DragRaceCanada Announces 6th Annual “Canadian Drag Racer of the Year” Award Balloting

Within its continuing efforts in support of Canada’s drag racing scene, and in conjunction with primary sponsor Lucas Oil Canada, DragRaceCanada is pleased to announce its annual "Canadian Drag Racer of the Year" awards program. It marks the 6th consecutive year that drag racing fans can vote to help recognize top achievements in Canadian drag racing during the past season campaign.

The 2009 DragRaceCanada "Drag Racer of the Year" awards program will honor four winners; one Professional driver, one Sportsman driver, one Crew chief/Tuner as well as the Most Improved/Up-And-Coming drag racer.

Covering all sanctioned drag racing but limited to Canadian drag racers only, the on-line ballot begins on Jan. 8th, 2010 at 00:01 and will close at 23:59 on Feb. 7th, 2010. After the polls close and the audit is completed four winners will be announced. All will receive on-line recognition as well as a handsome commemorative memento.

Each on-line ballot includes five nominees but also accommodates for "write-in" options. Only one vote per e-mail IP address will be afforded and that will be strictly monitored.

For DragRaceCanada "Pro Driver of the Year" (Co-presented by Inside Track Magazine) the nominees include: Roger Bateman (NHRA TAFC), Raymond Commisso (NHRA Pro Mod), Shawn Cowie (NHRA TAD), Kenny Lang (IHRA Pro Mod) and Ken Perry (NHRA TAD).

For DragRaceCanada "Sportsman Driver of the Year" this year’s nominees include: Bruce Boland (repeating PMRA Champion), Mike Konopacki (AMA Drag Bike Champion X3), Eddy Plaizier (IBAA Champion), Victoria Smith (Can-Am Stock/SS Champion) and Kevin Wicke (Inaugural Napa Quick 32 Champion).

For DragRaceCanada "Crew Chief/Tuner of the Year" the nominees are: Bill Moore (NHRA TAD), Al Billes (IHRA/NHRA Pro Modified), Ken Murray (NHRA TAFC), Adam Perry (NHRA TAD) and Greg Pollard (AMA Drag Bike Top Fuel).

For DragRaceCanada “Most Improved/Up-and-Coming” our ballot includes: Ashley Bart (NHRA TAD), Samantha Kenny (NHRA Super Comp), Mark Martino (IHRA Pro Stock), Jason McKnight (NHRA TAFC) and Casey Plaizier (NHRA/IHRA Sportsman).

DragRaceCanada.com, which was first established during January 1999, has since risen to be become Canada’s most recognized website for drag racing and it is also one of the top-visited websites for the sport, worldwide.

To register and cast your vote please visit: www.DragRaceCanada.com

From Bruce Biegler - January 7, 2010

World of Outlaws Sprint Cars heading to Quebec's Autodrome Drummond on July 27

The World of Outlaws presence in Canada will continue to grow in 2010, as the series will compete at Autodrome Drummond in Drummondville, Quebec for the first time on Tuesday, July 27, as part of a three-race swing through the Eastern part of the country, coupled with a two-night stop at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario.

The World of Outlaws Late Model Series competed for the first time at Autodrome Drummond in 2008 before getting rained out at the track last year. Also, the Super DIRTcar Series (Big Block Modifieds) has competed at the oval over 20 times dating back to 1989.

"It could not be better to celebrate the 60th birthday of the track than with the first time ever in Quebec of the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars," said Mr. Yan Bussière, the Promoter at Autodrome Drummond. "It's the dream of every promoter to be able to introduce a big show like this."

Autodrome Drummond is a high-banked four-tenths-mile oval. The track record of 14.022 seconds was established by Steve Poirier in a sprint car on August 15, 2009.

The World of Outlaws made their debut in Canada in 1979 at Victory Lane Speedway in Winnipeg and competed four times at the facility over the next four years, with three-time series champion Sammy Swindell winning all of those events, making him the winningest World of Outlaws driver in Canada. It was over 25 years before the series returned to Canada, with a stop at Ohsweken Speedway in Ontario in 2007, with Jason Sides picking up the victory in that event.

