Raceline Radio Network Newsletter... the Canadian GP is dead

From Erik Tomas, Raceline Radio

The Canadian Grand Prix is dead!

And you can pin the murder directly on the man who makes millions everyday off the avails of Formula One, the man who controls the commercial rights to the races for a group of banks, Bernard Ecclestone!

Despite efforts by the Montreal Hotel Association to kick in additional millions through a hike in room taxes, Quebec Premier Jean Charest confirmed this week all efforts to save the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal have failed, and the race is gone.

Mayor Gérald Tremblay and Quebec Economic Development Minister Raymond Bachand addressed the situation at a media conference in Montreal. They declared Ecclestone's price tag to restore the race to the 2009 schedule unreasonable and out of reach of taxpayers.

Gerry and Ray were the guys who also travelled to Europe to meet with the Bernie after the race was scuttled. At that time, it appeared the GP might just return after all.

Ecclestone and The FIA stunned Montreal promoters and fans early last month by releasing a schedule for 2009 that didn't include Montreal.

Ecclestone said contractual issues were behind the decision and the promoter owed back fees, something that was denied by the local promoter.

The 9th wealthiest man in the U.K wants 175 million guaranteed over 5 years, plus profit from track advertising and corporate box sales to bring the race back.

The City, Quebec and Federal governments offered 110 million, plus 75% of the first 10 million in profits, and 25% of any profits over 10 million.

And the pint-sized dictator turned the offer down!

You see, he holds all the cards. He can get what he's asking for from Middle and Far East nations who want races with no hassle at all, so why would he give a damn about Montreal and the fans?

The Canadian Grand Prix was the largest tourist and sporting event in Canada, drawing more than 300,000 fans, earning between 75 and 100 million in tourism trade and commerce. The race also pulled some of F-1's highest TV numbers.

It simply got to the point where Ecclestone's price tag just got too high to be sensible, and his greed digestible.

With the North American economy in crisis with job losses and plant closings becoming epidemic, spending 175 million over 5 years on an automobile race to make Bernie Ecclestone richer, while Canadian companies are looking for bail-outs using tax payers money would have been incredibly irresponsible!

It's rare I side with bureaucrats, and it's indeed tragic we've lost this race, but I have to applaud the government for not bending over to buy into Ecclestone's money-grubbing tactics.

Remember too, there's a Quebec provincial election coming and nobody wants this hot potato in their lap. Over spending by politicians is a very sensitive issue.

So, painfully, 2009 will be the first year since 1987 that Canada will not be hosting a Formula One race, and the first time in 40 years there won't be an F-1 race in North America.

And what about the Constructors? North America is the largest market for many of the F-1 manufactures in the sale of Honda's, Toyota's, BMW's, etc. They want 3 races in North America. Now they have none!

I think it's time the Constructors dusted off their old idea of breaking away to start their own series, because this money monster with Ecclestone at the helm isn't working for them!

Until next time…

ET

It's time for the Rally of the Tall Pines

The Rally of the Tall Pines starts today. Should be fun with all the snow.

Click here to visit the Tall Pines site.
You can download the event program here.

Mark's Work Wearhouse Friends & Family Event

Strong communities include strong kids. We believe all kids should have the chance to run, skate, play, and grow. Canadian Tire JumpStart is a community-based charitable program that helps kids in financial need participate in organized sports and recreation such as hockey, dance, soccer and swimming.

National in scope but local in focus, Canadian Tire JumpStart delivers support to children through a Canadian-wide network of local chapters, made up of a variety of community leaders committed to helping kids get active, such as Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, and Parks and Recreation.

These community partners are joined by Canadian Tire Associate Dealers and Petroleum Agents, and together the chapters identify children in financial need who would benefit from the program.

To date, there are 270 Canadian Tire JumpStart chapters in communities across the country. Since its launch in February 2005, Canadian Tire JumpStart has helped give more than 129,301 kids in financial need the chance to play.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart/

Montreal: Good-bye F1... Hello Indy?

From the Calgary Herald

Didn't take long for someone to come sniffing for that $110 million that Bernie Ecclestone turned down...

"The Indy Racing League is ready to entertain talks of possibly staging a race [in Montreal] to fill the void left in the wake of a failed collective effort by city, provincial and federal government officials to secure the future of the country's only Formula One race."

Continued at the link above

Big 3 bosses head to Washington to cry poor.... in their private jets

This isn't helpful.

From ABC News

"The CEOs of the big three automakers flew to the nation's capital yesterday in private luxurious jets to make their case to Washington that the auto industry is running out of cash and needs $25 billion in taxpayer money to avoid bankruptcy."

