Saturday, September 26, 2009
NCATS Kawartha: rained out
NCATS Kawartha: More rain... Still waiting...
Kawartha NCATS: raining after anthems
Starting order: Ron Beauchamp , Andreaw Ranger , JR Fitpatrick , DJ Kennington , John Gaunt, Scott Steckly.
Flamboro Speedway rained out
Friday, September 25, 2009
F2 CHAMP ANDY SOUCEK Q&A
Courtesy F2 Media Office
A third place finish in race one at Imola last Saturday (19 September) secured the FIA Formula Two Championship title for Andy Soucek, and the Spaniard went on to celebrate his achievement in style by storming to his fifth victory of the season in race two. Speaking to www.formulatwo.com, the newly crowned champion reflects on a fantastic campaign in F2 and talks about his burning Formula One ambition…
You’ve had a few days to reflect on the weekend; how does it feel to be the 2009 FIA Formula Two Champion?
It feels great! It has been a very special season, the best of my career. I not only won the championship, but I won with a good margin, and I have to be proud of everything I achieved. Hopefully it will open new doors for me: already a lot of people in the world of Formula One know me better than before, and the news has travelled around the world. No-one will ever be able to take away my title in Formula Two, and I will be able to look back on this for the rest of my career.
What are your hopes for F1?
I’m very positive that my dream can become true. I just feel like I’m at the right moment – I’m in the right place and with the right people, and this is my big chance, my dream. It doesn’t mean that I will get my chance for sure, but for me this is the right moment.
Things have changed quite a lot since F2 last ran in 1984, but F2 is still a category where young drivers can get themselves into Formula One. I know back then every champion progressed into F1, so I’m hoping to continue the trend as the first winner of the new series. I had a great championship, scored a lot of points, and brought the car home in almost every race. I think F1 teams look not only at the winner of every championship but also at the most complete driver. That’s why I think I’m in the right moment and I’ve showed it this year. It was not only the number of races I won, it was my consistency at the front that made it such a great year for me, and I think I can have similar success in F1 as well.
How did you feel about the video message you received from Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head congratulating you on your success?
It was incredibly emotional. I’m a realistic and humble person, and I really never expected to have a Formula One team boss – let alone such an important one, because he is one of the most successful ever - like Sir Frank Williams or Patrick Head giving me a message saying that they hope I can achieve my dreams of going into Formula One. It really was like a dream seeing that; it was very emotional, and something I will never forget. Hopefully they are right in what they said!
What will you do to prepare for your test with Williams later this year?
I’m very well prepared now. I started to train my neck as soon as I got back from Imola, because I think that is the one part of my body where the g-forces are different in F1. They have steering assistance, so there won’t be too much force on my arms, but you need a strong neck for sure. I hope to be in peak physical condition for the test, but I have never stopped training and I am fitter than ever so I don’t see it being an issue.
Have you had any contact with other F1 teams?
Whilst we are not currently in negotiations with any other teams in F1, we are in contact with a few and I think that will probably intensify in the next few weeks. First we have to digest winning the F2 title, and then we will have to make a plan of which teams will be good for me and for my career, if they are interested, and work these things out. I know Adrian (Campos) from a lot of years ago and for sure I would be very happy to race for them, a Spanish team, but we are looking at other options as well.
How does this season compare to the rest of your career?
I think this was the best season, because now I am much more complete as a driver. I remember other great seasons like Spanish Formula 3, when I won the championship, and also World Series by Renault when I was challenging for the championship in the final weekend. I think I became a better driver when I moved into GP2 because I gained maturity and experience, but this year I think I have come on even more – everything just clicked and I feel very confident in myself.
Was there a weekend when it all came together this season, or was it a gradual process?
I think I was a bit unlucky in the first weekend in Valencia, but I think I was also a bit over motivated and was expecting to win at my home race, especially after running so well in testing. To be honest perhaps it was a bit of a surprise to have Robert Wickens in such good shape for that weekend - I really expected more and it was kind of a bad weekend for me. For the rest of the season though, really starting from the second race in Brno, everything has been pretty much perfect.
Does winning the championship vindicate your decision to race in Formula Two this year?
Absolutely. It was a group decision I made with my manager and my father to move into Formula Two. It wasn’t just the relatively low cost of competing, but the backing of the FIA, the prize of a test drive with Williams – the combination of all of these things made it a great championship to join. At the start we imagined the best scenario would be to win, but I haven’t just done that, I won it by distinction and that has made it very special. We also really believed in Jonathan Palmer and had heard a lot of good things about him. At the end of the day Formula Two has given me the opportunity to prove my potential in Formula One machinery with Williams, so it was exactly the right decision for me to have made.
How does the level of competition in F2 compare to that of a series like GP2?
I have always said that the drivers in F2 improve with every race, so I had to make sure I was doing the same otherwise I would lose ground. In that sense the level of competition is very high, and I had to become better and better in order to stay at the front, which has helped me as a driver. The car is very strong, with paddleshift gears, very good brakes and a powerful engine, so it’s good training. There are some young guys who have really improved recently, so it keeps getting harder.
FINANCIAL FUTURE OF A1GP WORLD CUP OF MOTORSPORT SECURED
Courtesy A1GP.com
London, 25 September.A1GP World Cup of Motorsport will be starting Season Five in just over a month with the Nikon SuperGP on 22 to 25 October and a financial restructuring has been put in place to secure its long term future.
A1GP Chairman, Tony Teixeira, has outlined his plans for the series having secured the full financial package necessary to see it grow over the next three to four years. “I wanted to announce this re-financing a long time ago, but the reason it has taken longer than I planned was the size of the package. I could see no reason to look for a one year deal, it had to be for at least three to four years until such a time as the series is independent. This way we can make sure everyone involved in the series has the necessary security and the series is totally creditable.”
Teixeira is also working closely with his major partners and suppliers to ensure their continued support. “I shall be meeting all of them personally in the next couple of days. I want them to understand this is a series that is here to stay on the motorsport scene, and they need to know their involvement is with a series that is going from strength to strength.”
The way Teixeira sees the series now is as starting with a totally clean sheet with a re-structuring that has no outstanding issues that can hold back its growth: “We have always put on a fantastic show and this is only going to get better.” However, he was also realistic about the adverse publicity that the series has received, and was quick to reassure all those involved that many of the stories were very wide of the mark. “I have seen all the stories written over the past few weeks doubting the future of the series, and these are not new to me as I have seen them at the start of every one of our four seasons. These are not things I like to read and I feel frustrated that I cannot always come out and explain exactly what we are doing, but, as you know, we have always delivered every season and race we have committed to,” he said.
The series has recently announced a new deal with IMG Sports Media to market its worldwide media rights for the next three years and also the Season Five calendar. Teixeira is now working on further deals, and in the coming weeks the grid for the race in Surfers Paradise will be announced after final deals have been put in place.
The one outstanding issue that will be dealt with soon is the liquidation of A1 Grand Prix Operations Limited, that was a subsidiary of A1 Holdings Ltd. Administration for this company has now been applied for and this will be heard on the 6th October. Teixeira’s message to all of the company’s creditors was: “Our intention is to settle all our outstanding creditors prior to the administration hearing, and would like to thank them for their patience and support.
“We at A1GP have been so lucky to have such loyal support from all our stake holders - management and staff, race promoters, team owners, partners, suppliers, TV rights holders, sponsors and last but not least our fans.”
MOSPORT'S 2010 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES DATE ANNOUNCED August 26-29 set for the Grand Prix of Mosport
(BOWMANVILLE, ON – September 25, 2009) As part of its 50th anniversary season celebration, Mosport International Raceway will again host the only Canadian stop on the 2010 American Le Mans Series schedule, August 26-29.
Canada’s largest sports car race of the year has become a popular fixture of the GTA’s sporting scene over the past decade, last month attracting more than 70,000 to the four-day event, along with a world-class field of drivers and teams representing 22 countries.
Next year’s Series schedule was announced in today in Road Atlanta (Braselton, GA), where teams and drivers are preparing for Saturday’s 10-hour endurance classic, the Petit Le Mans.
The 12th season of American Le Mans Series racing kicks-off with the traditional season-opener at Sebring, March 20.
Following Sebring, the Series rolls westward to Long Beach on April 17 where it will be Saturday’s feature race in a doubleheader weekend with the IndyCar Series at America’s oldest and most prestigious street circuit. The next event is a historic first – a six-hour endurance race at Monterey’s Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca that will run into the darkness on Saturday, May 22.
