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STICKY POST: This will be the top post until Friday, December 1. Check below for current news.

ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series at Sauble Speedway in 2007

Sauble Speedway and title sponsor EPH TOOLS are pleased to announce for the 2nd year in a row “The EPH TOOLS 100 - ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series. This American truck series will make its first Canadian Stop of 2007 on June 23rd /07 at Sauble Speedway.

EPH Tools President and CEO Ted Hayes, wife Phyllis, plus the entire EPH staff are extremely excited to add this event to their Canadian motorsports program. EPH Tools are also proud sponsors the Quaker State Ltd. Late Model Driver Vern Monk No. 7, a long time runner at Sauble Speedway, along with NASCAR Nextel Cup Series No. 52 Ware Racing Team of the United Sates.

EPH Tools is located just north of Lion’s Head, Ontario. The company produces custom bending and assembly equipment for the worldwide automotive industry.

Sauble Speedway is located on the edge of Lake Huron in one of Canada’s premiere vacation destination Sauble Beach. The quarter-mile track is only a few minutes away from seven miles of white sand beach and several of Canada’s top-rated campground facilities.

The track, which features 13 degree banking and a fully paved pit area, has been in operation since 1969. The 2007 ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series race date marks the second time that the touring truck series has visited the .25-mile track.

For more information: www.saublespeedway.com // www.arcaracing.com

Dirt From The Stands, by Greg Cybulski

A Prairie Dirt Family Christmas (2006)

Well race fans, here we are are once again, relaxing in the warmth of a quiet evening's glow with the anticipation of another Christmas season upon us. I sit before this keyboard with my favorite glass of yuletide cheer and Christmas carols playing in the background. As I look back to the year that was, I realize that one common theme keeps rising and that is family.

There are different families in our lives. My immediate family consists of spouse Heather, son Aaron and daughter Brandi, mom Joyce, dad Edward and brother Gord. There are others in my life as well, however, the newest is my racing family. If I made a list of everyone who has touched my life in racing in the past 5 years, I think I would have to fit them all in the grandstands of Knoxville Raceway.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been a part of and supported Prairie Dirt over the past five years. It has been an incredible ride for my family and I as we have had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful people in the racing community.

Some we have personally met and have grown strong friendships with, some we have corresponded with while others, sadly, we have lost far too soon.

Some of my personal highlights of the 2006 racing season included taking a ride in a stock car at Richard Petty's Driving Experience at Walt Disney World, Florida in March. Even doing 3 laps gives one an appreciation of the speed and power these cars possess on a race track.

Regretfully, my next experience was preparing a tribute for fallen friend, Fred Brownfield which was read at Estevan Motor Speedway on July 1 by track announcer Pat Boyle prior to the NOSA Sprint feature. Pat delivered the tribute page with a reverence and feeling that the fans in attendance could appreciate. As I stood in turn 4, listening and reflecting, I looked up at the clear Saskatchewan sky, and somehow I knew that Fred was there with us and giving his approval.Once again, the good folks at Estevan Motor Speedway showed why EMS is one of my favorite stops to see dirt track racing with their awesome hospitality and family-oriented atmosphere.

Congratulations to Guy Budel and the crew at Red River Co-op Speedway for putting on a first class race night for the fans at the 2nd annual NAPA Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge here in Winnipeg. They were really looking after the fans who had to park out on Highway 75 with a shuttle service to and from the speedway. Now that's service! Thanks again to the good folks at NAPA Auto Parts for their continued support of this special race event.

Race fans, mark your calendars! The 3rd annual NAPA Auto Parts Mid-Canada Sprint Car Challenge is set for Thursday, July 12 and promises to be bigger and better than ever. Sprint Car fans can look forward to the debut of the father and son team of Lou Kennedy Jr and son Thomas. Thomas will make his Sprint Car debut in Winnipeg and run a limited schedule before taking over the famous 21k Sprinter full time in 2008. Also confirmed is Fargo, North Dakota's first lady, Natalie Sather, who with legendary veteran crew chief Kenny Woodruff should provide for more excitement at Winnipeg's premier race event.

