NASCARLOCALRACING.COM features NCATS pages

NASCARlocalracing.com went live today with several pages pertaining to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

It includes a main news page and several incomplete pages (schedule, drivers, results and standings (obviously)).

But most interestingly, it has a page on the series' tracks, including Barrie Speedway, Cayuga Int'l Speedway, the GP de Trois-Rivieres, the GP of Edmonton, Kawartha Speedway, Mosport (Int'l Raceway and Speedway), Riverside Speedway and Sun Valley Speedway. No surprises to anyone who has seen these facilities' websites during recent months and weeks.

The most notable thing on the 'tracks' page is the absence of Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (during the inaugural Busch Series race weekend). This is confirmation of what many suspected, that Montreal is the lone question mark remaining on the 12-race schedule.

It will be interesting to see how long NASCAR is willing to stick to its "no partial schedules" policy. NASCAR is big enough that it can do what it wants, but at some point it becomes extremely counter-productive to remain quiet about the positive news that 11 events - the first of which happens seven weekends from now - are confirmed.


UPDATE: The NCATS pages on the NASCARlocalracing.com site have nothing on the NASCAR Mexico page in terms of things that make you go "hmmmmmm". In addition to some shots from prior Busch Series races in Mexico, the "NASCAR Mexico Series" photo collage features: a shot of Peter Gibbons' CASCAR at Autodrome St-Eustache, Ron Lethbridge's CASCAR Sportsman Series car, and (for you history buffs) Al Turner's Blue Streak Intrepid at what looks to be the Toronto Indy.

Sad News: Carl Spiering's family mourns loss of father

From Carl Spiering Motorsports

"It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of the patriarch of the Spiering Family. Gordon Spiering, father of Pro Modified competitor Carl Spiering, succumbed after a courageous battle with cancer Tuesday, April 3, 2007. A mechanic by trade, Gordon was born December 5, 1933 in Holland and immigrated to Canada in 1947.
He operated Gord's Auto Repair in St. Catharines, Ontario. His wife Mary, daughters Debbie and Caroline, and sons Ron, Carl, and Mark, along with their families, survive Gordon, a car enthusiast and mentor to his three sons, who are all in the automotive trade. Ron manages The Trailer Shop, Carl is the owner of The Trailer Shop and ERD (Engine Research & Development), and Mark operates Mark's Automotive.
Visitation from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, April 7 at Covenant Christian Reformed Church, 278 Parnell Road, St. Catharines, Ontario.
The Funeral Service will be held at Covenant Christian Reformed Church at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 9. Expressions of sympathy to the Canadian Cancer Society would be sincerely appreciated by the family. "

Inside Track extends its condolences to the family and friends of Gordon Spiering.

NCATS: Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington excited about the new season

ST. THOMAS, ON – A new season in a series with a new name have Castrol Dodge driver DJ Kennington revved and ready to go in 2007. At the conclusion of 2006 The CASCAR Super Series became the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and instantly elevated Canadian stock car racing to a higher level.

With less than two months until the racing season gets underway in Canada Kennington, Crew Chief Dave Whyte and the rest of the Castrol Crew are beginning the meticulous preparations necessary for another successful year. “I’m spending a lot of time underneath race cars” joked Kennington. “We’ll be going over every piece of the cars and making sure we’re ready for opening day. “Not much has changed specification wise on these cars for the last couple of seasons so we know exactly what we’re looking for,” he added.

The new NASCAR Canadian Tire series racing schedule will feature many of the same competitors and same racing venues. There will however be some other significant changes. Among them: a new and improved website, expanded marketing and promotion of the series, and all twelve races will be broadcast on TSN this season. “These improvements will give even great access to the races for our fans, and better exposure to Castrol and all of our sponsors” said Kennington.

In addition to his duties driving the Castrol Dodge at the twelve events on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series DJ Kennington will continue to expand his racing horizons in the United States. Kennington participated in several Busch series events at the end of last season, and plans set to run several more races this year. “It’s a great opportunity that started with Randy McDonald giving me a chance to get into a car last summer. Then Dwight Kennedy from Northern Provincial Pipeline came on board and supported our efforts that really helped out. The first Busch race we’re heading to is in Phoenix at the end of April and then we’ll assess what the best options are the rest of the season. It’s great experience and also helps us in our program up here. We might still have an open weekend or two so I’m planning to run a couple of other Sportsman Series events too.”