The traditional summer break will allow a selection of the American Le Mans Series’ top drivers and teams to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s greatest motor race, from June 12-13. The season’s second half begins with two dates in July - Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah on July 10 and Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park on July 24. A trio of races fills the schedule in August –Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 7 as part of another doubleheader weekend with IndyCar; Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis., on August 22; and Mosport’s end-of-August date.
The 13th annual Petit Le Mans, the 1,000-mile/10-hour cornerstone event of the American Le Mans Series, will close the season on October 2.
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For Further Information: Jerry Priddle, Mosport // jerry@mosport.com // 1-800-866-1072 (office)
GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX CLOSES THE 2009 SEASON WITH BIG $$ RACE and IHRA “IRONMEN”
Sunday will consist of the same 5 classes racing for the largest purses of the year. Top and Mod are each $2000 to win, Street and Bike $600 to win. Entry for the weekend is only $115/class (including Friday’s Test & Tune) $60 for Juniors. Sat only entry is $55, Sun only $65. Juniors $30/day. Don’t miss the Final event of the Year!Go to grandbendmotorplex.com for all the details.
RACE CITY UPDATE: City Hall Displays Red Light to Boys in Blue
City Hall Displays Red Light to Boys in Blue
Calgary, AB (September 25, 2009) - In light of the political pressure exerted on the various law enforcement officers that were to be involved in the “The Battle of Alberta, Law Enforcement Style” and the Beat the Heat Charity events, the Motorsport Council of Calgary is forced to remove these events from the Secret Street program scheduled for Friday, September 25th at Race City Motorsport Park.
The Blue Line Racing Association, a volunteer group of officers from the Edmonton Police Service has also been forced to cancel their drag race demonstration. The association holds approximately twenty similar events each year at Edmonton area race tracks in an attempt to reduce illegal street racing by providing education, heightened awareness and safe racing alternatives. This would have been the first appearance of the Edmonton police drag race cars in Calgary.
The regular Secret Street program will be run as scheduled. During the event, the Motorsport Council of Calgary will hold public information sessions on the pending Park closure and the pending impact of illegal street racing on the citizens of Calgary. A large group of performance and race cars from the entire racing community will be on display throughout the evening.
Everyone is invited to attend. Gates open at 6:00PM. Action gets underway at 7:00PM and admission is $5.00.
For more information, please contact Rick Fransecone, chairman of the Motorsport Council. He is available by phone at 403-250-2845 (work) or 403-850-8773 (cell).
(h/t Rod Ormon www.justturnleft.ca)
NASCAR SPRINT CUP: Mark Martin press conference transcript at Dover (Sept. 25)
NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES: AAA 400
DOVER INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
TEAM CHEVY RACE NOTES & QUOTES
SEPTEMBER 25, 2009
MARK MARTIN, NO. 5 KELLOGG’S/CARQUEST IMPALA SS, met with members of the media at Dover International Speedway and discussed the difference between concrete and asphalt, his expectations coming into this season, differences in the Chase from the last time he was a contender and more. Full Transcript.
LEADING THE POINTS, COMING OFF A WIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, WEEK TWO. “Yeah, we’re excited about being here. This is one of my favorite race tracks. I can’t wait to get started here today.”
IN GENERAL TERMS WHAT IS THE DIFFERENT BETWEEN CONCRETE AND ASPHALT? “In my opinion asphalt is a better surface to race on in a lot of ways. There are some negatives to it. At times it gets rougher, it gets worn out. It’s not consistent year to year because of the wearing out and getting older, the asphalt isn’t. Concrete is consistent. It’s more consistent with the weather. The way the car slips on concrete is more like being cut loose from a string or a rope. When the car starts to slip on concrete it loses 50 percent grip where on asphalt it loses 20 percent grip. So it makes it a little harder to man-handle a race car some times on concrete. That being said this is such an awesome race track that even the concrete hasn’t taken away from it being great to race on and really, really fun. So there are pluses and minuses.”
WHEN YOU DID YOUR SALUTE TO YOU TOUR A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD BE IN THIS POSITION AT THIS POINT AND TIME? “Well of course not. Wouldn’t have done it if I could have seen the future that’s for sure. It’s been a real magical year. It’s really been incredibly special. It’s been lots of fun and we’re having a blast.”
DO YOU HAVE ANY SYMPATHY FOR THE GUY WHO SPENT 26 RACES BUILDING A BIG POINTS LEAD AND DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE OUGHT TO BE A LITTLE MORE REWARDED FOR THAT GUY GOING INTO THE CHASE? “Not feeling any real sympathy right now. Not really. They did the Chase to make it more exciting just like they did the double restarts. There’s going to be winners and losers. The only way you can make more excitement and more drama is stand a chance of mixing it up or changing the outcome if you want to really simplify it or at least put the element of change more likely. Even on a double-file restart if the leader gets the preferred lane the chance of it not working out for him is more likely that way than if the leader lined up behind him with lap cars on the inside. I didn’t make those rules. I’m racing.”
CONSIDERING THE LAST TWO YEARS YOU WERE PART TIME, WHAT WERE YOUR REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS COMING INTO THIS YEAR AND HAS IT BEEN MORE ENJOYABLE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU’VE DONE IN LIGHT OF THE EXPECTATIONS? “How I’ve done in light of the expectations, yeah that’s added to it.”
WHAT WERE THE EXPECTATIONS? “To drive a fast race car and hopefully win a race.”
ONE, HUH? “No not one. Win a race then it all stops. On the other side of that then we’ll worry about two. I’m not sure that people understand that I don’t sit around and dream about what I could do. I don’t sit around and dream of playing the NBA. I’m 5’6” you know what I mean? I just go off of realistic things. I don’t set things out there I just do the best that I can. So what I thought I would do is drive a fast race car and hopefully have a chance to win a race. And I said after that we’ll work on two and after two we’ll work on three. Now we’re going to work on six. But to set out and say we were going to win six before the season started and only win five, to be disappointed because we only won five to me would be idiotic. I just don’t do it that way.”
CLEARLY THIS HAS EXCEEDED THOSE EXPECTATIONS. “Absolutely. This certainly rivals my best year ever and at this stage of my career I certainly wouldn’t expect to rival 1998.”
AMERICA SEEMS TO EMBRACE GUYS IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS OVER THE AGE OF 50 THAT DO WELL, DO YOU LIKE EMBRACING THAT ROLE YOURSELF TO BE THE GUY THAT MAYBE YOU’RE GOING TO PICK UP MORE FANS BECAUSE YOU’RE OVER 50 AND KICKING BUTT HERE? “Well my view on that is the guys and girls that are over 50 that are enjoying this and are excited about it, I think that’s great. I really do. Good for them and it’s good for me. That’s really how I look at it. I don’t look at it from any other thing other than I see a lot of people, gosh I talked to Bill Elliott the other day and he was like keep getting it. Keep beating those young guys. He’s excited too. I think that brings a different element to what we’re doing then it would be if it was all one age group. You’ve got Joey Logano who won right around his 19th birthday or somewhere close and you’ve got us on the other end of it so I think that diversity brings kids, it excites kids that follow the sport and we’re working on the other end of it.”
ON YOUR DECISION TO SIGN A CONTRACT EXTENSION COULD YOU JUST TALK A BIT ABOUT WHETHER THERE WAS MUCH SOUL SEARCHING INVOLVED? “Really things are going really, really well. I’m having the time of my life. It’s a little long-range for my liking but for Hendrick Motorsports planning purposes, sponsorship deals and all those things it made sense to go ahead and make the commitment so they could plan longer term than just a year. I’m definitely having a blast. I’m having the time of my life and I think that’s obvious. So I was comfortable with it.”
LAST WEEK IN VICTORY LANE I WAS SORT OF STRUCK BY THE FACT THAT YOU MENTIONED TALLADEGA AT THAT POINT, FOR A GUY WHO DOESN’T GENERALLY LIKE TO GET TOO FAR AHEAD OF HIMSELF, DOES THAT MEAN THAT IS SORT OF THE FOCAL POINT OF THE CHASE FOR YOU? “No, not at all. I didn’t mention it in anticipation or anything else. I was just trying to describe to everyone that Loudon is 10 percent of the Chase. It’s the same 10 percent as any other race in the Chase. I said before we got up there don’t get so excited and calling it’s going to be this and its going to be that after one race, there’s a lot stuff left to happen and a lot of racing left to happen. I was still trying to do the same thing. Don’t get carried away with you know what the complexion of the Chase is going to be when it comes down to it based on one race. Everybody in the Chase right now are performing on a level that could pull it off depending on how things work out for them. I just brought that up because that is a place where you don’t really have as much control over your destiny as you do at some of the other places.”
