Christodoulou Wins Star Mazda Round 1 at Sebring

THE CONSISTENT ENGLISHMAN -- ADAM CHRISTODOULOU WINS ROUND ONE OF THE
2009 STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP AT SEBRING

Sebring (March 20, 2009) - A trio of European rookies took the top three spots in this afternoon's Round One of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear at the 57th Annual 12 Hours of Sebring. Adam Christodoulou, the rising open-wheel racer from Milton Keynes, England, started from the outside of the front row and drove twenty flawless laps to victory at the wheel of the #11 JDC Motorsports Mazda.

Finishing second by a margin of 0.504 sec. was fellow Englishman and long-time rival, pole-sitter Richard Kent of Birmingham, driving the #33 Andersen Racing / Traka / Allied Interior Products Mazda. Rounding out the top-3 was Conor Daly, son of racing legend Derek Daly, a former F1 and Indy car racer as well as two-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. Daly, the 2008 Skip Barber Pro Series champion, is racing the #22 Andersen Racing / College Network / Indeck / Cytomax Mazda with sponsorship from the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder.

"We struggled through some mechanical problems during the week and even missed a session on Wednesday, which was tough with qualifying on Thursday, but the team did an awesome job and it all came right in the end," said Christodoulou.

"Even though Richard was on the pole, I seemed to get an extremely good start and passed him going into the first corner, but then I looked over and saw Alex Ardoin next to me and he led the first couple of laps until he had a drive through penalty and I got the lead of the race. I'm used to twenty-five minute races in much colder climates, so it felt like a really long event, and Richard actually passed me on one of the final re-starts but went a bit deep into corner ten and I was able to get by and hold the lead for the rest of the race."

Rounding out the top-5 were Brazilian Caio Lara in the #19 JDC Motorsports Mazda and American Joel Miller, who won this event from the pole in 2008. Lara finished third on track, but was penalized a position for a driving infraction, moving him back to fourth and elevating Conor Daly to the top-3.

The top-finishing Expert Series (ages 30 - 44) driver was 2008 Expert Series champion Chris Cumming of Vancouver, B.C. He drove the #16 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda to a 14th-place finish overall. Californian Mike Guasch won the Master Series (45 and older) driving the #91 JDC Motorsports / Molecule Labs Mazda.

Other notable drives during the event include Alex Ardoin, who qualified 4th in the #51 JDC Motorsports / Oral & Facial Surgery Center Mazda, but with an aggressive start found himself leading the first three laps. Officials determined the start was perhaps a bit too aggressive and awarded him a 'drive-through' penalty that dropped him to the very back of the 28-car pack. By lap 20, however, the third-year racer from Lafayette, Louisiana worked his way back up to 8th. And Chilean rookie Kevin Toledo, driving for the newly-announced Eliseo THL Motorsports team headed by racing legend Eliseo Salazar, scored a top-10 finish driving the #77 Eliseo THL Mazda.

Peter Dempsey, who won four races during the 2008 Star Mazda Championship, three of them in a row, and finished third in the championship, weathered a difficult weekend with his new team to qualify 5th and finish 6th in the #3 AIM Autosport / Motorsport Ireland / Queyside.ie Mazda. Joe D'Agostino, a last-moment entry driving with sponsorship from Classic Mazda in Orlando, Florida, qualified 11th on the starting grid in his #5 Andersen Racing / Classic Mazda machine and finished 7th. 17 year-old Venezuelan Jorge Goncalvez, moving up from from Formula BMW made a good showing, finishing 9th in the #72 AIM Autosport / Mazda.

In the championship points battle with one race run, Adam Christodoulou leads with 44, followed by Richard Kent with 41 (including a point for winning the pole), Conor Daly with 37, Caio Lara with 34 and Joel Miller with 32. Chris Cumming leads the Expert Series with 20 points, followed by Phil Fogg, Jr. who finished 19th overall in the #29 Northwest Autosport / Consonus Health Services Mazda to score 16 points. Noted Japanese racer and Star Mazda rookie Toshihiro Deki finished third in the class, scoring 12 points in the #80 Goshen Motorsports Mazda.
Master Series winner Mike Guasch leads the category with 20 points, while Gerry Kraut, co-owner of JDC Motorsports, finished 2nd in the #55 JDC Motorsports / Dougherty & Co. / Dougherty Funding LLC Mazda to score 16 points. Rookie Walt Bowlin, driving the #23 Juncos Racing / Hooters Mazda finished third in the class and has 14 points.

In the team championship, JDC Motorsports leads with 32 points, followed by 2008 team champions Andersen Racing with 30 and AIM Autosport, who fielded the championship-winning effort of American John Edwards, in third with 22 points.

Canadian Steve Arpin among ESR racers to test at Salem

Denver, N.C. (March 20, 2009)- The garage at the Salem Speedway opened bright and early Thursday morning in Salem, IN., where Eddie Sharp Racing took to the track for testing. The test came following a six-week hiatus and last weekend’s rained-out test session at Rockingham Speedway. The one-day test scheduled for 9 a.m., but was postponed until 11 a.m. also due to rain. Once the track was dry the teams came out strong, showing great speed and car handling.

The three ESR teams, including Rookies Tim George, Jr., Steve Arpin, and Craig Goess, Jr. took to the challenging .555 mile oval to gear up for the Sunday, April 5, 2009 race at the Salem Speedway. The race will re-kick off the season for the team that had a strong finish at the Daytona International Speedway.

Rookie Tim George, Jr. driver of the No. 2 Ruby Tuesday Toyota said, ‘We rolled off the trailer really well. I was able to make times close to what I was on the simulator and it showed how hard the guys were working at the shop. I look forward to the new challenge of high horsepower on the short-track and to coming back to Salem with Ruby Tuesday onboard.’

Rookie, Steve Arpin, driver of the No. 20 Jeff Taylor Motorsports Toyota was very happy with the Salem test. ‘I am looking forward to the short tracks most this season, so the Salem Speedway was an awesome place to start. Short-track racing is where I began my career and I am excited about applying my dirt-track racing knowledge to that of short-tracks. The whole team has been working really hard to prepare a good car for me and I am so excited to work with three of my teammates this week.’

Rookie, Craig Goess, Jr., was the first out of the gate Thursday morning, he added, ‘It was so good to get back in the car since Daytona. Short-track racing is always fun. It was good to be around all the guys again and it looks like all their hard work and preparation has paid off. I think it will be very competitive when we get back to racing.’

Testing will continue this Monday, March 23rd at Rockingham Speedway. The ARCA RE/MAX Series returns to action at the Salem Speedway on April 5, 2009 for the Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200.

For more on Eddie Sharp Racing, please log onto www.teamesr.com.

From: Lynsi Thompson // Public Relations Manager // Eddie Sharp Racing

Special events highlight South Buxton’s 2009 schedule

Special events highlight South Buxton's 2009 schedule

SOUTH BUXTON, Ont. – After a rain-plagued 2008 season, fans and drivers at South Buxton are hoping for nothing but starry- skied nights this summer. And the stars will be shining on the track as South Buxton has scheduled seven special event nights for 2009.

The highlight of the season will be the fifth annual Castrol Canadian UMP Late Model Shootout/Modified Fall Blowout on Saturday, Sept. 26. South Buxton has three new events for 2009, including the Summer Sizzler Series – a home-and-home competition with Ohsweken Speedway (June 19-20 and July 31-August 1).

The UMP Modifieds take the track at Ohsweken on Friday, June 19, with a return engagement at South Buxton on the Saturday night. The second leg of the Summer Sizzler Series will feature the UMP Late Models at Ohsweken on Friday, July 31, with the rematch in South Buxton the following night.

Drivers will be taking aim at an overall two-night purse in each class along with the nightly payouts at each track. Both Summer Sizzler Series dates follow the World of Outlaw shows at Ohsweken, as they host the Late Models on June 18 and the Sprints on July 28-29.

South Buxton's third new event is UMP Modified Can-Am Clash on Saturday, July 4.

The Can-Am Clash will serve as a prelude to the second annual UMP Modified Fall Blowout, which was added to the Shootout for the first time last September.

A record crowd of 4,500 watched as Brian Ruhlman, of Clarklake, Mich., won the inaugural UMP Modified Fall Blowout on Sept. 27, while Chris Ross, of Wallaceburg, Ont., became the first Canadian to win the UMP Late Model Shootout. Jon Henry, of Ada, Ohio, ran double-duty and was the runner-up in both the Late Model Shootout and Modified Blowout.

The success and positive feedback from the Modified Fall Blowout enticed South Buxton Raceway owner Scott Mihalco to add the Can-Am Clash to the 2009 schedule.

"Our own (Modified) class is growing, and with the interest expressed by American drivers for an event like this, we're excited about the potential for a big field and a great show for our fans," Mihalco said.

There will be three Sprint Car race nights, with Southern Ontario Sprints in town on May 23 and August 22, while the Michigan-based Sprints On Dirt series visits South Buxton on June 13. Opening Night is Saturday, May 16, with racing every Saturday night through the championship night on Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5).

Andrew Reaume of Blenheim is the two-time defending points and championship race winner in the UMP Late Model class while Louis Clements swept both crowns in the Sport Stock division in 2008.

Leamington's Paul DeGoey is the reigning points champion in the UMP Modifieds but suffered career-ending injuries in a crash during the heat race on championship night. Justin Coulter of Leamington won the championship race.

