J.R. Fitzpatrick tests his Mexico Busch Series ride in South Carolina

2006 CASCAR Super Series champ J.R. Fitzpatrick was joined by the Fitzpatrick Motorsports team at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, SC this past week for a test of the car that 'J.R.' will drive in the upcoming NASCAR Busch Series road course event in Mexico.

According to Don Thomson Jr., the test went very well. The team is committed to the event, which will be young Fitzpatrick's first Busch Series outing. Thomson noted that the team is still welcoming sponsorship support. Interested parties can contact Fitzpatrick Motorsports at (519) 621-0903.

Remember this sound?

Herm Hordal of Saskatoon's Auto Clearing Motor Speedway sent along a note with a link to the track's website. On it is a short clip of on-track action at ACMS. Sometimes, in the dead of winter, it just warms your heart to be reminded what a racecar sounds like.

Here is the link to the video, from Global Saskatoon.

INSIDE TRACK: Friday Notebook

• Canadian Jacques Villeneuve tested the diesel-powered Peugeot 908 he will race at Le Mans and came away impressed.
• The Champ Car race scheduled for Denver has fallen off the schedule due to "concerns over time conflicts with the facilities surrounding the temporary street course." The release about the event goes on to state that the 2008 race also won't happen, because "the 2008 Democratic National Convention which is scheduled be held in the Mile High city." No word on the fate of the 2009 Denver event, however there are rumours of a total solar eclipse in the works, within 3 months of the fall of the green flag, so we'll get back to you on that one....
• Sauble Speedway has announced two Wednesday night Dash for Cash invitationals. The events will take place on July 25 and August 15 and will feature the Late Models, Thunder Cars and 4-Cylinder Cars.
• The PMRA has confirmed a pair of events this season at Toronto Motorsports Park. The Pro Modified dragster series will be there during the track's Victoria Day Weekend May 19 and 20, and will return for the KC Auto Family Day Thunder Fest sponsored by KC Auto Parts on Saturday, June 16.

GM announces special edition Ron Fellows Z06 Corvette

In 10 minutes, one of our people will call up General Motors of Canada and ask them if they'd like to run an ad promoting the existence of this car.

Following an awkward silence.... the words "Who is Ron Fellows?" will be the reply.

The same discussion took place following his wins at the Rolex 24 and Le Mans.

Sigh.

In all seriousness.... Congratulations to Ron! What a fantastic honour.


***

Ron Fellows Championship Z06 and Indy Pace Car Replica Convertible Editions Make 2007 a Special Year for Chevrolet Corvette

CHICAGO - Corvette enthusiasts in search of a unique ride have much to consider this year with the introduction of two special-edition models: the Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06 and the Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica Corvette Convertible.

The special-edition Corvettes are distinguished by unique interior and exterior appointments and will be offered in limited, predetermined quantities. In other words, when they're gone, they're gone.

"Chevrolet and Corvette have a long, storied history at Indianapolis, and the new pace car special-edition commemorates that heritage with what will surely be an instant collectible," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager.

"Ron Fellows is also a part of Chevrolet's racing heritage, and he has been instrumental in the remarkable success of the Corvette Racing team in the American Le Mans Series. The special signature-series Z06 model that bears his name will forever link him to one of the greatest eras in factory racing, which has produced six consecutive ALMS GT1 manufacturers championships, and counting."

Russ Bond has more shots of this car on his Painkillerz.ca site.

CASCAR on the Montreal road course this Saturday on SPEED

Watch the CASCAR race from MONTREAL on SPEED this Weekend! Saturday, February 3rd @ 3:00 p.m. EST and 11:00 p.m. PST

OSCAAR ANNOUNCES 2007 SCHEDULE

OSCAAR is pleased to announce its 2007 Schedule! In 2007, the OSCAAR Outlaws will tour on 13 scheduled events, which is definitely going to provide exciting Super Late Model racing entertainment for racing fans in Ontario!

