Sports Car Club of BC: December 2010 Pit Pass

Click on the link below for the Dec. 2010 edition of the Sports Car Club of BC (SCCBC) Pit Pass... courtesy of Pit Pass Pete Weedon.

http://www.sccbc.net/pitpass/2010/Dec10pp.pdf

Kennington Headed to Charlotte

December 4, 2010. DJ Kennington the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship winning driver is preparing for a very busy week of activities and celebrations with his Castrol Edge Dodge team in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the next week Kennington along with other NASCAR Champions will be the toast of the town at numerous promotional appearances in the US home of stock car racing.

For so many seasons the Castrol Edge Dodge driver finished as the runner up in the championship, but this year Kennington is relishing all of the activities that go along with his National Title. “I’ve been so busy already and the next week is going to be even crazier” said the driver. “But I’m loving it all, last week I was in Charlotte for a photo session with NASCAR great Junior Johnson. What a thrill to meet him” he stated.

Activities in the coming days include the annual Go Karting Showdown with NASCAR drivers and media members at Victory Lane Indoor Karting on Wednesday December 8^th, along with a host of other activities and appearances culminating in the NASCAR Night of Champions Gala on Saturday December 11^th inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. “What a night that is going to be” stated Kennington. “I can’t wait to share it with my family and my race team” he added.

There are many ways that race fans will be able to share in the Championship celebrations with DJ Kennington and the Castrol Edge Dodge team. Follow the teams’ twitter feed @djkracing and join the Facebook group DJK Racing for instant updates of all the happenings from North Carolina. You can also watch the Awards Gala live streaming broadcast at NASCARHomeTracks.com.

Race fans are also encouraged to show their support for Castrol Edge Dodge driver DJ Kennington in the annual Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards. Kennington is once again nominated for stock car racer of the year honours and fans can click on the link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ITMNRCA2010 to cast their vote for Kennington.

It promises to be a busy off season for the Castrol Edge Dodge team and their many race fans can follow along through a number of different ways. Race fans should bookmark the team website www.djkracing.ca and as mentioned sign up to follow them on twitter, www.twitter.com/djkracing Fans are also encouraged to join the Facebook Group DJK Racing.

Photo: DJ Kennington in the Castrol Edge Dodge on his way to victory at Riverside Speedway

Mark's Work Wearhouse - Customer Appreciation Invite

Second Year with Purolator Gives Jimmie Johnson Fifth Consecutive Sprint Cup Championship

Homestead, FL November 22, 2010 - After his third Sprint Cup championship back in 2008, Jimmie Johnson wanted additional insurance that he could continue his winning ways. So his crew chief Chad Knaus, along with Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. turned to Purolator filters to protect their engines in NASCAR's flagship series. The result was Johnson's winning his fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship, making him the first driver to achieve this milestone.

Jimmie Johnson finished second in the season-ending Ford 400 Sprint Cup race to clinch yet another series championship in NASCAR's Race for the Chase. For the second straight year, Johnson won his title running on Purolator oil and air filters. Hendrick Motorsports teammates Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have likewise been using Purolator oil and air filters for the last two seasons. The name Purolator comes from "Pure Oil Later," the name originally given to the industry's very first oil filter back in 1923.

Johnson's record-breaking fifth consecutive Sprint Cup championship is the first in the history of NASCAR racing. Only two other legendary drivers - Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Sr. - have ever won more championships - seven each, but neither had the distinction of winning five in a row. In his second-place finish in the tenth and final "Race for the Chase," Johnson finished second in Homestead, capturing enough points to beat out Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick, who were both within striking distance of snatching the championship away from Johnson.

Having "Pure Oil Later" - at the end of the race, to be exact - was critical to Johnson's second-place race finish and fifth championship in a row. All racers know you can't win if you don't finish, and racers and engine builders alike know that oil - clean oil - is the lifeblood of any race engine.

Every drop of the several gallons of oil in the sump of Johnson's Hendrick Chevrolet engine passed through his Purolator oil filter thousands of times during the course of the 400 mile race. And Rick Hendrick and everyone in his engine shop know that even the smallest particles of debris can lead to engine failure when the crankshaft and other internal engine parts are turning in excess of 9,000 rpm for the hours-long races that typify Sprint Cup competition.