WAS THERE ANYTHING DIFFERENT ABOUT THE CHASE THIS TIME AROUND FROM THREE YEARS AGO? “I haven’t noticed a huge difference. I can see that the sport has grown a little bit in coverage and everything. I haven’t been a part of the Chase for the last two years and have noticed there seems to be a stronger buzz about it than there was last time I was in it in 2006. Maybe so, maybe not. It may have been because we hadn’t won four races going into the Chase or something. I don’t know.”
From General Motors
AV Super Sprints: Canadian Ryan Litt looking for a repeat of his dominant performance at Berlin Raceway
By Tommy Goudge (September 24, 2009) – Ryan Litt and the #07 BS&B Radiator/OTC Tools Sprint Car team hope to end the 2009 Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints schedule on a high note at Berlin Raceway this Saturday night. One year ago at Berlin, Litt had one of the best nights of his sprint car career as he dominated his heat race and the thirty lap feature in the AVSS season finale.
After a busy first half of the season that saw the team build some momentum, July, August, and September have seen Ryan racing only sporadically, with large breaks in the AVSS schedule. Ryan’s last visit to Berlin on September 5 started out with some promise as the #07 was at the top of the heap in time trials with a lap of 12.87 (just 0.06 seconds off the track record), and took a heat race win, but the feature resulted in a disappointing seventh place finish.
Overall, Berlin has been a successful venue for Ryan, as he has two feature wins and six top fives in twelve career starts at the fast seven-sixteenths mile oval. Ryan and the #07 team head into the weekend fourth in AVSS points, despite a couple of major crashes that have put a damper on their championship chances.
“I’m just going there to try and break the track record and win the race,” says Ryan. “I’m not looking for anything else. We can't really move up in points, so we’ve got nothing to lose...”
WHAT: Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Super Sprints (AVSS)
2009 Season Round #12 www.SuperSprints.com
WHERE: Berlin Raceway // 2060 Berlin Fair Drive // Marne, MI 49435 // Phone: 616-677-5000 // e-mail: mstrevel@berlinraceway.com // On the Web: www.berlinraceway.com
WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 2009 // Racing starts @ 6:00 p.m.
Ryan and the team would like to thank all their sponsors for their support during Ryan's 2009 season, including OTC Tools, BS&B Radiator, Linton Media, Linde Gases, Leaf Racewear, Xtreme Metal Worx, and Huron Produce Ltd.
Do you want to be a Ryan Litt Racing insider and have Ryan Litt news delivered straight to your e-mail? Got a question for Ryan? Just send an e-mail to ryanlittmedia@hotmail.com and we’ll do the rest. Questions may be featured in future Ryan Litt news updates so be sure to include your name and hometown! If you’re a Facebook or YouTube user, make sure to join the official Ryan Litt Racing groups by searching “Ryan Litt”.
For more information on Ryan and the team, including schedules, news releases, photos, videos, merchandise, and contact information, please visit Ryan's official website powered by Linton Media at www.RyanLitt.com.
From Tommy Goudge // PR Manager // www.RyanLitt.com
JL Racing Competes at War Bonnet 3 Hour Endurance Race
With a driver line up of Damon Sharpe, John Lockhart and IMSA driver Kyle Marcelli, the team took to the track on Saturday with many changes made to the Hype Energy Saab 93 from the set up they utilize for the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship. “Damon set the car up for a long endurance run, we installed a front splitter, and then tuned the engine for a little less power and more reliability”, said Lockhart. Overall the drivers felt comfortable with the changes.
Sharpe was able to qualify the Hype Saab in to the 9th position out of 42 cars despite very heavy traffic. “I couldn’t get a real clear run with all the traffic and could only get one decent flyer out there. I know there was more but, hey, 9th is not so bad and we are looking good for the race”, said Sharpe.
The race started under beautiful conditions and the fans were treated to 3 hours of wonderful weather to enjoy the race. Sharpe was able to jump ahead to 7th overall at the start and looked to lock into a consistent hour long shift. By the 45 minute mark Sharpe had the Hype Energy Saab in 1st place in class and was getting ready to bring the car in for its first pit stop and driver change to Lockhart.
Unfortunately while exiting corner 5b, with no warning, the engine suffered terminal damage and Sharpe coasted to a stop at pit entrance. The day was done for JL Racing. “We ran this engine for 3 years with out touching it and this year we get it refreshed and we have had to endure various issues, now this. I guess leave well alone is the message!” said a frustrated Lockhart.
Kyle Marcelli was looking forward to getting an opportunity to drive the Hype Energy Saab before he left to participate in this weekend’s Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta for Intersport Racing. “The car felt great in practice and I wanted to help JL Racing get back to the winners circle where they belong. It’s too bad but that’s racing”, said Marcelli. Sharpe and Lockhart will now focus on the 2010 race season for JL Racing.
“The year was challenging but we had some great sponsors who really made everything happen. Hype Energy, Flex Mor Industries, Hawk Performance, Genuine Saab, Alpinestars, and Webnetics are great sponsors and I thank them so much. We also appreciate partners The William Osler Health Centre Foundation, PeopleNet Canada, Trade Tracker, FTC Canada and Brown Window Corporation who helped so much during the season”, said Lockhart.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 93 race cars. The team has made headlines several times with a first race, first place finish and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 93.
JL Racing wishes to thank its sponsors and partners Hype Energy, Flex Mor Industries, Hawk Performance, Genuine Saab, Brown Window Corporation, Webnetics Inc, AlpineStars, Staubli Corporation, Saab Canada, The William Osler Health Centre Foundation, PeopleNet Canada, Trade Tracker, and FTC Canada.For more information: www.jlracing.net.
Championship leader Peter Dempsey takes his fourth pole during an oil-spill-shortened Star Mazda Championship qualifying session the Petit LeMans
Lining up third on the grid for the always-exciting Star Mazda standing start tomorrow afternoon will be Joel Miller, the 2007 Skip Barber champion who raced the 2008 Star Mazda season thanks to the MAZDASPEED Ladder. He finished second in the championship last year (which was won by John Edwards, who today won the pole for tomorrow's Atlantic Championship race with funding from the MAZDASPEED Ladder). Miller turned a 1:19.948 in the #2 Andersen Racing / Doug Mockett & Co. / Allied Interior Products Mazda. Miller qualified and finished 2nd here in 2008.
Rounding out the top-5 are Englishman Richard Kent, currently 6th in the championship, with a lap of 1:20.229 in his #33 Andersen Racing / Traka Allied Interior Products Mazda and Scandinavian racer Anders 'The Viking' Krohn, 5th-fast with a lap of 1:20.297 in the #27 Mundill / Trallfa / Colosseum Mazda. Both drivers are race winners (Kent at New Jersey and Mosport, both from the pole) and Krohn on the Milwaukee Mile oval.
Dempsey's primary protagonist (though technically eight drivers remain in mathematical competition for the championship) is Englishman Adam Christodoulou, a 2-time race winner (in the season-opener at Sebring and from the pole at Salt Lake City). Separated by just 8 points, with the series awarding 44 points for a win and a total of 89 points remaining to be won in 2009, Christodoulou has been a touch off the pace all weekend and starts 6th on the grid with a lap of 1:20.559 in the #11 JDC Motorsports / Molecule / Alpinestars Mazda. That said, he's been on the podium in four of the last six races and is eminently capable of the kind of surprise move that changes the character of a race – or a championship battle -- in an instant.
Among the Master (45 and older) and Expert (ages 30-44) Series drivers, Gerry Kraut, the co-owner of JDC Motorsports, will line up 16th in the grid with a lap of 1:21.740 in his #55 JDC Motorsports / Dougherty & Co. / Dougherty Funding LLC Mazda. Chris Cumming, the 2008 Expert Series Champion, will line up directly behind him in the 17th grid spot after turning a lap of 1:22.256 in his #16 World Speed Motorsports Mazda. While the 2008 Star Mazda Master Series championship has been clinched by Californian Mike Guasch, who scored six in-class wins driving the #91 JDC Motorsports / Molecule Mazda, the Expert Series championship remains in contention; Cumming is battling with Japanese racer Toshihiro Deki, who starts 19th on the grid with a lap of 1:23.230 in the #80 Juncos Racing Mazda.
