GUELPH, ON - Shaw Motorsports is proud to confirm their intention to attend the APC AutoParts Centers 300 at Delaware Speedway on Sunday September 2nd.
“I think we have something for those guys when we get back to Delaware, hopefully we can get the car dialed in for the APC 300," says Jason Shaw, driver of the #82. The Spira Fire Protection Ford currently leads the Flamboro standings by 10 points over Scott Lyons and is 44 points ahead of Jay Doerr from Delaware in the WWS Elite Series.
The #82 visited the speedway twice on previous occasions this year. The first race on June 22nd was a DNF due to a first lap crash that quickly ended the night for the Shaw team. The second visit was the Partsource 140 on June 29th where the #82 finished 8th with a very good base line to work from.
Shaw Motorsports would like to thank Spira Fire Protection, Del Metals, National Fire Equipment, Victaulic Company of Canada, Nuco and the rest of their sponsors for their continued support.
The commitment from such companies as Auto Parts Centers, McColl Racing Enterprises, Restoration Masters, Auto Trim Design and Larry Knott Fiberglass is a direct result of the outstanding hard work of the staff at Delaware Speedway and Shaw Motorsports would like to commend all involved.
Shaw Motorsports and driver Jason Shaw deploy the #82 Ford Fusion out of Guelph, Ontario where they compete in numerous races throughout the province. More information is available at www.spira.on.ca/shaw
- From Shaw Motorsports
Friday, August 24, 2007
SCCA SPEED Touring Cars: Canadian Wittmer Fastest in SPEED Touring Car Practice at Mosport
CANADA (Aug. 24, 2007) Québécois Kuno Wittmer led the first practice session for Round Eight of the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship, part of the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport. Adam Pecorarri, of Aspon, Penn., and Michael Galati, of Olmsted, Ohio, completed the top three.
Putting his extensive track knowledge to use, Wittmer set a fast time of 1:30.118 (98.231 mph) around the 10-turn, 2.459-mile (3.957 km) road course on his first flying lap. Behind the wheel of the No. 44 Acura Certified Pre-Owned/RealTime Acura RSX, Wittmer has won here before in other series and is happy to be back at what he considers his home track.
“It’s a relief to come to a circuit where I’ve won in the past,” Wittmer said. “I’ve also won championships and pole positions here. It’s kind of my home track, although it’s four or five hours away from Montreal. I couldn’t ask for a better track in this area. I feel totally at home here.
“The RealTime guys gave me a really good car so far. Overall the balance and handling of the car is suited very well for Mosport right now. It’s exactly the setup I want on the car and I’ve got the knowledge here, so it all helps.”
Employing the opposite strategy and setting a fast lap of 1:31.125 (97.145 mph) on his final lap of the session, Pecorari was second in morning practice in the No. 19 STaSIS/Clear Capital/Pfaff Audi A4.
Last year’s SCCA SPEED GT winner at Mosport, Galati, was third fastest in the No. 95 Mazda North America/Tindol Motorsports Mazda 6. Also third on the timesheets in SCCA SPEED GT practice, Galati’s fastest SCCA SPEED Touring Car time was a 1:31.143 (97.126 mph).
Currently fourth in the Drivers’ Championship, Pierre Kleinubing, of Coconut Creek, Fla., was fourth fastest in his No. 1 Acura Certified Pre-Owned Acura TSX with a time of 1:31.210 (97.055 mph). Seth Thomas, of Cumming, Ga., completed the top five in his No. 38 BimmerWorld BMW 325i, with a time of 1:31.212 (97.053 mph).
Chip Herr (Audi A4), Randy Pobst (Mazda 6), Charles Espenlaub (Mazda 6), Peter Cunningham (Acura TSX) and Jason Martinelli (BMW 325Ci) completed the top ten.
The second round of practice for the SCCA SPEED Touring Cars at Mosport International Raceway is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (EDT). Living timing and lap notes will be available on www.world-challenge.com.
-30-
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario - Results from the first practice session for Sunday's Round Eight SCCA Pro Racing SPEED Touring Championship race part, of the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport at Mosport International Raceway, with position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.
1, (44), Kuno Wittmer, Montreal, Quebec, Acura RSX, 1:30.118, 98.231.
2, (19), Adam Pecorari, Aspon, Pa., Audi A4, 1:31.125, 97.145.
3, (95), Michael Galati, Olmsted, Ohio, Mazda 6, 1:31.143, 97.126.
4, (1), Pierre Kleinubing, Coconut Creek, Fla., Acura TSX, 1:31.210, 97.055.
5, (38), Seth Thomas(T), Cumming, Ga., BMW 325i, 1:31.212, 97.053.
6, (17), Chip Herr, Lititz, Pa., Audi A4, 1:31.276, 96.985.
7, (73), Randy Pobst, Gainesville, Ga., Mazda 6, 1:31.292, 96.968.
8, (97), Charles Espenlaub, Lutz, Fla., Mazda 6, 1:31.388, 96.866.
9, (42), Peter Cunningham, Grafton, Wis., Acura TSX, 1:31.432, 96.819.
10, (8), Jason Martinelli(R), Roxbury, Conn., BMW 325Ci, 1:31.484, 96.764.
11, (43), Brandon Davis, Denver, Colo., Acura TSX, 1:31.497, 96.750.
12, (29), James Sofronas(T), Newport Beach, Calif., BMW 325Ci, 1:31.573, 96.670.
13, (34), Nick Esayian(T), Encinitas, Calif., Acura TSX, 1:31.587, 96.655.
14, (72), Jeff Altenburg, Ellicott City, Md., Mazda 6, 1:31.621, 96.619.
15, (37), Joey Hand, Sacramento, Calif., BMW 325i, 1:31.661, 96.577.
16, (96), Charlie Putman(T), Denver, Colo., Mazda 6, 1:31.719, 96.516.
17, (74), Roberto Santos(R), Monterrey Mexico, , Mazda 6, 1:31.736, 96.498.
18, (41), Scott Nicol, Barrie, Ontario, Honda Civic, 1:32.362, 95.844.
19, (65), Sasha Anis(R), Toronto, Ontario, Lexus IS 300, 1:32.785, 95.407.
20, (18), Ian Baas, Noblesville, Ind., Audi A4, 1:33.578, 94.599.
21, (92), Stan Wilson(R), Mount Juliet, Tenn., Dodge SRT-4, 1:34.800, 93.379.
22, (61), Justin Pritchard(R), Grandville, Ohio, Toyota Celica GTS, 1:34.966, 93.216.
23, (64), Andrew Wojteczko(R), Caledon, Ontario, Lexus IS 300, no time.
NCATS on TSN: Full Throttle Energy Drink 200 from Mosport Speedway
WATCH THE FULL THROTTLE ENERGY DRINK 200 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race, presented by CANADIAN SHIELD from MOSPORT SPEEDWAY and the GP3R 100 from TROIS-RIVIERES THIS WEEKEND on TSN!
Race 7: Mosport - Full Throttle 200 IN HIGH DEFINITIONPremiere: Saturday, August 25 @ 11am
Repeat 1: Thursday, August 30 @ 00:00 (or Wednesday at Midnight)
Repeat 2: Tuesday, September 11 @ 3:30pm
Race 8: GP3R 100
Premiere: Sunday, August 26 @ 11am
Repeat 1: Friday, August 31 @ 00:00 (or Thursday at Midnight)
Repeat 2: Wednesday, September 12 @ 3:30pm
All times are in Eastern Standard Time
OHSWEKEN: Friday night preview... UP NEXT: ASCS SPRINTS ON DIRT and Regular Card
OHSWEKEN, ON - Tonight at the Ohsweken Speedway Gale's Auto Aftermarket presents the ASCS Sprints On Dirt as well as a regular card of DIRTcar Sportsman, Thunder Stocks and Mini Stocks.
The ASCS Sprints On Dirt head into Ohsweken tonight as part of a two race Canadian swing with a trip to South Buxton on Saturday night. All the top stars of the SOD are expected to be on hand as well as some local favourites. Tim Norman enters the evening as the point leader over Brett Mann by just 8 points.
For the DIRTcar Sportsman division it will be the next to last points night of the year at the Big 'O' as the title will be crowned next Friday night. Travis Braun enters the night as the Sportsman point leader by just 6 markers over Nick Cupolo.
The Thunder Stock class will still have three nights of point racing left to go including tonight. Brad Bacher has dominated the division all season long and has a 26 point lead to show for it over Terry Osmond. The same can be said in the Mini Stocks where Abel Castelein has been almost unstoppable on his way to a 39 point lead over Jim Swing.
Racing at Ohsweken tonight begins at 7:45PM SHARP!!! Adult admission is $15 while Youth and Seniors admission is $10.
- From Ohsweken Speedway Online
Thursday, August 23, 2007
NASCAR: Villeneuve to test a Toyota Truck for Bill Davis Racing at Chicagoland on Aug. 27
HIGH POINT, N.C. (August 23, 2007) – Following an invitation from Toyota NASCAR team Bill Davis Racing, former F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve will make his NASCAR debut behind the wheel of a Toyota Tundra truck on Monday, August 27 at Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois.
Having won both the IndyCar series and the legendary Indy 500 event, Villeneuve is no stranger to oval racing, although he last did so in 1995. For a driver with an almost unequalled resumé, the 36-year-old father of one is fully accepting of his ‘rookie’ status, and is focused on learning as much as he can, as quickly as he can.
Speaking from Bill Davis Racing’s High Point, N.C. HQ, Jacques Villeneuve commented, “We have spent the last few months considering a number of NASCAR options and were in agreement that the truck offers the closest reference point to the Car of Tomorrow. Bill Davis Racing was aware of my interest in NASCAR and approached my management team with a view to allowing me to test within its truck program. I’m glad we were able to work that out, and having spent the day with the team for my seat fitting, I am really looking forward to working with Bill and his staff.”
Villeneuve’s long-term manager, Craig Pollock, added to the picture, stating, “There’s been a lot of speculation about when Jacques would arrive in NASCAR. Bill Davis’ kind invitation coincided with our decision to start within Craftsman Truck, so the fit was both timely and natural.”
For further information, please contact jvmedia@advantage-group.net or Mbrown@billdavisracing.com.
From Michelle Marckwardt // Bill Davis Racing
Having won both the IndyCar series and the legendary Indy 500 event, Villeneuve is no stranger to oval racing, although he last did so in 1995. For a driver with an almost unequalled resumé, the 36-year-old father of one is fully accepting of his ‘rookie’ status, and is focused on learning as much as he can, as quickly as he can.
Speaking from Bill Davis Racing’s High Point, N.C. HQ, Jacques Villeneuve commented, “We have spent the last few months considering a number of NASCAR options and were in agreement that the truck offers the closest reference point to the Car of Tomorrow. Bill Davis Racing was aware of my interest in NASCAR and approached my management team with a view to allowing me to test within its truck program. I’m glad we were able to work that out, and having spent the day with the team for my seat fitting, I am really looking forward to working with Bill and his staff.”
Villeneuve’s long-term manager, Craig Pollock, added to the picture, stating, “There’s been a lot of speculation about when Jacques would arrive in NASCAR. Bill Davis’ kind invitation coincided with our decision to start within Craftsman Truck, so the fit was both timely and natural.”
For further information, please contact jvmedia@advantage-group.net or Mbrown@billdavisracing.com.
From Michelle Marckwardt // Bill Davis Racing
RACELINE: It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it!
By Erik Tomas... Raceline Radio
Most of you know my roots in this magical sport of ours are dirty. That is, my background in motorsport is rooted at the clay ovals of Southern Ontario and Western New York.
I didn’t play hockey, baseball or football, I went to Merrittville Speedway in St. Catharines. I paid my first visit at age 7, and 48 years later, with a few years away when my radio job took me out of the area, I’m still there, working as the track announcer. I met my wife Janice at this track and my daughter Katelyn now works with me in the tower in lap co-ordination and scoring.
Janice grew up with this sport as her Dad Kurt was first a mechanic for a local driver, then in the 70’s moved into management purchasing not only Merrittville Speedway, but Ransomville Speedway across the bridge in upper New York State as well. They ran both tracks simultaneously for 13 seasons, and I announced at both for a while. Janice started working her families’ 2 tracks making popcorn and selling hot dogs and eventually graduated to scoring. So to say our families were immersed into dirt tack racing would be inaccurate. We were all more like dunked into the deep end!
Raceline Radio and ChampCar Radio work has me connected in big ways to the pavement stuff: NASCAR, Formula One, The IRL, drag racing and lots more, but work with DIRT Modifieds has never fallen off. In fact, race cars that navigate the clay have me busier than ever!
Katie and I will return to cover Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse this Thanksgiving. It’s the big fall championship for big and small block modifieds. There are plenty of Canadian drivers who excel at this, especially “Mr. Small Block” Pete Bicknell of St. Catharines. Peter has won Syracuse more than a few times in his own cars. Hundreds of drivers across the DIRT circuit use and win in his BRP creations. He now owns Merrittville Speedway too! He’s another busy boy on dirt!
I’m also doing a little work on this end for The World of Outlaws Late Model Series this season.
One of the best racing shows in Canada this summer was the World of Outlaws sprint car clay-flinger at Ohsweken Ontario for AM 900 CHML. The first Outlaws show in Canada in 25 years drew over 8 thousand people to the oval near Hamilton. So impressed, the series will be back next year for a pair of races. They’re also working on a Late Model race. Castrol Raceway Edmonton had their own Outlaws double-header for The TEAM 1260 and they’ll do it again next year.
One of the most entertaining races on TV this season was the pay-per-view “Prelude to the Dream” Tony Stewart put together at his Eldora Speedway. He got a large handful of his NASCAR Nextel Cup friends, borrowed some Late Models from the Outlaws boys, packed the joint with over 20 thousand and had a blast going sideways. They raised over 800 thousand dollars and donated half a million of it to the Petty families’ Victory Junction Gang charity.