NASCAR Canadian Tire series competition begins in May and will feature twelve events from coast to coast in Canada including stops at the best ovals in the Country such as Cayuga Speedway, the famous Mosport road course, along with temporary street circuits in Edmonton and Trois Rivieres. Look for more information all season at the soon to be launched website http://www.nascarcanadiantireseries.com/

You can also look for DJ Kennington at the upcoming Canadian Motorsports Expo at the Toronto Congress Centre. He will be available for autographs on Friday April 6th beginning at 6PM.

Prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment

NCATS: Ron Beauchamp Jr. looking for another strong season

With the start of the 2007 racing season in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series only weeks away, members of the Mopar Parts crew find themselves at the Beauchamp Motorsports shop a little more often and the work has taken on a greater sense of urgency.

As one of the top runners for the last decade in the former CASCAR Super Series Ron Beauchamp Jr. and company know they cannot take anything for granted. “The main reason we’ve been able to have one of the fastest and strongest race cars every weekend we’re at the track is doing so much of the work ourselves, and being meticulous in the preparations” said the driver of the #60 car. “But we also look around to see what other race teams in different series are doing to be successful”

Over the past few season Team Mopar Crew Chief Chris Couvillon and Ron Jr. have both traveled the US centre of stock car racing in North Carolina to investigate some of the things that NASCAR teams in the US have been doing to perform at an elite level. “These obviously aren’t the same cars that we race with” said Beauchamp “but we have learned a lot about what goes into building a fast car, making it durable, and adjustable during a race when track conditions start to change”.

In the coming weeks look for more information about the upcoming year with official confirmation of the 12 race schedule that will see competitors running on some familiar oval race tracks at Cayuga Speedway & Barrie Speedway, along with road courses as part of the Grand Prix of Edmonton and Trois Rivieres.

You can also follow the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Racing series as all 12 events are broadcast this season on TSN. Also by logging onto the soon to be launched website, www.nascarcanadiantireseries.com.

- Prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment

INSIDE TRACK: News & Notes for Wednesday

PMRA: G-Force Race Cars back

TONAWANDA, NY (April 3, 2007) – Based in Western New York, G-Force Race Cars is one of the leading Pro Modified racecar builders, and it will once again be sponsoring the Pro Modified Racing Association as the series enters its third season.

“There is a talented group of teams in the PMRA and Western New York has always been a hot-bed of some of the most talented drag racers in the sport,” said Jim Salemi of G-Force Race Cars Inc. “The PMRA has been great for our sport, great for our business and most importantly great for the teams that we will continue to support.”

G-Force Race Cars services vary from building a complete five-second, 240-mph Pro Modified chassis to performing various custom fabrication tasks. It will even help racers prepare their car for race day. As racers themselves, the team at G-Force knows the commitment and development it takes to build a quality product that is innovative that also has a concern for driver safety.

... continued at the link above.

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ALSTAR CHARITY RIDE 3

From ALSTAR Charity Ride With Us Tour 3 organizer Keith Hepburn...

Greetings Everyone: I am hoping everyone has had a safe & great winter! It is again with great pride that I am able to release the date of the Alstar Charity Ride "Ride With Us Tour...3".
The date of the tour will be August 4, 2007. The agenda this year will be in the same format as last year:
- breakfast at Sauble Speedway with all collected monies again donated to “The War Amps”.
- a motor vehicle tour through parts of beautiful Grey & Bruce Counties, (route to be released at a later date).
- tour-ending ceremonies to be held at Sauble Speedway prior to the start of the Sauble Speedway exciting evening of racing.

For more info on the Charity Ride, click on the link above.

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Finally, could this be THE day?

INSIDE TRACK: News & Notes for Tuesday

Humberstone Speedway Kicks Off 2007 with Seaway Mall Show Autograph Session

PORT COLBORNE, ON – Looking to meet some of your favorite drivers? Maybe get a sneak peek on your favorite driver’s car? Humberstone Speedway will be hosting an autograph session April 5th at 7pm at the Seaway Mall in Welland.

Humberstone Speedways drivers will be on hand to sign autograph for new and old fans alike. Come see the 2006 Points Champions Dave Dykstra and Doug Banner and ask for their autographs, Niagara areas favorite sprint car driver Rob Pietz, he will be on hand also to sign autographs as The New Humberstone Speedway becomes Niagara’s Home to Sprint car racing.

For more information please call 905-834-4002 or visit www.humberstonespeedway.com.

- From Jaimie Wagner

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SAD NEWS
From FOX Sports: "A mechanic for Brian Vickers' No. 83 Nextel Cup team, was shot and killed outside his home in North Carolina on Saturday night, according to a television report.
Jimmy Sprinkle, 44, was investigating a person coming down his driveway in northeast Alexander County, north of Hiddenite, around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night, according to WSOC-TV. He was shot once in the chest and died at Iredell Memorial Hospital...."

