NASCAR : Top 10 Start for J.R. Fitzpatrick at Michigan International Speedway

J.R. Fitzpatrick will start from the eighth position in the Michigan 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race this afternoon at Michigan International Speedway. Fitzpatrick only ran one lap in a time of 41.177 seconds to put his No. 4 Auto-Owners Insurance truck on the outside of row four, his third-best qualifying effort in nine career NCWTS starts.

The Michigan 200 will be televised live on Speed with pre-race coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m., ET.

NASCAR: Pierre Bourque supports Canada's Military Families Fund

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (June 13, 2009) – Canadian racing driver Pierre Bourque is going to donate 100% of his on-track winnings during the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season to the Military Families Fund (MFF). The MFF supports Canadian military families who face hardship as a result of their commitment to serving in the Canadian Forces.

“I’m very pleased to work with the Military Families Fund in support of this really worthwhile program,” said Pierre Bourque, who plans to take part in at least five NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races in 2009. “Our goal is to let Canadian racing fans know about the MFF and all that it does to assist those who do so much for all of us every day, all around the world. I’m confident that we can do a lot of good this season. In addition to donating the winnings of the No. 29 Aaron’s Dream Machine Dodge, we’re also going to be encouraging Canadian racing fans to donate, as we educate and raise awareness about the MFF.”

Sandy Gauthier, the Senior Manager of the MFF said, “We are really thankful for Pierre’s continuous support to the MFF. The fund is sustained solely through the generous donations and pledges from individuals and corporate citizens and helps Canadian Forces leadership respond to special case needs and short-term emergencies that military families sometimes face as a result of conditions of service. To date, the Fund has assisted more than 247 families. The MFF is making a difference by helping our families when they need it the most.”

Bourque kicks off his Military Families Fund program this weekend at Mosport International Raceway (June 13-14), northeast of Toronto. He will also be in action July 24-25 at the Edmonton Indy and on July 29 at Saskatoon’s Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, with plans to do two additional races.

“The Whitlock Motorsports-prepared No. 29 Aaron’s Dodge is ready to compete and I’m truly motivated to earn as much money as possible for the MMF,” continued Bourque. “We encourage everyone to come see us at the track so they can learn about what they can do to show their gratitude and appreciation to Canada’s military families.”

About the Military Families Fund:
The Military Families Fund (MFF) is an agile and responsive organization that helps military families within hours of being advised of need. It assists with short-term emergencies and also provides long-term support. The MFF allows for several areas of support, including rehabilitation, education, financial assistance in the case of injury or death of a Canadian Forces member due to service, and urgent and extraordinary financial demands where the ability to provide family necessities is at risk. For more information or to donate, visit www.cfpsa.com.

About Pierre Bourque:
During the week, Pierre Bourque is the man behind Bourque Newswatch (www.bourque.com) a website that goes deep behind the scenes of Canadian politics. Dubbed as “Canada's Online News Authority” it follows the movers and shakers of Canada’s political scene. On weekends, Bourque does some moving and shaking of his own, competing in car races in several series, including NASCAR, ARCA and Grand-Am.

About the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series:
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) is Canada’s top motorsports tour. The 13-race series features events across Canada, from BC to Nova Scotia, with a combination of oval and road course events at the nation’s top facilities and race weekends. For more information, visit www.nascar.ca.

BGR/TLM Racing with Grote, Junior Development Driver wins at T.R.A.K. Race #4

Barrie, ON - BGR/TLM Racing with Grote, Junior Development Driver
Mackenzie Clare, topped off a strong karting weekend with a win at The
Canadian National Rotax-Max Qualifier, held at the fast and technical
Innisfil Indy May 31, 2009.

This event was also Race #4 of the Toronto Racing Association of Karters
(T.R.A.K.). The win moves the 14 year old Barrie resident from 7th
position to 4th position in the T.R.A.K. championship standings.

"I would like to thank Brian Graham Racing/TLM Racing and Grote
Manufacturing for their training and support. I would also like to
thank Rick and Eric Gerrits of G-Force Engines. They are the best in
the business" says Mackenzie Clare.

Mackenzie will re-join the BGR/TLM Grote Racing team to continue his
training June 12 - 14th at Mosport International Raceway during the
NASCAR Father's Day Double Header Weekend.

Related links: www.mackenzieclare.com // www.briangrahamracing.com //
www.tlmracing.com // www.grote.com // Gforce.engines@yahoo.ca

Tommy Wickham wins the Empire Super Sprints feature at Edelweiss Speedway

Cantley, PQ – Friday June 12, 2009 – Martin Bélanger – The Empire Super Sprints were in town and the biggest crowd of the season was gathered in the stands of Edelweiss Speedway. The Semi-Pro had a 25-lap feature counting for the TMR series. The Mod-Lite and 4-cylinders categories were also in action on Coca-Cola night.

In the 25-lap Empire Super Sprints feature race, Tommy Wickham took the early lead with Justin Harris and Tim Kelly in the top 3, Kelly was able to pass Harris on the third lap as Rick Wilson did the same on the following lap.  Wickham was in the lap cars with only 5 laps down. The first caution came out on lap 6 with Chuck Hebing. Wickham stayed in front with Wilson taking second on Kelly, former Edelweiss regulars Brian McDonald and Lee Ladouceur completed the top 5 with 10 laps in the book. Wilson got close to Wickham as they got in traffic on lap 15, Mcdonald and Poirier made moves to take third and fifth spots respectively on lap 17.

McDonald was getting close to Wilson with less than five to go as second caution came out for Sylvain Ericksen. On the restart, Wilson lost control of his car and had to go to the back from his second spot, yellow stayed on the field. Wickham had the lead with McDonald now second and getting closer with Ladouceur in third. Wickham led the final laps to win the feature over McDonald, Ladouceur, Steve Poirier and Tim Kelly completed the top 5. Alain Bergeron, Brian McDonald and Steve Poirier won the heat races; Poirier was also the winner in the 4-lap dash for cash.

Charles Galipeau was the early leader in the 25-lap Semi-Pro feature but Stéphane Carrière passed him on the first lap to become the new leader with Nico Leblanc in second and Steve Gagné in third, Carrière and Leblanc were racing closely for the lead as the first caution on lap 7. Carrière stays in front with Leblanc and Philipps in third with 10 laps done, Carrière in the leader with Leblanc and Philipps getting together and Philipps taking second spot. Yellow comes out on lap 16, Philipps is sent to the back for rough riding. Because of the late time, the race was green and checker as Carrière won the race over Mark Trudeau and Nico Leblanc.

Unfortunately early in the evening an incident occurred has Normand Beaudreault had a severe accident in the first heat, he hit the wall in turn 4 at full speed, and he had lower body injuries, broken ribs, a bruised lung and was sent to the hospital. The speedway emergency team did a great job in this situation. We will have more news during the weekend. All the Edelweiss Speedway staff is with the Beaudreault family and friends and wishes a fast recovery to him.

The 4-cylinders and Mod-Lite features are postponed to next week because of the time that took to clear the Beaudreault accident. Next week we could have something special at the speedway with a 20-lap dash for cash with a few stars of the World of Outlaws Late Models. These spectacular cars might be at the speedway if everything goes well the night before at Oshweken, we suggest that keep an eye on the website at www.autodromeedelweiss.com on Friday morning to have all the information. A complete race program is also on the schedule, if the Late Models are there, the Mod-Lite will have the night off. Be there!