The 20-car field is set to take the green light for the 45-minute Round 12 of the 2009 season at 5:30 pm Friday, Sept. 25. Round 13, the season finale, takes place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on October 10.
About the 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 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 Atlantic Series Powered by Mazda.
About The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Ron Sutton Winner's Circle: K&N Filters $40K Scholarship - Expanded & Deadline Extended
Riverside, CA - K&N Filters recently announced the expansion of their sponsorship program to provide a young upcoming race driver with a funded 10 race season and one year driver development program.
The application process has been opened up to all drivers 11 to 19 years of age, with race winning backgrounds. K&N is also expanding the race series options. The winning Driver may use the K&N Sponsorship to run 10 races in either, the USAC Junior Ford Focus Midget, USAC Ford Focus Midget or NASCAR Grand American Modified series.
K&N Filter's heritage of motorsports involvement, and specifically youth racing, in grassroots racing series across America has long been heralded. "We love being involved in both USAC and NASCAR series at all levels. K&N is the filter of choice for the majority of racers in the USAC Ford Focus Midget series ... and the NASCAR Modified series. We just want to continue showing our support," stated Bob Harris, Corporate Race Accounts Manager for K&N Filters.
The winning driver will be placed with one of Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle race teams in the selected series on the West Coast. The Modifieds weigh 2550 pounds and feature 410" V-8, 520 horsepower, methanol burning engines utilizing K&N air and oil filters. The Roush Yates Ford Focus Race Engines, also featuring K&N air and oil filters, make 180 horsepower and race at 1140 pounds in the USAC Ford Focus Midgets.
To the surprise of many, the Focus Midgets post quicker lap times than the Modifieds on most short tracks. Both series are open to Drivers age 14 and up. The USAC Junior Ford Focus Midget series is in the early stages of expansion by USAC, with support from Ford Racing. The same 180 horsepower Roush Yates Engines utilize easily removed restrictors to produce 125 horsepower for Drivers 12 to 15 years of age.
In addition, the talented driver selected will be awarded a one year scholarship in Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle NASCAR career focused driver development program. The K&N scholarship winner will have a training program designed specifically for their age, experience and development stage.
"The $40,000 race sponsorship and driver development scholarship are just the next step in K&N Filters long history of supporting young racers," stated Tony Yorkman, Sports Marketing Manager at K&N Engineering. "These are challenging times but, we are not going to stop caring about young racers. Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is one of the top driver development programs and already has a great process in place to find talented young drivers. We are tapping into their program to help us find and develop a deserving young racer for K&N's award."
To properly handle K&N's expanded sponsorship program ... Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle has extended the deadline to October 12th, for young Drivers to send in their resume. The on-track Driver Shoot-Out has been expanded, with a second date added, October 17-19th, to handle the additional talented drivers selected to compete.
Many successful car racers today, honed their skills driving something smaller, such as Karts, Legends, Dwarf Cars, Quarter Midgets, Mini/Micro-Sprints, Dirt Karts and other forms of youth racing. K&N Filters and Sunoco Racing Fuels, an additional supporting sponsor, are awarding six of the spots free of charge to young racers from various forms of youth motorsports in the 2009 RSWC Talent Search Shoot-Out.
"K&N Filter's support for young drivers and grassroots racing continues to amaze me. First they came on board sponsoring free spots in our annual Shoot-Out. K&N added a 10 race sponsorship and driver development scholarship this year. Then they expanded it to accommodate a wider age range of drivers and include both the USAC and NASCAR series. We are thrilled to develop young racers' careers with K&N's support," said Ron Sutton.
Young winning drivers ages 11 to 19, and their families, are encouraged to get all the information and answers to common questions from the web-site, then submit their resume in time to be considered. The web-site is www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com
About Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle: Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top pro teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Junior Ford Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, USAC Midgets, USAC Sprint cars, Skip Barber Race Series, SCCA Club Racing Formula Ford and F2000, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Model Stock Cars and NASCAR Grand National cars. More information is available at the web-site: www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com
JL Racing: War Bonnet Race Report
JL Racing Competes at War Bonnet 3 Hour Endurance Race
JL Racing competed in the British Empire Motor Club’s 3 Hour War Bonnet Endurance Race at Mosport International Raceway on September 19th. As former winners of the event hopes were high for the team and the Hype Energy Saab 93 to place well in the grueling event that has become one of the most popular events on the road racing calendar.
With a driver line up of Damon Sharpe, John Lockhart and IMSA driver Kyle Marcelli, the team took to the track on Saturday with many changes made to the Hype Energy Saab 93 from the set up they utilize for the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship. “Damon set the car up for a long endurance run, we installed a front splitter, and then tuned the engine for a little less power and more reliability”, said Lockhart. Overall the drivers felt comfortable with the changes.
Sharpe was able to qualify the Hype Saab in to the 9th position out of 42 cars despite very heavy traffic. “I couldn’t get a real clear run with all the traffic and could only get one decent flyer out there. I know there was more but, hey, 9th is not so bad and we are looking good for the race”, said Sharpe.
The race started under beautiful conditions and the fans were treated to 3 hours of wonderful weather to enjoy the race. Sharpe was able to jump ahead to 7th overall at the start and looked to lock into a consistent hour long shift. By the 45 minute mark Sharpe had the Hype Energy Saab in 1st place in class and was getting ready to bring the car in for its first pit stop and driver change to Lockhart.
Unfortunately while exiting corner 5b, with no warning, the engine suffered terminal damage and Sharpe coasted to a stop at pit entrance. The day was done for JL Racing. “We ran this engine for 3 years with out touching it and this year we get it refreshed and we have had to endure various issues, now this. I guess leave well alone is the message!” said a frustrated Lockhart.
Kyle Marcelli was looking forward to getting an opportunity to drive the Hype Energy Saab before he left to participate in this weekend’s Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta for Intersport Racing. “The car felt great in practice and I wanted to help JL Racing get back to the winners circle where they belong. It’s too bad but that’s racing”, said Marcelli. Sharpe and Lockhart will now focus on the 2010 race season for JL Racing.
“The year was challenging but we had some great sponsors who really made everything happen. Hype Energy, Flex Mor Industries, Hawk Performance, Genuine Saab, Alpinestars, and Webnetics are great sponsors and I thank them so much. We also appreciate partners The William Osler Health Centre Foundation, PeopleNet Canada, Trade Tracker, FTC Canada and Brown Window Corporation who helped so much during the season”, said Lockhart.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 93 race cars. The team has made headlines several times with a first race, first place finish and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 93.
JL Racing wishes to thank its sponsors and partners Hype Energy, Flex Mor Industries, Hawk Performance, Genuine Saab, Brown Window Corporation, Webnetics Inc, AlpineStars, Staubli Corporation, Saab Canada, The William Osler Health Centre Foundation, PeopleNet Canada, Trade Tracker, and FTC Canada.
For more information: www.jlracing.net.
Media Contact: Phil Reilly – JL Racing // info@jlracing.net // 416 503 8086
Kawartha Durham Kart Club announces Bridgestone "Thrill of a Lifetime" winners
The Kawartha Durham Kart Club is proud to announce the participants of the Bridgestone Racing Academy’s 3-session Thrill of a Lifetime lapping day which will take place on the Mosport Driver Development Track on October 13. Originally available to 12 worthy recipients, Bridgestone has increased the number to 16 members of KDKC.
President Paul Evans stated “We are very pleased and privileged to once again have this opportunity – a perk to our members now in its 6th year that we believe is unparalleled at any other kart club in Canada. The fact that the Bridgestone Racing Academy increased their invitation to 16 people shows how much respect they have for our club and our members’ abilities.”
The Bridgestone Racing Academy offers the thrill of driving an open wheel race car to just about everyone. Whether it's a 1/2 day lapping instruction for a complete novice, the required elements to obtain a racing license, mechanics training or a corporate fun day, a variety of programs are available. With an enviable safety record, well maintained cars and expert instructors a day at the Bridgestone Racing Academy is unforgettable.
The attendees are a mix of veteran racers with F2000 experience and rookies who will be climbing into the Bridgestone Racing Academy’s new Van Diemen race cars for the very first time. This year’s winners are Quinn Dewsbury, Jeff Church, Dennis Woods, AJ Emms, Jeff Jacobs, Nicholas Lauzon, Kyle Painter, Andy Fiorini, Randy Packham, Paul Evans, Kyle Hope, John Beck, Patrick Pleasance, Bruce Panes, Alan Hann and Sean Wakfer.