Nate McNally of Charing Cross will be out to defend his Comp 4 points title, while Rob Quick of Cottam won the season championship race. South Buxton is coming off a wet 2008 season, which saw eight of 18 race dates postponed by rain, including four out of five weeks in the heart of the schedule from mid-June to late July.

Visit www.southbuxtonraceway.com for schedule updates and more information on the 2009 season.

Picture cutlines:

Jim Dale Jr. (00), Curtis Coulter (5) and Mario Toniolo (25M) go three-wide through turns 3 and 4 during a Schinkels Gourmet Meats UMP Modified heat race in 2008. South Buxton Raceway will have three special events featuring the Modified class in the 2009 season.

South Buxton Raceway's 2008 championship race winning drivers, from left: Louis Clements (Lube Tech Sport Stocks), Rob Quick (Garage Restaurant Comp 4), Andrew Reaume (Castrol UMP Late Model), and Justin Coulter (Schinkels Gourmet Meats UMP Modifieds).

South Buxton Raceway 2009 Major Event Dates
*May 16 – Opening Night
May 23 – Southern Ontario Sprints
June 13 – Sprints On Dirt
June 19-20 – **Ohsweken/South Buxton UMP Modified Summer Sizzler
July 4 –UMP Modified Can-Am Clash
*July 31-August 1 – **Ohsweken/South Buxton UMP Late Model Summer Sizzler
August 22 – Southern Ontario Sprints
*September 5 – Championship Night
September 26 –UMP Late Model Shootout/UMP Modified Blowout
(* ‑ indicates holiday weekend)
(** - Friday at Ohsweken; Saturday at South Buxton)
Racing every Saturday night, May 16-Sept. 5, 7 p.m.

From Mike Bennett // South Buxton Raceway // www.southbuxtonraceway.com

F1 backtracks on nutty points system... for 2009

That thud you just heard was the sound of Formula 1's plan to award the driver's championship to the racer with the most wins... doing a crash and burn.

Sanity prevailed in the form of the teams' refusal to go along with the nutty scheme. You can read the full story here.

Last year's championship went down to the last turns, of the last lap, of the last race. Only the brains who run F1 could have viewed that result as a situation in need of repair. Yes, minds would be open to considering increasing the points gap between first and second place, but F1's scenario was insane.

What are the odds that any driver with a two-win cushion following the midway point of the season wouldn't spend the rest of the schedule doing the 'Schumacher First Turn Blitz' on the driver with the next-highest win total? Slim and none.

For now, the FIA will just have to find another way to bugger up the sport...

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. talks F1, Bristol, working with Tony Eury Jr.

NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES
FOOD CITY 500 / BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY DRIVER PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT

DALE EARNHARDT, JR., NO. 88 NATIONAL GUARD/AMP ENERGY IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Bristol Motor Speedway and discussed his Dad racing at Bristol, the Legends race being held at Bristol, start to this season, new F-1 championship rules and other topics . Full transcript:

WHAT IT THE BEST DALE EARNHARDT, SR. MOMENT HERE AT BRISTOL FOR YOU? “The Earnhardt moment for me here was when he ran like 450 laps and won the race and had no power steering. I think that was in ’87 or ’86 or something like that. For me, I have run like 20 laps at California with no power steering and it was difficult, it was hard to drive the car where you wanted it to go. The whole handle of the car, the whole feel of the car changed. I just can’t imagine. I was having a hard time running any kind of competitive on new tires, on old tires I was ok without the power steering, but on new tires it was just really hard to run as fast as everybody else was running. For him to have been able to do that here, a place like this, on the blacktop, for basically the entire race and win. That was pretty cool. I was here for that and I was pretty proud of him for that kind of effort.

“I must have been 12 or 13 at that race.”

WITH YOUR APPRECIATION OF THE HISTORY OF THIS SPORT, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE LEGENDS RACE TOMORROW NIGHT AND DO YOU THINK THAT COULD BE A REGULAR CONCEPT AND SOMETHING THAT WOULD INTEREST YOU AFTER YOUR FULL-TIME CUP CAREER IS DONE? “I would definitely be interested in being involved in it just because of the other guys that are involved in the race. I would be very proud to have the opportunity to race against Jack Ingram and Junior Johnson and those guys and other people I didn’t get the chance to race against. So that would be really cool. They did the deal at Charlotte years ago on a Legends track, it was kind of a hokey kind of deal but some of those guys took it really serious and it ended up being a pretty exciting race that Elmo (Langley) won.

It was great to watch and I think they all really had a ball with it. For the historians of the sport, it is a lot of fun. For people who have never seen Junior Johnson run a lap or the people who have never seen L.D. Ottinger run a lap and some of the guys that are going to be in the race, it is just neat to see them out on the race track and compete because, even though it is a fun race and most of them aren’t taking it too seriously, you do see some of the competitive fire and spirit and you imagine what kind of driver they were, I guess, back when they were at their peak. I think it is a great, great idea, I would be excited to see it more often.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF F-1 NOW DECIDING THEIR CHAMPION ON WINS ONLY, WOULD THAT WORK IN NASCAR AND WHAT DO YOU THINK? “That sounds crazy. Like the ‘60s or ‘70s, you know. In Formula One that might work. It is definitely going to make for some interesting strategies during the races. They have such a different style of racing and the strategies and how the pit stops and everything plays out and they don’t really have many full-course cautions to bunch the field up. There are no lapped cars on the inside and things like that. It is quite a different race and you have to have an appreciation for that type of racing to understand and really like it. It would be interesting to have that. I have always said that however they want to set up the pins, we’ll knock ‘em down the best way we can. So whatever the format is to win a championship, makes no real difference to me.

“I think it would be exciting. I would like it no more or no less than what we got. I don’t want to make any controversy (LAUGHS), I like we what we have got. But, if they want to do that, I would support them 100%.”

DO THE FANS AND MEDIA OVER ANALYZE, OVER THINK EVERYTHING YOU DO BECAUSE OF YOUR ENORMOUS POPULARITY? “Well, no, not really. I mean, we haven’t run well, and it is obvious. It is ok for people to point that out because it is a fact. I put myself in this position. I’m willing to accept the ups and downs and the goods and bads that come with it.  We haven’t run like we want to, like I think we should. It’s alright for everyone to point that out. I have said it a hundred times, and it just doesn’t seem to make a dent, but, the guy that I feel bad for is Tony, Jr. (Eury, crew chief) because he gets criticized so badly. Everybody in this room and some of you have criticized him yourselves, know how smart a guy he is. Truly know that he is a good mechanic and a solid crew chief. He just wanted to do this for a living, just like I do, but I’ll take the fall.

I would rather be crucified than him. Because every time I read in the paper that people are on his case, I feel like I am sending my brother to jail for a crime I committed, you know what I mean. It is kind of tough sometimes, but I feel bad for him because he just wants to work and have fun. He just wants to race. That is what everybody in the garage wants to do, we just all want to race.  I am ok with, I understand that I need to run better. I understand what everybody…I understand y’all’s point of view when y’all say ‘what gives, where is the results’.  I understand that and I am out there bustin’ my butt trying to make it happen. That is my goal until nobody will include me in this sport, that is my goal, to make it happen. I just wish it were an easier job for him and the guys on the team. They take a little bit of the blow too, it is tough working on that team. I am ok with it.”

SOME SCHOOLS OF THAT ARE NOT THAT TONY, JR. IS A BAD CREW CHIEF, BUT THAT YOU ARE TOO COMFORTABLE WITH HIM AND THAT HE ISN’T ABLE TO CALM YOU DOWN, ETC., WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT? “Well, there are combinations that work really good, but no one personality, I don’t think there is a crew chief in the garage with the best personality. Everybody has flaws and things that are going to get under your skin and things you have to look over. There are riffs between every driver and every crew chief and they work it out or they don’t.  I think me and Tony, Jr. do a pretty good job of working it out.

Obviously, through everything we have been through, we still love each other to death and would do anything for each other. I don’t dread seeing him when I get to the race track, I can’t wait to see him when I get to the race track. We really do enjoy working together. It is a tough deal because we have a lot of sponsors and you have a lot of people, a lot of fans. You are in a big sport and each wants to go out there and make it happen. But at the same time, I like racing with my cousin. Whether we are the perfect combination or not, that doesn’t mean anything to me. I just like racing with him. That is what I want to do, you know, for the rest of my life. I like working with him. Whether I get to do that or not, I don’t know. I like racing with him. Maybe we are not the best combination out there, but I think if we are both on our A game and doing what we should be doing and we get a little bit of luck and a break here and a break there, we would be just as good as anybody else out there. We had a little bit of bad luck and a lot of failures and stuff happen, especially at the end of last year.

That makes it difficult to have an argument about how me and him can make it happen; me and him are a good combination. But really what it comes down is there are two different arguments. You have the professional side where you have the National Guard and AMP and all the people that support, they want to you to go out there and win races. You are in this business to professionally succeed and win races and championships and that is your ultimate goal and you should do everything you need to do as far a pieces of the puzzle to get there. Then there is the other side of you that thinks like you are still driving late models and just want to go to the track with your buddy. You just want to have fun because you did this for fun and people decided to pay you to do it.

That side of me still wants too.. that is where I am at. It is up to all the professionals and experts to figure out what we need to do to be a winning race team and we will make the changes and we have made changes. I like working with the guy. We trust each other and we go through a lot of crap together, I know where he is at and I know where I’m is at. We just have a bond. There are days where I wish Tony, Sr. was still around but when moved Tony, Jr. in to the crew chief role, it was what was supposed to happen with him. He was going to develop in to a crew chief and he was old enough to do it. There are times I wish Tony, Sr. was over his shoulder. But don’t want to change Tony, Jr.’s position and his authority. It was just awesome having Tony, Sr. around chewing our butts sometimes.”

