Toronto Motorsports Park Nitro Nationals to Include Star Power!

In some very significant news for Canadian drag racing fans -- the 2011 drag racing schedule at Toronto Motorsports Park (Cayuga Dragway) will include an appearance by Cruz and Tony Pedregon, star drivers from within the NHRA Full Throttle big leagues. The popular Brothers will make a special appearance, each bringing their 7000+ HP nitro Funny Cars to the track July 1-3rd, for the Canadian Nitro Nationals.

The Pedregons will headline that event’s rather significant nitro program which will see a total of eight fuel burners (4 nitro Funny Cars and 4 Top Fuel dragsters) race.
Last year Toronto Motorsports Park hosted its inaugural Canadian Nitro Nationals and that independent event drew jam-packed record attendance. That result combined with the impact of now renewed NHRA sanctioning for the popular drag racing facility, has allowed track owner Uli Bieri to further enhance his 2011 event version.

“We at Toronto Motorsports Park are thrilled to have both Tony and Cruz Pedregon coming to the Nitro Nationals,” said Uli Bieri. “This will be a match race like no other! Anyone who knows Funny Car racing knows the Pedregon name. To see either one is a real treat, but to see them both is a race you don't want to miss!”

For Tony and Cruz Pedregon it will mark the first time the duo have raced in Canada side-by-side in their careers. The talented brothers each have NHRA Full Throttle World Championship rings to their credits; Cruz in 1992 & 2008 and Tony in 2003 & 2007. Both are star attraction drivers and fan favorites within the marquee 22-event NHRA Full Throttle Championship series.

Currently Cruz Pedregon sits in 4th place in NHRA Full Throttle Championship points standings with his Snap-On Tools sponsored and Toyota-bodied car.

Tony Pedregon, driver of the Nitro Fish/STP Chevy Impala, has had one previous engagement racing in Canada. As driver for the John Force Racing Castrol GTX team, Tony drove at St. Thomas Dragway, back in 1996.

“I'm very excited and honored to be invited to compete in Canada,” added Cruz Pedregon. “The last time I was there was in 1992 in Montreal (now defunct NHRA Grand National). I know the Canadian fans are great and I hope they'll come out and support our Snap-on Tools Toyota. Tony and I plan on putting on a great show and breaking the track records for speed and elapsed time. We'll make plenty of noise!”

The Pedregons, who are second generation drivers originally from California, currently base their race team operations from Brownsburg, Indiana.

(Bruce Biegler – DragRaceCanada.com Photos)

Wickens Heads to Historic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit - Canadian Ready for Round 2 of the Formula Renault 3.5 Series

Toronto, Canada (April 28, 2011) – Robert Wickens tackles the might of the classic Spa-Francorchamps Circuit in Belgium this weekend, Saturday 30th April – Sunday 1st May, as Round 2 of the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series sees the Canadian look to build on a solid opening round two weeks ago in Spain which included a pole position and second place podium finish.

The 22-year-old from Toronto, who races for the UK-based Carlin outfit with support from Marussia Motors, sits second in the Driver Standings following the season-opener at Spain’s Motorland Aragon Circuit. His podium in the first race, followed by a fifth place finish in the second – after a problematic pit-stop cost him a repeat trip to the podium, sees Robert back in action this weekend in Belgium looking for his first win of the season and keen to build on his solid points haul.

Having raced three-times previously at the legendary 7km Spa-Francorchamps Circuit, famously home to the Belgian Grand Prix, Wickens is looking forward to the prospect of once again taking on the challenge of the sweeping track.

“I’ve had some mixed fortunes competing at Spa but for the most part I’ve always been quick there,” stated the 2010 GP3 Series Runner-up. “I like the track, it’s really one of the few rare old school circuits that are out there. For me, that’s what makes competing there so much fun as you get a flavor for the more traditional European race track.

“There’s a lot to think about taking on Spa but last year’s visit in GP3 proved to be my best outing there with pole and a win in the first race. The weather was a factor in the second race but then going into a weekend at Spa, that’s something you’ve always got to take into consideration. It can be bone dry in one part of the track but raining at another part! I love the challenge though, it’s a real drivers’ circuit so to win here is always special.”