For information about the Kawartha Durham Kart Club or the Bridgestone Racing Academy, visit their websites.
www.kawarthadurhamkartclub.com and www.race2000.com
From the Kawartha Durham Kart Club Executive
Canadian Steve Arpin Fastest at Rockingham ARCA Test Session (September 23, 2009)
CANADIAN RACER STEVE ARPIN ATOP SPEED CHARTS AT ROCKINGHAM TEST
ARCA RE/MAX Series Teams Looking to Tame The Rock in Season-Ending American 200
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Sept. 23, 2009) - Once mother nature stepped aside Wednesday morning, 23 teams of the ARCA RE/MAX took to the Rockingham Speedway with the goal of learning everything they could to help them get around the famed one-mile oval faster in the October 11 running of the American 200 at the track. And with a tight battle for the 2009 ARCA championship coming down to the last race of the season at Rockingham, speed at the track known for shredding tires is going to be a premium.
“The biggest thing we have been working on today is learning the place; learning tire management and getting me acquainted with what 70% is, what 80% is, and what 90% is,” said Steve Arpin, driver of the No. 25 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet. “We have got a really good car. The Venturini’s have a good car every time they come here. We are just going to do it again.”
The No. 25 has won both of the ARCA races held at the track since the return of the series last year. At the end of the day, Arpin again at the No. 25 at the top of the speed charts with a fast lap of 24.877 seconds, 144.712 miles per hour. For most of the drivers on track, the day’s objective was tire-management and long green-flag runs.
“The biggest thing at Rockingham is making the tires last,” said Parker Kligerman, driver of the No. 77 Cunningham Motorsports Dodge, who is currently second in the ARCA points standings. This is a very abrasive surface. In the spring we did a hundred lap run, so we are working towards that. If we keep a consistent, balanced car then the speed will come. Today, we have changed springs, shocks, a lot of stuff to keep the car balanced and keep the tires underneath it.”
Kligerman was third fastest in the test session, turning a best lap of 25.141 seconds, 142.192 miles per hour.
“We are just working on the long runs,” said Justin Marks, driver of the No. 15 Venturini Motorsports Chevrolet, who fell just below teammate Arpin, Clay Rogers (25.014 seconds, 143.919 miles per hour) and Kligerman at the top of the speed chart, with a fast lap of 25.312 seconds, 142.225 miles per hour. “The tires fall off so quick that the handling goes away so fast. We are trying to tune the car to run on old tires and try to make it work on long runs.”
While the teams were trying to get a handle on making adjustments to the car, the drivers on hand were enjoying turning laps at the track.
“I love this place,” said Marks. “It is my favorite track. You can move around and find a place where your car works and where it is fast. It’s a big challenge. It’s racing where you have to be smart to win, which is the kind of racing that I like.”
“This place is awesome,” said Arpin. “Of all the places we go this is my favorite. It’s racy. It has three or four distinct grooves. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Justin Lofton the current ARCA RE/MAX Series points leader, hopes to pull into Rockingham next month and leave with the championship hardware.
“Coming back to the Rock, a track that has so much history, makes me look forward to an exciting championship weekend,” Lofton said.
Lofton turned the sixth fastest lap of the day, posting a quick lap of 25.526 seconds, 141.033 miles per hour.
Steve Arpin continues to turn in impressive results in his first full year of asphalt racing experience after several stellar seasons on dirt. During the past five years, the young stock car talent has become a dominant force in motorsports, earning numerous titles while racking up wins in his open wheel modified against the strongest competition in North America and attracting the attention of some of the sport’s biggest names to his racing program.
Last season Arpin claimed the USAC Silver Crown Rookie of the Year award and prior to moving into auto racing Arpin earned 7 world championships in snowmobile competition as lead pilot for Team Polaris. Arpin’s role with Venturini Motorsports has seen the team turn in strong results. Arpin’s associates and sponsors at Pinewood Sports & Marine, and long-time sponsor and dirt racing partner Jeff Taylor with his Jeff Taylor Chassis for Open Wheel Modified racers continue to help fuel Arpin's ARCA program and future racing aspirations.
Arpin's overall racing efforts also continue to involve support from Lo-N-Bro Enterprises and SpeedShop (Rochester, Minnesota) as continuing partners in the team efforts. The official web site for Steve Arpin on the internet is www.stevearpin.net.
UPCOMING ARCA RE/MAX SERIES EVENTS FOR STEVE ARPIN:
Thurs. Oct 1st – Kansas Speedway (Kansas City, KS) Televised Thursday Oct 1st 5:00 pm (Eastern) SPEED TV
Sun. Oct 11th – Rockingham Speedway (Rockingham, NC) Televised Sunday Oct 11th 10:00 pm (Eastern) SPEED TV
Brisebois retires from the Montreal Canadiens to focus on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series
At the end of the story on TSN.ca, it was noted that he's seeking sponsorship "to fund the next phase of his athletic career, as a driver in the Canadian Tire NASCAR series."
Click here for the full story.
REARVIEW MIRROR: A LOOK BACK AT CLASSIC INDYCAR SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP RACES
Just eight points separate IndyCar Series championship leaders Scott Dixon (570 points), Dario Franchitti (565) and Ryan Briscoe (562) entering the season-ending Firestone Indy 300 on Oct. 10 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. It will be the 10th time in 14 IndyCar Series seasons that the title will be decided at the final race. This is the second of a six-part series looking back at some of the classic championship races in IndyCar Series history. Today, 2002: Hornish vs. Castroneves
When:
2002
Who:
Sam Hornish Jr. & Helio Castroneves
Where:
Chicagoland Speedway, September 8, 2002 & Texas Motor Speedway, September 15, 2002
The story:
The stage was set for an epic season when Penske Racing moved to the IndyCar Series full time starting in 2002 with two-time defending Champ Car champion Gil de Ferran and 2001 Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves. Panther Racing and Sam Hornish Jr., winners of the 2001 IndyCar Series title, emerged immediately as the main challengers to Penske by winning the season-opening Grand Prix of Miami on March 2 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with de Ferran and Castroneves finishing second and third, respectively.
Hornish, Castroneves and de Ferran occupied the top three in the point standings for the entire 15-race season. The gap between the trio in the standings was less than 20 points after eight of those 15 events.
Castroneves led teammate de Ferran by one point, 437-436, with just two races to go. Hornish was third, just eight points behind Castroneves. But Hornish capped a stirring return to the top of the standings by winning the last two races of the season. He captured the Delphi Indy 300 on Sept. 8 at Chicagoland Speedway by .0024 of a second over Al Unser Jr. and the Chevy 500 on Sept. 15 at Texas Motor Speedway by .0096 of a second over Castroneves, clinching the title by 20 points, 531-511, over Castroneves. De Ferran never got a chance to race for the title at Texas. He missed the season finale after suffering a concussion and fractured wrist in a crash Sept. 8 during the race at Chicagoland.
Hornish and Panther claimed their second consecutive IndyCar Series title despite trailing Castroneves and Penske by 61 points after the Radisson Indy 225 at Pikes Peak International Raceway on June 16, the halfway point of the season.
What They Say Now - Sam Hornish Jr:
"Probably the biggest thing was everybody discounted what we did in 2001 and said there wasn't any competition. Since Penske got there, you guys aren't going to be able to compete anymore. And to be able to go out and silence some of the critics … I think I looked at it a little bit as we want to run well, we want to beat them (Penske), but it was more of just let's go out there and do the same things that got us the title in 2001. There were a couple of times where I made mistakes, and that kept us from having a bigger cushion at the end of the year. In 2001, we ran all but four laps that year. If I had been a little more patient (in 2002), it would have been better. There were a couple times where I was more about just being able to beat the 3 (Castroneves) and the 6 (Gil de Ferran) than worrying about the championship. So I did let a little of that get into my mind, but at the end of the day, we were still able to do what it took. I feel that we all felt that if we did the same thing as last year (2001), we ought to be able to run pretty good. I'd rather go out and win a couple of races than feel like I finished second every race and won the championship. It may not be the smartest way to think, but you never know if you're going to go out there and get an opportunity to race again. So you want to get out there, and you want to finish it off good. That's how I always looked at it. It's kind of hard for me to just sit and ride."