From GM

Picton Racer Adam Turner Says 'There's No Place like Home'

Picton Racer Adam Turner Says “There’s No Place like Home”

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

During the course of his season Picton, Ontario sportsman modified racer Adam Turner logs thousands of driving miles, mostly on the highway back and forth to the various tracks where he competes.  The average feature (main event) race is only about 25 laps, which would translate to less than 8 miles if run on a quarter-mile track.

For the 2009 season, Turner has tentatively scheduled an aggressive plan for his racing endeavours.  In addition to regular Friday night stops at Can Am Speedway, just across the border in Lafargeville, New York and Saturday night visits to Brockville Speedway, the 25 year-old second generation driver also hopes to follow the series of events that make-up the Mr. DIRTcar championship trail.

“We had a similar plan of attack last year”, says the full-time auto mechanic with a smile.  “Things happen fast when you’re on the tour and we might not have been prepared for everything we’d be up against.  Some of the other drivers on the circuit are professional racers while for us, its more of a hobby.  That doesn’t mean we’re any less focused. They might be a little better financed”.

It’s no secret that in the world of motorsports – at any level – that money buys speed and as he gets ready for the season-opening event – Saturday, April 4th at Black Rock Speedway in Dundee, New York – Adam Turner is looking at putting his ducks in a row.

“A friend of mine has a background in media and marketing and shares my passion for the sport”, says Turner.  “We’ve been talking about doing some things that will not only help our race team, but also market Prince Edward County.  We’re going to do a day-long photo shoot in the next couple of weeks.  The plan is to take the car to some of the County’s better – and even lesser – known landmarks and take some pictures.  I’ll include the images with my sponsor search materials and add them to any press releases we send out to promote our team throughout the season.”

Although he expects to do a lot of travelling this year, Turner is proud of where he’s from and is always quick to promote Picton and the surrounding area when talking to fans and supporters wherever he’s racing.  Especially during the warmer weather, tourism is a major component of the Prince Edward County economy and Turner says he’d love to use his racing operation as a promotional ‘vehicle’ to help spread the word.

“I look at what the Taste the County (www.tastethecounty.ca) people are doing with their program.  It’s so positive – it can’t help but draw people here”, says Turner.  “I’d love to build a partnership with an organization like that and fly the county colours in our travels.  We have an enclosed race hauler that would look great with their logo on the side – and the travelling billboard would be seen by thousands of potential consumers every weekend.  Even their slogan ‘driving growth – promoting the county experience’ is a perfect match for our team and our racing program.”

Wherever he chooses to race during the 2009 season, it’s a safe bet that when Adam Turner zips-up his driver’s suit his heart won’t be far from The County.  It isn’t just Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz who knows ‘there’s no place like home’.

Photo attachment (by Jim Clarke): Adam Turner turns a fast lap in his #92 DIRTcar sportsman modified at Brockville Ontario Speedway.

HAVE BUS: Bristil and Martinsville sold out... Talladega and Lowe's still available

Hey Race fans we are leaving for Bristol Motor Speedway today & wish you were with us. Next Thursday, we are leaving for Martinsville Speedway and we're happy to say it's SOLD OUT! Thank you, Race Fans!

If you missed out on Bristol & Martinsville don't worry..... You can come with us to Talladega - Shake n' Bake!

Talladega Superspeedway is the Biggest, Fastest, & most Competitive Motorsport Facility in the World!

We still have seats for Dega, get on the Bus and leave the rest to us, all  Racing Tours include:
Transportainment, accommodations with breakfast, and Race tickets. Don't miss this opportunity!  Call 1-888-HaveBus (428-3287) TODAY! Still don't have our Brochure?  Call us or email us and we'll send you one. Check out our up coming Racing Tours

Talladega Superspeedway
Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOoUjVtR3w
Flyer: www.havebus.com/flyers/Talladega_Apr_2009.pdf

Lowes Motor Speedway - All Star
Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZc_UYfGnBk&feature=channel_page
Flyer: www.havebus.com/flyers/Lowes_May_2009_allstar.pdf

Lowes Motor Speedway - Coca Cola 600
Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3vZQM-ovGo&feature=channel_page
Flyer: www.havebus.com/flyers/Lowes_May_2009_coke600.pdf
 
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Cooper Tire Launches into Third Season as Presenting Sponsor of North American Open-Wheel Racing Series

FINDLAY, OHIO, MARCH 20, 2009 – COOPER TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY (NYSE: CTB) – The 2009 Cooper Tires Presents The Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda waves the green flag for the first time this weekend at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., with more prize money at stake than ever before.

 

“Cooper Tire’s partnership with The Atlantic Championship continues to pay tremendous dividends,” said Chris Pantani, Director of Motorsport and Event Marketing for Cooper Tire. “Our involvement provides a great research and development environment, as well as marketing opportunities. It also provides an excellent platform for Cooper to showcase its ultra-high performance racing products and technological capabilities to enthusiasts throughout the race season.” 

 

The 12-race series runs through October 11 with a total purse of $3 million including the Cooper Tires Pole Award for the fastest qualifier at each race. Last year’s total purse was approximately $1.6 million.

 

Since Cooper Tire’s involvement started in 2007, track records have fallen at an astonishing pace thanks to the performance-driven, Cooper-Atlantic racing tire and the technical skills displayed by a talented field of drivers. In 2007, 15 records were either established or broken, followed by 14 record altering performances in 2008 at various race tracks throughout the U.S. and Canada. 

 

“To break or establish 29 records in just a two-year period is a feat we’re incredibly proud of,” said Pantani. “In a competition where a hundredth-second can win or lose the race, drivers know they can trust the Cooper-Atlantic racing tire to perform.”

 

The Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda is the longest-running, open-wheel driver development series in North America and celebrated its 35^th anniversary season in 2008, with Finnish rookie Markus Niemela taking the series championship in the final race of the season. More information on the series is available at www.atlantic-championship.com.

 

About Cooper Tire & Rubber Company

Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a global company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of passenger car and light truck tires and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires. With headquarters in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper Tire has manufacturing, sales, distribution, technical and design facilities within its family of companies located in 10 countries around the world.  For more information, visit Cooper Tire's web site at: www.coopertire.com.

AIM Autosport Star Mazda qualifying - Sebring

AIM Autosport Qualifying Report - Sebring

March 19, 2009 – Sebring, Florida: It has been an interesting week for the AIM Autosport Star Mazda crew. In town since Monday (16th), test sessions were going well and the team was able to make decisions on the new aero package that had each driver running a slightly different mix. By the first official practice on Wednesday though, some gremlins crept in that mostly affected rookie driver David Ostella (CAN) while Peter Demspey (IRL) and Jorge Goncalvez (VE) experimented with setup issues.

Goncalvez continued to improve through morning practice on Thursday, sitting top five in the early going. Dempsey was fourth when an off-track excursion damaged the floor of the car and he would complete only seven laps. Ostella’s gearbox problems persisted and he too would end the session early.

A flurry of activity under the AIM tent and the cars would get to the grid for afternoon qualifying with everyone confident of a good run. Both Goncalvez and Dempsey showed improvement over their morning times with Jorge sitting fourth and Peter fifth. Ostella meanwhile, was having a good run without any issues and was as high as tenth. Once they were comfortable with their cars, all three drivers came in for a set of sticker Goodyear tires.

Dempsey completed 17 laps with his best, a 2:01.198 on lap eight, right after going to fresh tires, good enough for fifth on the grid. Goncalvez would settle in to eighth spot with a 2:01.393 which he recorded on his next to last lap. Ostella recovered nicely and will start the race from the inside of row seven (13th). He recorded a lap of 2:02.098 and was back where he had been running in the test days earlier in the week.

Aim Autosport team manager Keith Willis had these comments. “After all the little problems we had with David’s car, we are pleased with the outcome. He was up in the top ten early in the week and he is close to that with much improved times.”

“Peter is there, although we would have like to be on pole, although top three would have been nice. It is tough out there this weekend but we are feeling good for race day.”

“As for Jorge, we are very pleased with his progress. He has been getting stronger through every session and the payoff is a top ten in qualifying. This is a good result for the young rookie and he should have a very good race.”

Willis continued, “This is the first race of the season and the first race for this entire driver/crew combination so we are all still learning. We are looking forward to the race tomorrow and hoping for a good result for each of our drivers.”

Round one of the Star Mazda Series presented by Goodyear takes place at 3:55 p.m. ET on Friday, March 20th.

AIM Autosport Facts: Established in 1995, AIM Autosport has a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing. The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners. Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario. In addition to the Star Mazda team, AIM fields the No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle and the No. 51 Ford Riley with drivers John Farano and Alex Figge in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16

From Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications

Slowboy Racing Forges Partnership with VIP Garage to Open New Facility

March 10, 2009 - Slowboy Racing has announced they will join forces with VIP Garage to open a new facility by June 1, 2009. The brand new facility will be opened in the Lake Mary area of Central Florida.

Slowboy Racing was founded by President/CEO Michael Huml. The avid car lover started the company while holding a day job, but the company quickly gained speed after Huml was laid off in 2002. The entrepreneur went full-force making hundreds of phone calls; and business grew quickly. The company currently earns over 6 million dollars in annual sales.

Slowboy Racing does business in 15 countries and employs over 20 employees. The company has used powerful tools to generate business including building an eCommerce website and maximizing marketing efforts through YouTube and auto forums.

