Inside Track Breaking News Blog: 2011-05-29

Tuesday, June 07, 2011

New England's Pro All Stars Series hits Speedway 660 on June 11

FREDERICTON, NB - Saturday June 11th under the lights, The Pro All Star Series (PASS) will make their return to Speedway 660 for 200 laps of action packed excitement. This is a chance for fans to see some of the best drivers in the Northeast go toe to toe in the Geary woods. The event will be the Pro All Star Series only Atlantic Canadian stop on their 2011 schedule.

Speedway 660 has a great schedule of events for 2011, but the PASS 200 is right up there with SPEEDWEEKEND’s Auto Value 250. In terms of talent, excitement and drama the Pro All Star Series has it all. Johnny Clark will try to continue his string of dominating performances at Speedway 660. You’ll remember that Clark won both the PASS 200 and the Auto Value 250 last season.

This is the third PASS North event of the year. Johnny Clark won the season opener at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway, down in Maine and Derek Ramstrom took top spot at STAR Speedway in New Hampshire. A May 21st race at White Mountain Motorsports Park was rained out and will be rescheduled for later this summer.

Lonnie Sommerville, a two time Auto Value 250 winner, who is running full time on the PASS tour this year, finished fourth in both races. Sommerville will look to improve that result this weekend on his home track.

Other drivers expected to make the trip to Speedway 660 for the Pro All Star Series 200 include, multi time PASS North Champion Ben Rowe of Turner, Maine, Cassius Clark from Farmington, Maine, and Belfast, Maine’s Travis Benjamin. Also expected to be there is 2006 Auto Value 250 Champion, Scott Chubbuck. As well, we will see some familiar faces like Kirk Thibeau of Presque Isle, Maine. Kirk has had a lot of success throughout the years competing at Speedway 660 as was the winner of the inaugural Auto Value 250 back in 2001.

All these guys as well as legendary Maine driver Mike Rowe, Ritchie Dearborn, Gary Smith, Scott Alexander, John Dabrowski, and Kyle Dessouza all the way from Massachusetts. In addition fans will see several Canadian drivers including local standout Matt Harris from the weekly Oleary Auto Group Pro Stock Division at Speedway 660, local Geary boy Matt Matheson who is a PASS North Rookie of the year entry. Other Canadian drivers expected are but not confirmed at this time.

Race fans will get to see a full card of racing including regular points racing in the RV World Street Stock, and Martin’s Home Heating Sportsman divisions as well as 200 laps of pure pro stock power.

From Angela Coffey, Speedway 660

MOSPORT: E-Bike giveaway this Saturday at Mosport Speedway

BOWMANVILLE, ON - As part of this week’s feature race, the Techtonix Open Wheel Modifieds presented by Daymak Ajax, one lucky fan will win an Eco Star bike valued at approximately $1,300.

This will be the Techtonix Modifieds second of five Mosport Speedway appearances in 2011, which includes an invitational on July 30. In their first night of action at Canada’s fastest half-mile paved oval this year, 2004 champion Darren Kearnan had a night for the ages, winning both heat contests and the feature race.

During the night’s intermission period, following the Old Dutch Crunch “King of the Hill” spectator races, members of the Daymak Ajax team along with some of their customers will participate in a two-lap race on Eco Star bikes. Once complete, there will be a draw where a lucky Speedway spectator will take home an Eco Star bike.

This Saturday, June 11, Don Butt Auto Body will be the night's Corporate Sponsor. They are located at 86 Russett Avenue in Oshawa. For more info, including directions and store hours go to www.donbuttautobody.com.

All three of Mosport's home divisions will be in action, the Pure Stocks, Bob's Towing Sportsman and Late Models. As with every Saturday night this summer, the Old Dutch Crunch King of the Hill race for spectators will round out a fun-filled evening.

Admissions for adults is just $15, seniors (65+) and youth (13-17) are $10 and as always, children 12 and under are free with a paid adult admission. For more information and to get your tickets call (905) 983-9141 or visit www.mosport.com/speedway.

