1. Sao Paulo mayor is biggest promoter of event
2. Moraes returns to KV Racing Technology for full season:
3. Around the world with Duno
4. Tagliani makes cameo in film
5. Choosing between red and black
1. Sao Paulo mayor is biggest promoter of event: São Paulo Mayor Gilberto Kassab is comfortable with multimedia members following him as he strolls through the Anhembi Sambodromo section of the racetrack that will play host to the season-opening IZOD IndyCar Series race.
He's only too happy to show off the facility that's been constructed in two months (the first form of the concrete barriers cast Jan. 15), to discuss the sense of pride felt by residents of South America's largest city in hosting the IZOD IndyCar Series and its seven Brazilian drivers, and to promote the city as a tourist destination.
"For the city, it is a privilege to hold the race here and we hope this is the first of many years that IndyCars come to São Paulo," Kassab said. "There is great satisfaction having this partnership (with the sanctioning Indy Racing League). There is wonderful public spirit for the race and pride for the country and São Paulo.
"There has been much dedication to building this racing facility and all the organizations should be congratulated. We trust this stage will be astonishing. There are huge expectations from the drivers, either Brazilian or foreigners. I would like to thank all the supporters, all the partners that are making this race possible."
Kassab said that the São Paulo Indy 300 will generate about R$ 100 million to the city's economy in its first year. Suites are sold out and general ticket sales aren't far behind. The city will receive additional promotion via the international TV broadcast.
"Great events are very good for our city," he said. "We are going to generate jobs and income. The event generates full occupation of our hotels, moves our restaurants and businesses."
Terry Angstadt, president of the Indy Racing League's commercial division, said that choosing São Paulo as the host of the first Brazilian/South American event in league history was a consequence of the city's attributes.
"The city of São Paulo is Brazil's financial heart," said Angstadt, who presented the mayor an IZOD Indy garment bag filled with Philips-Van Heusen apparel. "I have always believed in the city and in the project. Our expectations are very high for a great event. This race course is beautiful, it's in a perfect setting, the race will be very competitive, our top Brazilian drivers are looking forward to one of them hoisting the trophy, so we could not be more exiting to start our season here."
Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard will attend the race along with Scott Miller, CEO of Indianapolis Economic Development Inc., and Michael Young, its energy director. They are in Brazil for a trade mission.
2. Moraes returns to KV Racing Technology for full season: Mario Moraes will drive the No. 32 Banco Panamericano-KV Racing Technology entry on the streets of São Paulo and will continue in the car for the remainder of the season.
"It has been a long time waiting, but I'm pleased that I have this opportunity," said Moraes, a native of Sao Paulo who will join Takuma Sato (No. 5 car) and E.J. Viso (No. 8) this season. "I want to thank (team co-owners) Kevin Kalkhoven and Jimmy Vasser for putting this all together. For the race in Brazil, I want to thank Banco Panamericano, the Holiday Inn Parque Anhembi and Itatiaia Group for their sponsorship.
"It's great to be back working with the team. I didn't make the preseason test (Feb. 24-25 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama), so it's straight to the race weekend. It will be a challenge and work to get used to the new engineers and new people, but I think we're going to have a good weekend."
Moraes, 21, recorded six top-10 finishes (three top fives) - highlighted by a third place on the Chicagoland Speedway oval. His road/street course best finish is fourth at Infineon Raceway.
"We are very pleased to have Mario back in the seat with KVRT," general manager Mark Johnson said. "Mario showed last season he can be very competitive and is in the process of becoming one of the top talents in the series. He has grown and matured on and off the racetrack over the last year due in part to the support of his family and the many positive influences in his life.
"Mario finished the 2009 season with very strong results and I would expect more of the same starting this weekend."
3. Around the world with Duno: Because of a speaking engagement at the Women of Independence Conference in celebration of the 2010 International Women's Day in Malaysia, Milka Duno traveled 22,176 miles before arriving in São Paulo.
The stats: In the air for 47 hours, 25 minutes. She was on four different planes, on three separate airlines, that stopped at six airports, with three customs checks and traveling through about 22 time zones.
4. Tagliani makes cameo in film: Alex Tagliani got his first opportunity as an actor, with a small speaking role for the upcoming film "Score: A Hockey Musical."
The FAZZT Race Team driver played himself in the film along with other Canadians such as Walter Gretzky (father of Wayne Gretzky), Marc Jordan and Margaret Atwood in a scene that was filmed at an ice hockey rink in Toronto.
"This was an incredible opportunity," he said. "I got to put on my hockey skates again and it's been quite awhile since I had those on my feet. And I completely enjoyed meeting all of the actors and singers who are in the film. I don't think I will be pursuing a career in movies, but I had a great time and was honored to be invited to participate in the film."
5. Choosing between red and black: All cars must use at least one primary set of Firestone Firehawks and one new alternate set during the 75-lap race on the 2.6-mile, 11-turn circuit for a minimum of two green flag laps.
The primary Firehawks are derived from the same spec as last year at Long Beach and Toronto. The alternate spec for São Paulo is identical to the 2009 primary spec for St. Petersburg. The alternate tires are identical in construction to the primaries but contain a softer tread compound that will provide more grip and faster lap times, yet trade off compound durability in exchange for those shorter-term advantages.
Also available, if needed, are street course rain specification tires (five sets per entry).
"The Firestone tires chosen for this event - both the primary and alternate specifications - are race-tested, so even though this is a new track, we anticipate that the Firehawks will stand up to whatever the streets of São Paulo have to offer," Firestone Racing executive director Al Speyer said.
As a refresher, three rounds of qualifications are used on street and road courses. Oval events employ the aggregate of four timed laps to set the grid. In Round 1 of the São Paulo event, two sets of 12 cars each have 20 minutes (including full-course yellow) to post their best lap times. The top six from each group advances to Round 2, with the remaining cars assigned positions 13-24.
The 12 advancing cars receive 15 minutes of track time. The top six advance to the Firestone Fast Six, with the remaining cars ranked in positions 7-12 based on their fastest lap time in the session.
The cars in the Firestone Fast Six shootout receive 10 minutes of track time. Each car receives an extra set of Firestone Firehawk primary tires for the segment, with the PEAK Performance Pole Award winner and the next five cars determined by lap time.
Firestone Fast Six fast facts (16 events)
34 - Drivers who have improved their starting position (34.5 percent).
20 - Drivers who have participated in the session.
15 - Helio Castroneves leads all drivers by participating 15 times. Tony Kanaan is second with 14.
12 - Drivers who have improved to the pole position during the session.
2.25 - Average starting position of the driver who entered the Firestone Fast Six with the fastest lap from the previous segment.
***
The 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series season begins March 14 with the Sao Paulo Indy 300 on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at 11:30 a.m. (EDT) by VERSUS. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel 211. The race also will be carried on www.indycar.com. The 2010 Firestone Indy Lights season opens with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg March 28 on the streets of St. Petersburg. The race will air live on indycar.com.
From Amy Konrath, Indy Racing League // www.indycar.com
Friday, March 12, 2010
IZOD IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights headlines - March 12, 2010
PHOTO: 2011 Ford Mustang V6 Pace Car - Bristol Motor Speedway
Motor Speedway.
From Melissa Heidel / PCGCampbell
Kawartha Speedway: Mike Nelson looks to take hold of Kawartha's Mini Stock field
Focus. To gain an advantage at any level of racing, you need to be focused on the ultimate goal. Whether turning laps against the best drivers in your weekly division or getting the car ready for action, it’s all about focus. Mike Nelson has been racing for 5 years and has spent his last 4 years steering the #85 Discount Car and Truck Rentals Mini Stock at Kawartha Speedway. Although he has yet to find his way to victory lane in a main event, the 20 year old from Peterborough, Ontario says the sport has created a hunger that keeps him coming back for more.
“There is always the chance that it could be my night – my turn to win the big race,” said Nelson. “If I take a week off, I might miss that chance. If we don’t run well enough through the qualifying heat or semi feature, I’ll never make it. This game needs your complete attention – lap after lap, week after week and race after race. Going fast is part of it, but you’re also running side-by-side with someone who needs to be just as focused as you are or the whole thing could be over in the blink of an eye.”
