Cornwall, Ontario - Friday, December 7, 2007 - You can put a big X on your calendar on Sunday, June 22, 2008. One of the premier DIRT series will be in Cornwall as the World of Outlaws Late Model will be present. The popular Empire Super Sprints will also be on the same racing card.
After a popular showing at Drummondville last year, this very popular group had decided to extend their Canadian visit in 2008. They will visit Oshweken on June 19, they will be back in Drummond on Saturday June 21 and they will end it at Cornwall on the Sunday night. We can expect many best in the business such as 2007 series champion Steve Francis, Chub Frank, Clint Smith, Shane Clanton, and Rick Eckert. Modified star and top rookie in this series in 2007, Tim Fuller should also here along with Billy Decker. We could also see some local star drivers added to the mix on this special evening.
The stars and cars of the Empire Super Sprints will be the other main event of the night. This very spectacular group always puts on great shows the ¼ mile bullring. Last year's champ, Steve Poirier will lead a very talented pack in which includes, Jeff Vandusen, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Alain Bergeron, Michael Parent and local favourite, Brian McDonald will also be in the pits.
The remainder of that night's schedule is yet to be determined but with the World of Outlaws Late Model and the Empire Super Sprints on the same racing card, it will be the best show in Eastern Ontario in 2008. It is a can not miss event for any dirt race fans!
- From Cornwall Motor Speedway
Friday, December 07, 2007
New ITMN Poll Question: Who will win the NCATS title in '08?
Have a look at the right column of the Inside Track Breaking News page. >>>>
There's a new poll asking readers who they predict will win the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championship in 2008. The top 10 finishers from '07 are listed, with room for "other" submissions in case your favourite doesn't appear.
Merrittville Highlights Mr. DIRTcar 358 Return Out West!
Weedsport, NY - December 7, 2007 - By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast PR Director
The 57th season-opener at Merrittville Speedway on Saturday, April 26 will be the biggest ever as it also kicks off the 2008 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship with the headline 100-lapper paying $4,000 to win.
"If the last two season openers are any indication, race fans will want to make sure they mark this as a must see event," said Merrittville General Manager Erica Bicknell. "Twice now our openers have come down to photo finishes with Larry Lampman prevailing on both occasions. With all the series regulars on hand this time, it should be another barn-burner of a night."
Not only will Merrittville return after a two year layoff to DIRTcar Racing NorthEast's top Small-Block traveling tour, negotiations are currently underway for an additional series event out west that will culminate with the crowning of the Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT 358-Modified Champion for a 26th consecutive year. Leading contenders following the lucrative Small-Block trail will also continue to collect DIRTcar Regional Racing Series bonus points to help determine the overall titlist.
"We've got one of the most competitive 358 fields each and every Saturday night," added Merrittville co-owner Pete Bicknell, himself a two-time Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Champion, who can be included in that group of drivers. Since Small-Blocks became Merrittville's top weekly division in 1990, Bicknell has captured 13 point titles including the 2007 championship. "We're ecstatic to launch the 2008 DIRTcar Series, it will make for a great start to our 57th season."
Since the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship was created in 1983, only the Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway has scheduled a tour event earlier in the season with the first weekend in April secured in both 2003 and �04.
"We're excited to have Merrittville back hosting a 358 Series race to complement their established Mr. DIRTcar events for Big-Blocks and Sportsman," said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. "The Western Region has long been a hotbed for Small-Block racing and a date pending at Ransomville Speedway will create one of our strongest Series ever."
For additional Series information, please contact the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours or log into http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/. For further information regarding Merrittville Speedway, call the winter office at 905/685-7223 or visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
The 57th season-opener at Merrittville Speedway on Saturday, April 26 will be the biggest ever as it also kicks off the 2008 Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship with the headline 100-lapper paying $4,000 to win.
"If the last two season openers are any indication, race fans will want to make sure they mark this as a must see event," said Merrittville General Manager Erica Bicknell. "Twice now our openers have come down to photo finishes with Larry Lampman prevailing on both occasions. With all the series regulars on hand this time, it should be another barn-burner of a night."
Not only will Merrittville return after a two year layoff to DIRTcar Racing NorthEast's top Small-Block traveling tour, negotiations are currently underway for an additional series event out west that will culminate with the crowning of the Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT 358-Modified Champion for a 26th consecutive year. Leading contenders following the lucrative Small-Block trail will also continue to collect DIRTcar Regional Racing Series bonus points to help determine the overall titlist.
"We've got one of the most competitive 358 fields each and every Saturday night," added Merrittville co-owner Pete Bicknell, himself a two-time Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Champion, who can be included in that group of drivers. Since Small-Blocks became Merrittville's top weekly division in 1990, Bicknell has captured 13 point titles including the 2007 championship. "We're ecstatic to launch the 2008 DIRTcar Series, it will make for a great start to our 57th season."
Since the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Series Championship was created in 1983, only the Dirt Track @ Lowe's Motor Speedway has scheduled a tour event earlier in the season with the first weekend in April secured in both 2003 and �04.
"We're excited to have Merrittville back hosting a 358 Series race to complement their established Mr. DIRTcar events for Big-Blocks and Sportsman," said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. "The Western Region has long been a hotbed for Small-Block racing and a date pending at Ransomville Speedway will create one of our strongest Series ever."
For additional Series information, please contact the DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Office (315/834-6606) during normal business hours or log into http://www.superdirtcarseries.com/. For further information regarding Merrittville Speedway, call the winter office at 905/685-7223 or visit http://www.merrittvillespeedway.com/.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup To Mosport
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More Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend schedule announcements will be made in the near future. For information and tickets on this and all Mosport events, call the Mosport Hotline (1-800-866-1072) or visit online at http://www.mosport.com/ .
Re-launched in 2006, the series features fields of Mazda MX-5s, providing an affordable, entry-level North American professional series whereby drivers compete in identically outfitted vehicles. Sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America's Pro Racing division, the MX-5 Cup saw thirty-percent growth in 2007 and is projected to become the number one spec professional series in the world.
The announcement was made in Orlando on the opening day of the world's largest annual racing trade show, PRI.
"We are excited to be working with Mazda on this program and can't wait for the season to begin," said Playboy Vice President and Publisher Lou Mohn. "We look forward to putting all of Playboy's brand assets into high gear to leverage this initiative and reach racing enthusiasts and Playboy fans alike."
SCCA Pro Racing President and CEO Robert Wildberger remarked, "We are excited to have such an established brand associated with what is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new series."
The 2008 SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup schedule is a great balance of North American locations. The season begins with the Houston Grand Prix and concludes six months later at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
2008 SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Schedule
April 25-27, 2008 Houston Grand Prix, Houston, Texas
(with ALMS, Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
May 2-4, 2008 Road Atlanta, Braselton, Georgia
(with HSR Mitty)
May 16-18, 2008 Mosport's Victoria SpeedFest Weekend
June 20-22, 2008 Cleveland Grand Prix, Cleveland, Ohio
(with Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
July 25-27, 2008 Portland Grand Prix
(with Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda)
Sept. 19-21, 2008 Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah
(with Grand Am, Champ Car Atlantic)
Oct. 17-19, 2008 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey, California
(with ALMS, Star Mazda, IMSA Lites)
(One additional race will be added to complete an eight race series)
Media contacts: Eric Prill, Sports Car Club of America, Inc., SCCA Pro Racing eprill@scca.com
Jerry Priddle, Mosport International Raceway jerry@mosport.com
Ford Racing Mustang Challenge: Mosport Adds Horsepower to Father's Day Doubleheader
BOWMANVILLE, ON - December 6, 2007) Mosport's added more horsepower to an already strong racing line-up at the 2008 Father's Day Doubleheader Weekend, June 13-15, as the popular event is now part of the inaugural season of the new Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup, Presented by BFGoodrich Tires.
The Mustang Challenge joins a packed three-day weekend schedule that features the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers in the Dickies 200 and the domestic and imported high performance sedans of the U.S.-based Grand-Am KONI Challenge. More races will be announced to the Father's Day Doubleheader line-up soon.
Tickets for the Father's Day weekend are now on sale and can be ordered by calling the Mosport Hotline (1-800-866-1072) or online at http://www.mosport.com/ .
The series will be an eight-round championship utilizing the new Ford Mustang FR500S fitted with BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires. A television package for the series, which will be sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, will be announced in the near future.
Officials from the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires announced their provisional schedule today at the 20th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The Series opens May 2-4 at Road Atlanta and will come to a close at the site of the series' birth, Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, with a double-header season finale on September 19-21.
Provisional 2008 Schedule
Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup
Presented by BFGoodrich Tires
May 2-4 Road Atlanta, Walter Mitty Challenge
June 13-15 Mosport Int'l Raceway, Father's Day Doubleheader
June 20-22 Grand Prix of Cleveland
July 18-20 Barber Motorsports Park (Birmingham, Ala.)
August 29-31 New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
September 19-21 Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah (double-header)
(An additional venue will be announced in the near future)
Contacts: John Gardner, Miller Motorsports Park jgardner@millermotorsportspark.com
Jerry Priddle, Mosport International Raceway jerry@mosport.com
The Mustang Challenge joins a packed three-day weekend schedule that features the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers in the Dickies 200 and the domestic and imported high performance sedans of the U.S.-based Grand-Am KONI Challenge. More races will be announced to the Father's Day Doubleheader line-up soon.
Tickets for the Father's Day weekend are now on sale and can be ordered by calling the Mosport Hotline (1-800-866-1072) or online at http://www.mosport.com/ .
The series will be an eight-round championship utilizing the new Ford Mustang FR500S fitted with BFGoodrich g-Force R1 tires. A television package for the series, which will be sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association, will be announced in the near future.
Officials from the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup presented by BFGoodrich Tires announced their provisional schedule today at the 20th annual Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The Series opens May 2-4 at Road Atlanta and will come to a close at the site of the series' birth, Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah, with a double-header season finale on September 19-21.
Provisional 2008 Schedule
Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup
Presented by BFGoodrich Tires
May 2-4 Road Atlanta, Walter Mitty Challenge
June 13-15 Mosport Int'l Raceway, Father's Day Doubleheader
June 20-22 Grand Prix of Cleveland
July 18-20 Barber Motorsports Park (Birmingham, Ala.)