Tony’s even talking to Jay Signore about a round of the IROC Series on Eldora’s clay in 2008 when the series comes off a year’s hiatus. Some of those CUP drivers who drove the Prelude were joking it would be way too cool if NASCAR scheduled just one dirt race again for The Nextel Cup schedule like they did in the early days of the sanction. I always get Mario Andretti wide-eyed when we kick around the idea of running races on dirt tracks again. Mario’s history goes back to fond memories of dirt roadsters. Of course NASCAR won’t take their cars off the pavement now, but we can dream I suppose.
The point here, is that despite all the asphalt racing we have, it’s amazing and very gratifying to see dirt track racing as alive and vital as ever! My old ACT colleague and current MRN announcer Dave Moody described it best. He said short track racing, including the dirt tracks are the roots of our sport, and if the roots die, the whole tree dies. How right David is. I also remember A.J Foyt’s famous quote, “ …asphalt is something you drive on to get to the dirt tracks!” My favourite? “If you ain’t got dirt in yer beer, you ain’t been to a race!”
What do YOU think?
Drop me an e-mail and let me know! Any suggestions? Opinions? Comments? Better ideas? Keep the E-Mails coming for The Raceline E-Mail Bag! The address: erik@raceline.ca Do you agree or disagree with the commentary? We invite your feedback!
Until next time, talk to ya’ll on Raceline Radio! ET
MERRITTVILLE: Preview... FANtastic Autograph Night
THOROLD, Ontario (August 23) - The “It will definitely be a night not to miss,” boasts Erica Bicknell, “there’s definitely something for everyone”
The Garden City Auto Complex Labor Day FANtastic Autograph Night features the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds in their final point event for 2007 – a 56 lap for the John Spencer Memorial Trophy – presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee.
“Since we reinstated it,” relates Reunion Committee Chairman Rick Kavanagh, “Pete Bicknell has won it 5 times - it could be anyone’s race though with how competitive the season has been.”
John Spencer was an up and coming driver that passed away as a result of racing accident at Stamford Park in 1953. His crew put together the award in his memory and it was raced for until 1965 when it was lost.
“It’s the original trophy,” adds Kavanagh, “ today’s winners including Chad Brachmann and Fred Carleton as well are right there with the Wingers … Stricker … Rafter … MacPherson … Holt and 5 time winner Bruce Van Dyke … it’ll be some race to see if Pete can break the tie with Bruce.”
One driver that will have a busy night is Garden City Auto Complex owner Dan Miller as in addition to the race for the John Spencer Memorial in his Desks Plus #22 358 Modified, he will also participate in a Bike Race against Hoosier Stock Driver James Akers with the two bikes to be given away in a draw after the event.
Also during the night - a much needed break will come as the Merrittville Drivers will bring their cars onto the front-stretch for an Autograph Session. Merrittville fans are encouraged to come out onto the racing surface to meet their favorite drivers. Many have cards that they would be happy to sign or race fans can bring their checkered flags, t shirts, autograph books or racing photos from Monique’s Photography.
The night is also the final night for points for the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division. Another Award will also be given out – the Sterling Silver Award that dates back to 1990. The award was established that year by then Sportsmen competitor Ken Walsh to honor the racing pioneer – Bill Willard Senior.
The list of previous winners includes quite an array of talent including inaugural winner Doug Gordon, Larry Czinege, Cliff Warner Don Martin, Greg Panunte, Bill Krull, Bill Podwinski, Chad Brachmann, Joe Meisel, Rob Pietz, Bobby Davidson, Martin Polhill, Bill Willard Jr. and last year’s winner Mat Williamson.
The Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders will also be in the spotlight in the final event of the all new for 2007 Triple Crown Series. Three 20 lap events are on the schedule awarding DIRTcar Championship Points and in the first two events – first time winners have made the trip to Victory Lane – Aaron Wiley and Ken Kadwell.
Will there be another first time winner?
Garden City Automotive and A/C Niagara opened in 1997, expanding to their current St. Catharines location – 76 Hartzell Road as Garden City Auto Complex in March of 2001. Emissions Niagara was also added which is a full test and authorized repair center to service all vehicle emission requirements. In 2002 a full line of Goodyear/Dunlop Tires were added and last year an alignment machine was added to offer our customers complete service under one roof. Race fans can book their next oil change or repair by calling 905-934-5664.
Bryan Fretz Financial provides Total Financial Services to individuals seeking to maximize their investment opportunities while controlling their risks and minimizing their taxes - believing that clients must be given the tools and the time to make the important decisions about their financial future.
Bryan Fretz Financial believes in long term, trusting relationships with their clients, and these cannot be rushed.
Bryan Fretz increases a client’s peace of mind through the implementation of well-constructed and carefully considered financial plans. If these are the types of services you are looking for - contact their office located at 129 Queen Street in Dunnville – call 905-774-2505 or visit www.carefulmoney.com.
Points will also conclude September 1st for the Hoosier Stocks and the Lucas Oil open Wheel Lite Divisions.
For further information on the Garden City Auto Complex Bryan Fretz Financial Labor Day FANtastic Event call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
John Spencer Memorial Winners
presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee
1953 Jerry Winger
1954 Murray Stricker
1955 Murray Stricker
1956 Bruce Van Dyke
1957 Bruce Van Dyke
1958 George Winger
1959 George Winger
1960 Bruce Van Dyke
1961 Bill Rafter
1962 Sandy MacPherson
1963 Bruce Van Dyke
1964 Bruce Van Dyke
1965 Lloyd Holt
1999 Pete Bicknell
2000 Pete Bicknell
2001 Pete Bicknell
2002 Chad Brachmann
2003 Pete Bicknell
2004 Fred Carleton
2005 Pete Bicknell
2006 Rain
Sterling Silver Award Winners
presented by the Silvr 7 Race Team
1990 Doug Gordon
1991 Larry Czinege
1992 Larry Czinege
1993 Cliff Warner
1994 Don Martin
1995 Greg Panunte
1996 Bill Krull
1997 Bill Podwinski
1998 Chad Brachmann
1999 Chad Brachmann
2000 Joe Meisel
2001 Chad Brachmann
2002 Rob Pietz
2003 Bob Davidson
2004 Martin Polhill
2005 Bill Willard Jr.
2006 Mat Williamson
From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
The Garden City Auto Complex Labor Day FANtastic Autograph Night features the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds in their final point event for 2007 – a 56 lap for the John Spencer Memorial Trophy – presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee.
“Since we reinstated it,” relates Reunion Committee Chairman Rick Kavanagh, “Pete Bicknell has won it 5 times - it could be anyone’s race though with how competitive the season has been.”
John Spencer was an up and coming driver that passed away as a result of racing accident at Stamford Park in 1953. His crew put together the award in his memory and it was raced for until 1965 when it was lost.
“It’s the original trophy,” adds Kavanagh, “ today’s winners including Chad Brachmann and Fred Carleton as well are right there with the Wingers … Stricker … Rafter … MacPherson … Holt and 5 time winner Bruce Van Dyke … it’ll be some race to see if Pete can break the tie with Bruce.”
One driver that will have a busy night is Garden City Auto Complex owner Dan Miller as in addition to the race for the John Spencer Memorial in his Desks Plus #22 358 Modified, he will also participate in a Bike Race against Hoosier Stock Driver James Akers with the two bikes to be given away in a draw after the event.
Also during the night - a much needed break will come as the Merrittville Drivers will bring their cars onto the front-stretch for an Autograph Session. Merrittville fans are encouraged to come out onto the racing surface to meet their favorite drivers. Many have cards that they would be happy to sign or race fans can bring their checkered flags, t shirts, autograph books or racing photos from Monique’s Photography.
The night is also the final night for points for the Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Division. Another Award will also be given out – the Sterling Silver Award that dates back to 1990. The award was established that year by then Sportsmen competitor Ken Walsh to honor the racing pioneer – Bill Willard Senior.
The list of previous winners includes quite an array of talent including inaugural winner Doug Gordon, Larry Czinege, Cliff Warner Don Martin, Greg Panunte, Bill Krull, Bill Podwinski, Chad Brachmann, Joe Meisel, Rob Pietz, Bobby Davidson, Martin Polhill, Bill Willard Jr. and last year’s winner Mat Williamson.
The Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders will also be in the spotlight in the final event of the all new for 2007 Triple Crown Series. Three 20 lap events are on the schedule awarding DIRTcar Championship Points and in the first two events – first time winners have made the trip to Victory Lane – Aaron Wiley and Ken Kadwell.
Will there be another first time winner?
Garden City Automotive and A/C Niagara opened in 1997, expanding to their current St. Catharines location – 76 Hartzell Road as Garden City Auto Complex in March of 2001. Emissions Niagara was also added which is a full test and authorized repair center to service all vehicle emission requirements. In 2002 a full line of Goodyear/Dunlop Tires were added and last year an alignment machine was added to offer our customers complete service under one roof. Race fans can book their next oil change or repair by calling 905-934-5664.
Bryan Fretz Financial provides Total Financial Services to individuals seeking to maximize their investment opportunities while controlling their risks and minimizing their taxes - believing that clients must be given the tools and the time to make the important decisions about their financial future.
Bryan Fretz Financial believes in long term, trusting relationships with their clients, and these cannot be rushed.
Bryan Fretz increases a client’s peace of mind through the implementation of well-constructed and carefully considered financial plans. If these are the types of services you are looking for - contact their office located at 129 Queen Street in Dunnville – call 905-774-2505 or visit www.carefulmoney.com.
Points will also conclude September 1st for the Hoosier Stocks and the Lucas Oil open Wheel Lite Divisions.
For further information on the Garden City Auto Complex Bryan Fretz Financial Labor Day FANtastic Event call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
John Spencer Memorial Winners
presented by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee
1953 Jerry Winger
1954 Murray Stricker
1955 Murray Stricker
1956 Bruce Van Dyke
1957 Bruce Van Dyke
1958 George Winger
1959 George Winger
1960 Bruce Van Dyke
1961 Bill Rafter
1962 Sandy MacPherson
1963 Bruce Van Dyke
1964 Bruce Van Dyke
1965 Lloyd Holt
1999 Pete Bicknell
2000 Pete Bicknell
2001 Pete Bicknell
2002 Chad Brachmann
2003 Pete Bicknell
2004 Fred Carleton
2005 Pete Bicknell
2006 Rain
Sterling Silver Award Winners
presented by the Silvr 7 Race Team
1990 Doug Gordon
1991 Larry Czinege
1992 Larry Czinege
1993 Cliff Warner
1994 Don Martin
1995 Greg Panunte
1996 Bill Krull
1997 Bill Podwinski
1998 Chad Brachmann
1999 Chad Brachmann
2000 Joe Meisel
2001 Chad Brachmann
2002 Rob Pietz
2003 Bob Davidson
2004 Martin Polhill
2005 Bill Willard Jr.
2006 Mat Williamson
From Jim Irvine - Merrittville Speedway Public Relations
NCATS: RON VAN ES FINISHES 18th AT TROIS-RIVIERES AFTER JUMPING A RESTART
STONEY CREEK, ON – On Sunday, Ron Van Es took part in the fourth and final NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road race on the 12-event (total) 2007 schedule. The Stoney Creek, ON driver started 21st in the 28-car field at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres and made considerable progress until an overzealous restart drew the attention of race officials, who tagged the #11 Chevy driver with a drive-through penalty, which knocked him to 18th at the finish of the 41-lap race.All in all, Van Es was pleased with his weekend and the progress he and his team have shown in their road course outings this summer. The Trois-Rivieres, QC street circuit has unique challenges, but Van Es and company rose to the occasion.
“The car wasn’t handing very well in practice [on Friday] because it wasn’t gripping the road very well,” said Van Es, who competes with associate sponsorship from Marshall Truck & Trailer Repair, Ingersoll Rand and G.P.I.C.S. Truck & Trailer Parts. “We made some changes after our crew chief Alex Nagy settled on a plan; and those changes worked well. After that, it was time for qualifying. The track at Trois-Rivieres is extremely tight with walls everywhere. You can try to put down a fast lap, but you can never forget about having to keep it off the walls.”
For the first few laps of Sunday’s main event – in which Van Es started 21st – the #11 team had a plan. “Our goal early was just to stay clean. Last year, there was a big wreck at the start of the race and we were really trying to avoid that this time. That worked out, but we started to get a little more aggressive on some of the later restarts.
"Guys were checking up on the way to the green flag and a few times I got a really good run on the inside of a bunch of guys. On one of them, I guess I pushed it a little too much and I passed about four cars before getting to the restart line. We got busted for that by NASCAR and we had to come through for a drive-through penalty.”
And while Van Es agreed that the penalty was likely warranted, the result was that he was facing a big challenge to recover the lost ground.
“With road course racing being all about track position, it really knocked us down a bunch of spots. After that, I pushed hard to stay on the lead lap, and we were able to do that until the next caution came out, so we dodged that bullet. But we were still at the end of the line and losing so many spots really hurt. But we were able to come back up to 18th.”
Over the summer, Van Es has developed a degree of confidence in the road course events, which allowed him to push the envelope at Trois-Rivieres. “We were really trying hard in this race. We set our goal to get a top 10 finish and I was really getting aggressive on the restarts. But they got me for that. I was trying, anyway. I got away with it a few times, but when I passed four and didn’t give any spots up… I kind of wondered, ‘I don’t know if I’m going to get away with that one.’ And sure enough, half a lap later, Alex [Nagy] came on and told me I’d made up too many spots and was getting a penalty. We were running pretty good lap times at the end, which was important to us. We got three good road course runs under our belts this year, which was good experience for our team.”
NEXT UP: CAYUGA SPEEDWAY:
And while all of the road course races on the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule are now in the history books, four oval track races remain, including the Sept. 23 finale at Kawartha Speedway.
Next up, however, is a 200-lap race on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Cayuga Speedway. In the season opening event at the 5/8-mile speedway, located south of Hamilton (ON), Van Es started on the outside of the front row thanks to a spectacular qualifying effort, and briefly held the lead after passing eventual race winner Don Thomson.
“We’re hoping for another strong outing at Cayuga, on Labour Day,” said Van Es. “We started on the front row and we were able to drive around Donnie [Thomson] and lead for a few laps. The track conditions will be different at this time of year, but Alex Nagy knows that place like the back of his hand, so I’m sure we can get a good setup there. It’s kind of our ‘home’ racetrack.”
