bessette was invited to test with 2005 GP2 champion team ART Grand Prix, but decline the offer to stay in America.
“Up to the very last minute before the test days in Fontana, I thought I had it made with a team in the new Champ Car Atlantic series, says the 23 year old, but the agreement fell short. This is the reason why I want to find an opportunity with a team in the Grand-Am or American Le Mans series. Just spread the word. This is the path that many drivers coming out of Atlantic have followed (Valiante, Dalziel, Fogarty).”
Still aiming for Champ Car
Even if Bessette will not enter the Champ Car Atlantic series for a second year, he is still nursing a project that will see him in Champ car in 2007. He goes on: “I want to thank the Atlantic team owners that tried to workout something with me. Obviously, I’m disappointed. I have won races in all the series I’ve entered, Formula Ford, Pro Barber Dodge, Formula Renault and Atlantic. And I got better every year. I’m sure I can be competitive in Champ Car. That’s why I’ll start working on the 2007 project right away.”
Will be in Long Beach
Antoine Bessette will be in Long Beach this coming weekend for the start of the season. He will meet with some teams and look for opportunities. “I want to thank all the fans that asked for news. They have been so important in my career so far. They need not worry, I’ll bounce back!”
Canadian events hopeful
Winners of two rounds last year in Montreal and Toronto with Team Polestar, Bessette was a Gilles-Villeneuve award winner from the Atlantic series for the driver who possesses extraordinary ability, has that special "star quality" and who has been distinguished through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment" and Best Canadian Race Driver from the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. Bessette admits there is a possibility to see him enter all three Canadian events.
Antoine Bessette takes the opportunity to thank the large number of fans who took some time to visit his web site at www.bessetteracing.com.
Montreal, Canada, April 6th. – Unable to strike a deal with a few teams in the new Champ Car Atlantic championship, Quebec’s own Antoine Bessette is seeking for a seat left in other competitive series in 2006. Negotiations with four teams did not materialize and the double Gilles-Villeneuve award winner does not want to remain idle and wants to try his luck with the very competitive prototype racers. Bessette was invited to test with 2005 GP2 champion team ART Grand Prix, but decline the offer to stay in America.
“Up to the very last minute before the test days in Fontana, I thought I had it made with a team in the new Champ Car Atlantic series, says the 23 year old, but the agreement fell short. This is the reason why I want to find an opportunity with a team in the Grand-Am or American Le Mans series. Just spread the word. This is the path that many drivers coming out of Atlantic have followed (Valiante, Dalziel, Fogarty).”
Still aiming for Champ Car
Even if Bessette will not enter the Champ Car Atlantic series for a second year, he is still nursing a project that will see him in Champ car in 2007. He goes on: “I want to thank the Atlantic team owners that tried to workout something with me. Obviously, I’m disappointed. I have won races in all the series I’ve entered, Formula Ford, Pro Barber Dodge, Formula Renault and Atlantic. And I got better every year. I’m sure I can be competitive in Champ Car. That’s why I’ll start working on the 2007 project right away.”
Will be in Long Beach
Antoine Bessette will be in Long Beach this coming weekend for the start of the season. He will meet with some teams and look for opportunities. “I want to thank all the fans that asked for news. They have been so important in my career so far. They need not worry, I’ll bounce back!”
Canadian events hopeful
Winners of two rounds last year in Montreal and Toronto with Team Polestar, Bessette was a Gilles-Villeneuve award winner from the Atlantic series for the driver who possesses extraordinary ability, has that special "star quality" and who has been distinguished through sportsmanship, dedication and perseverance in the face of disappointment" and Best Canadian Race Driver from the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. Bessette admits there is a possibility to see him enter all three Canadian events.
Antoine Bessette takes the opportunity to thank the large number of fans who took some time to visit his web site at www.bessetteracing.com.
Grainy Brothers ready for 2006 PMRA season
"We are a dedicated team that loves to drag race.”Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
NORTH TONAWANDA, NY (April 5, 2006) – After a solid year in the inaugural Pro Modified Racing Association, one of the PMRA’s most colorful teams is looking forward to the upcoming season.
“After a real good season with the PMRA last year we have our work cut out for us this year,” said Jack Grainy, driver of the Grainy Brothers team based in North Tonawanda, NY. Running on a low budget, the team has proven that dedication and commitment do produce results, as it placed second in the 2005 PMRA points standings.
The Grainy Brothers Pro Modified race car is a 1990 Chevrolet Beretta powered by blown 526-cubic inch Keith Black Hemi, a Littlefield 1471 Supercharger, a Jim Salemi and Mike Stawicki fuel system, mated to a Lenco three-speed transmission with a Crower clutch.
"We are a dedicated team that loves to drag race,” explained crew chief Sonny Grainy. “Jack and I have been doing this since 1974, and that’s before some of our competition was even born. The PMRA has given us a chance to really showcase our equipment and we have a blast doing it.”
The Niagara Auto-sponsored entry will have a new onboard computer system for the new season, and be running the smaller Pro Modified race tire. G-Force Race Cars out lf Western New York assisting the Grainys with chassis and suspension set-ups.
RACE TEAMS AND RAC E FANS WILL SEE NEW MERRITTVILLE FOR FIRST TIME IN STOCK CAR AND KART PRACTICE DAYS
THOROLD, ONTARIO … In preparation for its 55th consecutive season, Merrittville Speedway will be hosting two Practice Days for all Dirt Weekly Racing Series Stock Car divisions Saturday April 22nd and Saturday April 29th.
Every Saturday Night, the DIRT-sanctioned ¼ mile d-shaped oval presents as part of it’s 2006 DIRT Weekly Racing Series – the headlining L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Premier/Mademoiselle Fitness Centers Classics/Mod Lites, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. While the day will focus on these classes – any dirt race car is welcome.
“We are expecting so many rookies this year,” informs GM Erica Bicknell, “ the two date format will give them all plenty of seat time … before the season starts for real.”
Race fans can look forward to many new faces through-out the season – the majority of new drivers are preparing for competition in the Classic Mod Lite and Sportsmen Divisions.
With the 2006 schedule set, highlight events include the first ever visit of the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group as well as two visits for the BRP 360 Late Models – formerly the BRP Can Am Super Stocks – several of these teams may attend the daytime session.
Merrittville Speedway’s Official Pace Car supplier – David Chevrolet Corvette will present the Sprint Spectacular Saturday June 24th while the Meridian Credit Union and Economy Paving will host the exciting Late Models – Monday May 22nd and Saturday August 19th respectively.
The last few seasons have seen the BRP Modified Tour at the Thorold oval much to the delight of Big Block fans. Merrittville Speedway is proud to announce that the Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial will return to it’s roots as the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Event will turn the Big Blocks loose for 100 laps of excitement on Monday August 7th – a Toolneeds presentation.
The two Practice Days will be the first times that Merrittville Speedway weekly competitors and visitors see the new surface that was put down in two stages beginning back in the fall.
“With how mild it has been over the winter,” comments co-owner Pete Bicknell, “ I couldn’t turn down the clay … we’re trying to make the Stock Car Track into more of a true oval.”
More than 200 loads of new clay were worked in to both the Stock Car and Kart Tracks in preparation for the new season.
The Pit Gates are scheduled to open at 10:00 AM with the first cars on the track after safety and tech inspection of all cars. Grandstand Gates will open at 12 Noon.
Race Teams must bring all their safety equipment also.
2006 Merrittville Speedway Stock Car Members will be able to pick up their Contingency Decal Packages that do not have them for the exclusive program that last season saw more than $100,000 in value awarded to Stock Car and Kart Teams.
Merrittville Speedway Purse and Point Fund information is available at the Speedway’s recently revamped web site – www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Race fans may wish to purchase a reserved or general admission Grandstand Season Pass or economical Family Passes for use during the upcoming season. All Ticket levels will be available also on Practice Day.
For the Baron Roofing 55th Season Opener Saturday May 6th – Race Fans will see a new Price as well as for all Regular Events. Adult, Senior and Student Admission will all be $10.00.
For Merrittville’s Kart Race Teams – there will also be two Practice Sessions – Tuesday April 25th and Tuesday May 2nd before the Spring Series Opener on Tuesday May 9th.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s Stock Car and Kart 2006 season - race fans and race teams can also call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 which recently opened for the season.
