Earnhardt kids: "We want control" of DEI

From TSN.ca

"Fifty-one (per cent) is the right number because that gives us control," said Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, Junior's sister and business manager. "We'll take 75 or 95 or whatever we work out. At the end of the day, 51 gives you control. And we want control."

Earnhardt is in the final year of his contract with Dale Earnhardt Inc. and has made owning a share of the company a major issue of his negotiations. He raised the stakes even higher in February when he said he actually wanted 51 per cent of DEI - not just a piece of the team.

Contract talks were briefly halted after Earnhardt Elledge had surgery last month to remove a tumour near her pancreas. Although still recovering, she said she recently resumed talks with DEI president Max Siegel, and the brother-sister tandem is still asking for majority ownership.
The company has been run by Earnhardt's widow, Teresa, since his death in the 2001 Daytona 500.

"The idea is that the company would be left to the children, and we want to make sure that there is a formidable business left there and we can take on for our generation and then our children and then on and on," Earnhardt Elledge said. "It's very important to us. It's just a matter of us getting on the same playing field."

... continued at the link above.

Kingston Speedway reunion

KINGSTON, ON - In an era when it seemed like every small town across the country had a stock car track Kingston, Ontario (CANADA) was no different. The area north of the city - specifically McAdoo's Lane - dotted by a series of gravel pits and automotive graveyards was home to a quarter-mile dirt oval known as Kingston Speedway.

Operating under the direction of a variety of owners, the track was a Friday night gathering ground from 1951 to 1976. Fans watched drivers from as far away as Watertown and Massena, New York. Brockville, Cornwall, Ottawa and Belleville battle racers like Woody Van Order, Tony Blake and Walter Pennock from their own backyards and become names on the front page of the local sports section.

As times and technology changed, so did the definition of the hometown racetrack. By the early 70's, owners and drivers started looking to professional racecar builders in Canada and the U.S. to supply their equipment - instead of building stock cars in their home garage with a collection of parts they'd either found at the local auto wreckers or made themselves.

With Doug Carlyle crowned as the headline modified division's track champion, Kingston Speedway closed forever in September of 1976. Former track competitor Rob Clark - along with Chris Hegarty and his brothers Tim and Brian - sons of former track official Pat Hegarty will bring the track back to life at the first ever Kingston Speedway Reunion, part of the ACCCC Odessa Fairgrounds Car and Flea Market Saturday and Sunday, June 16th and 17th 2007.

Rob and Chris are hoping to have a full field of vintage racecars and an array of track memorabilia on display throughout the weekend. Push, pull or drag your Kingston Speedway racecar to the Odessa Fairgrounds. Dust off your old photo album and spend some time bench racing with former Kingston Speedway racers, crew members, officials and fans.

Rob Clark and Chris Hegarty say they were amazed to learn how many of the track's former racecars and drivers are still around.

Clark's web-site http://www.carkatz.com/ receives messages of support daily, as well as Kingston Speedway photographs from racefans who've dug deep into their personal collections. Don't miss your chance to re-live history at the first ever Kingston Speedway Reunion, Saturday and Sunday June 16th and 17th 2007 as part of the ACCCC Odessa Fairgrounds Car and Flea Market in Odessa, Ontario (CANADA).

For additional information, see http://www.carkatz.com/, e-mail robclark@i-zoom.net or 'GOOGLE' Kingston Speedway Reunion.

Photo attachment: Z28 Norm Davey 1974 Track Champion // Photo by: Vi Perry

Source: Clarke Motorsports Communications Collection

Prepared by: Jim Clarke // Clarke Motorsports Communications

A1GP: McIntosh and Lacroix Prepare for Chinese Race

The Shanghai International Circuit in China plays host to the penultimate round of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport this weekend, 13th-15th April, with A1 Team Canada seeking to use the event to break back into the top-ten of the A1GP Nations Standings fielding Coquitlam's Sean McIntosh behind the wheel for Sunday's Sprint and Feature races.

With just eight points the difference between Canada, sitting 11th overall, and Italy in eighth (36-28), there's plenty left to play for heading into the penultimate round of the winter-based, nation versus nation open-wheel racing championship, the Canadian team eager to better last season's inaugural tenth place standing.

The team arrived in the Jiading District of Shanghai this week with 21-year-old Sean McIntosh returning to the A1GP Series for the first time since Round 5 in Indonesia last December. McIntosh, to-date the only Canadian driver to have graced the top stop of an A1GP podium having won in Indonesia last season, assumes steering duties for Sunday's races from Toronto's James Hinchcliffe, 'Hinch' now concentrating on his 2007 Champ Car Atlantic Championship campaign, with Québec's Kevin Lacroix continuing to participate in Friday morning's 'Rookie-Only' session.