... "All three CEOs - Rick Wagoner of GM, Alan Mulally of Ford, and Robert Nardelli of Chrysler - exercised their perks Tuesday by flying in corporate jets to DC. Wagoner flew in GM's $36 million luxury aircraft to tell members of Congress that the company is burning through cash, asking for $10-12 billion for GM alone."

... "Wagoner's private jet trip to Washington cost his ailing company an estimated $20,000 roundtrip. In comparison, seats on Northwest Airlines flight 2364 from Detroit to Washington were going online for $288 coach and $837 first class."

... "Ford CEO Mulally's corporate jet is a perk included for both he and his wife as part of his employment contract along with a $28 million salary last year. Mulally actually lives in Seattle, not Detroit. The company jet takes him home and back on weekends."

See the link above for the full story

L’Estage and Richard leading the North American Rally Championship

St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, November 18th, 2008 – Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard will be chasing back-to-back North American Rally Championship titles as they take to the start of the Rally of the Tall Pines on Saturday morning in Bancroft, Ontario. Almost 50 teams will compete in this event, Canada’s sixth and final round of the year. The duo from St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec has already won four rallies on North American soil since the start of the season. They enter the competition with a five-point lead over main rival for the championship, Ken Block, who will be attempting to earn his first title. In addition to a variety of different Yokohama tires required to battle in the unknown weather conditions, L’Estage and Richard will be relying on their Royal Group Hyundai Tiburon, masterly prepared by rally legend John Buffum. L’Estage will be looking for his third consecutive event victory at this challenging rally.

Tall Pines is really the most unpredictable event on the calendar, commented L’Estage. At this time of the year, the road and weather conditions can change from hour to hour and we have to be prepared for anything. I like tough conditions and having good pacenotes and the best tire choice could make the difference between a great stage time and going off the road. It was here in 2004 that I had my first ever career victory and after winning again in ’06 and ’07, coming here always brings back great memories.

Antoine is the type of driver who excels under adverse conditions, adds Nathalie Richard. He has an innate sense that allows him to find the maximum possible speed a road can be driven, whether it’s dry or wet or icy. That’s what makes him a winner as often in summer, in winter, or at an event like Tall Pines.

One long day
Since 1971, Tall Pines has taken place over just one condensed day, unlike the common Canadian two-day rallies. At the Saturday morning start, L’Estage/Richard will be the first car on the road. The rally is made up of 180 kilometers and 15 competitive stages, over a period of twelve hours. « It’s a long day for us, admits the two-time Canadian Champion and reigning North American Champion. We’ll go from daylight to nighttime, as well as fall and winter, all the while adapting to the continuously changing conditions. For more information, event details can be found at http://www.tallpinesrally.com/.

Antoine L’Estage and Nathalie Richard compete in the Canadian Rally Championship with the proud support of : Hyundai Canada, Royal Group, Yokohama Tires, Énergie Cardio, Libra Racing, OMP Racewear, VP Racing Fuels, and MBF Racing. You can also visit the team’s site Coyote Rallye for more specific information on the team or as a general rally reference.

Source : Coyote Rallye Media Services (514) 825 – 4332

NASCAR TRUCKS: Cut Tire Slashes Fitzpatrick's Chances in Season Finale

Homestead, Fla. (November 18, 2008) – J.R. Fitzpatrick made his third career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start on Friday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway, marking his first start at a 1.5-mile superspeedway.  Fitzpatrick, who won the CASCAR Championship in 2006, made quick work of the steep learning curve and drove the No. 71 Mammoet Chevrolet to 18th before falling victim to a blown right rear tire 98 laps in to the 134-lap Ford 200.

Fitzpatrick, who had his career-best qualifying effort (sixth) last week at Phoenix International Raceway, was on pace to lay down another great lap in qualifying.  His first lap clocked in at 32.911 seconds at a speed of 164.079 miles per hour and he was on pace to outdo himself on lap two, but his determination outweighed the trucks abilities and he looped it on the second lap.  “In qualifying, I believe we had a top-15 truck but I made a small mistake by not wanting to lift off the gas and that cost us that potential start,” he explained.  “We were too free and I spun out on the second lap.  But we still maintained a top-20 start.” 

Fitzpatrick started the Ford 200 from outside row 10 in 20th position but his Chevrolet was “loose under throttle” and he slid to 24th.  When everyone hit pit road, under caution, on lap 43, Crew Chief Jon Wolfe called Fitzpatrick in for four tires, fuel, and a chassis adjustment before returning him to the track in 22nd. 