August 29-31 New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
September 19-21 Miller Motorsports Park, Tooele, Utah (double-header)
(An additional venue will be announced in the near future)
Contacts: John Gardner, Miller Motorsports Park jgardner@millermotorsportspark.com
Jerry Priddle, Mosport International Raceway jerry@mosport.com
Eric Gerrits joins GP Racing Karts for 2008
"I am really looking forward to working with the entire GP Racing Karts crew here at Innisfil," Gerrits said. "When I saw the karts last year, they were fast in the SRFKC, and I am exited about getting started in Florida soon."
Frank Launi, team director for GP Racing Karts is happy to have Gerrits aboard for 2008. "Eric is a constant front runner where ever he goes," Launi said. "We are looking forward to having him on a GP Racing Kart in 2008."
Launi said in addition to Gerrits campaigning a GP Racing Kart in the DD2 class at the upcoming FWT and both Rotax Senior and Rotax DD2 in the SRFKC, the team will do selected events in Quebec also next year.
Release prepared by Russ Bond Agency
Thursday, December 06, 2007
What's good for the goose, ISN'T good for the gander
From TSN:
"The World Motor Sport Council has found Renault guilty of bringing the sport of Formula One into disrepute, however, they will not be penalized."
Continued at the link above.
Not so long ago, McLaren was tagged for a $100 million+ fine for being found guilty of largely the same thing. McLaren could pay. Some say that kind of penalty would kill the Renault team.
The WMSC has yet to issue its reasons for the Renault/McLaren decision.... leaving many to wonder if the the difference in judgements was based solely on the guilty parties' abilities to pay? Or maybe the powers that be who run F1 really, really, really dislike McLaren boss Ron Dennis?
p.s. - After being found guilty of bringing F1 into disrepute by dealing in McLaren's secrets.... Renault is considering suing McLaren. You can't make this stuff up.
p.p.s. - The TSN story says that "this decision is expected to clear the way for Fernando Alonso to re-join the team (Renault)." But do you really think Ron Dennis will be in the mood - faced with this toothless decision and legal threats from Renault - to let Alonso walk over to Renault? Me neither.
"The World Motor Sport Council has found Renault guilty of bringing the sport of Formula One into disrepute, however, they will not be penalized."
Continued at the link above.
Not so long ago, McLaren was tagged for a $100 million+ fine for being found guilty of largely the same thing. McLaren could pay. Some say that kind of penalty would kill the Renault team.
The WMSC has yet to issue its reasons for the Renault/McLaren decision.... leaving many to wonder if the the difference in judgements was based solely on the guilty parties' abilities to pay? Or maybe the powers that be who run F1 really, really, really dislike McLaren boss Ron Dennis?
p.s. - After being found guilty of bringing F1 into disrepute by dealing in McLaren's secrets.... Renault is considering suing McLaren. You can't make this stuff up.
p.p.s. - The TSN story says that "this decision is expected to clear the way for Fernando Alonso to re-join the team (Renault)." But do you really think Ron Dennis will be in the mood - faced with this toothless decision and legal threats from Renault - to let Alonso walk over to Renault? Me neither.
Star Mazda Championship Announces 2008 Schedule
PRI Show/Orlando, FL (Dec. 6, 2007) - The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear today released its 12-race 2008 schedule, beginning the season with its traditional date at the 56th annual Mobil1 12 Hours of Sebring International Raceway on March 14 and winding up at the Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 18. The most substantial change to the schedule involves the series' first-ever appearance at Watkins Glen with the Grand-Am Rolex Series on June 7.
"This schedule represents the best possible balance of exposure and experience for our teams, driver and sponsors," says Star Mazda Championship President Gary Rodrigues. "Once again we will be sharing the center stage spotlight with the American Le Mans series, Champ Car and Grand-Am on a combination of road courses, street circuits and airport tracks. Our role as a major step up the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, combined with the new crop of top North American talent and an influx of top International drivers taking advantage of the exchange rates, promises to make 2008 the most spectacular and hard-fought season in Star Mazda Championship history."
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is set to begin its 18th season as one of the premier North American open-wheel driver development series and will feature an educational mix of circuits in both the U.S. and Canada, including three street circuits, two airport track and seven natural-terrain road courses.
Following the season-opener at the hugely-popular 12 Hours of Sebring, Star Mazda Championship teams and competitors will move on to the streets of Reliant Park for the combined American Le Mans/Champ Car World Series weekend on April 26 at the Grand Prix of Houston. The next stop on the schedule is the wide-open spaces of Miller Motorsports Park for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Utah on May 14.
Houston will also see a reunion of the Star Mazda Championship with the series' 2007 champion, Dane Cameron (who won from the pole in Houston last year), though he will be racing on the next step up the ladder. Thanks to the full-season sponsorship from the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that was part of his Star Mazda prize, Cameron will be driving for the championship-winning Sierra Sierra/ ProWorks team in the 2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.
In June, the Star Mazda Championship races at two vastly different tracks. First up is the legendary Watkins Glen International Raceway road course for the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen with the Daytona Prototypes of the Grand-Am series on June 7. On June 21, the series moves to the runways of Burke Lakefront Airport for the Grand Prix of Cleveland and the beginning of a four-race run with the Champ Car World Series.
After the freeway-sized runways of Cleveland, it's back to the shotgun-barrel confines of the Toronto Grand Prix street circuit on July 5, followed by the 25th annual Mazda Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland on July 26.
August is a busy month for the teams and drivers of the Star Mazda Championship with three races in four weeks. This test of men, machines and morale kicks off with another combined American Le Mans Series/Champ Car weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. On August 17, the Star Mazda Championship will share the spotlight with the Champ Car Atlantic series and CASCAR in the GP3R on the streets of Trois Rivières, Quebec. The following weekend, August 23, is the final Canadian event of the 2008 Star Mazda Championship, the American Le Mans Grand Prix of Mosport.
The month of September is a rebuild and regroup time for competitors in the Star Mazda Championship with no races scheduled. The home stretch of the 2008 season begins with Round Eleven at Road Atlanta on October 3, and the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 18. Both events are with the American Le Mans Series. All 12 races during the 2008 season will be broadcast on the SPEED Channel; go to www.speedtv.com/programs for dates and times.
"The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear offers an opportunity to race in the North America in one of the most successful and affordable manufacturer-supported driver development series,' says Star Mazda Championship President Gary Rodrigues. "The Star Mazda Championship is also a gateway series to many other forms of racing because once you learn to drive an open-wheel car competitively, it becomes much easier to adapt to – and excel in – other kinds of cars. Graduates of the Star Mazda Championship have gone on to salaried rides in F1, Champ Car, Indy 500, prototypes, sports cars and stock cars. The racing world is full of Star Mazda graduates and we're proud of them. But we also look forward every year to a new class of young hotshoes who will be the racing stars of tomorrow."
Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear 2008 Schedule
Date Location With Circuit Type Additional Info
March 14 Sebring ALMS Airport Circuit www.sebringraceway.com
April 26 Houston CC/ALMS Street Circuit www.grandprixofhouston.com
May 17 Salt Lake City ALMS Road Course http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/
June 7 Watkins Glen Grand-Am Road Course http://www.theglen.com/
June 21 Cleveland Champ Car Airport Circuit www.grandprixofcleveland.com
July 5 Toronto Champ Car Street Circuit www.grandprixtoronto.com
July 26 Portland Champ Car Road Course www.portlandraceway.com
August 9 Road America CC/ALMS Road Course www.roadamerica.com
August 17 Trois Rivieres Atlantic Street Circuit www.gp3r.com
August 23 Mosport ALMS Road Course www.mosport.com
October 3 Road Atlanta ALMS Road Course www.roadatlanta.com
October 18 Mazda Raceway ALMS Road Course www.laguna-seca.com
From Dean Case / Communications Officer / MAZDASPEED Motorsports
"This schedule represents the best possible balance of exposure and experience for our teams, driver and sponsors," says Star Mazda Championship President Gary Rodrigues. "Once again we will be sharing the center stage spotlight with the American Le Mans series, Champ Car and Grand-Am on a combination of road courses, street circuits and airport tracks. Our role as a major step up the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder, combined with the new crop of top North American talent and an influx of top International drivers taking advantage of the exchange rates, promises to make 2008 the most spectacular and hard-fought season in Star Mazda Championship history."
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is set to begin its 18th season as one of the premier North American open-wheel driver development series and will feature an educational mix of circuits in both the U.S. and Canada, including three street circuits, two airport track and seven natural-terrain road courses.
Following the season-opener at the hugely-popular 12 Hours of Sebring, Star Mazda Championship teams and competitors will move on to the streets of Reliant Park for the combined American Le Mans/Champ Car World Series weekend on April 26 at the Grand Prix of Houston. The next stop on the schedule is the wide-open spaces of Miller Motorsports Park for the American Le Mans Series Grand Prix of Utah on May 14.
Houston will also see a reunion of the Star Mazda Championship with the series' 2007 champion, Dane Cameron (who won from the pole in Houston last year), though he will be racing on the next step up the ladder. Thanks to the full-season sponsorship from the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that was part of his Star Mazda prize, Cameron will be driving for the championship-winning Sierra Sierra/ ProWorks team in the 2008 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.
In June, the Star Mazda Championship races at two vastly different tracks. First up is the legendary Watkins Glen International Raceway road course for the Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen with the Daytona Prototypes of the Grand-Am series on June 7. On June 21, the series moves to the runways of Burke Lakefront Airport for the Grand Prix of Cleveland and the beginning of a four-race run with the Champ Car World Series.
After the freeway-sized runways of Cleveland, it's back to the shotgun-barrel confines of the Toronto Grand Prix street circuit on July 5, followed by the 25th annual Mazda Champ Car Grand Prix of Portland on July 26.
August is a busy month for the teams and drivers of the Star Mazda Championship with three races in four weeks. This test of men, machines and morale kicks off with another combined American Le Mans Series/Champ Car weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. On August 17, the Star Mazda Championship will share the spotlight with the Champ Car Atlantic series and CASCAR in the GP3R on the streets of Trois Rivières, Quebec. The following weekend, August 23, is the final Canadian event of the 2008 Star Mazda Championship, the American Le Mans Grand Prix of Mosport.