In addition, Jimmie Johnson and teammates Gordon, Martin, and Earnhardt Jr. all rely on Purolator air filters as well to protect critical internal engine parts from harmful dirt and debris. Any compromise in the integrity of one of these air filters would allow particulates to damage pistons, rings, and other internal engine parts, leading to the kind of catastrophic engine failure that's characterized by huge clouds of blue smoke followed by an unceremonious trip to the garages on the short end of a long wrecker.

"Race engine filters share the same basic needs as air and oil filters for everyday passenger cars," explains Frank Merrell, Sr. Product Manager for Purolator. "Filters must achieve the proper balance of efficiency and capacity, with minimal resistance to flow. And even though the filters used in the Hendrick cars have a lifespan measured in hours rather than months, they still must be able to capture nearly all tiny particles (efficiency), as well as having the ability to hold a substantial amount of those particles (capacity)."

"Because Purolator invented the very first automotive oil filter, the first full-flow oil filter, and the first spin-on oil filter, our engineers are the best-qualified in the industry to design and build the kind of filters that can help drivers like Jimmie Johnson achieve new heights in motorsports," adds Merrell. "That same engineering excellence is applied to the design and construction of the oil and air filters we build for everyday cars as well."

Johnson's 2010 Championship season included 23 top ten finishes (nine of them consecutive), two poles, six outright wins, and 17 top-five finishes.

Purolator is a proud supporter of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association's (AASA) Know Your Parts® education and awareness campaign. This initiative promotes the importance of quality brand name aftermarket parts backed by full service suppliers to preserve the industry's good reputation. For more information, visit: http://www.aasaknowyourparts.org/.

Purolator manufactures and supplies high quality automotive filters to the North American aftermarket and Original Equipment Manufacturers. Inventor of the automotive oil filter in 1923, Purolator has, since then, pioneered more than 40 'firsts' in the filtration industry. In fact, the first automotive oil filter was called a 'Purolator,' short for 'pure oil later.' Currently, the Purolator brand has more than 2,000 part numbers for automotive, light truck and heavy-duty applications. Now part of the Bosch umbrella of automotive aftermarket products within NAFTA, Purolator's advanced aftermarket filters include:
-PureONE and Purolator Classic oil filters
-PureONE and Purolator Classic air filters
-BreatheEasy cabin air filters
-The 'forgotten filters,' including transmission filters, fuel filters, breathers and PCV valves.

To learn more about Purolator filters and the filtration category, please visit http://www.purolatorautofilters.net/.

Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards Voting is Now Open!

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Voting for the 9th Annual Inside Track Motorsport News Readers' Choice Awards is underway and we need your expertise in identifying Canada's top current and future racing stars, across the entire spectrum of racing disciplines.

Click here or on the button at right to have your say.

The polls will remain open until midnight on December 31, at which we'll tally the votes and get the trophies ready for the on-stage presentations at the Canadian Motorsports Expo. Last year, Andrew Ranger was the big winner, taking two categories. Winners will also be honoured in an upcoming issue of Inside Track Motorsport News.

Who will win this year? That's up to you!

MOSPORT APPOINTS GLENN BUTT AS SPEEDWAY MANAGER

 
 Mosport Appoints Glenn Butt As Speedway Manager
 
 Bowmanville, ON  - Mosport International Raceway has
 announced the appointment of Glenn Butt as Speedway manager.
 
 Butt will be responsible for all on-track aspects of competition, rules
 and race events, along with sales, marketing and promotions at the paved,
 half-mile Mosport Speedway oval.
 
 "There is untapped potential for Mosport Speedway across Durham Region,
 Toronto and Southern Ontario, and Glenn's the right person to take on
 this role, promoting the Speedway to drivers, teams, businesses and
 fans." said Mosport's president and general manager, Myles Brandt.
 "He's well-respected within the motorsports and local community and
 we're looking forward to having his enthusiasm, drive and knowledge lead
 Mosport Speedway into the future."
 