Nelson says he loves the fact that driving a racecar isn’t something that ‘just anyone can do’. His biggest thrill is to race hard and fast with people he trusts and enjoys racing around. Running up front with guys who will race you hard – but still give you the respect they’d want in return makes it all worthwhile for the driver of the R & J Machine/Daryl Taylor Painting/NAPA Auto Parts, Bridgenorth/ Ennismore Towing/Custom Signs and Graphics Dodge.
“It’s a give and take sport. You can be winning one week and watching your car being towed-off the track the next,” said Nelson. “You can’t let the ‘highs’ get you too high or the ‘lows’ get you too low. Things can change in a hurry – and sometimes it’s your own fault. I keep thinking back to the first night of the 2009 season at Kawartha. I was running second in the feature and the car ran out of gas. I can laugh about it now, but I kicked myself pretty hard about that for a few weeks.”
At the racetrack and in the garage, the Nelson Motorsports operation is a fairly small-scale team. The car is maintained by the driver and his father, Ralph. Occasionally, good friends Jason Wallbridge, Adam Murphy and Mark Fawcett lend a hand. Nelson, a welder and fabricator at R & J Machine says his long term plans are to move into an ACT Tour late model, but he knows that level of racing takes much deeper pockets than racing a mini stock on a weekly basis.
“Because so much of what this sport is about is driven by dollars, doing the late model deal might be something we’ll look at 2 or 3 years down the road,” admitted Nelson. “This year, we’ll run the same car we did last year – just with some different paint and graphics. Luckily, we didn’t hit anything too hard last year so we’ve had plenty of time to get things ready. I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.”
Kawartha Speedway’s 2010 10th Anniversary schedule is available now at www.kawarthaspeedway.com. The first regular night of action, which will also feature the OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models is Friday, June 4th.
Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications: A consolation round win and 3 top 5 finishes helped Mike Nelson earn a 5th place finish in Kawartha Speedway’s 2009 Discount Car & Truck Rental Mini Stock standings.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
TSN: TSN's F1 coverage goes full throttle in 2010 with live coverage of every race
Toronto, ON (March 12, 2010) – Formula 1 will be burning up the track all season long on TSN with live coverage of all 19 races from the international auto racing series. Coverage gets underway with the first race of the season, the BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX, this weekend with live qualifying on Saturday, March 13 at 5:55 a.m. ET and the race on Sunday, March 14 live at 7:55 a.m. ET (see attached for complete broadcast schedule).
Encore presentations of Formula 1 races will be available throughout the season on TSN2. Fans can stay up-to-date on the latest news and storylines from the Formula 1 series with TSN’s Formula 1 page www.tsn.ca/auto_racing/formula_one at www.TSN.ca.
The CANADIAN GRAND PRIX makes its return to the Formula 1 series in 2010 and TSN has live coverage beginning with qualifying on Saturday, June 12 and the race itself on Sunday, June 13. After being removed from the schedule in 2009, the race returns to Montreal’s famous circuit Gilles-Villeneuve for a 31st year in 2010. TSN’s Formula 1 coverage in 2010 continues to utilize the live feed from BBC featuring the popular play-by-play duo of Jonathan Legard and Martin Brundle handling commentary and analysis duties, respectively.
The 2010 season promises to be even more exciting than the last as reigning world champion Jenson Button has joined McLaren and will race alongside his new teammate – and 2008 world champion – Lewis Hamilton. Meanwhile, Formula 1 superstar Michael Schumacher has come out of retirement to join Mercedes GP looking to add another title to his record seven world championships. A new points system that offers greater rewards for better finishes is sure to increase the competition between teams and teammates alike.
Official broadcaster of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and London 2012 Games of the Olympiad, TSN, a division of CTVglobemedia, is Canada's Sports Leader and Canada’s most-watched specialty network. TSN's comprehensive broadcast schedule features an exciting lineup of sports including NHL, IIHF, CFL, NFL, NBA, Blue Jays Baseball, Season of Champions Curling, Golf’s Majors, F1, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Grand Slam Tennis, Championship Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts events. TSN properties include TSN2, TSN MOBILE and the industry leading sports website www.TSN.ca. TSN delivers more sports coverage in High Definition than any other network in Canada.
From TSN
NCATS: Dilley and Steckly Join Forces in 2010
BARRIE, ONTARIO: Mark Dilley is pleased to announce today that his NASCAR Canadian Tire Series team will be fielded by Scott Steckly, the 2008 National Champion, for the 2010 season. Additionally Dilley and Steckly have added Farwell Racing and Stewart & Matthew Farwell as partners.
“I am very happy to team up with Scott in 2010,” stated veteran driver Mark Dilley. Mark has previously had a terrific 11 year relationship with Dave Whitlock and his Whitlock Motorsports team and Mark is now looking forward to “a long and exciting future with Steckly and the 22 Racing Team.”
Farwell Racing brings a competitive edge to the Steckly and Dilley race program that will only make it stronger. After meetings with Stewart & Matthew at the end of the 2009 season and discussing their long term goals, Dilley has found out that he and Stewart & Matthew are very compatible on many levels and he has commented that “having them as a partner will only elevate our program.”
Steckly, who is the team owner and driver of the 22 Racing machine, is also thrilled about teaming up with Farwell Racing and Mark Dilley, “Mark is a great guy and a competitive racer and I am looking forward to fielding cars for him and Farwell Racing.” Both Steckly and Dilley feel they have the resources to make this a top team in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series for many years to come.
Stewart Farwell, President of Farwell Racing, is also proud to join Dilley and Steckly in launching this new and exciting competitive entry in the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. “We know Mark will be a force on the race track and with Steckly’s 22 Racing Team fielding the cars we will be looking for good things to come on the track in 2010.”
Stay tuned for sponsorship announcements that will be following soon.
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is composed of 13 that take place on road courses, temporary street courses, and oval tracks across Canada. The events are all broadcast on TSN with at least one repeat airing. The first event in the 2010 season will be held on June 5th at Delaware Speedway in London, Ontario. A new addition to the schedule and a first time visit for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2010 is the Toronto Honda Indy. Teams & drivers are extremely excited about their return to the streets of Toronto after a three-year absence.
From Linda Jones // Wide Open Motorsport Solutions
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Historic GP Series at the Grand Prix of Canada
MONTREAL, QC - Thirty or so of the open wheel cars that made history in the Formula 1 World Championship from the late sixties through the mid-eighties period, will be competing next June 11-13 at the Grand Prix of Canada, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Octane Racing Group, promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, is please to announce the return of Historic Grand Prix racing for the Montreal race weekend, round 8 of the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Back in 2004, Historic Grand Prix brought an impressive field of 30 authentic Formula One cars to Montreal where the owners/drivers thrilled the crowd at the Grand Prix du Canada. Not only does this group race the legendary cars, but the owners/drivers also showcase their cars in a tent that is accessible to the general spectators in the support race paddocks.
"We are pleased to bring back to the Grand Prix du Canada, a group of passionate aficionados that offers a spectacular show and also enjoys taking the time to talk with fans that visit with them in the paddocks," said François Dumontier, president of Octane Racing Group and promoter of the event. "Each time they go on track, it is one of the most popular moments of the weekend. The list of cars entered is impressive. It is a true reflection of the history of the first decades of the Canadian Grand Prix. They include cars that our loyal fans can relate to and cars that were successful on Canadian soil."
"We have fond memories from our last visit to Montréal in 2004, and that is why we, at Historic Grand Prix, are thrilled to be invited to the 2010 Grand Prix du Canada," said James King, co-director of HGP. "Our owners/drivers are as enthusiastic about the sport as the fans attending the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. We are quite accessible to the public and willing to share stories about our cars and the men who drove them in the day."
Historic Grand Prix intends to bring to Montreal on the weekend of June 11-13 close to 30 iconic makes, some of which are still competing in Formula One: Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Lotus which is back in the fold this year. Fans will also be able to see Brabhams, Tyrrells, Marchs, Shadows and other makes of a bygone era. Some of these F1 cars have actually been driven by World Champions Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter et Alan Jones.
"We plan on bringing two Gilles Villeneuve Ferraris to Montréal, his 1978 312 T-4 and the 1979 312 T-5. Both these cars were at the 2004 event and the reception from the Montreal fans was something none of us will forget. Several of us in HGP raced with and knew Gilles in his Formula Atlantic days and we hold him in very special esteem. He was a talent and a character second to none and we are honored to be able to bring some of his history back to Montreal," also added James King.