From Ryan Chalmers, Mosport / ryan@mosport.com

Race Time Radio: Tonight... Tuesday June 7, 2011

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Broadcast Tuesday Nights On theScore... SIRIUS ... Home of the Hardcore
Race Fan
TONIGHT: Tuesday, June 7, 2011... Listen live at 8 p.m. ET on theScore -
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Disappointing end to spectacular weekend for Team PNH; Large format digital printing company drivers rise and fall at the Grand Prix ICAR in Mirabel

Attached photos courtesy of: Sylvain Lauwers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Court Armstrong
Vice-President, Business Development
PNH Innovations
Tel: (416) 587-2723
Email: court@pnh.ca

Disappointing end to spectacular weekend for Team PNH
Large format digital printing company drivers rise and fall at the Grand Prix ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec
June 5, TORONTO, ON – PNH Innovations had high expectations of its drivers at the Grand Prix ICAR in Mirabel Quebec on the weekend. The results in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series’ first road course event don’t do justice to the impressive performance of Andrew Ranger, Alex Tagliani, and Isabelle Tremblay.
Tagliani decimated the field in qualifying to earn the pole position by nearly a full second over the competition. Ranger arrived just before the race Sunday due to a prior racing commitment in the united States. Because Ranger didn’t qualify his PNH-sponsored Dodge Challenger he started 26th in the 27-car field, but he quickly carved through the pack to ultimately challenge for the win.
Tagliani waged a race-long battle with JR Fitzpatrick, but a flat tire on Fitzpatrick’s mount led to a late-race restart with Ranger right on the tail of the leader. The teammates made contact with just a couple of laps remaining sending Tagliani spinning out of the lead.
The drama continued when NASCAR penalized Ranger for rough driving relegating him to a 21st place finish. Tagliani fought back to finish eighth.
“It was disappointing to see our drivers fall out of contention like they did,” said Court Armstrong, Vice-President, Business Development for PNH Innovations. “They both had spectacular races going, but that can happen in this sport. We’re proud of the performance of Dave Jacombs Racing.”
Jacombs’ third entry Isabelle Tremblay suffered a driveline failure in her PNH-wrapped Ford. She failed to make it to the end and was scored in 25th.
“We’re confident that we’ll get to join Dave Jacombs Racing on the podium before the season is over,” said Armstrong. “There is plenty of reason for optimism after watching their performance this weekend.”
PNH had primary sponsorship on Ranger’s car this weekend, and they will be featured again when Ranger attempts to defend his victory in the Toronto Indy July 9th. Tagliani will be one of the favourites to win when the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series visits Montreal in August.
PNH is the exclusive supplier to Dave Jacombs Racing of tents, flags, and wraps. PNH promotes exacting quality of execution and very quick turnaround times. Ranger exudes those qualities. Specifically PNH will promote its vehicle wrap print production and installation services.
PNH serves its growing market with locations in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and New York. For more information on PNH Innovations visit www.pnh.ca.

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Mitsubishi-Announces i-MiEV Pricing

Toronto, ON. (June 7, 2011) – Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada Inc. (MMSCAN) today announced competitive pricing for their all new zero-emission electric car, the 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV (Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle), during a special presentation with partners Hydro-Quebec and the City of Boucherville.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV is a five-door, 4-passenger, subcompact hatchback that has been designed and packaged to be efficient, ecological and fun to drive. It will be the most affordable, mass-produced, all-electric vehicle in the Canadian marketplace, and with a targeted range of 135 kilometers, and a top speed of 130 km/h, i-MiEV will make an excellent commuter vehicle for many Canadians living in urban areas.

The fully equipped i-MiEV will be available in two trim levels. The standard i-MiEV will have a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $32,998.00 and the top of the line i-MiEV with the Premium Package will have a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $35,998.00.

The provinces of Ontario and Quebec have already announced subsidies towards the purchase of electric vehicles (a credit of $8,230.00 in Ontario and $7,769.00 in Quebec). Therefore, the net MSRP of the i-MiEV in these two provinces will be $24,768.00 in Ontario and $25,229.00 in Quebec. Furthermore, Quebec will also offer a 50 percent subsidy on the purchase and installation of a home charger, up to a maximum of $1,000.

All of these MSRP prices are exclusive of taxes, freight and PDI.

"These are prices that we believe will make the i-MiEV affordable for many environmentally conscious Canadians," said Tomoki Yanagawa, Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Corporate Planning for Mitsubishi Motor Sales of Canada.

The announcement was made as Mitsubishi celebrated the next phase in its commitment to the company's test fleet partnership with Hydro-Quebec and the City of Boucherville. The commitment was to bring up to 50 i-MiEV electric cars to the streets of Boucherville to undergo real-world personal testing. To date, there are 20 vehicles in the test program, being driven on the streets throughout Quebec.

"We are gaining valuable information about batteries and charging systems," said Yanagawa, "and we have a better idea of how well the i-MiEV will integrate with the electric grid. All of this information is so valuable as we move closer to the official launch of the i-MiEV into the Canadian market later this year."

