NCATS: BOURQUE & WHITLOCK TEAM UP AGAIN IN 2007

WYOMING, ON – Dave Whitlock is pleased to announce today that Pierre Bourque will again field a Whitlock prepared Dodge Charge only this year it will be in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Bourque campaigned under the Whitlock banner in 2006 in three events, the Edmonton Grand Prix, Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres and the Grand Prix of Montreal where he posted finishes of 25th, 12th and 12th respectfully.

"We are excited to have Pierre back again this year for three events and we hope to see him post top ten finishes in all of them," said team owner Dave Whitlock. "Pierre worked hard last year and continued to improve and almost got his first top ten in Montreal except for a last lap spin which saw him lose a few positions to finish 12th."

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be back racing with Whitlock Motorsports, this year in the NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE Series," said Bourque. "Whitlock not only runs one of the two or three top teams on the circuit, but he is a fierce on-track competitor in his own right. Add to that his infectious enthusiasm for the sport and it boils down to a huge value-add package for me in 2007."

Bourque will drive the #29 DRIVING.CA Dodge Charger in three events in 2007. Event number two on the schedule, the Mosport Road Course, the Grand Prix of Edmonton and the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. Pierre will also get some additional seat time in a Whitlock oval car this weekend when the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams take to the track for a pre-season test session at Cayuga Speedway.

"It's going to be a busy season. It started with my 12th place in the ROLEX CUP Daytona 24hrs race back in January," stated Bourque. "I'll also be racing in the NASCAR BUSCH and BUSCH EAST series through the summer."

"I am confident the DRIVING.CA CANADA.COM WORKING.COM DOSE.CA #29 Dodge Charger will be a contender in Canada right out of the box, backed by the keen efforts of all Whitlock crew members. I'm really looking forward to seeing them all again, it's going to be an awful lot of fun."

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will debut in the spring of 2007. The new series will bring together some of Canada’s best stock car drivers and teams anchored by the marketing, promotional and motor sports resources of Canada’s leading retailer, media company, and motorsports property, NASCAR, Canadian Tire and TSN. For more information please visit www.nascarcanadiantireseries.com

Whitlock Motorsports is a professional racing business located in Wyoming, ON just outside of Sarnia. The 5,000 square foot dedicated motorsports facility houses up to eight race cars, a chassis dyno and all the necessary tools to field a competitive two car race team.

Dave Whitlock boasts three National CASCAR Championships, 1991, 1997 and 1998 along with several top three National Championship finishes, while teammate Mark Dilley has one National CASCAR Championship to his credit in 1994. Both teams have consistently posted finishes in the Top Six in the National Point Standings since Dilley joined the Whitlock team in 1999. www.whitlockmotorsports.com

Prepared by Linda Jones

Dale Earnhardt Jr. announces he's leaving DEI following the current season

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is leaving DEI following the current season.

TSN has a story on this news here.

The Google news page is quickly filling up with reports from the annoucement.

I'll put a proper poll together and post it, but I'd like to get your thoughts on whether or not you'd like to see him head to RCR and drive the #3.

Dodge and Mark Dilley set for another season together as Canada’s new NASCAR era is about to commence

Dodge and Mark Dilley set for another season together as Canada’s new NASCAR era is about to commence

Dilley enters his ninth season with Whitlock Motorsports in a new car and series

BARRIE, ON – Last September, Mark Dilley wrote his name into Canadian racing history when he won the last-ever CASCAR Super Series race, at Kawartha Speedway. The driver of the #9 Dodge-sponsored stock car is looking forward to competing in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) and the opportunity to create a few new records.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Canadian stock car racing and I’m very proud to announce that we’ll be competing in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series with primary sponsorship from Dodge and several strong associates,” said Dilley. “We’re entering our third year with Dodge and it’s been a great relationship since ‘day one’. We recently signed a multi-year extension with them that will see us working together well into the future. Dodge’s commitment to my team and to Canadian motorsports is second to none.”