The month of September is a rebuild and regroup time for competitors in the Star Mazda Championship with no races scheduled. The home stretch of the 2008 season begins with Round Eleven at Road Atlanta on October 3, and the season finale at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 18. Both events are with the American Le Mans Series. All 12 races during the 2008 season will be broadcast on the SPEED Channel; go to www.speedtv.com/programs for dates and times.
"The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear offers an opportunity to race in the North America in one of the most successful and affordable manufacturer-supported driver development series,' says Star Mazda Championship President Gary Rodrigues. "The Star Mazda Championship is also a gateway series to many other forms of racing because once you learn to drive an open-wheel car competitively, it becomes much easier to adapt to – and excel in – other kinds of cars. Graduates of the Star Mazda Championship have gone on to salaried rides in F1, Champ Car, Indy 500, prototypes, sports cars and stock cars. The racing world is full of Star Mazda graduates and we're proud of them. But we also look forward every year to a new class of young hotshoes who will be the racing stars of tomorrow."
Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear 2008 Schedule
Date
March 14
April 26
May 17
June 7
June 21
July 5
July 26
August 9
August 17
August 23
October 3
October 18
From Dean Case / Communications Officer / MAZDASPEED Motorsports
Peterborough Speedway's website...
Was looking for a shot of a racer at www.peterboroughspeedway.com, and came upon this...
"peterboroughspeedway.com expired on 11/30/2007 and is pending renewal or deletion."
JP.....!
Inside Track: Volume 11, Issue 11 content updated on ITMN main page
The sponsored content (bannered pages) from the newest issue of Inside Track Motorsport News has been updated on the main page of our website. Click here to get a glimpse of the new issue, which includes the OSCAAR Year In Review (among lots of other things).
And in case you haven't started your Christmas shopping yet, we've uploaded the entire Holiday Buyers' Guide as well. There's a link to that on the ITMN main page, too.
Finally, it's not too late to get a gift subscription for the racing fan on your list.
Flamboro Speedway Banquet Results
Last week, I posted Dave Franks' photo gallery from the Flamboro Speedway awards banquet (click here to see the gallery again).
Yesterday, track co-owner John Casale put on his "Public Relations" hat and faxed me a list of the top points finishers for each division and the other award recipients.
Click on each image for a larger version.
Yesterday, track co-owner John Casale put on his "Public Relations" hat and faxed me a list of the top points finishers for each division and the other award recipients.
Click on each image for a larger version.
NASCAR: Canadian Dave Skog hired at crew chief at Haas CNC
Thanks to e-mailer 'dbmckean' for sending us a 'heads up' on this team press release on NASCAR.com announcing that Haas CNC Racing has hired Lloydminister, Alberta native Dave Skog as the crew chief of the No. 66 Chevrolet NASCAR Sprint Cup team.
Click on the link above to see the full release.
Click on the link above to see the full release.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
RUMOURS: Paul Tracy, Champ Car and the IRL
A few days ago, TSN thought it was "curious" that Paul Tracy wasn't mentioned in a team press release announcing the merger of his team with another.
"Canadian Paul Tracy has a contract with Forsythe through 2011, and while he was curiously left off this week's announcement concerning the merger with Pettit, Tracy is expected to be one of two or possibly three drivers with the team next season."
Fast forward a few days and the Champ Car forums are full of talk that PT may be done racing for Forsythe and possibly in Champ Car.
Today, a poster purporting to be Tracy's mother wrote the following on Champ Car Fanatics:
"Here's the heart of the matter from a real "insider". PT has a binding four year contract with Forsythe Racing, with no "out" clauses and no "performance" clauses on either side, and with both parties committed to the contract until the end of the four years. As far as PT is concerned, he is prepared to honour his commitment to this contract. He is not sure FCR has the same aspirations. Where this will end up no one knows, but if PT gets released from Champ Car, he will continue to race somewhere, be it IRL, ALMS, NASCAR wherever, as this is what he does ."
IRL???? Wow.
"Canadian Paul Tracy has a contract with Forsythe through 2011, and while he was curiously left off this week's announcement concerning the merger with Pettit, Tracy is expected to be one of two or possibly three drivers with the team next season."
Fast forward a few days and the Champ Car forums are full of talk that PT may be done racing for Forsythe and possibly in Champ Car.
Today, a poster purporting to be Tracy's mother wrote the following on Champ Car Fanatics:
"Here's the heart of the matter from a real "insider". PT has a binding four year contract with Forsythe Racing, with no "out" clauses and no "performance" clauses on either side, and with both parties committed to the contract until the end of the four years. As far as PT is concerned, he is prepared to honour his commitment to this contract. He is not sure FCR has the same aspirations. Where this will end up no one knows, but if PT gets released from Champ Car, he will continue to race somewhere, be it IRL, ALMS, NASCAR wherever, as this is what he does ."
IRL???? Wow.
SAUBLE SPEEDWAY: Year-round office and Open House announced
Click on the image below for a full-size version of the poster announcing that Sauble Speedway will open a year-round office for the track. An open house will take place Dec. 14-15.
A1 Team Canada Malaysia podium run this Thursday on SPEED
Montréal, Canada (Tuesday 4 December, 2007) - Round 3 of the 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport, hosted at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, will be broadcast throughout North America on SPEED this Thursday, 6th December, starting at Noon EST.
A1 Team Canada scored its first podium and points of the season last month at the Malaysian track as Robert Wickens belied his rookie status to finish third in the Sprint race. Having reached the podium on his A1GP race debut, the 18-year-old from Toronto experienced a more frustrating Feature event, Wickens retiring early from the proceedings after a frantic start.
Despite missing out on another likely points scoring opportunity, the 2006 Formula BMW USA Champion won the plaudits of many for a fantastic debut, notably by the fans as he was crowned 'Driver of the Day' courtesy of an online poll held on A1GP.com. Wickens claimed 46% of the votes cast, beating out Switzerland's Neel Jani who triumphed in both the Sprint and Feature events to give his team the lead in the A1GP Nations Standings.
You can catch Robert and A1 Team Canada in action in Malaysia on SPEED at the following times:
For further TV details please log on to www.speedtv.com
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations // Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
A1 Team Canada scored its first podium and points of the season last month at the Malaysian track as Robert Wickens belied his rookie status to finish third in the Sprint race. Having reached the podium on his A1GP race debut, the 18-year-old from Toronto experienced a more frustrating Feature event, Wickens retiring early from the proceedings after a frantic start.
Despite missing out on another likely points scoring opportunity, the 2006 Formula BMW USA Champion won the plaudits of many for a fantastic debut, notably by the fans as he was crowned 'Driver of the Day' courtesy of an online poll held on A1GP.com. Wickens claimed 46% of the votes cast, beating out Switzerland's Neel Jani who triumphed in both the Sprint and Feature events to give his team the lead in the A1GP Nations Standings.
You can catch Robert and A1 Team Canada in action in Malaysia on SPEED at the following times:
- Thursday 6th December, Noon EST
- Friday 7th December, 3am EST
- Tuesday 11th December, 2pm EST
For further TV details please log on to www.speedtv.com
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations // Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
HAVE BUS WILL TRAVEL: Inside Track writer J. Wally Nesbitt on his recent trip to Lowe's Motor Speedway
By J. Wally Nesbitt
It’s good to be a race fan. But you already knew that, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.
However, for those of us who make a portion of our pre-disposed income from motorsports journalism, by the end of the racing season, some (much, a lot) of the joy of the sport has been eroded away. The hours spent chasing stories, the never-ending rush to get that non-profane quote from an angry driver and those constant deadlines all combine to make some writers look forward to an off-season reprieve.
Bordering on burnout myself, I recently had the opportunity to once again become just a fan, a pure, carefree race fan.
Taking advantage of an offer from my new best friend, Doug Andrews (see below with flipper in hand), I joined him and about two dozen other dedicated gearheads on a trip to Lowes Motor Speedway on one of his ‘Have Bus, Will Travel’ race tours.
Andrews, the owner/operator/driver and organizer of the HBWT tour has been offering luxury coach tours for 25 years, but this season decided to expand his coverage to include virtually the entire NASCAR Nextel Cup circuit.“I think there is a niche for what we do. I’ve always been a race fan and I think that gives me a leg up on what people want in a package. I know that most of our customers like the start to finish service.”
Picked up moments from my home, and with the required weekend paraphernalia safely stored in the underbelly of the coach, we began the trek south to the heart of stock car Nirvana. A couple of stops to add to our guest list and we were on our way, cruising through the night, Doug and his co-driver Brian taking us along the foggy, rainy Appalachian Trail.
Following a quick stop for breakfast, we were back underway, sailing south until we came to the outskirts of Cornelius, North Carolina, home of Raceworld USA, Michael Waltrip’s Museum and Race Shop complex. A guided tour through the facility put everyone in a ‘raceday’ frame of mind and set the standard for the weekend.
The journey resumed, with our next stop being the hotel, a Hilton Garden Inn, no less, where we unloaded and unpacked in our pre-arranged and ready, rooms. In no time we were back on the bus for a little bit of shopping before heading off to the ‘Beast Of The SouthEast’, Lowes Motor Speedway.Arriving at the legendary circuit by mid-afternoon, our entourage had plenty of time to visit the merchandising trailers (WOW, look at ‘em all!) before being shepherded to our Turn Four seats for the Friday night Dollar General 300 Busch series race.
With darkness quickly closing in on the 1½-mile circuit, the Busch field assembled along the pitlane and upon command began their side by side warm up procession. Three laps later the green flag flew and from our perch directly across from the pit entrance, we were able to view the entire track and watched as those Busch-wackers, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch and Dale Jr. led the swarm to the checkered flag 200 laps later.
A short jaunt back to the bus for the return trip to the hotel where following a few (very) short hours later, we were once more en route to the Speedway for the weekend’s feature contest, the Bank Of America 500.One business philosophy that Doug adheres to is to offer his charges a full entertainment package. This starts with the on-board movies and satellite television, shopping opportunities for the ‘racing widows’, and extends to the timely and thoroughly enjoyable tailgate party in the parking lot.