Historic Grand Prix includes several Canadian owner-drivers who plan to participate in the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada. Brothers Brad and Dean Baker from Oshawa respectively drive a 1973 BRM P-160 and a 1973 Brabham BT-42. Keith Frieser from Edmonton has a 1973 Shadow DN-1, and Ottawa resident Hamish Somerville drives a Williams FW-07B, the same model that enabled Alan Jones to win the 1980 Grand Prix of Canada and to be crowned that year's Formula 1 World Champion.
Those wishing to obtain grandstand tickets and general admission can contact the Canadian Grand Prix box office at 514 350-0000 which is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. They can also visit www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca, at any time to order online.
Organizers are also offering a variety of corporate packages for both small and large companies and other groups who wish to attend the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada. To make a reservation or to obtain further information, those interested should contact Julie Rioux-Paquette and Marie-Claude Boucher at 514 350-4731. Always popular, corporate packages for the Canadian Grand Prix, sell out quickly.
A Canadian company established in Montreal, Octane Racing Group Inc. is the promoter of the FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX by virtue of an agreement made with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the holder of commercialization rights to F1).
From Celina Machado // National Press Officer // Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada
The attached photo is copyright-free for the media: Historic Grand Prix in action: As if Alan Jones' #27 Williams was being challenged by Gilles Villeneuve's #12 Ferrari.
SimpleFueltax.com powers Canadian Kyle Marcelli Through 2010
TORONTO, ON - With the 58th running of the Mobile 1 12-Hours of Sebring just around the corner, driver Kyle Marcelli recognizes the importance and value of his sponsor partners. Announced today, simplefueltax.com has joined forces to power Marcelli throughout his 2010 campaign in the American LeMans Series driving for Primetime Race Group in the #11 entry.
“I’m very enthusiastic to be representing simplefueltax.com throughout 2010. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with co-owner Ken Kim over the past three years; he has always been a strong supporter and fan. Ken is an entrepreneur and a triumphant one at that, I know he recognizes that success never comes easy, yet it’s the persistence and hard work that make dreams come true,” said Kyle Marcelli.
“We continue to be amazed but not at all surprised by the successes achieved by Kyle on the race track. His unwavering discipline and unparalleled dedication to his sport is exemplary and we are proud to be associated and in partnership with him for the 2010 American LeMans Series,” said Ken Kim of SimpleFuelTax.com.
You can look forward to seeing the simplefueltax.com on the visor of Kyle Marcelli’s race helmet throughout 2010.
About SimpleFuelTax.com: SimpleFuelTax.com is a web based IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting Solution for North America. It takes the headache out of fuel tax reporting and routing by eliminating the need to manually log miles and record fuel purchases. Integrated GPS data is seamlessly uploaded to produce IFTA Fuel Tax, mile tax, IRP tax and other state taxes.
For more information visit: www.kylemarcelli.com // For more information visit: www.SimpleFuelTax.com
NASCAR Champ Kurt Busch to drive Mopar-Powered Dodge Challenger Super Gas Car at NHRA Gatornationals
AUBURN HILLS, MI - Fresh off his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch will swap his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger for a Mopar®-powered 1970 Dodge Challenger Super Gas car. The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champ is set to do battle on the drag strip in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at the 41st Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals. The event is scheduled for March 11–14 at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.
Busch banked his 21st career NASCAR Sprint Cup win at the Kobalt Tools 500. He’ll celebrate his victory and a rare break in the hectic NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule to race his rebuilt Dodge Challenger, powered by a stroked Mopar 6.1L HEMI® engine, in NHRA competition. The Sportsman car pumps out 1,167 horsepower. Qualifying for Super Gas will take place on Thursday, March 11, with eliminations beginning on Friday, March 12.
“Gainesville is one of the marquee events on the NHRA calendar, and it’s a privilege to compete against the best Sportsman racers out there,” said Busch. “I spent over 30 hours at Roy Hill’s drag racing school, and have had two tests in my own Dodge Challenger, but that’s nothing compared to the seat time many of these guys have in their own cars. We are going to go out there and do our best competing against these talented Sportsman racers.”
Busch will take part in a Team Mopar autograph session at the Mopar Image Center, located in the manufacturer’s midway at Gainesville Raceway. Busch is scheduled to appear on Saturday, March 13, with the time of his appearance to be announced at the track.
Mopar racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits will also make an appearance at the Mopar Image Center at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 12. Mopar HEMI-powered Pro Stock drivers Allen Johnson, V. Gaines and Vinnie Deceglie will appear from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 13. NHRA Funny Car racers Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan and Melanie Troxel will visit for a signing session following the first round of qualifying on Saturday.
41st Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals: The 41st Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals is scheduled to take place March 11–14 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. Two hours of qualifying coverage will air on Sunday, March 14, beginning at 12 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more information on the NHRA, log on to www.nhra.com.
Mopar Brand: Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.
Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles—a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide.
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts maker, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.
Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle-car era. The former Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division, called Mopar Performance Parts, in order to enhance speed and handling for vehicles both on the road or at the track.
Aston Martin Racing and Fernandez choose Michelin
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Aston Martin Racing knows the difference, as does Adrian Fernandez. So, when Fernandez, the 2009 Twelve Hours of Sebring LMP2 class winner and American Le Mans Series Champion, decided to team with Aston Martin Racing, one decision was easy. “We both wanted to choose Michelin,” said Fernandez. Both Aston Martin Racing and Fernandez have separately enjoyed considerable success with Michelin.
Since entering the ALMS Series in 2007, all eight of Fernandez’s ALMS wins and his 2009 championship have come with Michelin. “Michelin was a key part of our success,” said Fernandez. “We were frequently able to double-stint our MICHELIN® tires because they were so consistent that we could run the same lap times for two full stints.”
Aston Martin Racing last claimed victory at Sebring in 2005 with the GT1 classed DBR9, the car went on to win several ALMS races in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons. To accompany its winning run, the GT1 then claimed a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 before the team moved into the Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) category for 2009, where Aston Martin Racing finished the European-based Le Mans series as champions.
“Michelin is very pleased to continue our long technical partnership with Aston Martin Racing and our championship winning relationship with Adrian Fernandez,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin Motorsports manager.
“Aston Martin Racing is one of the world’s most prestigious brands and Adrian is a great ambassador for Michelin. ALMS fans will love seeing the beautiful Aston Martin Racing prototypes and Adrian’s fans will look forward to his continued success,” said Mammone.
Preliminary plans call for Fernandez and the Aston Martin Racing prototype to compete in the ALMS events at Sebring and Long Beach before heading to Europe for the 2010 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 21,500 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.
For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com
David Ostella returns with AIM Autosport for 2010 - Focus on strong second season in Star Mazda Championship
Ostella teamed with AIM in 2009 to run in the Star Mazda Championship and take advantage of their successful open-wheel racing programs. AIM won the 2008 Star Mazda Championship and had a solid reputation for developing young drivers.“It was a very steep learning curve coming into the series last year”, said David. “AIM and Star Mazda team manager Keith Willis have an excellent reputation and they had just come off a championship season so the decision to team with them was easy.”He continued, ”We learned a lot in ’09 and we knew that sticking with AIM and building on last season’s work, could lead to success in 2010. Our goal is to be up front and fight for the championship.”
Ostella had a strong debut season with AIM in 2009 ending the year with seven top-ten results including a third-place finish at Iowa Speedway. David also achieved his best qualifying run at that race starting fifth. He would end the season thirteenth overall out of thirty-two cars entered in the championship – a successful result for both David and the team.
“We are looking forward to working with David again this year”, commented team principal Keith Willis. “David learned a lot last year and progressed throughout the season. He has developed a strong bond with the race engineers and crew that will also carry forward. It is always an advantage to have that dynamic going into a second season and we look forward to many podium opportunities this year.”
AIM and Ostella have been testing over the winter and are now at Sebring for official series testing ahead of the first race later this month. The first race in the Star Mazda Championship takes place March 19th at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida.
David continues his racing efforts with generous support from Global Precast Intercontinental. He also has renewed support from both Alpinestars and RAW Integrated Ltd.
AIM Autosport Facts:
Established in 1995, AIM Autosport has a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing. The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners. Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario. AIM won the 2008 Star Mazda Championship with American John Edwards. In addition to the Star Mazda team, AIM fields the No. 61 Ford Riley with drivers Mark Wilkins and Burt Frisselle in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16.