... Continued at the link above

PHOTO CAPTION CONTEST

A NASCAR website announcing a new sponsorship has an interesting photo on it.

Never saw anyone aim a gun at anyone at a racetrack before. I don't believe there are a lot of fundamental differences between Canadians and Americans, but the issue of guns is one of them. Can you picture Kelly Williams brandishing a Smith & Wesson at Cayuga Speedway? Me neither.

Here are a few possible cutlines that we came up with:

"Too low? Too low?!! Measure again, techboy!"

"Mr. Glock requests that you park the Car of Tomorrow for keeps."

Your turn.... :)

Formula 1600 returns to the GP of Canada

MONTREAL, QC - Race fans attending the Grand Prix of Canada on June 8, 9 and 10 will once again enjoy the action-packed Formula 1600 series as Jacques Dulac, President of Formula Tour 1600, and Martin Spalding, General Manager of Grand Prix of Canada, announced on Monday that the open-wheel championship is back on this year's program of events for the first time since 2003.

Series officials expect close to 40 drivers from Quebec, Ontario and the North East of the United States will compete in the series most prestigious event of the 2007 racing schedule.

The return of one of the fan's favorite support races will see seasoned veterans and young hot shoes go head-to-head on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to secure bragging rights for 2007. "We are pleased to welcome once again at the Grand Prix of Canada some of the most passionate race drivers in Quebec," said Martin Spalding, General Manager of the Grand Prix of Canada.

"Formula Tour 1600 officials estimate that competitors from Ontario, the Maritimes and the United States will join ranks with Quebec drivers to offer race fans their customary wheel-to-wheel battles in the demanding Senna Curve, the Hairpin or the Esses. We can also add that Formula 1600 drivers, whatever their level of experience, never lack intensity and their goal is the same as all Formula One drivers: to win at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve."

A little less than two years ago, concerned members of the open wheel racing community gathered to create Formula Tour 1600 in order to steer the destiny of the series in a new direction. "The return of Formula 1600 at the Grand Prix of Canada is a splendid outcome for the efforts of all those involved in the series," said Jacques Dulac, President of Formula Tour 1600. "We never gave up our passion for the sport and thanks to our commitment, we will once again enjoy from our Paddock the thrill of being part of the most important race weekend in Canada and to compete on the same race track as Formula One."

Last season, troopers like Didier Schraenen and Michel Bonnet and upcoming stars such as Rémy Audette and Olivier Bonnet fought all season long for the championship with the title eventually won by veteran Didier Schraenen in the season finale.

INSIDE TRACK READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS VOTING UNDERWAY

TORONTO, ON – Voting for the fifth annual Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards, presented by Castrol commenced today. Canadian motorsport fans can go to www.insidetracknews.com and vote online for who they feel were Canada’s top racers of 2006 (Or click here to go directly to the voting site).

As ‘Canada’s Source for Motorsports,’ one of Inside Track Motorsport News’ core mandates is the promotion of Canadian motorsports. The Readers’ Choice Awards are a key component of the magazine’s commitment to shine a bright light on this country’s current and future stars.

Visitors to the Inside Track website will find a list of nominees for most of the 10 categories, representing various popular forms of racing in Canada. At the bottom of each category, there is room for a ‘write-in’ vote to allow voters to cast ballots for non-nominated racers.

The categories include Racer of the Year and Up and Coming Racer of the Year awards for Stock Cars, Road Racing and Motorcycles. As well, Inside Track readers will identify Racer of the Year winners for Drag Racing, Rallying and Karting.

They will also have an opportunity to vote for the Canadian Racer of the Year Participating at the Highest Levels of International Competition, as well as to select an Overall Canadian Racer of the Year. Finally, voters will be polled as to who they believe is Most Deserving of Induction into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

“We’re excited about the Fifth Annual Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards presented by Castrol. This program has been embraced by our readers who want to do their part to promote and recognize Canada’s top current and future racers,” said Inside Track Editor-in-Chief Greg MacPherson. “We are honoured to have Castrol return as the presenting sponsor of the Awards. And we also want to recognize the support of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame. The Hall has incorporated several Readers’ Choice Award winners into their recent induction gala celebrations.”

All voting for the “Castrol Presents the Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards” will be conducted via a controlled balloting procedure at the official Inside Track website (www.insidetracknews.com). The polls will remain open until midnight on Thursday, May 31, 2007. The results of the readers’ selections will be announced shortly afterward.

Previous Overall Canadian Racer of the Year winners include CASCAR driver Steve Robblee (2002), former Champ Car champion Paul Tracy (2003), and ALMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans GT1-class winner Ron Fellows (2004, 2005).