TROIS-RIVIERES RACE SUMMARY: Kerry Micks continued his dominance of Quebec road course races by winning another NASCAR Canadian Tire Series nail-biter over Quebec racer Andrew Ranger, on Sunday at Trois-Rivieres. Micks, from Mt. Albert, ON, edged Ranger at the finish line by 0.012 of a second after re-taking the lead on the last lap in a carbon copy of their recent battle at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Third place in the event went to BC racer Trevor Seibert.
PHOTO of Ron Van Es at Trois-Rivieres courtesy of Chris Mann
Prepared by Inside Track Communications. For more information about Van Es Racing, contact Jolene Convery at Van Es Racing at (800) 263-4884. For more information about the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, visit www.nascar.ca
NCATS: Broken bolt sours Mark Dilley’s run at Trois-Rivières
BARRIE, ON – While Mark Dilley’s Dodge-sponsored #9 Dodge Avenger was very competitive through practice, qualifying and the first third of Sunday’s 41-lap NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, it was the proverbial ‘10 cent part’ that spoiled his run.The Barrie, ON racer qualified 10th-fastest in the field of 28 for the fourth and final road course race of the Canadian NASCAR season. The #9 Dodge / Mobil1 / Exide / MOPAR / Leland / Wild Wing / CRS Dodge Avenger was up to seventh when a bolt that attaches the shifter to the transmission let go during the lap 12 restart, ending Dilley’s hopes for a top finish.
The temporary street circuit puts a heavy strain on a racecar and the broken bolt resulted in the loss of third gear. Unfortunately for Dilley, that’s the gear that is used most often in Trois-Rivières. From there, the #9 Dodge-sponsored Avenger went on to a 19th-place, lead-lap finish.
“A bolt broke off of the shifter where it’s connected to the transmission,” said Dilley. “The shifter got loose and that’s why it wouldn’t go into gear. Eventually, it ripped third gear out of it because it would only get partway in.”
The Dodge driver continued, “Our Avenger was very good during practice and qualifying. I time trialled 10th fastest and we were seventh-best in practice. I had a good racecar, but it was just some bad luck that got us in the race.”
The eight races that made up the first two-thirds of the season included four oval events and four road course races. Dilley is pleased that the final third of the NASCAR schedule will feature exclusively oval races, starting with the Labour Day event at Cayuga Speedway (near Hamilton, ON) where he finished second in the season opener, in May.
“We’ve been pretty good on the ovals so far this year, so we’re looking forward to the last four races of the season. We’ve been on the podium for every oval race except for Vernon (BC). We’re very excited about going back to Cayuga where we came home second in the spring. We’re looking to boost our position in the points chase before it’s finished,” concluded Dilley, who sits seventh in the overall point standings thanks largely to three top-three finishes (at Cayuga, Barrie and Mosport) so far in ‘07.
“Our car has been very strong all summer and we know our Dodge-sponsored Avenger can put on a great show for the fans and our sponsors in the final four races of the season.”
TROIS-RIVIÈRES NOTEBOOK: Veteran stock car driver Kerry Micks has a thing for racing in Quebec. Following his win in Sunday’s Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, the Mt. Albert, ON racer has gone to victory lane three times in the past year in La Belle Province.
Last year, he bested Robin Buck in the CASCAR Super Series race at Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. And just a few weeks ago, Micks came out on the winning end of a late-race battle with stock car rookie Andrew Ranger at the same facility, during the NASCAR Busch Series race weekend.
On Sunday at Trois-Rivières, Ranger was once again fell victim to Micks’ last-lap heroics. The two banged doors to the finish line, with Micks crossing just 0.012 in front of Ranger, the crowd favourite. The final podium position went to Williams Lake, B.C. resident Trevor Seibert, who started eighth in the field of 28 for the 41-lap chase around the 1.53-mile street circuit.
LOOKING AHEAD: Cayuga on Labour DayAfter a busy three-week stretch, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be off this coming weekend to prepare for the Saturday, Sept. 1 race at Cayuga Speedway. The Subway 200 will be Round #9 of the 12-event 2007 schedule. In the NCATS season opener, back in late May, Mark Dilley finished second in the Dodge Dealers 200 at the 5/8-mile speedway.
PHOTO of Mark Dilley at Trois-Rivières courtesy of Chris Mann.
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
Raceway Park Up Next For CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour
Halifax, NS (August 22, 2007) – Raceway Park in Oyster Bed Bridge, PE is the site of round 9 of the 10 event CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour this Saturday, August 25th.
There is more excitement in the air as the 2007 CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour winds down and fans are anticipating lots of action in the CARQUEST Auto Parts 100. Teams are looking to move up the point’s ladder and consolidate their positions in the $50,000 year-end point’s fund.
A pair of Shawn’s continue to occupy the top two spots, Shawn Turple of Enfield, NS holds a 33-point lead over Shawn Tucker of Fredericton, NB. Wayne Smith of Timberlea, NS, by virtue of his win at the Antigonish Mall 100 last Saturday night, moves into third place, vaulting ahead of Kent Vincent of Crapaud, PE. Chris Hughes of Winsloe, PE holds down fifth place. A mere 79 points separate the top five drivers on the competitive CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour.
With just two races remaining, the teams are checking their cars and them checking them again. A self-inflicted mechanical problem would dash their hopes for a strong finish and the corresponding championship points that go along with the finish. Plainly put, the teams don’t want to beat themselves. They want to give their driver the best possible car they are capable of giving and let the driver work his magic on the track. Expectations are high for all the teams, which leads to that famous ABC television expression – “the thrill of winning and the agony of defeat”.
Lonnie Sommerville of Saint John, NB continues to hold down the top spot on the EIT Race Radios Rookie of the Year race. Daren MacKinnon of Winsloe, PE and Dean MacInnis of Whococomagh, NS follow Sommerville. Gary Bursey of Moncton, NB actually has more points than MacKinnon and MacInnis, but has had a non-rookie driver in the car for three races, forcing him to drop the points earned in those races.
The Atlantic Tiltload Time Trials are set for 5:10 pm, with full racing scheduled for 6 pm. The pole challenge is in effect Saturday night, offering five of the top drivers a financial and point incentive to start in the feature in the 24th position.
The Urquhart MacDonald Associates B feature is expected to complete the starting grid for the CARQUEST Auto Parts 100. Gary Bursey of Moncton, NB sits atop the Urquhart MacDonald Associates B Feature standings. Mike Stevens of Riverview, NB and Roger Crane of Montague, PE round out the top three positions.
From Ken Cunning
NCATS: BROWN RECOVERS FOR SEVENTEETH PLACE FINISH IN TROIS RIVIERIES
Doug Brown recovered from a late race spin when clipped from behind then held on to finish seventeenth in the “GP3R 100” at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres on Sunday. Although the veteran driver was disappointed with the results, he’s now glad to be through with road course racing, at least for this season, and keenly looking forward to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series’ return to the more familiar oval track scene for the final four events on the 2007 schedule.
“Trois Rivieres has a lot of narrow, tight racing areas and we just couldn’t get into position to make any major strides forward during the event”, the Brantford driver lamented in reviewing the results. “We did move up to fourteenth place from our twenty-fourth starting position, but contact with another car cost me three spots in the finishing order. It was just one of those incidents that happen on circuits such as this. The motor was also a bit sluggish so I just tried to play it safe, stay in line and make the best of a tough situation”, he added. “It was virtually a single file run for those of us behind the first half dozen leaders”.
When the season began, the Haldex /NAPA Autopro driver’s goal was to finish in the top-ten positions of the standings. He currently sits 14th in the points’ race and remains determined to move up a spot or two as the schedule moves into the final segment. He also knows it will take a steady performance in each of those events to gain ground on those who are immediately ahead of him in the tightening standings.
The Brantford-based team's next action comes on Saturday, September 1st when the Series returns to Cayuga Speedway for its second appearance of the season.
Brown had led that May season opener on two occasions and was battling competitively with the leaders during the late stages of the 200-lap event until he got involved in a incident that not only forced him off the track but also caused an electrical problem ending his run12 laps from the finish.
“Hopefully we can repeat and even better our performance this time out”, Brown remarked optimistically in looking ahead to the Labour Day Weekend special. “We could sure do with some better luck,” he noted in reflecting upon the problems that have foiled some strong efforts over the season todate.
Kerry Micks of Mt. Albert edged his way past local favourite and current points’ leader Andrew Ranger of Roxton Pond, Quebec to win the race in Trois Rivieres and in doing so moved into fourth spot in the standings. Trevor Seibert of Williams Lake, BC finished third.
Ranger’s points’ lead grew to 91 over Don Thomson Jr. of Ayr, Ontario with Thomson’s teammate JR Fitzpatrick of Cambridge holding down third place with a margin of just five over the fast charging Micks.
HB Motorsports is pleased to have Haldex Limited as its Title Sponsor with NAPA Autopro supporting team programs through its role of Major Associate Sponsor role. Bicknell Racing Products; World of Graphics; HurryPrint Imaging Centre; WIX Filters; KWIC Internet; Gates Canada; BOC Gases; Brochures etc; Leitch Performance Engines; Strodes BBQ & Deli; and BrentZone Graphics are also valued members of our Associate Sponsorship Marketing team
Prepared by: Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations // HB Motorsports
“Trois Rivieres has a lot of narrow, tight racing areas and we just couldn’t get into position to make any major strides forward during the event”, the Brantford driver lamented in reviewing the results. “We did move up to fourteenth place from our twenty-fourth starting position, but contact with another car cost me three spots in the finishing order. It was just one of those incidents that happen on circuits such as this. The motor was also a bit sluggish so I just tried to play it safe, stay in line and make the best of a tough situation”, he added. “It was virtually a single file run for those of us behind the first half dozen leaders”.
When the season began, the Haldex /NAPA Autopro driver’s goal was to finish in the top-ten positions of the standings. He currently sits 14th in the points’ race and remains determined to move up a spot or two as the schedule moves into the final segment. He also knows it will take a steady performance in each of those events to gain ground on those who are immediately ahead of him in the tightening standings.
The Brantford-based team's next action comes on Saturday, September 1st when the Series returns to Cayuga Speedway for its second appearance of the season.
Brown had led that May season opener on two occasions and was battling competitively with the leaders during the late stages of the 200-lap event until he got involved in a incident that not only forced him off the track but also caused an electrical problem ending his run12 laps from the finish.
“Hopefully we can repeat and even better our performance this time out”, Brown remarked optimistically in looking ahead to the Labour Day Weekend special. “We could sure do with some better luck,” he noted in reflecting upon the problems that have foiled some strong efforts over the season todate.
Kerry Micks of Mt. Albert edged his way past local favourite and current points’ leader Andrew Ranger of Roxton Pond, Quebec to win the race in Trois Rivieres and in doing so moved into fourth spot in the standings. Trevor Seibert of Williams Lake, BC finished third.
Ranger’s points’ lead grew to 91 over Don Thomson Jr. of Ayr, Ontario with Thomson’s teammate JR Fitzpatrick of Cambridge holding down third place with a margin of just five over the fast charging Micks.
HB Motorsports is pleased to have Haldex Limited as its Title Sponsor with NAPA Autopro supporting team programs through its role of Major Associate Sponsor role. Bicknell Racing Products; World of Graphics; HurryPrint Imaging Centre; WIX Filters; KWIC Internet; Gates Canada; BOC Gases; Brochures etc; Leitch Performance Engines; Strodes BBQ & Deli; and BrentZone Graphics are also valued members of our Associate Sponsorship Marketing team
Prepared by: Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations // HB Motorsports
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Mosport RaceFest '07 - Photo Gallery
Earlier today, our own Rob Morton and Mike Galipeau were at Toronto's Metro Hall Square for Mosport's RaceFest '07, in advance of this weekend's ALMS race at the legendary road course.
Drivers Ron Fellows and Tony Burgess were on hand for the event, which kicked off the Princess Margaret Hospital Cash & Cars Lottery.
For more info on this weekend's action at Mosport, click here.
Ron Fellows to be honoured with corner naming at Mosport this weekend
BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO – Canadian roadracer, Ron Fellows is to be honoured this weekend at the Mosport International Karting Academy with a corner – corner 7 – named after him. The new name for what is now referred to as the ‘bowl’ turn will be “The Ron Fellows Bowl”.
“Ron Fellows has accomplished many great things in racing,” Ken Flute, managing director of Mosport International Karting said. “From the top levels of the sport, all the way down to the roots of racing – karting – Ron continues to leave his mark as a great Canadian. We are very proud here at Mosport International Karting to be able to honour him with ‘The Ron Fellows Bowl’ as part of our karting track.
The Mosport International Karting Academy is located on the outside of turn 8 of Mosport International Raceway, and The Ron Fellows Bowl is widely regarded as the toughest section of the track. Fellows will be on hand this weekend as he does battle in the C6 Compuware Corvette in the ALMS Series, and in the factory Cadillac CTS-V in the Speed GT Championship.
In addition, the fifth round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels will be in action this weekend at the Mosport Driver Development track.
“I want to thank Ken Flute and Mosport International Karting for the renaming of the ‘bowl’ to ‘The Ron Fellows Bowl’,” Fellows said. “Mosport is my home track, and the new karting complex, where we ran round four of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship, is a fantastic facility.”
For more information, contact Ken Flute at Mosport International Karting Complex at 905-983-9500.
Release prepared by Russ Bond Agency (www.russbondagency.com)
Formula BMW USA: Last hurrah for Pelletier in Canada
Montreal, August 22nd, 2007. – Maxime Pelletier’s venture in Formula BMW USA ladder series will come to an end this coming weekend when he completes the last double header of the season on the fabulous roadracing facility at Mosport, just an hour north of Toronto, Ontario. At the helm of the FB02 #10 HBR Motorsports single seater for the last two rounds, the Montreal 16-year old driver wants to go out in style and will not make any prisonners come Sunday night. Presently in fourth place in the standings, Pelletier still has in mind to finish on the final podium, with third place only 15 points away, and clinch his first victory in the process.