Funding from Yokohama Tire Canada helps launch Sunstang student solar car project
The Sunstang solar car program at the University of Western Ontario will receive financial sponsorship from Yokohama to investigate a new car design that separates the vehicle from the solar charging system.
Yokohama is the first corporate supporter of the project, which will see the student team design, engineer and build a three-wheel car powered by electricity derived from the sun.
For more than a decade, universities around the world have fielded student-built solar-powered cars for a variety of competitions. Most attempts utilize a power-as-you-go design that involves incorporating a large array of solar cells into the car to generate power that is used immediately.
When the sun stops generating electrical power via the solar cells, the vehicle stops, too. The UWO project differs in a number of ways, explains Geoff Gauthier, project manager for the Sunstang.
First, he says, this car isn’t built for a specific competition. Student competitions, says Gauthier, are no longer the hotbed of innovation they were back in 1993 when UWO students first built a solar car. “The competitions had hit a kind of saturation,” Gauthier says. “There was no real improvement in the technology coming from them.”
Sunstang, says Gauthier, looks in a new direction. It is meant to tackle the real-world problems facing electric car designers and builders. “We spent a year analyzing what we should build, and why,” he explains. “We wanted to research the real issues that the electric car would face over the next 15 years.”
The new design envisions a single-passenger electric commuter car paired with a residential solar recharging station. The design will use a removable, replaceable battery array able to provide faster recharging times. One battery pack will remain in the charging station while another is being consumed in driving.
The car will be powered by a three-phase induction motor that is 97 per cent efficient.
Yokohama Canada marketing manager Jonathon Karelse sees the sponsorship as an investment in the future of every electric car.
“The research and development of electric car technology is expanding exponentially. From low rolling resistance tires to light-weight components to battery efficiency, electric cars are drawing research and engineering talent from across a broad spectrum,” Karelse maintains. “Yokohama is in the transportation business. Our specialty is tires, and we have committed to leading in light-weight, low rolling resistance, environmentally superior tires. But if we are going to continue to lead, we will have to be close to all the developments in this exciting field.
The Sunstang project is one of those opportunities to be in on the ground floor.” The student team expects to unveil their design early in May of this year and show a drivable model by the end of May. Tentative plans for the Sunstang include an attempt to drive the car across Canada, and visits to major Canadian car shows. “This is very costly and support from companies like Yokohama make what we do possible,” Gauthier adds.
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 and more than 2,000 retail locations.
NHRA: Canadian Commisso enters Pro Mod season with target on his back
GAINESVILLE, FLA - Canadian racer Raymond Commisso is a veteran of Pro Mod competition, and as he enters this weekend's 41st annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals as part of the inaugural class of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series he will carry the mantle of a class favourite.
Since joining R2B2 Racing full-time, Commisso has gone from a freewheeling and mostly underfunded independent to a well-supported professional driver and his performances on the racetrack have taken a noticeable upturn. He currently holds the national elapsed time record of 5.881 seconds and has recorded the quickest run in history at 5.817 seconds. People are starting to take notice.
"Always before I have been the underdog when I’ve been drag racing," Commisso said. "I’ve always had a low budget and never had the best of everything, but I loved to race – that’s why I kept doing it.
"Now it’s the other way around. I pull into the park and I know I’m one of the top cars around. I know I can go out there and qualify No. 1 and win races. Being connected with Roger has been the greatest thing in my career."
A restaurateur in his native Toronto, Commisso is relishing his new frontrunner status.
"I want everybody to bring their A-game to every race because I always being mine," he said. "I like the pressure; it makes me perform better.
"This weekend will be the toughest competition of my racing career. The best of the best are going to show up for this one. Whoever wins will deserve it because there will be no slouches out there with all the heavy-hitting teams on the entry list."
An exhibition category for the past decade, NHRA now officially recognizes Pro Mod as a competition class. As such, racers will be vying for Wally trophies, the longtime symbol of drag racing excellence.
"It’s like when you dreamed of that special bike as a kid," Commisso said. "When you finally got it, it was so special. Running for a Wally is like a dream come true. Everybody wants to be a pro NHRA drag racer and run for that trophy and now here we are doing it. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life.
"We have the car to get it done. We're testing right now and we just completed the fastest run ever for a blower car -- 5.800 seconds at 251.50 mph. It gives you confidence when you have a car working this good. It was a brand-new racecar when we got her and our first full run with it was off the charts. I can't wait to get to Gainesville and start racing for real."
Contact: Geiger Media at 281-354-5769 or rob@go2geiger.com
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
NASCAR: 3 race probation for Edwards
NASCAR boss Mike Helton said, "There's an age old saying that NASCAR, 'If you ain't rubbing, you ain't racing,'"
On Sunday in Atlanta, Carl Edwards intentionally rubbed / spun Brad Keselowski at 190+ mph, triggering a vicious crash could have easily turned tragic for Keselowski and/or some fans.
After the crash, Edwards let it be known that he felt obliged to take the action he did as a response to prior conflicts with Keselowski. He didn't use the word "payback" but he might as well have.
Today, in a move that is consistent with its move to let the racers police themselves, NASCAR announced that Edwards' penalty will be a three-race probation.
In the future, is the fact that payback at 190+ mph is apparently not frowned upon (given Edwards' slap on the wrist) going to make racers think twice before throwing the first stone? Would you be more careful about getting into Edwards (or anyone else) knowing they have free reign to get you back at the worst possible moment?
Mid-Ohio School begins 18th season of operation
DUBLIN, OH - The Mid-Ohio School, owned and operated by TrueSports, Inc., will host the first class of its 18th season on Saturday, March 13 with the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program. The school, located at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will offer almost 150 driving days and 25 Performance Track Riding programs for sportbikes in 2010. Since the last class of 2009, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has provided The Mid-Ohio School with three dozen new 2010 Acura TSXs. These sporty, luxury sedans are driven by school participants in the on-track driving programs.
The driving programs at The Mid-Ohio School are contributing to safer roadways across the country. On the local level, through the Knox County Juvenile Court’s partnership with the school, over 1,000 juvenile offenders have been sent through the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program since the two entities began collaborating in 2003. Over the last six years, the County’s Juvenile Court System has reported a 75% reduction in second time offenses since the inception of the partnership.
Also new to the school in 2010, Open Track Time now stands alone as its own class under the High Performance umbrella. Formerly a subset of the Open Testing & Tuning course, this new stand-alone format allows anyone to drive their car on track in a limited speed lead/follow format. Veteran drivers of The Mid-Ohio School can also take this course to push their street-legal rides to speeds over 100 mph, in the max speed lead/follow or open lapping formats. Open Track Time is the most cost effective way for drivers to get on the racetrack at Mid-Ohio.
In the motorcycling arena, Performance Track Riding is in its fifth year of operation and will be run exclusively by The Mid-Ohio School staff for the first time in the history of the program. After moving the instruction of these classes in-house late last summer, the school decided to make that move a permanent one. The first Performance Track Riding programs are slated for the weekend of April 24-25.
“With Performance Track Riding program complementing our driving courses, we are truly one of the most diverse schools. The Mid-Ohio School was the first organization in the country to offer both two- and four-wheel courses all at one site,” said The Mid-Ohio School Director Steve Bidlack. “Through our 18-year history, we’ve had a great partner in American Honda for 17 of those seasons providing a great fleet of vehicles and making the continued success and ongoing growth of the school possible.”
Additionally, the KTM Race_Orange Track Day Experience, as a part of the Performance Track Riding offerings, has been expanded from two to four dates in the 2010 season (April 26 and 27, July 7 and 19). This group of track days affords riders the opportunity to try a KTM in session for a full day, and lets curious enthusiasts without a bike of their own to get a taste of track riding.
The 2009 season was one of the most successful in the history of the school. It boasted over 2,600 driving program graduates, more than 900 of which were teens. The almost 1,700 motorcyclists that participated in Performance Track Riding set a new record figure for total enrollments.
“We had a strong year in 2009 in a very tough economic climate, so our entire team knows we need to work just as hard, if not more, this season to match that,” Bidlack added.
The Mid-Ohio School is supported by its official partners and suppliers: Acura, Comfort Inn & Suites Honda, JEGS, KTM, Kumho Tires, Performance Friction Brakes, Presta, Quality Inn & Suites, Sunoco, and Westfield Insurance.