For each of the last three seasons the series has visited both Ohsweken Speedway and Castrol Raceway. Over that time, six drivers have scored wins with the series in Canada. Jason Meyers, Joey Saldana and Jason Sides each have two victories to lead that list, while Jac Haudenschild, 20-time series champion Steve Kinser and four-time and defending series titlist Donny Schatz each have one win.

"Fans are very happy to know that the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars will be at Drummondville in July," said Bussièr. "People will come from everywhere across Quebec and Canada to see this show."

The World of Outlaws will compete three separate times in Canada in 2010 for a total of five races, with the first of those being the inaugural event at Autodrome Drummond on Tuesday, July 27, followed by the Six Nations Showdown at Ohsweken Speedway on July 30-31. The series then heads to the Western part of Canada for the fourth annual Oil City Cup at Castrol Raceway in Edmonton, Alberta on August 27-28 as part of the annual Gold Rush Tour.

For more information on Autodrome Drummond visit: http://www.autodrome-drummond.com

From World Racing Group

INDYCAR: First images of Alex Tagliani at Homestead-Miami Speedway

These are the first images of Alex Tagliani during the inaugural day of testing at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Florida. Judging by one of the pictures, it seems very cold in Florida.

This is the shakedown test for the FAZZT Race Team Honda-Dallara, and there was no timing available from the team. The first official IndyCar Series test days will conclude late on Thursday afternoon, and an official FAZZT Race Team release will be emailed on Friday morning at the conclusion of the two-day session.

From Max d' Orsonnens // Press Officer For FAZZT Race Team

NASCAR Drivers set to participate in Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 6, 2010) – The Fifth Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering is set for this weekend, Jan. 8-10, at the Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Three-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Champion Philip Morris and 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour Champion George Brunnhoelzl III are slated to compete in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, which traditionally features a mix of NASCAR and NHRA participants.

This weekend will mark the first time that Brunnhoelzl has ever slid into the seat of a bobsled, something he’s anticipated since he clinched his first Whelen Southern Modified Tour title last fall.

“It’s something I’ve been excited about,” Brunnhoelzl said. “NASCAR did a great job with everything as far as celebrating the championship, and this really caps off a perfect offseason of being a champion. Whelen does a great job with the Tour, as well as with the Bodine Bobsled Challenge, so I really can’t wait.”

Unlike the bobsled rookie Brunnhoelzl, Morris has competed in the Bodine Bobsled Challenge twice previously, and looks forward to a return to Lake Placid.

“I’m really looking forward to going, it’s a lot of fun, and a pretty wild ride going down that mountain on a piece of metal,” Morris said. “This will be my third time, and I’m looking forward to trying a couple of different things I didn’t get to last year. Getting to hang out with the Olympic team, I’m always asking them for pointers on how to pick up speed, so I’m looking forward to trying some new stuff.”

Other active drivers representing NASCAR in Lake Placid will be 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Raybestos Rookie of the Year Joey Logano, 2006 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion Todd Bodine and part-time NASCAR driver and ESPN analyst Boris Said. Additionally, former drivers Geoff Bodine – the event’s founder – and Randy LaJoie are on the entry list.

By virtue of their 2009 championship seasons, Brunnhoelzl and Morris were invited to the event by Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project President Phil Kurze, who is also Vice President for Motorsports at Whelen. NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Champion Donny Lia was also extended an invitation, but will not participate as the birth of his first child nears.

The Bodine Bobsled Challenge will once again be held on Mount Van Hovenburg in rural Lake Placid, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and the 2009 World Bobsled Championships. Following practice sessions on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, competition will begin with qualifying runs on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning will see all 12 participants compete in Race 1, which will consist of two rounds to determine the fastest overall competitor, based on time. Sunday afternoon’s Race 2 will pit the fastest NASCAR drivers against the fastest NHRA participants in a head-to-head challenge.

Representing NHRA will be Jeg Coughlin Jr., Shawn Langdon, Morgan Lucas and Melanie Troxel. Off-road racer Carl Renezeder will round out the list of competitors.