“I still have in mind the stupid move the leader in the standings (Daniel Morad) pulled on me in Road America, said a bitter Pelletier. He ruined deliberately my hopes to become the series vice-champion. But I can still earn enough points to finish third or even second with a good weekend. I will definitely give (Esteban) Gutierrez and (Alexander) Rossi a run for their money. I will not drive foolishly but agressively in Mosport: I had good results last year and my team, HBR, won a round. So, I think I can run right up there at the top of the charts. It is still my goal to win a round and prove the series officials they made the right decision last year when they awarded me a BMW Scholarship.”
“I know Mosport to be a demanding track for the driver and the machine. But my HBR crew has given me fast material all season and Mosport is a track where courage turns into extra speed. I want to go out in style and thank my team with a victory in the last rounds.”
A test day before the regular schedule: Regular race schedule will start with the last test day on Thursday. The official activities will take place Friday with three sessions : free practices from 9:35 to 10:00 and 12:55 to 1:20 PM. And finally the first qualifying sessions from 5:15 to 5:40. It will be Saturday for the second qualifying session from 8:00 to 8:25. Reds will go out for the start of the first race in the afternoon at 5:00 sharp. The curtain will fall on the season finale on Sunday at 1:30 PM. “They better watch out because I’m going to give it my best, and last shot”, concludes Maxime.
Maxime Pelletier is completing his second year in the North American premier ladder series Formula BMW USA after being nominated Junior driver last year. He is racing with the Austrian HBR Motorsports team. Mosport is the seventh and last double header programs in the 2007 schedule. Pelletier is fourth in the 2007 standings only 15 points away from third. His future plans will be announced later but different avenues are being considered in Europe and America. He may be reached at maxime@maximepelletier.com
Source: Michel Poirier-Defoy
NCATS: Another Disappointing Finish for Nuhn at Trois Rivieres
After engine problems at Mosport, Kent Nuhn, driver of the No. 09 The Fuel Genie/Nuhn's Auto Recyclers Pontiac Grand Prix, and his team were looking forward to going back to Trois Rivieres, Quebec and improve on their 22nd finish from a year ago.
After their practice session, to which Nuhn parked the car early to save it for the race, the team was happy with their best lap time of 72.824 secs. This left them only 3.351 seconds off of the fastest car of No. 88, Robin Buck.
Nuhn went out in Group A, the first group out on the track for qualifying, as per road course qualifying rules. Along with being 5th fastest in his qualifying group, Nuhn qualified his car in the 20th position with a time of 71.332. This was 1.5 secs. faster then their practice time and only 2.759 secs. off the the top qualifier, No. 84 J.R Fitzpatrick.
"We really couldn't get out in the clean air during our session," Nuhn said. "There was always a car ahead of us." At the start of the race, everything was looking up. Nuhn was quickly moving forward. He had made it all the way up to the 11th positive when bad luck struck again. Coming out of turn 10, Nuhn suddenly went wide and coasted to a stop at the end of pit road with a broken drive shaft leaving them finishing in the 26th position. With no ways to fix the broken piece, they took the car back to the garage and begun to get ready for the next race.
"Lady Luck was on our side for a little while. We just need a little bit more of it." Hugh Nuhn, crew chief for the No. 09 team, said after the race.
With another wild finish, Kerry Micks, driver of the No. 02 Beyond Digital Imagining Ford, took the checkered flag and limped the car to victory lane after making heave contact with the No. 27 of Andrew Ranger. Ranger came home second, with Trevor Seibert, driver of the No. 69 Lake Excavating/EMCO Waterworks Ford, from Williams Lake, British Columbia in third. Coming in fourth was the No. 23 Tim Horton's/EMCEA Transport Chevrolet, of Jeff Lapcevich, followed by the No. 25 EMCEA Transport/Tim Horton's Chevrolet, of Jim Lapcevich in fifth.
Despite the disappointing finish, Nuhn was able to move from 18th to 17th in the points only 78 points behind 16th position Ron Beauchamp Jr. The next race for the No. 09 team is race number 9 on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio, at Cayuga Speedway Park for the Subway 200.
For further information regarding Kent Nuhn and The Fuel Genie/Nuhn's Auto Recyclers team or for sponsorship information contact Hugh Nuhn at (519)794-2746. For more information on The Fuel Genie visit www.thefuelgenie.com .
By Leslie Bates
Pardon the interruption...
Blogger was snoozing this morning.We now resume our broadcast day....
G.M.
American LeMans Series - Mosport
NOTE: This post will be headlined until Tues., Aug 22. See below for more current news.
Mosport will again be hosting Canada’s biggest Sports Car racing event of the year August 23- 26 2007. See seven of North America’s top road racing championships, featuring the American Le Mans Series in their only Canadian Appearance. The worlds great marques such as Audi, Acura, Corvette, Ferrari, Mazda, Panoz and Porsche will battle head to head over four days of testing, qualifying and racing.
Support series include; SPEED World Challenge (GT and Touring), Star Mazda, Formula BMW, IMSA GT3 Cup and the IMSA Lites series. Get your tickets now. Call 1-800-866-1072 or visit Mosport online at http://www.mosport.com/
Support series include; SPEED World Challenge (GT and Touring), Star Mazda, Formula BMW, IMSA GT3 Cup and the IMSA Lites series. Get your tickets now. Call 1-800-866-1072 or visit Mosport online at http://www.mosport.com/
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
NCATS on TSN: Full Throttle Energy Drink 200
WATCH THE FULL THROTTLE ENERGY DRINK 200 presented by CANADIAN SHIELD NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race from MOSPORT SPEEDWAY and the GP3R 100 from TROIS-RIVIERES THIS WEEKEND on TSN!
Race 7: Mosport - Full Throttle 200 IN HIGH DEFINITION
Race 7: Mosport - Full Throttle 200 IN HIGH DEFINITION
Premiere: Saturday, August 25 @ 11am
Repeat 1: Thursday, August 30 @ 00:00 (or Wednesday at Midnight)
Repeat 2: Tuesday, September 11 @ 3:30pm
Race 8: GP3R 100
Premiere: Sunday, August 26 @ 11am
Repeat 1: Friday, August 31 @ 00:00 (or Thursday at Midnight)
Repeat 2: Wednesday, September 12 @ 3:30pm
All times are in Eastern Standard Time
ALMS: Corvette Racing to Field Three C6.Rs in Grand Prix of Mosport
Fellows and Pilgrim to Drive Third Corvette Racing Entry in Canadian Round of American Le Mans Series
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario - Three Compuware Corvette C6.Rs will be vying for the GT1 title in the Grand Prix of Mosport to be contested at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, on Sunday, August 26. Former teammates Ron Fellows and Andy Pilgrim will be reunited for the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series at the famed Canadian track near Fellows' home in Mississauga, Ontario. The pair will drive the No. 33 Corvette in bright Arctic White that celebrates the limited edition Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06.
They'll race alongside Corvette Racing regulars Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R on the fast 2.45-mile circuit.
"It's going to be good fun, and that's exactly how we're going to approach this race," said Fellows. "Our car will be decked out in brilliant white like the production car. It will be absolutely awesome, and I can't wait."
Pilgrim agreed: "It's going to be great racing with Ron as my teammate again," he said. "I want to do well for Ron in front of his home crowd, so I'm going to be trying 110 percent."
Fellows and Pilgrim first raced a Corvette together at Mosport in August 2000, finishing second on a track that went from wet to dry in the closing laps. One month later, the pair won at Texas Motor Speedway, scoring the first of Corvette Racing's 59 victories. Pilgrim made 33 starts for Corvette Racing in 1999-2003, notching six victories, posting 18 podium finishes, and winning two poles.
"The last time I drove for Corvette Racing was in October 2003 at Petit Le Mans," Pilgrim recalled. "I think the Corvette C6.R is at least five seconds a lap faster than the Corvette C5-R I drove at Mosport, so in a sense it's a completely different class of car. There's going to be very little practice time to get accustomed to its performance, but I'll do my absolute best."
Pilgrim and Fellows will be doing double-duty at Mosport, sharing their Corvette C6.R in the two-hour, 45-minute ALMS race on Sunday and driving twin Cadillac CTS- V race cars in a 50-minute SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT sprint race on Saturday.
"It will be a very busy weekend for both of us," Fellows noted. "It's a little bit of an adjustment going back and forth between the Corvette C6.R and the Cadillac CTS- V , so we'll have to respect each car's cornering and stopping capabilities."
Both Pilgrim and Fellows have been keeping their driving sharp with recent stints in NASCAR road racing competition in Montreal and Watkins Glen, New York. In addition to his promotional and driving responsibilities at the Grand Prix of Mosport, Fellows will also be checking in on the fifth round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship, which will be held on the track's driver development course.
The ace Corvette Racing crew will also have the challenge of preparing and servicing a third car at Mosport.
"Essentially we'll have all of the equipment to service three race cars in the pits, with separate fuel rigs, separate air guns, and separate nitrogen bottles," explained Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "We'll use the same crews to service the third car, so we're not going to have all three cars stop simultaneously. We can pit two cars together as we often do, and then pit the third car out of sequence."
Corvette Racing's third entry at Mosport will ramp up the competition in the GT1 division, and that's a prospect that the other Corvette drivers relish.
"It's going to be great to race against Ron at Mosport," said Gavin, who shares the lead in the GT1 title race with his teammate Beretta. "Nobody knows the track better than he does. We all love Mosport because it's a fantastic place to race."
The Grand Prix of Mosport presented by Mobil 1, the ninth round of the 12-race ALMS series, will start at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 26, and will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel.
For additional information please visit the GM racing media site by clicking here. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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From Rick Voegelin / GM
BOWMANVILLE, Ontario - Three Compuware Corvette C6.Rs will be vying for the GT1 title in the Grand Prix of Mosport to be contested at Mosport International Raceway in Bowmanville, Ontario, on Sunday, August 26. Former teammates Ron Fellows and Andy Pilgrim will be reunited for the ninth round of the American Le Mans Series at the famed Canadian track near Fellows' home in Mississauga, Ontario. The pair will drive the No. 33 Corvette in bright Arctic White that celebrates the limited edition Ron Fellows ALMS GT1 Champion Corvette Z06.
They'll race alongside Corvette Racing regulars Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R and Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R on the fast 2.45-mile circuit.
"It's going to be good fun, and that's exactly how we're going to approach this race," said Fellows. "Our car will be decked out in brilliant white like the production car. It will be absolutely awesome, and I can't wait."
Pilgrim agreed: "It's going to be great racing with Ron as my teammate again," he said. "I want to do well for Ron in front of his home crowd, so I'm going to be trying 110 percent."
Fellows and Pilgrim first raced a Corvette together at Mosport in August 2000, finishing second on a track that went from wet to dry in the closing laps. One month later, the pair won at Texas Motor Speedway, scoring the first of Corvette Racing's 59 victories. Pilgrim made 33 starts for Corvette Racing in 1999-2003, notching six victories, posting 18 podium finishes, and winning two poles.
"The last time I drove for Corvette Racing was in October 2003 at Petit Le Mans," Pilgrim recalled. "I think the Corvette C6.R is at least five seconds a lap faster than the Corvette C5-R I drove at Mosport, so in a sense it's a completely different class of car. There's going to be very little practice time to get accustomed to its performance, but I'll do my absolute best."
Pilgrim and Fellows will be doing double-duty at Mosport, sharing their Corvette C6.R in the two-hour, 45-minute ALMS race on Sunday and driving twin Cadillac CTS- V race cars in a 50-minute SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT sprint race on Saturday.
"It will be a very busy weekend for both of us," Fellows noted. "It's a little bit of an adjustment going back and forth between the Corvette C6.R and the Cadillac CTS- V , so we'll have to respect each car's cornering and stopping capabilities."
Both Pilgrim and Fellows have been keeping their driving sharp with recent stints in NASCAR road racing competition in Montreal and Watkins Glen, New York. In addition to his promotional and driving responsibilities at the Grand Prix of Mosport, Fellows will also be checking in on the fifth round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship, which will be held on the track's driver development course.
The ace Corvette Racing crew will also have the challenge of preparing and servicing a third car at Mosport.
"Essentially we'll have all of the equipment to service three race cars in the pits, with separate fuel rigs, separate air guns, and separate nitrogen bottles," explained Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "We'll use the same crews to service the third car, so we're not going to have all three cars stop simultaneously. We can pit two cars together as we often do, and then pit the third car out of sequence."
Corvette Racing's third entry at Mosport will ramp up the competition in the GT1 division, and that's a prospect that the other Corvette drivers relish.
"It's going to be great to race against Ron at Mosport," said Gavin, who shares the lead in the GT1 title race with his teammate Beretta. "Nobody knows the track better than he does. We all love Mosport because it's a fantastic place to race."
The Grand Prix of Mosport presented by Mobil 1, the ninth round of the 12-race ALMS series, will start at 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday, August 26, and will be broadcast live on SPEED Channel.
For additional information please visit the GM racing media site by clicking here. General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the annual global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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From Rick Voegelin / GM
Monday, August 20, 2007
NCATS: WHITLOCK EXPERIENCES TRANSMISSION TROUBLE IN THREE RIVERS
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - The No. 39 Dickies Dodge Charger of Dave Whitlock, was one of twenty-eight NASCAR Canadian Tire Series cars to attend the GP3R 100 event on Sunday. Whitlock started the 100 km race in fourteenth but a transmission failure relegated them to near the back of the twenty-eight car field.
Whitlock, driver of the Dickies/Hamilton Tiger Cats/NMT Dodge Charger, got caught up in a wreck in practice on Friday when NASCAR Canadian Tire Series point leader Andrew Ranger lost an engine at the start/finish line while Whitlock was following him. It would take the team several hours but the car was good as new when they headed out to the track for qualifying on Saturday morning . A fourteenth quickest time was considered to be a good effort and the No. 39 driver was ready to take the green and move toward the front.
Whitlock would start the GP3R 100 before a packed house of enthusiastic race fans from the seventh row. After getting through turn one on the first lap and dodging a couple of early race incidents in front of him, Whitlock looked ready to post another solid top ten finish. Alas that was not to happen as the No. 39 experienced a broken transmission.