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV represents the height of Mitsubishi Motors' green technologies, and this Quebec test program is the largest of its kind in North America. The i-MiEV will be will be available to Canadians at Mitsubishi dealerships, later this year.

Stock Car Racing Experience - Father's Day Sale

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http://www.877stockcar.com/stockcar_programs.htm

KAWARTHA SPEEDWAY: That was fun.... let's do it again.

FRASERVILLE, ON - After an extremely successful 2010 campaign, everyone was anxious for the new season to get underway. Drivers, crew members, fans and even speedway officials were counting the days to Friday, June 3rd and the first green flag of 2011. With Kawartha Speedway’s opening night of action in the books, the event was well worth the wait.

Nearly perfect late spring weather conditions greeted a standing room only crowd as the Fraserville, Ontario 3/8th miler kicked-off its second decade of racing. Qualifying heats for the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models were the first order of business, as Larry Jackson and Dwight Brown shared the checkered flags. The Better Carpet Thunder Cars were next on the agenda, with 10 lap preliminary events split between Chad Strawn and Andy Ford, while Ryan Oosterholt and Daryl Fice visited victory lane following the first round of Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock action. Craig Graham, Willie Reyns and Fice claimed the late model, thunder car and mini stock semi features. Earl Ireland and ‘Too’ Moroney earned starting spots in their respective main events by winning the late model and mini stock consolation rounds.

Matt Spence and Howie Crowe brought the pack of Better Carpet Thunder Cars to the line for their 20 lap ‘A’ main, but the story of the show was Queensville, Ontario’s Ken Donaldson Junior. In a pack where the top 6 drivers were often fighting for the win, the younger brother of former division champion Kyle Donaldson survived an early race incident with Willie Reyns and Chad Strawn to earn the opening night honours. Andy Ford, Reyns, Steve Mayhew and Crowe followed Donaldson across the line.

The NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models took the green flag nearly 20 strong, with Kyle Donaldson and Ryan Kimball on the front row. The pace was slowed early for a 2 car incident involving Ken Downer and Tim Cole, but there was no denying Donaldson. While the rest of the fast 5 battled for position behind him, the basic black #53 Chevrolet shot away from the pack and matched his brother’s winning effort from earlier in the night. The division’s all-time win leader Dan McHattie was second, followed by Bryan Mercer, Dwight Brown and Kimball.

A 20 lap feature for the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks closed-out the 2011 opener. Neil Hannah and Corey Horner paced the fastest 4 cylinder machines to the stripe, but before there was even a handful of laps in the history books, the field was shown a yellow flag for a grinding front stretch wreck involving Michael Batchelor and Brad Martin. Batchelor left under his own power, while Martin was towed off the track, but each driver was finished for the night. Running 3 and 4 wide throughout the pack, Daryl Fice clawed his way to the front from his 9th place starting spot and not even a red flag for Kyle McCabe’s erupted power plant in the second turn could keep the youngster from his first win of the year. ‘Too’ Moroney, Tyler Junkin, Mike Nelson and Ryan Oosterholt rounded-out the top 5.

Kawartha klips: Thunder car racer Bob Mercer made the tow from Orillia, Ontario to make his first ever Kawartha Speedway start...For the second time in his career, Fice swept his mini stock heat race, semi feature and main event...’Too’ Moroney, last season’s second place mini stock point finisher suffered fuel issues in the first qualifier and pulled off before the green flag. He rebounded to win the consolation event...Glenn Watson started on the pole and despite numerous mishaps behind him, went wire-to-wire to win the 50 lap OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model feature. Their tour returns to the Fraserville, Ontario oval for the annual running of the 75 lap Don Biederman Memorial Friday, August 5th...Kawartha Speedway now takes an early season break, returning to action Friday, June 17th with a 100 lap invitational late model feature as the headline event. See the full schedule and updated news at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

For the second time in his career Oshawa, Ontario’s Daryl Fice earned a clean sweep of the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock action at Kawartha Speedway. The youngster scored a heat race, semi feature and main event win Friday, June 3rd.

Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

NCATS: Don Thomson Jr.'s Farmers Feed Families Dodge cultivatges third-place result at ICAR

MIRABEL, QC - Don Thomson Jr. in his #8 Farmers Feed Families Dodge had a great weekend this past weekend at the inaugural event for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Circuit ICAR with a 3rd place podium finish.

In practice Thomson fought a loose handling race car, but put in an excellent effort to solidify an 8th place starting spot in the field 27 cars.