Partnering with Northern Virginia based VIP Garage to open anew facility will allow Central Florida auto builders access to enhanced products and services - at a convenient location. VIP Garage was founded in 2006 and grew to be one of the premiere facilities in the Mid Atlantic Region. They bring hands on experience with just about every turbo import application. "We are thrilled to join forces with VIP Garage," comments Michael Huml, President/CEO. "Our combined expertise will allow central Florida residents access to top of the line products to optimize performance." "I am tremendously excited at this opportunity. This will enable all of us to build one brand, one name. It will be my personal mission to make sure that the brand is synonymous with quality, service and value. We hope to become an asset to the Central Florida Region." Martin Ruiz said.

For more information, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.slowboyracing.com or call 724.349.8417.

Thinking about replacing your vehicle? Here's a Unique opportunity...

About a week ago, I received an email from my friend Sean Gibbs. You may know him as the flagman for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Sean's 'day job' is selling cars at Unique Chrysler in Burlington, Ontario.

To make a long story short, Sean periodically gives some of his personal contacts a 'heads up' on special offers at Unique. My old car was in need of timing belt and had recently started making some new and 'interesting' sounds.

So, rather than spend money fixing it... the cost of several months' car payments, no doubt... I went out to to see Sean at Unique and within the course of a few days, purchased a shiny black Dodge Nitro from Sean (and got a fair deal on my trade-in).

MOPAR and Chrysler do a lot to support my business and Canadian motorsports. Sean is a good guy and I was glad to support him. And has there ever been a better time to buy a new or gently-used vehicle? I still can't believe the deal I got.

Unique is having a special event on Saturday (March 21). They're making no bones about the fact that they've got a lot of vehicles and they're motivated to move them. Take a look at their flyer below and drop Sean an email if you're in the market for a new vehicle and have any questions about what he can offer. You can also call him at 905-631-8100 ext 253.

STAR MAZDA: Richard Kent On Star Mazda Pole At Sebring

PROVING HIS PACE – RICHARD KENT ON POLE FOR ROUND ONE OF STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP AT 12 HOURS OF SEBRING

Sebring (March 19, 2009) – Proving that his pace in testing earlier in the week was a true measure of his capabilities, Englishman Richard Kent put the #33 Andersen Racing / Traka / Allied Interior Products Mazda on the pole for tomorrow's Round One of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.  His time of 2:00.286 was well shy of the unofficial track record he set in testing earlier in the week, but still put him well clear of Adam Christodoulou, who will share the front-row for tomorrow's standing start thanks to a lap of 2:00.426 in the #11 JDC Motorsports Mazda.

"It seems to me that the track has gone quite a lot slower; when we go out right after the ALMS alms cars, we seem to lose a lot of grip and I don't know exactly if it’s the rubber on the track or just a coincidence with the heat," says the racer from Milton Keynes, England.  "Whatever, there certainly wasn't as much grip on offer, so we had to use the second set of tires, but its all good; we did what we wanted to do with winning the pole, now we've got to focus on winning the race.  Conditions tomorrow in the late afternoon should actually be a bit better, qualifying was at 1:30 right in the heat of the day, but we set our unofficial track record in the heat earlier in the week, so we've got a fast car for whatever the conditions are and we'll just be ready for whatever comes.  One thing I can tell you, it's going to be a long race."

Kent was the 'mystery driver' who showed up at the final Star Mazda race of the 2008 season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and smashed the track record to win the pole; then wen to win the race.  He remains a 'rookie' in the Star Mazda Championship because series rules apply that classification to any driver who has not yet run three races.  He is a top European racer, with experience in Formula Renault and Palmer Audi.

Joel Miller, who won this event from the pole in 2008, will start from the third spot on the grid after turning a lap of 2:00.680 in the #2 JDC Motorsports Mazda.  Next to him on the second row will be third-year Star Mazda Championship racer Alex Ardoin, who won the season-ending race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2007, finished 4th in the championship last year and changed teams prior to the start of this year.  The Louisiana racer turned a lap of 2:00.704 in the #51 JDC Motorsports / Oral & Facial Surgery Center Mazda.  Rounding out the top-5 was the 'Irish Steamroller,' Peter Dempsey, who won four races last season, three of them in a row, and finished third in the championship.  He turned a lap of 2:01.198 in the #3 AIM Autosport / Motorsport Ireland / Queyside.ie Mazda.

The quickest Expert Series (ages 30 to 44) driver was Vancouver native and 2008 Expert Series champion Chris Cumming.  Driving for a new team this season, Cumming turned a 19-fast lap of 2:02.860 in the #16 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda.  Leading the Master Series (ages 45 and up) drivers on the time sheet is Mike Guasch, a regular competitor in the Star Mazda West Coast Series and occasional driver in the Star Mazda Championship, now gearing up for a proper run at the Master Series Championship after finishing third last season.  His lap of 2:03.469 in the #91 JDC Motorsports / Molecule Labs, Inc. Mazda was good for 21st on the 28-car starting grid.

From Star Mazda

Partner of the Day... Fast Eddie Racewear

Mopar Debuts Retooled Moparspeed.com Web Site

Mopar® Debuts Retooled Moparspeed.com Web Site
Redesigned Moparspeed.com features easier navigation, updated desktop and wallpaper graphics and a driver blog archive

Center Line, Mich. - Mopar®, Chrysler LLC's Parts division, unveiled a redesign of its popular Team Mopar racing Web site, www.moparspeed.com. The enhanced design features easier navigation, updated desktop and wallpaper graphics and a refreshed look to the popular "Driver Blog" section of the site.

Moparspeed.com will now offer a blog archive cataloging each driver blog entry, including postings by current Team Mopar stars such as two-time Formula Drift champ Samuel Hübinette and NHRA Full Throttle Pro Stock driver Allen Johnson. The site will include a weekly blog from a Team Mopar driver or team member.

Moparspeed.com features a unique profile of race drivers and teams who compete under the Team Mopar banner. Team Mopar racing news items are published each week. The Web site also features Mopar Performance Parts information for professional and grassroots racers, driver and team owner bios and photos. In addition, the site lists race vehicle specifications, race series schedules and a scoreboard feature allowing fans to keep track of their favorite driver's stats throughout the season. While on the site, visitors are able to subscribe to the Mopar Speed e-zine, a weekly newsletter recapping Team Mopar racing action.

More than 70 Years of Mopar: When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960's–the muscle car era. The Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "special parts" for super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division called Mopar Performance Parts to enhance speed and handling for both road and racing use.

Today, Chrysler LLC's Parts division is responsible for the distribution of nearly 350,000 authentic Mopar replacement parts, components and accessories for Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles sold around the world. To assure quality, reliability and durability, all Mopar parts and accessories are designed in strict adherence to Chrysler Engineering standards.

#  #  #

ON THE INTERNET: Visit Chrysler's Media Services Web site at http://www.media.chrysler.com for additional Chrysler and Mopar news. For additional information about Mopar, log on to http://www.mopar.com or http://www.moparspeed.com.

From Darren Jacobs

RACING LEGEND ELISEO SALAZAR ANNOUNCES STAR MAZDA

Sebring, FL (March 19) – Famed Chilean racer Eliseo Salazar, a veteran of F1, Indy Cars, prototypes and international rallying, today announced the formation of Eliseo-THL Motorsports, a driver development team competing in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.  The team, headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and co-owned by Luis Toledo, will assist young South American racers in establishing their careers in U.S. motorsports. 

 

Eliseo-THL Motorsports will field a car for rising open-wheel racer Kevin Toledo, 18 years old, from Rancagua, Chile.  Toledo's resume includes karting, the Formula Renault and F3 series in Chile and Argentina and two Star Mazda Championship races in 2008, scoring a top-10 finish in his first event.

"My dream is to someday drive in Indycar," says Toledo, who just graduated high school after studying engineering at the Quimahue School in Rancagua.  "And to have a legend like Eliseo Salazar, who has raced in F1 as well as the Indy 500, managing my career gives me great confidence that I will achieve my goal.  The Star Mazda Championship is a very competitive, high-profile series that provided a stepping-stone for American driver Scott Speed to move up to F1, so this is where I will race in 2009 to develop my skills."

Eliseo Salazar, the team principal of Eliseo-THL Motorsports, is the only Chilean driver ever to compete in F1 (and the only one ever to score a championship point), making his debut with the March team in 1981.  He drove in 37 Grand Prix before moving to sports car prototypes in the late 1980s racing with both the Jaguar and Ferrari teams.  He returned to open-wheel racing in 1995, signing with Dick Simon to race in the CART Indy Car World Series and scoring a 4th-place finish in his first Indy 500. He won the Las Vegas 500 in 1997 becoming the first Chilean driver to win a major open wheel event.  Eliseo became a regular at the 500 even after the CART/IRL split. He qualified on the front row of the Indy 500 in 1996 and 2000, finishing third in the 2000 Indy 500 driving for legend A.J. Foyt.  Salazar retired from open-wheel racing in 2002 after finishing in the top-5 of the IRL championship two years in a row.

His racing resume also includes the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, American Le Mans, and Grand Prix Masters.  He is currently a regular competitor on the international rally scene and recently became the first driver ever to compete in the Grand Prix of Monte Carlo, the 24 hrs of Le Mans, the 24 hrs of Daytona, the Indianapolis 500 and the Rally Dakar.