Williamson-Dickie Canada Co. is a subsidiary of Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company of Fort Worth, Texas. Since its beginnings in Forth Worth, Texas in 1922, the Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company has grown from a humble manufacturer of bib overalls into a global brand powerhouse, with Dickies work pants, shirts, denim, outerwear, school uniforms, outdoor gear, medical and chefs apparel and an extensive licensing program offering sturdy head-to-toe clothing options for hardworking men and women of all ages, professions, regions and interests. Williamson-Dickie operates through subsidiaries in North America, Canada and Europe as well as exclusive distributorship around the world. Dickies products are available at select retailers across Canada and the Dickies Factory Outlet store in Hanover, Ont. For more information please visit www.dickiescanada.com
For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit www.nascar.ca
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
From Linda Jones
NCATS: Top-five finish for Team Fastline boys in Trois-Rivières
“Considering the damage we sustained, I'm really pleased with the result”
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC – Fastline Motorsports had a good weekend of racing with a pair of top-five finishes. Fastline driver Jeff Lapcevich took fourth spot in the weekend’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at the Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières, and brother Jim placed fifth from the 28-car starting field.
"I broke a ball joint in qualifying which put me into the wall causing serious damage,” explained Jeff Lapcevich after the race. “The guys worked really hard to get the #23 Tim Hortons – EMCEA Chevrolet back in tip top shape, and it paid off.”
Jeff started ninth in the 41-lap race on 1.53-mile, 10-turn course located east of Montreal, Quebec. “We knew there would be a lot of attrition at this event, and we just paced ourselves for the first half trying to save something for the end,” added Lapcevich. “Unfortunately the race was slowed several times in the second half and with my car great on long runs; we never really got a chance to show our stuff. But considering the damage we sustained in qualifying, I'm really pleased with the result."
Kerry Micks used a last lap pass to win his second consecutive race. Andrew Ranger was second followed by Trevor Seibert in third. Jeff Lapcevich was fourth followed by Jim Lapcevich rounding out the top-five.
“I’m happy we took a fifth place finish after starting 15th,” said Jim Lapcevich. “Overall we have had a good season in the EMCEA – Tim Hortons Chevy Monte Carlo. I’m disappointed with our qualifying, as it would definitely have helped to start closer to the front.”
The race had two lead changes between Micks and Ranger and 18 of the 41 laps were run under the caution flag.
The next event for Team Fastline Motorsports will be race nine in the 12-race NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Cayuga Speedway in Nelles Corners, Ontario on September 1.
For information about Cayuga Speedway call (866) 670-1958 or visit www.cayugaspeedwaypark.com
Tim Hortons, EMCEA Transport, Springer’s Meats, Troy Cove Marine, Mr. Lube, and B & J Electric sponsor Team Fastline, www.FastlineMotorsports.ca For more information, please contact Bruce Mehlenbacher at Bruce@JAJEntertainment.com
From Bruce Mehlenbacher
NASCAR: Michigan Cup raced postponed again... to Tuesday
"BROOKLYN, MI – Steady rain on Monday forced NASCAR to postpone the 3M Performance 400 Nextel Cup race at Michigan Int'l Speedway. The race has been rescheduled for Tuesday..."
TSN has the full story here.
AIM Autosport cars zapped in multi-car crash in turn 1 at Trois-Rivieres
AIM Autosport was poised for a strong Star Mazda Championship race in Trois-Rivières, Qué., on Sunday, but both team cars were zapped by a multi-car crash on the first turn of the 39-lap race.
Devin Cunningham of St-Bruno, Qué., started the No. 33 Discovery Channel Canada Pro Formula Mazda 13th on the 26-car grid after a difficult qualifying session that held his fastest lap to one minute 3.637 seconds on the 2.433-km street circuit. With setup changes made after qualifying, he charged ahead at the race start, gaining seven positions. His progress was for naught, though, as he had contact with a spinning competitor and lost the car's left-rear suspension. He watched the rest of the race from pit lane.
"It's a great track," he enthused. "It's pretty difficult to set the car up; it's an unconventional setup. It changed a lot from last year, so the old setups were sort of thrown out the window and we had to come up with something.
"I had a great car for the race. It's just unfortunate I got taken out by somebody else. It ripped my rear wheel off – it went flying in the air – so I just pulled over to the side of the track and had to stop. The half-shaft came out, everything came off. I felt that the car was pretty good; I'm pretty sure it would have been a podium [finish]."
Natacha Gachnang of St-Gingolph, Switzerland, qualified the No. 35 Mazda ninth in 1:03.168. She rocketed away from the green flag, quickly earning four positions. However, she, too, was caught in the mélée and limped back to pit lane with extensive damage to the nose of the car. With the bodywork caught under the car, she couldn't turn, so lost a lap in pit lane. Back on track, she ran faster than the leaders, but couldn't overcome the lap deficit. She finished 13th.
"The start was pretty good. I started ninth and at the end of the straight, I was fourth or fifth, so it was a really good start," she said. "But then [Jonathan] Goring touched my wheels and I did a half-spin and then Nick Haye arrived and took my nose. I had to go to the pit and change the nose, so when I got back on track I was one lap back. But the car was really good; I was really happy it was fast."
– www.aimautosport.com –
From Sylvia Proudfoot
Devin Cunningham of St-Bruno, Qué., started the No. 33 Discovery Channel Canada Pro Formula Mazda 13th on the 26-car grid after a difficult qualifying session that held his fastest lap to one minute 3.637 seconds on the 2.433-km street circuit. With setup changes made after qualifying, he charged ahead at the race start, gaining seven positions. His progress was for naught, though, as he had contact with a spinning competitor and lost the car's left-rear suspension. He watched the rest of the race from pit lane.
"It's a great track," he enthused. "It's pretty difficult to set the car up; it's an unconventional setup. It changed a lot from last year, so the old setups were sort of thrown out the window and we had to come up with something.
"I had a great car for the race. It's just unfortunate I got taken out by somebody else. It ripped my rear wheel off – it went flying in the air – so I just pulled over to the side of the track and had to stop. The half-shaft came out, everything came off. I felt that the car was pretty good; I'm pretty sure it would have been a podium [finish]."
Natacha Gachnang of St-Gingolph, Switzerland, qualified the No. 35 Mazda ninth in 1:03.168. She rocketed away from the green flag, quickly earning four positions. However, she, too, was caught in the mélée and limped back to pit lane with extensive damage to the nose of the car. With the bodywork caught under the car, she couldn't turn, so lost a lap in pit lane. Back on track, she ran faster than the leaders, but couldn't overcome the lap deficit. She finished 13th.
"The start was pretty good. I started ninth and at the end of the straight, I was fourth or fifth, so it was a really good start," she said. "But then [Jonathan] Goring touched my wheels and I did a half-spin and then Nick Haye arrived and took my nose. I had to go to the pit and change the nose, so when I got back on track I was one lap back. But the car was really good; I was really happy it was fast."
– www.aimautosport.com –
From Sylvia Proudfoot
NCATS: Refreshing win for Micks on Trois-Rivières
“We won the deal and that’s all that counts”
Trois-Rivières, Quebec (August 19, 2007) – It’s now two for two on the road circuits for skilled stock car driver Kerry Micks.
Driving the Beyond Digital Imaging Ford Taurus on Sunday the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières, Micks duked it out with a competitor on the last lap to win the event.
“I knew we had the car to beat from the onset of practice on Friday, we had something to prove after our dismal finish here last year,” said Micks after the race. “We were able to take the lead right from the start and keep it for the first 32 laps.”
Similar to his pass at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal two weeks ago in Montreal, Micks made a last lap maneuver to pass Andrew Ranger for the win, his second of the season after leading most of the race.
“I love a challenge, I always have,” he went on to say. “The Beyond Digital Imaging Micks Motorsports Team is tough. We like a good fight and we’re good at it.”
With this victory, Micks has won the final two road course events of the season.
Micks and Ranger were side by side on the final lap of the 1.53-mile, 10-turn course, but the seasoned pro was first to the checker flag by a mere .012 seconds in front of Ranger.
The caution came out on lap 35 of 41, setting up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish. With Micks in second place, he stalked the leader for the first lap of the two-lap finish waiting for an opportunity, which presented itself on turn eight of the final lap. Micks took the lead going into the final two turns.
“There was contact at the end that I’m not totally pleased with, but we won the deal and that’s all that counts,” added Micks from Mt. Albert, Ontario.
The win moved Micks into fourth position in the Top 10 Driver Points in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
“We need to stay focused going into the last four races of the season, to insure a strong finish in the points standings, today was a big boost.”
Trevor Seibert finished third behind Micks and Ranger, Jeff Lapcevich was fourth followed by Jim Lapcevich rounding out the top-five.
The next event for Micks Motorsports will be race nine in the 12-race NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Cayuga Speedway in Nelles Corners, Ontario on September 1.
For information about Cayuga Speedway call (866) 670-1958 or visit www.cayugaspeedwaypark.com
Beyond Digital Imaging Inc. (BDI), Canadian Detailing Services, Cathcart Trucking and APX Racing Gear and Incentives Inc., Nur America, and HP Canada are sponsors of Micks Motorsports.
From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher / Director of Public Relations
Trois-Rivières, Quebec (August 19, 2007) – It’s now two for two on the road circuits for skilled stock car driver Kerry Micks.
Driving the Beyond Digital Imaging Ford Taurus on Sunday the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in the Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières, Micks duked it out with a competitor on the last lap to win the event.
“I knew we had the car to beat from the onset of practice on Friday, we had something to prove after our dismal finish here last year,” said Micks after the race. “We were able to take the lead right from the start and keep it for the first 32 laps.”
Similar to his pass at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal two weeks ago in Montreal, Micks made a last lap maneuver to pass Andrew Ranger for the win, his second of the season after leading most of the race.
“I love a challenge, I always have,” he went on to say. “The Beyond Digital Imaging Micks Motorsports Team is tough. We like a good fight and we’re good at it.”
With this victory, Micks has won the final two road course events of the season.
Micks and Ranger were side by side on the final lap of the 1.53-mile, 10-turn course, but the seasoned pro was first to the checker flag by a mere .012 seconds in front of Ranger.
The caution came out on lap 35 of 41, setting up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish. With Micks in second place, he stalked the leader for the first lap of the two-lap finish waiting for an opportunity, which presented itself on turn eight of the final lap. Micks took the lead going into the final two turns.
“There was contact at the end that I’m not totally pleased with, but we won the deal and that’s all that counts,” added Micks from Mt. Albert, Ontario.
The win moved Micks into fourth position in the Top 10 Driver Points in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
“We need to stay focused going into the last four races of the season, to insure a strong finish in the points standings, today was a big boost.”
Trevor Seibert finished third behind Micks and Ranger, Jeff Lapcevich was fourth followed by Jim Lapcevich rounding out the top-five.
The next event for Micks Motorsports will be race nine in the 12-race NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Cayuga Speedway in Nelles Corners, Ontario on September 1.
For information about Cayuga Speedway call (866) 670-1958 or visit www.cayugaspeedwaypark.com
Beyond Digital Imaging Inc. (BDI), Canadian Detailing Services, Cathcart Trucking and APX Racing Gear and Incentives Inc., Nur America, and HP Canada are sponsors of Micks Motorsports.
From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher / Director of Public Relations
NCATS: CASTROL DODGE CAUGHT UP IN OTHERS' TROUBLES AT TROIS RIVIERES
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC – DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge Team came away disappointed at the last event due to a mechanical issue. Kennington and company were determined to return to top form during round eight at of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Trois Rivieres.
The Castrol Dodge Team began their weekend at the famed 10 turn street circuit looking to continue their strong season and establish a good starting spot for the main event during qualifying. Kennington would wheel the Castrol Dodge to the eleventh starting spot on the grid. “It wasn’t the qualifying we were hoping for but the car was consistent all through the session and we were happy about that” said Kennington.
Knowing from experience that this track can claim victims in a variety of ways Kennington began the 100km main event looking to stay in the hunt and pick up positions where a clear opportunity existed. “Off the start we were pretty good” he said. “The Castrol Dodge handled pretty much as we expected and I was able to gain a couple of positions and move into the top-ten which was nice”..
As hoped the Castrol Dodge posted consistent lap after lap and allowed Kennington to gain on the competitors ahead of him. Unfortunately as has been the case in the past for DJ it was other driver’s troubles that collected the Castrol Dodge. “I was just riding around we got hit from behind and that upset the car pretty bad. This track is so tight that it’s really hard to stay out of everybody’s trouble” said a disappointed driver.
Compounding the Castrol Dodge team’s problems further was the fact NASCAR officials ordered the team to pit lane to inspect the rear of the car that had sustained cosmetic body damage. “That really set us back said Car Chief Dave Whyte, I don’t know why they made that call I guess they were worried about something coming loose and falling on the race track”.
Undaunted by the setback Kennington began to put his years of racing experience to work moving the Castrol Dodge smartly around the track gaining positions. DJ would bring the battered car home with a twelfth place finish. “I guess it could have been worse, but still we finished outside the top-ten for the first time in six races and that’s a bit disappointing. But the points race is still really tight and we’ll be ready for Cayuga said Kennington.”
After eight races DJ Kennington and the Castrol Dodge Team sit fifth in the overall championship standings.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire series resumes action with four straight oval events to conclude the season beginning September 1st at Cayuga Speedway. The twelve race NCATS schedule features events from coast to coast in Canada including stops at the best ovals in the Country along with temporary street circuits in Edmonton and Trois Rivieres. Look for more information all season at www.nascar.ca All twelve races of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will also be broadcast on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: FULL THROTTLE FURY TEAM FIGHTS ITS WAY FORWARD AT TROIS RIVIERES
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC - Brad Graham and the Full Throttle Fury/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts team expected to retake their rightful place running up front in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series field as the team prepared for the final road race of the schedule. They would finish just outside the top-ten after a gritty effort by the entire team.
The weekend began with the Full Throttle Fury Dodge team battling through a number of mechanical issues that significantly hampered their ability to put in quality practice and qualifying laps. “It started with clutch problems on Friday,” said driver Brad Graham “and then during qualifying we had some issues with the brakes so we were really behind the eight ball for the start of this one”.