Every Saturday Night, the DIRT-sanctioned ¼ mile d-shaped oval presents as part of it’s 2006 DIRT Weekly Racing Series – the headlining L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Premier/Mademoiselle Fitness Centers Classics/Mod Lites, Hoosier Stocks and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. While the day will focus on these classes – any dirt race car is welcome.
“We are expecting so many rookies this year,” informs GM Erica Bicknell, “ the two date format will give them all plenty of seat time … before the season starts for real.”
Race fans can look forward to many new faces through-out the season – the majority of new drivers are preparing for competition in the Classic Mod Lite and Sportsmen Divisions.
With the 2006 schedule set, highlight events include the first ever visit of the Bobcat of Buffalo Patriot Sprint Group as well as two visits for the BRP 360 Late Models – formerly the BRP Can Am Super Stocks – several of these teams may attend the daytime session.
Merrittville Speedway’s Official Pace Car supplier – David Chevrolet Corvette will present the Sprint Spectacular Saturday June 24th while the Meridian Credit Union and Economy Paving will host the exciting Late Models – Monday May 22nd and Saturday August 19th respectively.
The last few seasons have seen the BRP Modified Tour at the Thorold oval much to the delight of Big Block fans. Merrittville Speedway is proud to announce that the Annual Trevor Wilkens Memorial will return to it’s roots as the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRT Series Event will turn the Big Blocks loose for 100 laps of excitement on Monday August 7th – a Toolneeds presentation.
The two Practice Days will be the first times that Merrittville Speedway weekly competitors and visitors see the new surface that was put down in two stages beginning back in the fall.
“With how mild it has been over the winter,” comments co-owner Pete Bicknell, “ I couldn’t turn down the clay … we’re trying to make the Stock Car Track into more of a true oval.”
More than 200 loads of new clay were worked in to both the Stock Car and Kart Tracks in preparation for the new season.
The Pit Gates are scheduled to open at 10:00 AM with the first cars on the track after safety and tech inspection of all cars. Grandstand Gates will open at 12 Noon.
Race Teams must bring all their safety equipment also.
2006 Merrittville Speedway Stock Car Members will be able to pick up their Contingency Decal Packages that do not have them for the exclusive program that last season saw more than $100,000 in value awarded to Stock Car and Kart Teams.
Merrittville Speedway Purse and Point Fund information is available at the Speedway’s recently revamped web site – www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Race fans may wish to purchase a reserved or general admission Grandstand Season Pass or economical Family Passes for use during the upcoming season. All Ticket levels will be available also on Practice Day.
For the Baron Roofing 55th Season Opener Saturday May 6th – Race Fans will see a new Price as well as for all Regular Events. Adult, Senior and Student Admission will all be $10.00.
For Merrittville’s Kart Race Teams – there will also be two Practice Sessions – Tuesday April 25th and Tuesday May 2nd before the Spring Series Opener on Tuesday May 9th.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway’s Stock Car and Kart 2006 season - race fans and race teams can also call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 which recently opened for the season.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
NBC's Dateline heads to a NASCAR race looking for racists... and comes up empty.
Dateline appears to be back in the business of making news stories.
This time, they carted some "Muslim looking" men to Martinsville for the recent NASCAR race weekend, in the belief that they would be set upon by a racist, redneck mob.
Unfortunately for NBC, it didn't happen. NASCAR is justifiably steamed at the stunt.
And NBC comes off looking like the one with the racist agenda.
Here is the AP story:
NASCAR outraged by 'Dateline' segment
Posted: April 5, 2006 // Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR said it was "outrageous" that "Dateline NBC" targeted one of its race tracks last weekend for a possible segment on anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States.
NASCAR said NBC confirmed it was sending Muslim-looking men to a race, along with a camera crew to film fans' reactions. The NBC crew was "apparently on site in Martinsville, Va., walked around and no one bothered them," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Wednesday.
"It is outrageous that a news organization of NBC's stature would stoop to the level of going out to create news instead of reporting news," Poston said.
"Any legitimate journalist in America should be embarrassed by this stunt. The obvious intent by NBC was to evoke reaction, and we are confident our fans won't take the bait," he said.
NASCAR is in the final year of a broadcasting agreement with NBC Sports.
"'Dateline' is looking into this story," NBC said in a statement. "We were intrigued by the results of a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll and other articles regarding increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States.
"It's very early on in our newsgathering process, but be assured we will be visiting a number of locations across the country and are confident that our reporting team is pursuing this story in a fair manner," it said.
This time, they carted some "Muslim looking" men to Martinsville for the recent NASCAR race weekend, in the belief that they would be set upon by a racist, redneck mob.
Unfortunately for NBC, it didn't happen. NASCAR is justifiably steamed at the stunt.
And NBC comes off looking like the one with the racist agenda.
Here is the AP story:
NASCAR outraged by 'Dateline' segment
Posted: April 5, 2006 // Associated Press
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR said it was "outrageous" that "Dateline NBC" targeted one of its race tracks last weekend for a possible segment on anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States.
NASCAR said NBC confirmed it was sending Muslim-looking men to a race, along with a camera crew to film fans' reactions. The NBC crew was "apparently on site in Martinsville, Va., walked around and no one bothered them," NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Wednesday.
"It is outrageous that a news organization of NBC's stature would stoop to the level of going out to create news instead of reporting news," Poston said.
"Any legitimate journalist in America should be embarrassed by this stunt. The obvious intent by NBC was to evoke reaction, and we are confident our fans won't take the bait," he said.
NASCAR is in the final year of a broadcasting agreement with NBC Sports.
"'Dateline' is looking into this story," NBC said in a statement. "We were intrigued by the results of a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll and other articles regarding increasing anti-Muslim sentiments in the United States.
"It's very early on in our newsgathering process, but be assured we will be visiting a number of locations across the country and are confident that our reporting team is pursuing this story in a fair manner," it said.
For immediate release to all Ontario Formula Ford Drivers:
Courtesy David Hilton
April 5, 2006 / Garry Shortt President and CEO of Shortt’s Motorsport Support has announced in his support of the OFFC is offering a 15% discount on all Leaf Racewear to all drivers of the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge.
You can contact Gary via email at teamshorrt@rogers.com or by phone at 519.940.9960. He will be able to give you quotes either way on equipment and apparel
Shortt’s Motorsport Support (SMS)
Premier distributor of Leaf Racewear for the past 8 years and a proud supporter of motorsports. SMS is willing to go that extra mile to make their customers satisfied. SMS only distributes quality Leaf Racewear brand of products.
OFFC (Ontario Formula Ford Challenge)
http://ontariof1600challenge.freeservers.com
The Ontario Formula Ford Championship sponsored by Dunlop tires is a competitive, economical, and very enjoyable series of races designed to challenge everyone from the budding Professional to the seasoned Master and of course welcoming rookies of all ages.
April 5, 2006 / Garry Shortt President and CEO of Shortt’s Motorsport Support has announced in his support of the OFFC is offering a 15% discount on all Leaf Racewear to all drivers of the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge.
You can contact Gary via email at teamshorrt@rogers.com or by phone at 519.940.9960. He will be able to give you quotes either way on equipment and apparel
Shortt’s Motorsport Support (SMS)
Premier distributor of Leaf Racewear for the past 8 years and a proud supporter of motorsports. SMS is willing to go that extra mile to make their customers satisfied. SMS only distributes quality Leaf Racewear brand of products.
OFFC (Ontario Formula Ford Challenge)
http://ontariof1600challenge.freeservers.com
The Ontario Formula Ford Championship sponsored by Dunlop tires is a competitive, economical, and very enjoyable series of races designed to challenge everyone from the budding Professional to the seasoned Master and of course welcoming rookies of all ages.
Here is your link to latest version of BARC's newsletter "On-Track"
visit the link,
http://www.barc-oc.com/pdfs/OnTrack_Winter_2006.pdf
Thanks,
David P. HiltonV.P. BARC
BARC Ice Race Director
BARC On-Track Editor
BARC Region Registrar
Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Marketing and Promotion Manager
CASC-OR Ice Race Director
Ice Race Driver "Crusher" Car #00
Driver for Mean Dawg Racin'
Member of D&G Motorsports
www.meandawgracin.ca
"Living life is an effective way of killing time"
http://www.barc-oc.com/pdfs/OnTrack_Winter_2006.pdf
Thanks,
David P. HiltonV.P. BARC
BARC Ice Race Director
BARC On-Track Editor
BARC Region Registrar
Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Marketing and Promotion Manager
CASC-OR Ice Race Director
Ice Race Driver "Crusher" Car #00
Driver for Mean Dawg Racin'
Member of D&G Motorsports
www.meandawgracin.ca
"Living life is an effective way of killing time"
The CSRA Season is OVER!