“My idea for Eliseo-THL is to be a place where young South American drivers can come and not feel intimidated at first, for all the cultural and racing differences, starting with the language barrier," says Salazar.  "I feel that I have, through blood, sweat and tears

(in my case, literally….), learned  the ins and outs of American racing and I can help ease the steep learning curve to succeed here. That’s why our logo incorporates the flags of all the Spanish speaking countries of South America.”

The Eliseo-THL Motorsports team will be headquartered at a facility in Pittsburgh, PA.  Overseeing the operation will be Kari Marciniak, who has been both Salazar's wife and team manager for the past fourteen years. 

Other members of the team include Eric Langbien, an engineering consultant with fifteen years of experience.  He relates particularly well to drivers, having been one himself, winning championships in both racing and rallying.  Crew chief Scott Gates was born into an open-wheel racing family and has been working with Langbien for the past ten years.  He has a long history of working with top young drivers and has been a part of the Star Mazda Championship since 1994.

 “It has always been our intention to form a team for young South American drivers.  Having teamed up with Luis and Kevin has made our dreams become a reality," says Marciniak.  "We have always enjoyed following the drivers of the Star Mazda program, so it was only natural to have Kevin begin his U.S. career here.”

 The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is now in its 19^th year as one of the most prolific, successful and richest open-wheel driver development series in North America.  Star Mazda is a high-speed training ground for future stars of the sport and a major step on the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development Ladder that reaches all the way from karting to the Atlantic series… and from there to the top levels of auto racing worldwide. 

Star Mazda Championship alumni include ex-F1 driver, Scott Speed, Indy Car stars Graham Rahal and Marco Andretti, and rising Brazilian star Raphael Matos, who won the 2005 Star Mazda championship, the 2007 Atlantic championship and the 2008 Indy Lights championship on his way to making his debut as an IRL driver for the Luzco Dragon team in 2009.  Also on the list are hot NASCAR newcomer Michael McDowell (the 2004 Star Mazda champion), sports car racers Joey Hand, Dane Cameron and many more.

Star Mazda Championship race cars are high-tech open-wheel machines with a carbon fiber chassis, fully-adjustable suspension and 6-speed sequential gearbox.  The engine is Mazda’s legendary ‘Renesis’ rotary, race-tuned to produce 250 horsepower, speeds of over 160 mph and 0 to 60 mph acceleration of 2.8 seconds.  The series features standing starts (like F1) and the 13-race, 11-weekend 2009 schedule includes races on road courses, street circuits and ovals. 

The ‘single-spec’ engineering of Star Mazda Championship race cars showcases driving talent instead of big budgets. Total prizes for 2009 are $1.5 million, including a Mazda-sponsored drive for the Star Mazda series champion in the next step up the motorsports ladder, the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.

The first race of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship season is as a support event for the Mobil1 12 Hours of Sebring, Friday, March 20.

________________________________

 

For further information about Eliseo-THL Motorsports, please visit the team's web site at www.Eliseo.com.  For interviews or photos, contact Kari Marciniak at kari@eliseo.com or telephone (412)361-7714 or (412) 638-4974.

Five Star Bodies returns as partner of the ASALMS for a 7th season

The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts 2009 season has already started.  The cars and stars of the ASALMS South Division debuted in Punta Gorda, Florida to kick off the ASALMS’ seventh season of racing in “America’s Premier Short Track Series”.

All of the ASALMS teams continue to prepare for the upcoming campaign and one sponsor that’s helping them along the way is Five Star Race Car Bodies out of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin who will continue to be heavily involved within the three ASALMS Divisions for 2009, through the Participating Manufacturers Program (PMP).

Five Star Bodies will once again award Body Packages during the 2009 ASALMS Awards Banquet to be held in January of 2010.  At the 2008 Awards Banquet in January Bodies were awarded to Peter Cozzolino, Jimmy Lang, Eddie Hoffman, Dave Gentile Jr., Dustin Dunn, Brent Downey and Joey King. The teams and the series are overwhelmed at Five Stars tremendous support of the ASALMS.

“We’re very honored and privileged to have Five Star Race Car Bodies back with the ASALMS for 2009,” Stated ASALMS Co-Founder/President Ron Varney. “Five-Star is a leader in the industry and their support of the ASALMS has been really appreciated by all of our competitors over the years and especially by all of us within the ASALMS, especially me” Varney added.

“We are happy to support the ASA Late Model Series along with the great drivers, teams and fans in 2009.” remarked Carl Schultz, Marketing Manager of Five Star Race Car Bodies. “We have enjoyed a wonderful history with the ASALMS and look forward to a successful future,” He ended.

The leading manufacturer of A-B-C approved bodies; Five Star Race Car Bodies has an expanded product line that includes Eight (8) different models for the ASALMS in 2009. They include the Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo, the Dodge Avenger, Charger, and Intrepid, Ford Fusion and Taurus, and the Pontiac Grand Prix.

Noted as being the easiest body that the racer will ever install, Five Star has developed a number of industry firsts. No other manufacturer can boast molded polycarbonate quarter windows, pre-cut, pre-drilled, and pre-beveled molded windshields and rear windows, and the widest selection of body accessories available to the racer.

In addition, Five Star also has created a special body mounting DVD to aid the racer in assembling their body to meet that critical template fit. Five Star Race Car Bodies designs and manufactures the highest quality body components, poly-carbonate windshields, and body installation tools for most forms of motorsports.

From the short tracks, drag strips, road courses, and even in the desert Five Star has one driving passion; to help you Win.  Five Star designs and manufactures parts for Circle Track, Drag Race, and Road Race applications and is the leading producer of Fiberglass Bodies, Aluminum Bodies, and Steel Bodies.

Other product lines include Custom Thermoformed Polycarbonate™ Racing Windows, Carbon Fiber/Kevlar™ Advanced Composite Bodies, Thermoformed Plastic Body Panels, Body Mounting Components, and Vinyl Graphics such as Headlight Decals.

Five Star Race Car Bodies was founded by Fran Prestay and Carl Schultz in 1979; after a tough night of racing, they couldn’t find a pair of Camaro fenders from the local scrap yards, like any racer this was not going to stop them from making the next race.

They decided to make their own pair of sheet metal fenders which quickly caught the attention of the racing community. After recognizing the need and excitement for fabricated race car body panels, Fran and Carl seized the opportunity and the rest is history.

Five Star Race Bodies designs and manufactures products for the following world class racing series: NASCAR, Grand-Am-Daytona Prototype, NHRA, IHRA, SCCA, CORR, WSORR, SCORE, Short Track Asphalt and Dirt, USAC and USAR Hooters Pro Cup.

Five Star products are sold through an excellent distribution network: just click on our dealer locater tool for a location nearest you. Five Star products are designed from the knowledge and experience of racers utilizing state of the art engineering software such as AutoCAD, and Solid Works.

In addition our manufacturing capabilities include CNC machining, and state of the art Thermo Forming by an experienced staff to the toughest quality standards in the industry.

Today Five Star is the most recognized brand of short track body components in the world; Five Star has been a driving force in the very popular ABC body program (Approved Body Configuration) that is changing the face of Asphalt Short Track racing in America today.

In addition, they are also required to pass inspection of “The Referee.” This device designed and manufactured by Five Star checks a variety of dimensions including front and rear overhang, roof and quarter panel heights, and front and rear tread widths.

For more information about the A-B-C- Body Program, go to the website at: www.abcbodies.com. Also for further information about Five Star Race Car Bodies, contact Five Star directly at: 1 (262) 877-2171 or check their website at; http://fivestarbodies.com/

NASCAR: Transcript - Mike Accavitti (Dir. Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep Brand Marketing and Dodge Motorsports

Dodge Motorsports Teleconference Transcript
Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep Brand Marketing and Dodge Motorsports

Q: In today’s business climate in the auto industry, what does a race win like Kurt’s a week ago in Atlanta mean for a manufacturer such as Dodge?

A: It means a lot. A race win during ordinary times is important for a manufacturer. However, in times that we’re faced with right now, it’s extremely important and I’ll explain why. What Kurt Bush did (during his post-race interview) on Sunday wasn’t just win that race, for those of you who watched the television broadcast, when Kurt got out of that car, he demonstrated the level of professionalism that he deals with and that he exudes. He got out of that car after racing for 500 miles…you know what kind of day it was…how challenging it was at the end it was. I was thrilled that in his speech in Victory Lane, on national television, he said, “If that doesn’t inspire you to go out and buy a Dodge Charger, I don’t know what will.” He went on to thank Dodge for our support of his efforts. For him to make an endorsement like that is everything. During these times right now when people are not in a hurry to go out and buy a car…they’re looking for motivation and not really paying attention to the commercials…to get an endorsement like that on TV from one of our drivers was everything. I called Kurt after (the race) and talked to Roger (Penske) as well and told them that was the best product endorsement that I’ve seen anybody give for anything in Victory Lane. He realizes the situation that the manufacturers are in and he’s doing his part. I have the utmost respect for that man because some drivers or some other guys might think, “Hey, what can I do about it. The industry is collapsing, but what can I do about it.” Here’s a guy that’s saying I’m going to do something about it. He thought about it. He did it all on his own and after that long-ass race when he’s thinking a zillion different things, for him to remember and make it a point to mention the Dodge Charger and the Dodge brand after that victory it was everything.

Q: What does having the names Roger Penske and Richard Petty under your banner mean to the Dodge brand?