The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels. The school’s 16 automobile courses include Defensive Driving, High Performance and Racing programs. The motorcycle side features three Performance Track Riding formats. Students enjoy classroom sessions, skill drills, expert private instruction and lapping on the same track that challenges the world’s top racers. In 17 seasons, The Mid-Ohio School has 34,000 graduates, including 11,400 teenagers. For more information, visit www.midohioschool.com.
Northeast Modified Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Announced
WEEDSPORT, NY - By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director - Southern Tier standout Lin Hough, popular Pennsylvania pilot Ralph Quarterson and north country favorite Gary Reddick will be inducted into the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame on Memorial Day Weekend ‘10. These three driving greats add their names to a stellar list of Modified legends that was started in 1992 when the Hall of Fame was officially christened on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in Weedsport, New York.
The 2010 Induction Ceremonies will take place Sunday, May 30 at 2 p.m. in the NE Hall of Fame & Classic Car Museum. The evening race program at Cayuga County Fair Speedway will be highlighted by the Hall of Fame 100, the third scheduled points event in the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds.
Launching his career in the Big-Block ranks in 1977, Hough became a household name among the Small-Block racing fraternity in the mid-1980s steering his familiar red #117 Modified mounts. Scoring 60 DIRTcar victories from 1983-88, the Bath, N.Y. speedster also racked up a half-dozen track point titles at Dundee Raceway Park and Woodhull Raceway, capturing the coveted overall Mr. DIRT 320-Modified Championship in 1985. Along with his wife Cindy, Hough took over ownership of Dundee in 1995, renaming the Yates County oval to Black Rock Speedway while providing a complete facility upgrade that included new grandstand bleachers, VIP Tower suites, lighting and lap counter as the track was lengthened to a 4/10-miler.
Born on Canadian soil in Ottawa, Reddick relocated to the states in 1955 and soonafter emerged as a rising star throughout the stock car ranks contending on both dirt and asphalt surfaces. Charging from last to second in his first-ever qualifying race in 1960, checkered flags would become the norm in main events for the #V3 Modified machines on both sides of the border for two decades. Can-Am Motorsports Park’s inaugural champion in 1975, he also garnered a pair of point crowns each at Evans Mills and Watertown speedways in New York adding another at Kingston (Ont.) Speedway, while scoring feature wins in Canada at Brockville, Cornwall and Ottawa, and at DIRTcar charter member Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Brewerton and Fulton speedway in the Empire State.
A familiar figure in victory lane piloting his #66 entries in both open-wheel Modified and open-cockpit sprint cars, Quarterson piled up numerous track titles and feature wins during the late 1960s and early 70s. When the new millennium arrived, the recently honored Lernerville Speedway Hall of Fame racer was still recognized as the winningest Modified driver at Mercer (Pa.) Raceway Park, also racking up Keystone State victories at Tri-City, Butler and Motordrome speedways, along with Sharon and Expo in Ohio. Quarterson took advantage of his guaranteed starter status earned at Mercer to make his only Super DIRT Week start, finishing 26th in the 1974 ‘Schaefer 100’ finale on the famed Syracuse Mile.
Also receiving recognition during the induction ceremonies will be very active individuals Brian Mulligan, Jeff Brownell and Andrew Phillips.
Mulligan enters the Hall of Fame earning the Leonard J. Sammons, Jr. Award for Outstanding Contributions to Auto Racing. For the past 43 years Cornwall, Ontario resident Mulligan has served as Public Address Announcer for a number of Canadian tracks, and emerged as a motorsports promotions and marketing specialist in the north country during the last quarter-century. Officially moving into the position of DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Competition Director at the end of the 2007 season, he had previously provided operational assistance for Pro Stock Series events staged in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Mulligan has been a familiar voice heard during Super DIRT Week for the past three decades, calling events at both the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in nearby Elbridge.
The first involvement in motorsports by Central New York car owner Brownell was in the Late Model ranks with the late Jeff Kappesser beginning in 1973. ‘Kappy’ earned full-fender crowns at founding DIRTcar tracks Canandaigua (1974), Cayuga County (1975) and Rolling Wheels (1977) prior to making his Big-Block debut in 1978, eventually sharing the 1982 Florida DIRTcar Nationals title. Recognized nationally in the oil business and becoming familiar closer to home through his Junell Corp. and Advanced Lubrication Specialties monikers, Brownell joined forces with fellow Waterloo, New Yorker Steve Paine, who went on to win the overall Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Championship as the new millennium arrived. Super DIRTcar Series standout Matt Sheppard (#9s) and teammate Jeff Brownell Jr. (#29) brought further accolades for his XTreme Lubricants squad in 2009, with ‘Super Matt’ clinching Canandaigua and Brewerton season titles while winning the prestigious Rite Aid 200 at Syracuse, and his son claiming the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park points championship.
Phillips will receive the Mechanic of the Year Award after serving as crew chief for Brett Hearn as the New Jersey ace captured his 2nd Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship in the past three years. Attending weekly shows at the now defunct Flemington (NJ) Fair Speedway “since I could walk,” with family Drew also worked alongside his “uncle” Jerry Brophy Jr. at Flemington en route to the 1991 Small-Block title and Bud Christmann when he won the Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Championship at Syracuse in 2001. Phillips joined Hearn full-time right out of high school in 2002 and last season marked his fourth year heading race day operations for DIRTcar Northeast’s winningest Modified driver.
Co-recipients of the ninth annual Gater Racing Photo News "Outstanding Woman in Racing" award are track officials and public relations personnel Tana Robinson from Western New York, Pennsylvanian Judy Snyderman and Buffy Swanson.
Granddaughter to former owners of the old Fort Covington (NY) Speedway in its formative years Robinson never strayed from her roots as she and her family have been trackside fixtures further west for the past three decades. Returning to the north country during childhood, as a teenager she sandwiched weekend visits to Can-Am Speedway in LaFargeville between trips to current hometown oval Ransomville Speedway, where she first began penning Friday night race reports in 1989. Today, continuing to supply releases from the ‘Big R’ as its PR Director, she also wrote for Gater Racing Photo News and provided result stories to DIRT Trackin’ Magazine in the 1990s. Joining the speedway staff full-time in 2000, with sons Dan (chief starter), Mike (head scorer) and Jeff (handicapper) following her lead, Robinson also carries out accounting duties in the Weedsport, N.Y.-based DIRTcar Northeast office where she has been employed since 2007.
Snyderman has been involved in several aspects of Modified racing for more than 20 years. Initially entering the sport managing her husband Hugh’s photo stand at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway, she also became an accomplished racing photographer as time passed. Never one to turn down an interesting opportunity, when the chance came to get involved with the operations of the speedway, she became an Assistant Starter and Corner Flagger, undertaking a variety of other positions during her trackside tenure. Popular and well-liked, Judy has also worked in the organization and presentation of several mall shows and special racing programs in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey region, while her husband is currently Bridgeport Speedway’s Race Director.
Earning a paid position managing layout with Lenny Sammons’ Area Auto Racing News in 1979, Swanson quickly emerged as a successful staff writer for the popular Northeast motorsports publication. She gained instant notoriety providing the only presence of dirt car racing in Speedway Scene, authoring her column ‘Down’N Dirty’ in the New England-based tradepaper from 1982 to 1990. Eventually serving as a contributing editor for such nationally acclaimed magazines as Stock Car Racing, Circle Track, Trackside and Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated, in 1998 the New Jersey native was named by the Grosso Family ownership as Public Relations Director at New Egypt Speedway, where she maintained her prominent post for nine years.
DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event ---Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse runs annually in October featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.allstar100weekend.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.
Monday, March 08, 2010
LAST CHANCE: Canadian Racers Contingency Program submissions
If you're eligible for a free 'Thank Your Sponsor(s)' ad (see here for details) in the next issue of Inside Track Motorsport News, we've extended the window for submissions to the end of day on Wednesday, March 10.For those who: a) subscribe to Inside Track, b) finished in the top 10 in points at the track/series in 2009, and c) ran Inside Track decals on their vehicle ... see the link above
to download the free ad submission form. Fill it out and send it in (to greg 'at' insidetracknews.com or fax to 416 962-7208). As well, please email us a high-res JPG image to go with your ad.
Merrittville Speedway: Saturday night is Speedway Night at Merrittville
Thorold, Ontario (March 5) – Since last November … Merrittville Speedway Race Fans and Race Teams alike have known of at least one event on the 2010 Schedule with the announcement of the first ever visit of the World of Outlaws Late Models on Thursday June 17th. With the release today of the complete schedule - more than ever … Saturday Night is Speedway Night as the Thorold Ontario DIRTcar-sanctioned race track prepares for it’s 59th consecutive season.