Wickens’ previous Spa successes also include a podium finish from the 2009 season when he competed in the inaugural FIA F2 Championship – the stand-out Canadian going on to finish second overall in the Driver Standings that year further building his European open-wheel racing credentials.

Robert’s weekend, with the Formula Renault 3.5 Series forming part of the multi-race ‘World Series by Renault’ package, gets underway at Spa-Francorchamps with Race 1 set for 2:30pm CET on Saturday 30th April, with Race 2 starting at 1pm CET, on Sunday 1st May.

2011 FR3.5 Series Top-5 Driver Standings (R1/9):
1st – Rossi (USA) 43pts,
2nd – WICKENS (CAN) 28pts,
3rd – Costa (ESP) 27pts,
4th – Korjus (EST) 25pts,
5th – Panciatici (FRA) 15pts - www.worldseriesbyrenault.com

Twitter: @robertwickens

About Robert Wickens:

Robert Wickens (22) is recognized as one of the brightest Canadian driving talents to have emerged in recent years with a track record of success forged on both sides of the Atlantic leading him well placed on the path to Formula One. A multiple karting champion in North America, Wickens won the 2006 Formula BMW USA title before graduating, and winning races in the Formula Atlantic Series the following year. Chasing his F1 dream, Robert moved to Europe in 2008 winning races in both the World Series by Renault and the F3 Euro Series.

He raced his way to the runner-up spot in the FIA F2 Championship in 2009, again a multiple race-winner, before tackling the 2010 GP3 Series. Another strong title-challenging campaign saw Robert claim the runner-up position but more importantly, his 2010 efforts attracted the backing of Marussia Motors – Russia’s first supercar manufacturer and an owner in the Marussia Virgin F1 team.

About Marussia Motors:

Founded in 2007 by former racing driver Nikolay Fomenko, renowned brand strategist Efim Ostrovsky and award-winning technology entrepreneur Andrey Cheglakov, the creation of Russia’s first high-performance car company is a remarkable story of vision, focus, innovation and ambition. The dramatic mid-engined B1 design, was first unveiled in Moscow in 2008, followed by the launch of the Marussia B2 in the autumn of 2009 – with these designs, the Russian supercar had arrived. In 2010 the company partnered with Virgin Racing F1 and at the end of the season Marussia Motors acquired a majority stake in the team – now called Marussia Virgin Racing – www.marussiamotors.ru / www.virginracing.com

About Formula Renault 3.5 Series:

The Formula Renault 3.5 Series has been successful in launching several drivers directly into Formula One with the notable stand-outs including 2010 Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel, as well as Grand Prix winner Robert Kubica. Both Vettel and Kubica made their F1 starts graduating straight from successful seasons competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series – part of the ‘World Series by Renault’ package. In 2011 the series sees 26 cars competing in 17 races across 9 of Europe’s leading circuits including the likes of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), Monza (Italy), Silverstone (UK) and Monaco – www.worldseriesbyrenault.com

ISABELLE TREMBLAY ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS 2011 RACING SCHEDULE

April 27, 2011. Today Isabelle Tremblay announced her goal to compete in the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and race for the Rookie of the Year title in the #07 Group Beton Brunet/ADF Diesel Ford with Dave Jacombs Racing. Tremblay’s summer schedule will be very full as she is also competing in events at the Autodrome St. Eustache Sportsman Series along with the Formula 1600 Tour in Quebec.

The impressive schedule for Tremblay is made possible by her passion and determination to succeed in the challenge of racing in three competitive series, combined with her acute business ability to bring together a diverse group of partners to make such a program possible. “I am the mother of a wonderful 13 year old boy Tommy-Jo and with his support and that of tremendous partners I’ve chosen to set aside my career goals for the time being to devote myself 100% to racing” said Tremblay. “I am partnered with a championship team at Dave Jacombs Racing for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. In the Formula 1600 tour we’re partnering with David Clubine and for the Sportsman Series at St. Eustache I’m in the capable hands of my Isa Racing Team” she added.

While some may be skeptical of her likelihood to succeed, Isabelle Tremblay will not be deterred and offers some impressive credentials. “In 2008 I won the 200 lap Enduro at Autodrome St. Eustache against 97 experienced drivers” explained Tremblay. “This was a wonderful surprise for me and of course I had some good luck that day. But it also allowed me to demonstrate my abilities and created a significant impact in the media” she stated.