Courtesy Mark FriesThe Royal Distributing / Factory Recreation Pro Xtreme Team ended the CSRA season in style! Team Royal swept the weekend finals at Craighurst, the final race of the National Series.
Semi Pro Joey Sagan won every race he started this weekend, including the Semi-Pro Open and Semi-Pro 440 finals on Sunday! Joey did exactly what he needed to do all weekend to accomplish his goal...WIN the Semi-Pro National Championships.
Sagan is now the Semi-Pro Open AND Semi-Pro 440 National Champion, winning both National Championships! Joey is also the Regional Semi-Pro 440 Champion as well. We would like to congratulate Peter Raymer on an awesome season as well and wish him well as he recovers from a broken leg suffered during this last race. Joey and Pete battled hard all year for both these championships.
Pro Rider Iain Hayden finished the season the same way he started it, by winning! Iain Hayden went a PERFECT 16 for 16 in finals at CSRA events this year! Competition was tough this weekend as the solid Canadian Pro field was bolstered by some big name riders from the WPSA; Brett Turcotte, Dennis Eckstrom and the factory Polaris team, Mike Island, as well as Carl Kuster, and Hayden beat them all! Iain won both finals on Sunday going away, with big leads.
Iain Hayden was crowned 2006 NATIONAL CHAMPION in BOTH the Pro Open and Pro Stock Finals. Iain also won the Pro Open and Pro Stock Regional titles as well.
The only thing we didnt win on the weekend was the mechanics race, as Royal's Shawn Burns won his heat but got tangled up on the start in the final, and couldn't get back to the front. Jason Smith and yours truly ran 4th in our respective heats, missing the 3rd transfer spot. We definately need some more track time with Iain!
Congratulations to the guys on a job VERY WELL done!
These titles also belong to our team support staff Jason Smith, and team manager Doug Sagan, these guys worked so hard all year. No-one deserve these titles more than our "Super Tuner" Wayne Legge, he put his heart and soul into the team, and no amount of praise is too much for the dedication to winning he has shown.
Thanks so much to all of our sponsors!
SKI-DOO, FACTORY RECREATION, KIMPEX, STUDBOY, IPONE lubricants, SPY eyewear, HMK boots, TEKVEST, and FXR clothing and gear.
Thanks to Taera Samis for the pics provided.
Watch for details on the Royal Distributing Pro Xtreme Team--SUMMER VERSION; as we do battle in the CMRC National Motocross Series -- STAY TUNED
ALEX TAGLIANI RE-SIGNS WITH TEAM AUSTRALIA
Courtesy Team Australia
Alex Tagliani has re-signed to drive for Team Australia in this year’s Bridgestone Presents Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.
Tagliani, who was a valuable part of Team Australia’s inaugural season last year, will partner young Australian Will Power in a two-car assault on this year’s championship, which begins in Long Beach California this weekend.
The Canadian, who has an Australian wife Bronte, finished seventh in last year’s championship with nine top-10 finishes from 13 rounds, including podium finishes in both Monterrey, Mexico and Toronto, Canada.
He only finished outside the top nine once in the last nine races of the season. Team Australia made its debut in the Champ Car World Series in 2005 and is co-owned and run by experienced team manager Derrick Walker in partnership with Australian businessman Craig Gore.
Tagliani and Power will be two of the main draw cards at this year’s Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Queensland’s Gold Coast from October 19-22.
“I am thrilled to be back as part of Team Australia this season,” said Tagliani.
“I think we really achieved a lot in our first year, especially considering it was the first time the team had run the Lola chassis. This season we will continue to build on where we left off last year.
Gore, also owner of the Wright Patton Shakespeare-backed V8 Supercar team in Australia, said he was delighted to have “Tag” back as part of the team.
“Alex back again is good news for our team. The combination of Will Power and Alex Tagliani is going to be a strong driver line up for us.
“I think Alex certainly punched above his weight last year and produced some terrific results including a couple of podium finishes.
“He is a dedicated and focused guy who is a valuable part of what we do.”
Walker, one of the most experienced team owner/managers in Champ Car, will also be happy to see Tagliani back behind the wheel of a Team Australia car this year.
“It’s great to have Alex back, he worked real hard for us last year and with Will Power and additional engineering talent, I think we are in good shape," said Walker.”On the 26th and 27th of March we tested in Sebring, Florida for our pre season test and were very happy with the results. It was very encouraging for sure.”
In addition the Team Australia program includes a two car line up in the Formula Atlantic series with young talented Australian driver James Davison and French driver Simon Pagenaud.
Both drivers have settled in nicely with the team which tested at the Californian Speedway in Fontana on March 21 and 22, putting the new Mazda-powered Swift Atlantic cars through their paces.
Alex Tagliani has re-signed to drive for Team Australia in this year’s Bridgestone Presents Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford.
Tagliani, who was a valuable part of Team Australia’s inaugural season last year, will partner young Australian Will Power in a two-car assault on this year’s championship, which begins in Long Beach California this weekend.
The Canadian, who has an Australian wife Bronte, finished seventh in last year’s championship with nine top-10 finishes from 13 rounds, including podium finishes in both Monterrey, Mexico and Toronto, Canada.
He only finished outside the top nine once in the last nine races of the season. Team Australia made its debut in the Champ Car World Series in 2005 and is co-owned and run by experienced team manager Derrick Walker in partnership with Australian businessman Craig Gore.
Tagliani and Power will be two of the main draw cards at this year’s Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Queensland’s Gold Coast from October 19-22.
“I am thrilled to be back as part of Team Australia this season,” said Tagliani.
“I think we really achieved a lot in our first year, especially considering it was the first time the team had run the Lola chassis. This season we will continue to build on where we left off last year.
Gore, also owner of the Wright Patton Shakespeare-backed V8 Supercar team in Australia, said he was delighted to have “Tag” back as part of the team.
“Alex back again is good news for our team. The combination of Will Power and Alex Tagliani is going to be a strong driver line up for us.
“I think Alex certainly punched above his weight last year and produced some terrific results including a couple of podium finishes.
“He is a dedicated and focused guy who is a valuable part of what we do.”
Walker, one of the most experienced team owner/managers in Champ Car, will also be happy to see Tagliani back behind the wheel of a Team Australia car this year.
“It’s great to have Alex back, he worked real hard for us last year and with Will Power and additional engineering talent, I think we are in good shape," said Walker.”On the 26th and 27th of March we tested in Sebring, Florida for our pre season test and were very happy with the results. It was very encouraging for sure.”
In addition the Team Australia program includes a two car line up in the Formula Atlantic series with young talented Australian driver James Davison and French driver Simon Pagenaud.
Both drivers have settled in nicely with the team which tested at the Californian Speedway in Fontana on March 21 and 22, putting the new Mazda-powered Swift Atlantic cars through their paces.
ONLINE PETITION: Langley Speedway
Members of the Langley (BC) Speedway Hisotorical Society have started an online petition to gain support to have their former NASCAR sanctioned track designated as a heritage site. As I post this, they're at 410 names and counting.
O'TOOLS: Mayor Ivey to officially open new Forest rental store
Anyone who has been involved with the CASCAR community for the past several years is no doubt familiar with Don Brooks. The enthusiastic businessman is involved with a new venture. The details are including below. Good luck Don!
FOREST, ON – The Mayor of the Municipality of Lambton Shores Cam Ivey has committed to attend the ribbon cutting ceremonies at O’Tools Rent or Buy on Friday April 7 at 2 pm.
This new tool and equipment rental business is owned by Donald Brooks of Port Franks and is located at the former Proof Line Rent-All location on Highway 21 at the north edge of town.
Brooks has purchased many new items and is eager to show all to the local business and commercial community during the Trade Open House activities on Friday. Several factory reps will be on hand to offer assistance and equipment demonstrations.
Activities will also include BBQ, Tire Change Game, race cars on display and door prizes.
Date & Location: 7977 Rawlings Road – Hwy 21 N. Forest, ON N0N 1J0 April 07 06 519-786-5902
Agenda: Noon – 7 pm Ribbon Cutting by Mayor Cam Ivey – 2 pm BBQ starts at 4 pm
O’Tools Rent or Buy is excited to be part of the Lambton Shores community and intends to provide value and service to fit the needs of home owners, the yard and garden hobbyist, the cottager, as well as the local tradesmen and business community.