 Butt has been involved in motorsports for more than 30 years as a racer,
 track announcer, broadcaster and businessman. He was director of marketing
 for Mosport International Raceway from 1999 to 2007. In 2007, Butt left
 Mosport to launch the Canadian Motorsports Expo (CME), which in a short
 four-year span has become the premier show of its kind in the country.
 "I've really enjoyed building the Canadian Motorsports Expo," said
 Butt. "Seeing the industry and fans get behind the show has been very
 rewarding. We took a step forward two years ago when Inside Track
 Magazine joined me as a partner."
 
 Butt will co-serve duties at Mosport and the CME through to the upcoming
 edition, January 21-23.
 
 Commenting on his appointment to Mosport Speedway, Butt said he couldn't
 be happier. "In some ways, I feel like I never really left. I've
 spent many weekends at the track announcing and can't wait to get
 started on my work at the Speedway."
 
 Opened in 1989, Mosport Speedway is Canada's fastest paved half-mile
 oval and is part of a four-track facility which includes the world-famous
 Mosport International Raceway, the Mosport Driver Development Centre and
 the Mosport International Kart Complex.
 
 The Speedway season runs Saturday nights from mid-May to early September
 and features three home-track divisions (THORSONS EVT 6 or Less, Bob's
 Towing Sportsman and R.P. Oil Ltd. Late Models) plus popular travelling
 series such as OSCAAR, Sportsman Cup, Modifieds and the Ontario Legends.
 
 The Speedway's biggest event of the year is the Dickies 200, which
 kicks-off the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season, May 28.
 
 From: Jerry Priddle/ VP Mosport International Raceway

SHELL AND PENSKE RACING UNVEIL NASCAR SPRINT CUP SERIES NO. 22 SHELL-PENNZOIL DODGE AND IZOD INDYCAR SERIES NO. 3 SHELL V-POWER®-PENNZOIL ULTRA™ DALLA

HOUSTON, Texas (Dec. 2, 2010) – Tonight Shell Oil Company (Shell) and Penske Corporation unveiled their 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and IZOD IndyCar Series car line-up along with important driver details for the 2011 season. Officials from both companies met with members of the media at the Penske-Wynn Ferrari dealership at the Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nev., to unveil both the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge that Kurt Busch will pilot throughout the 2011 season and the No. 3 Shell V-Power®-Pennzoil Ultra™ Dallara/Honda that three-time Indianapolis 500® champion Helio Castroneves will pilot at the Indianapolis 500 in May 2011.

As announced in April, Shell and Penske Corporation announced a multi-year cross-business alliance to begin with the 2011 racing season. As leaders in fuel and lubricant technology, the alliance allows Shell and Pennzoil to expand their motorsports presence to include primary sponsorship of 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Kurt Busch and the No. 22 Dodge, as well as associate sponsorships promoting Shell V-Power® and Pennzoil Ultra™ with IZOD IndyCar Series drivers Helio Castroneves, Will Power and Ryan Briscoe.

“I am honored to represent the Shell and Pennzoil brands in the NASCAR Cup Series starting in 2011,” said Busch. “I look forward to building on the success of our storied past at Penske Racing with our new sponsors at Shell and Pennzoil.”

Shell and Pennzoil also announced their return to the Indianapolis 500 this evening as they unveiled the No. 3 Shell V-Power®-Pennzoil Ultra™ Dallara/Honda that three-time Indy 500 champion Helio Castroneves will drive in the centennial celebration of the Memorial Day weekend classic.

“I am very excited to be working with Shell and Pennzoil this season and I’m proud to have the opportunity to drive the beautiful Shell V-Power®-Pennzoil Ultra™ car in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 representing the No. 1 premium gasoline and Pennzoil’s most advanced motor oil in the U.S.,” said Helio Castroneves, driver of the No. 3 Team Penske IndyCar. “Shell and Pennzoil have such a great history in IndyCar racing and they have certainly had some special moments with Penske Racing at the Indy 500. I hope we can create a little bit more history together this May at Indianapolis!”

“Shell has more than a half-century of motorsports expertise and alliances allowing our organization to bring quality fuels and lubricants technology from the track to the road,” said Lisa Davis, President, Shell Lubricants, Americas. “Strategic alliances are very important to our organization and the new relationship with a winning team like Penske provides us with additional opportunities to continue furthering our technological leadership and product development through the invaluable knowledge gained both on and off the track.”