“The Extreme Thursday definitely will be a highlight of our season and perhaps our involvement” boasts (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “but right from the Spring Sizzler through to our Motorized Mayhem Finale … our fans can look forward to enjoying every lap of the action … there’s something different happening week in and week out with enough must see events to overflow your race chasin!.”
The Bicknell and Williamson-owned show place has created quite an initial event when Baron Roofing and Siding presents the April 24th Annual Spring Sizzler that features 50 lap events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman and Hoosier Stocks.
For the second straight season – one of the first to greet Merrittville Fans of every age is Crash Cougar. “There’s no bones about him,” relates (Merrittville co-owner) Nancy Bicknell, “Crash has become of one the best around … race track or stick and ball sport combined.”
May Day – May 1st - launches the 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series when the J&S Heating & Air Conditioning Modified Lites and Hoosier Stocks join the Championship Chase hosted by 105.1 The River.
Merrittville Speedway’s Kids Club is getting a new lease on life the season as the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Registration Night is also part of the Niagara IceDogs Fan Appreciation Night.
Two Monday events will showcase Super DIRTcar Series Events with May 24th’s putting the 358 Modifieds to the test right away in a 100 lap special presented by Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits.
Since 1972 – the first Monday in August has been a racing tradition on everyone’s summer schedule and this year’s edition will once again feature the DIRTcar Stars in a 100 lap Classic.
In the 17th and final Trevor Wilkens Memorial last season, ‘Super’ Matt Sheppard put on a clinic after Justin Haers shattered the track record in time trials.
Monday August 2nd – when L. St. Amand Enterprises proudly presents the 1st Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial – it’s another must see event. Just ask anyone how cool last year’s was!
Race fans can get involved in the excitement as Merrittville Speedway will be looking for a Grand Marshall for the event in a contest that will launch as part of Semenuk’s Esso June 5th Event with the drawing to take place during July 24th’s Hingston Metal Fabricators’ festivities.
“While that event will bring DIRTcar’s finest,” remembers (Merrittville’s) Jim Irvine, “former Champion Ron Smoker pulled off a last lap … last corner pass to steal the win from current Mr. DIRTcar Champ Brett Hearn back in the day … and for Bob Sr. – I wouldn’t count our guys out!”
59 years of memories will be celebrated in Lucas Oil’s Nostalgia Night Saturday July 17th. Hosted by the Speedway’s Reunion Committee - the running of the 358 Modified Jerry Winger Memorial will also include Vintage Race Cars and the pre-race Reunion Night.
“It’s time to begin planning our inductions into the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame,” prided (Committee Chairman) Rick Kavanagh, “as we race towards the 60th next season … anyone wishing to nominate former drivers … crew or builders … or if you would like to volunteer – contact the Office at any time.”
When Brian’s Tire Night concludes the 2010 Championship Chase September 4th – here’s hoping that for each division – the points races will go right down to the final lap. For the 358 Modifieds – 50 laps will again the distance for the John Spencer Memorial.
Brian’s Tire along with Turn 4 Collision and Pineview Drywall are presenters of the World of Outlaws Late Models on Thursday June 17th in addition to Giant FM 91.7, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton Inc. and IBEW Local 303 Niagara.
An early season special finds the BRP Can Am Late Models providing a preview of the Extreme Thursday when they join the Seaway Mall Rankin Cancer Run Night to kick off the Victoria Day Doubleheader – Saturday May 22nd.
Sprint Car Fans can mark two events at Merrittville on their schedules when the Lucas Oil ASCS Patriot Sprint Group visits Saturday August 21st as the featured event of Pen Centre Night.
As fast as the winged alcohol belching speedsters themselves – Sprint Cars return for a second time helping to kick off our lone Friday Night Show – Saturday September 10th and in celebration of the Ontario based group’s 15th season.
Merrittville Speedway’s Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division will be looking to crown the King of the Crates powered by Niagara Motors Champ in 2010.
Three 40 lap events kick off April 24th with the mini-series continuing when Lococo Wholesale delivers June 19th’s Saturday Night Special.
Cotton Inc. will pour the foundation for a thrilling July 31st when the new Mini-Series Champ is crowned after the finale.
Full fendered fans have to love Merrittville’s Hoosier Stock Division and the fact that against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks – Team Merrittville is set to take a 6th straight title in the popular series that connects the two Saturday Night tracks.
New for 2010 is the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 – featuring 6 events at each track that will combine in this year’s challenge for overall and individual honors.
The newly retrofitted J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites will prepare for their two day International Championship that closes the season September 10th and 11th with two Modified Lite Championship Events as part of June 12th’s SMS Machine Tool Ltd Saturday Night in addition to Monday August 2nd’s Civic Holiday Tradition.
Merrittville’s 4 Cylinder Division provides race fans with the greatest mix of makes and models of race cars and with the Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown – three special events will also crown a champion in the race within the overall season chase.
CAA Niagara will play host to the Series Opener on May 29th followed by Round Two during the July 17th Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night.
On August 14th – Avondale Food Store’s Saturday Night at the Races will not only crown the 2010 Triple Crown Champ – the Best Appearing Dog Contest will showcase our 4 legged friends.
If you are a long time Merrittville fan – you may be thinking – I think I would like to get on track myself … or if you are a new fan and like what you see – the Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Series accelerated by Niagara College – is just the thing for you!
Three times during the season – May 24th, as part of Boltworks July 3rd Canada Day Clash and concluding with Cotton Inc.’s Summer Slam July 31st – there will be three ‘Qualifier’ Events.
It all leads up to Sunday September 12th and ‘Merrittville Motorized Mayhem’ which will drop the curtain on the 2010 Season in a way never witnessed in the 59 year history of the d-shaped oval.
Enduro Racing is pretty basic – it’s a car that races not a race car. Get yourself a $100 Car from the Smart Shopper and with some safety modifications …. get some nerve and you’re in!
For more info on Merrittville newest sensation – and all the news - visit merrittvillespeedway.com as details are still crashing in.
One event that Merrittville’s younger race fans look forward to as a highlight of the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Kid’s Club is the Meridian Credit Union Box Car Races.
2010’s front-stretch favorite set for the August 7th’ CMH Sales and Leasing ‘Help a Child Smile’ Night will also have adults smiling too. Parents will also be part of the action on track this season!
Mom and Dad can also look forward to Mother’s Day (May 8th) and Father’s Day (June 19th) at Merrittville with $2 savings on Grandstand Admissions.
Heroes of the Highway can also take part in the excitement when Modern Corporation stages it’s annual Truck Show ‘n Shine Night July 10th.
Drivers can save $2 upon proof of their license and it you would like to display your Big Rig – watch for details.
Motorcycle Enthusiasts can also join in July 24th on Hingston Metal Fabricators Night with a Two-nie off Grandstand Admission for all riders with proof of your M License. For the Biker in all of us – did you know that our J&S Heating Modified Lite ‘Race Cars’ are powered by ‘Bike’ Engines?
Season Ticket Holders even have a chance on spreading the word that Saturday Night is Speedway Night. Plan on bringing someone with you July 31st – someone that may have just moved into your neighborhood … someone at work … church or school or even a complete stranger!
The only catch – July 31st must be their first time ever to Merrittville - the challenge is on to find someone!
Modified Lite driver turned Sportsman rookie Adam Leslie reminded us all of the sacrifices of our Armed Forces last season. So much so that May 15th’s Meridian Credit Union Salute to the Troops Event will take to time to say THANKS!
Meridian Credit Union will also present the extremely popular Family Autograph Nights when the front stretch is overtaken by a sea of race cars for your chance to meet the drivers and see their race cars up close.
June 5th is the first chance while September 4th is the last. Both Nights are just as good as Halloween!
If you have been a long-time fan – you may have heard that your favorite driver got their start in Karts!
Every Tuesday Night – the stars of tomorrow take to the infield track and Stock Car fans are encouraged to check out a Lucas Oil Weekly Karting Series Event.
June 26th’s Student Night Summer Blast Off is the Night when Students under 18 with a Student Card can save $2 off Grandstand Admission. It’s also the night when the Merrittville Speedway Kart Club will be on display in preparation for their biggest event of the season.