A: If you’re going to be in motorsports, you want to be associated with people that can deliver the results on the track and people that can command the respect when they’re going out and talking to other sponsors and partners. It’s just not about what happens at the track as why we’re in NASCAR; we’re in NASCAR to develop relationships with other companies that will in turn buy our vehicles for their fleets. Having the association with those two icons is very important to us. There are some good names out there, but those guys are at the top of the heap. Richard Petty, I refer to him as the ‘Babe Ruth of NASCAR’ and Roger Penske is known throughout the country and world as not only being a winner on the race track, but as a professional businessman in some of the businesses that he’s been able to turn around and some of the good things that he’s been able to do and the returns that he’s been able to give to the community…particularly Southeast Michigan and the City of Detroit. We’re just so proud to be associated with these two gentleman and their fine organizations.

Q: Can you give us an update for Dodge’s marketing plans for the remainder of this year? Has anything changed since the start of the year?

A: The budget is the same; however I can tell you that we have been able to carve out some money. We’re going to be taking on a grassroots approach. Grassroots approaches are beneficial because they allow you to target your messaging and your experiences to people that really care about it. They’re not mass carpet bombing messages; we’re really focusing in on those folks that it will really resonate with. So what we’re doing is introducing the ‘Dodge Boys Red Zone’ and that it is a mobile NASCAR infield tailgate party so to speak. We’re going to be going around to our dealerships. We’re going to be having product displays at some of our partner company parking lots. We’ll be going to events that our dealers are already going to sponsor. What we’re going to be doing with this motor coach that will be dragging along this NASCAR simulator and some games and events…it’s going to be taking that NASCAR experience out on the road. We’re just not going to race markets with this; we’re going to non-race markets. Those poor folks up in Minnesota that don’t have a race or the people in Iowa that don’t have a Sprint Cup race or Idaho or Washington state, we’ll be taking this mobile exhibit on the road so that they can share the NASCAR experience. Maybe we’ll convert some fans, but at least we’ll be serving those NASCAR fans living in those non-race markets some NASCAR experience.

Q: How important is a win for Sr. Management within the company when you’re trying to ask for additional money?

A: It’s just not for Sr. Management. There are millions of Dodge fans out there that let me know how I’m doing as the Director of Motorsports through their emails and letters. It’s important for us to deliver. You guys hear us talking the game and I realize that the season is only a few weeks old and I’m not pompous to claim victory yet…it’s very, very early in the season. But I will say that we have shown pretty consistent performance through the first weeks of the season. We started out Daytona with four (cars) in the top-10. It wasn’t as spectacular of a finish as it was last year, but we were in a good spot. We followed it up with some solid performances in California and Vegas and of course Kurt…that wasn’t a squeaker…he dominated that race (Atlanta) and even though he was threatened late in the race by (Brian) Vickers and then again by (Jeff) Gordon and Carl (Edwards), he really that he wanted to win that race…and he did.

Q: Do you think that driver’s can be trained to be promoters like Kurt was after the Atlanta race for Dodge?

A: Like a lot of things in life, some guys are really good at golf; others can spend all the money they want on lessons and not ever be good at golf. In this case, I’ll say this about Kurt; I believe for a person to come off credible on television or in a conversation, they truly have to believe what they’re saying. And I’ll tell you something about Kurt… Kurt called me in December and in January because he knew what was going on (with the auto industry). He’s a bright man. He reads the newspapers and sees what’s happening and says, “Mike, I want to help. I want to be part of the solution here.” So he’s really reaching out and that’s why I do feel that it wasn’t just a gratuitous product endorsement (for Dodge) when he got out of that car on Sunday, he truly meant it. He truly meant that he’s trying to help and I believe that’s what he was thinking about during those 234 laps he was leading… I do believe that it crossed his mind several times that, “I’m going to help out my friends and supporters and sponsors at Dodge and the Dodge dealers that help provide this standard of living for me. I believe that there has to be some natural ability, but I also believe that you can train or perfect a person’s skills to a certain point. But the underlying thing is for this thing to come off, it’s truly from the heart for it to be sincere.

Q: As you look ahead to the landscape of the sport a year or so, what do you see?

A: I think as an economy, our country, we’re going through something that we haven’t in a very long time. I think there’s going to be some fundamental changes in everything that we do. But, I don’t think that they’re going to be drastic. Sponsors will come back. I think that forever more the sponsors may be asking for better return on their investments. We’ve always been in that mode. I think maybe a lot of other sponsors – not just car manufacturers – but other sponsors may not have really been held to that same level of scrutiny. I think everyone is going to be that way from now on...at least the next five or ten years. People are going to want to make sure they’re getting a return on their investment. I think the money will come back into the sport. The sun is going to come up tomorrow. The economy is going to improve. Fans are going to come back to the races and life in America is going to be as great as it ever was, we’re just going through this little down turn which will have a lasting impact on many of the things which we do.

Q: Did Kurt Busch’s post-race comments solidify his stand with Dodge? Do you think other driver’s would have done the same? How much impact does it have?

A: Here again, there’s people that are out there that will go out and buy a razor blade because a driver uses one or they’ll go buy a soda pop because a driver drinks one on camera. Cars are a little bit different purchase. There’s a lot more thought that goes into it. People just don’t run out and buy a Dodge because Kurt asked them to or because Kurt might drive one. What happens is that when Kurt says that, it draws people’s attention and makes them aware of the brand and aware of the mark. From that, we see people going to our website and start checking out our products. Or they go to a dealer and start looking at our products. As a marketer, you’d like to think that everyone knows all of your products, but they don’t necessarily know all of our products. So this is a great opportunity to expose them to our products. So what Kurt helped us do is like the equivalent of running a minute commercial in that spot. It got people to think about Dodge. It got people to think about Dodge Charger. They went to the website. They learned more about the products and maybe they stumbled upon a car or a deal that they weren’t aware of and maybe they made that visit to a dealership that they wouldn’t have ordinarily have made and maybe we had a sale because of it. It’s a difficult thing for us to measure…the exact benefit from Kurt’s words, but I will tell you that it is much better for Kurt Busch to win that race and say that then it is for him not to win the race and not say it. I do have the utmost respect for that man. I had it before he got out and said those words. I’ve developed a great relationship with Kurt. I do respect him as a driver and a human being as (I do) all of our other drivers. They’re great guys. I’ve told you guys that before. We’re blessed to have a fantastic stable of drivers and we’re off to a good start this season.

Q: What do you think that we’re going to see at Bristol?

A: I’d like to remind Mr. Busch that I call (Bristol Motor Speedway) the “House the Kurt Built”. I don’t want to put more pressure on the man. I know that he knows his way around that track. Kasey does pretty well at that track as well. I think that it’s going to be an exciting race. I’m not one for making predictions, but I feel like we’re in a good place.

From Dodge

ONE SMALL STEP TOWARD TRADITION - CONOR DALY TOPS THE TIME SHEETS IN FIRST OFFICIAL PRACTICE FOR STAR MAZDA 2009 SEASON-OPENER AT SEBRING

Sebring (March 18, 2009) – Conor Daly, son of racing legend and two-time 12 Hours of Sebring winner Derek Daly took one small step toward tradition today, posting the fastest time in the first official practice session for Round One of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.

Under partly cloudy skies and with temperatures in the low 80s, the rookie from Noblesville, Indiana posted a time of 1:59.743 (111.238 mph) in the #22 Andersen Racing / College Network / Indeck / Cytomax Mazda.  In second, after holding the fastest lap for most of the session, was 2008 Sebring winner Joel Miller with a lap of 1:59.891 (111.101 mph) in the #22 JDC Motorsports Mazda.  Rounding out the top-3 was Miller's JDC teammate, Brazilian Ciao Lara, with a time of 2.00.039 (110.964 mph) in the #19 JDC Motorsports Mazda.

"At the beginning of the session, we went out on older tires and the car had a good balance, then we put on new tires and made a bit of an adjustment and it was what I needed," said Daly.  "We still have a few areas to improve, there's a bit of understeer in 17, but we've made huge improvements every session.  For me as a driver, I still have room to improve because the car is still new to me.  It would be great to win here like my dad did, but we still have to keep making improvements and come race time we'll see how well I put together everything I've learned.  Hopefully it's a good result."

Turning the 4th-fast time was rookie Ryan Booth with a lap of 2:00.348 (110.679 mph) in the #83 Goshen Motorsports Mazda.  Rounding out the top-5 (after posting an unofficial lap record of 1:58.989 in testing on Tuesday) was Englishman Richard Kent.  Driving the #33 Andersen Racing / Traka / Allied Interior Products Mazda, he turned a lap of 2:00.595 (110.452 mph). 

Turning the fastest time among the Expert Series (ages 30 – 44) drivers was 2008 Expert Series champion Chris Cumming, who changed teams in between seasons.  Driving the #16 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda, Cumming turned a 15th-fast time of 2:02.193 (109.008 mph).  The quickest Master Series (45 and older) driver was Gerry Kraut, the co-owner of JDC Motorsports who finished second in the 2008 Master Series championship.  He turned an 18th-fast lap of 2:03.003 (108.290 mph) in the #55 JDC Motorsports / Dougherty & Co. / Dougherty Funding LLC Mazda.

Twenty-five of the twenty-eight cars entered for the weekend turned timed laps in the session, with less than a second separating the top-6.  Products Mazda.

There will be one final practice session Thursday morning with qualifying to set the starting grid taking place from 1:45 pm to 2:30 pm Thursday afternoon.  The 45-minute Round One of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season is set to take the green flag at 3:55 pm, Friday, March 20.