Penske Corporation is one of the world’s most successful and recognized transportation-based business enterprises and provides unique activation opportunities. While Shell and Pennzoil will be the “Official Fuel and Motor Oil Supplier” to the Penske organization in the U.S., the relationship goes far beyond a typical sponsorship. Beginning in 2011, Penske will work with Shell and Pennzoil to embark on a technical alliance that will offer insights into motor oil and fuel technology.

The renewed alliance will provide Penske’s IndyCar and NASCAR teams with cutting edge Pennzoil Ultra racing oil technology for all their racecars. Additionally, this alliance will enable further product development for Shell and Pennzoil through the invaluable knowledge gained surrounding fuels, lubricants and engine technologies. Like Shell and Pennzoil, Penske Corporation has a close relationship with Chrysler and Ferrari, both part of the Fiat Group.

“Shell and Pennzoil are two established and winning brands and they will be strategic business providers for our Penske Automotive Group and Penske Truck Leasing businesses,” said Roger Penske. “This is a very important global relationship for our organization and we look forward to producing many victories for Shell and Pennzoil in NASCAR, in the IZOD IndyCar Series and across our businesses.”

Winning is a tradition for Penske Racing. Competing in a variety of disciplines, cars owned and prepared by Penske Racing have produced 332 major race wins, 396 pole positions and 23 National Championships. The team has also earned 15 Indianapolis 500 victories and won the 2008 Daytona 500. For more information about Penske Racing, please visit http://www.penskeracing.com/.

Pennzoil and Penske Racing already have a dynamic history at the Indianapolis 500 as two Penske Racing entries have raced to victory lane decorated with the traditional black and yellow colors. The new alliance will try and add another trophy to their collection as Helio Castroneves races for his record-tying fourth Indianapolis 500 title in the No. 3 Shell V-Power®-Pennzoil Ultra™ Dallara/Honda in May 2011.

Shell is the no. 1 lubricants supplier in the U.S. and the nation’s best-selling gasoline brand with more than 14,000 branded stations. Shell has a strong motorsports history aligning with race teams since the 1920’s. In addition to the alliance with Penske Racing, Shell affiliates currently have several motorsport technical co-operation programs in place, including Ferrari in Formula 1, Ducati in MotoGP, and with Hendrick Motorsports in NASCAR. Shell uses the knowledge gained from the extreme conditions on the track in the development of fuels and lubricants. These learnings transfer directly to the products available to customers, such as Shell V-Power® premium gasoline and the ultra-class synthetic motor oil, Pennzoil Ultra™. Shell V-Power® was developed to meet the needs of customers who want to help maintain optimum performance achieved through the benefits of a clean, gunk-free engine. Similarly, the advanced proprietary synthetic formula of Pennzoil Ultra™ far exceeds the most stringent car manufacturer’s engine cleanliness standards[1].

For additional information, please visit www.shell.us/racing.

Merrittville Speedway Open House

GET A HEAD START ON MERRITTVILLE'S 60TH SEASON AT CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
 
THOROLD, Ontario- Whether you are a longtime Merrittville Speedway Race Fan or Race Team member or a recent fan of the Saturday Night Tradition – you surely can't wait until the 60th consecutive season roars to life in 2011.
 
To make the 4 month wait until the Spring Sizzler go that much faster … a special Christmas Gift idea for the racer on your shopping list is a special Gift Pack that includes 4 Grandstand Admission Tickets and a 60th Anniversary Merrittville T Shirt for $60.00.
 
Arriving just in time for Christmas Open House Saturday December 18th – all new 60th T Shirts and Hoodies will be available in addition to the latest fashions from Bicknell Racing Products that were unveiled at Super DIRT Week.
 
"While we finalize the 2011 Schedule," relates (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, "there's no better way to get ready for all the excitement than our new Gift Pack … whether for current fans or those new to the sport… it can also be a great way introduce friends, co-workers and business clients to the Best Family Entertainment in Niagara."
 