As we had arrived at the circuit well before noon, with a little hands-on effort, Doug and Brian soon had our site set up with the resplendent Canadian flag, awnings coolers and a barbeque. Returning to the coach following a little more frantic souvenir shopping, we discovered Doug, now in his full ‘Chef’ mode preparing our noontime repast consisting, naturally, of hot dogs and brats followed by the NASCAR desert of choice, Ken Schrader’s Little Debbie’s chocolate cakes.
A couple of hours were required to enjoy a child’s portion of Ron Bacardi’s finest as we watched the throng crawling down Speedway Blvd. before finally venturing to our next viewing station, high in the grandstands above Turn One.
Following a spectacular pre-race show that included a visit from the awesome ‘RoboSaurus’ and some tunes from several fine southern rockers, our clan settled down for the start of the weekend feature.
A couple of hours were required to enjoy a child’s portion of Ron Bacardi’s finest as we watched the throng crawling down Speedway Blvd. before finally venturing to our next viewing station, high in the grandstands above Turn One.
Following a spectacular pre-race show that included a visit from the awesome ‘RoboSaurus’ and some tunes from several fine southern rockers, our clan settled down for the start of the weekend feature.
As scores of camera flashes erupted, the Rocket Man, Ryan Newman led the 43 strong field through the front straight kink to take the green flag. With the sellout crowd of 160,000 on their feet, reigning NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson proceeded to dominate the contest, reeling in his rivals at will. And then he spun out.And then Jeff Gordon took control only to be bested by Newman on a late race restart. And then Newman cut a tire. Leaving Jeff Gordon to survive a green/white/checkered sprint to the flags to claim his sixth win of the year.
A little bit exhausted, more than a little bit deafened and a whole lot of satisfied, we struggled back to our ride and joined the rest of North Carolina on I-85 as we made the slow pilgrimage back to the hotel. A few contended hours of deep slumber and we were once again on the road, heading north and bound for home.
As a trip planner, Doug knew of a couple of tourist stops that could be made to break up the hours on the bus and we took advantage of his knowledge. Stopping for a short time at the Tamarack “Best of West Virginia” Galleries and then at the New River Gorge and Bridge to stretch and spend the last of our American currency, most of us finally put our heads down (literally) and nodded off, snoozing through much of the return trip.
We arrived home in the quiet of the night, full of memories, loaded with gifts and vowing to do this again.
“My fondest memory is of all of the new people I’ve met,” concluded Doug. “When you’re on this bus, you have something in common with everybody, you’re a race fan. And if I can give a race fan a good time, then I’ve done my job.”
Top marks for a job well done, Doug. I had forgotten just how much fun it could be to be a race fan.
A little bit exhausted, more than a little bit deafened and a whole lot of satisfied, we struggled back to our ride and joined the rest of North Carolina on I-85 as we made the slow pilgrimage back to the hotel. A few contended hours of deep slumber and we were once again on the road, heading north and bound for home.
As a trip planner, Doug knew of a couple of tourist stops that could be made to break up the hours on the bus and we took advantage of his knowledge. Stopping for a short time at the Tamarack “Best of West Virginia” Galleries and then at the New River Gorge and Bridge to stretch and spend the last of our American currency, most of us finally put our heads down (literally) and nodded off, snoozing through much of the return trip.
We arrived home in the quiet of the night, full of memories, loaded with gifts and vowing to do this again.
“My fondest memory is of all of the new people I’ve met,” concluded Doug. “When you’re on this bus, you have something in common with everybody, you’re a race fan. And if I can give a race fan a good time, then I’ve done my job.”
Top marks for a job well done, Doug. I had forgotten just how much fun it could be to be a race fan.
***
For more information about Have Bus Will Travel, visit them on the web at www.havebus.com . You can also call them at 1-888-HAVE-BUS (1-888-428-3287). Have Bus Will Travel is heading to the Dayonta 500. Click here to see how you can see the Great American Race in style.
DIRTcar "Driveline Newsletter" December Edition
Happy Holidays!
As the snow begins to fall, DIRTcar Racing takes its first look at the New Year. The off-season is in full swing, and the Driveline will get you up to date on all the headlines!
HEARN HONORED AT DIRTCAR NE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS!
Brett Hearn took top honors as the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Champion at the annual Night of Champions Banquet on November, 17 at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY. The driver of the Madsen Motorsports machine took home $60,000 after claiming his 6th Mr. DIRTcar crown. Mario Clair (358-Modified), Joe Williams (Sportsman), Pete Stefanski (Pro Stock), and Scott Smith (Street Stock) joined Hearn as Mr. DIRTcar Champs.
Four drivers were also honored as the 2007 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-Force Racing Gear DIRTcar NE Rookies of the Year. Mike Bowman (Modified), Eric Landry (358-Modified), Larry Wight (Sportsman), and Jocelyn Roy (Pro Stock) shared an additional $9,300 in cash and prizes or their rookie campaigns.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS RE-SIGNS AS MOD SERIES TITLE SPONSOR!
As posted by Tom Skibinski on www.superdirtcarseries.com, Advance Auto Parts has re-signed for the 10th consecutive season as the title sponsor for the Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series! The DIRTcar/Advance Auto Parts partnership is one of the longest-running annual sponsorships in motorsports.
For 10 years weve seen how valuable it is to partner with the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, said Mike Paris, Advance Auto Parts Motorsports Marketing Supervisor. It continues to be one of the most popular and financially rewarding championships in racing. Were excited for our 10th season as title sponsor of the series and look forward to dropping the green flag on 2008 at the Florida DIRTcar Nationals in February at Volusia Speedway Park.
37TH ANNUAL DIRTCAR NATIONALS HIT VOLUSIA IN FEBRUARY!
The 37th annual DIRTcar Nationals will kick off at Volusia Speedway Park for two weeks of action starting February 4th. A host of divisions will be in competition including the Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Modifieds, as well as the World of Outlaws Sprints and Late Models. The ground pounding Modifieds will hit the track for four consecutive says starting Wednesday, February 13th. They will be coupled with the DIRTcar Late Models and the World of Outlaws Late Models on alternating nights. For more information visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com!
DIRTCAR NE REGIONAL CHAMPS CROWNED AS A PART OF NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS BANQUET!
The 2007 Regional Champions were also honored at the Night of Champions Banquet on November, 17. The Modified, 358-Modified, and Sportsman divisions were each divided into three regions with a drivers best 10 to 20 finishes counting toward the regional crown. That number varied depending on division and the number of tracks in each region.
Each Modified Regional Champ took home $1,800in cash for their efforts. Brett Hearn (Eastern), Jimmy Phelps (Central), and Brian Swartzlander (Western) all took top honors in the Big-Block Modifieds.
The 358-Mods received $1,000 for wearing a regional crown. David VanHorn (Eastern), Yan Bussiere (Northern), and Pete Bicknell (Western) all hit pay-dirt in the Small-Block division.
Three drivers in the Sportsman division pocketed $800 for regional championships. Shawn Donath (Central), Chris Higgins (Northern), and Don Spatorico (Western) claimed the winners share.
In all, 45 drivers in the three divisions shared over $45,000 in post season regional awards!
SUPER DIRT WEEK TICKETS
Renewal forms have been made available for 2008 Super DIRT Week tickets. The deadline for guaranteed early renewal has passed, however the DIRTcar Northeast office will still be taking phone calls and renewal sheets on a first come-first serve basis to reserve tickets for next season. Call 315-834-6606 with questions!
RITE AID CONTINUES DIRT WEEK SUPPORT!
Rite Aid Corporation has renewed their support of Super DIRT Week and the prestigious Rite Aid 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds!
GOBLIN 200 ENDURO TO BE RESCHEDULED
The Goblin 200 Enduro originally scheduled for Sunday October 28, 2007 at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway was rained out. Over 50 cars were in the pit area and ready to hit the track, but an early afternoon shower put a halt to the racing fun.
Plans are in the works to reschedule the highly successful event. Look to your trade papers, the Cayuga County Fair Speedway web site, and the Driveline Newsletter for an announcement in the future!
TENTATIVE SCHEDULES BEING ARRANGED FOR CANANDAIGUA, CAYUGA COUNTY, AND ROLLING WHEELS!
Tentative schedules are currently being put together for Canandaigua and Cayuga County Fair Speedways, as well as Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
Once again Canandaigua Speedway will be your one stop shop for excitement on Saturday nights. Headlining the weekly events at the Speedway will be the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Twin 50s on August 9th! Fans can also expect the return of the popular $20 Car Load night, the World Famous Trailer Race, and the Green Mamba Jet Car!
Cayuga County Fair Speedway will return as the Sunday hot spot for racing! Highlighting the season schedule will be two sets of Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Twin 54s on Sunday May, 25th and Sunday August, 31st! Look for $20 Car Load nights, the Green Mamba Jet Car, as well as the World Famous Boat Race, and Four the Family Nights throughout the season.
Rolling Wheels Raceway Park will once again swing its gates open for several outstanding special events throughout 2008. On Monday May, 26th the World out Outlaws Sprint Cars once again invade the Wheels. Then the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series hits the track with Big-Block Modified Twin 50s on Monday September, 1st.
For the 22nd year World Series Weekend will return to Rolling Wheels on Friday and Saturday, September 26th and 27th! The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Mods will highlight the weekend with a return to the 200-lap Main Event on Saturday evening.
SPECIAL THANKS TO FANS, COMPETITORS, AND SPONSORS FOR AN OUTSTANDING 2007 SEASON!
Everyone at DIRTcar Northeast would like to thank our fans, competitors, and sponsors at all three facilities for a tremendous 2007 season! The year would not have been a success without your amazing support! We hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving, and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From Dan Kapuscinski- DIRTcar NE // PR and Promotions Coordinator
As the snow begins to fall, DIRTcar Racing takes its first look at the New Year. The off-season is in full swing, and the Driveline will get you up to date on all the headlines!
HEARN HONORED AT DIRTCAR NE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS!
Brett Hearn took top honors as the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Champion at the annual Night of Champions Banquet on November, 17 at the Oncenter Complex in Syracuse, NY. The driver of the Madsen Motorsports machine took home $60,000 after claiming his 6th Mr. DIRTcar crown. Mario Clair (358-Modified), Joe Williams (Sportsman), Pete Stefanski (Pro Stock), and Scott Smith (Street Stock) joined Hearn as Mr. DIRTcar Champs.
