Sportscar Boutique - PAGID TECH SESSION - Tomorrow April 2nd!!!!! Reminder

PAGID Racing Brake Pads in conjunction with the Porsche Club – UPPER CANADA REGION Presentation on Race Pads & Compounds Pad selection for cars & race tracks Q & A Session Race Team Gossip and stories Refreshments served Date: April 2nd, 2011 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Location: Sportscar Boutique - 85 Glen Cameron, Thornhill ON L3T 1N8 (North of Steeles, East of Yonge) Guest Speaker is ANDREAS BOEHM from PAGID-GERMANY. We have limited seating - so RSVP early. This is a MUST ATTEND – event for all Technicians, Race Car Driver, Track guys and Enthusiast… We look forward seeing you in April…

AIM Autosport Sees Good Potential for Star Mazda Season

Woodbridge, Ont. (March 31, 2011) — AIM Autosport’s Star Mazda team opened it’s season last weekend in St. Petersburg where, despite achieving race results that fell short of expectations, the outfit was happy to see good potential for the season ahead. Eighteen-year-old Zack Meyer (#66) finished twelfth, while Expert Class (for drivers over 30) competitors Larry Pegram (#72 Foremost Insurance Group/Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery) and Walt Bowlin (#23 Tampa Bay Jaw Surgery) finished second and third in class, respectively. AIM’s Star Mazda Driver Coach, John Edward, was busy with all three drivers, working to help them toward their goals. Being a street track, the St. Petersburg circuit presented some unique challenges, especially for Zack and Larry who were making their street course debuts. The walls around a street track are not only intimidating, they block the view. John helped Zack to visualize unsighted areas so that he was able to drive closer to his optimal racing line. He also helped the former karter with his footwork. Meanwhile, John worked with Walt to increase mid-corner speed and helped Super Bike racer, Larry, with his transition from two wheels to four. In the qualifying session, Zack simply struggled to find speed and placed 15th. Larry, who lost a lot of practice time to a problem with the fuel pump, was further thwarted by flags during the qualifying session, was second fastest in the Expert Class (16th overall), ahead of Walt who was third in the Expert Class (17th overall). Zack made a good start for the 45-minute timed race and then drove well to run as high as tenth, but when a caution slowed the field, his lack of experience with rolling restarts cost him a place. He then lost another spot while trying to battle back when a flash of over exuberance led to a little mistake. He went on to finish twelfth. Larry ran much of the race on the heels of the Championship Class and looked quite strong as he continued to learn about racing on four wheels. Like Zack, Larry didn’t fare well on the restart. Knocked into a spin, he was forced to pit under green for a tire change. The delay caused him to fall a lap behind and he finished second in the Expert Class (13th) overall. Having set himself a goal of staying on the tail of the Championship Class pack, Walt began to overdrive a little when he saw his quarry begin to edge away. On the ninth lap, he simply pushed too hard, his car crashed into the wall and his race was finished. Nonetheless all three drivers had learned and improved, and the team is happy with its prospects for the season ahead. “We had a positive outing even though we did’t get the results we hoped for,” said AIM Autosport’s Star Mazda Team Manager, Keith Willis. “We have goals for each of our drivers this season and St. Petersburg was a positive step for all three of them. We’re looking forward to good qualifying efforts at the next event as passing is difficult at Barber Motorsports Park.” The next event in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is at Barber Motorsports Park near Birmingham, Ala., April 7–10. AIM Autosport AIM Autosport is a professional motorsports team active in highly-competitive sports car and open-wheel racing series in North America. AIM has achieved success at every level through its operating efficiency, engineering skill, experience, dedication and stability of workforce. AIM’s top-tier program is a Daytona Prototype entry in the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series. Since its launch in 1995, AIM has built a winning heritage by fielding competitive cars for talented young drivers in junior development categories. That continues with multi-car teams in the Road to Indy® professional driver development ladder where AIM is a perennial pacesetter in the Star Mazda series. For more information, visit aimautosport.com or facebook.com/AIMautosport.

SIMONE-MEADE AUTOSPORTS ANNOUNCES 2011 RACING SEASON PLANS

Barrie, ON (March 30, 2011) Today Simone-Meade Autosports is pleased to announce their plans to campaign two full time entries in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Since joining forces mid way through last season Simone Autosport and business leader Donald Meade have begun implementing their strategy to take their racing program to the front of the field and also create awareness to the serious problem of injurious micro-organisms and eliminate the mould pandemic.