Announcing the deal, Pearl Davies (Senior Manager, National Advertising and Direct Marketing for DaimlerChrysler Canada) said, “Mark has been at the forefront of CASCAR racing and represented us well. Now, with the inaugural season of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, we're poised for a bigger season than ever and look forward to great things from Mark and his #9 Dodge.”

The recent off-season was one of major change for Canadian stock car racing; the sale of CASCAR to NASCAR being the biggest news. And while the majority of Mark Dilley’s racing program will be the same heading into the 2007, the Barrie, ON racer will have a new look on the track as he is one of the first drivers who will compete behind the wheel of the brand new Dodge Avenger.

“We’re entering a new series with a new car and we’re hoping to pick up where we left off,” continued Dilley, 38, who will be driving for Whitlock Motorsports for a ninth consecutive season in 2007. “Our goal is to win at Cayuga on May 26 because it would be quite an accomplishment to have won the last-ever CASCAR Super Series race in a Dodge Charger, and the first-ever NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race in the new Dodge Avenger. We played a role in Dodge winning the Manufacturers’ Cup the past two years and we plan on being a front-running MOPAR-powered team again this season.”

Discussing the new NASCAR series and the impact that its introduction will have on the sport, Dilley said, “We’re very happy to be a part of the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. I see this as a turning point for Canadian stock car racing, one that’s going to be really good for everyone. I’m also excited that our races are going to be on TSN this year; that’s a big step forward in terms of the television package and exposure for the sport.”

Looking ahead to some of the anticipated highlights of the 2007 season, Dilley didn’t hesitate. The recent announcement that Dodge will be the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Busch Series / NCATS event in Montreal, in early August, is definitely on his radar.

“We’re extremely excited to be part of the NASCAR Busch Series race weekend in Montreal. The event is being presented by Dodge. Canadian fans are going to be treated to some incredible stock car racing. Those who saw the stock cars [CASCAR] at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve when we were there last summer got a taste of what to expect. I think it’s going to be huge for our sport.”

In other team news, the #9 Dodge / Mobil1 / Exide / MOPAR / Leland / Wild Wing / CRS Dodge Avenger will have a new pit boss in 2007 as experienced racer Rino Montanari will take over from his brother, Giulio, as crew chief. “We’re grateful to all of our associate partners for their continued support of our racing program,” said Dilley. “I want to welcome Wild Wing restaurants to our group. They’re already very excited about being part of our racing program and we’ll work hard to make the program work for them.”

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is a 12-race series that competes across Canada and features the country’s top racers and teams. The tour kicks off May 26 at Cayuga Speedway.

Prepared by Inside Track Communications // For more information about the #9 Dodge team and its sponsors, visit www.whitlockmotorsports.com. For more on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, including complete race results, reports, point standings, event schedules and upcoming broadcast times for races on TSN, see www.nascar.ca

Inside Track Readers' Choice Award voting is still open

TORONTO, ON – Voting for the fifth annual Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards is underway. Thousands of Canadian racing fans have already stopped by www.insidetracknews.com to register their ballots for who they feel were Canada’s top racers of 2006. 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.

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.

Voting for the “Castrol Presents the Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards” is being conducted via a controlled balloting procedure. The polls will remain open until midnight on Thursday, May 31, 2007. The results of the readers’ selections will be announced shortly afterward.

NCATS: Zellers Hosts First Trident Racing Appearance

Montréal, (May 08, 2007) – Trident Racing owner-driver, Richard Durivage pulled up his #18 Chevrolet Monte-Carlo in the parking lot of Zellers in Saint-Eustache on Saturday, 6th May, as part of the team’s build up to this season’s 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, formerly known as CASCAR.

Shoppers at Zellers were treated to an up-close and personal look at the car Durivage will compete in as the Montréal racer made his first official appearance of the season in Saint-Eustache. With Trident Racing headquartered up the road at the Saint-Eustache Autodrome, Durivage’s #18 entry didn’t have far to travel as it went on display on Saturday in front of a packed Zellers store.