Four drivers were also honored as the 2007 Motorsports Safety Systems/G-Force Racing Gear DIRTcar NE Rookies of the Year. Mike Bowman (Modified), Eric Landry (358-Modified), Larry Wight (Sportsman), and Jocelyn Roy (Pro Stock) shared an additional $9,300 in cash and prizes or their rookie campaigns.
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS RE-SIGNS AS MOD SERIES TITLE SPONSOR!
As posted by Tom Skibinski on www.superdirtcarseries.com, Advance Auto Parts has re-signed for the 10th consecutive season as the title sponsor for the Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Modified Series! The DIRTcar/Advance Auto Parts partnership is one of the longest-running annual sponsorships in motorsports.
For 10 years weve seen how valuable it is to partner with the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series, said Mike Paris, Advance Auto Parts Motorsports Marketing Supervisor. It continues to be one of the most popular and financially rewarding championships in racing. Were excited for our 10th season as title sponsor of the series and look forward to dropping the green flag on 2008 at the Florida DIRTcar Nationals in February at Volusia Speedway Park.
37TH ANNUAL DIRTCAR NATIONALS HIT VOLUSIA IN FEBRUARY!
The 37th annual DIRTcar Nationals will kick off at Volusia Speedway Park for two weeks of action starting February 4th. A host of divisions will be in competition including the Advance Auto Parts DIRTcar Modifieds, as well as the World of Outlaws Sprints and Late Models. The ground pounding Modifieds will hit the track for four consecutive says starting Wednesday, February 13th. They will be coupled with the DIRTcar Late Models and the World of Outlaws Late Models on alternating nights. For more information visit www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com!
DIRTCAR NE REGIONAL CHAMPS CROWNED AS A PART OF NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS BANQUET!
The 2007 Regional Champions were also honored at the Night of Champions Banquet on November, 17. The Modified, 358-Modified, and Sportsman divisions were each divided into three regions with a drivers best 10 to 20 finishes counting toward the regional crown. That number varied depending on division and the number of tracks in each region.
Each Modified Regional Champ took home $1,800in cash for their efforts. Brett Hearn (Eastern), Jimmy Phelps (Central), and Brian Swartzlander (Western) all took top honors in the Big-Block Modifieds.
The 358-Mods received $1,000 for wearing a regional crown. David VanHorn (Eastern), Yan Bussiere (Northern), and Pete Bicknell (Western) all hit pay-dirt in the Small-Block division.
Three drivers in the Sportsman division pocketed $800 for regional championships. Shawn Donath (Central), Chris Higgins (Northern), and Don Spatorico (Western) claimed the winners share.
In all, 45 drivers in the three divisions shared over $45,000 in post season regional awards!
SUPER DIRT WEEK TICKETS
Renewal forms have been made available for 2008 Super DIRT Week tickets. The deadline for guaranteed early renewal has passed, however the DIRTcar Northeast office will still be taking phone calls and renewal sheets on a first come-first serve basis to reserve tickets for next season. Call 315-834-6606 with questions!
RITE AID CONTINUES DIRT WEEK SUPPORT!
Rite Aid Corporation has renewed their support of Super DIRT Week and the prestigious Rite Aid 200 at the New York State Fairgrounds!
GOBLIN 200 ENDURO TO BE RESCHEDULED
The Goblin 200 Enduro originally scheduled for Sunday October 28, 2007 at the Cayuga County Fair Speedway was rained out. Over 50 cars were in the pit area and ready to hit the track, but an early afternoon shower put a halt to the racing fun.
Plans are in the works to reschedule the highly successful event. Look to your trade papers, the Cayuga County Fair Speedway web site, and the Driveline Newsletter for an announcement in the future!
TENTATIVE SCHEDULES BEING ARRANGED FOR CANANDAIGUA, CAYUGA COUNTY, AND ROLLING WHEELS!
Tentative schedules are currently being put together for Canandaigua and Cayuga County Fair Speedways, as well as Rolling Wheels Raceway Park.
Once again Canandaigua Speedway will be your one stop shop for excitement on Saturday nights. Headlining the weekly events at the Speedway will be the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Twin 50s on August 9th! Fans can also expect the return of the popular $20 Car Load night, the World Famous Trailer Race, and the Green Mamba Jet Car!
Cayuga County Fair Speedway will return as the Sunday hot spot for racing! Highlighting the season schedule will be two sets of Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Twin 54s on Sunday May, 25th and Sunday August, 31st! Look for $20 Car Load nights, the Green Mamba Jet Car, as well as the World Famous Boat Race, and Four the Family Nights throughout the season.
Rolling Wheels Raceway Park will once again swing its gates open for several outstanding special events throughout 2008. On Monday May, 26th the World out Outlaws Sprint Cars once again invade the Wheels. Then the Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series hits the track with Big-Block Modified Twin 50s on Monday September, 1st.
For the 22nd year World Series Weekend will return to Rolling Wheels on Friday and Saturday, September 26th and 27th! The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Mods will highlight the weekend with a return to the 200-lap Main Event on Saturday evening.
SPECIAL THANKS TO FANS, COMPETITORS, AND SPONSORS FOR AN OUTSTANDING 2007 SEASON!
Everyone at DIRTcar Northeast would like to thank our fans, competitors, and sponsors at all three facilities for a tremendous 2007 season! The year would not have been a success without your amazing support! We hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving, and wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From Dan Kapuscinski- DIRTcar NE // PR and Promotions Coordinator
Death of Open Wheel Racing in North America: Part 1001
By SpeedracerHere's a little off-season Open Wheel recap for everyone. So in the span of a few weeks we've had a team suing another, a former title-winning Champ Car squad merging with an equally floundering, an owner involved in a messing stock manipulation court case and a former Indy 500 winner winning Dancing with the Stars, only to leave his long-time fiancee for his dancing partner, a teenager, fifteen years his junior.
Rahal-Letterman is suing Scott sharp after Sharp left the squad and criticised the team's competitiveness, much like Danica Patrick did in '05.Forsythe is joining forces with RuSport for the '08 season. It's pretty bad when one of the owners of the series can't afford to field at least a two-car team on his own.
Meanwhile, Gerry Forsythe's business partner and owner of PKV racing, Kevin Kalkhoven dodged a bullet when he was exonerated on charges of manipulating the stock of a company, not racing related, in 2003.Lastly, as many of you have probably all heard, Helio Castro-Neves won Dancing with the stars and has since hooked up with his 19 year old dancing partner.
I don't know her name and, frankly, I'd rather take a shot to the groin than watch that show. The shot to the groin will hurt for a few minutes. That show's how long, a half hour? One hour? I'd rather take the intense, albeit brief, pain over the prolonged torture.
With the help of my trusty magic eight ball I'm going to take a stab at what the next few weeks will have in store for us.
Champ Car will announce plans to run a fourth race in Canada, through the streets of Vancouver. Officials will call it a bold new step into Canada that will tap an un-mined segment of Canadian racing fans. Sadly, the plan will come unhinged when they're reminded there was an event in Vancouver that was ditched due to preparations for the '10 Olympics.
Champ Car will announce plans to run a fourth race in Canada, through the streets of Vancouver. Officials will call it a bold new step into Canada that will tap an un-mined segment of Canadian racing fans. Sadly, the plan will come unhinged when they're reminded there was an event in Vancouver that was ditched due to preparations for the '10 Olympics.
"What, they haven't held the '10 Olympics yet? D'oh!" will be overheard at the press conference.
Forsythe Racing and Rusports relationship will get off to a bad start when they're laughed at during the opening race thanks to their controversial new name F-Ru Sports.
Bobby Rahal and David Letterman will end their long-time partnership when Letterman discovers Rahal had stolen over a dozen of his wigs.
Helio Castro-Neves will be involved in another scandal when his dancing with the stars girlfriend leaves him for an older man, and contestant on next year's show, Jimmy Walker from Good Times.
Dyno-Mite!
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Can more than 133,000 F1 fans be wrong?
"A group calling itself "The Blue Wave" has written the FIA in support of Fernando Alonso, denouncing what it calls his irregular treatment while at McLaren in 2007.
The group detailed 11 events throughout the 2007 F1 season which show McLaren favouring Lewis Hamilton and generating "serious damage" to Alonso and his career. They collected more than 133,000 online signatures from 77 countries over the course of 15 days in October in support of their protest...."
The group detailed 11 events throughout the 2007 F1 season which show McLaren favouring Lewis Hamilton and generating "serious damage" to Alonso and his career. They collected more than 133,000 online signatures from 77 countries over the course of 15 days in October in support of their protest...."
Continued at the link above
(How many would sign a petition saying that Alonso is most responsible for doing "serious damage" to his career? - gm)
NASCAR: Sears to end NASCAR Truck Series sponsorship after 2008
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2007) - The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing has begun marketing entitlement sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series beginning with the 2009 season.
This follows a decision by Sears that its Craftsman brand will forgo its sponsorship rights following the 2008 season.
"Craftsman has been a great, longstanding partner and intends to remain in the sport,"said Steve Phelps, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer, in a joint announcement with Sears. "The current series name will continue through the 2008 season with the same great commitment Craftsman has demonstrated throughout its 13-year history as the series' entitlement sponsor."
"The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series represents some of the world's best racing; the season championship has been determined in the final race of the year in 12 of 13 seasons - including 2007," Phelps said. "The series continues to attract some of NASCAR's most avid fans because of its intense, side-by-side competition."
"Craftsman has been the sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since its inception in 1995 and since then we have developed strong relationships with millions of loyal NASCAR fans we value greatly," said Scott Howard, Manager of Marketing Partnerships for Sears. "While we will be relinquishing title sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the end of 2008 we continue to explore new opportunities within NASCAR."
The series just wrapped up a successful 13th season of 25 races at 22 tracks in 19 states from coast-to-coast. Ron Hornaday Jr. won his third series championship with a record $1,137,044 in winnings.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is carried live by SPEED with two events broadcast live by FOX.
About NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is one of three national touring series sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. The series, which began in 1995, has graduated a number of competitors into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series. The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series consists of 25 events at 22 tracks in 19 states from coast-to-coast. The schedule includes 19 events on superspeedways (oval tracks of one mile or more in length) and 6 events on short tracks (oval tracks of less than one mile in length). SPEED will provide live television coverage of 23 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2008, with two events live on FOX. Additionally, the many affiliates of MRN Radio will air flag-to-flag coverage of the full schedule.