With five combined Race 1 and Race 2 titles to his credit, Said is the most decorated participant in the history of the Bodine Bobsled Challenge. Todd Bodine was winner of last year’s Race 1, but was defeated in his head-to-head match-up with Lucas in the championship run of Race 2.

The Bodine Bobsled Challenge is geared to create awareness and greater funding for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc. Geoff Bodine joined forces in 1992 with auto racing designer Bob Cuneo of Chassis Dynamics in Oxford, Conn., to create made-in-America bobsleds for the United States men's and women's national teams. Since 2002, the Bo-Dyn effort has produced one Olympic gold medal, two silvers and a bronze. Additionally, U.S. team member Steve Holcomb ended a 50 year world championship drought when he drove his four-man Bo-Dyn sled to the world title in Lake Placid last February. The men's and women's squads have claimed numerous World Cup medals this season - five gold medals among them - in the run-up to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics.

"The Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project, Inc. has been able to become successful due to the support of the United States Bobsled & Skeleton Federation and the sponsors who have provided financial and material support for the advanced design research and manufacturing of the Bo-Dyn bobsleds,” said Kurze.

Funds raised from the Bodine Bobsled Challenge go directly to the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project. The annual dinner auction held in conjunction with the event will take place at the Lake Placid Crowne Plaza Hotel & Resort Saturday night with proceeds also benefiting the corporation.

“We would not be able to accomplish this without the support of all of the sponsors and drivers who participate in our annual Challenge event,” Kurze said. “We have also received a record number of donations through our website (www.bodynbobsled.com) in the past month and we hope that this continues. Every single dollar helps us to provide the best for the best."

Action from the Fifth Annual Lucas Oil Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge presented by Whelen Engineering will air on SPEED on Jan. 24 and Jan. 31.

For more information, contact: Jason Cunningham, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 201-6658 or jcunningham@nascar.com

Nick Wittmer, Alex Healy and Benjamin Distaulo To Wear Lombardi Colours in Canadian Touring Car

Montreal, January 6, 2010.- Today the Lombardi Honda Racing Team, victorious in the 2009 Canadian Touring Car Championship, announced its new line-up of drivers to sport their colours throughout the 2010 season at the helm of their Super Touring Honda Civic Si’s. Champion driver Nick Wittmer will be joined by Ontarian Alex Healy and Quebecker Benjamin Distaulo.

Last year’s Canadian Touring Car Champions, after multiple titles in Honda’s one-make series, The Lombardi Honda Racing Team is not leaving anything to chance with their selection of an experienced and talented driver line-up, as explained by Tony Lombardi, team owner: “I am very happy with our choice of drivers for 2010. They all have the potential to win races and the title” he declares, “We wanted three drivers that would battle during every lap to ensure our colours would triumph and that’s exactly what we have with – in order of car number - Nick, Alex, and Benjamin” he adds.

In his number 1 Civic Si, Montrealer Nick Wittmer intends to do everything possible to maintain his crown : “I’m really looking forward to the start of the season and defending my title this year. I have full confidence that we will once again have very competitive equipment; our Civics are built with stock parts and truly respect the philosophy behind Touring Car racing. Winning races and taking home the championship is my goal” explains Nick.

Another driver with immense talent is Ottawa’s young Alex Healy, who joins the team for the 2010 season. Multi-time karting champion, Alex claimed three podiums in five starts during his Touring Car debut in 2008. Last year he earned ten “Top Ten” finishes in sixteen attempts and was named Rookie of the Year. Alex Healy, 20, is without a doubt one of the most promising Canadian drivers. He does not hide his enthusiasm upon joining the Lombardi Honda Racing Team : “ I am ecstatic to be a part of the Lombardi team, it’s a dream come true. The entire team is fantastic, they gave me a lot of parts and advice last year, even if I was a competitor” explains Alex. He adds : “I am really excited to team up with Ben (Distaulo) and Nick (Wittmer), who are both excellent drivers. My main goal is to win the championship, while learning and helping Lombardi achieve the best results possible”. Alex Healy will compete with the number 5 on his Civic Si.