Résultats Empire Super Sprints (25 tours)             
Tommy Wickham, Brian McDonald, Lee Ladouceur, Alain Bergeron, Steve Poirier, Lance Yonge, Jeff Cook, Tim Kelly, Justin Barger, Rick Wilson, Michael Parent, Sylvain Ericksen, Justin Harris, Daniel Lampron, Paul Pekkonen, Chuck Hebing, April Wilson, Anthony Cain, David Renaud, Normand Beaudreault (DNS)

Semi-Pro Feature Results (25 laps)
Stéphane Carrière, Mark Trudeau, Nico Leblanc, Sébastien Bigras, Guy Régimbald, Bruno Boivin, Charles Galipeau, Jeff Philipps, Alexandre Gagnon, John Benard, Maxim Foley, Steve Gagné, Marie-Ève Bérard, Alain Proulx

Petro Marché Tassé 307 Halfway Bonus Winner: Stéphane Carrière
Mr.Gas Halfway Bonus Winner: Postponed to next week

Kenyon Race Parts Hard Luck Award Winner: Postponed to next week

Babe Design Early Bird:  Maxime Foley

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on TSN... Delaware reminder

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: A first peek Pierre Bourque's new Aaron's Dream Machine

This is a first look at Pierre Bourque's new Aaron's Dream Machine, as
announced yesterday. Nice work by Beyond Digital Imaging! Can't wait to
see it on the track this weekend at Mosport.

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News And Notes - Mosport

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series News & Notes - Mosport

• Dickies 200 Notebook
• Delaware 200 Post-Race Notebook
• More Focused Simone Ready To Contend

The Road Suits Fitzpatrick’s Style

 

Although he has yet to make his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series debut this year, the 2009 race season has already been an eventful one for JR Fitzpatrick.

 

The 21-year-old driver out of Cambridge, Ont., began the season by leading 17 laps and a fourth-place finish in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway for TRG Motorsports. He went on to make three more starts for that team, but decided to part ways shortly thereafter.

 

In late May, Kevin Harvick Inc. announced that it had signed Fitzpatrick to a developmental contract to include both NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events. He made his KHI debut in the No. 4 Equipment Express Chevrolet on May 30 at Dover (Del.) International Speedway and brought it home with an 11th-place finish.

 

"I’m so excited to be with KHI. Everybody there is helpful and great to work with,” said Fitzpatrick. “I really want to take full advantage of this opportunity and if I keep sending it back to the shop in one piece, I’ll get some more chances.”

 

On Sunday, he will return to his homeland to make his first start in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series for the 2009 season at Mosport International Raceway—a 200-kilometer race on the 10-turn, 2.459-mile road course.

 

Despite cutting his teeth on the oval tracks of Canada, Fitzpatrick has become an accomplished road-course racer. In eight NASCAR Canadian Tire Series starts on road tracks, he has two wins, five top fives and six top 10s.

 

“It’s kind of weird. I grew up on short tracks,” he said. “Road courses really suit my driving style, though. They’re better to over drive and if you mess up, most of the time there’s room to get it corrected.”

 

With aggressiveness on the track already of long suit, fellow competitors on Sunday will see an even more hard-driving Fitzpatrick looking to defend his Dickies 200 title. Points are of no consequence to him—winning is the sole focus. If a win is in store, he will have to come from the back to do it. He will start the race from the back due to missing Saturday’s qualifying session while at Michigan International Speedway competing in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event. Series veteran Jim Lapcevich will practice and qualify the No. 84 Fitzpatrick Motorsports Chevrolet.

 

While a good handling car is a must at any road course, Fitzpatrick points to horsepower as the key to success at Mosport due to the long Mario Andretti Straightaway that virtually runs the entire length of the track.

 

“Obviously, the car has to handle in the turns, but so much ground can be lost on the long  straightaway, you need a strong motor for any chance at all.”

 

Fast Facts

 

The Race: Dickies 200
The Place: Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville, Ont.
The Date: Sunday, June 14
The Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
TV Schedule: TSN, June 28, 11:30 a.m. ET
Track Layout: 2.459-mile road course
Race Purse: $82,148 CAD
2008 Winner: JR Fitzpatrick
2008 Pole: Scott Steckly
Schedule: Saturday, June 13: Practice 11 a.m.-12:40 p.m. Qualifying 3:30 p.m.
Track Contact: Lee Bailie, (905) 983-9141, lee@mosport.com
NASCAR Contact: Shon Sbarra, (704) 309-5493, ssbarra@nascar.com

 

2009 DRIVER STANDINGS

 

1  Ron Beauchamp Jr.   345
2  Dave Whitlock       336
3  Kerry Micks         335
4  Scott Steckly       335
5  DJ Kennington       305
6  Andrew Ranger       302
7  Anthony Simone      284
8  Don Thomson Jr.     282
9  Mark Dilley         275
10 Jason White         257
11 Kent Nuhn           254
12 Jason Hathaway      245

 

More Focused Simone Team Ready To Contend

 

The lessons of a rookie season sometimes can be too numerous to count, but they must be learned and not allowed to become disheartening.

 

Anthony Simone’s (No. 95 Crown Modular/United Lumber Chevrolet) first season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series had its share of disappointments, but he and his team took a hard look at where they were and made some key adjustments.

 

The first decision was to bring in someone established in the series to run the show. They were able to lure Guilio Montanari away from the Jason Hathaway team to get Simone, who came from the open-wheel racing world, better versed in the stock car way of thinking.

 

“He knows these cars so well and know what it takes to win in this series,” said Simone.

 

Montanari helped lead Hathaway to his first series win in last year’s season finale at Kawartha Speedway.

 

Engine problems plagued Simone all season long in 2008, so this year, they have opted to join in on NASCAR’s spec engine program.

 

“We really like it, so far,” he said. “We’re pretty anxious to see how it does on a horsepower track like Mosport, but it has been awesome, so far.”

 

With the steadying influence of Montanari and a reliable motor program, the 2008 rookie of the year runner-up has shown marked improvement this season. In last weekend’s Delaware 200, the driver out of Holland Landing, Ont., led 24 laps en route to a fifth-place finish, his first series career top five.

 

Mosport News & Notes

 

The Race: This event is the third of 13 races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule and the first of four road-course events this season. It is the third trip to the track for the series.

 

The Procedure: The starting field is 32 cars, including provisionals. The first 27 cars will qualify through NASCAR Road Race Style qualifying. There will be two qualifying groups based on practice times. The remaining five spots will be awarded through the provisional process. The race will be 51 laps covering 200 kilometers (124.3 miles).

 

The Track: Mosport International Raceway is Canada's largest motorsports complex. The 750-acre, multi-track facility is located within the Greater Toronto Area, north of Bowmanville, Ont. Mosport features the 2.459-mile road course; a half-mile, paved oval (Mosport Speedway); a 2.4-kilometer advanced driver and race driver training facility. And a 1.4-kilometer kart track. The facility opened in 1961 and has hosted stock car, Formula 1 and IndyCar events over the years. The road-course track was resurfaced in 2000 and widened to 40 feet. The name Mosport is a contraction of motorsport and is pronounced “MOE-sport.”

 

The Records: Scott Steckly holds the series qualifying record for the track. He posted a time of 83.375 seconds (103.688 mph) on June 14, 2008. Andrew Ranger holds the race record. On June 17, 2007, he completed the event in 1 hour, 26 minutes, 39 seconds for an average speed of 86.838 mph.

 

Weekend of Racing: The Dickies 200 is the headline event of The Mosport High Octane Weekend. In addition to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge, F2000 Championship, Castrol Canadian Touring Car Series and Ontario Formula Ford Challenge will be on the track offering racing of all types for the weekend extravaganza.

 

Last Year: JR Fitzpatrick survived a mid-race rain shower and a switch to rain tires to edge DJ Kennington and teammate Don Thomson Jr. for the victory.