Offering mini-barns and golf cars, parts, accessories will be continued.
New will be a full-service facility for small engine repairs headed up by Fred Devine.
Background: Operating as Proof Line Rent-All at this location for over twelve years, former owner Lyle Stewardson made the decision to retire last summer. One week prior to his announced October closing, Donald Brooks of Port Franks stumbled onto the scene.
“I was two hours away from finishing my own home renovation project on a Friday afternoon, and the borrowed air nailer I was using died. Upon arriving at Proof Line for the first time ever, I saw Lyle’s closing announcement on the sign, and although finishing my project was foremost on my mind, that business opportunity kept tugging at me.”
Having several years experience in business management and consulting, his extensive research of the industry and the community convinced Brooks to jump in.
“The more I looked, the more intrigued I became. Tool and equipment rental is a very unique and interesting business model. The industry has an excellent support group in the Canadian Rental Association, which is closely associated with the 7000-member American Rental Association. Thus, an abundance of information was available, and the conditions presented here were all very favourable; the location, the happenings within Lambton Shores and the current economic conditions all contributed to my decision. Of course, my wife, my family and my accountant were very integral, and supportive.”
Donald Brooks: Formerly a London resident, Brooks purchased a cottage in Port Franks in 1986, renovated and became a permanent resident in 1988. He has been active in the performance vehicle industry for years, having been media and sponsor relations manager for three-time CASCAR Champion Dave Whitlock of Wyoming, and an original owner and general manager of the Grand Bend Motorplex.
Brooks is also active in a family land development company directing a current project in the Bruce peninsula. He previously manufactured replica classic cars and travel vans, has had retail / wholesale operations in the motorcycle and snowmobile industry, and from Port Franks was a service provider to Ford dealerships across Canada, with a western office in Canmore, AB.
New staff at O’Tools Rent or Buy - all Forest folk.
Heading up the rental and sales side is Steve George, a volunteer firefighter and father of four.
“Don has purchased many new items for our rental fleet and we have the Honda Power Products line of mowers, trimmers, generators, pumps and of course the famous Honda engines. We also have an excellent product line of chain saws and blowers from Shindaiwa, which are not that well-known around here but very high quality and the choice of most landscapers in major metro locations. I’m excited to be part of this and look forward to helping serve so many people I already know in town.”
Service and repairs are being directed by Fred Devine who retired from Bell early and chose Forest as home. His Main St front yard will be void of the famous line of lawn mowers as he devotes his energies to this new venture.
“I chose to close up shop and come in here to help Don and Steve get this business established. We can offer a level of repairs and knowledge that I feel is needed in this community, and I’m excited to be a part of it. Honda is famous for great products, and we have lots of Briggs & Stratton experience too. I’m never afraid to look at anything needing repairs; I’ll offer my opinion and we’ll go from there.” Bring it on - Fred says.
Golf Cars: “Pre-owned golf cars are an exciting part of the venture, and I plan on using our web marketing experience to sell parts, accessories and complete golf cars. Our new site at http://www.otools.ca/ will be up shortly, and will also offer a reservation process for the rental side.”
“I purchased two dozen Club Cars and they are already moving out. Many accessories are on the way and several custom golf cars are being readied for inventory.”
Wagler Mini-Barns: “These Mennonite-made mini-barns are simply great value. These gentlemen are true craftsman, so flexible in design, floor plan and options and so accommodating in delivery and setup. I really look forward to working as their agent in this area.”
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
Free to a good home....
From the SOS Insider....
Tim Phillips and Jim Porter have about 25 to 30 Sprint Car Tires for free to any SOS member.
There are no MC3 tires, but there are many different brands for all 4 corners of the car, soft to hard. ALL have a lot of tread. ALL have minor cracks when folded, and some have major cracks.
If you take one you must take them all. They are free with the understanding you will not sell them (you may give them away) and you will use at your own risk.
The first person with a truck gets them. Call Tim Phillips at 716-773-3009.
CASCAR: Castrol renews DJ Kennington
ST. THOMAS, ON – Beyond his consistent top finishes, DJ Kennington is one of CASCAR’s most colourful drivers. Since he broke into the CASCAR SuperSeries in 1994, those colours have been the red white and green of Castrol.
Today, Wakefield Canada, the country’s distributor of Castrol lubricants, renewed DJ’s contract as the company’s headline race program in the country ensuring the Castrol logo will adorn DJs operation for some time to come.
Last season, DJ picked up four checkered flags including a sweep of CASCAR’s western swing. This year could easily result in a season championship for DJ’s #17 car. If so, or even if DJ finishes second or third, the Castrol one-year contract will add bonus dollars to increase Kennington’s earnings.
Other goodies in the contract include new hauler with a custom paint job, new pit tent, new driver’s suit and crew uniforms, plus a stepped-up investment in marketing and PR activity to capitalize on DJ's driving talent and out-there personality.
“DJ has been loyal to the Castrol brand for more than a decade,” explains Anthony Stadelman, marketing manager of Wakefield, noting that DJ has turned down other sponsorship offers in favour of the oil brand along the way.
DJ is looking forward to running again and winning under the Castrol banner. “This year, we’re bringing home all the hardware!”
PHOTO: DJ Kennington (left) and Anthony Stadelman of Wakefield Canada seals DJ’s new sponsorship deal with Castrol.
- Information: John Morris // Marcovitch PR
AMCRA: Kay Wilson RIP
There's a thread on the Atlantic Motorcycle Competition Riders Association website announcing the recent passing of their Chief Marshall, Kay Wilson.
From the comments, it sounds like she was a very nice lady. Our condolences to her family, friends and the AMCRA community.
RACELINE ROAR IN ROAR CITY CHANGES ITS OWN CLOCK!
Burlington Ontario: Raceline Radio, Canada’s only nationally syndicated motorsport magazine and radio show, working with Niagara affiliate 105.1 The RIVER Niagara Falls, announces a brand new broadcast night and time for the show.
Raceline Radio will now be heard Monday nights at 9 PM Eastern.
Corporate broadcast partners of the show include Merrittville Speedway, Pete’s Automotive and Garden City Auto Complex.
“Auto racing has been the number one fan attraction in Niagara for over 50 years, so a show like Raceline is important to the region, and one of the great ways 105.1 The RIVER stays connected to race fans that are also our listeners.”, stated RIVER Program Director Mike Ryan. “Being a music station, we always need to make sure Raceline has the proper time slot. As we move into summer where folks are traveling on weekends, we think a move to Monday night at 9 will work very well. With all the promotion Erik helps generate, this wins!”, Ryan added.
“This is a good move. While Raceline fits a wide variety of time slots and formats across Canada, of the 21 stations on the Network, the Monday night time slot is the most popular.”, commented Raceline Radio Anchor, Writer, Producer Erik Tomas. “By Monday night, weekend mayhem has died down, and fans can tune into Raceline Radio on The RIVER to review the weekend, catch late breaking developments and interviews with star guests they may have missed. The RIVER has been a loyal affiliate since day-one 13 years ago. It’s a privilege to continue to partner with them with a sport that’s vital to their market!”, Tomas continued.
A consistent winner of major international broadcast journalism awards, The Raceline Radio Network comprises 21 affiliates in Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, Windsor, Kitchener, London, Sarnia, Sudbury, Peterborough, Truro, Oromocto and New Maryland.
Raceline Radio’s broadcast partners include: Subaru Canada, Texaco-Havoline, and Inside Track Motorsport News.
For more information:
Erik Tomas: 905-332-7223 Ext 3. erik@raceline.ca
Mike Ryan, 105.1 The RIVER: 905-356-6710 meryan@niagara.com
Raceline Radio will now be heard Monday nights at 9 PM Eastern.
Corporate broadcast partners of the show include Merrittville Speedway, Pete’s Automotive and Garden City Auto Complex.
“Auto racing has been the number one fan attraction in Niagara for over 50 years, so a show like Raceline is important to the region, and one of the great ways 105.1 The RIVER stays connected to race fans that are also our listeners.”, stated RIVER Program Director Mike Ryan. “Being a music station, we always need to make sure Raceline has the proper time slot. As we move into summer where folks are traveling on weekends, we think a move to Monday night at 9 will work very well. With all the promotion Erik helps generate, this wins!”, Ryan added.