Merrittville Speedway's Winter Office is located at Bicknell Racing Products, 117 Cushman Road in St. Catharines Ontario and is open from 9 AM to 5 PM – Monday to Friday. Phone orders will be taken on Visa or MasterCard only.
 
Race fans from across Southern Ontario and Western New York can also purchase tickets during Merrittville's Christmas Open House at BRP which is set for Saturday December 18th from 10 AM to 2 PM.
 
For the Merrittville Fan on your Christmas list, a 2011 Grandstand Season Ticket may be just the thing this holiday season. Good for all events from start to finish – General Admission Season Tickets are $250 for Adults while Students and Seniors are $230.
 
2011 Reserved Season Ticket Prices are as follows: Adults $270 while Students and Seniors are $250. The Reserved Season Ticket also includes a complimentary Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner Ticket for Monday August 1st's Big Block Super DIRTcar Series Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial.
 
To reach Merrittville Speedway during the off season – call the Winter Office at 905-685-7223 or via e mail – ebicknell@cogeco,net.
 
For all the news leading up to Merrittville Speedway's 60th Consecutive Season visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com or join Merrittville Speedway on Face Book or follow on Twitter.
 
Your Local Dirt Track is where it's at!!! Merrittville Speedway 'The Best Family Entertainment in Niagara."
 
From: Jim Irvine/ Merrittville Speedway PR
 
 
 

Hinchcliffe Set for Newman Haas Racing IndyCar Test

Toronto, Canada (December 01, 2010) – 2010 Firestone Indy Lights Series Runner-Up, James Hinchcliffe, is set to test an IndyCar for the first time in his career after Newman Haas Racing announced today that the 23-year-old from Toronto will test with them at Sebring International Raceway, Florida on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th of December.

Hinchcliffe enjoyed a stand-out 2010 season racing in the Firestone Indy Lights Series – the final step on the ‘Road to Indy’ and the IZOD IndyCar Series. Competing for Team Moore Racing, the Ontario-native collected victories in Long Beach, Edmonton and Chicago along with a total of eight podiums from 13 starts and four pole positions.

Off-track his success was recognized by receiving the ‘Greg Moore Legacy Award’ at the IndyCar Series banquet in October – the award named in honor of one of Hinchcliffe’s personal racing heroes and his fellow Canadian. James, while competing equally successfully in the Atlantic Championship earlier in his career, was also a recipient of the ‘Gilles Villeneuve Award’ in 2007.

After two decorated seasons in Firestone Indy Lights, ‘Hinch’, who turns 24 next week, is now keen to cement his place in the 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series with his rookie test with Newman Haas Racing a positive step in the right direction.

“Well it’s been a lifelong dream of mine to compete in the IndyCar Series having followed it so closely growing up and then moving into open-wheel racing,” stated Hinchcliffe. “The chance to test for a team with the pedigree and heritage of Newman Haas Racing is incredible. I’d really like to thank Carl Haas for this opportunity and I look forward to working with the whole team at Sebring.

“I’m naturally looking forward to testing an IndyCar for the first time in my career. I had a great season with Team Moore Racing in Indy Lights and I think I’ve done enough, on and off track, to prove that I’m ready to graduate into the IndyCar Series. Newman Haas Racing’s reputation speaks for itself so together I hope we enjoy a productive couple of days. I’ve said all along that I want to be on the IndyCar grid in 2011, this is hopefully the next step in realizing my goal.

Newman Haas Racing, founded in 1983 by the late Paul Newman and Carl Haas, has a rich history in open-wheel racing with their driver roster reading like a ‘Hall of Fame’ class registry thanks to the likes of Mario Andretti, Michael Andretti, Nigel Mansell, Cristiano da Matta and Sebastian Bourdais winning countless races and titles between them.