Former open-wheel (F1600, Atlantic) driver Benjamin Distaulo also joins the Lombardi Honda Racing team after several successful seasons in the Toyota Cup and one learning season with his own Honda Civic in the Canadian Touring Class Championship. For the driver from Ville Lorraine, joining the Lombardi team is also a dream come true : “I am very proud to have been selected by Tony Lombardi to drive one of his cars. I feel honoured to be part of this legendary team” indicates Distaulo, “I’m sure that I will always have the best car. This is the biggest opportunity in my career – I am part of a top race team with a car that can win” adds the Quebec driver, whose Civic Si will don the number 6.

The 2010 Canadian Touring Car Championship season will start in May at Mosport in Ontario. The series will also return to several high profile Canadian motorsports events including the Toronto Honda Indy GP, The Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières, and perhaps Montreal’s Grand Prix of Canada in June.

Lombardi Honda will contest all of the 2010 events. Information concerning dealers is available on the website http://www.lombardihonda.com/. For more information on the racing team, please visit http://www.lombardihondaracing.com/.

PMRA: Auto Meter returns for 2010 racing season

SYCAMORE, IL (January 6, 2010) – Not only is Auto Meter Products returning to the Pro Modified Racing Association as a contingency sponsor for 2010, the top name in performance instrumentation will be providing contingency awards for the Quick 32 Sportsman Series. Contingency awards will be posted for both the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series at each race venue in 2010.

"Auto Meter is pleased to support the PMRA again in 2010,” said Marc Erickson, Director of Motorsports of Auto Meter Products. “This will be Auto Meter’s fourth season with this popular Pro Modified series. The PMRA has proven itself as a good series with great teams. It also does a great job both on and off the track with its venues, the fans, and series sponsors.

“And we at Auto Meter are also pleased to be involved with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series, which has really taken off since its introduction last season.”

Auto Meter offers its customers the most extensive line of technologically advanced, competition-inspired, and race-proven instruments of any aftermarket automotive instrument supplier in the world today.

“We are proud to have Auto Meter as part of our contingency package,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA and the Quick 32 Sportsman Series. “And we are delighted that they are on board with the Quick 32 Sportsman Series as well. As the most respected name in high quality, performance aftermarket instrumentation, tachometers, and gauges, Auto Meter is the standard in the industry, and we’re very happy to have them on board once again.”

The PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series contingency programs are designed to increase the sponsor’s product sales and exposure to the target market of the series teams and to their fans.

“We will present a contingency award to the low qualifier, the winner and runner-up, and one to a random draw from the list of qualifiers at each of the PMRA and Quick 32 Sportsman Series drag racing series events in 2010” added Erickson.

”Once again, Auto Meter is pleased to be a part of these series.”

For half a century, Auto Meter Products has provided top competitors the power of information. Its instruments have run on virtually every competition course in North America, and can be found relaying critical information to drivers in all types of motorsports from record-setting 300 mph-plus passes at Bonneville to hot laps on the high banks of Daytona. Every gauge, tachometer, and data acquisition system is designed and engineered with the power and precision necessary to communicate the exact information top race teams demand in the most intense competition environments.

Auto Meter Products will provide the information needed to cross the finish line first. For more information contact Auto Meter at (815) 895-8141 or visit www.autometer.com.

About the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA): The Pro Modified Racing Association, www.PMRA.ca, was organized late in 2004, started racing operations in 2005, and is entering its sixth year of operation in 2010. The PMRA is a self-governing organization with input from its teams, and adheres to the technical and safety rules as outlined by the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA).

For more information, please contact:
Bruce F. Mehlenbacher: Director of Operations // Telephone: (905) 772-1800 Ext. #22 // Cellular: (905) 517-5345 // E-mail: Bruce@PMRA.ca
Tim Miller // Media Director // Telephone: (905) 870-1456 // E-mail: Tim@PMRA.ca

Ford teams up with Rally car driver Ken Block

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 6, 2010 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it is teaming up with Ken Block, the California-based action sports icon-turned-rally driver, for future global motorsports opportunities.

Block, the 2005 Rally America Rookie of the Year and a three-time medalist at X Games, has cultivated a tremendous following with his Gymkhana videos on YouTube.  In 2010, Block will campaign a Ford Focus in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and a Ford Fiesta in Rally America and X Games.