The challenges didn’t end there for the Full Throttle Fury team. As the green flag waved to begin racing Graham had issues early on getting the shifter into gear and Brad would turn onto pit lane for assistance. “As I got into pit lane I jammed the car into gear so I just kept going,” he stated. The Full Throttle Fury team wasn’t completely aware of the difficulties Brad was experiencing due to radio problems.
The transmission difficulties however were not solved, simply adjusted as Graham found himself stuck in third gear. “I tried to ride it out but at this tough track I just couldn’t keep up with the top guys.” The Full Throttle Fury team took advantage of a caution period to make a pit stop to go underneath the car and free up the shifter. “We were at the back after the stop but once they unstuck the shifter we were able to move up,” said the driver.
With a sound car finally underneath him for the first time in the weekend Graham was able to show the potential of the Full Throttle Fury Dodge and gained positions quickly. “The car felt great at that point and we could really show our stuff, I was really happy with how everyone stuck with it and got us going in the right direction.” The Full Throttle Dodge would gain fourteen spots from their starting position just missing out on a top-ten, finishing eleventh.
Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Team are back in action this coming weekend as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series runs the final road course event of the season at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All 12 races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
The weekend began with the Full Throttle Fury Dodge team battling through a number of mechanical issues that significantly hampered their ability to put in quality practice and qualifying laps. “It started with clutch problems on Friday,” said driver Brad Graham “and then during qualifying we had some issues with the brakes so we were really behind the eight ball for the start of this one”.
The challenges didn’t end there for the Full Throttle Fury team. As the green flag waved to begin racing Graham had issues early on getting the shifter into gear and Brad would turn onto pit lane for assistance. “As I got into pit lane I jammed the car into gear so I just kept going,” he stated. The Full Throttle Fury team wasn’t completely aware of the difficulties Brad was experiencing due to radio problems.
The transmission difficulties however were not solved, simply adjusted as Graham found himself stuck in third gear. “I tried to ride it out but at this tough track I just couldn’t keep up with the top guys.” The Full Throttle Fury team took advantage of a caution period to make a pit stop to go underneath the car and free up the shifter. “We were at the back after the stop but once they unstuck the shifter we were able to move up,” said the driver.
With a sound car finally underneath him for the first time in the weekend Graham was able to show the potential of the Full Throttle Fury Dodge and gained positions quickly. “The car felt great at that point and we could really show our stuff, I was really happy with how everyone stuck with it and got us going in the right direction.” The Full Throttle Dodge would gain fourteen spots from their starting position just missing out on a top-ten, finishing eleventh.
Brad Graham and the Full Throttle/Challenger Motor Freight/Logel’s Auto Parts Team are back in action this coming weekend as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series runs the final road course event of the season at the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres. For more information about the series log onto www.nascar.ca and for more news information about the team go to www.bradgraham.ca All 12 races this season will also be broadcast on TSN.
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: TEAM MOPAR DAY ENDS EARLY WITH CONTACT
August 19, 2007. The Mopar Parts Dodge team with Ron Beauchamp Jr at the wheel paid a visit to Trois Rivieres with the intent of putting their recent disappointments behind them and seeking consistent finishes for the balance of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season. Beauchamp has showed considerable road racing prowess during his career, however contact would shorten their day.
As practice began for teams on the storied 10 turn street circuit in Trois Rivieres the approach by Team Mopar was to be cautious and careful, improve the car and look to end their run of back breaks. Ron Beauchamp Jr. would post the 13th quickest qualifying time and start the race on the inside of row seven. “Our objective was to take it easy and get to the finish line this week” said the driver “so I didn’t push too hard early in the weekend” he added.
As the main event began Beauchamp was able to gain several positions and soon found himself inside the top-ten. “I was happy to move up a few spots but I was still taking it easy” said Beauchamp. “I was shifting very gently, letting the car ease into the corners and not taking any chances.”
The Mopar Parts Dodge was solidly in the top-ten as the laps ticked away. However the tight confines between the concrete barriers leave little room for error. As Ron Beauchamp looked to advance his position further other competitors made contact and Ron Jr. had no opportunity or racing room to avoid contact and crashed the left front of the Mopar Parts Dodge into the #17 Dodge. “I could see it happening off to the side and all I needed was just a few more inches and I could have avoided DJ (Kennington) but I ran out of room” said the frustrated competitor. “This is possibly the most frustrating season I’ve ever had racing. But as frustrated as this Mopar Team is, we want even more to show the kind of performance we’re capable of, and that’s what we’ll do when we get back on the ovals”.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will take next weekend off but return to action on Saturday September 1st at Cayuga Speedway. The 12 race schedule will take the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.
This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment
As practice began for teams on the storied 10 turn street circuit in Trois Rivieres the approach by Team Mopar was to be cautious and careful, improve the car and look to end their run of back breaks. Ron Beauchamp Jr. would post the 13th quickest qualifying time and start the race on the inside of row seven. “Our objective was to take it easy and get to the finish line this week” said the driver “so I didn’t push too hard early in the weekend” he added.
As the main event began Beauchamp was able to gain several positions and soon found himself inside the top-ten. “I was happy to move up a few spots but I was still taking it easy” said Beauchamp. “I was shifting very gently, letting the car ease into the corners and not taking any chances.”
The Mopar Parts Dodge was solidly in the top-ten as the laps ticked away. However the tight confines between the concrete barriers leave little room for error. As Ron Beauchamp looked to advance his position further other competitors made contact and Ron Jr. had no opportunity or racing room to avoid contact and crashed the left front of the Mopar Parts Dodge into the #17 Dodge. “I could see it happening off to the side and all I needed was just a few more inches and I could have avoided DJ (Kennington) but I ran out of room” said the frustrated competitor. “This is possibly the most frustrating season I’ve ever had racing. But as frustrated as this Mopar Team is, we want even more to show the kind of performance we’re capable of, and that’s what we’ll do when we get back on the ovals”.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will take next weekend off but return to action on Saturday September 1st at Cayuga Speedway. The 12 race schedule will take the teams from coast to coast and will consist of ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits. For the complete schedule, results and other information log onto www.nascar.ca You will also be able to watch all twelve races this season on TSN.
This release prepared by, TL Sports & Entertainment
NCATS: TREMENDOUS TEAM EFFORT ALLOWS HOME HARDWARE CHEVROLET TO FINISH IN TOP FIFTEEN
August 19, 2007. Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware Chevrolet team scored their second victory of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) season a week ago and were intent on keeping the momentum going as the series final road racing event of the season took place at Trois Rivieres. A bite from a concrete wall would take them out of contention.
The Home Hardware Chevy team worked hard to prepare a strong and consistent car for Thomson who would qualify in the top ten as he’s done for every event this season. “We didn’t have the fastest car but I was consistent every lap out their” said Thomson. “That’s what you have to have at this place” he added.
Once competition in the 100km race began Thomson and the Home Hardware Chevy held to form posting consistent times. However as Thomson tried to push the car a little harder he grazed the right front against the concrete, and the wall almost seemed to suck the car in causing significant damage to the suspension. “I just got a little too close and caught the wall” shrugged the driver.
Thomson immediately hit pit road for attention by the Home Hardware Crew who made repairs in quick order, and with the aid of a yellow flag caution period only went down two laps.
As Thomson returned to the track to resume competition he worked his way past many cars and with the aid of the NASCAR free pass was able to get back on the lead lap. After an extraordinary effort by the entire Home Hardware team they would claim a fourteenth place finish. “It’s not a great finish that we’re pleased with” said Thomson “but with the troubles we had it says a lot about this team that they even got me back out there. That was a great job by all the guys today”.
Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team are second in the championship point standings after eight events.
The NCATS run a 12 event schedule on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. You can watch all twelve races this season on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
The Home Hardware Chevy team worked hard to prepare a strong and consistent car for Thomson who would qualify in the top ten as he’s done for every event this season. “We didn’t have the fastest car but I was consistent every lap out their” said Thomson. “That’s what you have to have at this place” he added.
Once competition in the 100km race began Thomson and the Home Hardware Chevy held to form posting consistent times. However as Thomson tried to push the car a little harder he grazed the right front against the concrete, and the wall almost seemed to suck the car in causing significant damage to the suspension. “I just got a little too close and caught the wall” shrugged the driver.
Thomson immediately hit pit road for attention by the Home Hardware Crew who made repairs in quick order, and with the aid of a yellow flag caution period only went down two laps.
As Thomson returned to the track to resume competition he worked his way past many cars and with the aid of the NASCAR free pass was able to get back on the lead lap. After an extraordinary effort by the entire Home Hardware team they would claim a fourteenth place finish. “It’s not a great finish that we’re pleased with” said Thomson “but with the troubles we had it says a lot about this team that they even got me back out there. That was a great job by all the guys today”.
Don Thomson Jr. and the Home Hardware team are second in the championship point standings after eight events.
The NCATS run a 12 event schedule on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits across Canada. You can watch all twelve races this season on TSN. For information about the NCATS including schedule, results and more, log onto www.nascar.ca
This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment
EIR: 'Faster Pastor' postponed by rain to Aug. 25
WETASKIWIN, AB – Due to dreary weather conditions, Edmonton Int'l Raceway's Faster Pastor Race Event has been rescheduled to Saturday, August 25, 2007.
Over 15 Pastors are confirmed for this event, the Edmonton Int'l Raceway (EIR) Claimer Car Racers will be loaning their cars to the Pastors to compete in this event. Pastors from all over Alberta will be competing for the chance to win first place and a $500 donation to their Church.
This is a very unique Annual Event at Edmonton and Area's only paved oval and NASCAR Sanctioned race track, Pastors bring members from their congregations to cheer them on and the Fans can expect to see some very competitive racing from these particpants!
Gates open at 4 pm ... Racing begins at 6 pm
Also on the Racing Card Saturday night include: The NASCAR K-Rock Thunder Car 100 Special, Baby Grand Stock Cars, NASCAR Super Late Model Twin Features, Osman Auction-Family Motors Claimer Cars.
From EIR
NCATS: Hathaway Posts Another Top 10 at Trois Rivieres
August 19, 2007 - Trois Rivieres, Quebec- Team 3 Red/EHR and driver Jason Hathaway competed in their last road course of the 2007 Canadian Tire Series this weekend at the Grand Prix de Trois Rivieres. With strong previous year's results at this event the Team was determined to come away with a strong finish.
The three day event began Friday afternoon with practice. The #3 Snap on Tools Dodge practiced well and the team ended their day posted 15th overall on the timing and scoring board. After practice Hathaway commented on his hopes for the weekend. "We did well here last year and I am looking forward to having a great event here this weekend. This is a pretty technical track and there isn't a whole bunch of room for error here."
In qualifying Hathaway put down the fastest lap the Team had turned all weekend on the 10-turn street circuit, placing second fastest in their group of qualifiers, qualifying in the 16th spot in a very tight time wise field of 28 cars. The green flag dropped on the 42 lap event on Sunday morning and all eyes were on the first corner of the first lap. Last years' event showcased a huge first lap, first turn accident collecting a number of cars. This weekend's start was clean and the field got through the first corner without a problem.
By the half way point, Hathaway was running in the 13th spot and fighting for position with the 29 car. A number of accidents collected cars, but spotting by team member Rich Hischer helped Hathaway get through accidents throughout the race. Some great driving by Team 3 Red/EHR driver Hathaway brought him all the way up to 9th in the finishing order.
The Team Crew Chief Giulio Montanari was pretty happy with the day. "We had a great result here today. Jason did a great job on the track in his Snap on Tools Dodge and kept the car in one piece. The crew worked well this weekend and everyone's efforts helped us to solidify our points standing. Now that the road courses are done for the season we will get a chance to really finish strong with the next four oval races."
Wrapping up his day after the race Hathaway said "We had a plan today to be patient and let the field shake out and then start making our way toward the front. We set out the plan and it worked out great for us. We had a great result today for this Team and our sponsors and we can't wait to get to the last 4 ovals of the year."
It was a great points event for Team 3 Red/EHR and helped to solidify the Team's 8th place points standing and move them closer to the 7th spot. Team 3 Red/EHR will have the next few weeks off to prepare their equipment for the first of 4 in a row races to finish the 2007 season. Next up on the schedule will be the Subway 200 under the lights at Cayuga Speedway September 1, 2007.
Team 3 Red/EHR is proud to be associated with their great sponsors and supporters. Team 3 Red/EHR thanks Snap-on Tools, Super 8 Motels, Advantex Freight Forwarders, Fast Eddie Racewear and Choko Motorsports, Briggs & Stratton, Castrol, Napoleon Fireplaces & Barbeques and Xilarate Sports Fluid, BOSCH Canada and The Busted Knuckle Garage. For more information on our sponsors please visit our website at www.team3red.com.
From Jamie Hakonson // Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing
The three day event began Friday afternoon with practice. The #3 Snap on Tools Dodge practiced well and the team ended their day posted 15th overall on the timing and scoring board. After practice Hathaway commented on his hopes for the weekend. "We did well here last year and I am looking forward to having a great event here this weekend. This is a pretty technical track and there isn't a whole bunch of room for error here."
In qualifying Hathaway put down the fastest lap the Team had turned all weekend on the 10-turn street circuit, placing second fastest in their group of qualifiers, qualifying in the 16th spot in a very tight time wise field of 28 cars. The green flag dropped on the 42 lap event on Sunday morning and all eyes were on the first corner of the first lap. Last years' event showcased a huge first lap, first turn accident collecting a number of cars. This weekend's start was clean and the field got through the first corner without a problem.
By the half way point, Hathaway was running in the 13th spot and fighting for position with the 29 car. A number of accidents collected cars, but spotting by team member Rich Hischer helped Hathaway get through accidents throughout the race. Some great driving by Team 3 Red/EHR driver Hathaway brought him all the way up to 9th in the finishing order.
The Team Crew Chief Giulio Montanari was pretty happy with the day. "We had a great result here today. Jason did a great job on the track in his Snap on Tools Dodge and kept the car in one piece. The crew worked well this weekend and everyone's efforts helped us to solidify our points standing. Now that the road courses are done for the season we will get a chance to really finish strong with the next four oval races."