The Reliance Machine Works Names Brad Perry as marketing director

Milton Ontario, March 1st 2009: The Reliance Machine Works Co. Ltd. Has named racing veteran Brad Perry as marketing director for North America. Representing their Reliance Performance Works product line, Brad brings years of racing industry experience to the table, formerly holding the position as sales director for Stealth Engineering.

“We are excited about bringing Brad on board, stated Reliance general manager Steve Adams.“ ”As a long time racer and manufacturing expert, he brings so much to the table.” The Reliance Machine Works Co. Ltd. manufactures a high quality line of chassis components for the Late Model, Pro Stock and Street Stock Markets under their “Reliance Performance Works” brand name. In business since 2001, they also provide custom machining and prototype development services for all racing including Nascar©, NHRA©, and sports car racing.

The Reliance Machine Works Co. Ltd.
45 Ontario Street North Unit 2C
Milton Ontario
L9T 2T2

Phone 905-693-1107
Fax 905-693-1167
e-mail reliancemachine@bellnet.ca
website www.reliancemachine.com

ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway creates buzz

WATERBURY, VT - On September 19th, 2009, the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) will become the 23rd different track to host an American-Canadian Tour Late Model event. It will also become the largest track (1.058 mile) to ever hold an ACT event, surpassing the 7/8ths mile Sanair Super Speedway in St. Pie, PQ.

Sanair Super Speedway held the inaugural ACT Late Model Tour race and was won by Norm Andrews of Warren, VT on April 26, 1992. To date, there have been 186 ACT Late Model Tour events with 57 different winners, including the non-point counting All-Star race at Autodrome Chaudiere in Vallée-Jonction, PQ held in 2008.

In 2009 there will be 12 point counting events and another All-Star race at Chaudiere before the ACT Invitational. That will bring the total events to 199 and make the ACT Invitational at NHMS the 200th event run by the American based ACT Late Model Tour.

It will also be the first time the point leaders from the nine ACT affiliated tracks will be invited to an invitational event. These nine tracks are Thunder Road in Barre, VT, Lee (NH) USA Speedway, White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, NH, Oxford Plains (ME) Speedway, Seekonk (MA) Speedway, Waterford (CT) Speedbowl, Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH, Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, and Kawartha (ON) Speedway.

The ACT Invitational wouldn't be possible without the revolutionary crate engine and spec shock programs, and their acceptance by these affiliated tracks. These programs were developed by ACT President Tom Curley to keep short track Late Model racing in the Northeast affordable and competitive. Since these programs were introduced into ACT competition, they have kept car counts up by allowing teams to be competitive without going broke. This has been crucial to keeping short track racing alive in the Northeast.

Short track racing will continue to grow this season with all the interest created from the ACT Invitational. Few short track drivers get the opportunity to race at NHMS, the only track in the Northeast on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule. This year 36 drivers will get that rare opportunity. These 36 drivers will include the winners of each of the first twelve 2009 ACT Tour events, the first eight Serie ACT Castrol events and three non-point counting events; the TD Bank Oxford 250, the Showdown at Autodrome Chaudiere and the Governors Cup at Thunder Road. This will most likely mean more drivers will show up to these events in the hope of qualifying for the Invitational and a chance to race at NHMS.

Also qualifying for the Invitational will be the point leaders of the nine racetracks previously mentioned. The opportunity to race at NHMS should make the points battles at these racetracks even more intense and therefore the racing even more exciting.

However, qualifying for the Invitational is not a guarantee even for those who are leading the points at these tracks. They must not only be 100% ACT legal, but they also have to meet experience and quality standards as determined by ACT. These requirements will ensure that only the highest quality teams will be at NHMS, therefore making the ACT Invitational field one of the stoutest to ever compete in the Northeast.

The Invitational will put more pressure on drivers to win races and earn a chance to qualify. Veteran driver Randy Potter of Groveton, NH, said, "There is a lot of extra pressure on all of us to win and get into this race. Plus there most likely will be guys who have already run the big shows in different type cars (Busch East, Cup, etc) that will come in with big budgets and try to "steal" some of the spots from the full time ACT guys by winning a race."

Five-time ACT Tour champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT, is back full time this season taking over the seat from Jean-Paul Cyr in the Rick Paya machine. He says, "I will always put a lot of pressure on myself and my team to win races!  Winning is one of the many allusive goals that keep us coming back for more. That being said, I always look at the big picture and realize winning is not everything." If the past is any indication, Hoar should have no trouble qualifying for the Invitational. He has won at least one race in each of his full time seasons on the ACT Late Model Tour from 1992 to 2000 and holds the record for most wins in a season with five in 1999. He also has the most total wins in ACT Late Model Tour history with twenty-three.

The opportunity to race at NHMS seems to be the hot topic among drivers competing on the ACT Tour in 2009. Hoar, who has raced at NHMS in a Busch East car, is excited to return. He continued, "I have always loved the place, the speed and had good results, which I hope to add or improve to this fall.  I think the Late Models will put on an exciting race, much like the modifieds do.  With the limited horsepower and tires I think the cars will race more similar to the mods than other divisions."

Potter added "I have a short "bucket" list and one of them is to compete at NHMS. So this is the best chance I'll have." But the race at NHMS isn't blocking his view of his main goal, "We want to be in contention to win multiple races this year to put ourselves in a position in points to run for the title and all of the rest of that qualifying stuff will take care of itself."

The ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will add a new dynamic to the ACT Tour and Series ACT Castrol schedules, as well as the ACT affiliated tracks with the opportunity to qualify.

The first qualifier will be determined at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday April 19th, as the ACT Tour kicks off its 2009 season with the New Hampshire Governor's Cup 150. A practice session is scheduled for Saturday April 18th.

From ACT Media

Karbelt Karsino

Distributing over 100 product lines ranging from Sport Compact to Racing to Street Rod components to various Canadian shops and garages and a Parts Pro Performance Center dealer warehouse distributor.

New this year, Karbelt offered its customers Karsino, a two-month online Trade Show with great prices and different daily dealer days and happy hour specials. Visit our websites: www.karbelt.com and www.partspro.ca to find out how your company can open an account with Karbelt and how to become an authorized Parts Pro Performance Center dealer.

SCCA World Challenge : RealTime confirms Kuno Wittmer for 2009 season

Montreal, Québec.— Kuno Wittmer was all smiles after he got a phone call from RealTime team owner Peter Cunningham locking him into the SCCA World Challenge in the Touring class for another season. The defending series champion was acknowledging the contribution of the 25-year old driver from Montreal after his third place in the general standings in the last two campaigns.

Wittmer had a very busy schedule last year, taking part in three series and also taking third place in the Grand-Am Koni Challenge.  But it was obviously his #44 Acura Realtime that earned him the best moments of his season and some of the highlights in his brilliant career.

"I was so happy to get that phone call from Peter", said Kuno. "The RealTime Acura in the World Challenge is probably the best car I had to drive in the last ten years. I am also honored to be back with that team for a third season. Even if the economical context is tough for racing teams, Peter made it possible for the winning combination to be back together. Him as a returning champion, Pierre (Kleinubing) and me clinched the top three spots in the 2008 standings and gave Acura another manufacturer's title."

"We couldn't take to the track for early testing but we will be back in some of the most reliable racing cars in the business. Peter will have a brand new 2009 Acura for testing at Sebring. It is fresh out if the RealTime shop and Peter will decide if it is ready to race. 

Three days at Sebring

Kuno Wittmer will take to the track for a testing sessions of the famous 3.7-mile Sebring facility on Tuesday but official practice will take place Wednesday at 8:00 AM and 4:45 PM. The first qualifying session of the season is set for Thursday at 11:10 AM and the green flag will be waved for the first 50-minute round Friday at the same time. Saturday will be left for the 57th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Kunick Autosport will announce soon the rest of the schedule for both Wittmer brothers. Nick Wittmer will race in a Canadian touring series but there are other projects being considered at this point. "Nick and I are still negotiating for 2009, adds Kuno. My main concern is obviously the SCCA World Challenge with RealTime but we have some other things in the oven!"

From: Michel Poirier-Defoy

DRAGS: MOPAR, IHRA celebrate 10th anniversary of MOPAR Canadian Nationals

MOPAR, IHRA celebrate 10th anniversary of Mopar Canadian Nationals

MOPAR and drag racing.

It is a combination that has gone hand-in-hand for years and a relationship that will continue to grow into the future as MOPAR celebrates its 10th anniversary as title sponsor of the IHRA MOPAR Canadian Nationals July 17-19 at Grand Bend Motorplex in Ontario.

“The MOPAR Canadian Nationals is one of the most prestigious events on our tour. The event is rich with history and great racing,” said IHRA National Sales Director Tommy Dupree. “MOPAR has always been a great partner for this race, their involvement and execution at this event is what makes it so prestigious.

“I can not imagine the race without them.”

The MOPAR Canadian Nationals is the longest running IHRA Canadian national event and one of the few events in drag racing that pits competitors from all different countries.

“The Canadian contingent, along with U.S. racers, makes for a great race,” Dupree added.

And what a race MOPAR and the IHRA has in store.

The MOPAR Canadian Nationals will be the sixth stop on the 2009 Nitro Jam tour. It will feature three professional classes of racing including the fastest cars on earth in Top Fuel, Pro Modified and the quickest and fastest Pro Stock cars on the planet. The event will also feature hundreds of sportsman competitors capped off by the Saturday “Night of Fire.”