Tremblay backed up that victory with other impressive showings. “I won the 2009 Tigresses class finishing fourth in one event and purchased my first Sportsman car later that year and finished ninth in my first race. We were setting the bar very high but it allowed me to move up and run four NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events in 2010“ said the driver.

Competing in front of enormous crowds at NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road course events in Toronto, Trois Rivieres, and Montreal along with the series finale at Kawartha Speedway Tremblay was very popular with the race fans and also gained significant experience. “Those races allowed me to adapt to this very powerful 3,000 pound race car and remove some of the nervousness as I embark on this season” she explained. “I’ve been very busy this off season attending the Michael Lower race school at new Smyrna Speedway in Florida and the Bob Bondurant road racing school in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m positive I can make some good steps forward this year” stated Tremblay.

Tremblay’s 2011 racing schedule breaks down this way. She will compete in at least 10 events in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Her newest challenge is agreeing to participate in the three Formula 1600 Tour racing for the David Clubine team. Isabelle Tremblay will also run approximately nine of the twelve Sportsman Series events at Autodrome St. Eustache. When you look at the schedule there are a couple of conflicting events for which Tremblay has come up with a wonderful and unique solution. “We are running a competition for eight drivers on Saturday April 30^th and select a winner that will have the opportunity to race with me and substitute for me while I am competing in another event” explained Tremblay. “The event is open to the public and admission is free” she added. (Details of the competition are detailed in a separate release)

This kind of large-scale program schedule would not be possible without the impressive support of many partners. Isabelle Tremblay’s Sportsman series efforts are backed by Canadian Tire St. Jerome and DB Imaging. The NASCAR Canadian Tire series program is made possible with support from Group Beton Brunet and ADF Diesel. The Formula 1600 Tour receives backing from Furniture World Salotti.

Isabelle Tremblay is extremely grateful to all of her many supporters. “A huge thank you to all those that share in this passion for motorsports. A big thank you as well to everyone who supported me both near and far and to all the sponsors without whom none of this would be possible. It goes without saying this season will be colorful and my goal is to always push myself and grow lap after lap, race by race”.

More information about Isabelle Tremblay and her 2011 program can be found by going to her website, www.isaracingteam.com

Team Information: info@isaracingteam.com

Photo Included: Driver Isabelle Tremblay

Air Show Atlantic Joins Forces with Pro Stock Tour

(Halifax, NS. April 27, 2011) The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PFTPST) is pleased to announce Air Show Atlantic as a race sponsor for the 2011 season. Air Show Atlantic is the region’s largest annual air show and one of the biggest and best in Canada. Team Chaos - including a 350+ mph Flashfire Jet truck will headline the event and be complimented by Canadian Forces Snowbirds, SkyHawks and CF-18 Hornet Demonstrations. The Air Show Atlantic 100 will take place on July 30th at Oyster Bed Speedway located just outside of Charlottetown on beautiful Prince Edward Island. Summerside, Prince Edward Island will host the aviation extravaganza, August 27 & 28, 2011.

"The Air Show is very excited to partner with the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour as we want to make a big impression on the Island when we bring the Show there this summer.” Said Colin Stephenson, Executive Director of Air Show Atlantic. “The Tour helps us to access fans of speed, performance and excitement who may not have been exposed to the Air Show world before but will love what we bring to Summerside in August……including a 350 mph jet truck with our air display. We know that we're in the entertainment business even as we celebrate aviation history and our military."

“We are excited that Air Show Atlantic has joined the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour for 2011 to promote their August event in Summerside.” Said Ken Cunning, General Manager of the PFTPST. “We are pleased to help publicize another great East Coast event and welcome the Air Show to our team.”

The CARQUEST 100 will kick off the 2011 Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour season on Sunday, May 22nd at Scotia Speedworld. Stay tuned to www.maritimeprostocktour.com for all the latest news and ticket information.

About Air Show Atlantic:
Air Show Atlantic is the region's largest annual air show and one of the biggest and best in Canada. Formerly the Nova Scotia International Air Show and around since the early eighties; the Show is moving to Prince Edward Island for 2011 and will bring amazing acts to the Summerside Airport August 27-28 this year. Team Chaos - including the 350+ mph Flashfire Jet truck will headline the event and be complimented by Canadian Forces Snowbirds, SkyHawks and CF-18 Hornet Demonstrations. Two full days of family entertainment in the sky and on the ground will cap off the summer season. Go to www.airshowatlantic.ca for full details and reserve preferred seating.