 

NCATS Notebook: Delaware 200 Post-Race

 

Back in Victory Lane: For the first time since winning at Barrie (Ont.) Speedway on Sept. 8, 2007, DJ Kennington (No. 17 Castrol/Mahindra Tractor Dodge) reached Victory Lane. The Delaware 200 win was his first touring series victory at his home track after several runner-up finishes in the CASCAR Super Series. It was the first time the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series visited Delaware Speedway.

 

Another Long Absence: After not winning a pole since the 2007 season finale at Kawartha Speedway, Mark Dilley (No. 9 Dodge/Leland Industries Dodge) turned in the fastest lap in time trials for the Delaware 200. It was his third career pole in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

 

Double Your Pleasure: In the Delaware 200, Ron Beauchamp Jr. (No. 60 Mopar/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge) established a couple of personal series bests. First of all, his second-place finish is a series career high. And, secondly, that performance vaulted him into the top spot in the driver points standings which is his highest ranking in the series.

 

Mobil 1 Command Performance of the Race Award: As a reward for his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series victory at Delaware Speedway, Kennington collects $1,500 from Mobil 1 for his effort. It was his third series career win.

 

Mopar Quick Three: This program awards the top three finishing Dodges in the race. In the Delaware 200, the victorious Kennington was the highest-finishing Dodge and thus earned a $2,000 bonus. Beauchamp, who finished second, was the second-highest finishing Dodge, which earned him $1,000. Picking up $500 for finishing as the third-highest Dodge was Scott Steckly (No. 22 Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in a Box Dodge).

 

Coca-Cola Move of the Race Award: Improving his position the most over the course of the race was  Joey McColm (No. 50 ATTO Insurance Dodge), making his 2009 series debut. After qualifying and starting 18th on the grid, he was able to navigate his way to a sixth-place finish. As a result, he earned the $1,000 award from Coca-Cola.

 

MAHLE Clevite Engine Builder of the Race Award: In a new program for 2009, the driver who compiles the most points in a specialized system involving qualifying, race finish and leading laps collects the $1,000 award. At Delaware, Kennington, with his victory and race start in the third position, earned the bonus.

In Case You Missed It: The TSN broadcast of the Delaware 200 will premiere on Sunday, June 14 at 11:30 a.m. ET. There will be subsequent airings of the one-hour race recap show—check your local listings for times in your area.

 

Up Next: St. Eustache

 

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will take a few weekends off before making a return trip to Autodrome St. Eustache and embarking on a portion of the schedule that will see seven races in seven weeks.

 

The 2009 season got underway on May 23 in St. Eustache with Dave Whitlock’s first series career victory. Overall, it will be the series’ third visit to the flat, .400-mile oval located northwest of Montreal. Scott Steckly won the inaugural event at the track last July en route to his 2008 series title.

 

Former Indy 500  (1995) and Formula One (1997) champion Jacques Villeneuve is scheduled to compete in the event, driving the Dave Jacombs-owned No. 7 Ford. The Canadian racing hero joins only Mario Andretti and Emerson Fittipaldi as drivers to win both Formula One and Indy championships. 

 

From NASCAR / Shon Sbarra 

New England's Pro All Stars Series Hits Speedway 660

Fredericton, NB - After a great turnout last weekend for the DQ Kids Day + District Challenge event, this weekend will be as good, if not a better fan turnout. This weekend Speedway 660 will host the first double header weekend of the 2009 racing season.

Saturday June 13th under the lights, race fans will get to see a full card of racing.  There will be regular points racing in the Coast Tire Street Stock, and Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman divisions as well as the 1st touring event of their year. The Pro All Star Series will make their return to Speedway 660 for 200 laps of action packed excitement.  This is a chance for fans to see some of the best drivers in the Northeast go toe to toe in the Geary woods.  The event will be the Pro All Star Series only Canadian stop on their 2009 schedule.

Some of the drivers expected to make the trip to Speedway 660 for the Pro All Star Series 200 include, two time Oxford 250 Champion Ben Rowe of Turner, Maine, Cassius Clark from Farmington, Maine, Belfast, Maine’s Travis Benjamin who was at Speedway 660 competing in the first ‘Best of the Best’ race of the series just a couple weeks ago. Also expected to be there is 2007 Peterbilt 250 Champion, Hallowell, Maine’s Johnny Clark. 

As well, we will see some familiar faces like Kirk Thibeau of Presque Isle, Maine and Lonnie Sommerville from Saint John, New Brunswick.  Both have had a lot of success throughout the years competing at Speedway 660.  Kirk Thibeau was the winner of the 2001 Peterbilt 250.  Lonnie Sommerville comes to us as a veteran driver of the speedway and has raced in multiple divisions throughout his racing career. Sommerville has an impressive racing schedule this year in many different divisions throughout Canada and the United States.

Sommerville is a past winner of the Peterbilt 250, in 2006, and is racing fulltime in the Maritime Pro Stock tour, that travels throughout the Maritimes. In 2007, he took top honours, as Rookie of the Year, in the Maritime Pro Stock Tour and followed it with a runner-up position in the points.  The field of cars that will be on hand for the Pro All Stars Series will certainly be exciting.

Aside from the full card of racing on Saturday night, there will be the first of four Enduro races of the season. Many drivers will be there on Sunday to try and take the top spot in the points away from last year’s points champion Ed Vallis.  Finishing second and third in a very close points battle was Steve Seveck and Todd Leclair. This event will be a 200-lap race.

From Speedway 660 / E-mail: info@speedway660.com / Website: www.speedway660.com

Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation Planned

An organization with a goal of honouring the legends and history of Canadian motorsports is now in the planning stages. Conceived and financed by a group of highly accomplished businessmen, The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation aims to preserve the collection and exhibits installed in the former Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame, as well as provide visitors with a comprehensive and interactive look at the long and storied history of motor racing in Canada.

The group of businessmen, all who have been involved in Canadian motorsports, include Rod Campbell, chairman of RWB Marketing and Communications LLC and founder of Campbell Co. agency; Tom Ryley former executive vice-president of Suncor Energy Products; Maurice McCaig, brother of CanAm racer Roger McCaig and former chairman of Calgary-based Trimac Transportation. Also involved are two-time World Superboat champion, Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee, Lorne Leibel, and Ali Jalali, President and CEO of First Financial Underwriting Services (Canada) Inc.

 "We are pleased that with more than $500,000 raised so far, opening The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation is far beyond the wishful thinking stage," said Tom Ryley. "Applications for a non-profit, charitable foundation have been filed with the government.

Our group wants to protect and expand on the important work done by former Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame builders. We are intent on creating a long-term home that will not only house the country's important motorsports collection and safeguard its history, but will provide a state-of-the-art and interactive museum experience offering an exciting array of entertainment options to visitors, members, partners and sponsors."

The group has selected Toronto's Downsview Park, site of the 2002 papal visit and 2003 Rolling Stones concert, as the location of the new facility.

"We remain committed to identifying new entries and exhibits from all across Canada," said Calgary native Maurice McCaig. "While major motorsports events have been held in Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton and Vancouver, the history of Canadian motorsports rests in hundreds of smaller towns and cities from sea to sea to sea," "I believe it is our job to ensure that the motorsports stories and heroes from cities such as Calgary, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Trois-Rivières, Charlottetown and St. John's are preserved. This is truly a national project."

The Canadian Motorsports Heritage Foundation has received support from numerous individuals in the Canadian motorsport fraternity.

Media Contact: Sid Priddle // 705 431-6277 & Nicole Lascelle // 514 426-3364 // nicolelascelle@yahoo.ca

Sunset Speedway 75 Lap Late Model Invitational Saturday June 13

Sunset Speedway is hosting the Lucas Oil 75 lap Late Model Invitational this Saturday June 13th with regular racing for Thunder Cars & Mini Stocks.

Pits Open at 2:30, Grandstands 5:30 and Racing Starts at 7 p.m.