On lap 67, Fitzpatrick brushed the wall but it didn’t cause enough damage to his truck to tell.  “It’s really starting to come in,” said Fitzpatrick on lap 75.  “It’s really feeling good.”  About 15 laps later, his truck began to lose the handling and was slowly losing the nose and pushing loose.  He hit pit road under the next caution flag and took on four new tires and fuel, but when the race resumed, he cut down a tire and was forced to pit road for repairs.  The crew patched up the damage and sent the Mammoet Chevrolet on its way, but they fell nine laps down while repairing the damage.

“I had a ton of fun, running with eight to 10 trucks all night,” said Fitzpatrick of his first outing at the Homestead, Florida facility.  “Our truck was a bit on the loose side and it took about 40 laps before it came in.  When it did, we were running some great lap times.  We pitted under the caution flag for some tires and adjustments and I knew we were going to have a great truck after that.  But only one lap after the restart we went into turn three and we cut down a right rear tire.  Luckily I was already running the high groove and just kissed the wall a little but the damage was big enough were it took several laps to repair.  The crew took their time fixing the damage because it was crucial that we finish the race because I need my license for next year.  They worked very hard and got us back out to see the checkered flag fly.”  Fitzpatrick finished 32nd.

“I had a lot of fun and I am really looking forward to what hopes to be a full season in 2009,” he said.

From TRG_motorsports // Jamie Maynard

 
<<71 Mammoet Chevy at HMS.JPG>>

TW Steel – A1GP R3 Preview – Sepang, Malaysia

Amsterdam, The Netherlands (November 18, 2008) – The 2008-09 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport remains in the Far East this weekend, following a successful debut visit to China’s Chengdu International Circuit two weeks ago, with Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit hosting A1GP for the fourth consecutive season with Round 3, Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd November.

TW Steel, the ‘Official Watch and Timing Partner’ of A1GP, will again be pro-active on-site with the Malaysian leg of the ‘Miss TW Steel’ competition – the Malaysian winner going on to face nine other national winners from around the globe in the grand finale at Brands Hatch in England in May 2009. ‘Miss TW Steel 2008-09’ will not only have the honour of the title but she’ll also collect $25,000 in prize money and receive a photo-shoot with a leading lifestyle magazine.

TW Steel will also be showcasing and selling product at the Sepang International Circuit with the TW Steel A1GP watch range expected to be a ‘must have’ item for race fans. Based on the successful TECH collection and launched at the start of the A1GP season at Zandvoort last month, the three TW Steel A1GP models have proved to be extremely popular – not least with the A1GP drivers.

Malaysian Momentum:

A1 Team Malaysia holds the honour of heading to its home track, the impressively wide 5.54km / 3.44-mile Sepang International Circuit, leading the 2008-09 A1GP Nations Standings after two rounds. With a five point lead over A1 Team Ireland, (28-23), the Malaysian squad is no doubt hoping to capitalize on its momentum and do something it has yet to achieve in A1GP – score a home podium!

While Malaysian favorites Alex Yoong and Fairuz Fauzy have led their nation to a total of five A1GP victories, a top-three finish at Sepang has currently eluded the squad despite the team’s competitiveness throughout the previous three seasons of A1GP competition.

Sepang has proved to be a circuit that rewards consistency with just eight nations achieving podium finishes in the six A1GP race starts held previously at the track. While Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic and New Zealand have all scored one podium a piece, with Germany and Great Britain scoring two each, ultimately A1 Team France and A1 Team Switzerland have made the Malaysian circuit their own territory with five podium finishes each.

Switzerland’s Neel Jani has ultimately turned Sepang into his own personal playground having scored all five of his nation’s podium finishes including three victories – most notably a lock-out of the top step in last season’s Sprint and Feature races. A1 Team France has had three different drivers steer to top-three finishes, including a double victory by Alexander Premat in the inaugural 2005-06 A1GP season, with additional podiums courtesy of Nicolas Lapierre and a brace of second-place finishes last season by Loic Duval. A1 Team Germany triumphed in the 2006-07 Feature race, courtesy of Nico Hülkenberg, the only time to-date that France and Switzerland have been denied victory in Malaysia!

Sepang Driving Impressions:

One driver familiar with both the Sepang International Circuit and victories in A1GP is A1 Team Ireland’s Adam Carroll. Having scored his country’s first-ever A1GP win in the Feature race at Mexico City last season, Carroll again showed his class last time out at in China collecting his first Sprint race victory in Round 2 at the Chengdu International Circuit. He promptly followed that up with a dogged pursuit of A1 Team Portugal in the Feature race, finishing a close second at the chequered promoting A1 Team Ireland into second in the A1GP Nations Standings heading to Sepang this weekend.