“This is a good move. While Raceline fits a wide variety of time slots and formats across Canada, of the 21 stations on the Network, the Monday night time slot is the most popular.”, commented Raceline Radio Anchor, Writer, Producer Erik Tomas. “By Monday night, weekend mayhem has died down, and fans can tune into Raceline Radio on The RIVER to review the weekend, catch late breaking developments and interviews with star guests they may have missed. The RIVER has been a loyal affiliate since day-one 13 years ago. It’s a privilege to continue to partner with them with a sport that’s vital to their market!”, Tomas continued.
A consistent winner of major international broadcast journalism awards, The Raceline Radio Network comprises 21 affiliates in Niagara Falls, Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Halifax, Fredericton, Moncton, Saint John, Windsor, Kitchener, London, Sarnia, Sudbury, Peterborough, Truro, Oromocto and New Maryland.
Raceline Radio’s broadcast partners include: Subaru Canada, Texaco-Havoline, and Inside Track Motorsport News.
For more information:
Erik Tomas: 905-332-7223 Ext 3. erik@raceline.ca
Mike Ryan, 105.1 The RIVER: 905-356-6710 meryan@niagara.com
SHAW MOTORSPORTS: SHAW DEBUTS A NEW LOOK FOR THE 2006 SEASON
GUELPH, ON - With the familiar green Mustang leading the way, Jason Shaw and his Shaw Motorsports team debuted their all new 2006 Ford Fusion Late Model at the 2006 Performance World Custom Car Show in Mississauga, ON. where they captured the ‘Best In Class’ Award.
The Shaw crew is looking to rid themselves of the bad luck that plagued them over much of last season so they constructed a brand new 2006 Spira Fire Protection / Del Metals Ford featuring the new 2006 Fusion body which replaces the usual Ford Mustang. Not left behind however is the familiar green Mustang silhouette which adorns the sides of the car.
With the Shouldice Stone Alstar Super Series unveiling a new format for 2006 which features 3 races over the course of the summer at the home track of Sauble Speedway, the Shaw Motorsports team is hoping that their all new look will launch them into victory lane and deliver them another Alstar Super Series championship. In addition to running the Alstar Series, the team will also be running across Ontario in the numerous ‘Special Events’ throughout the season.
Spira Fire Protection is back on board as the primary sponsor for 2006 with Del Metals also renewing their commitment, adorning the hood as secondary sponsor for another season.
National Fire Equipment has increased their sponsorship commitment for 2006 and will be featured prominently on the car this upcoming season. Nuco Inc. will also be joining the team this season. Their head office, research & development laboratory and manufacturing facilities are located in Guelph Ontario.
Shaw Motorsports and driver Jason Shaw deploy the #82 Ford Fusion out of Guelph, Ontario where they will be competing in the Shouldice Stone Alstar Super Series in addition to numerous races across Ontario. More information is available at www.spira.on.ca/shaw and www.alstarseries.com
- From Shaw Motorsports
NASCAR ROAD TRIP!!!!!
This past weekend, a few members of the Inside Track staff headed to Martinsville Speedway for the NASCAR weekend as part of a tour group offered by Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches.
The guys had a blast. The next outing is the upcoming NASCAR Pocono event, featuring the Cup race on June 11.
Here's the release....
KITCHENER, ON – On Friday, June 9, a group of Ontario race fans will travel to Pocono, PA for a 3-Day race getaway like no other. This tour is organized by Great Canadian Holidays Inc. from Kitchener, and has been designed to bring NASCAR fans together from all across Southwestern Ontario.
For a NASCAR fan, this is the most hassle free way to get to a race and to really enjoy the festivities. With Great Canadian Holidays, race fans get to forget about the mess of traffic and truly relax.
While your driver and NASCAR-knowledgeable Tour Director do all the work for you, you can kick back in the comfort of a luxurious motorcoach, talk the talk with fellow NASCAR fans, partake in onboard racing fun, and enjoy a cold beverage. Great Canadian has everything taken care of.
Pocono Raceway is a unique, 3 cornered speedway and has always been a supreme test for drivers and crews.
From seats up high on the longest front stretch in NASCAR, fans will be able to see the top drivers in the world reach speeds of 200mph as they approach the first turn, 5 wide at times!! Great seats will also provide passengers with an excellent view of the action that occurs on pit road, and the race to get back in the battle first!
Prior to the race, Pocono offers many opportunities for memorable experiences. Between the most fan-friendly garages in NASCAR to the included pre-race pit pass, there will be several chances to get an autograph from your favourite driver!! In addition, Great Canadian has an exclusive, patron-only tent in the hospitality area, giving fans a chance to get out of the sun, enjoy a delicious BBQ Lunch, plus hang out with the “Bud Girls”.
Great Canadian Holidays and Pocono Raceway have teamed up to provide race fans with the most complete, affordable NASCAR race experience there is. It really is “The Only Way to Go”! Passengers enjoy transportation, 2 nights accommodation, Saturday’s ARCA Race (seating in the Terrace), Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race (seating in the Terrace Vista), access to Great Canadian’s hospitality tent, PIT road access, a BBQ lunch, plus a free gift from NASCAR Canada.
True NASCAR fans would fall to their knees at the thought of winning Great Canadian Holidays’ exclusive bonus offer. On top of all the great included features listed above, passengers onboard this action-packed race getaway will also have a chance to win a priceless “Greeters Pass”! The lucky winner will get to shake the hands of all 43 race drivers during onstage introductions, prior to the June 11th, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race. This is a one-time opportunity, and the chance of a lifetime.
For more information, contact Great Canadian Holidays at 1-800-461-8687, or via email at Racing@BigBlueCoach.com. Full details can be found online at www.GreatCanadianHolidays.com. Space still available on this, and other NASCAR racing getaways.
The guys had a blast. The next outing is the upcoming NASCAR Pocono event, featuring the Cup race on June 11.
Here's the release....
KITCHENER, ON – On Friday, June 9, a group of Ontario race fans will travel to Pocono, PA for a 3-Day race getaway like no other. This tour is organized by Great Canadian Holidays Inc. from Kitchener, and has been designed to bring NASCAR fans together from all across Southwestern Ontario.
For a NASCAR fan, this is the most hassle free way to get to a race and to really enjoy the festivities. With Great Canadian Holidays, race fans get to forget about the mess of traffic and truly relax.
While your driver and NASCAR-knowledgeable Tour Director do all the work for you, you can kick back in the comfort of a luxurious motorcoach, talk the talk with fellow NASCAR fans, partake in onboard racing fun, and enjoy a cold beverage. Great Canadian has everything taken care of.
Pocono Raceway is a unique, 3 cornered speedway and has always been a supreme test for drivers and crews.
From seats up high on the longest front stretch in NASCAR, fans will be able to see the top drivers in the world reach speeds of 200mph as they approach the first turn, 5 wide at times!! Great seats will also provide passengers with an excellent view of the action that occurs on pit road, and the race to get back in the battle first!
Prior to the race, Pocono offers many opportunities for memorable experiences. Between the most fan-friendly garages in NASCAR to the included pre-race pit pass, there will be several chances to get an autograph from your favourite driver!! In addition, Great Canadian has an exclusive, patron-only tent in the hospitality area, giving fans a chance to get out of the sun, enjoy a delicious BBQ Lunch, plus hang out with the “Bud Girls”.
Great Canadian Holidays and Pocono Raceway have teamed up to provide race fans with the most complete, affordable NASCAR race experience there is. It really is “The Only Way to Go”! Passengers enjoy transportation, 2 nights accommodation, Saturday’s ARCA Race (seating in the Terrace), Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race (seating in the Terrace Vista), access to Great Canadian’s hospitality tent, PIT road access, a BBQ lunch, plus a free gift from NASCAR Canada.
True NASCAR fans would fall to their knees at the thought of winning Great Canadian Holidays’ exclusive bonus offer. On top of all the great included features listed above, passengers onboard this action-packed race getaway will also have a chance to win a priceless “Greeters Pass”! The lucky winner will get to shake the hands of all 43 race drivers during onstage introductions, prior to the June 11th, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race. This is a one-time opportunity, and the chance of a lifetime.
For more information, contact Great Canadian Holidays at 1-800-461-8687, or via email at Racing@BigBlueCoach.com. Full details can be found online at www.GreatCanadianHolidays.com. Space still available on this, and other NASCAR racing getaways.
SUPER CHARGER NAT'LS: Arnie Malcolm announces the details...
TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CARS ADDED TO JULY 1-2 EVENT
If you thought last year's July 1-2 Pro Mod Shootout was incredible then hold on to your hat, as it's official now Top Alcohol Funny Cars have been added to this year's event.
Whether anyone noticed or not to the name change back in the fall of last year "Super Charger Nationals" but plans where in the works at that time, and now we can officially announce the fact.
The event which will take place over three days, June 30th and July 1-2 will mirror last years event with bracket racing all three days, karaoke Friday night, live bands Saturday night and Pro MOD'S, the only change will be the addition of Top Alcohol Funny Cars to this years program making this event with out a question one of the premier independent events of all times.
There is no dought that people are still talking about last years event, the cars, the crowd the racing and the fun that was had by all, and we just want to make it even bigger and better this year. This is of course not or first attempt at Top Alcohol Funny's as they always played a part in the events we put on at Sanair and Cayuga in the mid 90's peaking when 15 cars showed up to qualify for an 8 car show one year at Sanair including Melanie Troxel who drove the Ed Parker owned Cape Coder Funny Car.
Luskville Dragway was not left out of the big Funny Car Shows either as back in 1988 11 Funny Cars showed up to do battle including the Late Herbie Rogers, Barry Paton, Vince Rasetelli, Paul Zsgoda, Adam Zseller, Larry Dobbs and more with the Kardiac Kids team of Dobbs beating Paton in the Finals.
Back then it was the biggest thing to ever happen at Luskville Dragway, and remember we where running everything on quarter mile back then. Well today we run the big stuff on eight mile and its allowed us to bring back the big shows like last years Pro Mod Challenge, and this year the Big One is going to be even BIGGER.
Some of the names from back in the eighties are still doing it and will be part of the show once again including the team who won it all back in 1988. Gates will open for parking on Thursday with a plenty of action beginning right away on Friday and continuing right into the night with a cruise night Karaoke in the bar.
Another full day of racing and qualifying on Saturday will once again be capped with a cruise night and Live Band. Sunday will be the climax of the weekend with Final Round eliminations in Funny car and Pro Mod as well as another full day of Brackets. There is no doubt that this is going to be a must see event so plan now, and plan to camp all weekend as camping is free as are kids under 13 years of age.
Barrie Mall Show Continues....
From BarrieSpeedway.com
Bayfield Mall Show on until April 9
Our second mall show of the season is now underway at Barrie's Bayfield Mall. We have plenty of hardware on display with cars from all three divisions on available for viewing until Sunday April 9th. Al McLean was on hand to provide with more photos of the 2006 collection of stock cars from Barrie Speedway --- click HERE to check them out.
Monday, April 03, 2006
Yokohama's 18th consecutive season sponsoring the Atlantic Championship kicks off with a roar
Courtesy Michael F. Hollander
FULLERTON, Calif. (April 3, 2006) -- New, new, new. When everything else in the 32-year-old Atlantic series is new (including the official name: Yokohama Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Powered by Mazda), it's nice to know there's one important component that continues its traditional role. For the 18th consecutive year, Yokohama Tire Corporation is providing high-performance ADVAN racing slicks to the series.
The season-opening Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend, April 7th-9th, will see the debut of the new Swift 016.a chassis; the new Mazda MZR 2.3-liter, 300-hp engine prepared by Cosworth Engineering; and a plethora of new teams and drivers, but the ADVAN racing slicks remain constant.
"There's a new excitement about this series," said Robert Dole, Yokohama product promotion manager, "and we're proud to be supplying the proven ADVAN tires that allow the stars of tomorrow to show their talent today."
The Atlantic series is a driver development program that has sent drivers to Formula One, Champ Car, IRL and sports car racing. Multiple Formula One World Championships, Indy 500 victories and series championships have been won by its graduates.
Former Atlantic drivers who have raced on Yokohama and advanced their careers include Jacques Villeneuve, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy and Katherine Legge. Now the new class of the "stars of tomorrow" includes former series champion Alex Barron, Alan Sciuto, Graham Rahal, Jonathan Bomarito, Robbie Percorari, Stephen Simpson, Andreas Wirth, James Hinchcliffe, Richard Philippe, Leonardo Maia and Ryan Spencer-Smith.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Company, a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.
FULLERTON, Calif. (April 3, 2006) -- New, new, new. When everything else in the 32-year-old Atlantic series is new (including the official name: Yokohama Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Powered by Mazda), it's nice to know there's one important component that continues its traditional role. For the 18th consecutive year, Yokohama Tire Corporation is providing high-performance ADVAN racing slicks to the series.
The season-opening Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend, April 7th-9th, will see the debut of the new Swift 016.a chassis; the new Mazda MZR 2.3-liter, 300-hp engine prepared by Cosworth Engineering; and a plethora of new teams and drivers, but the ADVAN racing slicks remain constant.
"There's a new excitement about this series," said Robert Dole, Yokohama product promotion manager, "and we're proud to be supplying the proven ADVAN tires that allow the stars of tomorrow to show their talent today."
The Atlantic series is a driver development program that has sent drivers to Formula One, Champ Car, IRL and sports car racing. Multiple Formula One World Championships, Indy 500 victories and series championships have been won by its graduates.
Former Atlantic drivers who have raced on Yokohama and advanced their careers include Jacques Villeneuve, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy and Katherine Legge. Now the new class of the "stars of tomorrow" includes former series champion Alex Barron, Alan Sciuto, Graham Rahal, Jonathan Bomarito, Robbie Percorari, Stephen Simpson, Andreas Wirth, James Hinchcliffe, Richard Philippe, Leonardo Maia and Ryan Spencer-Smith.
Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Company, a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.
Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.
NEWS: Goodyear bends rule for Auto Heater Hose
April 1, 2006 – Goodyear Engineered Products is breaking the automotive heater hose mold.
The company has introduced a universal heater hose system to help auto parts retailers and installers eliminate thousands of inventoried parts, while improving service, according to a company spokesperson for Goodyear automotive replacement products.
Goodyear E-Z Coil eliminates the need for carrying more than 200 molded heater hose SKUs, yet ensures solutions to customer needs every time.
“Auto parts outlets are selective in stocking parts to avoid slow inventory turns while generating strong cash flow,” said a company spokesperson. “Sales are sacrificed, since less popular hoses with few vehicle applications are avoided.”
At the same time, a company spokesperson said staff productivity is sacrificed as time is spent searching for the correct molded hose through storerooms and endless catalogues or by calling around. “E-Z Coil eliminates most hassles including slow moving inventory, delayed parts deliveries, lost sales, staff distractions and dissatisfied customers. At the same time, it expands hose applications with less inventory.”
“Just as important, any worn hose found during routine service and inspection can be replaced immediately, increasing profit opportunities for the installer, while saving the car owner from a potential vehicle breakdown.”
Engineered Products has introduced E-Z Coil, a metal coil that bends Goodyear straight heater hose to create configurations that meet more than 26,000 part applications. E-Z Coil allows auto part retailers to reduce their stock and provide customers with more service options.
Bendable metal coils are combined with straight heater hose to create hose configurations that meet more than 26,000 part applications. The coil slips over the straight hose, maintains up to a 90-degreee bend and prevents the hose from kinking, allowing coolant fluids to flow as required. The coil can be straightened and re-bent multiple times.
“Automotive technicians and do-it-yourself repairers will find E-Z Coil very convenient and easy to install,” said a company spokesperson, “and they’ll save time in locating the shaped hose they need. It’s truly a universal product.”
The award winning, patented stainless-steel coil is available in three traditional heater hose sizes – ½”, 5/8” and ¾” – and packaged in three ways:
• A boxed counter display with 12 individually packaged coils.
• Individually packaged coils for retail merchandising.
• E-Z Shape hose assembly packs with 2 coils and a 36-inch straight Goodyear heater hose
Mainstream magazine Popular Mechanics chose the product for its prestigious “Editor’s Choice Award” from hundreds of other new products on display at the recent 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX).
For additional information on Goodyear’s complete line of automotive belts and hoses, visit www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com.
McIntosh seventh fastest at Le Mans test
Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public RelationsLe Mans, France (April 03, 2006) – Sean McIntosh set the seventh fastest time in official pre-season testing as the World Series by Renault sampled the Bugatti Circuit at Le Mans, France at the weekend, 1st-2nd April. The Canadian’s test was a tale of two contrasting days as he endured the frustration of a blown engine on Saturday before responding with his front-running pace on Sunday afternoon.