In 2010 the team fielded a full-time entry in the IZOD IndyCar Series for Japan’s Hideki Mutoh as well as a part-season, second-entry for America’s Graham Rahal. For further information on the team please log on to: www.newman-haas.com

www.hinchtown.com

Kia Canada Inc. eclipses the milestone of 50,000 sales in Canada for the first time in 11 year history while extending consecutive sales increase to 2

-Best November on record for Kia Canada
-Sales growth momentum extends to industry leading 23 consecutive months
-November 2010 sales increase 16.1 per cent
-2010 year-to-date sales increase 17.0 per cent with 50,843 sales nationally
-Kia Canada continues to out-pace industry sales in 2010

Mississauga, ON, December 1, 2010 -- For the first time in Kia Canada Inc.'s eleven-year history, sales have surpassed the 50,000 unit mark through November with 50,843 sales reported through the end of November. Canadian demand for the Kia product line-up was the driver in achieving the industry-leading sales streak at 23 months sales growth. Kia Canada also registered its best-ever November with 4022 units sold and an increase of 16.1 per cent which is the first November in history where the Company exceeded over 4000 sales nationally. Kia Canada continues to out-pace the industry with a 17 per cent increase in 2010.

“Kia continues to be one of the fastest growing automotive companies in Canada. Breaking 50 000 unit sales is clearly indicative of the marked and ongoing improvement in brand acceptance which has been driven by our design led transformation and value” said Maria Soklis, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Kia Canada Inc. “Over the last five years, we have grown our volume in Canada by over 82 per cent and expect that the brand will continue to outpace the industry.” Our sales success also needs to be shared with our dealer network whose ongoing commitment and support has significantly contributed to our success here in Canada”.

Kia Canada’s newest vehicles in the current design-led transformation, the 2011 Kia Sportage and the 2011 Forte5-Door have been creating demand on the showroom floor recently. In the month of November, the 2011 Sportage placed in the top 12 ‘2011 Best of the Best’ Finalists with the Canadian Automotive Jury (CAJ) and also received the prestigious award of best 2011 Compact Utility of the Year with the voting journalists of Auto123.com. “We are thankful and truly honoured to receive these awards and trust that we will be able to continue to exceed the expectations of automotive journalists in Canada on vehicle design, handling and performance” added Maria Soklis.

November Highlights

Kia Canada Inc. experienced the best November on record in its eleven year history in Canada:

-The all-new Kia Sorento CUV achieved a record month in November, leading the product line-up with 1246 total sales in Canada and 9241 sales calendar year-to-date.

-The Kia Forte model lineup, Kia Canada’s best-selling vehicles for the month and year-to-date recorded 1129 total sales in November 2010 and 12,839 sales calendar year-to-date.

-The Kia Soul, urban crossover surpassed total volume sales reported in 2009 through November with 9386 vehicles sold in 2010.

December Incentives
Kia Canada is providing Canadians with the “Kia WINterFEST Event” allowing all purchasers to win up to $10,000 over and above all existing incentive offers. Incentive offers for December are up to $6000. A unique offering of 0% financing over an 84 month term will be available on all 2011Kia Rio sub-compact vehicles. In addition, other low rate financing for other 2010 and 2011 will be available along with the offer of “Don’t Pay until Spring 2011”. These options make it easier to acquire a new Kia vehicle. Cash buyers can also select up to eight vehicles from Kia Canada’s line-up for under $20,000.

Lonnie Sommerville Racing Update

 
Lonnie Sommerville to Drive for Mulkern Racing in 2011
 
Saint John, NB, Canada 12/1/10- Officials from Lonnie Sommerville Racing along with Mulkern Racing are proud to announce today that Saint John, New Brunswick native Lonnie Sommerville will pilot the #48 A.E. McKay Builders/Community Pharmacies Chevy Impala super late models in 2011. The Canadian driver will compete for the 2011 PASS North Championship in addition to several major single race events including "The Race" at North Wilkesboro (NC) Speedway on April 9th.
 
The new relationship with Mulkern Racing has Sommerville competing full time on the PASS North tour which will feature two races in Canada in 2011. Sommerville will still pilot his familiar #23 super late model in select Maritime based events including the "Best of the Best" miniseries at Speedway 660 as well as the possibility of several sportsman events. Information regarding those events will be announced at a later date.
 