Carroll, a multiple GP2 race winner and ex-BAR Honda F1 test driver, enjoys the demands of the Malaysian circuit and is keen to see how the all-new ‘Powered by Ferrari’ A1GP car compares at the track having scored a pair of seventh place finishes there last year in his rookie A1GP season.

“Sepang is a really great circuit,” stated Carroll. “I enjoyed racing there for the first time last year. It’s an extremely challenging circuit and it really has a little bit of everything to test you. It’s a quick track with a mix of fast corners and slow corners, with flat-out straights leading to heavy braking zones. Ultimately I can’t wait to get back out there and see what the new ‘Powered by Ferrari’ A1GP car do. I really think this kind of circuit will allow us to showcase the full potential of the car.”

He continued; “I think we’ll see some more overtaking with the new car, the track’s wide open and there’s always a lot of grip there too. It’s not like Chengdu where if you went off-line it was dusty and you’d likely go off, Sepang has grip just about everywhere which allows you a bit more track to play with heading into braking zones.”

With Malaysia famed for its heat and humidity, as well as the odd monsoon, the fitness of the A1GP drivers will undoubtedly be tested this weekend – something that Carroll is well aware of.

“Well it’s tricky to be fully prepared when you don’t live in a country that experiences the kind of humidity we’ll encounter in Malaysia. Ultimately this is where all your pre-season training should pay-off. If your fitness level is high then provided you maintain fluids throughout the weekend there’s no reason you shouldn’t be prepared. I’ll also be going out early enough that I’ll have had time to acclimatize to the conditions as well so it really shouldn’t be a factor.

“I was happy to come away with a first and second last time out in China but Malaysia’s an event I’ve been looking forward to for a long time and I’m hopeful we can maintain our momentum there and I can add to my TW Steel A1GP watch collection for scoring poles and podiums!”

TW Steel – Big in Oversized Watches. twsteel.com

Travis Walker Signs with Compass360 Racing

TORONTO, CANADA -- Travis Walker is one of those guys who is just naturally gifted when it comes to driving a race car. Some have talent, but have to work that little bit harder to eke out the last few tenths. For Travis, quick lap times are something that come with seemingly effortless ease. That's not to say those laps don't come without effort, it's just that they seem to come more naturally.

Compass360 Racing (C360R) reported today that Travis will once again be an integral part of the C360R KONI Sports Car Challenge team in 2009. He's been with the team since 2005 and has been impressively successful in every series he's competed in.

"I'm so excited to be back again with my team, the guys I have been with since the beginning of my road racing career," exclaimed Travis. "They gave me my first win in FAQ and first podium in Grand-Am. I know we can go for a championship this year!"

T-Walk, as he's affectionately known in the paddock, started his career in go-karts, winning two championships in the 2002 Grand Nationals. Like many karters, he made the move to sedans; for Travis it was the famous Honda-Michelin series which re-surfaced in the early 2000's. Competing with top-running Canadian drivers including the Wittmer brothers, Travis earned the distinction of being the youngest- ever driver to win a Honda-Michelin race.

Travis impressed in his first-ever Grand-Am Cup race at Mosport in 2005, where he finished third. That same season he won the FAQ championship in an Acura RSX-S our team prepared. In 2006 he was voted Inside Track's "Up and Coming Road Racer of the Year" by the readers of Inside Track Magazine.

In 2007 Travis started the season with C360R, but was quickly signed by Blackforest Motorsports to drive their GS and GT-class Mustangs alongside Quebec's Valerie Limoges and Alex Tagliani.

Building upon T-Walk's success in 2008 with the Ccompass360 Racing team (Travis and team owner Karl Thomson finished third at Daytona), he'll be returning to full-time competition with C360R this year with an eye to taking the title.

"Travis is one of those guys who just fits with our team," noted Technical Director Ray Lee. "He's always able to go out and lay a fast lap down when we need him to in practice, and he knows how to manage the car so there's enough left to go for the win at the end." Travis is one of a number of talented young drivers that will be calling Compass360 Racing home next year. The team will be announcing the other 2009 drivers in timed announcements over the coming weeks.

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Marketing Communications, a firm offering branding expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. For details visit http://www.c360r.com/
or http://www.compass360.com/

PR inquiries about the Compass360 Racing team should be directed to Team Principal Karl Thomson at (416) 465-2299 x21 or email karlt at compass360 dot com

Tim Miller NASCAR book signing... photo gallery from Bill Mehlenbacher

Canadian motorsports writer Tim Miller recently held a book signing for his book NASCAR NOW, which is available online at Chapters.Indigo.ca (Click here for the Chapters/Indigo link). The book is also available at your local Library.