While customers were treated to the site of a stock car outside the store, as well as Trident Racing’s #68 NASCAR Whelan All-American Cummins Pro Truck Series entry, Durivage was on-hand inside to sign autographs for enthusiastic race fans and curious bystanders. The 38-year-old sophomore racer was delighted to take time out of his preparations for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, set to start 26th May at Cayuga International Speedway, Hamilton, Ontario, to meet and greet Zellers patrons and discuss all things stock car, Zellers also a retailer of NASCAR merchandise in Canada!

“It was a great way to kick off the 2007 season for Trident Racing,” Durivage reflected. “Jean Rivard, the Store Manager at the Saint-Eustache Zellers invited us down on Saturday and we were delighted to make our first public appearance so close to home. It’s always fun when you can introduce people to stock car racing and allow the public to get so close to the car you race with. I had a good time signing autographs and hopefully as a result of this appearance we’ll have some new fans coming along to cheer us on when we race in Montréal and Trois-Rivières later this season!”

The 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series heads to Québec in August starting with Round 6’s place on the support package to the ‘NAPA Auto Parts 200, Presented by Dodge’ hosted at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, 3rd-4th August, the first ever Canadian round of the NASCAR Busch Series. Round 8 sees a return to Québec, 17th-19th August, for the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.

TSN will broadcast each round of the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series starting with Round 1 from Cayuga, airing on Saturday 9th June at 2pm ET.

Photo Credit – ‘Trident Racing’s Richard Durivage outside Zellers in Saint-Eustache’ – Stuart Morrison PR // For further information on Trident Racing please contact Stuart Morrison Public Relations: Tel: +1 514 684 3253

CANADIAN INVASION TO HIT AIRBORNE SPEEDWAY THIS WEEKEND

Donald Theetge (at left) is ready to roll at Airborne A trio of championship-winning stock car drivers from Quebec are expected to challenge the stars of the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) at Airborne Speedway’s Furniture World of VT Spring Green 100 on Saturday, May 12.

Defending Serie ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge of Boischatel, multi-time ACT Canadian Champion Claude Leclerc of Montreal, and former ADL Super Series Champion Karl Allard of St-Felicien will converge at the 4/10-mile Plattsburgh, NY speedplant for the 33rd running of the historic race.

Theetge’s Auto Frank et Michel/Le Centre Honda team wants to end a string of bad luck at Airborne this weekend.

“We’ve raced at Airborne a lot, and we always run well there,” said Theetge, “but something always seems to go wrong while we’re in the top ten. I think we will have a fast car, and we really want a top ten finish at Airborne.”

Theetge scored his first career ACT Late Model Tour victory at Circuit Ste-Croix in his native Quebec one year ago, and finished 19th at the Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road (VT) last weekend.

Claude Leclerc won the Furniture World of VT Spring Green 100 at Airborne in 1990 Leclerc is looking to rebound from a tough outing at Thunder Road last weekend, but has found success at Airborne in the past. The driver of the Autopro/Les Automobiles JPD Chevrolet won the Furniture World of VT Spring Green at Airborne Speedway in 1990.

“In 30 years of racing, I don’t think I have ever had a race as bad as the one at Thunder Road last weekend,” said Leclerc. “We have changed a lot of the suspension setup on the car this week, and we hope to have a better day. It can only get better, and our car was good at the practice at Airborne last month.”

Car owner Denis Larue of Quebec City says his driver, Allard, is very eager to return to Airborne, a track he has run at very successfully. Allard finished second to fellow countryman Patrick Laperle at Airborne in the fall of 1999, and is looking for his first ACT main event win in the Larue Industrial Snowblowers Chevrolet.

“We were going to practice at Vallee-Jonction this weekend, but Karl asked if we could go to Airborne to race,” said Larue. “The main purpose is to try and prepare our new Dale Shaw chassis for the Serie ACT Castrol race at Montmagny (May 19), but we also want to win. Karl likes Airborne a lot, and our crew chief, Andre Beaudoin, is very good with setups. We expect to perform well.”