The Simone-Meade Autosport driver line up will once again see Anthony Simone behind the wheel of the #95 Mouldie Meade Dodge. Joining Simone this year driving the #18 RxRemedy Dodge with support from Boomerang Bob’s Mixers is Open Wheel Racing star “Speedy” Dan Clarke.

Both drivers are thrilled to be part of an expanding operation that also promotes such an important message. Entering his fourth season of competition in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, driver Anthony Simone has scored strong podium finishes and looks to keep the momentum the team had last season going in 2011. “Our partnership with Donald Meade has been even more successful than we first imagined” said Anthony Simone. “Since coming together last year we have better resources, we’ve got new race cars coming, and we’re expanding into a two car team even quicker than we anticipated. Dan Clarke is a talented driver and I know he’ll adapt to these stock cars and running on oval tracks quickly” he added.

After successful seasons in the British Formula Ford and Formula Three series, Clarke headed for North America and turned heads competing in the Champ Car World Series and Firestone Indy Lights with great results. For Dan Clarke joining Simone-Meade Autosports in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is just the latest challenge for the gifted racer. “I'm extremely excited about this opportunity to race in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series” stated Clarke. “I want everyone to know I'm coming here with a lot of excitement and eagerness to race and learn with my fellow competitors. To be part of this series is an honour for me and I consider it the chance to open a new door in racing”.

Business innovator Donald Meade could not be more enthusiastic of how all the plans have come together and expanded so quickly. “I knew when we partnered with the Simone family last year we would do great things and its happening” said Meade enthusiastically. “Now we’re going to be a two car effort, we’re educating the enormous NASCAR audience to this critical health issue of airborne mould and spores that are causing illness. And we’ve still got a lot more room to grow this program in the future” stated Meade.

In addition to the two car effort in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series the Rx100 and RxRemedy companies intend to undertake a city by city barnstorming tour to reach as many communities with their message to stamp out injurious micro-organisms. Further details for partnership opportunities within the tour and raceteams are available through the company website www.rx100.ca

Race Time Radio: Tonight Tues. March 29th 2011

 

RACE TIME RADIO Presented by: Shell ROTELLA 

Broadcast Tuesday Nights On theScore... SIRIUS 98... Home of the Hardcore Race Fan ... Your Weekly Racing Broadcast

TONIGHT: Tuesday March 29, 2011 - Listen at 8 p.m. ET on theScore SIRIUS Channel 98

Sam Bass, Todd Bodine, J.R. Fitzpatrick, David Ragan and more!

 

Visit www.racetimeradio.com for links to listen live.

 

Race Time Radio: March 28 - 31 at 8 p.m.

Tonight on Race Time Radio.... at www.RaceTimeRadio.com

Canadian stock car racers JR Fitzpatrick, Pierre Bourque, Donald
Chisholm... and more!

Porsche announced GT3 Cup Challenge for Canada!

New Series Becomes Porsche's 20th GT3 Cup Challenge Series Worldwide...

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 28 /CNW/ - Porsche Canada today announced North America's newest single-make racing series, designed to develop new drivers and prepare them for competition in the American Le Mans Series - the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

Porsche Cars Canada Ltd (PCL), in partnership with Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), has entered into an agreement for the 20th such series in the world. The inaugural 2011 series will consist of three events: May 14-15 at Calabogie Motorsports Park (Calabogie, Ontario), June 3-5 at Circuit ICAR (Mirabel, Quebec) and ending the season with their American counterparts July 23-24 at the Mobil 1 Presents the Grand Prix of Mosport.

The new series will be contested by Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars - one of the most popular and successful race cars ever produced. Developed by Porsche for their one-make cup series worldwide, 911 GT3 Cup is based on the production 911 GT3 RS road car. In fact, the 911 GT3 Cup car is produced on the same production line as all road-going Porsche 911s. Its engine is largely identical to the production engine of the 911 GT3 RS, with the same power output of 450 bhp and the same maximum engine speed of 8,500 rpm.

"Canada has always been a part of the Porsche motorsport family," said Joe Lawrence, President and CEO of Porsche Canada. "Canada was the stage for one of the most competitive one-make Porsche series in the 1980s and Mosport has hosted the American IMSA GT3 Challenge every year. It's great to once again have a Canadian series and Porsche Canada looks forward to playing a more active role in the worldwide Porsche motorsport community."