Helio Castroneves:
"In 2002, the grand finale was at Texas. I needed to win the race, and Sam (Hornish Jr.) needed to finish third. We were battling there and it was very close, not only for the race, but for the championship. At one point, Sam went to the outside and felt something. I looked on the mirror, and he was right there. I was like, 'Dude, what are you doing?' But it was a lot of fun. It was great. Again, we ended up losing the championship again, but a great year for Team Penske."
The 2009 IndyCar Series season concludes Oct. 10 with the Firestone Indy 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at 4 p.m. (ET) Oct. 10 by VERSUS. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel 211. The radio broadcast also will be carried on www.indycar.com. A one-hour qualifying show will air on VERSUS at 6 p.m. Oct. 9. The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season concludes with the Homestead-Miami 100 on Oct. 9 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The race will be telecast live by VERSUS at 6 p.m. (ET).
PATRON HIGHCROFT RACING LAUNCH PETIT LE MANS ASSAULT: DUNCAN DAYTON Q&A
Courtesy Patron Highcroft Racing
BRASELTON, GA - After several days of drenching rain, Road Atlanta provided the American Le Mans Series with a dry track and as Patrón Highcroft Racing kicked off it's assault at Petit Le Mans in testing today at Road Atlanta.
David Brabham and Dario Franchitti both took to the track - Brabham undertaking initial set-up work and IndyCar ace Franchitti re-acclimatizing himself with the Acura ARX-02a in the 90 minute session. Brabham's fellow LMP1 championship leader Scott Sharp will join them in the cockpit tomorrow for three official practice sessions at 10:05am, 3:20pm and 7:20pm. The Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura was sixth fastest in today's on-track action - Brabham stopping the clocks at 1 minute, 10.127 seconds.
Weather forecasts feature the possibility of additional rain in the next few days - conditions which the team has taken into consideration in its exhaustive preparations for Saturday's 1000 mile/10 hour Petit Le Mans event. Team boss Duncan Dayton will again lead the team into battle this weekend as the Connecticut-based squad look to extend its 17-point lead in the LMP1 championship.
Q: How much work has gone into preparing the Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura for Petit Le Mans?
DD: "The amount of work that has gone into preparing for this race has been incredible. The guys have left no stone unturned to make sure the car is as well prepared as it could be.
"We elected not to come and test so we could spend those extra few days in the shop to make sure that everything was perfectly prepared.
"With rain predicted, we have gone to the trouble of getting purpose-built rubber boots for the electrical connectors and a whole host of other rain proofing ideas to ensure that doesn't cause us any problems."
Q: How will Scott, David and Dario prepare for the race if it ends up wet on race day?
DD: "The one thing you have to remember is that it is the same for everybody.
"If you are comfortable in the rain, you probably have a bit of an advantage because there are plenty of people who aren't.
"You have to have a positive and confident frame of mind knowing your car handles well in the wet and that you enjoy it as you search for an advantage for when your opposition is a little unsure of the conditions.
"It is a delicate balancing act, but our car with the larger front Michelin tires and the higher level of downforce is quite good in the rain so wet weather actually suits us."
Q: The team had a troubled weekend at Petit Le Mans last year, does that give you added motivation for this year to do well?
DD: "Racing memory is short and you are only as good as your last race. We are coming into Atlanta on a high after having won two in a row and our eye is firmly on the championship prize.
"Last year we had a frustrating weekend at Petit, but it is not about making amends, we are totally focused on ensuring we continue our strong form.
"We feel we have done a great job racing against the de Ferran guys and it was really only at Salt Lake City that we felt like we were at a significant disadvantage.
"Everywhere else we have been very strong on pace and strategy and that has given us the championship lead. Nobody is thinking about last year, the the championship is the only thing on our mind."
Q: How much pressure does the team feel as the championship leaders in the LMP1 class?
DD: "The entire championship is a bit like one long endurance race. There are ups and downs along the way and there are times when you think you are gaining, and times when you think you are falling behind.
"You have to keep plugging away no matter what happens. One of the things I learned from watching Michael Schumacher in Formula 1 was that no matter what was happening in the race, he just never gave up and keep pushing and pushing.
"Sometimes at the beginning of the race you would think he had no chance of getting on the podium but we would pull out a victory through perseverance and pressure on his opponents.
"That is what we are looking to do in the American Le Mans Series - we have to keep executing to the best of our ability and leave no stone unturned in doing the best possible job we know how to do.
"We're really not competing against the Audi or the Peugeot this weekend when it comes to outright pace. What matters to us is where we are in relation to the de Ferran car."
Q: Your not focussed on the overall race victory, but could damp weather help your cause?
DD: "Rain could play to our favor if it is wet in the race. Large amounts of torque, more weight and high polar moment makes it very challenging to apply the throttle in wet conditions for the diesels.
"If that is the case, they are going to have to crank up their traction control which won't given them as much drive off the corner in dry conditions.
"That will affect their top speed on the straights which is where they really have the advantage over us.
"Our Acura corners very well, but we don't have the same straight line speed as the diesels so if the rain takes away some of that advantage, that should help us overall."
COUPE DE MONTREAL CHAMPION CROWNED: LAZARE CAPTURES ROTAX MAX JUNIOR TITLE
By Russ Bond AgencyMONTREAL, QUEBEC - 12-year-old Jesse Lazare did all that was needed to get his PSL Karting CRG in a position to claim the prestigious Coupe de Montreal Rotax Max Junior Championship - but it was a nerve racking experience for the Montreal youngster.
"I slept a lot better on Saturday night than I did on Friday night, "Lazare joked after a hectic day at SRA Karting, site of the final round of the Coupe de Montreal championship.
"I knew it was going to be a tough day," Lazare said. "This is a very competitive class, and I knew it could come down to the final lap."
Lazare qualified well, but through qualifying and the prefinal, where he finished fifth, Lazare knew that his true speed was yet to be shown. "We were just a little off, first with the chassis, then the motor, but I knew that once we were a few laps into the race, I was the fastest, and then I could work my way forward."
In the final, Lazare was under the impression he needed a second place finish to clinch the championship. He made his way forward from his fifth starting slot, methodically passing other drivers once he settled into a strong pace. "My gear was so long, I knew I had to pass at the end of the straight, and then defend until I pulled away," Lazare said.
Lazare finished third, on the podium once again, but that position was indeed good enough to give him the Rotax Max Junior Championship by one point.
"My team told me after the race that I had won, I thought I needed to finish second. Of course I am really happy to win the championship for my team and my family. We all worked very hard this year and we have a good reward for our efforts."
Jesse Lazare Quick Facts:
Jesse Lazare is a 12 year old kart racer from Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec. Lazare's meteoric rise up the karting ranks has been nothing short of amazing. In 2006, as a Cadet, he was second in the Coupe Vega. In 2007, as the youngest driver in Mini Max he was the Champion in both the Coupe Vega and Coupe de Montreal. Lazare set new records in 2008 by starting out as vice-champion in the Florida Winter Tour, then winning both Honda Jr and Mini Max in both the Coupe Vega and Coupe de Montreal. He was also Canadian National Champion in Honda Jr. Away from the track, Lazare enjoys skiing and hockey. For more information on Jesse Lazare, visit www.jesselazare.com.
GP RACING KARTS OFFER FLORIDA WINTER TOUR DEALS
By Russ Bond Agency INNISFIL, ONTARIO – GP Racing Karts and Innisfil Indy have announced that they have a few selected openings for drivers to join them on the Florida Winter Tour. “With the success of the GP Racing Karts this year, being DD2 National Champion, and showing well in Max SR and Jr, we have seen good interest from drivers wanting to race with us at the upcoming Florida Winter Tour,” Tony Launi, owner of Innisfil Indy and GP Racing Karts importer said.
“Recently we hosted a free trial for drivers to try the GP, and I think many left with the impression that they might need to change up their current racing programs for next year,” Launi added.
GP Racing Karts and Innisfil Indy have a wide variety of offers for drivers wishing to compete in the FWT from full GP Racing Karts arrive-and-drive programs to transportation services for driver owned equipment. Tuning and engine services are also available from Innisfil Indy.
“This year we had great chassis in the GP Racing Karts, and great engine power from Innisfil Indy, GP Racing Karts current Canadian National DD2 Champion Frank Launi said. “We made some small changes during the year, and they all worked out for the best. All of our team drivers had good results this year, and I am sure when we get to the FWT that once again, our GP Racing Karts drivers will be in the hunt for wins.”