Saturday’s session began with a bang as McIntosh’s engine let go leaving him languishing at the bottom of the timesheets. The Team KTR crew set to work immediately replacing Sean’s Renault power-unit and as track conditions and lap times improved, he picked up where he left off in the morning learning the new-look Bugatti layout.
Yesterday’s morning session echoed that of Saturday with a wet track greeting the 30-car field. With little to learn on a greasy circuit Sean racked up five token laps before breaking for lunch. Fortunately for all concerned the afternoon’s session presented more favorable conditions and Sean seized the opportunity in the closing stages to pound out some fast laps on a fresh set of Michelin tires. His fastest time, a 1m24.529s, placed him seventh overall for the day and continued to underline his potential with the start of the new World Series by Renault season just four weeks away.
Sean McIntosh: “Taking the positives from the weekend it’s pretty good to come away from Le Mans seventh fastest. I think there’s still a lot more to come from myself and the car. The team did a great job to get me back out, we just didn’t get the opportunity to work on as many things as we’d have liked due to the problems on Saturday and the conditions on Sunday morning. I’m looking forward to the next test in Germany and trying out a few more things with the car.”
Kurt Mollekens – Team Manager: “Considering the problems we had with Sean’s engine failure on Saturday everything turned out well in the end. Sean missed quite a bit of running on the first day but we got him back out and he continued to learn the circuit. Seventh quickest yesterday shows how competitive Sean is and to-date I’m impressed by his performances. We’ll be looking for more of the same as we head to Germany this week.” Sean’s third and final World Series by Renault pre-season test takes place at the Nurburgring Circuit in Germany on Wednesday and Thursday, 5th-6th April.
A1 Team Canada finish season tenth in A1GP Nations Standings Round 11 – A1 GrandCourtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations
Prix of Nations, Shanghai International Circuit, China Qualified: 11th / Sprint Race Finish: DNF / Feature Race Finish: 7th / Series standing: =10th (59pts) A1 Team Canada
despite a mixed day today in the final round of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations in China, capped off its first season in the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ by finishing joint tenth in the Nations Standings. Taken out of the Sprint race on the first lap by A1 Team Switzerland, Patrick Carpentier recovered to take seventh place in the hour-long Feature race, scoring four more points to secure A1 Team Canada’s place in the top-ten of competing nations, tying with A1 Team Mexico on 59 points.
Sprint Race, 15 laps (Winner – A1 Team Malaysia) A solid start by Patrick saw him get the jump on Giorgio Mondini in the Swiss car to break into the top-ten but his lap one progress was quickly curtailed as Mondini locked up under breaking into the hairpin at the end of the flat-out back straight. The Swiss driver slammed into the back of the Canadian A1GP car destroying its crash box and rear wing, both cars forced out on the spot! Pole- sitter Alex Yoong converted his qualifying pace into a maiden victory for A1 Team Malaysia.
Feature Race, 30 laps (Winner – A1 Team Czech Republic) Patrick launched off the line from 21st gaining six places on the first lap. With the entire field pitting for their mandatory stop at the end of lap 2, Carpentier’s progress received a further boost courtesy of slick team-work, the Québec-born racer up to tenth as the field resumed racing. Moving to sixth he held station until a late race attack from title-winners, A1 Team France, with two laps to go, saw him fight wheel to wheel for position but ultimately Patrick dropped a place and a point to finish seventh at the checkered flag. A1 Team Czech Republic became the eighth nation to taste victory this season with the Feature win scored by former F1 and IRL driver Tomas Enge.
Patrick Carpentier: “Retirement in the Sprint race dealt a blow to our fight for points. I saw Mondini coming into the turn way too fast and that was it, we were both out of the race. The Feature, I’m pleased to say was a lot better, my start was good and the guys in the pits did a great job to get me even further up. The car was a little loose mid-way through the race then when France finally caught me I just didn’t have the pace to hold them off. Overall it was a fun event and a great place to end the season.” Circuit Park Zandvoort in The Netherlands kicks off the sophomore season of A1GP competition later in the year, 29th September – 1st October 2006.
Final Standings: 1st France (172), 2nd Switzerland (121), 3rd Great Britain (97), 4th New Zealand (77), 5th Malaysia (74), 6th Brazil (71), 7th Netherlands (69), 8th Ireland (68), 9th Portugal (66), 10th Canada (59) = Mexico (59)
Jacobs to step up PMRA efforts for 2006
"The key element to our team is my father, crew chief Fred Jacobs Sr.”Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
Utica, NY (March 31, 2006) – One of central New York’s premier drag racing teams plans to step up its involvement in the upcoming Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA) season, according to Jacobs Motorsports team driver Freddie Jacobs.
“We were fortunate to run a couple of the PMRA event last year,” said Jacobs, driver of the 526-cubic inch–powered Pro Modified 1994 Chrysler Lebaron. “Our plan is to run all of the PMRA events and selected Quick-8 Outlaw events in the Northeast and try a few choice IHRA events in 2006.” The team runs out of Utica, NY.
Jacobs, in the Snap-on Tools-Larry Gurdo, Gold Medal Packing, Terri Goff Web Designs, Performance Signs-sponsored entry, has been working on a new cylinder head and piston combination that should work in their benefit.
"The key element to our team is my father, crew chief Fred Jacobs Sr. He is the boss and calls all of the shots,” said Jacobs, who also races an Outlaw Street Bike. “Nothing happens to this car without his approval, he’s the main deal.”
The Jacobs Motorsports, http://www.jacobsmotorsportspro-mod.com/, entry is powered by a new 526-cubic inch Keith Black Hemi, a Littlefield 1471 Supercharger, and a Enderle fuel system, all united to a Lenco three-speed transmission with a Crower clutch.
CASCAR SPORTSMAN: RaceSportz Sponsor Announcements
ARNPRIOR, ON – RaceSportz is proud to announce the return of the Loblaw’s with the Your Independent Grocer and Zehr’s banners on their cars with driver Dave Connelly. Dave will run the #82 for the CASCAR Sportsman Series Championship as well as a number of Cascar Super Series events.
“I’m excited, we’ve had great support from our sponsors – and I’ve got the best race package I’ve ever had” states driver Dave Connelly. “We’ve expanded our relationship with DJ Kennington this season – we have a Kenyon chassis and we’ve got MOPAR power under the hood this year built by Doug Kennington.
Not only is DJ actually going to be doing all the set-ups on my sportsman car, he’ll be trackside with me as well talking me through the race on the headset. We’re definitely doing everything we can to prepare for a championship run – I’m really looking forward to the season. We’re also planning on running a number of national races at the road courses, but our commitment is to my sportsman program and to try and bring home that championship,” continued Dave.
“I’m proud to announce the return of Loblaw’s which marks our 8th year as well as Maple Leaf Foods, Unilever, DARE Foods, Kellogg’s, Maytag, Mott’s, Effem Foods, Praxair, Reid Bros Collision Centre, Castrol and a new addition with Pepsi. We’re really lucky to be working with such great people and companies,” expressed Dave.
RaceSportz will also be involved off the racetrack with the teams “Fuel for Kids” program. The team will visit Your Independent Grocer and Zehrs stores throughout Ontario and providing a unique fundraiser to elementary schools in their neighbourhoods.
“Our goal is to raise over $50,000 this year and we’ve created a number of unique fundraising efforts to make it happen. We’re also teaming up with Formula Kartways again for our 2nd annual charity go kart race. Last year was so much fun – hopefully the Cascar drivers can make it 5 corners this year before they wreck each other. We raised $10,000 alone at that event last year and we’re certainly going to try and get to the $15,000 mark this year” states Karen Barsoski operations manager at Team RaceSportz.
For more information on the Team RaceSportz please call Karen Barsoski at (613) 623-1511.
- From RaceSportz
SOS: Sponsor updates: BRODIX Returns as a Sponsor while PENNZOIL Once Again Named the Official Lubricant of the Southern Ontario Sprints
Southern Ontario Sprints President Bill Oldroyd recently announced that PENNZOIL, a long time supporter of the Southern Ontario Sprints will renew their marketing partnership as the “Official Lubricant” of the series.
“PENNZOIL has been associated with the Southern Ontario Sprint tour for a number of years as a sponsor and we are delighted to welcome them back for yet another season” exclaimed Oldroyd while making the announcement.
"And we are extremely proud to be able to announce that “BRODIX” will also be returning to our series as a marketing partner for the second year,” Oldroyd concluded.