"This new series is a significant step for Porsche's worldwide network of one-make cups as Canada has a rich heritage for both Porsche and sports car racing," said Jens Walther, president of Porsche Motorsport North America. "Trans-Am champion Ludwig Heimrath, Sebring winners Kees Nierop and Bill Adam are some of the many Porsche drivers who have called Canada home. The fact that there is enough interest to start their own Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge is not only a testament to the reputation of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race car, but of Porsche Canada's commitment to the 911 market and IMSA's willingness to meet the demand of the Canadian motorsports market. We look forward to the growth and expansion of this series."

Series management, promotion and supply will be divided between the three partners: Porsche Canada will manage series promotion, press relations support and marketing relations within Canada, while PMNA will assume a role similar to that of their American IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge involvement, including technical and parts support at all events. IMSA will be the sanctioning body, overseeing licensing, race administration, officiating and sporting management.

IMSA sanctions the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama in the United States, currently the largest one-make series in North America. The Mosport event will give both series a chance to go head to head on the Canadians' home turf.

"This is a great opportunity to promote driver development and provide veteran drivers a professional racing experience in Canada," said IMSA Vice President of Operations Scot Elkins. "We look forward to working with PMNA and Porsche Cars Canada to build this new racing series."

Additional information, including competitor regulations, will be available at www.imsaracing.net.

PHOTO: Porsche Canada today announced North America's newest single-make racing series, designed to develop new drivers and prepare them for competition in the American Le Mans Series - the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. (CNW Group/Porsche Canada)

For further information: Contact: Laurance Yap // Distributed by CNW Group Ltd.

COMPASS360 RACING WINS FIRST WORLD CHALLENGE ROUND AT ST. PETERSBURG

(St. Petersburg, FL) -- Compass360 Racing (C360R) launched its new World Challenge Touring Car program in style this weekend, with 2006 WC GT Champion Lawson Aschenbach leading the team's three-car effort to victory in Round One on Saturday, and following that up with a strong second-place finish during Sunday's Round Two, driving the #71 Honda Civic Si Coupe.

"I really have to thank the team and our sponsors," enthused Aschenbach from the top step of the podium. "Ray Lee, Enrico Dianno and Karl Thomson put all the right pieces into place with the folks at HPD, and I'm so pleased to bring home the win for Honda this weekend."

Saturday's race was marred by a long yellow flag period to clean up a big wreck mid-race. In the Touring Car class, the battle up front was tightly fought between Tristan Herbert in his VW GTI, the Mazda RX-8 of Chip Herr and Aschenbach. Herbert and Herr tangled in the early going, which allowed the #71 car a clean run to the checkered flag, just head of Ronald Zitza in his VW Jetta and Ray Mason's Honda. Meanwhile, Vancouver's Tom Ehlen impressed in his World Challenge debut, and with the guidance of Speed Secrets coach Gord Bentley, did a great job keeping out of the fracas and bringing his #72 Honda home just outside the top-ten, in 12th.

One of the drivers caught out in the melee was Florida native and fellow Honda driver Shea Holbrook. With her car damaged beyond repair, she joined C360R, making use of the team's spare car, badging it with her #67 and starting Sunday's race from the back of the field. A local fan, Mike Gilbert, sponsored her for the race, and the car proudly displayed "Gilbert Girls" livery in honour of his daughters, who were also spectating at the event.

Round Two marked a fierce battle between Herbert, Herr, Aschenbach and Zitza, fighting through the sometimes troublesome traffic of the slightly faster GTS cars. Herr and Zitza each retired with mechanical troubles, leaving Herbert and Aschenbach to fight to the checkered flag. "The VW has just phenomenal straight-line speed, and even though I'd catch up in the corners, I wasn't able to stay close enough on the straights to make the pass," noted Lawson, bringing his car home in second.

Ehlen was justifiably thrilled with his ninth place result on Sunday, proving that the measured Speed Secrets approach to racing pays dividends. "I'm just so excited to have been here this weekend, and to bring the car to a top-ten finish for the team," he exclaimed. "Many thanks to Enrico and the crew, as they've given me great support. I can hardly wait until Long Beach!"

Holbrook drove a great race, crossing the line in eighth just ahead of Ehlen, and scoring valuable points for her championship bid. "After the big wreck on Saturday, we were so lucky to be able to sign with Compass360," explained Shea. "All the pieces fit perfectly together, and it wouldn't have happened without Mike and the Gilbert Girls!"