Grandstand Admission is Adults $ 17.00, Seniors/Students $ 12.00 and Children 11 & Under Free.

For more information please visit the website at: www.sunsetspeedway.ca

NASCAR: Aaron's to sponsor Pierre Bourque in three Canadian Tire Series races

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (June 11, 2009) – Canadian stock car racer Pierre Bourque is proud to announce that Aaron’s will be the primary sponsor on his No. 29 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series car for three events in 2009, starting with this Sunday’s road course race at the legendary Mosport International Raceway road course. Aaron’s will also be the primary sponsor of Bourque’s Whitlock Motorsports-owned NASCAR at the Edmonton Indy (July 24-25) and at the inaugural NASCAR race at Saskatoon’s Auto Clearing Motor Speedway on July 29.

“I’m excited and honoured that Aaron’s has chosen to make its debut in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series on my No. 29 Dodge,” said Bourque, who lives in Ottawa, Ontario. “NASCAR fans are familiar with Aaron’s impressive presence in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series through its sponsorship of Michael Waltrip Racing’s driver David Reutimann and of high-profile events like the Aaron’s 499 at Talladega Superspeedway. Aaron’s has a fast-growing network of stores throughout Canada and I’m looking forward to helping to introduce Canadian racing fans to their outstanding range of products and services.”

Ken Butler, the Chief Operating Officer of Aaron's, Inc. said, “We are pleased to partner with Pierre and Whitlock Motorsports as Aaron’s extends its reach in North America. Motorsports has been a very important piece of our marketing arsenal in the U.S. over the years and we look forward to utilizing Pierre’s determination and talent both on and off the racetrack as we expand our brand awareness in Canada.”

Sunday’s race at Mosport Int’l Raceway is the third of 13 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races on the 2009 schedule. Bourque’s team owner Dave Whitlock won the season opener on May 23 at Montreal’s Autodrome St-Eustache. Bourque continued, “I’m really looking forward to flying Aaron’s colours this season. Whitlock Motorsports is truly on top of its game this season – as evidenced by Dave’s win in Montreal and Mark Dilley’s pole in the second race, last weekend at London’s Delaware Speedway.”

About Aaron's, Inc.:
Aaron's, Inc. (NYSE: AAN and AAN.A), the nation's leader in the sales and lease ownership, specialty retailing and rental of residential and office furniture, consumer electronics and home appliances and accessories has more than 1,575 Company-operated and franchised stores in 48 states and Canada. Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk, Sr. and headquartered in Atlanta, Aaron's has been publicly traded since 1982. For more information, visit www.shopaarons.com.

About Pierre Bourque:
During the week, Pierre Bourque is the man behind Bourque Newswatch (www.bourque.com) a website that goes deep behind the scenes of Canadian politics. Dubbed as “Canada's Online News Authority” it follows the movers and shakers of Canada’s political scene. On weekends, Bourque does some moving and shaking of his own, competing in car races in several series, including NASCAR, ARCA and Grand-Am.

About the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series:
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) is Canada’s top motorsports tour. The 13-race series features events across Canada, from BC to Nova Scotia, with a combination of oval and road course events at the nation’s top facilities and race weekends. For more information, visit www.nascar.ca.

Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Series: Stefan Rzadzinski Mosport Preview

Stefan Rzadzinski will resume his battle in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge Series in his No. 2 Brian Graham Racing/TLM Racing RF00 Van Diemen. Rzadzinski will be competing during the Mosport High Octane Weekend alongside the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Ford Mustang Challenge and F2000 Championship Series.

Following a great start to Rzadzinski’s competition in formula cars at Mosport, Rzadzinski is looking forward to his second challenge on the historic circuit. After a double podium in his debut at the track, Rzadzinski will once again focus on his development as a driver.

“We had a bit of tough luck in Shannonville as the team had put together a great car and could have pulled off two solid 2nd place finishes. Unfortunately on Saturday it was a very odd wheel failure which led to a DNF, and on Sunday a misjudgement on my part cost us a great finish. However, the entire team is looking forward to this event and I believe it will be fantastic! I have learned so much already thanks to the Brian Graham Racing team; their preparation and support is fantastic.

I would not be able to compete without the support from my exceptional partners: The ABL Group, SuperTint and AMSOIL/SyntheticLubricants.ca.”

For more information about Stefan Rzadzinski please see: www.rzadracing.com

To contact Stefan with partnership opportunities or inquiries, please do so by email: stefanr@rzadracing.com

Advertiser of the Day - Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch

www.racespringmountain.com

Road Racing: Brian Graham Racing/TLM Racing with Grote Mosport Pro F2000 preview

Brian Graham Racing/TLM Racing with Grote are pleased to announce their return to the Pro F2000 series this weekend at Mosport.

Russian native Mikhail Goikhberg will make his Pro racing debut in the car that tallied 8 podiums last season including a win at Road America in the hands of BGR alumni driver Kyle Marcelli.  Mikhail tested this past tuesday in the F2000 car for the first time and logged over 175 trouble free miles.

It will be a busy weekend for Mikhail as he will contest not only the F2000 event but also rounds 5 and 6 of the 2009 OFFC.  He currently sit 8th in the points in the championship despite a DNF in one of the recent Shannonville rounds.

"I am really looking forward to seeing some friends from the F2000 series  this weekend and have to say that I do miss the whole gang who run this outstanding series. Mikhail should do well as he has been impressive to this point with raw speed and just simply needs more track time. The testing this week was very helpful and our track notes and data from last season with Conor and Kyle  will really help get Mikhail up to speed," says team owner Brian Graham.

David Ostella, New Jersey Grand Prix Preview

June 10, 2009 // Maple, Ontario, Canada

 

David Ostella returns to New Jersey Motorsports Park this weekend when the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear contests rounds four and five. Taking top billing as the feature event at the New Jersey Grand Prix, David and the Star Mazda drivers will enjoy an incredible amount of track time on a layout Ostella enjoyed last year in its debut season.

 

“I was at New Jersey Motorsports Park last season when the track was brand new,” Ostella said prior to his departure Wednesday. “The track was awesome, even though it was still surrounded by dirt at the time, but hopefully that’s gone and the people are ready for an incredible Mazda show.”

 

After three promoter test sessions on Thursday, Friday brings two Official Sessions before qualifying for race one of the weekend closes the daily schedule for the Star Mazda cars. Round four will be contested Saturday, broadcast live on HDNet, and the weekend will close with a Sunday morning qualifying session for round five and the second race in a doubleheader at 2pm.

 

“I’m so excited about having so much track time this weekend,” Ostella said of the weekend lineup. “It gives me more time to learn the track and a doubleheader just makes it that much more exciting. I just can’t wait to get trackside and get things underway.”

 

Three races into his first season of Star Mazda, Ostella is enjoying both the cars and the championship. “The Mazda to me is awesome and once I jumped into it I knew it was going to be good,” he said. “The season so far has been great, and working through ups-and-downs through three rounds we have gotten a lot of different racing situations figured out. That’s really satisfying, and it just makes me look forward to the next event all the time.”

 

David Ostella will be racing in New Jersey this weekend with support from Global Precast Intercontinental, Alpinestars and RAW Intregrated Ltd. For more information, please visit the renovated www.davidostella.com

Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints: Autodrome Edelweiss preview

By Dean Reynolds

Autodrome Edelweiss Speedway is set in an obscure spot just a mere 20 minutes North of Canada’s capital of Ottawa.  Over the past two decades the track has gone through several owners and promoters but has found a very solid base with Serge Lagace holding the controls.

Facility upgrades, larger purses, increase car counts and fan base has added the success to this exciting 1/3rd mile oval which had a future that went year by year.  Now that future looks bright for many years to come.  Lagace is a blue collar worker by trade but with a good crew and marketing team in place, Edelweiss is growing by leaps and bounds.