There is sure to be a battle in 2007, with many new teams battling for “Rookie Of The Year” honors. 2007 will see the most ever first time teams taking to the race tracks of Ontario.

In exciting news, OSCAAR will join the ASA Late Model Series for a Canada Day Extravaganza at the “Crown Jewel” Cayuga Speedway Park. “OSCAAR is thrilled to be able to present the 9th Annual Don Biederman Memorial 75 Lap event at one of Canada’s most historic racing facilities.

Joining the ASA Late Model Series is truly a honor and quantifies OSCAAR’s racing quality and progression into a supreme racing series,” commented OSCAAR President Kim Mahony.

Cayuga Speedway Park’s Track Operations Manager, Tim Chapman expressed, “It is with great excitement that Cayuga Speedway Park join forces with the elite OSCAAR Super Late Model Series along with the ASA Late Model Series, to provide fans with what is going to be an amazing day of festivities and racing action that fans will be talking about for a long time.”

The OSCAAR Outlaws will open their 2007 season at Flamboro Speedway on Sunday May 20th, and close the 2007 season at the 15th Annual Autumn Colours Classic. Be sure to visit the OSCAAR booth at Performance World on March 9, 10, 11 being held at the Toronto International Center and pick up your 2007 schedule and get an up close look at the 2007 Outlaw machine of T.J. Woolsey.

2007 OSCAAR OUTLAW SCHEDULE

May 20 - Flamboro Speedway
June 1 - Kawartha Speedway
June 16 - Barrie Speedway
June 24 – Simcoe Shores Golf & Country Club // 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
June 30 - Cayuga Speedway Park // 9th Annual Don Biederman Memorial – 75 Laps
July 7 - Sunset Speedway
July 14 - Mosport Speedway
July 28 - Sauble Speedway
Aug. 4 - Peterborough Speedway
Aug. 10 - Kawartha Speedway
Aug. 18 - Mosport Speedway
Sept. 1 - Peterborough Speedway
Sept. 29/30 - Flamboro Speedway // Lucas Oil Oktoberfest Classic Weekend
Oct. 5/6/7 - Peterborough Speedway // 15th Annual Lucas Oil Autumn Colors Classic

For OSCAAR by Mike Charest

Statement on Roush Racing Transporter accident in Texas

CONCORD, N.C. (February 1, 2007) - Two Roush Racing employees were injured in a multi-vehicle accident 85 miles east of El Paso, Texas yesterday morning. Justin Grebe, the driver of the No. 6 Roush Racing NEXTEL Cup transporter was treated and released from Thomason Hospital. Driving partner Joe Millikan, a passenger, is in stable condition in the Thomason Hospital intensive care unit. The two were returning to Concord, N.C. from a test in Las Vegas, Nev. According to local news reports, two other people also were taken to Thomason Hospital after suffering non life-threatening injuries. The cause of the crash has not been determined. Roush Racing will provide additional details as they become available.

NASCAR adjusts the Petty / Waltrip rule to the detriment of Jarrett

As of today, a driver can only use six 'past champion' provisionals a year to make Nextel Cup fields.

Same for any team, so that means a single outfit can't employ more than one former champ during the course of a season to get their car into more than six races they otherwise wouldn't have qualified for.

This rule was created way back to keep Richard Petty in the field in the final years of his career, when a NASCAR race just wouldn't have been the same for the fans without 'The King' on the grid. Once Petty retired, it was employed extensively - some say abused - by Darrell Waltrip.

The big loser 'in this deal' is Dale Jarrett, who will be driving the new Toyota entry for a brand new team in '07. You can't help but assume that having DJ's free passes into the starting field played a role in their eagerness to sign him to a whopping contract (rumoured to be $10M / year for two years).

Jarrett is no doubt relieved that the ink dried on his contract with Michael Waltrip Racing before this change was announced.