“This is a tight race track and our car was loose through testing and practice. I think we have it better now and the race tomorrow will be a great one for the fans.” Said Thomson after qualifying.

The 30 lap main event got underway on Sunday afternoon under sunny skies and with much anticipation as the drivers would be put through their paces on the tight 15-turn flat road course configuration.

Knowing that attrition would play a role in the finish of the race, veteran Thomson made his moves from the 8th place starting spot up through the field. With only a few laps to go a series of cautions flags came out and positioned Thomson in a key spot to push through to a podium finish. The race finished under a green, white, checkered finish and the #8 Farmers Feed Families Dodge came home an impressive 3rd place.

“This is a great a result for the Farmers Feed Families Dodge this afternoon. This is a tricky track and the racing was great up front. I am proud of our Team; it was also a great points day for us.” Said Thomson while his car was in NASCAR post race technical inspection.

With this 3rd place finish, Thomson moved into 2nd place in the points standings headed into the next event June 11 in the Keystone Light 200 at Delaware Speedway near London, Ontario.

The Circuit ICAR race will air on TSN on June 12 at 11 am EST.

Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Farmers Feed Families, Snap-on Tools, Choko Motorsports, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Permatex and Cathcart Trucking.

For additional Information please contact: Jamie Hakonson / Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red / 905-642-1010 / jamie@team3red.com

Monday, June 06, 2011

Hard-charging Lapcevich earns sixth place finish in NASCAR’s inaugural Grand Prix ICAR in Mirabel, Quebec

**Photo courtesy of Sylvain Lauwers

June 5, 2011, GRIMSBY, ON – Jeff Lapcevich clawed his way to a sixth place finish in the Grand Prix ICAR Sunday in Mirabel, Quebec, after starting dead last in the 27-car NASCAR Canadian Tire Series field.
The Grimsby, Ontario, racer suffered a major setback in practice Saturday when he bounced his Tim Hortons-sponsored Dodge Challenger over the curbing that lines the inside of the track sending him careening into the outside retaining wall. The car sustained enough damage that the team was unsure whether it would compete the following day or not. After failing to make a qualifying run Lapcevich was forced to start at the tail of the field.
“If you asked me where I thought I might finish before the race I’m not sure how I would have answered,” said Lapcevich after the event. “The competition is pretty tough, and the track is very technical and demanding.
“I need to thank my crew chief Tim Ellas and the rest of our team for making major repairs on the car to get it ready to race.”
The race car suffered heavy damage on the right front corner and to the rear suspension in the accident. While it wasn’t at 100 percent Lapcevich still managed to work through the field and come home with a great result.
“The car was a handful to drive,” said Lapcevich. “The left front shock absorber fell off its mount early in the race, and it was pretty wild to drive after that.”
Despite the setback Lapcevich took advantage of a couple of late-race restarts to challenge for a top-five finish.
“We dodged the wrecks today, and I had enough racecar at the end to race hard to the finish. This result is definitely a reflection of the crew’s hard work.”
Lapcevich returns to action next Saturday when the series visits Delaware Speedway near London, Ontario. For more information on Jeff Lapcevich and his team Fastline Motorsports visit www.LapcevichRacing.com.
- 30 –

Ashley McCalmont's Busy Week: The Ups and Downs of Professional Racing

June 6, 2011 - Coming off a stretch where there were six vacant weekends between races, the GRAND-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge made up for the vacation time with two races on consecutive weekends, first at Lime Rock Park, Connecticut on the American Memorial Day weekend, then straight to Watkins Glen, New York for another race on Friday, June 3.

The Ancaster, Ontario, Canada-based CKS Autosport team, drivers Ashley McCalmont of Ancaster, and Eric Curran of Holyoke, Mass., responded to the challenge with a strong 12th place finish in their 2011 Chevrolet Camaro GS.R at Lime Rock, then a disappointing 25th in the Grand Sports class at Watkins Glen after Ashley was involved in a lap 15 crash.

“The TTL/Golden State Margarine Camaro was very good both weekends,” said Ashley. “Kirk Spencer and our crew have done such a great job with it since we first raced it at Daytona last January. I’m enjoying working with Eric and learning from him, too. He’s a thorough, patient teacher. And personally, I’m pleased when my lap times get closer to his.”

At Lime Rock Park, Ashley took the green flag 23rd on the starting grid and quickly worked her way past five faster cars – this on a fast, sweeping track where there is really only one truly-safe place to out-brake a competitor diving into a corner.