Congratulations to the new kids on the block in 360 sprint car racing on a successful inaugural season. The ASCS Northern Plains Region headed by Chuck Zitterich made some waves in 2006 with shows in the southern part of the Upper Midwest. Brainerd, MN appears to be a good stop for the N.P. as they have 4 races slated for 2007, including the much publicized ASCS National Tour.

The Northern Outlaw Sprint Association membership celebrated a series of firsts in 2006. Scott Butz captured the NOSA points title for the first time in 2006 with strong consistent performances. Dave Sobczak, Casey Mack, John Lambertz picked up their first NOSA-sanctioned feature wins on the NOSA Sprint Tour. Lambertz's win came at a new stop for NOSA at Dakota State Fair Speedway in Huron, SD.

What a year for Mark Dobmeier. His stock as a driver just keeps going up. Not only did he dominate at his home track of River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, ND, but he consistently showed strong performances all season long at other tracks including Huset's Speedway and Knoxville Raceway. He capped off the season with his first World of Outlaws feature win, subbing for the first time in Brooke Tatnell's seat at Wilmot Speedway, WI. This was Mark's first time to Wilmot. This reporter can't wait to see what he does for an encore in 2007.

Congratulations to Schatz Motorsports on not only winning the World of Outlaws points title in 2006, but for winning the highest honor in 410 Sprint Car racing, the Knoxville Nationals.
Looks like Ken Pelkie and Ohsweken Speedway have a winning formula going in Ontario with another successful 360 Sprint venture following the 2nd Annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals in mid-September. It's good to see Sprint Car racing growing north of the border as it is.
Another highlight of 2006 was being interviewed by Darren Pallen for the sprint car special edition of Prairie Dirt Digest podcast.

In that interview I had stated the priorities in my life, that being family and the family business and the importance of them to me. Right now, it is my intention to devote more time to the family business.

Having said that, I am announcing that I will not be actively involved in the promotion of sprint car racing for the 2007 racing season. Does this mean the end of what I have started? Hardly. I will continue to keep my finger on the pulse of the racing scene and return with a refreshed outlook following my leave of absence.

I will continue to run Prairie Dirt (2005) in it's current form, showcasing open wheel racing in Canada ,in our region, and in Australia during our off-season, however, I will not pursue any other additional duties at this time.

There is a place in Manitoba where a majesty of diverse wild ground, all creatures great and small and a man's soul come together as one. This is my refuge from the daily battle in the concrete jungle called the city. If I am nowhere to be found, that is where I will be. My little peace on earth, God's Country.

On behalf of the Cybulski family, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and many Blessings in the New Year.

God willing, I will see all my racing friends at a dirt track again in 2007.

Take care and good racing,Greg Cybulski

CANADIAN MOTORSPORT HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2006 INDUCTEES

NOVEMBER 2006 (Toronto) The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF) announced the nine finalists to be inducted into the Hall at an award ceremony at the 14th annual black tie Gala on Saturday, February 10, 2007 in Toronto.

This year s inductees come from a variety of racing disciplines and are being recognized for their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to Canadian racing. Nominations for induction are accepted by the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame s Nomination Committee, which carefully scrutinizes all submissions for accuracy. Complete nominations are then forwarded to the Selection Committee which is comprised of a national panel of automotive and racing journalists and historians who make a selection based on overall accomplishments and contributions to Canadian motorsport.

The 2006 inductees are:

Bob Atchison // Builder // Drag Racing
Alec Bennett // Competitor // Motorcycle Racing
John Bird and Bruce Simpson // Competitors // Rally Racing
John Duff // Competitor // Oval and Road Racing
Lorne Leibel // Competitor // Boat Racing
Dan Marisi and Jacques Dallaire // Builders // All
Ted Powell // Competitor/Builder // Road Racing
Lloyd Shaw // Competitor/Builder // Oval Track Racing
Robert Theoret // Competitor // Boat Racing

Thom Dickinson, President and Chairman of the Board of CMHF says, The reason the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame exists is to honour the special men and women who have contributed to making Canada one of the world s great racing nations. We are very excited to announce the newest list of outstanding Canadians, who, through their notable achievements, have contributed to Canada s racing heritage and have left their stamp on Canadian motorsport.