UPDATE: Delaware Speedway story in the London Free Press

According to London Free Press scribe Jim Cressman, Delaware Speedway's 2007 season is no longer "in doubt", but the facility is still "troubled". (h/t Joel Robinson for the link)

Troubled Delaware to open April 28

Delaware Speedway will drop the green flag on its 2007 racing season as scheduled, track co-owner Arlen Scherba said yesterday.

Ownership is doing its best to put on a brave face during tumultuous times after general manager Kevin Bulmer and operations director Amy Dugas suddenly resigned 13 days ago.

Bulmer said last week he left "due to untenable working conditions and lack of support from current ownership."

Sources tell The Free Press a split developed among the four-man ownership group that involves Scherba of Sombra, Dave Meldrum of Stratford, John Sheppard of Scarborough and Dave McDonald of Freelton.

The four bought the operation from Tony Novotny in November 2002. Scherba and Meldrum had already been around the sport and bought in as a hobby.

But for the other two, it was a new venture and when the costs of running a race track began to mount up, they looked for immediate returns on their investments.

This industry doesn't work that way, especially short tracks in Canada. And it wasn't through the Friday paid admissions that Novotny made his money.

He was smart enough to establish Performance Fibreglass, a company that builds fibreglass race car bodies.

The "math" was simple. You own a race track and the sanctioning body, plus you own a fibreglass shop, equals: you make them run your cars.

Scherba admitted there has been a "negative cash flow" and now Delaware is facing more upgrades, especially the racing surface. Estimates peg those costs between $500,000 and $1 million.

"We realize there needs to be work done there," Scherba said of the asphalt track. "The better days of Delaware Speedway as far as track conditions are basically behind it.

"But we need to paint the picture that Delaware Speedway is not going to close."

"There is money behind the track and we will put more money into it to make it happen," Scherba said. "We've got a lot of people coming to the plate right now that have interest in buying in, under conditions, and the format and foundation underneath it may change in the next year and a half. Hopefully less than that."

Read into that what you will, but it sounds like there may be some more changes.

But in the meantime, the season opens with the APC Enduro 250 on April 28 and the first night of regular stock car action is May 5.

... continued at the link above.

Back by popular demand... ice racing at Brighton Speedway

BRIGHTON, ON - On the heels of a successful winter racing event, staff and management at Brighton Speedway Park have received many calls and requests for a repeat. Because of these demands, ice racing will return to Brighton on Saturday February 10th .

“With the forecast remaining positive and the cold weather expected to stay for a while, the majority of the work is done. There will be little effort needed to repair the icy surface and again offer a racing atmosphere for our drivers and their fans,” states promoter Mark Rinaldi.

The event will maintain a similar format as the Brighton WinterFest event. Snowmobiles, four wheelers and enduro cars will take to the 1/3 mile icy surface. There will however be the addition of a Junior class to both the snowmobile and 4 wheeler division, which will allow children as young as 8 years old to compete. “We saw an increase in the youth classes this past Saturday, and wanted to keep the trend going, encouraging more family fun and a challenge for everyone.” said Rinaldi. Parents of children wishing to compete should contact the Speedway prior to the date to verify any requirements.

To make the event more competitor and fan friendly, the start time will be pushed back 1 hour on February 10th. Practice will take place at 10:00 am with the green flag dropping at 11:00 am. “For some of our competitors that live far away it was a pretty early start trying to get here for 9:00 am practice. Not to mention that the day went so smooth the event really didn’t take as long as we expected, so we are going with a later start time”.

Once again the ever-popular enduro cars will hit the iced up track upon the conclusion of the snowmobiles and four wheelers for some slick racing action.

For more information on this event or other exciting news from the 40th Anniversary Season at Brighton Speedway be sure to visit www.brightonspeedway.com.

~30~

For more information contact Angie Rinaldi at 613-475-1102 or angie@brightonspeedway.com

Kirk Hooker appears ready to head south...