The Lucas Oil Empire Super Sprints will be making two stops in 2009.  The ESS history at Edelweiss is very unique history in that the 21 events that have been run since 1990, there has been 18 different winners.  Speeds are fast and 25 lap A-Mains can be done in mere minutes.  The winged warriors will invade on June 12th and July 17th.

Bleachers run from turn four to turn one.  A beautiful new VIP tower was built last year adding to the marketing aspect of Edelweiss.  The pits are located right off turn four with the fans having a great view of the action both in the pits and on the track.  Of course, in Quebec tradition, you can enter the pits by just adding a few dollars to your admission stub.

Drivers of local interest are headed by Lee Ladouceur, also rookies Sylvain Ericksen and Erin Joyce will be in the pits at Edelweiss.  Fans will also get to root for many other Canadian drivers during each ESS visit.    

ESS Facts – Autodrome Edelweiss Speedway:
ESS Events Run: 21
Different Winners: 18
Most Wins: Mike Woodring, Mal Lane and Lance Yonge (2)
Last Event Run: 9/19/08
Most Recent Winner: Steve Poirier

Edelweiss Facts:
Location: Rt. 307 North of Ottawa and then West on Rt. 366
ESS Date(s): June 12th and July 17th  
Promoter(s): Serge Lagace’
Track Phone: (819) 457-4440
Website: www.autodromedelweiss.com

Sites of Interest:  Canada’s beautiful Capital of Ottawa just 20 minutes away.

Cordeiro report; Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup to showcase clean diesel racing at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course

Series makes its first visit to the historic Ohio circuit.

2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup – Round 4

Circuit: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course – Lexington, OH (Main Course – 13 Turns, 2.25 miles)

Date/Time: Practice/Qualifying – Saturday, June 20 at 8 am ET / 11:10 am ET

Race – Sunday, June 21 at 11 am ET

Race Length: 30 minutes

What sets the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup apart from other racing series?

· The Jetta TDI Cup is the only clean diesel racing series in the United States, and Volkswagen is the only auto manufacturer participating in motorsports full time with diesel powered cars.

· The TDI (turbo direct injection) engine technology improves fuel economy over gasoline engines and reduces sooty emissions by 95 percent, even under demanding race conditions. Each car will consume approximately two tanks of fuel during races this season.

· The Jetta TDI Cup features a product that consumers can buy at their local dealerships.

· The racecars are maintained by Volkswagen of America, which creates a level playing field for all drivers.

News & Notes:

Mid-Ohio Preview

On June 21, the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup will make its first visit to the historic Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. The series’ 25 drivers will be taking to the 13-turn, 2.25-mile road course in their identically-prepared clean diesel Jetta TDI racecars to demonstrate to the motorsports world what green racing is all about.

With three races of the 10-event season in the books, the series has shown to be very competitive with each race featuring a different winner and pole sitter. Eight different drivers have also scored top-five finishes. As a result, the championship standings are incredibly tight. Only 23 points separate the top five drivers.

http://www.makehasteracing.com/
http://www.vw.com/
http://www.scca.com/contentpage.aspx?content=105
http://www.can-alignment.com/
http://www.hotbits.ca/
http://www.hyperfuels.com/

Do you think he's bragging? Seems a little bit nutty to me.

New GM Chairman: "I Don't Know Anything About Cars"

FW: Press release for Grand Bend Motorplex

Rudy Held’s Performance Centre ‘steps up’ once again for E.T. racers at the 2009 Mopar Canadian Nationals.

Available to all the racers who enter our ET Box, No Box and Bike classes.

Once again, thanks to support from one of Grand Bend Motorplex’s largest weekly supporters (Rudy Held’s Performance Centre), every racer who enters the E.T. classes (Box, No Box, Bike/Sled) will also receive a free crew entry.

Thanks to Rudy, it is still cheaper for a racer and his crew to race in the Mopar Canadian Nationals (July 17-19, 2009) than it is to watch the event. For example a weekend entry into these classes is $190 which includes the driver, one crew member and their pit spot – a weekend ticket to watch the event with camping is $125 or $250 for two – that is a $60 savings plus you have a chance to win money & contingency, and the savings increase with every crew member you add.

Space in these classes is limited so get your spot now!

This offer does not pertain to the Junior 7.90 Heads up class (Returning for their second IHRA National event) since the crew aspect has already been considered in the reduced tech card fee of $100.

From Ron Biekx / General Manager / Grand Bend Motorplex
Contact: ron_motorplex@hay.net / (519)238-7223  Ext. 26

CNN: Chrsyler and Fiat finalize deal

-- Chrysler and Fiat finalize deal to create 'new' Chrysler that will
begin operating immediately.

Scotia Speedworld's Weekly Racing Series Returns to Friday Nights

(Halifax, NS, June 9, 2009) Scotia Speedworld’s Weekly Racing Series returns to its regular day and time this Friday, June 12th, racing starts at 7:00pm.  This weeks featured 5 divisions include; Sojourn Signs Bandoleros, Miller Tire Thunder cars, Lockhart Truck Center Hobby Stocks, Legends and the C&R Auto Supply Sportsman.  Gates open at 5:00pm and the Strictly Hydraulics pits open at 4:30pm.

Last week was an off week for Scotia Speedworld’s Weekly Racing Series as the venue hosted thousands of fans for the Monster Jam Summer Tour.  This Friday, June 12th only, anyone who presents a 2009 Monster Jam ticket stub will get in for only $5.00.  This promotion is valid for main grandstand seating only and does not apply to the pits.  Monster Jam ticket stubs will have no cash value at the pit gates.

Last week saw our first winner of the Miller Tire Going Further Fan Award.  All fans are encouraged to show their colors and support their favourite drivers.  Bring a poster, wear your driver’s colors, sport their number, anything you like, the fan who goes the furthest will win a Miller Tire prize pack.  Each week we will be giving away great prizes to the best fans!

Visit www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca for more information or call our event hotline at 902.873.2277.

CASTROL TOURING CAR IGNITES MOSPORT - Canada’s biggest auto racing series returns to Bowmanville

June 9, 2009, Bowmanville, Ontario - Round three of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires returns this weekend, June 13th & 14th to the Mosport High Octane Weekend at Mosport International Raceway. 45 of Canada’s best race drivers will compete in two adrenaline filled, door handle to door handle sprint races in some of the hottest sports cars around.

The Super Touring Class championship points leading driver Nigel Krikorian (406pts) and Touring Class leader Anthony Rapone (443pts) will try to defend their current positions atop the standings in what appears to be some of the fiercest competition you’ll see all weekend long.

Quebec’s own four car BMW GT Racing contingent will be battling in Super Touring as will the racing father & son team, Fast Wheels Racing in their highly competitive Hyundai Tiburons. Another father & son combination, Andy & Andrew Wojteczko will be back with not one but both of their extremely well balanced and fast Lexus IS300’s. Andrew is coming off a pair of first place finishes at Shannonville Motorsports Park just two weeks ago.

Alain Lauziere currently 3rd place in the Touring Class points standings will be back in his Octane Promotions MINI Cooper and bring everything he has up his sleeve to keep Nigel Heron and his Acura Integra at bay while attempting to get a top the podium in the Touring Class.

Less than 100 points separate the top five drivers in both classes, as the level of competition is extremely high in both classes. Watch for Super Touring drivers Mathieu Audette (Acura RSX), Etienne Borgeat (BMW), David Bensadoun (BMW), Nick Wittmer & Jean-Francois Dumolin (Honda) as they challenge Krikorian (Subaru) for top honours.