About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 935 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End – among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
From Owen Kearns, NASCAR Public Relations
This follows a decision by Sears that its Craftsman brand will forgo its sponsorship rights following the 2008 season.
"Craftsman has been a great, longstanding partner and intends to remain in the sport,"said Steve Phelps, NASCAR Chief Marketing Officer, in a joint announcement with Sears. "The current series name will continue through the 2008 season with the same great commitment Craftsman has demonstrated throughout its 13-year history as the series' entitlement sponsor."
"The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series represents some of the world's best racing; the season championship has been determined in the final race of the year in 12 of 13 seasons - including 2007," Phelps said. "The series continues to attract some of NASCAR's most avid fans because of its intense, side-by-side competition."
"Craftsman has been the sponsor of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since its inception in 1995 and since then we have developed strong relationships with millions of loyal NASCAR fans we value greatly," said Scott Howard, Manager of Marketing Partnerships for Sears. "While we will be relinquishing title sponsorship of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at the end of 2008 we continue to explore new opportunities within NASCAR."
The series just wrapped up a successful 13th season of 25 races at 22 tracks in 19 states from coast-to-coast. Ron Hornaday Jr. won his third series championship with a record $1,137,044 in winnings.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is carried live by SPEED with two events broadcast live by FOX.
About NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is one of three national touring series sanctioned by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. The series, which began in 1995, has graduated a number of competitors into the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series. The 2008 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series consists of 25 events at 22 tracks in 19 states from coast-to-coast. The schedule includes 19 events on superspeedways (oval tracks of one mile or more in length) and 6 events on short tracks (oval tracks of less than one mile in length). SPEED will provide live television coverage of 23 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races in 2008, with two events live on FOX. Additionally, the many affiliates of MRN Radio will air flag-to-flag coverage of the full schedule.
About Sears, Roebuck and Co.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), is a leading broadline retailer providing merchandise and related services. Sears, Roebuck offers its wide range of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, which includes approximately 935 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. Sears, Roebuck also offers a variety of merchandise and services through sears.com, landsend.com, and specialty catalogs. Sears, Roebuck offers consumers leading proprietary brands including Kenmore, Craftsman, DieHard and Lands' End – among the most trusted and preferred brands in the U.S. The company is the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 13 million service calls made annually. For more information, visit the Sears, Roebuck website at www.sears.com or the Sears Holdings Corporation website at www.searsholdings.com.
From Owen Kearns, NASCAR Public Relations
Grand-Am: Valiante to drive for Wayne Taylor full-time in '08
From SPEED:
"Canadian Michael Valiante, the 28-year-old veteran of open-wheel and sports prototype racing, has been named Max Angelelli’s full-time co-driver in the No.10 SunTrust Pontiac team of Wayne Taylor Racing for the entire 14-race Rolex Series campaign, which kicks off Jan. 26-27 with the traditional, season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.Valiante, a native of Vancouver, B.C., joins the SunTrust Racing effort with 31 career Rolex Series starts under his belt during the past three seasons...."
Continued at the link above.
(h/t Mr. Peepers)
"Canadian Michael Valiante, the 28-year-old veteran of open-wheel and sports prototype racing, has been named Max Angelelli’s full-time co-driver in the No.10 SunTrust Pontiac team of Wayne Taylor Racing for the entire 14-race Rolex Series campaign, which kicks off Jan. 26-27 with the traditional, season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona.Valiante, a native of Vancouver, B.C., joins the SunTrust Racing effort with 31 career Rolex Series starts under his belt during the past three seasons...."
Continued at the link above.
(h/t Mr. Peepers)
Asphalt Airborne Speedway joins DIRTcar Northeast for '08
"The timing is right as DIRTcar continues to expand and so do we," said Perrotte, 52, who addressed over 150 Airborne racers at the Plattsburgh (NY) Holiday Inn on Sunday, December 2 to usher in a new era at the popular north country oval. During the past three seasons the driver turned promoter has helped elevate the track's status with numerous site renovations and a successful race program that will feature the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds on a weekly basis in '08. "I like the way things are going with DIRTcar, it's a positive direction for us to follow."
"All of the Modified teams are excited about joining DIRT. They like the idea of belonging to the organization. There's a sense of being part of something bigger and better. They'll be able to compete in a regional series now with our points champion invited to the banquet to receive some extra money and more notoriety. A solid insurance program is intact and the chance to host some bigger events like Syracuse qualifiers is another bonus," added Perrotte, himself a four-time DIRTcar 358-Modified points champion at Frogtown Int'l Speedway with 26 career DIRTcar Modified feature wins.
The 2008 season-opener for Airborne Speedway has been set for Saturday, May 10 with the premier DIRTcar 358-Modifieds headlining a full show of Sportsman (limited late model), Renegade (8-Cylinder Street Stock), Warrior (4-Cylinder Stock) and Bomber (entry level 4-Cylinder stock) race action. Along with the 50-lap lid-lifter, Small-Block specials have also been penciled in over Labor Day Weekend with the Fall Foliage 100 closing out the season later in September.
"Mike is both a respected racer and promoter already recognized around the entire DIRTcar circuit so coming aboard is a natural addition," said Cory Reed, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Director of Competition & Track Sanctioning. "Mike and Steve (Fuller, owner) have done a great job on both sides of the fence, establishing a healthy field of cars while creating a strong base of fan support. And there are plenty of promotions in place to keep everyone coming back."
"As a sanctioning group we're always striving to expand the reaches of DIRTcar Racing. We revived some specials on blacktop last summer and now we're excited with the opportunity to showcase Modifieds on asphalt for the whole season. Airborne already has a great racing history and 2008 will be another banner season for both the track and our organization," Reed added.
Steve and Denise Fuller completed the purchase of Airborne Speedway in January of '07. Perrotte worked with George and Julie Huttig each of the two seasons prior, both leasing and managing the asphalt facility that first opened as a dirt track in 1954. The since razed Flemington (NJ) Fair Speedway is the only other paved track to hold full DIRTcar membership from 1991-92.
Some of the teams that will be back include those of defending 358-Modified track champion George Foley (2 wins) and last year's DIRT/Asphalt mini series winners Mike Bruno (Airborne) and Patrick Dupree (Oswego). '06 Airborne points champ Bruno, who in July joined Alan Johnson, C.D. Coville, Bob Savoie and Robert Ranger on the list of past DIRTcar Big-Block Modified feature winners at Airborne, finished third in points with Martin Roy securing runner-up honors.
Now with 11 wins, Leon Gonyo was crowned the first dirt-style Modified titlist on pavement at Airborne in �05. Under DIRTcar sanction with Perrotte the track co-owner in '88, Frank Keene (1989), C.D. Coville (1988) and Charlie Wilbur (1984) were declared season point champions when Airborne boasted a dirt surface.
Airborne Speedway is nestled in the beautiful and picturesque Adirondack Park region of Plattsburgh, New York, located just 2-1/2 hours from Albany, New York, an hour from Montreal, Canada, and a ferry ride from Burlington, Vermont. One of the oldest tracks in the Northeast, the half-mile asphalt oval is surrounded by Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east, the St. Lawrence Seaway and Canada to the North, and the breathtakingly beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York to the South and West.
The Advance Auto Parts Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional partners include AMB i.t., Rite Aid Corporation and the University of Northwestern Ohio and the contingency sponsors are Bert Transmission, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, Brodix Cylinder Heads, Crane Cams, Integra Shocks, MSD Ignitions, Motorsports Safety Systems, Penske Shocks and Wrisco Industries.
From Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing NorthEast Public Relations Director
*Photo attachment of 2007 Airborne Speedway points champion George Foley (Credit: Mike Watts)
Drags: Quality Plus Season Wrap Up
Doing battle in the division of Pro Mod is a tall task in its self, but to have the success that the Quality Plus team had in 2007 is a great accomplishment by all. Veteran driver Tony Pontieri placed 4th overall in AMS Pro Mod Championship points, qualified 2nd for the Pro Care Rx Pro Mod Clash, ran 6.000 @ 243 mph, and won the title at the AC Delco Las Vegas race to close the year. Pontieri exclaimed, "I could not have done it without Rob 'the Boss' Sporring, his wife Anne, and their company Quality Plus Compressors. They have given me the opportunity of a lifetime. We work hard to have the fun we have and 'the Boss' makes it all possible. I also want to thank my wife Doris and daughter Lilly for still letting me play like a kid. It means the world to me."
The Quality Plus racing team plans for a bigger and better 2008 season. With improvements coming to the trusty 57 Chevy and a stronger engine program, hopefully the team will put its heart and soul into a championship effort. Sporring states, "We have all the proper players on the team. Frank Fierro, Randy Ward, Mark and Debbie Lawrence and Paulo Dalimonte are the keys to our great season. We thank them for their efforts and commitment."
You can expect the blue and white '57 Chevy to be on track for pre season testing as early as February.
The Quality Plus Compressors Pro Mod team would like to thank the following companies and individuals that help make this effort a reality: Quality Plus Compressors, Pontieri Automotive, Too Precise Machine, Gary's Transmissions, Cucci Hair Salon, Auto Meter, Weld Wheel Inc, Bear's Performance, D.M.P.E Inc., The Trailer Shop, Tim McAmis Race Cars, dorispontieriart.com, Competition Tire Canada and Joe Van Overbeek Race Car Bodies.
Photo courtesy of competitionplus.com
From Jon Salemi / DMPE Inc.
Brockville Ontario Speedway Enduro set for New Year's Day
BROCKVILLE, ON - In less than one month race fans will be able to get their winter fix of racing action. Brockville Ontario Speedway will fire up the engines again on January 1st for the annual Hangover Enduro to kick off the 2008 racing season at the fast quarter mile oval.
The race has been held under differing conditions in the past ranging from a virtual skating rink one year to a mucky mess in another. Right now, the track is covered with a fresh blanket of 25 centimeters of snow which should make things challenging for drivers and entertaining for fans. ATVs will have a separate showdown to go along with the traditional the Enduro car event to make up a great twin bill.
The event is scheduled for a 1pm start on January 1st. Admission is just 4 dollars when fans bring along a non perishable food item for the local food bank.