Thanks to Kirk and Dianne Hooker for sending in some shots of the car that Kirk will be driving at New Smyrna Speedway during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, in mid-February.

Bourque 12th in the Rolex 24 at DIS

From Pierre Bourque's website:

Bourque finishes 12th in GT class @ Daytona 24hrs ...

Read full race report ...

Look for first-hand account Monday exclusively @ Canwest's Driving.Ca ...

And listen to Bourque live with Adler on the Corus Radio Network 3:30 p.m. ET (Monday).

Edwards to drive Roush's #50 Truck at Daytona and some other races, but Canadian Pete Shepherd will drive it for the remainder of the season

(I know Petey was disappointed about not racing the Truck at Daytona - especially after his great testing sessions in the past few weeks - but Jack Roush felt he needed a little more seasoning in the draft before being thrown to the wolves at DIS. Putting Daytona aside, this is incredible news for Shepherd, who will drive the #50 Roush truck in many of the remaining Craftsman Truck Series races. What an incredible opportunity. Congratulations Pete!... GM).

Here is the release from Roush....

Concord, N.C. (January 29, 2007) - Carl Edwards is looking to kick off the 2007 season with a bang at Daytona International Speedway. Edwards, who pilots the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion in the Cup Series and the No. 60 Scotts Ford Fusion in the Busch Series, has signed up to race Roush Racing's No. 50 F-150 in the Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night.

Edwards will run a handful of truck races throughout the 2007 season (the schedule is TBD) while Peter Shepherd pilots the truck for the remaining races. The No. 50 truck that the two will share is still yet to be sponsored but Edwards is confident a new sponsor partner will come on board.

"I'm excited to be back in the truck at Daytona," said Edwards. "I won there a couple of years ago and it would be awesome to win there again. Matt Puccia is great and I know he and the guys have worked really hard to build some fast trucks for this year. We worked together at Ken Schraeder's shop back in the day so it's neat that we get to work together again.


Edwards continued, "To be able to help Peter Shepherd is awesome. He drove a Silver Crown car for me last year and did a good job. I'm really looking forward to racing with him this year."


Edwards and Shepherd will join truck teammates Erik Darnell and Travis Kvapil to round out the 2007 Roush Racing truck lineup. Kvapil, a former Craftsman Series truck champion, is the newest member to the Roush Racing team and will pilot the yet to be sponsored No. 6 F-150. Kvapil led the field at the recent Daytona truck test while teammates Darnell and Shepherd followed close behind.


With the Daytona race only three weeks away, Roush Racing is continuing to work on solidifying two primary sponsors; one for team Edwards and Shepherd and one for Kvapil. With 30 million loyal truck fans continuing to attend races (1.1 million in 2006) and watch on TV (viewership is up 46 percent since 2003), the Craftsman Truck Series continues to be one of the best buys in racing. The same fans that will be watching Edwards, Shepherd and Kvapil take to the track at Daytona, are 119 percent more likely to purchase a product from a brand that is represented in NASCAR.

With three championship contending teams, Roush Racing looks to continue their winning ways in 2007 with drivers that include, two Rookies-of-the-Year, pole winners, race winners and a champion. Anyone interested in being a part of this winning tradition should contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.

Sheri L. Herrmann // Corporate Communications Manager // Roush Racing

MTV show follows the antics of Paul 'The Animal' Tracy

The Diary of Paul Tracy to air Tuesday, January 30 at 7 p.m. ET on MTV in Canada.

After a few weeks of consecutive collisions and track-side scuffles, MTV will catch up with this lead-footed race car driver in La Belle Provence. Under the scrutiny of the French Canadian fans and media we'll watch as Paul Tracy spins his tires and turns some heads with his racy comments and wild antics.

Couple that with a Mexican wrestling mask, some boxing gloves and a well used rental car, and you've got an MTV Diary that'll be sure to get you all revved up. The MTV Diary of Paul Tracy will air Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET on MTV.