About the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour:
The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour (PFTPST) is the highest level of stock car racing in Canada. The Tour is recognized in the industry as one of the healthiest stock car racing series in North America. PFTPST visits five tracks throughout the Maritimes during its May through September season. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. For more information, call our administration office at 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com

M.R.E. SUNSET INVITATIONAL SHOOTOUT SERIES

Innisfil, ON, Wednesday April 27, 2011: Sunset Speedway is very happy and excited to announce a new partnership between McColl Racing Enterprises (M.R.E.) and Sunset Speedway.

M.R.E. and Sunset will join forces in bringing some of the most exciting short track racing to Ontario in 2011. The M.R.E. Sunset Invitational Shootout Series will consist of 4 Invitational Races for Mini Stocks, Super Stocks and Late Models on June 12, July 31, September 4 and the finale on September 24 & 25th with a rain date of September 11 should any of the first three events be rained out. The M.R.E. Sunset Invitational Shootout Series will be part of the $50,000.00 Shootout.

“This is an exciting time for Ontario racers and us at Sunset Speedway,” stated Mark Dilley. “The alignment with M.R.E. is absolutely perfect as we strive to be one of the best tracks in Canada and they are leading the charge as car builders in most race classes around the Country.”

This series for all three Sunset divisions is open to drivers from other tracks and will have its own four race point fund and be part of the Sunset $50,000.00 Shootout.

“All of us at M.R.E. were extremely proud to be associated with Sunset Speedway in 2010,” stated Alan Pinsonneault of M.R. E. “We are happy to announce that this relationship will not only continue but will be taken to the next level in 2011 with the formation of the all new M.R.E. Sunset invitational Shootout Series. What the management has been able to achieve at Sunset Speedway over the last couple of years has simply been remarkable and has truly elevated the Short Track racing product throughout Ontario and Canada. We have been extremely busy this winter building new cars for our existing customers and many new customers who are excited to get behind the wheel of a Late Model. We look forward to helping those teams get to victory lane this year and now with M.R.E. being named the “Official race car builder of Sunset Speedway” we hope to expand on that and provide the same opportunity to all of the racers who compete at Sunset Speedway.”

“M.R.E. being named as the “Official Race Car Builder of Sunset Speedway” is also fitting as we have more M.R. E. chassis competing than any other,” added Dilley. “I personally have driven McColl Racing Enterprises cars for over 10 years and still do.”

Sunset Speedway is located on former Hwy. 11 (now County Road 4-Yonge Street) between Highway #89 and Innisfil Beach Road at 6918 Yonge Street. For more information on Sunset Speedway and the $50k Shootout please visit www.sunsetspeedway.ca

About M.R. E.: Mike McColl purchased the business in 1988 from his dad Burt and in the last 20 year he continues to improve its reputation by building winning race cars for all stock car divisions in Canada. Now located in their 6500 square foot facility in London Ontario, McColl Racing Enterprises Ltd. provides race teams with what they need to win. From a basic frame to a complete car, the 12 person staff works with each team to build a car to suit their needs and their budgets. McColl Racing Enterprises Ltd provides performance tested parts from a variety of suppliers. For more information please visit www.mccollracing.com

Porsche announces Michelin as official tire supplier for GT3 Cup Challenge Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 26 /CNW/ - Shortly after announcing the 20th one-make Porsche series in the world - Porsche Canada today announced that leading tire manufacturer and worldwide Porsche technology partner, Michelin, will be the official tire supplier of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada.

Porsche and Michelin look back on a long-standing and extraordinarily successful cooperation. Together, they won the famous Le Mans 24 Hours with the 911 GT1 in 1998. Today, Michelin supplies racing tires for the 911 GT3 Cup cars in Porsche Michelin Supercup and the worldwide Porsche Carrera Cups, for the 911 GT3 RSR in the American Le Mans Series and the FIA GT championship as well as for the Porsche sports cars in Porsche Sports Cup.