While both McIntosh and Lacroix will make their debuts at the ultra-modern Shanghai International Circuit, home of the Chinese Grand Prix, A1 Team Canada arrives armed with the experience of last season's round at the Hermann Tilke-designed facility. On that occasion, the grand finale of the inaugural A1GP season, Patrick Carpentier piloted the Canadian entry to a seventh place Feature finish having been forced out of the Sprint race following contact from behind by the Swiss entry.

Fitting for a Grand Prix venue, last April's A1GP races in Shanghai were won by former Formula One drivers with ex-Minardi racer Alex Yoong triumphing for Malaysia in the Sprint race before former Prost Grand Prix entrant Tomas Enge won the Feature race for the Czech Republic.

"I've been doing my bit on the PlayStation learning the track layout so I know what to expect when I get there," McIntosh commented ahead of his real track debut at the weekend. "I missed out on competing there last season due to a date-clash with my World Series by Renault activities but I'm really pleased to get the opportunity to compete in China and look forward to working with the team to get us back into the top-ten in the standings."

Kevin Lacroix, runner-up in the 2006 Star Mazda Championship, looks to build on his rookie experiences having worked with the team in the previous rounds in South Africa and Mexico. "I'm learning more about the car each time I run," stated the 18-year-old from Saint Eustache. "The more seat time I get the happier I am, I just wish the rookie session was longer than an hour. I'm excited to be running on another F1 circuit and hopefully my performances will lead to a shot at the race seat!"

Sunday's Sprint race starts at 11am local time (10pm Saturday EST) with the Feature race starting at 3pm in China (2am Sunday EST). SPEED will air all the action from Round 10 in Shanghai as a tape-delayed broadcast on Wednesday 18th April starting at 2pm EST ENDS - www.a1teamcan.com

Royal Distributing Opens New, Massive Retail Store

Royal is pleased to announce the opening of their new 22,000 sq ft. state of the art store in Innisfil, just south of Barrie on Hwy 400 at Innisfil Beach Road. The store is based on a concept of MORE. More space, more displays, more product, more checkouts, more parts counter, more parking, more service. The new store is larger, and features an absolutely huge display floor, full of helmets, motocross, street, marine and snowmobile clothing, parts and accessories. The store has many features and displays that alone are worth the visit. There are bikes, sleds and more on display. The walls are covered in murals and displays.

To celebrate the opening of this new location, Royal Distributing is having a massive across the board NO TAX Tent sale at all 3 of their retail locations. There will be special door crasher items, great deals on motocross and motorcycle clothing and gear, and lots of special events. Sale Runs from April 19th, until April 29th , 2007.

See website for more details.http://www.royaldistributing.com/

Ryan Litt ready to kick off season at Anderson Speedway

Ryan Litt and the #07 BS&B Radiator, OTC-SPX Tools Beast/Claxton sprinter are set to make their 2007 season debut this Sunday at Anderson Speedway in Indiana. The event is the 100 lap Glen Neibel Classic, featuring the USAC National Sprint Car division.

The Glenn Neibel Classic and Anderson Speedway have been good to Ryan in the past. The Lyons, Ontario native won his first USAC Ford Focus Midget series feature during the Classic in 2004, finished 7th as a rookie in the Little 500 at Anderson in 2005, and won his first USAC National Sprint Car series heat race at Anderson last May.

The Anderson event is the first of 17 events that Ryan and the team have picked out to compete at this season. The slate consists of all USAC National Sprint Car series events on paved tracks, as well as a selection of Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints (AVSS) events when time allows.

More AVSS and/or HOSS dates may be added on later in the season, but the main focus for the team is the USAC portion of the schedule.

Ryan and the team would like to welcome and thank their sponsors for their support of the 2007 season. They include OTC/SPX Tools, BS&B Radiator, Velocity Wings, BRR Media, BOC Gases, Leaf Racewear, and Kolors by Kropy.

The chassis for 2007 is once again Beast, with engines again provided by Claxton.

What: 8th Annual Glenn Neibel Classic featuring the USAC National Sprint Car Series.

Where: Anderson Speedway // 1311 Martin Luther King Boulevard // Anderson, IN

When: Sunday, April 15th. Spectator Gates open/Practice @ 11:15 a.m., Qualifying Time Trials @ 12:30 p.m., Racing @ 2:00 p.m.

