Race Time Radio.... live Saturday from the CSRA

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Sat. Oct 15th 2011 - LIVE From Toronto: 2:00 to 4:00 Pm
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BROCKVILLE ONTARIO SPEEDWAY: Fall Nationals Night 1 Rained Out

BROCKVILLE, ON - For the second straight year, Brockville Ontario Speedway's Northeast Fall Nationals has gotten off to a wet start.  A drenching rain hit the speedway around 5 pm prompting officials to cancel the first night of competition that will not be rescheduled.  Gates will open again tomorrow morning at the Beast of the East at 9 am for Day 2 featuring 360 Saturday, a twin bill with an open 360 Sprint Car event as well as the final 100 lap race in the 358 Modified Super DIRT Series.  Hot laps are set for 11:30 am with time trials to follow at 12:15 pm for the Modifieds.

Plans are already in place in anticipation of any further battles with the weatherman.  The early start time for the first heat of 1 pm on Saturday will enable the track to shift the afternoon show into an Saturday evening event if need be.  If, and only if, that doesn't do the trick, fans will be treated to racing's equivalent of a baseball doubleheader, or Breakfast at Brockville if you prefer.

The 360 Sprints and 358 Modifieds would hit the track bright and early on Sunday morning for their part of the weekend.  The grandstands and pits would be cleared after that race, and the Big Block Modified and Sportsman tour races would run as scheduled on Sunday afternoon.  A separate ticket would be required for the morning event and the afternoon race.  BOB FM is scheduled to be at the track all day on Saturday, so fans can keep up to date if the contingency plans are necessary through their cut ins, as well as through Facebook and Twitter feeds. 

The Fall Nationals are presented by CKWS Television, BOB and JR fm, the Brockville Recorder and Times and Thousand Islands RV. More information is available by calling the track office at 613-345-6324.

From Steve Young / BOS

Inside Track TV: Flamboro Oktoberfest finale preview

In this episode of Inside Track TV, host Spencer Lewis previews the finale of Flamboro Speedway's Oktoberfest Classic, on Saturday, October 15. Have a great weekend!

ALMS: Mosport's 2012 ALMS date is Sunday, July 22

BOWMANVILLE, ON – With the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón 2011 season officially in the books, the Series has announced that the 2012 date for the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport will be (Sunday) July 22.

The American Le Mans Series and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) will continue their 13-year alliance, renewing for 2012 and beyond. The first race under the new agreement will be the 60th anniversary of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring – the opening round of the 2012 ALMS Championship and the new FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Series' annual appearance at Sebring on March 17 ranks as one of the impact points of the 2012 schedule. The 11-race schedule also features a return to a May date for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and the highly successful Baltimore Grand Prix in early September. The season once again will close with the 15th running of Petit Le Mans on October 20.

"Each year we strive to put together a calendar of events that features the top tier of road and street-racing venues while impacting major urban markets," said Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO. "Our 2012 schedule definitely accomplishes these two key goals."

"We're really pleased that Mosport has again landed a coveted summer date on the 2012 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón schedule," said Mosport's President and General Manager, Myles Brandt.

"I think our move to a new July date last season proved to be successful.  With the 2012 date remaining in July, our fans and corporate partners can mark that date on their calendars now and start making plans to be at Mosport on July 22nd."

For more information call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.

From Ryan Chalmers, Mosport

NASCAR: Reed Sorenson to pilot MacDonald Motorsports' #82 this weekend at Charlotte

Currently third in NASCAR Nationwide Series points, Reed Sorenson returns to the seat of the MacDonald Motorsports No. 82 for this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.  Crusader Staffing and THINK PINK from Zeta Tau Alpha will be the primary sponsors on Reed’s No. 82 Dodge on Friday night for the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage.  After leaving Turner Motorsports last week, Sorenson drove the K-LOVE No. 82 Dodge at Kansas to a 26th place result.  Now that the Reed and the team are more comfortable with one another they are looking to improve upon that finish this Friday night.

Sorenson brings with him a lot of experience at the 1.5 mile oval in the heart of NASCAR country.  In 10 previous NNS starts there, Reed has two top-5’s and four top-10 finishes.  He also has 9 career Sprint Cup Series starts at Charlotte with a best finish of 4th in 2007 driving for Chip Ganassi.