Wrapping up his day after the race Hathaway said "We had a plan today to be patient and let the field shake out and then start making our way toward the front. We set out the plan and it worked out great for us. We had a great result today for this Team and our sponsors and we can't wait to get to the last 4 ovals of the year."
It was a great points event for Team 3 Red/EHR and helped to solidify the Team's 8th place points standing and move them closer to the 7th spot. Team 3 Red/EHR will have the next few weeks off to prepare their equipment for the first of 4 in a row races to finish the 2007 season. Next up on the schedule will be the Subway 200 under the lights at Cayuga Speedway September 1, 2007.
Team 3 Red/EHR is proud to be associated with their great sponsors and supporters. Team 3 Red/EHR thanks Snap-on Tools, Super 8 Motels, Advantex Freight Forwarders, Fast Eddie Racewear and Choko Motorsports, Briggs & Stratton, Castrol, Napoleon Fireplaces & Barbeques and Xilarate Sports Fluid, BOSCH Canada and The Busted Knuckle Garage. For more information on our sponsors please visit our website at www.team3red.com.
From Jamie Hakonson // Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing
OSCAAR: Tiemersma wins again... this time at Mosport
Oscaar's 2007 rookie of the year candidate, Derrick Tiemersma (Newmarket, Ont.) took his third win of 2007, at Mosport Speedway this past Saturday night. He was followed closely by 2006 Oscaar Champion John Fletcher (Milton, Ont.) and Glen Watson (Barrie, Ont.).
With only three events left in what has been Oscaar's most competitive season since its inception - the series has had six different feature winners in nine events - it looks like Tiemersma has the Rookie of the Year honours wrapped up.
And with a large lead in the championship points, the overall title might be his to lose if he runs into DNF trouble in the homestretch.
The remaining dates on the OSCAAR schedule are: Peterborough Speedway Sept. 1st, Flamboro Speedway Sept. 29-30 and the always exciting, Autumn Colours Classic on the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend at Peterborough's 1/3 mile bullring.
With only three events left in what has been Oscaar's most competitive season since its inception - the series has had six different feature winners in nine events - it looks like Tiemersma has the Rookie of the Year honours wrapped up.
And with a large lead in the championship points, the overall title might be his to lose if he runs into DNF trouble in the homestretch.
The remaining dates on the OSCAAR schedule are: Peterborough Speedway Sept. 1st, Flamboro Speedway Sept. 29-30 and the always exciting, Autumn Colours Classic on the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend at Peterborough's 1/3 mile bullring.
NCATS: MICKS OUTDUELS RANGER TO WIN GP3R 100
TROIS-RIVIERES, QC (Aug. 19, 2007) – All the focus heading into the race was on the youngsters, Andrew Ranger (No. 27 Ford) and J.R. Fitzpatrick (No. 84 Milwaukee Electric Tools Chevrolet), but it was the veteran Kerry Micks (No. 02 Beyond Digital Imaging Ford), who emerged victorious in Sunday’s GP3R 100 at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres.
In a virtual repeat of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve race two weeks ago in Montreal, Micks had to use a last lap pass of Ranger for the win after leading the way for much of the race. The two cars headed out of the final turn on the 1.53-mile, 10-turn course door to door with Micks crossing the finish line just .012 of a second ahead of Ranger in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio event.
Ranger completed a pass of Micks, who had led the whole race, on lap 32. The caution flag waved on lap 35, when Alex Tagliani (No. 8 Gain/Wal-Mart Chevrolet) made contact with the wall while running in the second position, setting up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish. Micks assumed the second position and stayed on the rear deck lid of the Ranger machine for the first lap of the two-lap battle.
On the final lap, Ranger was intent on holding off the advances of Micks, but he slid the car to the outside of turn eight giving Micks an opportunity to make a move. Micks, who hails from Mt. Albert, Ontario, took full advantage and was able to take a small lead into the final two turns. The two cars made repeated contact from that point on. They crossed the finish line virtually hooked together before sliding into the turn-one tire barrier.
“The finish was a little rough and not the way that either one of us wanted to end it,” said the victorious Micks. “That’s just the way it goes sometimes, though. We both wanted to win very badly. (Ranger) is a heck of a driver. It was quite a battle.”
Micks won the final two of the four road course events on the Canadian Tire Series schedule. The other two were taken by Ranger and Fitzpatrick.
“I love road course racing. It’s so challenging from both car set-up and driving standpoints,” said Micks. “And this track is about as demanding as it gets. It’s very technical and there’s not a lot of room out there.”
He came into the event very determined. A year ago while racing under the banner of the CASCAR Super Series, Micks won the pole, but blew the motor on the first lap.
“We had some unfinished business here, no doubt about it,” he stated.
Ranger, a crowd favorite racing in his native Quebec, completed a pass of Micks on lap 22, but Kent Nuhn (No. 09 The Fuel Genie/Nuhn’s Auto Recyclers) was stalled on the track at the entrance to pit road which brought out a full-field caution. Canadian Tire Series rules stipulate that the race lineup reverts back to the running order of the last green flag lap once the caution is displayed. Therefore, Micks was placed in front of Ranger before the subsequent re-start.
Once Ranger did work past Micks on lap 32, many in the crowd in excess of 16,000 were on their feet rooting for the home-grown favorite.
“After we just missed in Montreal, I really wanted to win this one for the great race fans of Quebec,” said Ranger. “I got into the lead and was driving really hard. I was driving it deep into the corners and on the brakes very hard. We had the problem with the motor in practice and it gave us some problems when we rolled out on to the track to start the race, but it was awesome during the race. “I’m not at all happy how this ended, but it was a good day for us in the points and we’ll go on from here.”
Trevor Seibert (No. 69 Lake Excavating/EMCO Waterworks Ford) made the trek east from his home base of Williams Lake, B.C. and it paid off. He started the race in the eighth position, played the patience game and took home the third-place trophy.
“I probably had the best view of anybody for that wild finish. I didn’t need to stick my nose in there because three is definitely a crowd,” Seibert said. “We’re really pleased with this performance. We put this deal together pretty late to run the four road events, but it’s been a blast. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Horton’s/EMCEA Transport Chevrolet) notched his first top-five finish of the season by crossing the line in fourth. He was followed by his brother Jim (No. 25 EMCEA Transport/Tim Horton’s Chevrolet) in fifth, who also collected his first 2007 top five.
Fitzpatrick started the race on the pole but was knocked out of contention for the win early on in the race.
On lap 18, he, Scott Steckly (No. 22 Erb Group Dodge) and Robin Buck (No. 88 Ron’s Burner Service/Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity Ford) all made contact leaving Fitzpatrick and Steckly facing the wrong way on the counter-clockwise course. Both were able to continue, but any hopes of a win were out the window.
Fitzpatrick, Pierre Bourque, Steckly, Jason Hathaway and local Trois-Rivieres driver Jean Francois Dumoulin rounded out the top 10.
The race was slowed by five caution periods covering 18 laps. Micks and Ranger were the only two race leaders. Micks led 33 laps while Ranger paced the field for eight. Despite the disappointing second-place finish for Ranger, he extended his unofficial lead over Don Thomson Jr. (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) in the championship point standings from 37 to 91 points.
Thomson’s lead over the third, fourth and fifth-place drivers of Fitzpatrick, Micks and D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Krispy Kreme Dodge) covers a span of just 21 points.
The Canadian Tire Series takes a well-deserved weekend off before closing the season with four races, all on oval tracks, in the first four weekends of September. Next up is a September 1 date at Cayugua Speedway Park for the Subway 200.
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES - GP3R 100
UNOFFICIAL Results
Sunday At Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
Lap length: 1.53 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (4) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ontario, Ford, 41 laps, 53.086 mph, $5,000.
2. (2) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ford, 41, $2,900.
3. (8) Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Ford, 41, $2,540.
4. (9) Jeff Lapcevich, Caistor Centre, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $2,275.
5. (15) Jim Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $1,820.
6. (1) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $3,150.
7. (23) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $3,560.
8. (5) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $2,775.
9. (16) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $2,450.
10. (17) Jean Francois Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Pontiac, 41, $1,400.
11. (25) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,690.
12. (11) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,370.
13. (18) Derek Lynch, Warkworth, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,070.
14. (7) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $1,030.
15. (12) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $980.
16. (22) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $945.
17. (24) Doug Brown, Brantford, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $910.
18. (21) Ron Van Es, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $875.
19. (10) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $840.
20. (26) Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $805.
21. (14) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $770.
22. (28) David Thorndyke, Oshawa, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $770.
23. (3) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie, Quebec, Chevrolet, 36, suspension, $770.
24. (27) Andre Coursol, St. Jerome, Quebec, Chevrolet, 34, motor, $770.
25. (6) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ontario, Ford, 27, suspension, $770.
26. (20) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ontario, Pontiac, 21, drive shaft, $770.
27. (19) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ontario, Pontiac, 19, clutch, $770.
28. (13) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ontario, Dodge, 10, suspension, $770.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 10 minutes 54 seconds
Margin of Victory: .012 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: J.R. Fitzpatrick. (80.323mph, 68.573 seconds)
Caution Flags: 5 for 18 laps.
Lead Changes: 2 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: K.Micks 1-32; A.Ranger 33-40; K.Micks 41.
Standings: 1. A.Ranger, 1292; 2. D.Thomson,Jr., 1201; 3. J.Fitzpatrick, 1190; 4. K.Micks, 1185; 5. D.Kennington, 1180; 6. P.Gibbons, 1157; 7. M.Dilley, 1129; 8. J.Hathaway, 1075; 9. D.Lynch, 1057; 10. S.Steckly, 1046.
From NASCAR Public Relations
In a virtual repeat of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve race two weeks ago in Montreal, Micks had to use a last lap pass of Ranger for the win after leading the way for much of the race. The two cars headed out of the final turn on the 1.53-mile, 10-turn course door to door with Micks crossing the finish line just .012 of a second ahead of Ranger in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Sirius Satellite Radio event.
Ranger completed a pass of Micks, who had led the whole race, on lap 32. The caution flag waved on lap 35, when Alex Tagliani (No. 8 Gain/Wal-Mart Chevrolet) made contact with the wall while running in the second position, setting up a green-white-checkered dash to the finish. Micks assumed the second position and stayed on the rear deck lid of the Ranger machine for the first lap of the two-lap battle.
On the final lap, Ranger was intent on holding off the advances of Micks, but he slid the car to the outside of turn eight giving Micks an opportunity to make a move. Micks, who hails from Mt. Albert, Ontario, took full advantage and was able to take a small lead into the final two turns. The two cars made repeated contact from that point on. They crossed the finish line virtually hooked together before sliding into the turn-one tire barrier.
“The finish was a little rough and not the way that either one of us wanted to end it,” said the victorious Micks. “That’s just the way it goes sometimes, though. We both wanted to win very badly. (Ranger) is a heck of a driver. It was quite a battle.”
Micks won the final two of the four road course events on the Canadian Tire Series schedule. The other two were taken by Ranger and Fitzpatrick.
“I love road course racing. It’s so challenging from both car set-up and driving standpoints,” said Micks. “And this track is about as demanding as it gets. It’s very technical and there’s not a lot of room out there.”
He came into the event very determined. A year ago while racing under the banner of the CASCAR Super Series, Micks won the pole, but blew the motor on the first lap.
“We had some unfinished business here, no doubt about it,” he stated.
Ranger, a crowd favorite racing in his native Quebec, completed a pass of Micks on lap 22, but Kent Nuhn (No. 09 The Fuel Genie/Nuhn’s Auto Recyclers) was stalled on the track at the entrance to pit road which brought out a full-field caution. Canadian Tire Series rules stipulate that the race lineup reverts back to the running order of the last green flag lap once the caution is displayed. Therefore, Micks was placed in front of Ranger before the subsequent re-start.
Once Ranger did work past Micks on lap 32, many in the crowd in excess of 16,000 were on their feet rooting for the home-grown favorite.
“After we just missed in Montreal, I really wanted to win this one for the great race fans of Quebec,” said Ranger. “I got into the lead and was driving really hard. I was driving it deep into the corners and on the brakes very hard. We had the problem with the motor in practice and it gave us some problems when we rolled out on to the track to start the race, but it was awesome during the race. “I’m not at all happy how this ended, but it was a good day for us in the points and we’ll go on from here.”
Trevor Seibert (No. 69 Lake Excavating/EMCO Waterworks Ford) made the trek east from his home base of Williams Lake, B.C. and it paid off. He started the race in the eighth position, played the patience game and took home the third-place trophy.
“I probably had the best view of anybody for that wild finish. I didn’t need to stick my nose in there because three is definitely a crowd,” Seibert said. “We’re really pleased with this performance. We put this deal together pretty late to run the four road events, but it’s been a blast. We’re already looking forward to next year.”
Jeff Lapcevich (No. 23 Tim Horton’s/EMCEA Transport Chevrolet) notched his first top-five finish of the season by crossing the line in fourth. He was followed by his brother Jim (No. 25 EMCEA Transport/Tim Horton’s Chevrolet) in fifth, who also collected his first 2007 top five.
Fitzpatrick started the race on the pole but was knocked out of contention for the win early on in the race.
On lap 18, he, Scott Steckly (No. 22 Erb Group Dodge) and Robin Buck (No. 88 Ron’s Burner Service/Jennifer Ashleigh Children’s Charity Ford) all made contact leaving Fitzpatrick and Steckly facing the wrong way on the counter-clockwise course. Both were able to continue, but any hopes of a win were out the window.
Fitzpatrick, Pierre Bourque, Steckly, Jason Hathaway and local Trois-Rivieres driver Jean Francois Dumoulin rounded out the top 10.
The race was slowed by five caution periods covering 18 laps. Micks and Ranger were the only two race leaders. Micks led 33 laps while Ranger paced the field for eight. Despite the disappointing second-place finish for Ranger, he extended his unofficial lead over Don Thomson Jr. (No. 4 Home Hardware Chevrolet) in the championship point standings from 37 to 91 points.