Long before their business officially became known as “BRODIX” in 1979, V.J. and Paula Brotherton had been producing close tolerance, high strength castings in Mena, Arkansas which still stand as the benchmark for BRODIX. With a blend of old and new ideas, BRODIX has also been manufacturing “spec” aluminum heads to exact specifications for the past 10 years which are utilized by many of the top racing series. They are also the proud sponsors of the “BRODIX Tournament of Champions” at Knoxville Raceway August 6 this year.
Teams are reminded of the Spring Meeting for the Southern Ontario Sprints to be held Sunday, April 9th at Emma’s Back Porch in Burlington. Check the SOS website for further information. Then the 2006 Southern Ontario Sprints tour gets underway on Saturday night, May 6th as Mark Rinaldi and Brighton Speedway play host to the traveling Sprint Car series. The following Saturday, May 13th, the series is invited to participate in an open practice at Ohsweken Speedway beginning at 12 noon with a return to racing action the following Friday night, May 19th at the Styres family owned fast 3/8 mile clay oval.
With opening day now only four weeks away, teams both old and new are preparing for what is shaping up to be the most competitive season yet. Make plans now so you won’t miss any of the action as the “Winged Warriors With An Attitude” travel to a speedway near you.
- For Immediate Release by Ken Pelkie, for Southern Ontario Sprints
BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY PROSTOCKS TEAM UP TO FIGHT FOR THE 2006 DUEL IN THE DIRT AGAINST 2005 CHAMPIONS FROM MERRITVILLE
BRIGHTON, ON – Inaugural Duel on the Dirt Overall Champion Mike Dooley of St. Catharines will have his work cut out for him if he thinks that the Brighton Speedway Park ProStocks will allow him to lead his Daytona Automotive Equipment Challenge Championship Team Merrittville to the Winner's Circle in the new look series of 2006.
The new format will see two Home Track events at Brighton Speedway Park (Saturday June 10 and Saturday July 1) and two at Merrittville, (Monday May 22 and Monday August 7). There will also be two combined events - Sunday September 3rd and Saturday September 10th at Brighton and Merrittville Speedways respectively.
This season each driver from their respective track will have the opportunity to compete in four separate points events, making the series more exciting and a nail biter right down to the end. This can only serve to help Brighton drivers, like the #72 Prostock driven by Jeff Sallans, who was hit with bad luck in 2005. While leading the Brighton race Jeff got a flat tire and was forced to pit and give up the lead eventually finishing in 15th position.
This left Jeff and Team Brighton in a point deficit heading into the second round at Merrittville. "The new format will have the points spread out over 4 races, which won’t leave as big of a handicap if a driver hits a small streak of bad luck" said Mark Rinaldi, Brighton Speedway Promoter.
Jeff and the rest of Team Brighton will be using this format to bring the banner and the money back to Brighton this year. "These events are the highest paying events, combined with the total points fund, it really rewards these deserving drivers" relates Erica Bicknell, GM of Merritville Speedway. The Purse combined with the points fund, provided by sponsors Lawns We Do and DL Services, and the Daytona Automotive Team Challenge equals out to more than $16,000.00 of total purse for the 4 race series.
"We are pleased with the corporate support shown by local businesses for this true test of dirt track driving skill," says Rinaldi of Brighton Speedway Park. "Erica and I are glad that long time Brighton sponsor Lawns We Do, the local lawn care specialists, and DL Services, a province wide environmental remediation company, are returning to entice drivers to compete in the complete series with there points fund". Erica adds "Thankfully the Daytona Automotive Equipment Team Award is returning as the team concept adds that extra edge to the competition. Daytona Automotive Equipment, with their Head Offices and a warehouse facility right here in Brighton, manufactures a line of automotive lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers and auto body frame machines for the automotive service and repair industry. They provide valuable resources to our racers and their teams and we are proud to have them sponsor this event."
Brighton Speedway's Duel on the Dirt combined event September 3rd is part of the ever popular Labour Day Classic Weekend, which includes other race events like the Southern Ontario Sprints, the Canadian Modified/IMCA Challenge and the Comp 4 Dirt/Asphalt challenge. Free camping makes the weekend a renowned event for all race fans. "The Labour Day Classic weekend at Brighton Speedway Park is becoming known as one of the best destinations and events for Dirt Track Racing Fans. The family atmosphere, fun and racing entertainment are the highlight of the season for everyone in attendance. We look forward to witnessing Brighton drivers take a home track win in the Duel on the Dirt Series this year," says Communications Director Brenda Whitehead.
The very next weekend on September 9th and 10th Brighton drivers will head west to the Merrittville Speedway to take part in the Annual Rose Webber Memorial Weekend. Merrittville Speedway is located just south of St. Catharines in Thorold Ontario.
For further information visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Brighton Speedway Park information, including up to date schedules and driver information can be found at www.brightonspeedway.com. The first race event of the year is scheduled for April 29th, 2006 when the stock cars hit the track for opening night. Admission is only $2.00 with a non-perishable food donation that will support local food banks. Green flag flies at the new start time of 7:00pm. For more information, contact Brighton Speedway at (613)475-1102.
The new format will see two Home Track events at Brighton Speedway Park (Saturday June 10 and Saturday July 1) and two at Merrittville, (Monday May 22 and Monday August 7). There will also be two combined events - Sunday September 3rd and Saturday September 10th at Brighton and Merrittville Speedways respectively.
This season each driver from their respective track will have the opportunity to compete in four separate points events, making the series more exciting and a nail biter right down to the end. This can only serve to help Brighton drivers, like the #72 Prostock driven by Jeff Sallans, who was hit with bad luck in 2005. While leading the Brighton race Jeff got a flat tire and was forced to pit and give up the lead eventually finishing in 15th position.
This left Jeff and Team Brighton in a point deficit heading into the second round at Merrittville. "The new format will have the points spread out over 4 races, which won’t leave as big of a handicap if a driver hits a small streak of bad luck" said Mark Rinaldi, Brighton Speedway Promoter.
Jeff and the rest of Team Brighton will be using this format to bring the banner and the money back to Brighton this year. "These events are the highest paying events, combined with the total points fund, it really rewards these deserving drivers" relates Erica Bicknell, GM of Merritville Speedway. The Purse combined with the points fund, provided by sponsors Lawns We Do and DL Services, and the Daytona Automotive Team Challenge equals out to more than $16,000.00 of total purse for the 4 race series.
"We are pleased with the corporate support shown by local businesses for this true test of dirt track driving skill," says Rinaldi of Brighton Speedway Park. "Erica and I are glad that long time Brighton sponsor Lawns We Do, the local lawn care specialists, and DL Services, a province wide environmental remediation company, are returning to entice drivers to compete in the complete series with there points fund". Erica adds "Thankfully the Daytona Automotive Equipment Team Award is returning as the team concept adds that extra edge to the competition. Daytona Automotive Equipment, with their Head Offices and a warehouse facility right here in Brighton, manufactures a line of automotive lifts, tire changers, wheel balancers and auto body frame machines for the automotive service and repair industry. They provide valuable resources to our racers and their teams and we are proud to have them sponsor this event."
Brighton Speedway's Duel on the Dirt combined event September 3rd is part of the ever popular Labour Day Classic Weekend, which includes other race events like the Southern Ontario Sprints, the Canadian Modified/IMCA Challenge and the Comp 4 Dirt/Asphalt challenge. Free camping makes the weekend a renowned event for all race fans. "The Labour Day Classic weekend at Brighton Speedway Park is becoming known as one of the best destinations and events for Dirt Track Racing Fans. The family atmosphere, fun and racing entertainment are the highlight of the season for everyone in attendance. We look forward to witnessing Brighton drivers take a home track win in the Duel on the Dirt Series this year," says Communications Director Brenda Whitehead.
The very next weekend on September 9th and 10th Brighton drivers will head west to the Merrittville Speedway to take part in the Annual Rose Webber Memorial Weekend. Merrittville Speedway is located just south of St. Catharines in Thorold Ontario.
For further information visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
Brighton Speedway Park information, including up to date schedules and driver information can be found at www.brightonspeedway.com. The first race event of the year is scheduled for April 29th, 2006 when the stock cars hit the track for opening night. Admission is only $2.00 with a non-perishable food donation that will support local food banks. Green flag flies at the new start time of 7:00pm. For more information, contact Brighton Speedway at (613)475-1102.
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