Lucas Oil and a family of supporters will present the Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five – Sunday July 4th and that is one Karting Event to see with top drivers from across Canada and the Northeast US from 6 years old and up in action.
Race fans also have a chance for quite an experience as the Big Block Grand Marshall Search for Monday August 2nd will run from June 5th to July 24th. You could win tickets to the event … the chance to meet the starting field and be the one that gets to say ‘Gentleman … Start your engines!’
Tickets to the pre-race Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner – one of the best deals on DIRTcar are also included. During the contest period – don’t forget to get your fill of Piller’s Hot Dogs – on July 3rd – they’re just a buck!
As Merrittville Speedway’s 59th season begins to wind down – the Niagara IceDogs will be about to start up. Minor Sport Players in Team Sweaters will be admitted free on Ball Hockey International Night – Saturday August 28th.
The Aaron’s Lucky Dog Kids Club will also wind down with it’s Back to School Pizza Party and Awards Night for another season.
Following the Championship Chase Finale September 4th – the 59th Season will conclude with the International Championship Triple Header Finale Weekend with racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday – September 10th to 12th.
Joining Friday Night’s kickoff are the 4 Cylinder Trucks … the Southern Ontario Sprints while Saturday Night features the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series.
Both nights feature the best Modified Lite and Classic Dwarf Cars from across Canada and the US for the event that has developed into one of the finest of its kind for the division.
The Hoosier Stocks’ season also concludes with a 25 lap event leading up to the invasion from the Brighton Speedway for the $1,000 to win 50 lap winner take all final Saturday Night event.
The 59th season comes to a grinding end – Sunday September 12 with what is being billed in 2010 as Merrittville Motorized Mayhem!
As the count down to green continues and the anticipation builds up to April 24th Spring Sizzler – visit the Merrittville Speedway Race Car Shows at the Seaway Mall (the week of March 15th) and the Pen Centre (the week of March 22nd) to see some of the new race cars up close and to get your 2010 Merrittville Speedway Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Schedule Card!
For further information on the 59th Season – race fans can also friend Merrittville Speedway on Face Book or follow at www.twitter.com/merrittville.
American-Canadian Tour: 25th season sees near record entry list
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) will celebrate 25 years of Championship Stock Car Racing with one of its largest number of pre-season full season entered teams. The balance of veteran champions and new teams joining the US touring division represents five New England states and two provinces of Canada. ACT statistician Nick Bigelow said, "I have reviewed past seasons and this looks like the most diverse and best count ACT has had in the past half dozen seasons."
A fourteen race schedule will carry teams from the shores of Connecticut at the historic Waterford Speedbowl to new tracks located as far north as Quebec City, (the newly renovated 5/8th mile Riverside Speedway in Ste-Croix), and west to the newly paved 4/10th mile Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, just outside the New York capital city.
Veteran title chaser Brent Dragon from Milton, VT said, "This is a great schedule for those of us that like touring. New tracks are always interesting and with two new tracks on the schedule just undergoing renovations and paving (Albany-Saratoga and Riverside-Ste Croix), along with my favorite recently renovated half mile Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY, I hope this is the year I can finally win an ACT Championship."
"Dragon has been a perennial top three finisher on the tour for many years, and feels with the longer tracks on the 2010 schedule, he has just gotten the edge he might need to finally win the title. Brent Dragon has completed the most races of any driver in the 18 year history of the ACT Late Model division," continued Bigelow.
Joining the list of likely contenders is defending Champion Brian Hoar from Williston, VT. Hoar found his magic championship form when he joined Rick Paya's RPM Engines team in 2009. Strong performances to end the season brought Hoar his 6th ACT Championship title. Hoar clearly is the favorite to beat in 2010.
Other strong teams who have full season entries are Scott Payea, led by co-owner and veteran crew chief, Chris Companion. Joey Polewarczyk ('Pole') from Hudson, NH is primed and eager to take a run for the ACT title. Now a seasoned competitor of ACT touring and the youngest of the new breed of racers, Joey 'Pole' has switched to Ford power plants for the 2010 campaign. Turner, Maine veteran Glen Luce, beginning his third year of ACT Tour racing, will join 'Pole' on the Blue Oval Ford team. Brian Craig will crew chief the Luce effort. "Now that we have been around the ACT circuit for a couple years, I think we have a pretty good chance to contend for the title. It was a challenging learning curve for our team getting used to the different tracks, and it sure was a lot different than running sprint races on Saturday night at our home track Oxford Plains Speedway, but I am hoping that with our new Ford program we will have some success," said Luce.
One of the early favorites to challenge for the 2010 ACT title is Graniteville, Vermont's John Donahue. Donahue was the most successful racer during the last third of the 2009 season, winning races at White Mountain Motorsport Park, and realizing a lifelong dream of winning the Chittenden Milk Bowl at Barre, Vermont's Thunder Road. That momentum certainly makes the Kendall Roberts-Dale Shaw led team a threat to win the 2010 title.
Joining the list of filed entries includes top veteran runners such as New Hampshire's Randy Potter, Vermonters Jamie Fisher and Eric Chase, and Maine's Ricky Rolfe. Tyler Cahoon and Pete Potvin round out some returning young stars that completed the entire 2009 season.
Other veterans and former champions: legendary and ageless Joey Laquerre, from Barre, VT will drive a Seth Holbrook prepared car. Former White Mountain Motorsport Park Champion Quinney Welch, from Lancaster, NH has also entered the full schedule of events for the 2010 season.
The highly anticipated season will also see the return of seven-time ACT Champion JP Cyr of Milton, VT in the father/son team race car of Gary and Kyle Caron. Richard Green will be fielding two cars with veterans Joey Becker and former Airborne Champion Mark Lamberton behind the wheels.
Two teams will travel from Canada to tackle the 2010 ACT US season. 2009 Série ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge has submitted his full season entry to run on the American-based Tour. Also making a return is former ACT Pro Stock Tour competitor Derek Lynch. Lynch, the winner of the Oxford 250 in 1994 has decades of experience. He has competed previously in the NASCAR North/Busch East Series and for the past two years has raced in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series throughout Canada. He also is the track manager of the Kawartha Speedway outside Peterborough, ON, Canada.
Some new faces running their first full ACT Tour seasons are multi-time Oxford Plains Speedway Champion Travis Adams, Jeff Zuidema with Thompson Int'l Speedway Championships in his portfolio, and Thunder Road regular and former Sportsman Champion at both Thunder Road and Airborne Speedway, Craig Bushey.
Massachusetts racers Jimmy 'Scruffy' Linardy and Mark Hudson; along with Vermonter David Paya have sent in full season entries. Over 30 teams are expected to start the season as full time entrants, a record number of teams to begin the new campaign.
The Rookie of the Year battle has two of the most talented young Late Model stars in the region with 17 year-old Beech Ridge racer Bradley Babb from Maine driving the Sallie Bolduc machine. Babb will have former ACT Pro Stock driver and father, Bobby Babb, crew chief the car. Another young star of the Twin State Speedway battles, from the Granite State, Chris Riendeau, is going to compete for the ACT Rookie of the Year honors on a full time basis as well.
The 2010 ACT Tour season kicks off on Sunday, April 18 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH with the NH Governor's Cup 150. The winner will be the first to receive an invitation for the second annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to be held on Saturday, September 18th during the first weekend of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship.
For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com
New ENVigor marries Yokohama performance, green pedigree
Described as “the most complete performance tire ever created,” ENVigor is aimed squarely at the discerning tire buyer who demands both outstanding performance and a superior environmental profile in a premium tire, the company says.
Yokohama achieved this breakthrough balance by incorporating a silica-rich compound with recycled rubber into a design that produces very low road noise and rolling resistance that is up to 18 per cent less than the successful Avid H4S model from the company’s line-up.
With fuel economy a high priority for many buyers, the fuel saving from low rolling resistance is an important buying consideration. Equally important is long life, and the Yokohama Avid ENVigor line has a UTQG rating of 560,which suggests a very high mileage life for buyers.
Customers focused on the environment get the added assurance that ENVigor is made without the use of aromatic naphthenic oils considered harmful to health.
“Yokohama is a global leader in the development of environmentally sensitive tires that meet the demanding performance standards of both auto manufacturers and consumers,” explains Jonathon Karelse, marketing manager of Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc.