With only four races remaining in the 2011 NNS season, Sorenson sits third in the driver standings, 70 points out of first.  Reed has 10 point cushion on Aric Almirola and 22 points on Justin Allgaier, who are fourth and fifth respectively.  After a weekend working with MacDonald Motorsports crew chief Dave Ingram, Reed is confident they will be even stronger this weekend.

Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity was founded in 1898 and has over 211,000 members.  THINK PINK is a registered trademark of ZTA for all of their breast cancer awareness month events.  ZTA is also involved in the NFL, SELF Magazine, Yoplait, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and Lifetime TV.  MacDonald Motorsports and Reed Sorenson are both very proud to carry the THINK PINK logo on the hood of the No. 82 Dodge.

Crusader Staffing is a long time sponsor and supporter of MacDonald Motorsports.  Based in Chattanooga, TN, Crusader specializes in the loading and unloading of floor-loaded trailers.  Although they provide other services related to warehousing from time to time, their main focus is getting freight loaded or unloaded quickly, efficiently, and correctly. 

Practice for the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage at Charlotte is Thursday from 2:00 – 3:20 p.m. and 6:10 – 7:00 p.m.  Qualifying will take place Friday at 3:05 p.m. and the race will go green at 7:30 p.m.

About MacDonald Motorsports: The MacDonald family name has been in the racing circles since owner, Randy MacDonald, started his own driving career in the 1980’s. The provisions made by Randy’s father, Merril “Doc” MacDonald, and mother Pat helped Randy start racing professionally and establish his own company. Randy’s father Doc helped him create business relationships and carry out other important functions of the team until finishing his own race in March of 2007. Despite his death, Doc’s impact on the team will not end, as MacDonald Motorsports continues on in his honor and memory.

From Shawn Meekhof / MacDonald Motorsports / www.mms81.com

Delaware Speedway: Bone Stock 75

The Delaware Speedway Pumpkin Smasher is scheduled to hit the track this Saturday! Weather forecasts have cleared for the afternoon, paving the way for an exciting day of mayhem on the track.

The line-up for the day includes:

- Bone Stock 75: The main event on the day which features completely stock cars battling it out in an old-school “1990’s Enduro-inspired” format. The race features a special course for drivers to navigate and vehicles damaged in the competition will be removed from the track but will be replaced with obstacle cars.

- Demolition Derby: Who doesn’t love a Demolition Derby? One of the last derbies in the province this season, only one car will be left running to claim top prize!

- Open-Ontario Four-Cylinder Championship: Featuring drivers of professional four-cylinder stock car racers from across Ontario in a pair of 8-lap heat races and a 25-lap feature race. For many in this race, Delaware Speedway will be the largest and fastest track they have ever raced on.

-$500 to Win King of the Hill Spectator’s Race: This event allows spectators to enter their street-legal-street-driven cars into one-on-one fun drag races around the speedway. The King of the Hill will be raising funds for Jesse’s Journey when competitors donate $5 to enter. Jesse’s Journey will also be the recipient of the 50/50 draw.

- Classic Car Cruise: taking place before the races, fans will get a chance to see some of the classic and custom automobiles in a parade around the track and on display throughout the afternoon.

- Cheap Admission: Admission to the event is $15, but fans are able to pick up $5-off coupons from participating locations listed on the track website which allow entry for just $10. Kids 12 & under are free of charge.

Spectator gates will open at 11:30 am, the event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 pm.

From John Houghton / Delaware Speedway PR

Ladouceur Regains Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Point Lead After Strong Super DIRT Week Performance; One More Event Remaining in 2011

By Craig Revelle - Finish Line Web Design

Going into Super DIRT Week XL at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York, Joey Ladouceur and his Pro Stock team arrived with a beautiful new paint scheme, and a fresh outlook on the remaining events of the 2011. The Pro Stock division first hit the track on Friday afternoon for practice and the had another practice session and time trials on Saturday afternoon before running the BACC-OFF 25 lap Pro Stock Championship event on Sunday.

Ladouceur was fast right from the beginning, setting the second fastest speed in opening practice. On Saturday, Ladouceur laid down another fast lap, and captured the Terrell’s Potato Chips Pole Award.

“I really didn’t think that lap would have been fast enough for the pole”, claims Ladouceur. “We did that first lap and I thought I kind of gave up a little too much, so when I came around for the second one I went harder. It’s a good thing the first lap was good enough to get the pole because I threw it away on the second one. I tried to stay lower trying to find something on the bottom and it just didn’t stick”.