Here is the entire schedule for the #07 this season:
Date, Series, Track
4/15 USAC Anderson Speedway (Glenn Neibel Classic)- - - -
4/22 USAC Winchester Speedway (Rich Vogler Classic)- - - -
5/5 USAC Iowa Speedway (USAC Triple Crown)- - - -
5/23 USAC Anderson Speedway - - - -
5/26 USAC Anderson Speedway (Little 500) - - - -
6/8 AVSS Delaware Speedway - - - -
6/15 AVSS Toledo Speedway (Fastest Short Track Show in the World)- - - -
6/16 USAC O'Reilly Raceway Park at Indianapolis - - -
6/29 USAC Richmond International Raceway - - - -
7/6 USAC Toledo Speedway (Buckeye Nationals)- - - -
7/7 USAC Mansfield Motorsports Speedway (Buckeye Nationals)- - - -
7/22 AVSS Winchester Speedway (King of the Wings)- - - -
7/28 AVSS Cayuga Speedway - - - -
8/4 USAC Salem Speedway (Joe James/Pat O’Connor Memorial)- - - -
9/1 AVSS Berlin Raceway - - - -
9/15 AVSS Cayuga Speedway - - - -
9/29 AVSS Berlin Raceway - - - -
For more information on Ryan, the car, and the team, including schedules, photos, merchandise, and contact information, please visit Ryan’s official website at www.RyanLitt.com.

UPDATE: GLEN NEIBEL CLASSIC POSTPONED; Ryan Litt Begins 2007 @ Winchester Next Sunday
Due to a forecast of rain, snow, and cold temperatures, the Glen Neibel Classic Banjo 100 at Anderson Speedway featuring the USAC National Sprint Car series has been postponed. The event will now replace the 50 lap USAC event slated for Wednesday, May 23rd. Ryan Litt and the #07 BS&B Radiator, OTC SPX Tools Beast/Claxton sprint car will now make their season debut next weekend in the "Rich Vogler Classic" at Winchester Speedway featuring the USAC National Sprint Car series.

From Litt Racing PR (April 11, 2007) by Tommy Goudge

Michael Waltrip finally gets a Pole!!

Waltrip charged after rolling car in accident

The Associated Press
SHERRILL'S FORD, North Carolina: NASCAR veteran Michael Waltrip has been charged with reckless driving and failing to report an accident after hitting a telephone pole and rolling his car about a mile (kilometer) from his home at the weekend.
Waltrip, who suffered scratches to his arms, hands and face and cuts on his finger, said he fell asleep at the wheel right before he wrecked his Toyota Land Cruiser early Saturday. He left the scene of the accident and walked the rest of the way home.
Police found him at his house about six hours after finding the car at the accident scene.
"I am really embarrassed about the accident, but I feel fortunate that I wasn't hurt," the two-time Daytona 500 winner said on Tuesday.
"For 25 years I have had a great driving record. I consider myself to be a courteous and safe

Police said the accident happened before 2 a.m. when Waltrip lost control of his SUV while driving around a curve and overcorrected. His car rolled and hit a utility pole, said Sgt. Brian Sharpe of the State Highway Patrol in Catawba County.
The vehicle, which was on its side, was abandoned and there was blood in it when police arrived. Witnesses reported seeing the driver crawl from the car and leave.
When police reached him, Waltrip was not arrested.
It's the latest trouble for Waltrip, who is having a horrendous first season as a car owner.
He was caught cheating during Daytona 500 preparations when NASCAR found a fuel additive in his engine, and was docked a record 100 driver points. His crew chief was fined a record $100,000 (€74,500) and suspended indefinitely, as was his competition director.
Meanwhile, he has failed to qualify for the five races since the 500.

OSS champ will go fishing

April 10, 2007 - The Ontario Sportsman Series have teamed up with Canada's #1 Outdoor show; The Fish'n Canada Show.

The Show has been a corner stone of Canadian Fishing for over 20 years with brothers Angleo and Rino Viola. Since then Pete Bowman and Mike Miller have joined the brothers in their fishing adventures across Canada and have brought with them a strong demographic of younger viewers to the show and as a result over 400,000 people watch the show each week.

The show can be seen every week on Global and Rogers Sportsnet and every Saturday morning you can listen to the guys on their radio show Outdoor Journal on the Fan 590.

The Fish'n Canada Show will be filming at the races throughout the summer and the 2007 OSS Champion will get to join the guys for a day on the water learning how to fish with the "big boys" as part of an episode that will air nationally in 2008 as part of the regular time slot for Fish'n Canada.

From the OSS

Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame displays former Midland F1 race cars

HALTON HILLS, ON – The Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame (CMHF), a division of the Canadian Automotive Collection, announced the addition of two Formula One race cars to its already impressive collection of historic and significant racing vehicles. The Midland F1 race cars are on display in the main entrance at the Museum located at 8242 Fifth Line in Halton Hills, Ontario.

The CMHF recently received the cars from the former Midland F1 Racing team which was started by Canadian Alex Shnaider, who purchased the Jordan F1 team in 2005. In 2006, the team debuted the Toyota-powered Midland M16 car at the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team used several drivers, most notably Christian Albers from the Netherlands, and Portugal s Tiago Monteiro.

These are significant cars in Canadian motorsport history and the CMHF is very grateful to have them for display, said President and Chair of the Board, Thom Dickinson. Visitors to our Hall and Museum can now get a close look at a modern F1 car and really appreciate the amazing engineering design. For most people, this is an opportunity to get closer to this type of car than anywhere else.