The gala ceremony and dinner, including a Silent Auction, will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto located at 123 Queen Street. Individual tickets are $220 each, and a table of 10 can be purchased for $2,200. Tickets purchased prior to December 31, 2006 are $195 each and a table of 10 is $1,950. Tickets may be purchased by calling 905-876-2454, or by visiting the CMHF website at www.cmhf.ca.

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame makes up one of the largest motorsport collections in Canada, housing more than 20 racing cars, boats and motorcycles. It also holds an extensive archival collection, some of which will be on display at the annual induction dinner.

The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame was established in 1993 to honour and recognize the achievements of those who have made significant contributions to Canada s rich and colourful motorsport history. Since its inception, more than 125 people have been inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame including Greg Moore, Scott Goodyear and the legendary Gilles Villeneuve. In 1999, the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame combined with the Canadian Automotive Collection and operates as a charitable organization that is funded by in-house events, individual donations and corporate sponsorships.

- 30 -

Individual biographies available upon request.
For further information contact:
Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame
Tim Miller 905-876-2454

ITMN Subscription... a great gift idea!

Not sure what you should get for the Canadian racing fan on your Christmas list?

Are you dreading heading out to the malls to do battle in lines like these?

We can help. Avoid the headaches and hassles by giving them a gift subscription to Inside Track Motorsport News.

Click here to find out more. Or call our office at (416) 962-7223.

STICKY POST: This will be headlined until end of day on Nov. 29. Please see below for news.

CASCAR on TV: Barrie opener on SPEED

WATCH THE GO-RACING.CA 300 from BARRIE SPEEDWAY on SATURDAY DECEMBER 2ND at 3:00PM on SPEED!

And if you're interested in purchasing a DVD Box Set of the entire 2006 CASCAR Super Series season, send a note to Joel Robinson.

CBC: Changes at Headz Gamez

The CBC has a story on its website about Headz Gamez Int'l.

The company was involved in sponsoring CASCAR Super Series teams and events in 2006.

From the CBC story:

"A megaproject promising to bring 1,500 factory jobs to Parrsboro appears to be in jeopardy.
Residents had been told their small town on the Minas Basin would be headquarters for a board game empire, but they learned Tuesday the project's champion has resigned.
(CBC)Headz Gamez International, which produces sports-themed board games, now says it's reviewing its Nova Scotia operations following the resignation of its president and majority owner, Kerry Martens."

... story continued at the link above.

ACT RETURNS TO CANADA

This is very interesting. Talk about "Back to the Future".
I'm hearing that people are being told that the former CASCAR Sportsman Series won't happen in 2007. One team owner said he's converting his operation to ACT. And now I can see why.