For more information on the specific programs that GP Racing Karts and Innisfil Indy offer for the Florida Winter Tour, contact Tony Launi at 905-775-4686.
GP Racing Karts Quick facts:
GP Racing Karts are distributed by Innisfil Indy Karting. GP Racing Kart is the chassis of the current Canadian National DD2 champion, and the BSRKC F125 champion. Team drivers Frank Launi, Zack Meyer and Michael Lombardi compete on GP Racing Karts. For more information on GP Racing Karts, contact Frank Launi at 905-775-4686, or visit them at www.innisfilindykarting.com/gp/
AEROSMITH MEMBER TO COMPETE IN FINAL VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI CUP RACE OF 2009
Courtesy VW Jetta TDI Cup MediaHERNDON, VA - After nine races on seven different circuits, the SCCA Pro Racing Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup series is entering its final contest of the 2009 season this weekend at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia. When the 23 series regulars take to the 12-turn, 2.54-mile road course for the race that will decide the Championship, they will be joined by two guest drivers including Aerosmith guitarist, Brad Whitford, and motorsports journalist Jeremy Shaw.
The pair will compete alongside the other drivers in all track activities this weekend beginning with practice on Friday at 8:15 a.m. ET and concluding with the race on Saturday at 9 a.m. ET. Both Whitford and Shaw have motorsports backgrounds and are excited to be racing this weekend in the country’s only clean diesel motorsports series.
“I attended the Petit Le Mans race weekend last year, so I was able to get a feel for the Jetta TDI Cup during its first season,” Whitford said. “This will be a totally different experience for me, though. It’s going to be a lot of fun to be on the other side of the fence, and I’ll definitely have a much better view of the race. There are some talented drivers in this series, so hopefully I’ll be able to learn a few things from them when I get behind the wheel this weekend.”
About the guest drivers:
Brad Whitford – Whitford is a Winchester, Massachusetts native and the lead and rhythm guitarist for Aerosmith, the best selling American hard rock band of all time. He attended the Berklee College of Music before joining the band in 1971. Whitford’s talents aren’t only limited to the studio or the stage. He’s also an avid, amateur racecar driver. He has attended numerous driving schools including the Skip Barber Racing School, Panoz Racing School and Derek Daly Performance Driving Academy and is part owner of F1 Boston, an indoor karting facility. Whitford now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, and actively competes in club races at Palmetto Motorsports Club.
Jeremy Shaw – Shaw was born in Macclesfield, England and resides in Santa Margarita, California. He has been a motorsports writer and broadcaster since 1974 and is a regular contributor to several publications around the world, including the industry-leading British weekly, Autosport. He also is the motorsport editor for OnCars.com and a member of the American Le Mans Series Radio broadcast team. In 1990, Shaw founded the Team USA Scholarship program to assist young American drivers in the formative stages of their careers. Past winners include Jimmy Vasser (1990 winner), Bryan Herta (1991), Jerry Nadeau (1993/1996), Memo Gidley (1995), Buddy Rice (1997) and A.J. Allmendinger (2001). In addition, he has been behind the wheel in SCCA, Vintage Formula Ford and F2000 races.
STOLEN: $20,000 REWARD OFFERED BY FOUR STAR MOTORSPORTS OWNER and SPONSOR for THEFT OF DIRTCAR TRUCK, HAULER, RACECAR & CONTENTS
Contact: Jo Ann & Don Davies // davmedia@nycap.rr.com
STONY POINT, NY (September 23, 2009) – Vinnie Salerno, owner of Four Star Transmissions Motorsports, formally announced today a reward of $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved in the weekend theft of the contents of the Four Star truck and hauler.
The theft, which took place from the parking lot of the Motel Blanchette at 225 Blvd. St. Joseph West, Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, on Saturday, September 19, 2009 included the following items:
• complete big block Modified car
• complete small block Modified car
• 60 Keizer wheels mounted with Hoosier tires
• several unmounted Keizer wheels
• black Snap On Tool wheeled tool box with all hand tools
• One Off pit cart
• impact wrenches
• Storms’ helmet and Hans device
• two complete Quick Change rear ends
• five carburetors
• bottle of Nitro Oxygen
• lead weights
• Four Star Motorsports set up books
• RACEceiver and Transponder systems
• transmissions
• 30 shocks
• front end unit
• entire contents of all hauler cabinets (i.e. nuts, bolts, etc.)
• Storms’ apparel items (including tee shirts for sale)
Motel security cameras show the Four Star truck and hauler being driven out of the motel at 5:19 a.m. on Saturday, September 19 by a heavy set male with light or grey hair and a companion. The truck and hauler were found abandoned in a rural hunting area approximately 30 minutes from the motel. The vehicle, which had become stuck on the dirt road, was empty of its entire contents except for several jugs of racing fuel.
No insurance was carried on the trailer contents which means the team will have to replace all items, from complete cars to spare nuts and bolts, with no outside source of funding.
Salerno has an extensive inventory of the contents and indicates all items, including hand tools, were marked with the team name making it difficult for the thieves to resell them.
The $20,000 reward is being offered by the Salerno family and team sponsor Don Kruger. They are asking the members of the racing community to be alert and report anything they might see at upcoming race flea markets, on the internet, or on used car parts they might be purchasing.
Anyone with information, no matter how small the detail, is asked to called Vinnie Salerno at 845-786-2200 or 845-591-7254. All information will be investigated. The team is hopeful a piece of information learned will lead to an arrest and conviction.
Photos are by Jay Fish of Luvracin.com
Canadian Kelly Wood selected to participate in the 2009 Ron Sutton Winners Circle Shoot-out in California
stock car racer Kelly Wood has been selected out of hundreds of driver
candidates across North America to compete in the 2009 RSWC Shoot-Out
ends a great season for her.
Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle (RSWC) is an established talent scout and
development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and
career development for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers.
RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a
professional racing environment, into what top pro teams look for when
hiring drivers.
The Shoot-Out process is designed to identify talented, young, up and
coming drivers from across the United States and Canada with the talent,
potential and commitment to achieve a driving career in NASCAR. RSWC is
currently accepting resumes through October 15th, 2008. RSWC expects to
receive over 600 resumes, as they have in the past, and narrow it down
to approximately 30 to 40 drivers to test. The Shoot-Out is conducted
over two 3-day weekends in early November, in identical race cars, on an
asphalt oval track in Northern California.
Sutton has said, "We're not looking for a number ... We are looking for
young talent that has real potential to go all the way to NASCAR Sprint
Cup." Day one of the Shoot-Out includes a seminar for parents and
drivers, "The Real World Good, Bad & Ugly of Driver Career Development"
and a training course for drivers on driving strategies, expectations
and terminology. Three separate tests for the young drivers include body
fat fitness, a written problem solving test and psychological analysis.
The talented drivers selected for the RSWC development program through
the Shoot-Out will have a training program designed specifically for
their age, experience and development stage, then be placed with a top
team in the racing series that fits best.
http://www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com
Kawartha Speedway - Late Model
The last points race in the late model class at Kawartha took place on
the 11th September and after running very strong in practice and the
heats, Kelly lined up for the feature in 8th place. Moving up to 6th
place with one lap to go she was pushed into another car causing her to
spin out ending a great night's racing. With all the math completed
Kelly ended the late model season in 11th place out of 38. Go to
www.kawarthaspeedway.com for all the season's results and points.
Sept. 18 saw the last night of local short track racing at Kawartha and
even though Kelly was not running her late model for the 100 lapper
(thank god!! 8 finished out of 28 starters) she was asked to race a mini
stock by a friend for the night, it was some of the best racing of the
evening. Kelly finished 2nd in her heat, started 7th in the semi and
finished 4th.
Lining up in the middle of the grid for the feature, Kelly was soon
leading the race and then followed some of the best racing of the night,
with Kelly being chased by the #27 both drivers where passing back
markers at will, with four wide racing at times. With one lap to go,
Kelly got slowed up by a back marker causing her to lose momentum and
getting out-dragged over the line. "This was one of the most fun,
laid-back races I have had this season," said Kelly "and the guys in the
mini stock class certainly gave me the room and respect to race them
clean. Thanks guys!!"
NASCAR: Brennan Didero to make his NASCAR debut at Kawartha Speedway
HAMILTON, ON - Brennan Didero, driver of the #24 Lucas Oil Products / Benson Auto Parts Chevrolet, will take what he has learned racing in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series to another level this coming weekend as he will make his first start in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driving the #66 Holmar Plumbing Dodge at Kawartha Speedway.