“Our two Camaros are really working well now,” said CKS Autosport principal Kirk Spencer. “The development is continuing and everything we see in the Camaro’s future is positive. The next race at Road America is really going to be good for us because of all the long straights.”

The Watkins Glen International circuit’s race wasn’t so fortunate, however.

Ashley became involved in a wicked accident on the 14th high-speed lap, 40 minutes into the 2 ½-hour event. Curran made a one-lap effort to see if the car was drivable after repairs, and deemed if it was, it wasn’t going to be by him.

“These things happen in racing,” Curran said. “They’re frustrating, yes, but I don’t let it upset me. The important thing is that Ashley wasn’t hurt and the car is repairable. At least now Kirk and the CKS crew has three weeks until the Road America race. That’s do-able. Had this happened at Lime Rock, they’d have had an awful thrash to get us here. I’m really impressed with the improvement Ashley has shown as a driver, and the big increase in her confidence level. She’s getting a lot of input from the car on what it is willing to do, and she’s understanding what she feels in her hands and seat.”

Lincoln Electric Virtual Reality Welding System Wins Manny Award

Cleveland– The Lincoln Electric Company was honored by Cleveland-based Inside Business magazine in May with the Manny Award in the New Product Development category for the VRTEX® 360 virtual reality arc welding trainer. Since 1998, the Manny Awards have been committed to recognizing Northeast Ohio companies for their innovation and best practices in areas such as product development, green initiatives and workplace environment.

The VRTEX 360 is a virtual reality arc welding training system that allows students to practice their welding technique in a simulated environment. It promotes the efficient transfer of welding skills to the welding booth, while reducing material waste associated with traditional welding training. The combination of realistic welding puddle simulation and arc welding sound tied to the welder's movement provides a realistic and exciting, hands-on training experience.

Lincoln Electric co-developed the VRTEX 360 with partner company, VRSim Inc. (East Hartford, CT), a leader in the development of training software and graphic simulation for industry and academia.

"We are honored to be recognized by Inside Business magazine for the development of a revolutionary tool that is helping to attract new students to an exciting career in the field of welding," said Chris Bailey, general manager of Lincoln Electric's Automation Division, who accepted the award for the company.

For more information on the VRTEX 360, visit www.lincolnelectric.com/vrtex360 or contact The Lincoln Electric Company - Automation Division, 22221 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44117-2522, via phone at (888) 935-3878 or e-mail at automation@lincolnelectric.com

Canada - Bruce Clark - 905-565-5600

The Lincoln Electric Company, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, welding fume control systems, plasma and oxyfuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market.

Star Mazda Drivers at 2nd annual Indy Summit

Indianapolis Motor Speedway - With the top-3 finishers in this year's 100th Anniversary Indy 500 having worked their way up through the ranks of the Mazda Road to Indy, this unique driver development program aimed at creating the next generation of open-wheel racing stars is becoming increasingly important to IndyCar. Race winner Dan Wheldon was the 1999 USF2000 Champion and raced in Firestone Indy Lights; runner-up J.R. Hildebrand was the 2006 USF2000 Champion and 2009 Firestone Indy Lights Champion; 3rd-place finisher Graham Rahal raced in both the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and Firestone Indy Lights.Tony George Jr. was a key figure in the development of the Mazda Road to Indy Summit project and he invited all of the drivers as well as the major sponsors and media to the event to learn how to project a professional image as they make their way through the ladder system.

"We wanted to bring together the drivers, sponsors, friends and family all together to learn more about what to do off the track," George Jr. said. "We invited all the media to come so the drivers can learn how to handle themselves in those situations."

As befits such a successful and prolific program, this year's Indy Summit, a comprehensive education in all things IndyCar, was split into two parts, the first of which took place at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg in March and included media training, a Business of Racing presentation by top executives from the Mazda motorsports department and a face-to-face meeting, at the Target Chip Ganassi hospitality tent, with team manager Mike Hull.

The second portion of the 2011 Indy Summit started with the USF2000 Oval Clinic at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which offered a priceless educational opportunity to drivers from all levels of the Mazda Road to Indy. A panel of driver experts, including two-time Indianapolis 500 winners Al Unser Jr. and Dan Wheldon, led a curriculum that included such topics as qualifying setup vs. race setup, adjusting for changing track conditions and communication with spotters.

The Indy Summit continued May 25-27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and included a Business of Motorsports presentation by Mazda, public relations and media training, a team shop tour with Target Chip Ganassi Racing, social media training from INDYCAR driver James Hinchcliffe and a special Mazda Road to Indy feature pace lap on Carb Day at IMS.