"We've been working on this deal for the last month or so and after talking things over with Scott and Vickie (Mulkern) this seemed like a great opportunity for both parties involved. It's an opportunity of a lifetime for me and I think it's something we can both look forward to next season," said Sommerville. "It will be nice to race for a points championship again and the PASS North tour will be without a doubt the toughest competition I've raced against for one. Plus having Gary Crooks on board with me again and the timing of this deal couldn't be better knowing I will be in the best possible equipment with the best possible race team for "The Race" at North Wilkesboro come April; that alone gets me pumped thinking about next season."
 
The process of selecting a driver for the Mulkern Racing #48 machine was overwhelming as close to fifteen different drivers inquired about taking over the driving duties in 2011 after Ben Rowe who left the team after guiding it to a pair of PASS North wins and a second place finish in the final championship points standings in 2010. After several pieces of the puzzle fell into place the decision to select Sommerville seemed like the right call.
 
"Lonnie has had more than his fair share of success behind the wheel of his own machine in his homeland of Canada so he knows what it takes to win and how to treat equipment, so to have him behind the wheel of our #48 Mulkern Racing machines next season is something that as a team we are all looking forward to," stated Vickie Mulkern, co owner of the Mulkern Racing team. "The addition of Gary (Crooks) to our organization as team consultant to compliment crew chief Seth Holbrook and the fact that Gary and Lonnie have had a working relationship for the last few years it should make our team even better than we were before."
 
In addition to Crooks and Halbrook, Tony Ricci, Stephen Holbrook, Shawn Plowman, Kevin Sears, and Steve Holbrook will be back with the Mulkern Racing team again in 2011.
 
For more information about Lonnie Sommerville and his new racing venture for the 2011 season visit his website at www.lonniesommerville.com. For more information about Mulkern Racing visit their website at www.mulkernracing.com. For marketing and public relations related information contact Chris Ragle with Tex Motorsports Marketing at 940.393.3167.   
 
From: Chris Ragle/ TEX Motorsports Marketing

Canadian Touring Car Championship Releases Partial 2011 Schedule

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Touring Car Championship is pleased to confirm a partial schedule for 2011.  Currently the schedule is comprised of fourteen races over seven event weekends.  Additional events may be added before the season begins.

Now entering its fifth season, the Championship has grown to be the top professional road racing series in Canada.  The Championship features Canada’s best drivers in cars that everyone can relate to from top manufacturers such as Acura, Audi, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and VW.

The Championship will visit some of the best racetracks in Canada including a new high profile event at ICAR in June.  The season begins in May at Mosport International Raceway and then returns in June and July.  The Honda Indy Toronto in July and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres in August are hugely popular with fans and competitors alike.  The Championship will visit ICAR twice in 2011, once in June and once in September, and each time there will be a new track configuration as compared to this season.

“We are looking forward to another fantastic season in 2011,” stated Championship President, John Bondar.  “Each year we welcome more competitors, fans and partners, and 2011 promises to be the best yet.  We are grateful to the great support we receive from the event promoters as we try to grow the Championship and motorsport in Canada,” he continued.

The Championship will launch its 2011 season with new branding, schedule and partner announcements on January 21 at the Canadian Motorsport Expo in Toronto.

Partial 2011 Championship Schedule

May 21/22
Victoria Day Speedfest, Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville Ontario

June 4/5
Grand Prix of Mirabel, Circuit ICAR, Mirabel Quebec

June 25/26
Vortex Brake Pads 300, Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville Ontario

July 8/9/10
Honda Indy Toronto, Toronto Ontario

July 22/23/24
Grand Prix of Mosport, Mosport International Raceway, Bowmanville Ontario

August 5/6/7
Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres, Trois-Rivieres Quebec

September 10/11
Sundown Enduro at ICAR, Circuit ICAR, Mirabel Quebec

For more information, info@touringcar.ca.

End of the Mo

This is how far we've come as a team (column 1 is day 1, column 2 is today and column 3 is what 30 days of mustachery will do to you.)

The 30 days of Movember are nearly at a close, but it's not too late to donate to a great cause!

The ITC team has donated their faces to the cause and have done a great job tracking down lots of great donors and we thank each and every one of them.