Didero began racing last year in 2008, and after 12 events and some superb runs, went on to clinch the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Rookie of the Year, as well, capped off his first year with a 5th place finish in the Championship points.
This year the Ancaster, Ontario racer kept his momentum going strong by becoming the only driver in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series to finish in the top 10 of every race event, and finished the season off with a solid 3rd place finish in the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Championship, only 3 points out of 2nd place - doing so without a single DNF.
"We had planned on returning next year to the Lucas Oil Sportsman Series to take a shot at the Championship and at the same time were also planning on running some NASCAR Canadian Tire Shows. But the window of opportunity opened a little early for us and now we will make our NASCAR debut this year instead which I think is awesome," said Didero.
Kawartha Speedway may be Didero's first NASCAR start, but you can be assured it wont be his last as he plans on racing in both series in 2010.
BROCKVILLE ONT. SPEEDWAY: Adam Turner Adds the Term 'Road Warrior to his Racing Resume
Words and Photos by Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
After a regular season with more ups and downs than a rollercoaster at Canada’s Wonderland, Adam Turner is looking forward to his late season travels on the DIRTcar sportsman modified championship series trail. Although winless, his 4 top 5 and 8 top finishes in 11 starts allowed the second generation racer from Picton, Ontario to finish 5th in points at his home track of Brockville Ontario Speedway. In his previous starts on the 2009 Mr. DIRTcar tour, Turner had run well enough to stand in the top 12 in points – allowing him to take advantage of a guaranteed starter provisional if needed.
“So far, we’ve been fortunate enough to make each show based on our on-track performance,” said Turner. The provisional is something nice to be able to fall back on, but we’ve been in the top 10 in points since the opening race at Black Rock. As long as we can race our way into the feature events, it keeps our spirits high.”
Although not as well funded as some of the other teams on the tour, Turner is on his second car of the season. His original piece – a former Sweeteners Plus Bicknell his family-run operation purchased from Billy Dunn – developed an issue with the frame late in the season. The team started to look around for another car to finish-out the year and learned that Billings Motorsports had the car that 16 year-old Matt Billings used during the 2008 season in their shops. A couple of phone calls were exchanged between the teams and the car was soon on its way to Turner’s auto repair facility in Prince Edward County.
“The car was pretty much race ready when we got it,” Turner offered.
“We didn’t have to do much to the outside – the body was in great shape. I called our graphics guy, asked him to make some number decals big enough to cover Matt’s numbers and we were set to go. We kept the Billings Automotive name on the sides – and kept#74 on the back, but added a ‘special thanks’ to it to show how much we appreciate what they did for us.”
Turner says his father gave him some extra time away from his duties at the garage to switch-out a few of the parts and pieces from the old car to the new one, but then it was back on the road. The team is looking forward to closing out the year back at Brockville for the recently announced Northeast Fall Nationals – Saturday and Sunday, October 17th and 18th.
“An event of this stature doesn’t come around everyday, so we’re very excited about it and plan to defend our home turf,” said Turner with his ever-present mischievous grin. “We’ll be there to run the sportsman portion Saturday and have a great time at the party afterward. Then, we’ll become race fans for Sunday’s schedule.”
$25.00 lap sponsorships are currently available for the DIRTcar 358 modified, sportsman and pro stock main events. Fans, businesses and race teams interested in getting involved are encouraged to call the speedway office at 613.348.3998. For full details on the Northeast Fall Nationals, visit www.brockvillespeedway.com.
#1). Adam Turner flashes a wave as he negotiates the first and second turns at Brockville Ontario Speedway.
#2). Late in the 2009 season, Adam Turner acquired a former Matt Billings DIRTcar sportsman machine after his primary car developed a crack in the frame.
Sobczak Sweeps NLSA Finale as Bernard earns 2009 Inaugural Championship
Greg Cybulski, WINNIPEG, MB (September 22, 2009) Perfection was the word of the day as Dave Sobczak won both his heat race and the feature race to close out the Northern Lightning Sprint Association's inaugural racing season. The #17 Sprint was hooked up as Sobczak turned in a dominating performance on Saturday afternoon's season finale at Red River Co-op Speedway.
In the only 8 lap heat race, front-runners Roland Bernard and Darren Pallen lead the field of 9 cars with Sobczak starting right behind in third place. When the green flag waved, Pallen took the early lead going into the first turn. Two laps was all it would take for Sobczak to pass Bernard and Pallen. With nothing but free air in front of him, Dave Sobczak increased his lead and never looked back as he took his first checkered flag of the afternoon.
The front of the field was not where all the action was happening as Chris Unrau worked his way up from his seventh place starting position to earn a fourth place finish in the heat race.
Starting from the pole position of the 15 lap feature, Dave Sobczak dominated in similar fashion, steadily distancing himself from the other competitors. The biggest battle of the afternoon mirrored the entire 2009 NLSA season as Roland Bernard challenged Daren Pallen for second spot. Bernard dogged Pallen throughout the feature in a classic battle which went to the wire before Bernard successfully edged out Pallen at the finish line to steal second place.
Jennifer Carlson and Estevan, Saskatchewan racer Allan Dayman both charged up the field by three positions during the feature. Starting in seventh, Carlson earned a fourth place finish, while Dayman earned sixth place after starting at the tail of the field in ninth.
Rounding up the top five was Dave Sobczak, Roland Bernard, Darren Pallen, Jennifer Carlson and Bob Charney.
Roland Bernard may have lost the battle, but on this day he won the war. The Northern Lightning Sprint Association's 2009 inaugural Champion was the model of consistency, hard work and determination. There was never a race that the driver of the #2 Lightning Sprint was not competitive in. If Roland Bernard was not in Victory Lane, he finished in the top 3 almost every night and displayed good sportsmanship on and off the track.
"I want to thank all of my friends, family and sponsors for their support in making this season truly special." commented Bernard, who also credits much of his success to his crew chief Marc Goovaerts. "Marc is the heart of this team and he makes my job easier each and every race day."
The 2009 NLSA Champion also shared his thoughts about the organization following it's inaugural season. "I want to thank all the drivers who helped make the NLSA season a success. I would also like to thank President Darren Pallen for bringing the Lightning Sprints to Winnipeg. Darren has done an amazing job of promoting this class and racing in general."
Bernard served notice that he will be returning next season in an attempt to repeat his championship run. With the growing level of competition in the Lightning Sprint class, this will not be an easy task for the "Blue 2 Crew". During the offseason, teams will be busy preparing their cars for the spring of 2010. Lessons learned from 2009 will fuel their desire to improve and to challenge the reigning NLSA Champion.
When the green flag waves at Red River Co-op Speedway for the first race of the new season, the next chapter will begin for the Northern Lightning Sprint Association.
Northern Lightning Sprint Association
Red River Co-op Speedway, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Heat
1. 17 Dave Sobczak
2. 11 Darren Pallen
3. 2 Roland Bernard
4. 27 Chris Unrau
5. 10 Amber Balcaen
6. 3X Bob Charney
7. 6 Jennifer Carlson
8. 4C Chris Bouwman
9. 2AWD Allan Dayman
Feature
1. 17 Dave Sobczak
2. 2 Roland Bernard
3. 11 Darren Pallen
4. 6 Jennifer Carlson
5. 3X Bob Charney
6. 2AWD Allan Dayman
7. 10 Amber Balcaen
8. 27 Chris Unrau
9. 4C Chris Bouwman
Final 2009 Northern Lightning Sprint Association Points
1. Roland Bernard 366
2. Darren Pallen 357
3. Dave Sobczak 346
4. Jennifer Carlson 334
5. Amber Balcaen 332
6. Bob Charney 274
7. Eric Guyot 230
8. Chris Unrau 228
9. Bob Saindon 219
10. Tyson Hiebert 204
11. Chris Bouwman 165
12. Allan Dayman 106
13. Richard Rogers 48
14. Jeff Laurin 43
About the Northern Lightning Sprint Association:
Created in September of 2008, the Northern Lightning Sprint Association is a rapidly growing organization committed to the creation and maintenance of safe, fast, fun, and affordable open wheel racing. Many of the organization’s members are dedicated to helping charities such as the Children’s Hospital Foundation and Cancer Care of Manitoba. More information can be found at www.nlsprints.com
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