Theetge, Leclerc, and Allard will take on recent ACT Late Model Tour winners Randy Potter of Groveton, NH and Scott Payea of Milton, VT, as well as multi-time ACT champions Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT and Brian Hoar of Williston, VT. Over 30 cars are expected to attempt qualifying for the 33rd annual Furniture World of VT Spring Green 100 at Airborne Speedway on Saturday, May 12. Practice begins at 1:30pm, with green flag action slated for 4:00pm. For more information, visit http://www.acttour.com/ or call (802) 244-6963.

From ACT Staff

Southern Ontario Sprints set for opener at Brighton Speedway

BRIGHTON, ON – Spring time means the start of the racing season in Ontario. Saturday Night, May 12, the Southern Ontario Sprints will once again invade Brighton Speedway, this time to kick off their 12th season of competition. Many of the veteran stars of the fledging SOS 360 sprint car club are returning with fresh or new equipment, new paint schemes, and renewed enthusiasm to vie for the coveted Championship.
Two time and defending champion Warren Mahoney leads the way with new sponsorship, a new look, and a replenished inventory of parts in tow. Always a threat to win, Warren will be one to watch again as he sets out to defend his title. Along with Warren from the Mahoney camp will be the return of the ageless Dick Mahoney in the purple seventy-nine. The Mahoney’s are well known within the club as the “go to” people if fellow competitors need something to keep their machines on the track and competitive.
Ohsweken Speedway owner Glenn Styres is also set to return with fresh equipment and an eye on the title. Joining Styres Racing this year will be a second entry driven by veteran Keith Dempster. Dempster came to the Styres camp early in the year after the sudden death of car owner Dave MacLeod and will be certain to be a contender for the crown in his Eagle Chassis.
Returning for 2007 from the west end of the province will be John Watson, John Riegling, and Adam West. Daryl Turford, Andrew Reaume, Jeff Daniels, and veteran Garry Evans will also see regular action with the club. The central region will see Bob Crawford return for yet another season. He will be joined by Craig Downie, Jamie Collard, Kevin Job, James Whittaker, and Bob McDonald in the Ray Ballentyne machine. The east end of the province will once again be represented by the Wilson family. Once again joining father Rick will be son Kyle, and daughter April.
The Niagara region will again be represented by veterans Fred Cade and Tom Huppunen. Brad Malloy and the Middlemiss brothers Robert and Joe along with John Burbridge are also expected to see regular competition.
From New York State will be the return of Jim Porter to his own machine. Also returning will be Mark Christiano while Tim Phillips will step out of the drivers seat for 2007 to take up “tech inspector” duties with the club.
The rookie crop expected for 2007 include London’s Mike Ferrrell who is graduating from the micro sprint ranks, Mark Swain from Port Perry in the former Gary Evans machine who has some road racing background, and first time racer Bill Baldwin from Coutrice, Ontario.
Following the season opener at Brighton Speedway, Ohsweken Speedway opens it’s gates to the club on Friday night, May 18th at the Styres family owned fast 3/8 mile clay oval.
With opening day now only hours away, teams both old and new are preparing for what is shaping up to be the most competitive season yet. Make plans now so you won’t miss any of the action as the “Winged Warriors with an Attitude” travel to a speedway near you.
For all the latest information be sure to check the official website of the Southern Ontario Sprints at http://www.southernontariosprints.com/ as preparation continues toward the green flag on the 2007 racing season.

For Immediate Release - Ken Pelkie, SOS Media Officer

Bill Elliott to race at Riverside Speedway (Antigonish, NS) on July 21

From the Halifax Daily News

The one-third mile oval in James River, Antigonish Co., was awarded a NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Tour race last month, and announced yesterday that former NASCAR Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) champion Bill Elliott will compete in the Riverside 250, a Pro All Star Series North race July 21. Elliott will drive a car out of the Antigonish shop of Donald Chisholm.