Tires produced for one-make race series like the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada have to face a wide range of specific challenges, because the drivers have to use the same tire for all conditions in every race of the season. For rainy conditions, Michelin provides the specific rain tire. Furthermore, setup changes are limited to a few values defined in the regulations. This is another way Porsche ensures that the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada is more about driver ability, not the team's ability to set up the car.

In addition to providing the series' official racing tire, Michelin will also provide a set of its new Pilot Super Sport street tires to the winner of each GT3 Cup Challenge Canada race. Michelin will also provide a Porsche Design Driver's Selection watch (worth approximately $1,000) to each second-place driver and $500 cash to each third-pace driver.

"We are thrilled to enter this exciting new chapter with Porsche, our global partner, and a very promising partnership with the International Motor Sports Association for the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge," said Tony Mougios, Marketing Director, Michelin Canada. "A race series of this caliber deserves no less than the most exciting tire. That's why Michelin is proud to offer the new Pilot Super Sport as part of the prizing package for the competitors. The champions will enjoy a tire with endurance racing pedigree inspired by the same engineering that has powered 13 consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans."

The first race of the new Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada runs from May 14-15 at Calabogie Motorsports Park (Calabogie, Ontario), followed by 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.

From Laurance Yap / Porsche Canada

Lapcevich looking for wins in 2011; Familiar look but big changes for Fastline Motorsports

April 25, 2011, GRIMSBY, ON – Jeff Lapcevich’s Tim Hortons-sponsored NASCAR Canadian Tire Series entry will look familiar this season, but plenty has changed with the Hamilton-based team. Lapcevich recently acquired the services of veteran crew chief Tim Ellas, and the team switched to Dodge Challengers for 2011.
“All of the changes we made this winter were done so we can contend for wins,” said Lapcevich. “Tim Ellas brings proven success to the team, and with him calling the shots in the pits I feel we are in a great position to challenge for our first NASCAR win.”
The cars were serviced in the Fastline Motorsports shop in Hamilton, but they will be race-prepared by Ellas in Dave Jacombs’ shop for the race season.
“We have great people in the shop,” said Lapcevich. “Don Barnhart will remain the car chief, but working with Tim and Dave Jacombs gives us the expertise to make the best decisions on race day.
“The decision to switch to Dodge was simple. Dodge gives the best support of any manufacturer, and we are excited to run the Dodge brand.”
The changes followed Tim Hortons recent announcement that it was renewing its agreement with Fastline Motorsports. The announcement extends one of Canada’s longest motorsports marketing partnerships.
“We’re as excited as we’ve been in a long time to get to the track,” said Lapcevich. “We feel we’re on the right track towards success.”
Lapcevich will run most of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this season starting with its opening event on May 28th at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. From there the team travels to Montreal for the inaugural Grand Prix ICAR Maribel.
“A new road course will be a fun challenge,” said the road racing ace. “In the past we’ve done very well when we tackle a circuit for the first time. The fans in Montreal love their racing, so it should be a great experience.”
For more information on Jeff Lapcevich and his team Fastline Motorsports visit www.LapcevichRacing.com.

COMPASS360 RACING SIGNS SANDBERG FOR WORLD CHALLENGE

(Allendale, NJ) -- After a challenging start to his World Challenge year at the season-opening event at St. Petersburg, Florida, New Jersey-based driver Brett Sandberg will return to the series behind the wheel of the Compass360 Racing #70 Honda Civic Si for the series' next race, at Miller Motorsports Park, Utah.


Sandberg, who finished third in last year's WC Touring Car standings at the wheel of a privately-run ex-C360R Acura TSX, arrived for the Florida double-header with a new Honda and the hopes of bettering his 2010 results. Unfortunately, in the first race his car was damaged beyond repair, which meant he missed the second race of the season.


"After St. Petersburg, I talked to Brett a few times, making sure he was okay after the wreck," noted Team Principal Karl Thomson. "I think he's got great natural talent and I feel confident we can give him an environment where he can continue to grow and demonstrate what he's capable of. Last year he did a great job in one of our TSX's that he and Morgan Spurgas from Synapse Motorsport ran, and I'm excited to welcome him to our Honda squad."