According to Bill Mehlenbacher, there was a great turnout for the event. Tim gave some great insight into the book and the research he put into it. There was a great discussion group that featured former Cayuga Speedway owner Bob Slack, Raceline Radio's Erik Tomas, SOS Rookie of the Year Ryan Hunsinger, PMRA Director Bruce Mehlenbacher and others.

Thanks to Bill Mehlenbacher for the photo gallery and notes. Bill's website is located at: www.nxphoto.com

Stage set for final showdown at the Rally of the Tall Pines

BANCROFT, Ontario – Unpredictable weather and challenging roads set the stage for a fierce final showdown at Canada’s rally season ender, the Rally of the Tall Pines, November 20-22, in Bancroft, Ontario.

Subaru Rally Team Canada’s Pat Richard and co-driver Alan Ockwell have already secured the Canadian championship title, but defending champions Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard are looking for redemption in what has been a frustrating Canadian season.

There will be plenty to fight for at Tall Pines, with the Hyundai team of L’Estage and Nathalie Richard in close contention with Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino for the North American Rally Cup - a series which scores a team’s best six events on both sides of the Canada-US border.  These three top factory teams are all out for a big win at this final event of the season.

“I've won Tall Pines three times, and we're ready to win again this year” says L’Estage. “The North American Rally Cup has only been won by one American in the past seven years, and I want to make sure it stays that way!”

But their biggest challengers for the title aren’t going to make it easy. Subaru Rally Team USA’s Ken Block and Alex Gelsomino are looking to wrap up the title on L’Estage’s turf.

“Antoine has won two races in our U.S. championship and it's my goal to win my second this year in his,” said Block. “It's going to be a battle, and I plan on standing on the top of that podium at the end."

 
Block made his rally debut at Tall Pines several years ago and has since made it a regular stop on his competition calendar. The event ended early for Block in 2007 after he slid off the road.

“It's great to have won the title, but we really want to win at Tall Pines,” said Patrick Richard. “It's great not to have to worry about championship points so we'll be pushing really hard.”

Andrew “ACP” Comrie-Picard and guest co-driver Chrissie Beavis will make the gravel debut of the team’s Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X – a first in North America.

Also entered is Block’s Monster Energy teammate Dave Mirra, a BMX legend who has recently made the switch from two wheels to four.

More than 40 teams are expected to take the start at this event, including a diverse two-wheel drive entry including historic cars such as a 1978 Datsun 280Z, and a 1976 Ford Cortina GT. Zebe Szewczyk has made the trek from Alberta in his blazing yellow Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart, and there are a number of production entries fighting for class wins.

Tall Pines Rally also marks the culmination of Subaru and Mitsubishi’s 2008 contingency award programs, and they will be awarding thousands of dollars in prize money to the top competitors in each marque based on event and season standings.

The storied Rally of the Tall Pines is an event that features some of the toughest driving challenges in North America, with conditions often referred to as “winter roads with summer ditches”.

The cold weather in the region at this time of year means the roads can become snow or ice covered, but drivers will not have the benefit of snow banks to keep them on the road. A small mistake can have big consequences at this event.

The Rally of the Tall Pines is one of the most spectator-friendly in the series, and this year will include a new Super Special stage minutes from downtown Bancroft. The rally is held November 20-22, 2008, and includes more than 150 kilometers of competitive stages run in the Canadian Shield setting around Bancroft, Ontario. 

Rally car racing is often described simply as “real cars, real roads, real fast.” The all-season motorsport sees drivers and their co-drivers take modified road cars to the limit as they achieve blistering speeds over closed-road courses that typically cover more than 150 kilometres of gravel, dirt or snow-covered roads. Fans can get up close to the cars in the service areas and catch all the action from specially designated spectator points located at the best spots on the route.

The Canadian Rally Championship is comprised of six events held nationwide in a season that extends from February to November. The series is presented by Subaru Canada, supported by Yokohama Tire Canada and features contingency programs from Subaru Canada and Mitsubishi Canada. The Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) is the official sanctioning body for rallying in Canada.

Full coverage of the championship will air on RDS and TSN. Check local listings.

For more information on the web: www.CARSrally.ca ; www.tallpinesrally.com
 
Mandatory Photo Credit: WarwickPatterson.com
<<CRC_PatRichard_02.jpg>>

New Hampshire Motor Speedway to Host ACT Invitational in 2009

LOUDON, N.H. (November 17, 2008) - Late Model stock car drivers will get their first superspeedway experience next year as New Hampshire Motor Speedway will host the inaugural American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Invitational during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series SYLVANIA 300 weekend on September 17-20, 2009.