"I am stoked to be rallying in a Ford. They are an impressive force in the sport," said Ken Block. "From the days of the 1970s Escorts to the Group B RS200 to the modern-day Focus and now the Fiesta, Ford just does an excellent job at rally and I couldn't be happier to now be part of this amazing heritage. Not to mention my dad would be proud. He was a dedicated Ford guy."

“Ken Block has established himself as an action sports competitor and a rising star in the world of American rally racing,” said Jamie Allison, director, Ford North America Motorsports.  “We are excited to have him on our team to help promote our new global products, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2012 Ford Focus.”  

Rallying is a crucial part of Ford’s global motorsports strategy and provides the company with the opportunity to showcase the true performance capabilities of Ford’s products.   Since its support of rallying began, Ford has won three WRC titles and 73 individual events.  And, last year in North America, Ford's participation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and X Games 15 were key elements for the launch of the Ford Fiesta for the U.S.

“Thanks to our participation in WRC, rallying has always played a key role in Ford’s global motorsports programs,” said Allison. “Ford is the only manufacturer that could provide Ken with global rally opportunities.”

“We’re delighted that Ken Block has chosen to team up with Ford to develop his rallying activities beyond America and into the global arena,” said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe’s senior motorsports manager. “Ford and its U.K.-based rally partner, M-Sport, is looking forward to welcoming Ken to the wider team of talented rally drivers using Ford vehicles to compete in this demanding sport at the highest level internationally.”

About Ken Block: Ken Block’s rally career began in 2005.  His skill and car control were quickly apparent and Block was aptly named Rookie of the Year in the Rally America Championship.  Since then, he has continued to race in the series, boasting a healthy number of podium appearances, as well as X Games medals.  In addition to his performance in the car, Block has been a driving force in shining a spotlight on the sport of rally in the United States.  Before entering motorsports, Block co-founded DC Shoes, a worldwide leader in performance skateboarding shoes and a renowned action sports brand.  His keen sense of marketing not only helped elevate DC to their current status, but it has also allowed Block to achieve global fame as a national rally driver through his very successful viral video campaigns.  Ad Age named his Gymkhana TWO film the No. 4 Viral Video of 2009.

 About Ford North America Motorsports: Ford North America Motorsports, based in Dearborn, Mich., is responsible for major racing operations in North America, including NASCAR (Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, Camping World Trucks), Grand American sports car racing, NHRA drag racing, USAC midget car racing and the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup. The department also oversees the development and marketing of Ford Racing Engines and Performance Parts, the outreach programs with all Ford Clubs and Ford enthusiasts, and the marketing of the Ford Racing brand through initiatives such as Team Ford Racing. For more information regarding Ford Racing’s activities, please visit www.fordracing.com.

From Brent Maurer: Ford Racing PR / PCGCampbell

JC CONCRETE PARTNERS WITH COMPASS360 RACING

(Lawrenceville, GA) -- Compass360 Racing (C360R) today released details of the team's marketing partnership with J.C. Concrete for the 2010 season. The program includes multi-tiered promotion within the paddock and to fans.

"I'm so pleased to welcome J.C. Concrete to the Compass360 family," noted Team Principal Karl Thomson. "We believe -- and I know they agree -- that the Grand-Am paddock is a great place to develop new contacts, friendships and cultivate new business."

J.C. Concrete (http://jcconcreteonline.com) specializes in delivering high-quality builds to multi-family residential and commercial projects in the southeastern United States. A family-owned business started thirty years ago, they are as comfortable building retaining and foundation walls for a massive 400-unit apartment complex of townhomes as they are pouring the post-tension slabs for a new restaurant.

"We're thrilled to be part of the Grand-Am community with a Championship team," enthused J.C.'s Senior Project Manager, Justin Stauffer. "We are really looking forward to taking advantage of the great opportunities presented by the series to grow our business."
J.C. Concrete will be one of the primary sponsors on the team's #75 Honda Civic Si, and will be taking advantage of at-track activation and hospitality for business partners and prospects.
Remarked Thomson, "There is a surprising synergy between J.C. Concrete's core competencies and other companies who partner with Grand-Am teams. This marks the first year in a multi-year program with J.C., and we're excited to introduce a new firm to the Grand-Am community."