****************************
Waterbury, VT – After a ten year absence, the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) will be returning to Canadian racing on a regular basis in 2007. With the recent announcement of an ACTion Super Series race at Ontario’s Kawartha Speedway, and the finalization of negotiations with Quebec race teams and promoters north of the border, the Vermont-based group has announced it will manage and administer the very popular and successful Quebec Late Model Série in 2007.
Quebec racing is deeply rooted in northern New England stock car history. “La Belle Province” has produced many notable competitors, including the great Jean-Paul Cabana, André Many, Marcel Goddard, and Claude Aubin, among others, who were mainstays at the former Catamount Stadium (Milton, VT) and Thunder Road (Barre, VT) in the 1960s. Quebec racing at Vermont tracks and at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway continued with Quebec City’s Langis Caron, while Claude Leclerc and Roger Laperle from the Montreal area, and a host of drivers, were among the foundation of the ACT Pro Stock Tour years later.
Nearly 30 “new breed” Quebec racers and teams attending a recent organizational meeting in Drummondville, Qc learned that ACT will promote and manage the Quebec Late Model Série next year. ACT president Tom Curley said, “We feel very lucky to be able to work with many old friends and some new young talent. Donald Forte, in cooperation with the Quebec promoters did a very good job establishing this touring series. Our job is to help make it grow and have a lot of fun along the way. The Quebec Late Model Series fits our regional business plan perfectly. Universal rules, inexpensive race costs and affordable ticket prices will be our goal in Quebec, just like in New England.”
ACT has formed a 12-race schedule for the coming season that will compete at five venues. Included on the card will be two very popular ACTion Super Series events. The Series will open at Ralph Nason’s Autodrome Montmagny Speedway, a 3/8ths mile high-banked oval in May and close with the Cari-all 300 at the historic Autodrome St-Eustache near Montreal, a 4/10ths mile oval owned by former champion, Claude Aubin. Also on the docket will be stops at Autodrome Circuit Chaudiere, a track that ACT’s Curley consulted on, which is a favorite of fans and race teams. The 5/8ths mile Autodrome Ste-Croix, located near Quebec City, will host a pair of Quebec Late Model Série events as well as an ACTion Super Series race. Ontario’s Capital City Speedway, which has also introduced the ACT Late Model rules package, will hold the lone event outside the province. The second ACTion Super Series race will be at Aubin’s Autodrome St-Eustache.
Claude Leclerc, a 30+ year racing veteran was pleased with the information he heard at the meeting, “Saturday was a great day for Quebec racing. Tom Curley presented a good schedule and very good purses. It will be good for every driver. Having ACT will bring stability, a good foundation – Tom has been in the business for over 30 years and his plans aren’t just for the short term,” the Montreal-based driver finished.
“We are very proud that ACT is coming to Quebec,” affirmed Donald Theetge of Boischatel, near Quebec City. “The rules will put everyone on the same playing field, which will allow us to race across the Northeast without changing the car. Now I can go to Oxford for the `250’ and the ACT Tour race at Kawartha. I’ve raced at Kawartha and it’s a great track,” said the 2006 Quebec Series Champion.
Daniel Bergeron of St. Benoit, Quebec was planning to run a couple of ACT Tour events next year, but with the organization’s recent announcement that it will return to Quebec in 2007, he’s changing his plans, “I think I’m going to stay closer to home,” the 40 year-old driver stated. “The meeting was very informative, and the schedule’s good, as are the rules which will allow me the chance to run against other drivers in some of the big races in the US.”
Louis Larue, president of RPQ, the Quebec Late Model driver’s organization echoed the competitor’s thoughts, “We are very proud to have ACT here in the province of Quebec. Tom Curley has over 35 years of knowledge in the sport and having him bring this to our racing is a positive move.”

Schedule - Quebec Late Model Série
# Date Day Track Event
1 May 19 Sat Autodrome Montmagny Montmagny 100
2 May 26 Sat Autodrome St-Eustache Ste Eustache 100
3 June 9 Sat Capital City Speedway Ottawa 100
4 June 16 Sat Autodrome Montmagny Montmagny 100
5 June 23/24 Sa/Su Circuit Ste-Croix Ste Croix 200 (ACT/Que Combo Super Series)
6 June 29 Fri Autodrome Chaudiere Chaudiere 100
7 July 24 Tue Circuit Ste-Croix Ste-Croix 100 (4 x 25)
8 July 28 Sat Autodrome St-Eustache Ste Eustache 200 (ACT/Que Combo Super Series)
9 Aug 11 Sat Circuit Ste-Croix Ste-Croix 100
10 Aug 17 Fri Autodrome Chaudiere Chaudiere 100
11 Aug 25/26 Sa/Su Autodrome Montmagny Montmagny 250
12 Sep 22/23 Sa/Su Autodrome St-Eustache Ste Eustache Cari-all 300
Subject to change

Bobby Allison making an appearance in Ancaster, Ontario on Dec. 1

The Ancaster News has a story containing the news that legendary NASCAR driver Bobby Allison will make a promotional appearance at a store in Ancaster, Ontario on Friday, Dec. 1.

McIntosh's open-wheel talents continue to shine in Europe

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Tuesday 21 November, 2006 - Vancouver's Sean McIntosh relished another successful season abroad as he raced his way to a sixth place finish in the 2006 World Series by Renault. Once again, he was Canada's sole open-wheel racing representative competing in Europe, Formula One's proving ground, were he tackled legendary circuits such as Monaco, Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, not to mention 29 equally ambitious international rivals, along the way.

McIntosh's debut in the World Series by Renault followed two decorated seasons in the United Kingdom where he showcased his talents outside North America for the first time by winning the 2004 'Graduate Cup' for top rookie driver in the Formula Renault UK Championship before multiple wins and a championship challenge followed in 2005.