... continued at the link above.

Dale Jr. set to jump ship from DEI?

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has called a news conference for Thursday morning.

Speculation is that he's leaving DEI to drive for his own team, and that he's taking Martin Truex with him. No word on whether or not Budweiser is set to follow Junior out the door, but it would hardly be a surprise. The rest of the rumour is that he'll have Hendrick powerplants.

If it plays out this way, Teresa Earnhardt is officially the worst poker player in the world.

Ohsweken Speedway WORLD of OUTLAW ADVANCED TICKETS Sales Update

Courtesy Ohsweken Speedway

ADVANCED TICKET SALES for the July 25th “Six Nations Showdown” at Ohsweken Speedway presented by ARROW EXPRESS featuring the World of Outlaw Sprints continue at a brisk pace. Ticket requests have been taken daily by phone only (519-542-2116), Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and will continue until July 10th. Credit card payment in full is required at the time of purchase. Tickets are then mailed directly to your home. Adult price is $40 with children 12 and under at $25.

“Tickets have been selling at such a rate that the entire existing stands are already sold out” stated an excited promoter Glenn Styres. “We had hoped that the fans would support this event and purchase advanced tickets so we could justify any needs for additional seating but this is beyond expectation. We have already contracted to install an additional 1,288 seats at each end of the existing stands on the front stretch. This will almost triple what we started with and we can install more if the demand is there” Styres went on. “We hope that as many people that want tickets will buy in advance to help us make sure that ample seating is available on race day and to also help get people into the track when the gates open” Styres continued.

“We will make every effort to ensure that all who want to come to this event will have a place to sit at race time. I just hope that people remain patient and continue to call”.

The much anticipated event will include all of the stars and cars of the premier Sprint Car series headquartered in the United States featuring Steve Kinser and Danny Lasoski. The Wednesday, July 25th show is a full point race for the series with racing scheduled to get underway with the usual 7:45 PM start. The winner will collect a cool $10,000. Pit Gates will open at 2:00 PM with spectator gates opening at 4:00. An autograph session is scheduled to begin at 4:30. Mini Stocks will also be on the program in a support role.

Be sure to keep up on all the latest news from Ohsweken Speedway by logging on to the official website at www.ohswekenspeedway.com as the countdown continues toward the first green flag of the season for “Friday Night Thunder” on May 11th when a “Test & Tune” session will be held for all divisions competing at the speedway during 2007. Then opening night, May 18th the “Southern Ontario Sprints” make their first appearance of the season along with a regular program of DIRT Sportsman, Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks.

Link to May Pit Pass

The Sportscar Club of British Columbia's monthly online magazine is available.

visit http://www.sccbc.net/pitpass/2007/May07pp.pdf

Hope you enjoy the May issue.

Peter, SCCBC

Team Royal – CSRA Race Team of the Year

Courtesy Mark Fries

At the annual CSRA Awards banquet this year, Team Royal Distributing was awarded 2007 Race Team of the Year, showing excellence, professionalism and performance on and off the track. The team consistently performed on the track, with #98 Polaris Pro Rider Mike Island nailing down 3rd place in both Pro Open Mod and Pro Stock national standings.Each week Mike had consistent rides, and battled for podiums all year long, securing a Pro Open Mod win as well.

Pro Ski-Doo Rider #202 Joey Sagan battled late season injuries but throughout the season his strong finishes still kept him close at 5th place in Pro Open Mod, and 6th place in Pro Stock. Surely, had Joey’s season not ended prematurely he would have been nipping at the top three in points in his first Pro season. Joey’s high flying style is always a crowd pleaser.

Polaris Sport Rider #115x David Joanis had a stellar first season in Sport after graduating from the junior ranks. David won three championships; in Sport 500 , Sport 600, and Sport Open aboard his Polaris IQ sleds. Each and every week Dave knocked off win after win in an amazing display, having only turned 15 during the season.