Sandberg will join C360R team-mates Lawson Aschenbach in the #71 Honda and Tom Ehlen in #72 for the remainder of the season, growing the team's efforts to a full-time three-car squad in World Challenge, supplementing their four-Honda effort in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge where they've been series champions the past two years. The team's next event is the fourth round of the World Challenge series, at Miller Motorsports Park just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, on Saturday April 30th.


Brett's #70 Honda is sponsored by the Monticello Motor Club, a luxury automotive resort about 90 minutes from Manhattan. For information visit www.monticellomotorclub.com.


"I'm looking forward to working with Lawson, Karl and the rest of the Compass360 guys to get my championship run back on track," said Sandberg. "Being asked to join the team has more than made up for the disappointment in Florida and I can't wait to get behind the wheel later this week."


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 also fields three Hondas in SCCA World Challenge. For details visit http://C360R.com.

Inside Track partners with CTCC on official Fan & Media Guide

The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire (CTCC) is very pleased to announce that Inside Track Communications (ITC), the publisher of Inside Track Motorsport News, will partner with CTCC to produce the official Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Fan & Media Guide for the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

The Guide features news and information about Canada's top touring car series, as well as driver bios and rosters, schedules, technical info, track guides and more. Printed editions of the Program will be distributed at CTCC events and will be available as electronic flip-books on the CTCC and Inside Track websites.

"Inside Track provides CTCC with consistent top professional coverage all year round," stated John Bondar, President of CTCC. "The Fan & Media Guides they produced in 2009 and 2010 were very well received by our fans, partners and competitors alike. We're looking forward to working with them again on the 2011 edition and we encourage our sponsors and anyone interested in connecting with CTCC fans to consider supporting the CTCC Fan & Media Guide."

Speaking on behalf of Inside Track, Sales Manager Mike Galipeau said, "We've been fans of the CTCC since it was first formed. The series is an editorial priority in every issue of Inside Track and we're proud to work with John Bondar and the series' drivers and sponsors to help promote the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship. The series is on a growth curve and we're confident we will once again produce a piece that captures the energy of the CTCC and is reflective of its exciting new brand and image."

For information on participating in the Official CTCC Fan & Media Guide, call ITC at (416) 962-7223 or by e-mail at ads@insidetracknews.com.

About Inside Track Communications: Inside Track Communications (ITC) is Canada's leading producer of motorsports publications. Based in Toronto, Ontario, ITC publishes Inside Track Motorsport News (www.InsideTrackNews.com), Inside Motorcycles (www.InsideMotorcycles.com), and Inside Motocross & Off Road (www.InsideMotoCross.ca).

About CTCC: The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire (www.touringcar.ca) is Canada's only professional road racing series. Now in its fifth year, CTCC showcases race cars based on their stock street version. CTCC will be featured at Circuit ICAR, Mosport International Raceway, Honda Indy Toronto and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.

Experience the rush of touring car racing!

From Dominique Longval / Director of Marketing - CTCC

Retired Major General Lewis MacKenzie featured in "General Racing"

From Mortimer Racing:

Ottawa, ON: Mortimer Racing is pleased to announce that Retired Major General Lewis MacKenzie will be featured in “General Racing”  a documentary by the award winning Producer  Paul Culliton and Director Brendon Culliton. Lew will be driving the Public Mobile 1994 Euro Swift in the Quebec Formula Tour F1600 Master Class. Paul Culliton recently wrote  and produced the award winning documentary “If I Should Fall” featuring the life and death of Trooper Marc Diab  killed in Afghanistan in 2009.

The film was critically acclaimed at the Canada International Film Festival. Paul plans to be at every race weekend of the series covering Lew and the young guns of the Mortimer Racing team, 18 year old Chris Volk of New Zealand and 17 year old Aaron McCauley of Canada.

The documentary “If I Should Fall” was featured on the Michael Coren Show which included a round table with Trooper Diab’s parents and Director, Brendon Culliton can be found here: www.mortimer-racing.com  

From David Hilton / Media Director / Mortimer Racing

Countdown Continues to Opening Night with the Northumberland Mall!

With the Coca Cola Full Throttle Season opener less than two weeks away fans can get a sneak preview at the 2011 line up this week at Cobourg's Northumberland Mall. Drop by and see the Vanderlaan Building Supplies Late Model of Charlie Sandercock, the Southern Ontario Sprint of Warren Mahoney, Bob Akey's Bill's Johns Comp 4 and the all new 2001 Custom Carts Brighton Speedway Golf Cart. While you are there pick up the 2011 schedule and fill out a ballot to win a 2011 seasons pass!