It was a natural progression for the 21-year-old to remain in Renault's open-wheel development ladder in 2006. Following his 2005 Formula Renault UK season, McIntosh proved his talents with more powerful equipment over the 2005-2006 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport winter season, notably with a victory for A1 Team Canada. A move into the World Series by Renault with the Belgian-based KTR squad duly followed. The Canadian would this time be testing his skills with a 425bhp Formula Renault 3.5 single-seater car.

"We set out at the beginning of the year to try and finish in the top-ten at the very minimum and hopefully get a few podiums and possibly a win," McIntosh reflected. "I was disadvantaged by not having had any winter testing with my new team. So, heading into the first pre-season tests in March and April, I was on the back foot a little and it's a big step going from the Formula Renault 2.0-litre car to the 3.5-litre World Series car. That said, looking back at the end of the season, to come away as the highest ranked Formula Renault 2.0-litre graduate is pretty pleasing as the competition level was exceptionally high."

"I'd definitely class 2006 as a successful season for me," he continued. "I scored a couple of podiums and took my first pole at the final round in Barcelona. It would be easy to say that I should have scored a couple of wins at Donington, and if it hadn't been for one or two other issues we could have ended up fighting for a championship as I was a regular top-five runner. But, at the end of the day others could argue the exact same thing. More important to me is the fact that I showed I was quick throughout the season and was capable of competing successfully at this level."

Acknowledging his time served racing in the United Kingdom proved useful as a foundation for stepping up into the World Series by Renault, one of Sean's biggest challenges was learning eight new European circuits with England's Donington Park the only track he'd experienced prior to the start of the season.

Recalling this Sean remarked, "My two seasons competing in the UK were undoubtedly a great learning experience but the venues we raced at weren't necessarily on the same level as the ones I had to face up to this season. You definitely step up when you start racing at places like Monaco, Nurburgring, Spa and Barcelona. I grew up watching races at these circuits on television so to get the chance to actually race on them was fantastic but each time out I was faced with the challenge of having to learn the track. I've done it so many times now that it's not something I let bother me but you could see how comfortable I was when we raced at Donington in England, I was on the pace immediately as I knew the track well from my time in the UK."

Sean's rookie season in the World Series by Renault netted two podium finishes, the first being a second place finish in Round 5 at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium back in July, followed later by a third place finish in Round 9's season-finale in Barcelona, Spain at the end of October.

In addition the young Canadian scored a total of ten top-ten finishes and one pole position on his way to sixth overall in the Driver Standings, the World Series title going to Comtec Racing's sophomore driver, Alx Danielsson from Sweden.

On the highs and lows of his season Sean mused, "The highlight for me was definitely my pole position in Barcelona. We should have had pole at Donington Park but that didn't work out but Spain was sweeter as it came on the last lap of the last qualifying session of the season. It was a great feeling mirrored by my drive through to second place and my first podium finish at Spa. The final race in Barcelona was similarly pleasing as I had secured sixth in the standings and rounded out the season with another podium."

He continued, "The lowest part of the season was definitely Donington Park as I should have been on the front row of the grid but a fuel calculation error in qualifying cost me the position and I was forced to race my way from the back of the field. I still proved something with the pace of the car during the race but we know that was a weekend where I could have won. Other low points include being taken out by other drivers but there's nothing you can do about that unfortunately."

"I think I learned how to work with the team a little bit more," McIntosh commented on what he's taken from the 2006 season. "I was obviously comfortable with Team Firstair who I ran with for two seasons in the UK before joining KTR this year. With a new team you've got to start again and perhaps learn to deal with people differently. When racing in Europe, you're also faced with the challenge of people speaking different languages and so on."

"It was a great experience for me and on top of that I think I learned how to develop the car even more, a fact definitely reflected in my performances over the second half of the season. I had a car that really suited my style of driving and I think that came from the relationship I developed with the team and in particular with my engineer Paul Heath. Europe's a very competitive proving ground and you've got to learn to take care of yourself!"