Inside Track Communications fast facts: Inside Track Communications is the industry leader in motorsports publications. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Inside Track Communications publishes Inside Track Motorsport News (www.insidetracknews.com), Inside Karting, Inside Motorcycles (www.insidemotorcycles.com), and Inside Motocross (www.insidemotocross.ca).

ESPN acquires Jayski

ESPN has acquired Jayski.com – one of the top NASCAR information sites on the Internet. Jay Adamczyk, (a.k.a. “Jayski”), who began the site in 1996, will continue to operate Jayski.com, which counts top NASCAR crew chiefs, drivers and owners among its regular visitors.

The site has seen tremendous growth in the past three years and is now considered one of the most influential web sites in the sport. Jayski has gained a reputation for consistently breaking industry stories and serving as the ultimate resource and trackside companion for NASCAR fans.

Jayski.com will remain an independent voice on ESPN.com and complement the site’s revamped NASCAR editorial section, providing NASCAR fans the most comprehensive coverage of the sport on the Internet.

“Jayski.com is, day-in and day-out, one of the most distinctive, authoritative voices for NASCAR fans online,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN New Media. “Few developments for ESPN are more exciting than getting back into NASCAR, and doing so with one of the most dialed-in NASCAR insiders in the business. Jay’s fan perspective informs everything he writes; he’s a must-read for any serious NASCAR enthusiast.”

Jayski.com’s relationship with ESPN extends back to 2004, when ESPN began hosting the website. Adamczyk and partner Mark Garrow will serve as contributors for NASCAR coverage across all ESPN media – including on-air, online and radio and podcasting.

“I am proud to be associated with ESPN, especially as they expand their role in NASCAR,” said Adamczyk. “I’ll still be running the site, but with the support of ESPN, we’ll have the resources to grow Jayski.com to serve NASCAR fans even better than it already does.”

Jayski.com features more than 1,500 pages of content on NASCAR Nextel Cup, the Busch Series and Truck Series. Some of the most popular features of the site include Jayski’s NASCAR News and Rumors, Team Pages and the Jayski Paint Scheme section. ESPN.com’s core NASCAR news, information and feature coverage is anchored by award-winning writers Terry Blount and David Newton, with contributions from Rusty Wallace, Marty Smith and Angelique Chengelis.

About Jay Adamczyk a.k.a. “Jayski”
Jayski.com was born in 1996 when Adamczyk found that, as a NASCAR fan, there was precious little information on the Internet about his favorite drivers, teams, owners and crews. It was at that point that Adamczyk took his old Air Force nickname – Jayski – and turned it into one of the most recognizable names in the NASCAR community. The site, which began as a class project for this Federal Aviation Administration programmer, eventually became so time consuming that he made it his full-time job in December of 1999.

From ESPN

CHRIS ECONOMAKI ATTENDING CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO

COURTICE, ON – Legendary motorsport reporter & National Speed Sport News editor Chris Economaki will attend the Canadian Motorsports Expo.

Chris Economaki is probably the world’s best reporter of the auto racing scene.
After travelling the Northeast as a track play-by-play announcer since 1948, Economaki joined ABC Television as an expert commentator in 1961. During his tenure with ABC sports, Economaki covered the world’s major auto events. In 1984 he joined CBS’s sports staff and worked on the live telecasts of the Daytona 500 and Detroit Grand Prix in addition to the network’s IROC coverage.

In April of 2000, Economaki marked 50 years at the Editor’s desk of National Speed Sport News. NSSN is the most influential weekly motor sports publication in North America, largely due to the highly informative column he writes himself.

The latest edition to his massive resume is his book, collaborated with Dave Argabright, titled Let ‘Em All Go! The Story of Auto Racing by the man who was there.

Covering all aspects and disciplines, Canadian Motorsports Expo has something for everyone. It is a one-stop shopping experience. Parts, accessories, safety equipment, collectibles, free ‘how to’ seminars, fan forums, celebrity appearances, autograph sessions and more wait all at Canadian Motorsports Expo.

Canadian Motorsports Expo runs April 6, 7 & 8 at the Toronto Congress Centre from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday; 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday; and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. Admission is only $15. For Seniors and Youth (10 to 15 years old) $10 and free for Children under 10 years old. Three-day passes are also available. More information can be found by visiting the show website www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. For exhibit space enquiries, logon to the website or call the show office at (905) 721-1762. You can also send an email to info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com

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Media contact: Glenn Butt, President – Canadian Motorsports Expo
Tel: (905) 721-1762 or email: glenn@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com