The Invitational will have a purse of more than $65,000 for invited and approved teams that attend the historic, groundbreaking event for Late Model stock car racing.

"New Hampshire Motor Speedway has been looking for a way to support the short track industry throughout the Northeast and Québec/Ontario markets," said New Hampshire Motor Speedway Vice President and General Manager Jerry Gappens.  "The Invitational is a great addition to our NASCAR weekend that already includes the Sprint Cup Series, the Camping World Truck Series, the Camping World Series East, and the Whelen Modified Tour."

"New Hampshire Motor Speedway is giving short track fans and teams throughout the Northeast and Canada a wonderful opportunity," said ACT President Tom Curley.

The ACT Invitational race will be a 50-lap all-star event with 36 starters.  Each 2009 race winner up to the running of the Invitational on the U.S.-based ACT Late Model Tour and the Québec/Ontario-based Série ACT-Castrol will be awarded a guaranteed starting spot and a $500 bonus for each win contingent upon participation at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway event.

Three non-championship events will also be Invitational qualifying races with a $500 New Hampshire Motor Speedway bonus: the CARQUEST Vermont Governor's Cup 100 at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre, Vt.; the TD Banknorth 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, Maine; and the Coors Light 200 "Showdown at Chaudière" all-star race at Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jonction, Quebec on Saturday, August 29.

Other invitees will be 2009 champions and/or point leaders as of September 17, 2009 on the ACT Late Model Tour and Série ACT-Castrol, as well as at the following ACT-affiliated short tracks: Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Oxford Plains Speedway, Lee USA (Lee, N.H.) Speedway, Twin State Speedway (Claremont, N.H.), White Mountain Motorsports Park (North Woodstock, N.H.), Seekonk Speedway (Seekonk, Mass.), Waterford Speedbowl (Waterford, Conn.), Capital City Speedway (Ottawa, Ont.), and Kawartha Speedway (Peterborough, Ont.).  Provisional starting spots will be awarded to fill the field to 36 cars, if needed.

"Short track racing is grass roots racing and is the engine that drives the entire stock car industry," said Curley.  "Jerry Gappens and his New Hampshire Motor Speedway team are to be commended during these challenging times with their proactive, innovative ideas to be inclusive of the region's short tracks.  Obviously, the American-Canadian Tour teams and fans, along with their affiliate Late Model tracks, are very excited and appreciative about this opportunity."

"This is great news for Late Model racing as a whole," said ACT Late Model Tour veteran Brent Dragon of Milton, Vt.  "Racing at Loudon is something I think all drivers in this region want to do, and now we've all got even more motivation to win races.  Being at New Hampshire Motor Speedway brings this group to a whole new level."

"I'm very proud of the fact that ACT is going to New Hampshire," said Donald Theetge of Québec City, the 2006 Série ACT-Castrol champion.  "It will be great for our drivers, our fans, and it would be a great thing to win a race in front of the Sprint Cup teams.  I know I'm going to try everything I can to get in that race and win it."

Promotions will be held in all major markets of the region, including the Canadian metro areas of Montréal, Ottawa, Québec City, and eastern Toronto, and U.S. metro areas including Providence; Portland; Boston; Hartford; Burlington, Vt.; Manchester, N.H.; Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and more, to make attending this event affordable, and so that the fans will get more action and value for their ticket money.

"It is our intention to give the best short track teams in the region a chance to compete at the premier superspeedway in the northeast," said Gappens.  "We are very excited to have the ACT race fans join us for this incredible weekend of racing."

The Série ACT-Castrol 2009 schedule was released at the annual Banquet of Champions in Drummondville, Que. on Saturday, November 15.  The 2009 ACT Late Model Tour schedule will be released in the coming days.

For more information on the ACT, please call (802) 244-6963 or visit them online at www.acttour.com.

For more information on New Hampshire Motor Speedway, please call the Ticket Hotline at (603) 783-4931 or visit us online at www.nhms.com.

From: New Hampshire Motor Speedway & ACT

Yokohama Tire Introduces the All-New ADVAN Neova® AD08

FULLERTON, CA (Nov. 17, 2008) – The ADVAN® legend grows: Yokohama Tire Corporation has added a new tire to its global flagship ADVAN line, the ultra-high-performance ADVAN Neova® AD08, which debuts to the public at the Los Angeles Auto Show, November 21-30.
The ADVAN Neova AD08 is an updated version of Yokohama’s ADVAN Neova AD07, nicknamed "the fastest street tire." The all-new ADVAN AD08 will be available in the U.S. in mid-2009 in 32 sizes, ranging from 15 to 19 inches.