The Mazda Business seminar provided a comprehensive education in the business side of racing, including such topics as how to market yourself as a driver, sponsorship acquisition, building a brand as a driver, public relations and media training by Bob and Annie Goodrich of SportsCast Stars Training as well as the ABC's of interviewing and proper interview techniques, how to present yourself to media and fans, the proper etiquette of social media, how to use it to your advantage and career growth and development (presented by Target Chip Ganassi Racing's team manager Mike Hull), how to set yourself apart from other drivers on and off the track and the importance of networking.

Other Indy Summit activities included an autograph session featuring drivers from the Firestone Indy Lights, Star Mazda and the USF2000 series. Drivers from each series, including Star Mazda championship leader Tristan Vautier, also participated in a fan Q&A session at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

And, for the first time ever, the Firestone Freedom 100 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was paced by more than just the Indy 500 pace car. Participants from the Mazda Road to Indy program paced the Firestone Indy Lights field in front of over 100,000 spectators on Carb Day and a live TV audience on VERSUS. Drivers on track in their race cars as part of the pace lap included championship leaders Petri Suvanto/Cape Motorsports (USF2000), Tristan Vautier/JDC Motorsports (Star Mazda) and Michael Lewis/Tony Stewart Racing (USAC).

Winners from the USF2000, Star Mazda and USAC "Night Before the 500" event at Lucas Oil Raceway, as well as the Firestone Freedom 100 winner, were honored on the morning of the Indianapolis 500. Each winner was introduced on the IMS victory podium and interviewed on the video board before 400,000 spectators at the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. Drivers interviewed included Petri Suvanto (USF2000

race winner), Connor De Phillippi (Star Mazda race winner), Josef Newgarden (Firestone Freedom 100 winner) and Darren Hagen (USAC race winner).

"This week in Indianapolis was just awesome!" said Vautier. "What we learned during the Mazda Road to Indy Summit, in complement of the activities at St. Petersburg, has an incredible value for a driver. It just makes you more complete and helps you meeting key people for your career. Mazda, IndyCar and Star Mazda are really pushing for us and we can't be thankful enough. Added to that, I got the luck to drive two laps of the Speedway in front of the Indy Lights field on Carb day, in my JDC Motorsports Star Mazda car! It made me realize how awesome this track really is, and it made me want to climb the next step of the Mazda Road to Indy ladder even more, to be able and race there next year. You can only get these kinds of opportunities in US racing, on the Mazda Road to Indy, and I'm glad I made the move here from Europe in 2010!"

About Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear

For 2011, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will be a major part of the Mazda Road to Indy and will feature a 10-weekend, 11-race schedule, all on major race weekends and most with IndyCar. Two weekends are with the American Le Mans series, and one is a double-header with Indy Lights. Rising stars from around the world will be watched by more than a million fans as they compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million, including a scholarship to move up and race in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights series. Drivers 16 and older are welcome to compete and the Star Mazda Championship also features the Expert Series for drivers 30 and older. The Star Mazda Championship features standing starts, wheel-to-wheel racing at 160 mph and budgets a fraction of other top open-wheel ladder series. For more information on the Star Mazda Championship please visit www.starmazda.com.

2011 Yorkville Exotic Car Show

Car show to dazzle Bloor-Yorkville visitors at “Celebrate Bloor” street party event

TORONTO, ONTARIO (June 3, 2011) – On Sunday, June 19, 2011, from 11am to 4pm the Bloor-Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BYBIA) will play host to the 2nd annual Yorkville Exotic Car Show as part of “Celebrate Bloor” – a giant street party event marking the completion of the Bloor Street Transformation Project, a two-year beautification of Toronto’s beloved fashion mile.

From Avenue Road to Church Street, Bloor will be closed to vehicles in order to accommodate a one-kilometer long red carpet, which will be rolled down the middle of Bloor Street to create a one-of-a-kind promenade.

Presented by the Ontario Car Clubs for Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin and Jaguar, visitors can stroll along the beautiful new expanse of Bloor Street on the red carpet and have the opportunity to enjoy close up views of the history of these famous marques, with over one hundred examples from past to present, including a few special guest display vehicles.

Gold Sponsors of this years’ event are Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., OnWall Solutions and Grand Touring Automobiles who will have exhibition tents on the grounds. Silver sponsors, Avenue Collision and Programmed Insurance Brokers will play host to our exhibitors and their invited guests in the Paddock Club lounge during the event.