- From Steve Young / BOS
The race has been held under differing conditions in the past ranging from a virtual skating rink one year to a mucky mess in another. Right now, the track is covered with a fresh blanket of 25 centimeters of snow which should make things challenging for drivers and entertaining for fans. ATVs will have a separate showdown to go along with the traditional the Enduro car event to make up a great twin bill.
The event is scheduled for a 1pm start on January 1st. Admission is just 4 dollars when fans bring along a non perishable food item for the local food bank.
- From Steve Young / BOS
Mosport Roadshow kicks off this weekend at the Toronto Motorcycle Show
Located in the Rider Nation section (Level 800- South Building), the RoadShow display will feature the sleek and powerful Suzuki sport bikes of Go Big Racing, along with team riders Paul Glenn and Ross Millson, both of whom compete in Canada's top professional motorcycle series, The Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
There will be daily draws to win tickets to next year's Parts Canada Superbike Championship Doubleheader Weekend at Mosport (July 18-20), along with the new motorcycle season schedules and information. Fans are welcome to bring their cameras and have their pictures taken with the motorcycles on display. The hours for the 2007 Toronto Motorcycle Show are 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday (Dec. 7 and 8) and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., on Sunday (Dec. 9). For more information visit www.sportsmensshows.com/tms
The Metro Toronto Convention Centre is located at 255 Front St. West in the heart of downtown Toronto. It is Canada's #1 convention and trade show facility, with over 600,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space including 64 meeting rooms, a world-class 1,330-seat theatre and two well-appointed ballrooms.
From Lee Bailie / Mosport
Monday, December 03, 2007
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champ Andrew Ranger included in New York City champions' week celebrations
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion Andrew Ranger (3rd from the right) was included in last week's champion celebrations in New York City. What a great opportunity for Ranger! And how impressive is it to see Canada's national stock car champion lined up alongside of guys like Jimmie Johnson, Ron Hornaday, Carl Edwards and NASCAR's other title winners?!CUTLINE: From left to right: NASCAR champions LW Miller, Joey Logano, Steve Carlson, Ron Hornaday Jr., Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Andrew Ranger, Mike David and Donny Lia pose in front of the historic Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. (Photo Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR)
Not cool.
Our friends at CSC Racing are reporting that a Bell K1Sport helmet (size small) with an M30 HANS device (Serial # V30/ME/06/00890) was stolen from them last week.
If someone is offering to sell you one of these at a smoking price, you know where they got it.
Tell them to smarten up and give it back to CSC. And if they don't do that, then call the Glencoe OPP (Officer Schut # 5780) at (519) 287-2620.
The people at CSC are great friends of Canadian racers and don't deserve to be victimized in this manner.
UPDATE: Police contact updated (12/4/07)
Grand Bend Motorplex 2007 champions
The Grand Bend Motorplex year-end banquet doesn't take place until January. So before you get a chance to see the champions in suits and ties, here is a listing of the 2007 award winners in action at 'The Bend' in '07. Thanks to Ron Biekx at GBM for the information. For information about the banquet, which takes place Saturday, January 26 at the Best Western Lamplighter in London, ON, visit http://www.grandbendmotorplex.com/ or call the office at 519-238-7223.
LEAF Racewear Junior Dragster 13-17: Amanda Grennan
Sarnia Drywall Supply 7.90 Junior Dragster: Bailey Atkinson
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Street E.T. Season 1 champ: Doug McKellar
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Street E.T. : Season 2 champ: Cam Stuart
New Orleans Pizza Top Dragster: Jeff Moser
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Mod E.T. : Season 2 champ: Jeff Barnes Jr.
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Top Sportsman: Mike Beska
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Top E.T. : Season 1 and 2 champ: Kevin Knight
Hully Gully Super Bike/Sled: Season 2 champ: Richard Donohue
Rudy Held's Performance Centre Mod E.T. : Season 1 champ: Will Steckly (Will is also the IHRA 2007 Summit Super Series World Champion)
LEAF Racewear Junior Dragster 8-12: Ryan Atkinson
NOTE: The initial post said the class champion was Ryan's brother Nick. Our apologies for the error.
Hully Gully Super Bike/Sled : Season 1 champ: Wes Cloake
WPSA: Royal Distributing Bourque Polaris Racing Team Invades Duluth!
Royal Distributing Bourque Polaris Pro Xtreme Team
The Royal Distributing Bourque Polaris Pro Xtreme Team travelled to Duluth, Minnesota to race in the WPSA opening round as a warm-up to the CSRA season this past weekend.
The team had some very solid results and is excited to build on them. Team Royal's first on-track action of 2007-08 saw Royal Distributing's Stephanie Simard notch a first, second and fourth leading in the final, where she lead most of the race enroute to a victory in Women's Sport Super Stock.
Dave Joanis also had stellar results in his heats with two thirds and a second. Dave is showing his speed is there and he is ready to attack the Semi-Pro championship in Canada, beginning December 7th-9th at Searchmount Resort near Sault Ste. Marie.
Lee Butler, Team Royal-Bourque's Pro Rider, showed he could ride with the best in the world, as he holeshotted a Pro Open qualifier and lead for over half the race. Finally, defending WPSA champion Ross Martin snuck by, Lee held on to finish second and the whole team fed off the excitement.
Lee's results all weekend exceeded the team's expectations in the super-competitive WPSA Pro classes. Lee proved that his Bourque tuned Polaris will be ultra fast in the CSRA pro classes this year and a force for the Championship.
See everyone next week at the CSRA opener in Searchmount! We hear track prep is going very well and the racing should be exciting!
Thanks to Team Royal-Bourque's awesome sponsors: Polaris, FXR Clothing, HMK Boots, Dayco Belts, C and A Pro Skis, Studboy Traction, Ipone Oil, Kimpex, Wiseco, Camoplast, TekVest, Walker Evans Racing, Oakley Eyewear
****
Royal Distributing Factory Recreation Ski-Doo Team
Joey Sagan and the Royal Distributing Factory Recreation Ski-Doo Team used the Duluth WPSA national as a warm-up to the CSRA season and gained some good insight into the new chassis XP Rev’s this past weekend.
Joey struggled a little bit with the setup on the new XP sleds, as many of the Ski-Doo teams did. Joey soldiered on to some good midpack finishes with the top US teams and learned a tonne about the new XP, we are very excited to get going with the new sled up in Canada. Joey kicks off the CSRA Pro Season on December 7th at Searchmount Resort. The team feels ready and up to the challenge.
“I’m so stoked to get going on this season, the new XP sleds are awesome and I feel great. What we’ve learned at Duluth is going to help us a tonne going into next weekend," Joey commented.
See you all at Searchmount ! The weather is great and the track is coming together nicely, its gonna be a very exciting season with really close racing! Watch for the #202 XP Rev’s in the Pro Classes!
Thanks to all our amazing sponsors: Ski-Doo, Dewalt, FXR clothing, HMK Boots, C and A Pro Skis, Studboy Traction, Ipone Oil, Kimpex, Wiseco, TekVest, and Oakley Eyewear.
From: Mark Fries / Royal Distributing
SCCBC: December Pit Pass Newsletter
A link to the 32-page December Pit Pass club newsletter for the Sports Car Club of BC is located here.
The PDF is almost 3.5 Mb in size. Thanks to Peter Weedon for forwarding us the link.
Rotax Max Challenge: Pier-Luc Oullette and Canada are champs
(Al Ain, United Arab Emirates), December 1st 2007 - Pier-Luc Ouellette was unbeatable this week in the United Arab Emirates. He dominated every session of the Rotax DD2 class, including the warm-ups. From memory, it is the first time a driver has ever done this. He won the final race with a 2,5 second gap which he built in the first laps and then, concentrated on his driving to avoid making any mistakes to win the final race and be the first Canadian driver to win a world title at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
To add to our joy within the Canadian delagation, our three drivers representing Canada for the Nations' Cup, Pier-Luc Ouellette in DD2, Christophe Boisclair in Rotax Senior and Mikaël Grenier in Rotax Junior, won the title over South Africa and Australia.
In the junior final race, the battle was furious. No less than 5 different drivers lead the race, with many contacts, especially in the last 3 laps, which changed the standings several time. Finally, Kevin Korjus, from Estonia, won the title over Ryuya Fujie from Japan and South African Caleb Williams. Tyler Wheeler was, for the second year in a row, the best Canadian driver in the final race when he finished 8th. Mikaël Grenier finished 10th and Mathieu Bourgoin finished 16th.
In the senior class, Ricardo Romkema from Netherlands, lead from lap 2 until the last corner but was passed by British driver Benjy Russell. His team mate Mike Simpson took third place. As for Canadian drivers, top honours when to Michael Vincec who had the best finish. After the start, he was dead last and moved up until 15th place. Christophe Boisclair crashed in the third lap and lost around 12 spots. With a damaged kart, he could not finish better than 19th.
In DD2, Pier-Luc Ouellette was just amazing. Behind him, however, the battle was fierce and it was finally Riche Morgan, from France, who finished 2nd, followed by Makoto Jubo, of Japan, who took third place. Scott Campbell took 7th place while Kyle Herder, again, was implicated in an accident at the start which put him at the back of the pack. He drove a fantastic race to finish 13th.
We must underline that Luc Sauriol took the third step of podium amongst the Master drivers in the Rotax senior class. This is his third podium at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in the Masters category, having won the title last year in Portugal.
This 8th edition was fantastic for Canada and could have been even better if we consider that our drivers were amongst the fastest throughout the whole event. Unfortunately, they were not all able to translate their speed into victory.
From: Sportimage communication
To add to our joy within the Canadian delagation, our three drivers representing Canada for the Nations' Cup, Pier-Luc Ouellette in DD2, Christophe Boisclair in Rotax Senior and Mikaël Grenier in Rotax Junior, won the title over South Africa and Australia.
In the junior final race, the battle was furious. No less than 5 different drivers lead the race, with many contacts, especially in the last 3 laps, which changed the standings several time. Finally, Kevin Korjus, from Estonia, won the title over Ryuya Fujie from Japan and South African Caleb Williams. Tyler Wheeler was, for the second year in a row, the best Canadian driver in the final race when he finished 8th. Mikaël Grenier finished 10th and Mathieu Bourgoin finished 16th.