Royal Distributing would like to thank all the members of the team for everyone’s hard work and professionalism all season long. The sleds and rides that both trailers turned in each and every week were second to none, and the teams, managed by Doug Sagan (Ski-Doo),and Gerry Bourque (Polaris) were always the best prepared they could be. Thanks also to everyone who helped with the sleds all season long, Tim George and Ryan Ellery did an amazing job of tuning the Polaris’ and the SkiDoo’s each and every week.

Thanks to Factory Recreation in Midland, ON for the ability to turn out race-winning Ski-Doo Rev’s once again, and thanks to Bourque Polaris in Cochrane, ON for producing equally competitive Polaris IQ race machines.

Thanks to team Sponsors : Polaris, Ski-doo, FXR clothing, Oakley eyewear, Dewalt tools, Ipone Oils, HMK Boots, Stud Boy Traction, Wiseco, Tekvest, Kimpex Parts, Ogio, and Dayco Belts.

Royal Distributing would also like to congratulate supported #73 Ski-Doo rider Lee Butler on a great season, riding as a privateer. Lee battled injury problems, but still managed to run competitively and toward the end of the season, he showed the speed to win. Lee swept the Kitchener races with victories in both Pro Open and Pro Stock. Lee always represented Royal Distributing wonderfully and we were proud to support him this season.

Travis Pastrana to attack the Black Bear

Courtesy Ryan Huber

DORSET, ON – While arguably the most popular rally driver in North America at the moment, Travis Pastrana is unlikely to attempt to double back-flip over the Sherborne Lake double jumps. He will certainly put on a show, however.

Making the trip to Dorset, Ontario, Travis plans to use the event as valuable practice for writing pace notes, thanks to the event's new, optional, two-pass recce. These skills will be badly needed as he moves up and contests the entire Production Car World Rally Championship next year. He will be running in a less powerful Production 4 class car, but is sure to challenge for the overall win regardless.

Once again presented by our friends at Four Star Motorsports (www.fourstarmotorsports.com) and HotBits Sport Suspensions (www.hotbits.ca), the Maple Leaf Rally Club is excited to return to beautiful Dorset, Ontario on the 16th of June. More information can be found on the event's website at mlrc.ca/blackbear, including supplemental regulations and online registration.

Having made use of that online registration system already is driver John Vanos. "I wanted to be first on the entry list, and first on the results!" said Vanos, issuing a challenge to all comers. Get your entry in soon, this year's rally is sure to fill up fast with a big name like Travis bringing competitors out to run against him!

Growth of the rally, of course, involves a growth of our volunteer base. As dedicated rally fans, our event volunteers often get the best seats in the house for the rally action. Thanks to the support of ClearWater Design Canoes and Kayaks (www.clearwaterdesignboats.com) one lucky rally worker will be taking home one of their coveted kayaks! If you'd like to be a part of the action and help out the event at the same time, please contact Ross Wood, our Chief Control Marshal, at ross.wood@sympatico.ca for more information.

If you haven't yet marked June 16th on your calendars, please make a point of doing so now. We're looking forward to seeing everyone once again at this year's Black Bear Rally in Dorset, Ontario.

Grand Bend Motorplex gears up for The ERD Big Dog “Heads Up” Opener on May 19th

GRAND BEND, ON - The first of 5 ERD Big Dog “Heads Up” races presented by Wiseco will be contested Sat, May 19th at Grand Bend Motorplex as part of the Rudy Held’s Performance Centre Spring Blowout presented by Leaf Racewear.

The ERD Big Dog races feature some of the fastest Dragsters, Altereds and Door cars in Heads-up competition. Following the 2 qualifiers, the fastest 4 open wheel competitors and the fastest 4 Door competitors move onto eliminations. Rounds 1 and 2 feature Open wheel vs Open wheel and Door vs Door competiton with the final round matching the Open Wheel and Door winners in staggered tree format based on their fastest time of the day.