GRAND-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge starts its year this week with Test Days at Daytona, Florida. The series' first race is on January 29th, as part of the Roar Before the 24 in support of the Rolex 24 Hours of Dayona, and will be televised, tape-delayed on SPEED TV

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Branding Communications, a firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The Championship-winning race team, with support from Honda of America, fields four front-running Honda Civic Si's in GRAND-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, as well as providing technical and engineering support to numerous Honda and Acuras in Canadian Touring Car. For details visit http://C360R.com.

American Canadian Tour pays out $85,000 points fund for 2009

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that the total point fund awards for the 2009 season will total over $85,000. The annual Banquet of Champions will be held at the Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center in So. Burlington, VT on January 16, 2010.

The ACT TOUR will honor the 2009 Championship team of Brian Hoar and owner/crew chief Rick Paya, who also owns RPM Engines in Georgia, VT. Hoar will celebrate his sixth American Canadian Tour title, and car owner, Rick Paya, will also celebrate his sixth ACT title, having won previous titles as crew chief and then owner of the only seven-time ACT winner in its 25-year history, Jean-Paul Cyr. The RPM team will receive $10,000 first place point money at the annual festivities for their efforts during the 2009 thirteen (13) race campaign.

"This past year was a whole lot of fun for RPM racing. We kind of struggled at the beginning of the season, but most of that was trying to figure out what each of us (Hoar and Paya) needed to be successful," said Rick Paya. "Working with Brian was great, especially after we got things sorted out over the initial few weeks. We kind of entered the deal hoping to get immediate results, but I think our team is better off having to go through the learning curve we experienced. We really are excited about being together for next season, and winning the 25th anniversary title of ACT would be pretty meaningful for Brian and our entire team," concluded Paya. Both Paya and Hoar have been supporters of the ACT Late Model program since its inception in 1992.

The Thunder Road "King of the Road" title chase was another blending of veteran teams. Ironically, Jean Cyr, who won all those championships with Paya, joined the most storied crew chief of the decade at Thunder Road, Jeff Laquerre, from Barre, VT. Laquerre and his veteran father, Joey Laquerre put together a new team with the sole purpose of winning the 50th anniversary title at Thunder Road. Jeff Laquerre led the Tracie Bellerose championship chase in 2000. She was the first female to win a major division title. Laquerre followed that up with Thunder Road titles for Cris Michaud in 2004 and 2005. The Laquerre-Cyr team took a few weeks to get things sorted out, but in the end they held off Michaud, Phil Scott and David Pembroke to win the coveted 2009 title. The team will receive $5,000 in point fund money for the championship win. Total money awarded to the Thunder Road competitors in three divisions will exceed $20,000.

Previously, in November, 2009, the ACT Castrol Series awarded over $30,000 in point fund money to those that competed in the 2009 nine (9) ACT Castrol Série.

The Banquet of Champions will award trophies, prize money, and special awards to an expected crowd of 500 teams and fans. Announcements regarding the 25th anniversary season of the American Canadian Tour, along with the prestigious awarding of the annual MacTavish Award, Doc Nielsen Award, and many other special recognitions will highlight the evening's activities. Tickets are still available by calling the ACT office at 802-244-6963.

The 2010 ACT and Thunder Road seasons will offer Late Model teams in the region over $800,000 in various purse and prizes beginning with the opening event at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Sunday, April 18th, the New Hampshire Governor's Cup 150.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com 

Canadian Alex Ellis wins Jim Russell Racing School Future Driver Search 2010

Alex Ellis, 18, from St. Catharines, Ontario won the Jim Russell Future Driver "All-Rounder" for 2010, a competition looking for the best up and coming race car drivers from all over the globe. The prize is a $130,000 contract to race in the Jim Russell F3 Series in Sonoma, California. Alex was chosen out of 40 drivers from 10 countries after four days of intensive testing at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Ca. Dec.19-22, 2009.