You can always count on thrilling action among the top Touring Class drivers also. Park yourself outside Mosport’s famous “Turn 2” and watch Aldo Lombardi (Honda), Patrick Seguin (Honda), Frank Blanchet (Acura) and the rest of the field battle it out for 20 minutes on Saturday & 40 Minutes on Sunday.

For further information, check out www.touringcar.ca for the latest championship news.

The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Presented By Toyo Tires is Canada's Premiere Touring Car Series and features Canada's Best Drivers Racing Today's Hottest Touring Cars. The Championship is showcased at eight event weekends in Quebec and Ontario with marquee events at Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres and Honda Indy Toronto.

For more information on Toyo Tires, please visit www.toyotires.ca. Toyo manufactures and distributes a complete line of replacement tires for high performance cars, luxury vehicles, light trucks and SUVs as well as tires for commercial trucks, buses and off-road and construction applications.

Advertiser of the Day - Mobil 1 Oil Products

STAR MAZDA TURNS UP THE CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT WITH A DOUBLE-HEADER, 29 CARS AND LIVE TV IN THIS WEEKEND'S MAZDA FORMULA X EVENT AT NEW JERSEY MOTORSPORTS

Fast Facts – Rounds 4 and 5 of the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear in the Mazda Formula X at New Jersey Motorsports Park, June 12 – 14

Ø Mazda Formula X returns to New Jersey Motorsports Park, with the Mazda ladder series highlighting the weekend’s racing activities on Thunderbolt Raceway, including Star Mazda, Atlantic, Skip Barber, MX-5 and IMSA Lites; also featured, Time Attack and Drifting exhibitions, tuner car and audio show.

Ø All the weekend's races will be broadcast live on HDnet. There will be a live three hour broadcast each day from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT. The broadcast team will be led by veteran commentator Rick Benjamin and legendary race-driver Elliott Forbes Robinson.

Ø The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is the college baseball of Indy-style auto racing, a high-speed training ground for future stars of the sport. Graduates of the series include Indy-car stars Marco Andretti, Graham Rahal and Raphael Matos, as well as hot NASCAR newcomer Michael McDowell. The prize fund is $1.5 million.

Ø It’s a double-header weekend for the Star Mazda Championship with races on both Saturday and Sunday. Last year's Saturday winner, American John Edwards, went on to win the championship and is racing in the Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda at NJMP this weekend with sponsorship from the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder.

Ø Hot drivers to watch include current points leader Adam Christodoulou who has won two of the three races so far this year; Conor Daly, son of F1/Indy Car/Sports Car legend Derek Daly; Peter 'The Irish Steamroller' Dempsey who won on Sunday here last year and is back to try again; and the unique brother/sister team of Kristy and J.C. Kester.

Ø The Star Mazda Championship features a race-within-a-race for Expert (ages 30 -44) and Master (45 and older) Series drivers; company presidents and entrepreneurs in high-speed, wheel-to-wheel battles with top young drivers from around the world. Chris Cumming of Vancouver, B.C. is leads the Experts while California Mike Guasch is the top-scoring Master.
______________________________________

New Jersey Motorsports Park (June 8, 2009) -- The tight battle for the 2009 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear heats up this weekend with a double-header during the Mazda Formula X event at Miller Motorsports Park. Leading the pack, with two wins in the first three races and a total of 119 points is English racer Adam Christodoulou. The 2008 U.K. Formula Renault champion won from the season-opener at Sebring and scored from the pole in Round 3 at Miller Motorsports Park; he has topped the time sheets in most pre-race testing sessions, including the most recent series test on the Iowa Speedway Oval. He drives the #11 JDC Motorsports / Molecule Mazda.

In hot pursuit is Peter 'The Irish Steamroller' Dempsey (left), who won Round 2 at Virginia International Raceway with a last-lap Hail Mary pass that had the fans on their fee. Dempsey, a second-year competitor in the Star Mazda Championship, earned his nickname with four wins during the 2008 season, including the Sunday race at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He has 114 points in the 2009 championship and is a true by-your-bootstraps story, raising money one event at a time to fund his ride in the #3 AIM Autosport / Motorsport Ireland / Queyside.ie Mazda.

And bump-drafting Dempsey in the championship points with 106 is American Joel Miller, driver of the #2 JDC Motorsports / Fader Higher Productions / eSoles / Doug Mockett & Co. Mazda. Miller was the 2007 Skip Barber champion and won his 2008 Star Mazda drive courtesy of the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder. As his car number indicates, he finished second in the championship and is funding his effort this year by selling off 2-inch sponsorship squares on his car. He has scored two podium finishes so far, and in this event last year won the pole and finished on the podium.

Other hotshoes with previous experience at this event include Alex Ardoin, a third-year driver currently running fourth in the championship with 98 points and a podium finish in Round 2 at VIR; in the 2008 NJMP event he had a disastrous first race, finishing 20th, but rebounded to finish 2nd in Round 2 on Sunday. Californian Billy Goshen returns this year at the wheel of the #82 Goshen Motorsports / Baker Commodities / GPSTrackit / OTTO Mazda after finishing 10th and 6th in 2008; Taylor Hacquard, a second-year driver from Vancouver B.C. finished 8th and 10th in 2008, changed teams between seasons and now drives the #15 Kester Racing Team 3G / Wolfe Auto Group / Texas World Speedway Mazda.

Also returning for a second go at the highly-rated New Jersey Motorsports Park Thunderbolt road course is Brazilian racer Caio Lara at the wheel of the #19 JDC Motorsports / MLD / ATW/ Molecule Mazda and the unique brother/sister team of J.C. and Kristy Kester. J.C. finished 7th and 8th last year driving the #24 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda while his sister scored a pair of 11th-place finishes in the #48 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda.

There will also be some highly competitive racing in the Star Mazda Championship's unique race-within-a-race format for Expert (drivers aged 30 – 44) and Master (drivers 45 and older) Series. Vancouver B.C.'s Chris Cumming, the reigning 2008 Star Mazda Expert Series champion, is currently leading the 2009 Expert battle with one class win and two class podiums in the #16 Kester Racing Team 3G / Texas World Speedway / Motul Oil Mazda; at NJMP last year he finished on the class podium on Saturday and won his class on Sunday. In the Master Series, the current leader is California Mike Guasch (right) with two class wins and one class podium driving the #91 JDC Motorsports / Molecule Mazda. He finished on the podium in both races here last year.

Star Mazda Championship on-track action begins with a 'promoter test day' on Thursday, June 11; there will be three sessions – 9:40 -10:20 am, 1:35 – 2:20 pm and 5:00 – 5:40 pm. Official practice begins on Friday, June 12 with a session at 8:00 – 8:45 am and another at 1:00 – 1:45 am. Qualifying for Saturday's Race 1 takes place 5:30 pm – 6:15 pm. The standing start for Race 1 on Saturday, June 13 will get the green light at 2:00 pm. Qualifying for Race 2 takes place Sunday morning 9:20 – 10:00 am, followed by the race at 2:00 pm.

This weekend will mark the second annual Mazda Formula X weekend at New Jersey Motorsports Park, with five different Mazda ladder series highlighting the weekend’s racing activities on Thunderbolt Raceway, including the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, the Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda, the Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda, the Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup and the Mazda-powered IMSA Lights, as well as Time Attack, drifting exhibitions and a tuner car and audio show.

MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder
The MAZDASPEED Motorsports Driver Development Ladder is unique in being the only automaker-funded scholarship program that provides funding for champions at each level to move up from karting to the top ranks of the sport. Mazda will provide a next-level, fully-funded ride in a Mazda powered car to the 2009 champions of selected Mazda series.
Open-wheel racers are competing for these awards in 2009:

· One successful kart racer will participate in a full season of the BFGoodrich Skip Barber National Presented by Mazda in 2010.
· The 2009 Skip Barber National Champion will be racing in the 2010 Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear.
· The 2009 Star Mazda Champion will be racing in the 2010 Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda.