The Midland M16 car is displayed in its red, white and black livery to reflect the Midland Group s corporate colors, along with the bright yellow Jordan in its Sobranie livery. The Midland F1 cars offer a sharp contrast in technological advances with the CMHF s other Formula One car, a Wolf WR1, which won a number Grand Prix races, including the Canadian Grand Prix in 1977, with driver Jody Scheckter.

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.

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.

For more information, contact: Tim Miller // 905-876-2454 // tim.miller@cmhf.ca

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INSIDE TRACK: News & Notes for Monday

CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO
This past weekend was the inaugural edition of the Canadian Motorsports Expo, held Friday through Sunday near Toronto's Pearson Airport.

To get the bad news out of the way, the crowds were disappointing in terms of the quantity of people who came to the show. The fact that it was a first-time effort, on a holiday weekend, competing against the Leafs/Canadians game and the Masters were all considered contributing factors for the turnout.

Crowds aside, the show was an excellent demonstration of what the southern Ontario racing scene needs going forward. It was about racing, racing and racing. There were no hot rods or girlie shows, which seem to be the focus of so many so-called performance shows in the region. The people who were there, were there because they were racing fans. We actually sold three times as many subscriptions as we did during the Performance World Show, in March.

On Saturday afternoon, I had the honour of being part of a media forum featuring respected motorsports journalists like Chris Economaki, Norris McDonald, Erik Tomas and Tim Miller. Dean McNulty was piped in via the PA system for live updates from the Champ Car race in Las Vegas. And there were also several driver autograph sessions (Ron Fellows, Scott Maxwell, Pete Shepherd & J.R. Fitzpatrick to name a few).

I have never attended a show where the promoters paid such attention to the comfort and input of the show-goers and participants. By Sunday afternoon, rather than a feeling of discouragement based on the numbers who came through the gate, the feedback I was getting was that it was a positive first step. It's in our collective interest to have a racing-only show in this market.

Glenn Butt and his team deserve a pat on their backs for very good first effort. The easiest thing in the world is to sit back and do nothing. They did something and should be congratulated for it.

JIM PAULSON TRIBUTE
At the show on Saturday, I was approached by Ken Graham. He let me know about a get together of Jim Paulson's racing friends, who will congregate on April 19 to celebrate the life of their recently departed friend.
WHEN: April 19 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Musket Restaurant (40 Advance Road in Etobicoke, ON; M8Z 2T4). It's located off Kipling between the QEW & Bloor St.
INFO: Call Ken Graham at (905) 336-7356

BOND THE PUN-STER
Having spent enough time in the Inside Track offices, Russ Bond (like the rest of us) has developed a flare for writing corny headlines. This morning – before any of us had a sip of coffee – we were treated this this gem from Russ: "It takes Will Power to win in Vegas!!!!"
GROAN!

MCINTOSH RETURNS TO A1 TEAM CANADA
A1 Team Canada will welcome back race-winner Sean McIntosh from Coquitlam, B.C., for the final two rounds of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport starting with next weekend's penultimate meeting at the Shanghai International Circuit in China, 13th-15th April, followed by the season finale at Brands Hatch Circuit in the United Kingdom, 27th-29th April.The 21-year-old will return to race for Canada at both events while Québec's Kevin Lacroix will continue to undertake his rookie duties for the team, the 18-year-old participating in the Friday morning 'Rookie-Only' sessions in China and the United Kingdom, as previously fulfilled by the Star Mazda stand-out in South Africa and Mexico.
... cont'd at the link above (From Stuart Morrison)

LUCAS SIGNS ON WITH CARQUEST PRO STOCK TOUR
Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited is pleased to announce that Lucas Oil Products Inc. has joined the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour as a sponsor for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Lucas Oil becomes the “official oil” of the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour and in addition will sponsor two races in 2007 at Scotia Speedworld, the Lucas Oil 100 on May 26th and the Lucas Oil 100 on July 7th. (From Ken Cunning)

AARON PRITCHETT TO SPONSOR MCKEAN MOTORSPORTS
OPM Records is excited to announce the teaming of Canadian Recording artist Aaron Pritchett with Alberta Legends Racing Series McKean Motorsports in the 2007 Chase for the Mac’s Cup and FedEx Kinko’s 2007 Northern Series.

With 14 races ahead, Pritchett plans on backing driver Dave “Good Stuff” McKean in his 1934 Chev Coupe as he looks to compete for the Pro Division Championship of the Alberta Legends Racing Series and expand his speeding accomplishments.

Hailing from Lloydminster, AB, McKean and his team enter this new season riding the winning formula from last season which brought them Semi-Pro Championships in both the 2006 NAPA Northern Series and the 2006 NAPA Touring Series.