To donate and help raise funds for Prostate Cancer Canada, you can choose an Inside Track Communications employee (or donate to the team as a whole) by clicking on the following links:

Mark Hoffberg
Art Director
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/633490/

Jeff Morgan
Editor – Inside MotoX & Off Road
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/702834/

Derek Rockel
Sales – Inside MotoX & Off Road / Inside Motorcycles
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/703090/

Mike Galipeau
Sales – Inside Track Motorsport News
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/703404/

James Neilson
Editor – Inside Track Motorsport News
http://ca.movember.com/mospace/881228/

For more info, check out the original post here:
http://insidemotorcycles.blogspot.com/2010/11/inside-mo-torcycles-takes-on-movember.html

Race Time Radio... RTR's 200th Provincial Broadcast!

Race Time Radio Driven by Lucas Oil - Featuring Oval Track Racing in Canada

Live Broadcast Tonight Mon. Nov 29th 2010 at 8 pm ET... 200th RTR Show on Race Time Radio.com (www.racetimeradio.com)

DIRTCAR: Big-Block Modifieds On Track For Florida In 40th DIRTcar Nationals At Volusia!

Weedsport, NY – November 28, 2010 – The distance will not match that covered decades earlier in the epic adventure ‘Around The World In 80 Days,’ yet in exactly 80 more days the mighty Big-Block Modifieds from the Northeast will be trackside more than 1,000 miles away from their home base to open a brand new season.

The 40th Florida DIRTcar Nationals By University of Northwestern Ohio at Volusia Speedway Park, Feb. 8-19, 2011, will be highlighted by the annual pilgrimage south to the Sunshine State for the Super DIRTcar Series Big-Block Modifieds.

The stars and cars from the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series and the All-Star Circuit of Champions get the action started with DIRTcar UMP Modifieds during the first week of racing. Then on the second week, World of Outlaws Late Models and Big-Block Modifieds from the Super DIRTcar Series race to the checkered flag to complete 12 thrilling nights of intense high-speed action, including double features every night.

The Free Fan Pit Pass will be back in 2011, giving fans a unique experience to see the drivers and crews up close as they prepare to tackle one of dirt track racing’s biggest and fastest ovals — all for the same price as general admission. Plus, off the track, don’t miss the DIRTcar Nationals Midway — a race fan’s mega mall right behind the main grandstands with the newest apparel and souvenirs plus a wide variety of food from steak to pork chops to ice cream. There’s definitely something for everybody at the DIRTcar Nationals.

Florida DIRTcar Nationals 2011 at Volusia officially kicks off DIRTcar Racing’s 36th consecutive season of operation with the Northeastern Modifieds in action for the 14th straight year during the week leading up to the Daytona 500 (Feb. 20). The schedule begins with three 30-lap main events and the curtain drops with a big 50-lap finale to close out the Big-Block tour. The ‘11 edition marks the 27th trek to Florida for Northeastern Modified teams since 1978 and it will be DIRTcar's 20th visit to Volusia since staging its inaugural event in 1982.

Recently crowned overall Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar points king Matt Sheppard will be back to defend his Florida tour title, with some of the biggest names in Big-Block Modified racing looking to unseat the talented 28 year-old from Waterloo, N.Y.

A star-studded field of 44 DIRTcar Modified drivers signed in at VSP last February, with Canadian standout Stewart Friesen from Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario capturing the opener while Sheppard scored back-to-back victories to clinch the points championship. 2010 Super DIRT Week SEF Small Engine Fuels 200 Presented by Ferris/Snapper/Simplicity winner Friesen followed runner-up Dale Planck from Cortland, N.Y. on the final points chart with Empire State travelers Bobby Varin and Jimmy Phelps completing the top-five.

Located a half-hour from Daytona Beach, this famed facility has seating for nearly 10,000 fans. Coming up next February, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series (Feb. 11-13) and World of Outlaws Late Model Series (Feb. 17 & 19) will join the Big-Blocks (Feb. 16-19) in kicking off their own race seasons. DIRTcar Late Models (Feb. 14-16, 18) and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds (Feb. 8-15) add to the 12-day DIRTcar Racing marathon down south with two nights of All-Star Circuit of Champions (Feb. 9 & 10) sprint specials opening up the month.

From Tom Skibinski / DIRTcar PR