Phil Downe, founder of the Yorkville Exotic Car Show explains, “Last year’s inaugural event was a huge critical and financial success with over $20,000.00 raised for charity. Exhibition space was the only limiting factor. Now with the newly renovated Bloor Street as our venue we have doubled the size and scope of the event with a wider variety of beautiful cars right in the heart of car culture in Canada.”

The event is open to the public free of charge. Individuals can make small donations on site and business’ are encouraged to get involved by sponsoring a car in the show, with all proceeds going to Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ), a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of children in Haiti by providing essential medical care, clean water, high quality education and training.

For more information about this years’ Yorkville Exotic Car Show please visit us at www.YorkvilleExotics.com or follow us on Twitter (see the website) for the latest breaking news.

Media Contact: Phil Downe, Founder, Yorkville Exotic Car Show (416) 920-2228

An aggressive fourth Round for the CTCC competitors

Mirabel, June 5th 2011 – Action was the main word for this 4th Round and some of that action cost Brampton driver Sasha Anis his pole position right at the start. The aggressive start had Anis and Borgeat spinnig in corner one and that left Anis at the end of the field. That spin probably cost a podium position as he was not able to climb back up to the front during the race. Nevertheless, in Super Class, this confusion was not as bad for everyone since former Championship winner and Quebec driver Nick Wittmer took this opportunity to pass five cars and take the second place in the Fastco Motorsport's Hyundai Tiburon. Wittmer stayed second all race long behind race winner Bob Attrell. The Brampton driver managed to keep in front of the field to get his first victory in his career. That was Attrell's second podium of the weekend and only third of his career. The third position went to a new Quebec driver, Philip Fayer in a Pontiac Solstice. He was running his first race weekend and won his first podium during the same event.

"It was a fun race, I am very happy", declared Attrell. "It is different guys that we see on the podium since the beginning of the Championship, and it gives hope for the remaining of the season. In my career, it is my third podium and my first victory. I am very happy with the win."

"I was expecting to finish in sixth or seventh position since I was starting from behind, but I am very happy to have had an opportunity at the beginning of the race to get the second place and to keep it. It's the first time that I drove the Fastco Motorsport's Hyundai and during the weekend, I was able to improve my laptime by 3 seconds." declared Wittmer.

In other action on the track, several drivers had to abandon the race.

Quebec drivers Jocelyn Hebert in a Honda Civic and Pascal Carre in BMW 328i were caught in an accident in the hairpin and were not able to continue the race. Fluids from the crash made it slippery for the other drivers.

The podium for Touring Class was identical as the day before as Mini teammates Michel Sallenbach and Alain Lauzière were respectively first and second. Markham driver Tom Kwok finished in third place.

"I find that the Circuit ICAR is great for us and we take advantage of it.

I am really happy with the weekend." concluded Sallenbach.

The Championship's 5th and 6th Rounds will take place on June 25 and 26 at Mosport International Raceway. For more information, please visit our website www.touringcar.ca.

CTCC - Anis and Sallenbach Win Round 3

Mirabel, June 4th 2011 – It was under a great sky and almost perfect weather that the CTCC competitors got on the track for the 3rd round of the season at Circuit ICAR.

Starting in the pole position, new competitor Philip Fayer lead the race for the first half of the race until his engine blew up. That gave the first position of the podium to Sacha Anis from G1 Racing. Anis was followed by his teammate Bob Attrel l for second position. Third position went to Arek Wojciechowski of 8Legs Racing in his BMW 328i.

"I was very lucky", said Anis. "I am very happy that Attrell and I are on the podium together. It's the first time."

In Touring Class, the battle was really tight and the winner of the race was Michel Sallenbach in Mini Cooper S JCW. He almost went off the track at the hairpin when the VW of P.J. Groenke spun just a few inches before him.

Sallenbach was followed by his teammate Alain Lauziere also driving a Mini.

Third position went to Tom Kwok in a Honda Civic.

"The track is faster and I appreciated the fact that this was a clean race, no one got bumped. The advantage of the Mini is that if offers more stability that a big car. I am very satisfied, it was a great race", claimed Sallenbach.

Interesting fact, only 3 seconds separated the best times in each Class.

That is to say that Circuit ICAR track favors a better handling over horsepower.

The race was shortened by a few laps due to a fire in Lee Chaplin's Tiburon. The fire began in the engine compartment and Chaplin was able to stop the car and trigger the fire extinguisher before the car was engulfed.

Chaplin escaped unharmed.