“The new ENVigor line marries Yokohama’s proven high performance technologies with improved environmental benefits in a tire designed for wide market applications,” says Karelse. “Thoughtful customers who demand superior braking, handling and wet weather performance no longer have to compromise to satisfy their desire for a better environmental record.”
ENVigor is engineered with Yokohama’s proprietary Adaptive 3D sipes (which help maintain water and winter traction); angled groove walls and circumferential grooves that resist hydroplaning; a tapered center rib and unibloc shoulder for stiffness; a six-pitch tread variation for reduced pattern noise; and groove-in-groove technology for reducing uneven wear.
The new line makes its debut this spring with an extensive selection of popular sizes – a total of 69, for 15” to 20” applications. Speed ratings span H to W. Tires from the ENVigor line are backed by a 5-year, 110,000-kilometre warranty.
ENVigor is the second new line of environmentally sensitive tires from Yokohama Canada in the past year. Last fall, the company debuted the new Yokohama dB super E-spec line specially created for hybrid cars. Designed with ultra-low rolling resistance for enhanced fuel economy and reduced emissions, the Yokohama dB super E-spec tire was the first of the new Eco-motion line of tires in Canada from the company.
The Yokohama dB super E-spec line is manufactured with natural rubber and orange oil. 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 and more than 2,000 retail locations.
Mixed Weekend for Multimatic Motorsports at Homestead
Homestead, Fla. (March 8, 2010) - Following a tough debut at Daytona in January, the Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang Boss 302R team came back with a strong performance in Round 2 of the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, although both cars were extremely competitive, not everything went the team's way as #15 posted a sixth place finish after dominating large sections of the race, while #16 failed to see the checkered flag due to a brake problem after an extremely strong run in the first half of the event.
Joe Foster once again proved that his nickname, "Front Row Joe", is well deserved by putting the #15 Multimatic entry on the pole, while newcomer Frankie Montecalvo continued impressing the team with his speed, qualifying the #16 on the outside of the second row. However, despite Maxwell and Foster starting from the front, leading the most race laps (40) and registering the fastest race lap the experienced duo were unable 15 car pit stop to capitalize on the car's speed due to a two stop strategy that ultimately resulted in a sixth place finish. The all new 5.0 litre V8 in the Boss 302R requires more fuel than its competition at this early stage of its development and was therefore disadvantaged by not being able to complete the race on a single stop like the top finishers.
Motorsports Director Larry Holt commented: "We made the call not to make a stop under yellow at the 45 lap point of the race because we were only halfway through a fuel run and there would still have been 50 green flag laps left to the end. As we are only good for 43 laps on a tank this would have required a third stop had there been no more yellows. Unfortunately some of the other teams gambled on more yellow and made the stop and then got a break when it happened at lap 81. Our second pit stop occurred under green and the guys who only came in once made it to the end and Scott just didn't have enough time to get to the front despite having half a second a lap on everybody in the late stages."
Gunnar Jeannette and Montecalvo ran an alternative strategy in the #16 car choosing not to change drivers at the 20 lap first yellow flag period like their teammates, which allowed them to spend most of the first half of the race in the top five with Jeannette in contention for the lead until the brake pedal began going to the floor at every application, finally ending his race on lap 51 with a rear caliper seal failure.
Although Multimatic would have liked to finish a little higher up the order after showing such good pace and leading so much of the race, the team is encouraged by this weekend's performance and is now looking forward to its next Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race which takes place April 9 - 10, 2010 at Barber Motorsports Park.
Multimatic Motorsports Quoteboard:
Joe Foster, #15 Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"Everything we had control over as a team, we did very well. The Mustang ran well, pit stops were great, the pit strategy was correct. The Multimatic guys did a super job with the pit stops as a strategy. But in the end it just didn't go our way because we needed it to stay green and there was a yellow flag near the end so some cars in front were able to avoid pitting for fuel. We got a good start, I had a handy lead and Scott had a handy lead during his stint, we just didn't get the break we needed. It's a little disappointing after having such a good race to not finish higher but in the end it was still a good day."
Scott Maxwell, #15 Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"The car was fast and we were definitely more competitive and it was good to get a finish but I think we're all a little disappointed because we led the most laps, got the fastest lap and ended up sixth so it doesn't really make a lot of sense. We just got hit with bad timing with the yellows and that cost us track position that we couldn't make up at the end. If we had run 10th all day and ended up sixth we would have been sort of happy but when you lead and at some points have a 10 second lead, the car was really strong, you sort of have better hopes than sixth. I was hoping we would sneak out a podium, I don't think we had the speed to win, but we're getting closer."
Frankie Montecalvo, #16 Bayshore Recycling Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"The race went pretty good up until our brake problem. I didn't have a great start which is how I lost a couple of positions, but after settling in I got into a rhythm and put in consistent laps, we stayed out when some of the others pitted and moved up to second. It's too bad that we had that problem because everything was going really well up until then. It was a really encouraging race for us especially after the issues we faced in Daytona. We know we have a really good car and we can't wait until the next race."
Gunnar Jeannette, #16 Bayshore Recycling Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"Unfortunately we didn't have a very good finish but overall it was a great weekend. I think we made a lot of progress with the car. The track suited the car pretty well. Frankie did a fantastic job. He had his first ever top five starting position which is great for him and the whole team and he ran really well in the top-five for most of his stint and as high as second before coming in and handing it over to me. With a lot of people pitting before us I went back out and was fairly deep in the GS field but the car was awesome. I was able to make up a lot of positions really quickly. But then I started having a long brake pedal. We got to the other caution and the brake pedal was going to the floor which we originally thought was the brake fluid boiling but it turned out we had a problem with the left rear caliper. We tried to go back out but it was dangerous, I drove off the track a couple times. It was a completely different problem from Daytona but it was a brake problem nonetheless, unfortunately. That said it's nice to see Scott and Joe do so well so it's very encouraging for the whole team."
From Karina Redmond // Multimatic Motorsports PR
2010 Atlantic Championship Season Placed on Hold
ALPHARETTA, GA - Due to the downturn in the global economy and the subsequent shortage of funded drivers, the Cooper Tires Presents the Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda will go on hiatus until global conditions improve. The Atlantic Championship has and always will be committed to providing the best driver development series available to the world’s next generation of top-tier driving talent. Unfortunately however this experience cannot be upheld through 2010. Series officials will continue working throughout the year to develop new ideas for the future that will add value to drivers and also lower costs associated with competing in a world-class racing series like the Atlantic Championship....
continued at link above...
Targa Newfoundland: 400 year-old town Carbonear joins Targa 2010
ST. JOHN’S March 8th, 2010 – Known as the “Hub of the Bay” one of the oldest and most historic towns in Newfoundland will join the Targa family of communities. Carbonear, a town which was founded some 400 years ago in the early 1600’s has agreed to bring what is arguably one of Newfoundland most modern and exciting events to the town. Carbonear will work with Targa Newfoundland to create and run a competitive stage in the town during the annual September motorsport classic, event organizers have announced.
The approximately 7.00-kilometre Targa stage will run through the heart of the historic Town of Carbonear and will become one of the critical final stages of the 2010 event. Carbonear town council approved a motion to host Targa at a meeting on February 15, 2009. The event will be coming to the town for the first time.
The new stage to be held on Friday September 17th and has been designed to be a very challenging “town” stage which will set the standard of competition for the balance of the final day of the event. The stage will be new to all the competitors and will be a real thrill for the fans. In previous years, the results of the stages held on the final day of competition strongly influence the outcome of the event for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.
“We appreciate that the community is bringing Targa Newfoundland to Carbonear, and we wish to thank Mayor Slade, his council as well as their staff for the working with us to accomplish this,” said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. “We know that Targa has a positive economic impact on the province and on communities along the route, and we are pleased that Carbonear will become part of the Targa family.”
“We hope that thousands of TriCon peninsula spectators and fans will be able to travel to Carbonear to watch our Targa stage and enjoy our town’s hospitality” said Mayor Slade “We have worked closely with Targa to choose a route that will be exciting as well as challenging. We welcome Targa and look forward to assisting them in providing this world class entertainment.”
Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 9th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John’s on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 18. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.
Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, Germany, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.
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Contact:
Media: Doug Mepham 613-966-4969 // d.mepham@bellnet.ca
Competitors: Melissa Crummey 709-722-2413 // melissa@targanewfoundland.com
Sponsors: Scott Giannou 709-722-2413 // scott@targanewfoundland.com
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