Proud to be flying the maple leaf flag in European open-wheel racing, McIntosh's talents have been noted on both sides of the Atlantic, something he takes pride from but won't allow him to sit back and take it easy as he continues his rise through the ranks.

"I think when I first raced in England people there didn't have any expectations but I proved over in Formula Renault that I could compete and belonged to be there. I had earned respect and so when it came to moving up into the World Series this year people were already aware of what I could do based on my accomplishments in the UK as well as A1GP. I was more of a known quantity when I graduated to European competition this season!"

"The main thing is that if you're quick, it doesn't really matter where you're from. But from a pride perspective it's satisfying to be doing a good job as a Canadian and importantly to have people back in Canada recognise what I'm trying to accomplish over in Europe. Moving up to the highest level of motor racing could be political but the important thing for me is to keep pushing and to win races wherever I compete next season!"

Chinese Double Score for A1 Team Canada's Hinchcliffe

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Sunday November 12, 2006 - A1 Team Canada's James Hinchcliffe endured a fast but frustrating third round of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport in Beijing, China Sunday as the 19-year-old from Toronto added to the team's points tally with fourth and tenth place finishes in the Sprint and Feature races with the fastest race lap, and bonus point, also going to the Canadian charger.

With the grid for Sunday morning's 20-minute Sprint race based on Saturday's limited practice session, following vital track modifications to the Beijing street circuit, Hinchcliffe found himself taking the start in fourth. The tight nature of the Jingkai track in the Olympic city was never going to lend itself to spectacular overtaking and as expected the Sprint race proved to be a static affair as the 22 Nation field finally unleashed their identical 550bhp V8-powered A1GP racing machines. Hinchcliffe held fourth to score three more points for Canada, his third straight points-scoring performance, with pole-sitter Jeroen Bleekemolen winning for A1 Team Netherlands ahead of Mexico's Salvador Duran and Italy's Enrico Toccacelo.

The Feature race saw Hinchcliffe climb into podium contention early in proceedings, taking the third spot as the Mexican entry floundered. As soon as the pit window opened on lap 20 the front-runners pitted with the exception of Canada who opted to stay out and build up an advantage over the rest of the field. Unfortunately for Hinchcliffe, almost as soon as he assumed the lead two safety car periods in quick succession denied him the opportunity to streak too far away or similarly pit for a fresh set of tires. When the track finally returned to green James put pedal to the metal but the advantage lay with Holland in fourth having already stopped followed by a string of similarly placed cars. This failed to halt Hinchcliffe's stunning pace demonstration and he duly set the fastest lap of the race on lap 39.

Finally relinquishing the lead on lap 50, the end of the pit window, James pitted and rejoined 11th. He quickly climbed to eighth and with some final drama he was looking good to rebound and score a potential top-five finish following the retirements of Holland, Germany and Malaysia until he in turn found himself hitting the wall following a close last-lap dice with France's Nicolas Lapierre. Classified tenth at the checkered flag, with a point for position and another for fastest lap, there was some consolation for the young Canadian after another eventful A1GP race. Enrico Toccacelo scored the Feature win for Italy, in doing so becoming the fifth nation this season to triumph, with Great Britain's Oliver Jarvis in second and Australia's Karl Reindler wrapping the podium celebrations in third.

"I'm super disappointed," stated Hinchcliffe at the end of the Feature. "It was a good race and we're unfortunate to be in the position, like Brno last time out, where we led lots of laps but haven't finished on the podium. I really had the hammer down to try and build an advantage but we were caught out by the safety periods. I thought France had a problem at the end and was letting me go as I ran wide but he started to race me again and I found myself out on the marbles and into the wall. It's frustrating but overall we showed great pace today and that's encouraging for the future!"

Round 4 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport takes place in two weeks time, Friday 24th - Sunday 26th November, at the Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia - www.a1gp.com.

A1GP Nations Standings after Round 3/12: 1st Mexico (24), 2nd Germany (22), 3rd Great Britain (20), 4th Italy (19), 5th Malaysia (17), 6th Canada (16)

McIntosh Ninth Fastest for Canada in Malaysian A1GP Qualifying

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Saturday 25 November, 2006 - Sean McIntosh ensured A1 Team Canada kept its top-ten qualifying record intact Saturday as he posted the ninth fastest aggregate lap time at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia ahead of Round 4 of the 12-round 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, starting with Sunday morning's 20-minute Sprint race.