Three C360R cars in the top ten on Sunday is a great result for the team, and all of the Hondas return to their Toronto-based headquarters with nary a mark on them. Aschenbach leads the championship driver standings, and Honda is the top Manufacturer. "This was a pretty much perfect first event for us," noted Team Principal Karl Thomson. "It's a great start to our World Challenge program, and we really enjoyed the atmosphere in St. Pete's."

The team also continued its fundraising efforts for the Children's Tumor Foundation's Racing4Research program, which uses race weekends to help kids and families living with neurofibromatosis (NF). Be sure to show your support and donate at http://racing4research.org/.

The Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be televised tape-delayed on Versus, and will also be available on-line at http://world-challengetv.com/. Compass360 Racing's next event is Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge's Barber 200 from Birmingham, Alabama on April 7-9th. The third World Challenge round from Long Beach, California follows shortly thereafter on April14-17th.

Compass360 Racing (C360R) is the motorsports division of Compass360 Branding Communications, a firm offering marketing expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. The team, with support from Honda Performance Development (HPD), fields four front-running Honda Civic Si's in Grand-Am's Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, winning series Championships in 2010, 2009 and 2007. It won the Canadian Touring Car Championship in 2010, and fields two (and sometimes three) Hondas in SCCA World Challenge. For details visit http://c360r.com/.

Speed & Custom Car Show in London, Ontario

If you're near London, Ontario today, come by the Western Fairgrounds for the final day of the Speed & Custom Car Show. The show features hot rods, race cars and representation from a bunch of area tracks and series.

The Inside Track booth is offering great deals on one-year subscriptions that include a free NASCAR Die-Cast model (1:24 scale). Stop by and sign up or renew/extend your current subscription. The show runs today (Sunday) until 5 p.m.

NASCAR NATIONWIDE: Canadian Fitzpatrick Finishes 20th in Royal Purple 300

Cambridge, Ontario (March 27, 2011) – J.R. Fitzpatrick claimed a 20th place finish in Saturday’s ‘Royal Purple 300’, Round 5 of the 2011 NASCAR Nationwide Series, at California’s Auto Club Speedway.  The 22-year-old Canadian combated a lively No.27 Schick Hydro/Energizer Baker Curb Racing Ford Mustang but went the distance to see his first checkered flag of the season having been forced to retire 10 laps into his debut at Daytona last month.

 

Fitzpatrick, the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Runner-Up, had earlier qualified 25th with Carl Edwards, also racing a Ford, claiming the pole to lead the 43-car field to the green in the afternoon.

 

With just one previous race start under his belt at the 2-mile D-shaped oval, a Truck Series event back in 2009, J.R.’s hopes of a smooth outing in California were quickly dashed as handling issues presented themselves almost immediately.  The Canadian dropped a lap down on the leaders under green on lap 51, pitting 10 tours later to make adjustments to car to stop it from pushing.  He dropped two laps down exiting the pits courtesy of a caution but received the ‘wave-around’ to claw one back.

 

From there Fitzpatrick raced on the edges of the top-20, enjoying battles with Kevin Conway and Tim Andrews, keeping themselves in the mix for position while waiting for the ‘lucky dog’ to get back on the lead lap.  The Ontario racer survived a late-race brush with the wall 20 laps from the end before a final trip to the pits for fuel and some additional adjustments.

 

He then raced to the checkered flag on lap 150, finishing 20th and collecting his first points of the season but more importantly continuing to build his experiences behind the wheel in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.  Kyle Busch won the ‘Royal Purple 300’ over Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick in second and third respectively.

 

"I enjoyed working with crew chief Newt Moore this weekend, he really helped me a lot as I try to figure out how to drive on these big tracks,” stated Fitzpatrick post-race.  “This is the first time I’ve raced a Nationwide car on an oval to the finish and California is a pretty tough place to figure out so I’m happy with how the weekend went. I learned a lot!  I can't wait until I'm given another chance to continue my development."

 

Round 6 of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, the ‘O’Reilly Auto Parts 300’, is hosted at Texas Motor Speedway on Friday 8th April – www.nascar.com

 

Photo – ‘J.R. Fitzpatrick in NASCAR Nationwide Series action’ – Eric Gilbert/Motorsport.Com

 

Press release issued on behalf of J.R. Fitzpatrick by SM-PR