PHOTO GALLERY: Kawartha Speedway June 3rd (OSCAAR Super Late Model, Late Model, Thunder Car & Mini Stock)

PHOTO GALLERY: Sunset Speedway May 28th & June 4th (Ltd. Late Models, Super Stocks & Mini Stocks)

Sunday, June 05, 2011

CCTCC: An aggressive fourth Round for the CTCC competitors

MIRABEL, QC - Action was the main word for this 4th Round and some of that action cost Brampton driver Sasha Anis his pole position right at the start. The aggressive start had Anis and Borgeat spinnig in corner one and that left Anis at the end of the field. That spin probably cost a podium position as he was not able to climb back up to the front during the race.

Nevertheless, in Super Class, this confusion was not as bad for everyone since former Championship winner and Quebec driver Nick Wittmer took this opportunity to pass five cars and take the second place in the Fastco Motorsport's Hyundai Tiburon. Wittmer stayed second all race long behind race winner Bob Attrell. The Brampton driver managed to keep in front of the field to get his first victory in his career. That was Attrell's second podium of the weekend and only third of his career.

The third position went to a new Quebec driver, Philip Fayer in a Pontiac Solstice. He was running his first race weekend and won his first podium during the same event.

"It was a fun race, I am very happy," declared Attrell. "It is different guys that we see on the podium since the beginning of the Championship, and it gives hope for the remaining of the season. In my career, it is my third podium and my first victory. I am very happy with the win."

In other action on the track, several drivers had to abandon the race.

"I find that the Circuit ICAR is great for us and we take advantage of it. I am really happy with the weekend." concluded Sallenbach.

The Championship's 5th and 6th Rounds will take place on June 25 and 26 at Mosport International Raceway. For more information, please visit our website www.touringcar.ca.

About CTCC: The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Continental Tire 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, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve and Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières.

Experience the rush of touring car racing!

From Dominique Longval / Director of Marketing / CTCC

NCATS ICAR - Robin Buck wins at Circuit ICAR

Robin Buck (middle) won today's inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Montreal's Circuit ICAR. The veteran driver came home ahead of Scott Steckly (right) and Don Thomson Jr. (left). Based on his win at Mosport last week and his runner-up showing today at ICAR, Steckly leads the series' point standings.

Photo by G. MacPherson / Inside Track

NCATS ICAR - Jason White A&W

NCATS ICAR -- Tagliani on the pole

NCATS ICAR - autograph session

50 minutes until the green flag

Brockville Ontario Speedway Results June 4, 2011

BROCKVILLE, ON - For 24 laps Jessica Power was the class of the Sportsman field on Saturday night at Brockville Ontario Speedway. Then defending track champion Dylan Evoy showed up at the front of the field but Power would not be denied as she took the first DIRT Sportsman main event of her career in dramatic fashion on Kemptville Truck Centre night.

Power led from the drop of the flag, only to have another restart bunch the field for a three lap dash. Evoy grabbed second quickly and pulled alongside the former Rookie track champion on the back straight on the final circuit. Power pushed her car a little harder through turns 3 and 4, and pulled ahead for a less than a car length triumph. Evoy settled for second in front of Brian Copp, Doug O Blenis and Dana Aikins.

Power wasnt the only first time winner on the night as Joe McNichols blasted by defending Rookie champion Jean Marc Larose before the midway mark and then romped to the 16 lap Rookie feature victory lane. Larose was second across the finish line with Dwight Feltham, Brandon Henderson and Josh Kirkland in tow.

The 30 lap Modified event was by far the tamest, so far in 2011. Stephane LaFrance took his second win of the season by a half a lap over Matt Billings. LaFrance in his home built chassis lapped all but 6 other cars. The Little Hammer got a little help after Danny O Brien and Todd Stewart got their front and rear bumpers attached to one another while battling for the top spot early. Jason Riddell was third while Tim O Brien and Bobby Herrington were fourth and fifth respectively. Adam Moore's crew managed to reassemble the 35 after last week's crash and he came home in a solid 6th.

Derek Cryderman found victory lane at Brockville for the first time in over a year as he got past early leader Steve Kearney and held on the rest of the way in the 15 lap Street Stock main. Sebastien Bigras was third followed by Steve Gagne and Andrew Giroux. Todd Raabe made the save of the night, somehow avoiding the concrete barrier in turn 1 after three cars came together on the front straight on the green.

Paul Billings led wire to wire in the 12 lap Vintage race. Cole Dingwall, Denzil Billings Jr, Steve Arburthnot and Wayne Riddell rounded out the fast five in the green to checkered affair.

From Steve Young / BOS