McIntosh (21), competing for A1 Team Canada for the first time this season, was keen to keep the team's streak of top-ten starts going following James Hinchcliffe's excellent qualifying performances in the Canadian car over the opening rounds in Holland, the Czech Republic and China. The 21-year-old from Vancouver failed to disappoint as he reacquainted himself with the 550bhp, V8-powered A1GP car that he drove to victory in Indonesia in the inaugural A1GP Championship last season.

Straight out on a brand new set of tires for the first of four timed runs, the fastest two being used to set the aggregate qualifying time and the grid order for Sunday's Sprint race, McIntosh lapped the 5.54km Sepang International Circuit in 1m 53.142s. His next lap would be faster as he made the most of another set of new tires to post a time of 1m 52.210s, the sixth fastest lap of the second session.

Sean's third run, and final outing on fresh rubber, was less fruitful as he admitted he might have pushed a little too hard for the lap, setting a 1m 53.424s, ninth fastest from the 22-strong field of nations. The Canadian's last run of the session, this time on old tires, was a competitive 1m 53.398s and a faster lap than his previous one. With his first two laps being the fastest of the four, and therefore forming his aggregate lap time of 3m 45.352s, McIntosh ended Saturday's qualifying session ninth overall to secure a top-ten grid slot for Sunday's Sprint race. Pole went to Switzerland's Neel Jani with New Zealand's Jonny Reid lining up alongside on the front-row for the rolling start.

Encouraged to be starting 13 spots higher up the grid from last season's rain-soaked A1GP qualifying session in Malaysia, McIntosh's competitive edge meant he was still left wanting more. "The car certainly had pace today," he commented. "I didn't get the best from my first set of tires but the second run was more promising. The track had warmed up by the third outing and I probably pushed a little too hard. I didn't come here to qualify ninth, I wanted to be higher than that on my return with the team but compared to last season's start position at Sepang it's a definite improvement!"

A1GP Round 4 Qualifying - Aggregate time from two fastest laps
1. Switzerland - Neel Jani - 3:43.014
2. New Zealand - Jonny Reid - 3:43.305
3. Germany - Nico Hülkenberg - 3:43.381
4. Great Britain - Robbie Kerr - 3:43.941
5. China - Congfu Cheng - 3:44.884
6. Netherlands - Jeroen Bleekemolen - 3:44.932
7. Malaysia - Alex Yoong - 3:45.068
8. South Africa - Adrian Zaugg - 3:45.238
9. CANADA - SEAN MCINTOSH - 3:45.352
10. France - Nicolas Lapierre - 3:45.410

Sunday's 20-minute Sprint race starts at 11 am local time (10 pm EST Saturday) with the 70-minute Feature race starting at 3 pm in Malaysia (2 am EST Sunday). The races can be watched live in Canada or on demand later via the A1GP website - www.a1gp.com.

TSN: Schumacher on the record

TSN has a story quoting Michael Schumacher, saying he retired because he'd lost his motivation. In the same piece, he says his one big regret was the incident in '97 when he ran into Jacques Villeneuve in the final race.

No clarification on whether or not he regretted doing it... or regretted not finishing the job. :)

The story begins...

"Michael Schumacher says he lost the motivation to drive at the high level necessary to succeed in Formula One and that is one of the main reasons he decided to retire.
In an interview with a German publication, which coincides with the release of his updated autobiography, the seven time world champion also says if there was one regret in his career it was the 1997 incident at the European Grand Prix involving Canadian Jacques Villeneuve.
At that race, Schumacher deliberately turned into Villeneuve, who was closing in on his first world championship with Williams. The move backfired as Schumacher was forced to withdraw from the race due to car damage while Villeneuve limped home in third to clinch the title. After the season was over, Schumacher was stripped of his results from that season.
"If there were a situation in my career which I could undo, it would be this," he tells the Suddeutsche Zeitung magazine."

photo: This is what Jacques Villeneuve saw coming at him in the '97 European GP. "Ramming speed!!!!!!!!"

... continued at the link above