"The Neova AD07 truly set the standard for max-grip, full-tread tires," said Jim Mayfield, director ADVAN brand, "but the new AD08 is the best of the best. Extensive testing reveals the Neova AD08’s distinct advancements in four key areas: dry grip, wet grip, ride comfort and noise level, taking it to remarkable new heights and maintaining our leadership in the industry. All these areas of improvement are very important to consumers in the ultra-high-performance segment and demonstrate Yokohama’s technical achievements and innovations."

Many of the new Neova’s improvements, especially the wet and dry gripping, are attributed to a new micro silica compound, HDC (Hyper Density Carbon), which also extends treadwear. Other highlights include specially placed steel sidewall inserts (for improved handling and enhanced cornering), rapid reflex twin ribs that add stability and steering response, an extra-wide unibloc shoulder for continuous rubber-to-road contact during high-speed cornering, adaptive flare blocks for better lateral strength and turning power, and stress control grooves that minimize uneven wear.

"Fast just got faster with the new ADVAN Neova AD08," said Mayfield. "It definitely lives up to the ADVAN legacy. This is an ultra-high-performance tire ADVAN enthusiasts are going to love."

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama’s extensive product line, visit http://www.yokohamatire.ca.

WHEELS: Norris McDonald on NASCAR Canadian Tire Series top rookie Jason White

Click here for the full story.

FLAMBORO: LM drivers' meeting Nov. 15, 2008 by Dave Franks

This is a 20-photo gallery from the Flamboro Speedway Late Model drivers' meeting, on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008 at the speedway. Thanks to Dave Franks for sharing the photos. You can see Dave's website here.

NHRA: Powerade Series - Champs crowned in Pomona

From Anthony Vestal
 
PEDREGON AND KRAWIEC WIN POWERADE SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CROWNS
Dixon, Pedregon, Anderson and Rivas claim event titles at Auto Club NHRA Finals
 
POMONA, Calif. – Cruz Pedregon earned his second NHRA Funny Car world championship title, and first in 16 years, by racing to victory Sunday at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Southern California.

Meanwhile, Eddie Krawiec won his first POWERade Series crown in Pro Stock Motorcycle, and did so without winning a race during the season. He joins Rob Bruins, the 1979 Top Fuel champ, as the only drivers in NHRA history to win a season title without earning an individual race victory.

After Pedregon won his first round meeting against Jerry Toliver, he secured his first title when his two closest challengers lost in the first round. Season-long leader Tim Wilkerson fouled against John Force and then Robert Hight lost to Pedregon's brother, Tony.

Pedregon then drove his Advance Auto Parts Toyota Solara to his third straight event victory to close out the six-race Countdown to 1, NHRA’s Playoffs, by beating Ron Capps in the final round. It is Pedregon’s 26th career win and second here at his home track.

"I'm stunned," an emotional Pedregon said moments after his brother Tony eliminated the last racer within reach. "It's awesome Tony got that win right there because I'm standing here thinking of my dad (Frank) and that I hope he's proud of his sons. I was 18 when he died and Tony was 16 and now we each have two world championships. We've come a long way for a couple of Hispanic kids from Chino."

Krawiec entered the Countdown to 1 in seventh place and finished runner-up in four of the six races in the championship playoffs, securing his first title and the fourth for Harley-Davidson and the seventh for Vance & Hines Racing.

"Consistency pays off," Krawiec said. "It shows you that you just need to go rounds at the end. We made the Countdown in seventh place and have been in four of the last five finals. I haven't had a chance to get my first (event) Wally yet, but I've got a big gold Wally (for winning the championship). I do have a $75,000 check here though, so if someone wants to sell a Wally, I could buy one.”

Larry Dixon, Greg Anderson, and Chris Rivas also claimed race victories in their respective categories at the final NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series event of the season at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Dixon raced to his second win of the season in Top Fuel, holding off Rod Fuller in the final round. Dixon, who moved to second in the point standings with the victory, covered the distance in 3.833 seconds at 300.93 mph in his U.S. Smokeless dragster to take his 43rd career victory and first at the Finals. It was his fourth win at the historic Pomona track.

"The car nosed over really, really, really badly on the other end and it gave me the feeling it was going to blow up, but I wasn't at the finish line yet," Dixon said. "Then I saw the win light come on and it blew up, but I saw the win light come on, and that was all that mattered. We hopped it up for the final and certainly needed it. 'Hot Rod' had been cutting good lights all day and their car had been running good. You can tell by the way we blew up that we left everything on the track. I hate finishing second (in points), but as far as the bonus money that gets passed around to the guys on the team, the difference between fifth place, where we came into this race, and second, where we finished, is monumental. We were racing to finish second, so I'm really happy for them."