This opening race also features a Bonus Purse as the Winner will receive $2300 the Runner up $1200, Semi Finalists $500 and Quarterfinalists $250. In addition to the ERD Big Dog race the weekend features Top Fuel testing, Jet Funny Car and Jet Dragster runs, plus Canada’s fastest Bracket racing series the Rudy Held’s Performance Centre Top Sportsman and New Orleans Pizza Top Dragster classes.

All GBM Thunder series classes will also be in attendance, the weekend wraps up Sunday night with a concert featuring two Juno award winners Mobile and Tomi Swick plus guest Econoline Crush.Go to www.grandbendmotorplex.com for further details or call the track at 519 238 RACE (7223).

25 years ago today....

A quarter of a century ago today, Canada's - and some would argue the world's - greatest race car driver was killed in a crash during practice for the 1982 Belgian GP.

Nigel Roebuck's obituary in Autosport appears here.

There's a moving homemade video on Youtube here.

The CBC's website has news coverage from Villeneuve's funeral here.

Wiki has information about his life and accomplishments here.

.

Norris McDonald had a nice piece in last weekend's T.O. Star Wheels section here.

ATLANTIC STOCK CAR SEASON OPENER SET FOR SHEDIAC THIS SUNDAY

Centre for Speed is pleased to announce that the Maritime Pro Stock Super Series has been confirmed thanks to a strong driver interest. The speedway received 17 Pro Stock registrations to date. Interest is also strong for the 2nd season of the Sportsman Super Series and the CENTRE expects to see a full field of cars for most events.

The series will feature 12 big races for the two classes including 3 x 125 Pro Stock events on Tour "off" weekends which will feature, primarily, crate Engine powered cars. Drivers from throughout the Maritimes have stated their intent to compete in what is looking like a great weekend for racing. Among other top drivers such as Shawn Tucker and Lonnie Somerville will be Frank Fraser who will make his return to Pro Stock racing in a Crate Engine powered car at the CENTRE this Sunday.

"I'm excited about this new Pro Stock Series with primarily crate engine cars. It should be a true test of driver skill and ability on a level playing field and I think the fans are going to love the new dynamic it brings to local racing", said Tim Wile of the CENTRE.
Sportsman competitors from throughout the Maritimes will also compete in their first installment of the Maritime Super Series on Sunday with a 75 lap event. A large field from throughout the region is expected including drivers from across, NB, PEI and NS with all tracks represented.

The "Doritos Atlantic Season Opener" Super Series Double Header is scheduled for 2 PM this Sunday (May 13th) with a Pro Stock 125 and Sportsman 75 features. No other classes are scheduled. Front gates open at 12:30 p.m. and Pit Gates open at 10 AM. Time Trials start at 2.

From Tim Wile, General Manager, CENTRE for Speed

Scott Lyons wins LM opener at Flamboro

On Saturday night at Flamboro Speedway, Scott Lyons opened the season with a Late Model win for the third time in as many seasons. There was a great field of cars in all divisions. It was good to be out at the track again.

For a full report on the action, Flamboro's website has a report here. Photo by Dave Franks.

25th anniversary of the death of Gilles Villeneuve

TSN has a lengthy report on the highlights of Gilles Villeneuve's F1 career, as well as comments from his peers.

Jim's Journeys ... by Jim Clarke

BELLEVILLE, ON – Ahh, racing! Sweet, wonderful glorious racing. How I've missed you. Longed for you. Even pined for you. Your attraction is like that of a beautiful woman. You satisfy my thirst like a fine wine (or a cold beer?).

My hunger like a porterhouse steak (or a Hoffman hot dog?). A tad over-dramatic? Perhaps, but you need to create the proper picture. For the first time this spring, it was a wonderful weekend for racing.

Friday, May 4th I hit the highway for Brewerton Speedway. Like so many other tracks, Brewerton had been denied the opportunity to hold their 2007 season opener earlier this year, so Friday night's show began the campaign.