“MOPAR is excited to continue our relationship with the IHRA and the MOPAR Canadian Nationals at Grand Bend Motorplex,” said MOPAR Senior Manager, National Service and Parts Jim Kiritsis. “MOPAR has been built from the grit and sweat of racers that bleed MOPAR blue. Nothing speaks louder than performance on the track and there is no better place to showcase that then the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series.

“The IHRA Is recognized as a pioneer in the motorsports industry and stands for all that is MOPAR – power, passion and performance.”

MOPAR manufactures and produces O.E.M. and high performance parts and accessories for Chrysler products such as the new Dodge Hemi Challenger RT.

For more information about the MOPAR Canadian Nationals please visit www.nitrojam.com or www.grandbendmotorplex.com.  

From IHRA

F1 champion to be determined by race wins

I guess last year's down-to-the-last-lap championship was too exciting for the whizzes who run Formula 1. I say that because they've pretty much scrapped that system and will now crown their champion based solely on race wins.

God help the ratings, promoters, sponsors, etc. if someone wins a bunch of races right off the bat and locks up the title two-thirds of the way into the season.

TSN has the full story here.

ILR Car Control School News

2009 is promising to be a very interesting year. Our Winter Driving schools were a great success with drivers flying in from as far away as Newfoundland to learn life saving winter driving skills.

We invite you to visit our new updated, exciting and informative website to see more of what we can do for you and your family.

Our next Car Control School is scheduled for Sat. Apr. 18th in Brampton at our modern, safe and convenient facility, the Powerade Centre.

The first Track School & Lapping Day of the season will be held at Mosport Driver Development Track on Sunday, April 26th. This will get you ready for your 2009 Solo, Race or lapping season.

Our first Advanced Autoslalom course will be held on Saturday, May 9th at the Powerade Centre in Brampton. This an excellent introduction to performance driving and an excellent way to be competitive in Solo II, ProSolo or Autoslalom.

We are now accepting registration for these courses and it is on a "first come, first served" basis as spots in all of our courses are limited to ensure quality instruction.

Along with our Group Rates, Exclusive Club days and Corporate Events, we are now offering our new "Family Rate" (see website for details on rates) for our Car Control Schools to help all family members to become safer drivers.

Please contact us for more information or for registration.

Ian Law
President & Chief Instructor
ILR Car Control School Inc.
905 473 9500
905 473 9501 Fax
www.carcontrolschool.com

CSC Racing set to host Solo Open House on April 5, 2009

During the Solo Open House (on Sunday, April 5), CSC Racing will offer in-stock purchases tax free to anyone registered for either SOLO I or II in 2009. Click on the flyer for a full-size version.

F1: Bernie Ecclestone reported to lose $1.5 Billion in divorce ruling

Bernie Ecclestone's divorce could end up costing him $1.5 billion, according to this report on TSN.ca. That's a wee bit more than $1 meeeel-yon, demanded by Mini Me (at right).

Not sure why I thought of Mini Me when talking about Bernie and big money... oh well....

"A High Court in London took less than a minute to issue the divorce decree with the Formula One boss unaware that his marriage to his former fashion model wife Slavica was now over."

And you thought you had a bad day...

Merrittville Speedway: Seaway Mall Show gets the green flag

For Release - Monday February 16, 2009 From Jim Irvine

Thorold, Ontario (February 16) Race Cars representing all 5 of Merrittville Speedway’s Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series are on display in Welland’s Seaway Mall for a week long St. Patrick’s Day Celebration of Green.

With the first green flag set to fly on the 2009 Season April 25th - one Seaway Mall Shopper will not miss a single event after winning the ultimate prize package - a 2009 Grandstand Season Pass.  

The contest will take place during the week of March 16th to the 22nd, when cars and stars of Merrittville Speedway will be on-hand at the Mall providing fans with a one-of-a-kind racing experience.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Mall providing race fans from across the Region an opportunity to meet some of their favorite drivers and to get a first-hand look at their race cars,” said Erica Bicknell, GM of Merrittville Speedway.   “This year marks our 58th season, so what better way to treat our fans than with an up-close race experience in an intimate setting,” she added.

As part of the Speedway’s 58th season and in conjunction with St. Patrick’s Day, shoppers showing a receipt from the Seaway Mall Store during race week and receive a shamrock shaped ballot for entry into the Grandstand Pass and Seaway Mall Gift Certificate prize giveaway.  From all the shamrocks collected during the week, one lucky winner will be chosen to win the Grand Prize of a 2009 Merrittville Speedway Grandstand Season Pass. The prize is valued at $240.00. Second place winner will win $100 in Seaway Mall Gift Certificates.

Rocco Conte, Rob Goulding and Rick Grundy have their Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Race Cars on display while 2008 Champion Shawn Sliter represents the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites as does Joey Mastroianni and Paul Klager.

The Hoosier Stock Division is represented by veteran Rob Disher and up and coming drivers Billy Bleich Jr.  and Brad Sheehan who is set to return to Saturday Night action in 2009.

Veterans Jim Johnstone and Rick Bellante are joined by 2009 rookie Cody McPherson to showcase their Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Cars.

Welland’s own Rob Pietz is set to make his return to the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds official by showing off his new car. Joining him are veteran Pete Bicknell and sophomore driver Derek Wutzke.

Rounding out the Stock Car portion is the BRP Can Am Late Model of Rick Baker.

Also joining the Race Car Show are representatives of the Tuesday Night Lucas Oil Weekly Karting Series – Jordan Barnes, Vincent Pagnotta, Joshua Hanson, Steven Beckett and one of the newest second generation drivers – Chris Crawford Jr.

The Seaway Mall - located at 800 Niagara Street features over 120 friendly stores and services and offers free wireless internet throughout the mall.

The Seaway Mall is open Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 9 PM, Saturday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Sundays from 12 to 5 PM. Shoppers can also visit the Seaway Mall on line at www.seawaymall.com.

Merrittville will officially begin the 2009 season on April 25th.  For further information and a preview of Merrittville Speedway’s 58th consecutive season, please visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Castrol Renews Sponsorship with DJ Kennington

March 11, 2009.  Once again this season race fans will be able to see one of the most familiar sights in Canadian motor sports.  This past week DJ Kennington confirmed that the Castrol colours will adorn his #17 Dodge in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2009.

In what is one of the longest continuous sponsorship arrangements between a driver and company anywhere in racing Kennington will pilot his Castrol Dodge from coast to coast seeking not only wins but a championship in Canada’s only national stock car racing series. 

“This is partnership with Castrol has been with me for pretty much my entire racing career” said Kennington.  “It really shows how committed Castrol is to supporting racing in Canada and bringing the best possible competition to the series.  I’m proud to have such a great relationship and look forward to it continuing in the future,” he added.

In 2008, year two of the NASCAR Canadian Tire series, Kennington would put together an incredible season of eleven top-ten finishes, including remarkable eight top-five finishes in a row.  Though he was in contention for the race win numerous times victory always somehow seemed to slip away. 

“We’ve definitely got some unfinished business” said the pilot of the #17 Castrol Dodge.  “We could have had a couple of wins for sure, but something always seemed to bite us.  All the guys have been busy getting everything ready for the season.  We’ll be out to run some laps and test soon so there is no doubt we’ll be on top of our game right from the start.”

Wakefield Canada is a private company that since 2005 has been responsible for the Castrol brand in Canada.  Communications Manager Marsha McLaughlin was instrumental in renewing the Castrol sponsorship program with DJ Kennington. 

“Our relationship with DJ Kennington goes back many years and everyone at Wakefield Canada has been very happy to be associated with someone of such impressive character as DJ Kennington.  I’m sure it will be another great season for race fans to follow DJ and the Castrol team to the victory podium throughout the racing season”. 

The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire series will consist of thirteen events and begins competition on Saturday May 23rd at the Autodrome St. Eustache.  Competition this year will also include events at the Edmonton Indy weekend, the NASCAR weekend in Montreal and new tracks for this season, Auto Clearing Speedway in Saskatoon and Delaware Speedway where Kennington is a former track champion.  Once again this season each race will be broadcast on TSN. 

This release prepared by TL Sports & Entertainment

TWEET BECOMES MEET FOR LUCKY FAN

The first tweet went out at 10 am. Anyone on track property at Gainesville Dragway who wanted to meet Ashley Force Hood should show up at the hauler in one hour. The second tweet went out one hour later.

Through a sea of fans waiting to get a glimpse or an autograph from Ashley Force Hood, on cue Melissa Waterman's hand shot high in the air. If only the others in the crowd had been “tweeters”.

On her first trip to Gainesville Dragway, the Rhode Island native, scored one of the biggest coup's of the weekend – a personal visit with Ashley.

“That was great,” Waterman said, a huge smile on her face, when asked about her meeting. “We've got to see them in the pits before, at other races but you don't get to actually go up and meet them. You always have other people in the way and you're trying to fight other people to get there.”

In truth, Waterman had no idea that by following the “tweet” she was going to get to meet a Force. When Elon Werner, Force's publicist, waved her back behind the barricade there was a moment of nervousness.

“Yea, I was a little nervous,” Waterman admitted. “I had no idea I was going to actually get to meet Ashley.”

Waterman signed up for Twitter for one reason, “Because of John Force Racing, the website. You always know what's going on. Yesterday (Friday), I was updated every time a round was through on where the Force teams stood.”

Attracting just one single fan from his tweet was not a disappointment for Werner. He knows it all starts with one voice and Melissa Waterman is going to be one strong voice spreading the word.

Twitter, a social networking tool, could fast become a very important tool in the public relations arena, not just in drag racing, but in any function where people want to know what's happening now, right now, not later.