Top Fuel season champ Tony Schumacher's record-breaking season ended when Fuller defeated him in the second round. Schumacher tied Anderson's 2004 season-marks for wins (15) and elimination round wins (76).

Anderson claimed his sixth Pro Stock victory of the season in his Summit Racing Pontiac GXP when Kurt Johnson fouled at the start in his ACDelco Chevy Cobalt. It was Anderson’s 57th career victory and his fourth win at the Finals and seventh win at Pomona.

“It is second place, but it was first place today," said Anderson, who moved into second overall in the final point standings with his win. "It was the highest position available, and it felt like we were going for the championship there. I love racing Kurt. We always have great battles. I wish that would have been for the championship, but second ain’t so bad. Right now, we’re going to have to be happy with that, and next year, we’ll have to try and rectify that. Maybe next year it will be Kurt and I going for the championship on the last run here.”

Newly crowned Pro Stock world champ Jeg Coughlin lost in the first round to Allen Johnson.

Rivas continued his hot streak in Pro Stock Motorcycle by winning his third race in a row, defeating newly crowned season champ Krawiec in the final round. Rivas, who moved to second in the final point standings with the win, powered his G-Squared/Drag Specialties Buell to a performance of 6.929 at 191.95 to drive away from Krawiec’s Screamin' Eagle Harley-Davidson, which trailed at 7.009 at 190.46.

"We're still not really sure where that 6.92 came from," said Rivas, who finished second in the point standings, five points behind Krawiec. "I knew that we had left together and by the time I plugged third gear he had completely dropped back; I thought he had broken. We hit the rev limiter at the finish line so I knew it either had been a really good run or that it had broken the transmission. I did what I was supposed to do as a rider. I took out the reigning world champ and kept him from having the number-two spot, and I feel fantastic about that."

The 2009 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season opens Feb. 5-8 at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Lucas Oil Returns to the Sponsor the Empire Super Sprint Tour for Two More Years

By Dean Reynolds

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The biggest sponsorship announcement in Empire Super Sprint (ESS) history came at the 25th anniversary awards banquet from Lucas Oil Canada’s Steve Snowden himself.  Lucas Oil has signed on to be the tour sponsor for the 2009 and 2010 seasons with the title officially being the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints.

Steve along with his son attended the awards banquet at the Holiday Inn at Carrier Circle in Syracuse, N.Y. to make the special announcement.  For one of the busiest men in Canada, it was his first time greeting many of the stars from the 360 organization.

“I along with Lucas Oil really enjoy sponsoring many types of grass roots racing and sprint cars are a part of that group.  ESS travels to both US and Canada which is big for Lucas, but we were just thrilled for what they did for us in return over the past year.” said Snowden in front of a packed house.  “We are honored to come back for two more years and support all these great competitors.  I didn’t get to a race last year and everyone tells me I’m missing a great show.  I will make sure I do get to a race in 2009.”

“The real winners in having Steve and Lucas Oil back are the competitors.  With the economy unstable, tracks just can’t afford to raise purses anymore.  To get your drivers more money is thru your point funds.” noted ESS President Chuck Miller. “When you have a good point fund waiting the teams at seasons end it will entice more to follow the tour.  We had a very successful 25th anniversary tour and we look to build going into 2009”

In addition to being the official tour sponsor, fans at each Lucas Oil ESS event will see many special promotions and giveaways.  The new logo which made its debut last year will be the official ESS logo minus the 25th anniversary slogan.  

The announcement of Lucas Oil is the first of many to come as ESS gets ready for the 2009 season in bringing you some of the most exciting winged sprint car action.  For the latest up to date information from the Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints you can visit www.empiresupersprints.com.  Where the tradition of excitement guaranteed will continue for over 25 years!

Photo Caption:  Steve Snowden (c) receives a special award from ESS President Chuck Miller (l) and Vice President Dean Reynolds (r).

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F1 Montreal: Bernie turns down $110M+ offer from politicians

From TSN

"MONTREAL - Montreal has lost the Canadian Grand Prix. Montreal mayor Gerald Tremblay says despite their best efforts, the "unreasonable" demands of Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone made the deal unworkable.
Tremblay says Ecclestone demanded a guarantee of $175-million over five years to stage the race in Montreal. The government offer was for $110-million over five years plus 75-percent of the first $10-million in profits and an additional 25-percent of any remaining profits.
Ecclestone turned down the government's offer...."

Continued at the link above