In the senior class, Ricardo Romkema from Netherlands, lead from lap 2 until the last corner but was passed by British driver Benjy Russell. His team mate Mike Simpson took third place. As for Canadian drivers, top honours when to Michael Vincec who had the best finish. After the start, he was dead last and moved up until 15th place. Christophe Boisclair crashed in the third lap and lost around 12 spots. With a damaged kart, he could not finish better than 19th.
In DD2, Pier-Luc Ouellette was just amazing. Behind him, however, the battle was fierce and it was finally Riche Morgan, from France, who finished 2nd, followed by Makoto Jubo, of Japan, who took third place. Scott Campbell took 7th place while Kyle Herder, again, was implicated in an accident at the start which put him at the back of the pack. He drove a fantastic race to finish 13th.
We must underline that Luc Sauriol took the third step of podium amongst the Master drivers in the Rotax senior class. This is his third podium at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in the Masters category, having won the title last year in Portugal.
This 8th edition was fantastic for Canada and could have been even better if we consider that our drivers were amongst the fastest throughout the whole event. Unfortunately, they were not all able to translate their speed into victory.
From: Sportimage communication
HOLLAND SPEEDWAY: Banquet
HOLLAND, NY - Champions and top competitors from the 2007 racing season at the Holland NASCAR MotorsportsComplex were honored at the speedway's annual awards banquet on Saturday, December 1. The event was held in the Fillmore Ballroom of the Airport Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga, NY.
NASCAR Grand National Division, Busch East Series Director Lee Roy was on hand, sharing some thoughts about racing and assisting in the presentation of top awards.
Mike Fiebelkorn, Jr. of Eden NY earned his first career track title, earning top honors in the NASCAR Sunoco SST Pro Modifieds by Paul Graff Trucking. Fiebelkorn, in his first year of open-wheeled competition, scored 15 top four finishes throughout the year, including three feature victories in Holland's designated NASCAR Whelen All-American Series division.
The second generation driver walked away with $3000 plus additional contingency monies for his efforts. In addition to hisc hampionship awards, Fiebelkorn received the division's Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year trophy and his #10 was deemed as the winner of the Paul Graff Trucking Best Appearing Car award.
Joining Fiebelkorn on the Pro Modified podium were Justin Shepker and Jonathon Price. Shepker rolled to three wins and 12 total top five finishes en route to his points runner-up position.
One of Shepker's victories included the 25 lap Dash for Cash as part of the annual George Decker Memorial. Price took three wins and four runner-up finishes to place third in the final points chase. The Price/Kline Motorsports crew was awarded the division's Budweiser Best Appearing Pit Crew recognition.
Longtime crew chief-turned racer Jim Loffredo of Orchard Park, NY won his first ever championship title as a racer, picking up top honors for the Carquest Chargers. Loffredo had but one win through the year, but top fives in all but two events helped put him atop the points list. Loffredo also earned the Charger' Carquest Most Improved Driver Award.
With two victories on the season, past two-time Charger champ John Grandits took runner-up honors in 2007, and also claimed the division's Sunoco Most Popular Driver award. Dave Krawczyk racked up six wins en route to a third place points finish; the Krawczyk crew received the division's Budweiser BestAppearing Pit Crew award.
Brian Porebski of Hamburg, NY was the only 2006 titleist to repeat in 2007. Porebski was Holland's winningest driver for the season, scoring 8 wins to pick up the Native Pride Pro Four crown, and never finished worse than 4th in any event. Dan Nellist raced to the seasonal runner-up position, with one win and 11 top five finishes. Nellist earned the division's Carquest Most Improved Driver honors. Nik Welshans did not visit victory lane in 2007, but 10 top fives gave him third place in the final points rundown.
Jeff Johnson of Versailles, NY received the championship trophy for the INEX Legends. Johnson, part of a family with long-time ties to Holland, earned 2 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds as he secured his first Legends title.
Johnson also received the division's Sunoco Most Popular Driver award, and the Johnson Crew won the Budweiser Best Appearing Pit Crew award. Veteran racer Charlie Neumann, who came out of a 30 year retirement to go Legends racing in 2006, took the divisional runner-up honors.
Neumann's #29ny was judged the winner of the division's Paul Graff Tire Best Appearing Car award. 'Earthquake' Jake Vernon picked up four wins for the year to secure third place in the final points chase.
In a sporting gesture, Johnson and Neumann presented Vernon with an 'unofficial' championship trophy. Vernon was forced to miss the final night of racing for a wedding in the family, and as a result, sacrificed a potential track title. Vernon also received the VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck award for this situation.
In the tightest points battle of any division, rookie driver Brandon Hirsch of Orchard Park, NY took championship honors in the 4-cylinder Hornet class. Hirsch needed every one of his four victories to earn the tie-breaker for the class title.
Hirsch also collected the Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year award, the Sunoco Most Popular Driver trophy, and his #17 won the Paul Graff Trucking Best Appearing Car award. For the second straight year, Ricky Roth fell just short of nabbing the divisional crown.
Roth, who tied Hirsch in points, but lost on the tie-breaker, picked up two wins and was also the recipient of the VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck Award. Frank Nellist, who as well was in the hunt for the title as until engine woes knocked him from contention on the final night, took the third place award for the Hornets. Nellist raced to three feature wins throughout the summer.
Four consecutive victories in mid-season put Ashley Kirchberger of Buffalo, NY on top of the Queen Bees standings for her first career title. Ashley's #70 was also judged as the winner of the Paul Graff Trucking Best Appearing Car award.
2006 champion Mae Urban took runner-up honors for 2007. Mae scored 8 top fives including one win in 2007, and was also presented with the Sunoco Most Popular Driver award and the Holland Craftsman Tools Mechanic of the Year award.
Lisa Loffredo took third inthe final points standings, with seven top fives including one win. Lisa also received the division's Carquest Most Improved Driver award.
Seven victories and a pair of runner-up finishes locked up a first career championship for Jason Eck of West Seneca, NY in the Alliance Auto Recycling Figure 8 Car division. Eck also received the division's Carquest Most Improved Driver award and the Sunoco Most Popular Driver Award.
'Big Dave' Zimmerscored the division's runner-up honors with eight top 3 finishes including one victory. Sean McDonald earned the division's Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year award, as he placed third in the final points rundown.
Long time track official and Speedway representative Sande Tedesco was honored with the Ray Greenan Award, annually presented to a group or individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty in support of racing at Holland and motorsports in general.
The Woman in Racing Award was presented to Chief Scorer Staci Ward. The Unsung Hero Award was presented to long time Speedway assistant and Saturday night 'greeter' Jimmy 'Scoop' Jackson.
Try-It Distributing presented the MAARA LateModel Budweiser 100 Championship plaque to a representative of race winner Will Thomas. Media Appreciation awards were presented to Ken Hangauer, Jr. (WXRL-AM), Larry Ott (Buffalo News), Dave Roberts (Area Auto Racing News), and Mark Southcott (NYRaceZone.com). Sponsorship Appreciation awards were presented to Try-It Distributing, VSP Marketing/Graphics Group, and Wardynski's Meats.
Other award winners included:Sunoco SST Pro Modifieds by Paul Graff Trucking -Feature race winners: Jeff Price (2), Neal Dietz, Jr. (2), Chuck Anderson, Randy Jazembak, NeilHopkins, Steve Kreitzbender.Points Awards 4-10: Jeff Price, Chuck Anderson, Jeff Ruddy, Tim Welshans, Randy Jazembak, NealHopkins, Neal Dietz, Jr.VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck Award: Jeff Ruddy.Carquest Most Improved Driver: Tim Welshans.Sunoco Most Popular Driver: Chuck Anderson.
Carquest Chargers -Feature race winners: Matt Welshans (2), Jerry Kosmowski, Marty Hughes.Points Awards 4-10: Jerry Kosmowski, Matt Welshans, Ted Welshans, Joe Eck, Chris Ford, MartyHughes, Rob Miszczak.Paul Graff Trucking Best Appearing Car: Jerry Kosmowski #69.VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck Award: Matt Welshans.Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year: Greg Miszczak.
Native Pride Pro Fours -Feature race winners: Sean Kirsch, Shawn Lafferty, Mike Eckam, D.J. Hutchinson.Points Awards 4-10: Rich Carnes, Sean Kirsch, Bob Marzec, Shawn Lafferty, Josh Hathaway, LauraYandricha, Michelle Roberts.Budweiser Best Appearing Pit Crew: Shawn Lafferty #4 Crew.Paul Graff Trucking Best Appearing Car: Sean Kirsch #21.VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck Award: Rich Carnes.Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year: Josh Hathaway.Sonoco Most Popular Driver: Bob Marzec.
INEX Legends -Feature race winners: Eric Hammill (2), Tim Hoegel, Jeremy Haudricourt.Points Awards 4-6: Jeremy Haudricourt, Tim Hoegel, Eric Hammill.Carquest Most Improved Driver: Jeremy Haudricourt.Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year: Jeremy Haudricourt.
4-cylinder Hornets -Points Awards 4-10: Eric Brown, Bill Lutz, Kim Marzec, Bob Crowley, Jerry Carpenter, John “Jammerâ€Mueckl, Mae Urban.Budweiser Best Appearing Pit Crew: Murray Brothers #51/#57 Crew.Carquest Most Improved Driver: John “Jammer†Mueckl.
Quuen Bees -Feature race winners: Kim Marzec (2), Mary Place.Points Awards 4-10: Kim Marzec, Noreen Koningisor, Nicole Twoguns, Mary Place, Elaine Pimpo,Samantha Lutz, Mary Murray.VSP Marketing/Graphics Group Hard Luck Award: Noreen Koningisor.Clark Rice Memorial Rookie of the Year: Elaine Pimpo.
Alliance Auto Recycling Figure 8 Cars -Feature race winners: Joe Merlino, Bill Lutz, James Steins, Jay Murphy.Points Awards 4-10: Mike Eckam, Sharon Hughes, Joe Merlino, Jason Adams, Bill Lutz, James Steins,Jay Murphy.
The Holland NASCAR Motorsports Complex will open for the 49th consecutive year of operation onSaturday, May 24, 2008.
From Rick Mooney
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