Great weather this past Easter weekend allowed track staff to make some great strides at the track in prepping for the much anticpated 2011 season. Practice is scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 30th and Sunday May 1st from 1pm till 4pm with the third and final session taking place on Wednesday May 4th from 4pm till 6pm.

Then on May 7th the anticipation will break as Brighton Speedway's drivers hit the clay for the first time in chase of their 2011 championships in the Vanderlaan's Late Models, Bainer's Radiator Canadian Modifieds, Brighton Automotive Pro Stocks and Bill's Johns Comp 4. The Coca Cola Full Throttle Season opener will kick off the season in style as admission is ONLY $2 for everyone with a donation to the food bank! Be sure to get here early to get a seat as the stands will be packed! Gates open at 5:30pm and racing starts at 7pm!

For more information on these events or others all summer long be sure to visit http://www.brightonspeedway.com/ or email info@brightonspeedway.com.
Brighton Speedway, where a night of family entertainment is turned into a night of excitment!

NASCAR: Carl Edwards grabs fourth Nashville Nationwide win

Note… Canadian J.R. Fitzpatrick finished 27^th in the Go Canada Racing Ford

Courtesy of the Sporting News / Lee Montgomery

LEBANON, Tenn. — Carl Edwards returned to victory lane at Nashville Superspeedway for the first time since 2007, winning Saturday’s Nashville 300 Nationwide Series race.

Edwards had won three Nationwide races in a row in 2006-07 but went six races at Nashville without winning again. His four Nashville victories are tops among all drivers at the 1.33-mile track.

“Was it 2007?” Edwards said. “That’s a long time to run poorly somewhere. Seemed like every time we came we won for a little while. Was it three in a row? Then all of a sudden, we came here and really struggled. That’s really trying on everybody.

“I have to give credit to (car owner) Jack Roush, to Ford, (engine builder) Doug Yates, (crew chief) Mike Beam, the guys at the shop. It looked like we were facing some insurmountable challenges, and they worked hard and got these cars better.”

Saturday, Edwards was the best, leading five times for 148 laps in beating Kyle Busch to the checkered flag by .521 seconds. Edwards surged past Busch as the two dueled for the lead with 35 laps to go.

Busch was gunning for a weekend sweep after his victory in Friday night’s Camping World Truck Series race but came up short as his Toyota was “just not quite fast enough.”

The victory was Edwards’ second of the season and 31st of his career — tying him for fourth all time with Jack Ingram.

Brad Keselowski finished third and Joey Logano fourth as Sprint Cup regulars swept the top four spots in the Nationwide Series’ first stand-alone race of the season. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was fifth for the best finish among Nationwide regulars and moved into a tie for the points lead with Justin Allgaier.

Edwards and Busch traded the lead three times and raced side by side for more than three laps not long after a restart with 44 laps to go.

“At the end of the race, I was pedaling for all I had,” Edwards said. “I was kind of excited at the beginning of the race. I thought, ‘Boy, we’re going to run off with this thing. It’s going to be easy.’ Then at the end, that was white-knuckle. I was driving as hard as I can drive, racing him and Brad.

“In the end, it’s better to have a race like that, but it was really nerve-wracking for me.”

Edwards led Lap 189 of 225, with Busch coming back to lead Lap 190. Edwards led Lap 191 and finally got clear of Busch, even as Keselowski was challenging from third.

“I didn’t quite finish that pass,” Busch said. “He had a really fast car. We could keep up with him momentarily but not for the whole run. It was a good show right there, a little bit of racing back and forth. … Brad was right behind us and kind of lurking in the distance there.”

In the end, both drivers agreed Edwards’ No. 60 was simply the better car.

“Our Ford was just slightly better than his car, just slightly,” Edwards said. “He’s savvy enough of a racer, he knew how to keep me behind him and how to force the issue. He made it really hard on me, but he also gave me plenty of room. You can race a bunch of different ways out there, but that was a very clean race. That was really good. It was fun. I was really having a blast out there.”

Via Gary Camp │ Director of Communications // Dover International Speedway & Nashville Superspeedway