In 2006, weekly racing at Brewerton was like an Advance Auto Parts Super Dirt series event. This season, some of the names may be elsewhere but the competition is just as strong. 23 modifieds signed-in at the D-Shaped Dirt Demon and at the end of the 35 lap 'A' main, it was Baldwinsville, New York's Jimmy Phelps in victory lane.

Steve Hulsizer was second, followed by Kevin Bates. Willy Decker and Scott Prentice completed the top 5. The staff at Brewerton knows how to put on a great show and I hope to be back many more times throughout the year.

After a quick-trip back to my Canadian home-base, I hit the highway again Saturday, May 5th - this time to Can Am Motorsports Park (or Can Am Speedway). They've run once so far this season, but Saturday night's event was the first time the modifieds were to be part of the action. The headline division ran two 20 lap features, each paying $1,000 to the winner.

The added bonus? Everyone big block or small block mod in attendance would start each race. That meant a hungry pack of 30 took the green flag from starter Matt Burdick. The first feature offered fans some great, side-by-side racing.

As the checkers waived, it was Vic Coffey's smiling face that collected the winner's cheque. Danny Johnson, Tim Fuller, Billy Decker and Justin Haers rounded-out the top 5. Kingston's Danny O'Brien was 6th. His brothers Pat and Tim, 10th and 11th, respectively.

To add a touch of drama to the night (remember the theme), Coffey was asked to pick a playing card from a deck shuffled by Race Director Chip Burdick. If he pulled the joker, he'd start the second feature from the pole.

Any other card he picked would invert the field by the number on the card. Coffey's blind choice was a '3', which put Tim Fuller on the point for round 2. Johnson remained 2nd, while Coffey started 3rd. The night's second modified feature had a rough n' tumble start. As the pack completed the 2nd lap, something on the front-end of Fuller's John Lazore-owned Teo broke.

He did his best to steer his damaged racer toward the infield and out of harm's way but as the pack roared by, Fuller's prone mount was hit hard by Scott Parliament and sent onto its roof. A quick red flag from Matt Burdick brought the field to a stop on the backstretch, while the emergency crews rushed to the scene.

Within seconds, the crowd saw a dejected Fuller from nearby Edwards, New York crawl from the car and walk back to the pits. Crews removed the roof from Parliament's car to help him out - but other than being a bit shaken, he was uninjured.

Perhaps due to some dust in corner 4, the re-start saw another incident. This time involving the cars of Kyle Dingwall, Zach Aubertine and Mike Adderley. Dingwall ended-up with his wheels in the air and his 2007 Bicknell ride was significantly damaged.

Most importantly, all drivers were checked-out by track medical crews and released. Once the green reappeared, Danny Johnson set-out to stink-up the show. He had a huge lead, but lapped traffic was his down-fall. Little-by-little, Coffey closed on 'the Doctor' and as the white was displayed, he was right on his tail.

As the 2 worked their way through the 3rd and 4th turns, they were doorhandle to doorhandle. It was a drag race at a stock car track, as Coffey out-distanced Johnson by less than a car length at the line. Pat Ward, Billy Decker and Billy Dunn were the fast first 5.

Can Am notes: Fresh from running a pair of World of Outlaws shows, Billy Decker had his John Wight-owned late model in the pits. He offered his Gypsum racing teammate Pat O'Brien a chance to hot-lap the ride and the multi-time Can Am track champion and 4 time Mr. Dirt title-holder quickly accepted.... The rollovers by Fuller and Dingwall weren't the only times cars got on their roofs Saturday night. The pure stock of Clint Middlemiss took a tumble in his heat race. He was taken off the track by the ambulance, treated and released.

This weekend: Saturday, May 12th I'll be at Brighton Speedway as the Southern Ontario Sprint cars start their 2007 season.

In the distance: Friday, May 18th Thunder Alley Speed Park. Saturday, May 19th Brockville Ontario Speedway. Sunday, May 20th Cornwall Motor Speedway. Friday, May 25th Kawartha Speedway.