Mazda is the brand of choice for road-racers across North America. More than 9,000 grassroots racers compete in various classes with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and the National Auto Sport Association (NASA). Racers who are years away from earning a driver’s license can now begin their professional motorsports careers in the Mazda family. A driver can begin in karts and progress through the Skip Barber series, Club Racing Formula Mazda, professional Star Mazda and finally to Formula Atlantic, all with Mazda. No other car company has ever connected the dots this way.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear
For 2009, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear (http://www.starmazda.com/) will feature an 11-weekend, 13-race schedule on major race weekends with American Le Mans, Grand-Am, the Atlantic Championship, NASCAR Nationwide and Craftsman Truck Series. Prize money is $1.5 million, including a fully-funded drive in the 2010 Atlantic Championship. Drivers 16 and older are welcome to compete and the Star Mazda Championship also features Expert (30 to 44) and Master (45 and older) classes for more mature racers. The Star Mazda Championship features standing starts, wheel-to-wheel racing at 150 mph and budgets a fraction of other top open-wheel ladder series. iRacing.com is the official racing simulation of the Star Mazda Championship, and one-month free 'virtual test drive' of the Star Mazda open-wheel car is available by going to www.starmazda.com/newdriver.

Star Mazda Championship Live On HDnet
Each of the four broadcasts will be live for three hours (1:00 pm to 4:00 pm EDT). The broadcast team will be led by veteran commentator Rick Benjamin and legendary race-driver Elliott Forbes Robinson. HDNet (http://www.hd.net/, www.twitter.com/hdnet) is a network that is original, thinks independently and delivers unique content and provocative, authentic programming that appeals to men of all ages, delivered in true high definition. HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including television's only HD news feature programs "HDNet World Report," and the Emmy Award winning "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts through HDNet Fights (www.hdnetfights.com, twitter.com/hdnetfights). HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet’s “Inside MMA” is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving MMA fans their weekly fix for everything MMA. HDNet also delivers the world’s largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer and more. “NASA on HDNet” presents all live shuttle launches through 2010. Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available on AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, Mediacom, Verizon and more than 40 NCTC cable affiliate companies. To receive HDNet information via email simply go to www.hd.net/listpage.
________________________________

For more information on the Star Mazda Championship and its drivers, as well as the Mazda Motorsports ladder system, please visit http://www.starmazda.com/ and http://www.mazdausa.com/. For information, interviews and photos, contact Star Mazda Communications Director Peter Frey at (818) 398-5733 or StarMazdaPR@aol.com.
________________________________

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas on the road-race tracks of America than any other brand of vehicle. At the track, you’ll see MX-5 Miata, RX-8, MAZDA3, MAZDA6, RX-7 and other vintage Mazda models competing, because every Mazda has the Soul of a Sports Car.

For more information on the various Mazda spec series, visit:
http://www.atlanticchampionship.com/ http://www.starmazda.com/
http://www.skipbarber.com/ http://www.mx-5cup.com/

CCTCC - C360R RETURNS TO CANADIAN TOURING CAR

Toronto, ON -- Compass360 Racing announced today that the team will return to Castrol Canadian Touring Car (CCTCC) competition in 2009, fielding an Acura TSX driven by team driver David Ciekiewicz.

The move marks a further expansion of the C360R Road Racing program, which ironically began with CCTCC in 2003, when Team Principal Karl Thomson took Rookie of the Year honors before moving the team to Grand- Am's KONI Challenge series full-time in 2004.

"I'm just thrilled to be driving for Compass360 again," enthused Ciekiewicz. "We've had some good fun together in KONI over the past few years, and I am looking forward to fighting for the Super Touring championship this year in my TSX!"

"We've wanted to get back into Canadian Touring Car, and partnering with Dave provided the ideal opportunity," noted Thomson. "We've been very successful with our KONI program over the past five years, making history a few weekends ago in New Jersey with a podium sweep. We're keen on extending that success back into the Canadian racing scene."

Indeed, sponsors already on board include Skunk2, OMP and K&N, who are keen to expand their footprint in Canada. "We see an opportunity to use the C360R Canadian Touring Car program to increase awareness of our products north of the border," commented Skunk2 President Dave Hsu. The team's TSX will make use of a number of Skunk2 performance enhancements throughout its powerplant and drivetrain.

The signature matte-black-and-neon-orange #36 TSX will make its first appearance at Mosport's High Octane Weekend, June 12-14th. It promises to be an exciting event, featuring the Canadian Touring Car series alongside the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, Ford Racing Mustang Challenge, and more.

Details on Compass360 Racing can be found at the team's website: http://c360r.com/ .

STECKLY EARNS FIRST PODIUM FOR CANADIAN TIRE IN 2009

London, Ontario, Monday June 8, 2009: Scott Steckly driving the No. 22 Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in a Box Dodge Avenger finished the Saturday night event in third place after several green, white checkered attempts to finish the race. The Delaware 200 presented by Belfor Restoration Services was held at Delaware Speedway just outside of London, On on Saturday night as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series made its inaugural visit to the popular Southern Ontario half mile speedway.

Steckly posted his time trial early in the qualifying session and was first on the charts until a late qualifying Mark Dilley bumped him off the top spot. Dilley and Steckly would form the front row for the start of the 200 lap race.

At the drop of the green flag Dilley quickly moved to the front and Steckly was in the high groove for a few laps until he was finally able to get down to the preferred racing groove and into third place. By the first round of pit stops at lap 62, the No. 22 Canadian Tire driver found himself back in fifth. His crew quickly serviced the car with racing fuel, made some chassis adjustments and sent him back out. On lap 88 Steckly again came to the attention of his crew for some right side tires. The car was extremely loose all night and the adjustments were making it better but still not quite what the driver wanted. When the dust settled after three attempts at a green, white checkered finish Steckly brought the Canadian Tire/Tow Truck in a Box Dodge Avenger across the line in third posting his first podium finish in the early stages of the 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season.

“The car was extremely loose all night,” stated Steckly after the race. “The team made some adjustments during our pit stops and while it was better it still wasn’t perfect but a third is a good finish. I want to thank Canadian Tire, Tow Truck in a Box and all of our great sponsors for making this possible.”

D. J. Kennington won the Delaware 200 on his home track with Ron Beauchamp Jr. posting his second straight second place finish, Kerry Micks and Anthony Simone rounded out the top five.

The Delaware 200 presented by Belfor Restoration Services will be aired on TSN on Sunday June 14th at 11:30 a.m. EST.

Steckly and his Canadian Tire team now head to Mosport International Raceway for the Dickies 200 next weekend, June 13/14th. Steckly finished fourth at this Internationally renowned road course venue in 2008. If not for a rain shower late in the event, Steckly may have had a chance at the win. For more information on the Dickies 200 event including tickets, camping and schedule please visit http://www.mosport.com/.

For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit http://www.nascar.ca/

About 22 Racing
Scott Steckly and the No. 22 Racing Team are supported by a large group of sponsors including: Canadian Tire, Tow Truck in a Box, Motomaster, Exide, Erb Transport, Mobil Super, AW Millwrights, Marks Work Warehouse, Reefer Sales and Twin City Graphics.
Scott Steckly and his 22 Racing Team are a familiar face in top level stock car racing in Canada. Steckly in his second season with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2008 went on to win 4 events, place 2nd in four more and overall post 9 top five finishes on their way to claiming the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship. The team is based out of the small town of Milverton, ON just outside of Stratford, ON.

About Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a, CTC) operates more than 1,200 general merchandise and apparel retail stores, gas bars and car washes in an inter-related network of businesses engaged in retail, financial services and petroleum. More than 57,000 Canadians work across the Canadian Tire organization from coast-to-coast. Canadian Tire Retail and its Associate Dealers together form one of Canada's best-known and most successful retailers with 475 stores in communities nationwide. Canadian Tire stores offer a unique mix of products and services through the leadership of three specialty stores under one roof - Automotive, Sports and Leisure, and Home Products.

For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit http://www.nascar.ca/

Kingston Speedway Reunion Goes Green for a 3rd Year

With the 3rd round of the reunion scheduled for June 13th and 14th, fans can expect to see even more of their racing heroes and the cars that made the track a Friday night tradition.  To help generate some interest in the event, Rob Clark has worked to arrange a race night at Brighton Speedway Park.  Fans of coupe and coach racing will get a special treat Saturday, May 30th. The track will host a vintage modified invitational event – featuring Kingston’s Tom Traynor, runners from the McNamee Concrete Series and a variety of drivers from throughout Ontario, including Brockville’s Denzil Billings Sr. and Harold Sonnenberg of the Niagara region.  Both drivers are in their 70’s and still compete actively at a variety of tracks.  The Rinaldi family has also invited Clark to set-up a display at the track to promote the event.

“We’ve been able to build-up a solid network of fans and friends,” Clark says.  “If things keep going the way they have been, we hope the next Kingston Speedway Reunion will be at a new Kingston Speedway.  Each year, people have told us about some of the former track’s cars and where they are.  Some of the drivers who ran the track every week have been lucky enough to search-out their former rides and have worked on getting them restored.  Bob Prud’homme from Belleville, Ontario read about the first edition of the show in 2007 and then found-out the Malibu late model he raced at the track was still out there.  He picked it up, started working on restoring it and brought it to the 2008 edition of the show as a ‘work-in-progress’.  We’re hoping he’ll have the finished product at this year’s event.  There are even people out there who want to build a car from scratch as a tribute to their favourite racer.  The pieces might not be that easy to find, but they’re around if you know where to look for them.”

Another former Kingston Speedway car made its reunion debut in 2008.  Brockville’s Henry Hannewyk bought and restored a former 3 window coupe campaigned at the track by many time champion Tony Blake.  The car had been sold to veteran racer Ted Hossler and finished its on-track life being run by Blake, but raced as Hossler’s #97.  Hannewyk picked it up and did some hard work on the piece to get it into showcar condition.  The Brockville Speedway track photographer also runs it in selected vintage modified shows at the 3/8th mile oval.

Rob Clark says fans can expect to see a replica of Buzzie Reutimann’s famed #00 coupe, an original #24 Will Cagle car and some other new entries at this year’s edition.  There will also be several Kingston Speedway racecars that have been restored over the years and an interesting display of model racecars, scrapbooks, photo albums, trophies and memorabilia from the McAdoo’s Lane quarter-mile oval.  For additional information, visit www.carkatz.com http://www.carkatz.com/  or call Rob Clark at 705.359.1275.  You can also ‘google’ Kingston Speedway Reunion to learn more.

Mark your calendars now for the 3rd edition of the Kingston Speedway Reunion – Saturday and Sunday, June 13th and 14th at the Odessa Fairgrounds.

Photo attachments:

#1).  Tony Blake accepts a trophy from Kingston Speedway starter Phil Marshall.  (Photo by Vi Perry, Meyers Studios.  Clarke Motorsports Communications collection)

#2).  Brockville’s Henry Hannewyk bought and restored Blake’s #66 coupe to its former glory.

(Photo by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications)

RICK @ the RACES ( 5/6/7 JUNE) Brockville Ontario Speedway

PIC 1   In Memory  , Fransisco Pereira and myself at the Merrittville Speedway Ont in 2006

PIC 2   Mum , Dad and myself awatching the D DAY Veterans parade in Ottawa

PIC 3  Veterans remember D DAY on Parliament Hill , Ottawa.

PIC 4  Gage Morin # 16 and Andy Lloyd # 31 in action at Brockville

PIC 5  John Mulder # 12 and David Hebert in action at Brockville

PIC 6  Danny O'Brien # 7* chased by brother Pat # 6 at Brockville

PIC 7  Todd Stewart # 72  at speed at Brockville

PIC 8  Todd Stewart # 72 Modified winner at Brockville

PIC 9  Vintage Mods in action at Brockville

PIC 10 Vintage Modified winner at Brockville, Jason Power

PIC 11  SPORTSMAN Feature winner at Brockville, Matt Billings

PIC 12  Kevin Fetterly Jnr winner of the Brockville Street Stock feature

On Wednesday (3 June) it was my day off from work, and my itinerary included picking up two VIP's from the Pierre Trudeau Airport (Montreal). Mum and dad were flying in from the UK to Canada for a vacation. It wasn't the first time, they've made the trip every year since I moved to Ontario in 1994 , and on many occasions have joined me at the races.

Once again work commitments prevented me from going anywhere on Friday, but on Saturday night, the Brockville Ontario Speedway was on my agenda. During the day I took mum and dad for a drive to Ottawa where we watched the D DAY veterans parade on Parliament Hill before having lunch in the Byward Market. After returning home to Long Sault for an hour or so, I took off in the direction of Brockville while mum and dad stayed behind to relax.

It was a nice sunny night and I found a few surprise visitors in the pits. Young Gage Morin of Cornwall, was making his first appearance at the BOS in a 358 DIRT Modified , and taking a night off from his local Autodrome Drummond was LUCAS OIL CANADIAN DIRT SERIES Champion David Hebert from St Damase , Quebec. It was also good to see Kingston, Ont, Pat O'Brien back in action after a short lay off following an accident at the Big Diamond Speedway (Pennsylvania) last month.

Unfortunately all three of these guys were involved in the same first lap wreck in the Feature, and only Hebert managed to complete the race. The 30 lap main event was dominated by Kingston , Ont Todd Stewart after being chased by Kyle Dingwall for most of the race then Danny O'Brien in the closing stages. It was great to see Todd in Victory Lane.

The 25 Lap Sportsman Feature is best forgotten ! It was one of those races that never got into a rhythm after what seamed like a dozen cautions, but for the record, it was Matt Billings who took the checkers. The Vintage Stock car race was a lot better with Jason Power taking the honors. In the Street Stock Feature Kevin Fetterly Jnr of Massena, New York took his first ever Brockville win.

It was pretty much de ja vu for this Sunday, with wet weather causing the Cornwall Motor Speedway to cancel for the second week running. Heavy rain in the late afternoon forced the decision.

R.I.P     FRANSISCO PEREIRA

At the start of this past week I learned the sad news about the passing of one of my racing buddies, Fransisco Pereira of Etobicoke (Toronto) . I first met Fransisco, a 358 DIRT Modified driver # 37P and his crew at the 2005 SUPER DIRT WEEK in Syracuse. He had been down there competing in one of the satellite events. We became friends and always made a point of getting together for a chat when paths met during our travels on the 358 SUPER DIRT SERIES. He was one of the earliest to be included on my RICK @ the RACES mailing list and when visiting his hauler in the pits, he and his family always made me very welcome.

In recent months he'd returned to his great love of Rallying, and I last saw him flashing past me in his Mitsubishi # 29 during a special stage of the Tall Pines Rally at Bancroft,Ont last November. It was a big disappointment and a shame that we never got a chance to chat that day, we just weren't in the same place at the same time. Not only was he a Dirt racer and Rally driver, he was also an Ice racer and competed with the AMEC group in New York.

According to the reports ( www.dirttrackdigest.com ) Fransisco passed away in his native Portugal where he'd recently returned to undergo treatment for cancer. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

Rest in Peace , Fransisco, you were a great guy, we'll miss you.

Rick Young