Check out Alex at: www.alexellis.ca

From Maris Ellis

PHOTOS: Can Am Speedway - New Year Endro (January 2, 2010 - Lafargeville, NY)

Courtesy of Rick Young ..... www.rickattheraces.com

Canadian champion Richard joins Yokohama squad for 2010 rally season

LANGLEY, B.C. (4 January, 2010) – Four-time Canadian rally champion Patrick Richard will proudly carry the Yokohama colours in the 2010 Canadian Rally Championship, Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. has announced.

Driver Richard and co-driver Allan Ockwell captured their second consecutive national title in November with a resounding victory in the 2009 season finale Rally of the Tall Pines. Richard also won the driver’s title in 2004 and 2002. He joins Antoine L’Estage and Andrew Comrie-Picard as Yokohama Canada drivers for the 2010 season.

Richard, of Squamish, B.C., has been deeply involved with Subaru Canada, Inc. since 2001 and has spearheaded the Subaru Rally Team Canada since 2007. His Rocket Rally Racing shop was among the first to prepare the newest generation Subaru Impreza WRX STI, and has scored eight wins with the cars in the Canadian national title chase in the past two years, including a victory in its North American debut performance at the 2008 Rocky Mountain rally – the first national level win for the new model in the world.

In addition to a busy schedule in Canada, Richard has found time to win two Rally America Championships in the US (2004, 2005) and a pair of North American Rally Cup crowns since 2002.

Since he burst onto the scene in 1999, Richard has won divisional and class championships on both sides of the border and scored well in numerous international events. He is the first North American driver to score points in the prestigious World Rally Championship Production Cup.

At 35, Richard has covered a great deal of ground in a short time. He had a successful career in competitive snowboarding and was principal in a high-technology firm before discovering rallying and creating Rocket Rally, his competition car preparation shop. Rocket Rally has been appointed a Yokohama motorsport tire dealer for western Canada. Rocket Rally built two 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STI competition cars for Subaru Rally Team Canada.

“Everyone in motorsport has watched Pat’s career with interest and enthusiasm,” says Jonathon Karlese, national marketing manager for Yokohama. “His committed driving style, high level of preparation and clear determination to win not only make him a great competitor, they reflect Yokohama’s approach to providing the very best tire technology in every application. He will be a terrific addition to the team.

As part of the Yokohama team, Richard finds himself lined up beside friendly rivals and Mitsubishi drivers L’Estage and Comrie-Picard. Richard’s sister Nathalie is co-driver for L’Estage, adding an element of sibling rivalry to the mix. Yokohama has been a supporter of rally motorsport in Canada for more than a decade.

The Canadian Rally Championship has been televised nationally since 1993, and the 2009 series was made available on multiple media platforms, including as downloads from iTunes, on-line on Flat Over Crest (www.flatovercrest.com) and to 80 million homes in Europe on MotorsTV. Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. markets and distributes a full line of tires for high performance, passenger car, light truck, and commercial truck applications, as well as off-the-road tires for mining, forestry and construction applications. It maintains distribution centres across Canada to serve more than 700 independent tire dealers.

Kawartha Speedway 2010 - Takin' the Show on the Road

You could check the temperature and find the mercury well below freezing.  When you’re looking out the window, you’ll see a wintry mix of blowing snow and freezing rain.  For 3 days in January – the 22nd to the 24th – none of it will matter as the racing world turns its collective focus to the 4th Annual Canadian Motorsports Expo at Toronto’s International Centre.  With a wide array of exhibits and events – including the NASCAR Sprint Cup racecars of Dale Earnhardt Junior and Jeff Gordon – the show will give enthusiasts their mid-winter racing ‘fix’.  Again this year, Kawartha Speedway will be part of the season preview spectacular.  General Manager and Promoter Derek Lynch says having a display at the event really is an easy decision.

“It’s not just the fans that attend these kinds of shows, but the drivers too,” said Lynch.  “The organizers have done an excellent job and this show continues to grow each and every year. Any chance we get to promote the track and possibly bring some new teams into the fold is an opportunity we can’t afford to pass up.  This is Kawartha’s 10th Anniversary season and our goal is to do everything we can to have it be a history-making campaign for everyone.”