Thomson’s lead over the third, fourth and fifth-place drivers of Fitzpatrick, Micks and D.J. Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Krispy Kreme Dodge) covers a span of just 21 points.
The Canadian Tire Series takes a well-deserved weekend off before closing the season with four races, all on oval tracks, in the first four weekends of September. Next up is a September 1 date at Cayugua Speedway Park for the Subway 200.
NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES - GP3R 100
UNOFFICIAL Results
Sunday At Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres
Trois-Rivieres, Quebec
Lap length: 1.53 miles
(Start position in parentheses)
1. (4) Kerry Micks, Mt. Albert, Ontario, Ford, 41 laps, 53.086 mph, $5,000.
2. (2) Andrew Ranger, Roxton Pond, Quebec, Ford, 41, $2,900.
3. (8) Trevor Seibert, Williams Lake, British Columbia, Ford, 41, $2,540.
4. (9) Jeff Lapcevich, Caistor Centre, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $2,275.
5. (15) Jim Lapcevich, Hamilton, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $1,820.
6. (1) J.R. Fitzpatrick, Cambridge, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $3,150.
7. (23) Pierre Bourque, Ottawa, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $3,560.
8. (5) Scott Steckly, Milverton, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $2,775.
9. (16) Jason Hathaway, Appin, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $2,450.
10. (17) Jean Francois Dumoulin, Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Pontiac, 41, $1,400.
11. (25) Brad Graham, Glencoe, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,690.
12. (11) D.J. Kennington, St. Thomas, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,370.
13. (18) Derek Lynch, Warkworth, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $1,070.
14. (7) Don Thomson, Jr., Ayr, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $1,030.
15. (12) Peter Gibbons, Stouffville, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $980.
16. (22) John Gaunt, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $945.
17. (24) Doug Brown, Brantford, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $910.
18. (21) Ron Van Es, Stoney Creek, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $875.
19. (10) Mark Dilley, Barrie, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $840.
20. (26) Dave Connelly, Arnprior, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $805.
21. (14) Dave Whitlock, Petrolia, Ontario, Dodge, 41, $770.
22. (28) David Thorndyke, Oshawa, Ontario, Chevrolet, 41, $770.
23. (3) Alex Tagliani, Lachenaie, Quebec, Chevrolet, 36, suspension, $770.
24. (27) Andre Coursol, St. Jerome, Quebec, Chevrolet, 34, motor, $770.
25. (6) Robin Buck, Campbellville, Ontario, Ford, 27, suspension, $770.
26. (20) Kent Nuhn, Williamsford, Ontario, Pontiac, 21, drive shaft, $770.
27. (19) Peter Klutt, Halton Hills, Ontario, Pontiac, 19, clutch, $770.
28. (13) Ron Beauchamp, Jr., Windsor, Ontario, Dodge, 10, suspension, $770.
Race Statistics
Time of Race: 1 hour 10 minutes 54 seconds
Margin of Victory: .012 seconds
Fastest Qualifier: J.R. Fitzpatrick. (80.323mph, 68.573 seconds)
Caution Flags: 5 for 18 laps.
Lead Changes: 2 among 2 drivers.
Lap Leaders: K.Micks 1-32; A.Ranger 33-40; K.Micks 41.
Standings: 1. A.Ranger, 1292; 2. D.Thomson,Jr., 1201; 3. J.Fitzpatrick, 1190; 4. K.Micks, 1185; 5. D.Kennington, 1180; 6. P.Gibbons, 1157; 7. M.Dilley, 1129; 8. J.Hathaway, 1075; 9. D.Lynch, 1057; 10. S.Steckly, 1046.
From NASCAR Public Relations
HYUNDAI CANADA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH ANTOINE L’ESTAGE
Canadian Rally Car Champ clinched 2006 title in a Hyundai Tiburon
TORONTO, ON - Hyundai Canada today announced their thrilling new partnership with Canadian Rally Car Champion Antoine L’Estage. The announcement was made in conjunction with the launch of Hyundai’s new performance parts line - an exciting collection of parts and accessories for Hyundai’s performance enthusiasts further demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to racing performance in Canada.
“Antoine embodies everything we were inspired by when designing our performance parts line – speed, attitude and performance, said John Vernile, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Hyundai Canada. “We’re very proud to have Antoine personify the Hyundai experience.”
The partnership provides support for L’Estage’s racing efforts, including a significant upgrade to his winning racing vehicle, a Hyundai Tiburon, and comes on the heels of his 2006 Canadian Rally Championship. L’Estage brought home the Drivers’ title behind the wheel of his AWD Hyundai Tiburon, and in doing so, earned the Manufacturers' title for Hyundai Canada. L’Estage currently leads the 2007 Canadian Rally Championships.
“I’ve been competing in Hyundai vehicles for over five years and am proud to be one of only a few rally racers to have won every event in the Canadian Championship,” said L’Estage. ”Not only does Hyundai manufacture a winner’s car, they put their passion behind the people who drive them.”
Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.
Hyundai Auto Canada Corp., operating as Hyundai Auto Canada and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is the exclusive distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Canada. Hyundai automobiles, minivans, sport utility vehicles and approved accessories are sold and serviced through more than 169 authorized independent retailers nationwide.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact: Hyundai Auto Canada // Public Relations Department, (905) 477-0202 // Press Service: Coyote Rallye, (514) 825-4332
NASCAR NEXTEL CUP: 3M Performance 400 Update.... noon time scrubbed by weather
BROOKLYN, MI - The noon start time for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series 3M Performance 400 at Michigan Int'l Speedway has been pushed back.
NASCAR and track officials will meet at 11:30 a.m. and provide another update shortly after that time.
Stay tuned to MISpeedway.com, WJR 760 AM, ESPN television, the SPEED Channel, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and MIS’ hotline at 800-354-1010 for the latest information.
# # #
Media contact: Sammie Lukaskiewicz, MIS director of Communications
NASCAR and track officials will meet at 11:30 a.m. and provide another update shortly after that time.
Stay tuned to MISpeedway.com, WJR 760 AM, ESPN television, the SPEED Channel, SIRIUS Satellite Radio and MIS’ hotline at 800-354-1010 for the latest information.
# # #
Media contact: Sammie Lukaskiewicz, MIS director of Communications
Wittmer Brothers Power Past Competition in Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series ST Race at Trois-Rivieres
TROIS-RIVIERES, Quebec, Canada (August 18, 2007) – Nick Wittmer showed his strength on the circuit at Trois-Rivieres in qualifying in the morning and was joined in the afternoon by his brother Kuno Wittmer to complete a dominating day at the Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres with a near flag-to-flag win in Saturday’s Grand-Am KONI Challenge race in the No. 31 i-MOTO Racing Acura TSX.
“The hometown crowd here is awesome as usual,” said Nick Wittmer who joins his brother in being natives of nearby Hudson, Quebec. “I have raced here three times and have managed to pull a hat trick. I have loved it here from the moment I stepped on the track in 2004. It was awesome to have the opportunity to bring home a win while driving with my brother.”
Taking the lead from the start after qualifying on the pole nearly a second faster than the competition, Nick Wittmer set the tone for the team’s performance at the drop of the green flag. He quickly opened up to a five second lead in the race’s first lap and both brothers later led by nearly 30 seconds at times throughout the race. They lost the lead only briefly during scheduled pit stops and led all but four of the race’s 93 laps. The winners crossed the finish line 28.446 seconds ahead of the No. 76 Kensai Racing Acura TSX of Billy Johnson and Karl Thomson. Third place went to the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW 330i of Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood.
“Where else is better to be than here at Trois-Rivieres, the crowd is great and so is the track,” Kuno Wittmer said. “Hats off to my brother, he led almost an hour and a half, and really showed his performance and gave me a great car to bring home for a win. With nine or 10 laps to go we had a 30 second lead so I slowed down three seconds a lap. The car was really handling well and the braking with the Cobalt Friction Brakes worked well all the way to the end.”
Johnson was one of only three cars to lead today’s race and was up front for three laps before giving the lead back to Nick Wittmer during a pit stop in Lap 70. Towards the end of the race, however, the No. 76 entry began to slow with brake wear and Johnson nursed the car home which extended the winner’s margin of victory.
“We decided to try a slightly different pit strategy to get Billy out in some clean air, which we knew was very important,” said Thomson, who handed the Acura over to Johnson on lap three. “The Kensai car was put together really well and it was just a matter of managing the brakes until the end, and Billy did a great job with that especially in the last three laps.”
After qualifying in 13th position, Thomson gained three spots before pitting and the strategy proved to be successful. Johnson picked off each competitor on his way to the lead, and was running in third behind the sister No. 75 Kensai Racing Acura TSX of Benoit Theetge and Beau Buisson late in the race. On the 78th lap, Buisson lost a wheel at Turn 8, ending the day for the No. 75 entry and handing second position over to Johnson.
“We were trying to keep the car in one piece and at the same time keep the No. 95 BMW behind us for championship points,” Johnson said. “We really wanted a yellow to bunch everyone back up and be able to push for a win, but we didn’t get one. The team did a great job and we will look forward to the next race at Miller Motorsports Park.”
The No. 75 Acura’s wheel failure also allowed Hopwood to podium in the Turner BMW. Hopwood and Burrows are currently leading the driver championship in the ST class and are no strangers to the podium, but the duo are still searching for their first win this season.
“We were obviously hoping to grow our lead here this weekend, but after how this race started for us we’re happy to at least hold onto the top spot,” said Hopwood. “I think we might have been too conservative at the end, we probably would have had something for them at the end but that’s racing. I have to thank Turner for giving us a great car. We knew this was going to be a bit of a survival race and it was great how the Stoptech brakes held up for us all the way to the end.”
Today’s finish narrows the championship lead between second-place Johnson and Thomson and points leaders Burrows and Hopwood to just four points at 260-256. With just two rounds remaining, the championship is still in the reach of either team.
The Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres will wrap up with the Sunday’s GS race at 3:00 p.m. Following this weekend’s event, the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series will appear again at Miller Motorsports Park for a combined race on August 14, and will conclude the 2007 season with split six-hour races at Virginia International Raceway on October 6 and 7.
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For additional information contact Grand-Am
Adam Saal, Managing Director of Communications, 386-947-6681, asaal@grand-am.com
Reece White, Public Relations Manager, 386-681-4182, rwhite@grand-am.com
Michael Harker, Public Relations Coordinator, 386-681-6379, mharker@grand-am.com
“The hometown crowd here is awesome as usual,” said Nick Wittmer who joins his brother in being natives of nearby Hudson, Quebec. “I have raced here three times and have managed to pull a hat trick. I have loved it here from the moment I stepped on the track in 2004. It was awesome to have the opportunity to bring home a win while driving with my brother.”
Taking the lead from the start after qualifying on the pole nearly a second faster than the competition, Nick Wittmer set the tone for the team’s performance at the drop of the green flag. He quickly opened up to a five second lead in the race’s first lap and both brothers later led by nearly 30 seconds at times throughout the race. They lost the lead only briefly during scheduled pit stops and led all but four of the race’s 93 laps. The winners crossed the finish line 28.446 seconds ahead of the No. 76 Kensai Racing Acura TSX of Billy Johnson and Karl Thomson. Third place went to the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW 330i of Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood.
“Where else is better to be than here at Trois-Rivieres, the crowd is great and so is the track,” Kuno Wittmer said. “Hats off to my brother, he led almost an hour and a half, and really showed his performance and gave me a great car to bring home for a win. With nine or 10 laps to go we had a 30 second lead so I slowed down three seconds a lap. The car was really handling well and the braking with the Cobalt Friction Brakes worked well all the way to the end.”
Johnson was one of only three cars to lead today’s race and was up front for three laps before giving the lead back to Nick Wittmer during a pit stop in Lap 70. Towards the end of the race, however, the No. 76 entry began to slow with brake wear and Johnson nursed the car home which extended the winner’s margin of victory.
“We decided to try a slightly different pit strategy to get Billy out in some clean air, which we knew was very important,” said Thomson, who handed the Acura over to Johnson on lap three. “The Kensai car was put together really well and it was just a matter of managing the brakes until the end, and Billy did a great job with that especially in the last three laps.”
After qualifying in 13th position, Thomson gained three spots before pitting and the strategy proved to be successful. Johnson picked off each competitor on his way to the lead, and was running in third behind the sister No. 75 Kensai Racing Acura TSX of Benoit Theetge and Beau Buisson late in the race. On the 78th lap, Buisson lost a wheel at Turn 8, ending the day for the No. 75 entry and handing second position over to Johnson.
“We were trying to keep the car in one piece and at the same time keep the No. 95 BMW behind us for championship points,” Johnson said. “We really wanted a yellow to bunch everyone back up and be able to push for a win, but we didn’t get one. The team did a great job and we will look forward to the next race at Miller Motorsports Park.”
The No. 75 Acura’s wheel failure also allowed Hopwood to podium in the Turner BMW. Hopwood and Burrows are currently leading the driver championship in the ST class and are no strangers to the podium, but the duo are still searching for their first win this season.
“We were obviously hoping to grow our lead here this weekend, but after how this race started for us we’re happy to at least hold onto the top spot,” said Hopwood. “I think we might have been too conservative at the end, we probably would have had something for them at the end but that’s racing. I have to thank Turner for giving us a great car. We knew this was going to be a bit of a survival race and it was great how the Stoptech brakes held up for us all the way to the end.”
Today’s finish narrows the championship lead between second-place Johnson and Thomson and points leaders Burrows and Hopwood to just four points at 260-256. With just two rounds remaining, the championship is still in the reach of either team.
The Grand Prix of Trois-Rivieres will wrap up with the Sunday’s GS race at 3:00 p.m. Following this weekend’s event, the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series will appear again at Miller Motorsports Park for a combined race on August 14, and will conclude the 2007 season with split six-hour races at Virginia International Raceway on October 6 and 7.
- 30 -
For additional information contact Grand-Am
Adam Saal, Managing Director of Communications, 386-947-6681, asaal@grand-am.com
Reece White, Public Relations Manager, 386-681-4182, rwhite@grand-am.com
Michael Harker, Public Relations Coordinator, 386-681-6379, mharker@grand-am.com
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