Kawartha Speedway’s display at the Canadian Motorsports Expo will feature the #16 NAPA Auto Parts Late Model machine of Norwood, Ontario’s Ryan Kimball.  2010 will mark the 26 year-old racer’s 3rd season in the track’s headline division.  A labourer at the Darlington Nuclear Plant in Bowmanville, Kimball finished 2009 in 8th place – but just over 70 markers behind 5th place Mike Sinopoli.

“We had a great season,” said Kimball.  “All that was missing was a feature race win, but I’m sure that will come with time.  The weather co-operated, so we raced a lot.  That’s always a good thing, because track time and experience can make all the difference.  Getting the car ready for the show in Toronto will take some long hours in the garage, but I’m confident the guys and I will be able to make it happen.  We’re very honoured to be asked to represent Kawartha Speedway at an event of this size, so it’ll be worth all the time and hard work.”

Fans can pick-up a copy of Kawartha Speedway’s 10th Anniversary season schedule at the Canadian Motorsports Expo or at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.  The track will also host its inaugural $1,000.00 to win Long John 200 lap endurance event Sunday, February 7th.  Gates open at 11:00.  Practice starts at noon and racing gets underway at 1:00.

PHOTO: Ryan Kimball picked-up a late season NAPA Auto Parts Late Model victory at Kawartha Speedway. Release and Photo by Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications.

COMPASS360 RACING CONFIRMS LIEFOOGHE AND COMBS FOR 2010

(Toronto, Canada) -- Compass360 Racing (C360R) today released details on their third season-long driver pairing in GRAND-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge. Both are newcomers to the Continental paddock but are seasoned racers who expect to make their mark in professional road racing.C360R won all three GRAND-AM Street Tuner championships (Team, Driver and Manufacturer) in 2009, and the signing of a third full-season duo represent the commitment the team has in its championship defense.

San Francisco-based Gregory Liefooghe comes to the team after a break-out season competing in a various championships from formula cars, go karts and touring cars.
Last year, Liefooghe won two races and finished third in the Jim Russell Championship, had several wins in Rotax and ICC races, finished on the podium in the Skip Barber Western series, and won the E1 class in the 25 Hours of Thunderhill.

Jesse Combs, who hails from Woodlands, Texas, is no stranger to close-knit sports car racing, having competed in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series, finishing fifth in the championship in 2007.
The pair will drive Compass360's #76 Honda Civic Si and bring a new marketing partner to the team in the form of Coolgas, one of the largest distributors of refrigerants in the United States.
"I'm so excited to have the opportunity to race with the championship team in my first year in GRAND-AM," expained Liefooghe. "I learned a lot over the last few years and am looking forward to testing in Daytona next week."

Combs was equally enthusiastic. "I know the team will give us a competitive package, and I'm excited to be able to share data with the other Compass360 cars. It will be great to take the next step into a pro series."

Liefooghe and Combs join Lawson Aschenbach, Ryan Eversley, Zach Lutz and David Thilenius as team-mates in the iconic bright-orange C360R Honda Civic Si sedans."Jesse and Greg will make great team-mates in #76," noted Team Principal Karl Thomson. "They're both ready to move into pro racing and we're looking forward to helping them develop at this level. A note of thanks to the folks at Exclusive Management Inc. who were instrumental in putting the program together with Greg and whom we're looking forward to working closely with in the coming years."

The team also announced the addition of a fourth car for the entire Continental Tire Street Tuner season. "We have a bunch of guys who have driven with us in the last few years who time-wise can't commit to a full season, and the fourth car will be for them." Brothers Benoit and Donald Theetge from Boischatel, Quebec, will pilot Compass360 Racing's #77 Honda at Daytona.
GRAND-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge starts its year early with Test Days at Daytona in early January. The series first race is on January 29th, as part of the Roar Before the 24 in support of the Rolex 24 Hours of Dayona, and will be televised, tape-delayed on SPEED TV.

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Branding Communications, a firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The Championship-winning race team, with support from Honda of America, fields four front-running Honda Civic Si's in GRAND-AM's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, as well as providing technical and engineering support to numerous Honda and Acuras in Canadian Touring Car. For details visit http://C360R.com.