For Ladouceur, this was his third Pole Award in the 10 years of attending this event at Syracuse. He won the fast time award back in 2003 and again in 2009. This year, Ladouceur was hoping to bring home his first career Syracuse win.

“This is my tenth time here for this race and I’ve never won the darn thing,” said Ladouceur, who has a best career finish in this race of third back in 2003 and 2004. “We have been fast, but we’ve blown tires and had all kinds of bad luck at this place.

In the 25 lap main event, Ladouceur held the lead until a lap six restart. Despite several attempts to get the lead back, he rode in second place, and then fall to third on a lap 17 restart. At the checkered flag, he finished in fourth place. Ladouceur entered the race 41 points out of the lead in the chase for the Pro Stock Mr. DIRTcar championship, but with problems during the race for the current point leader, Ladouceur was able to regain the top spot heading into the final race of the season.

That final race will take place this coming Friday night at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. Ladouceur will carry a 28 point lead into the race, and hopes to claim his first Mr. DIRTcar Pro Stock championship since 2004.

“We have been really close to getting that second title over the past few years, but things just didn’t work out”, says Ladouceur. “Hopefully this year we can close the deal”.

Joey Ladouceur would like to thank all of the sponsors that have come on board for the 2011-racing season. Coffrage 20-20/Pompage 20-20, Fence Depot, Minimax Express, Glengarry Truck Centre, Au Vieux Duluth, Stinger X Chassis and Finish Line Web Design are all an integral part of the Ladouceur team and they look forward to sharing their success with all of you.

For more information on Joey Ladouceur, please check out our website, www.joey92.com.

STAR RACING TO AWARD $268,000 IN SPONSORSHIPS TO YOUNG DRIVERS

SACRAMENTO, California – Star Racing Supply, a top race parts retailer based in California, announces a powerful sponsorship program for young race drivers.  The sponsorship program offers up to 18 young drivers from $6,000 to $18,000 each in sponsorship for the 2012 racing season. 

In alliance with the nationally recognized talent search conducted by Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle, 40 talented young drivers from across the United States and Canada will be selected to participate in “The Shoot-Out“ … an annual, extensive, three day driver try out event, in three types of USAC and NASCAR race cars.

The Shoot-Out is focused on finding top talented, young drivers to be developed towards Professional Stock Car careers with RSWC. Selected drivers joining the RSWC development program will be groomed, coached, trained and raced in USAC and NASCAR oval track series.

“This $268,000 in driver development racing sponsorships is just the next step in goals achieved for Star Racing Supply,” stated Susan Kinnicutt, Marketing Manager. “As a sister company to Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, Star Racing Supply was started to serve racers and give back to the sport by helping young, upcoming, talented drivers. Now that we have achieved solid growth over the past few years, we’re in a financial position to give back.”

Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is known in racing circles as the largest, and most comprehensive, Driver Career Development Program focused on oval track racing. RSWC has coordinated a Talent Combine in North Carolina with four top RSWC drivers testing with Cup Teams, an individual RSWC driver testing and signing with an official Cup Development Team in ARCA and guided a female RSWC driver successfully into the fully funded NASCAR Drive for Diversity program and now into NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series.

Ron Sutton said, “The economy is tough, but Star Racing has done well regardless, so these sponsorships are another way to help young drivers.  We’re looking for talented young drivers and committed families, regardless of their budget.  If the driver has the talent, and the family is committed, we have the people and tools to develop them, the teams to win races and the marketing expertise to help them raise the rest of the sponsorship.”  

RSWC has developed many young racers to successfully make the transition from youth racing series to winning races in NASCAR Oval Track series, including Jessica Brunelli, Beau DeBard, Bobby Grewohl, Joey Licata, Jace Meier, Benny Moon, Nik Romano, Bobby Runyan, Porter Smith and more.

The program consists of 12 veteran driver coaches, 26 classroom training topics, 30 On-Track-Training programs, well known trainers and six racing organizations fielding 30 race teams, all dedicated to develop talented drivers to professional Stock Car racing. The teams are a balance of Open Wheel, Stock Car and Road Racing to develop highly versatile and accomplished winning drivers.

Families of young, winning drivers, ages 11 to 20, are encouraged to get detailed information from the web-site and submit their resume before the October 15th, 2011 deadline. The web-site is www.Winners-Circle-Racing.com  

Final Atlantic Stock Car Championship event set to go at CFS on Saturday

SHEDIAC, NB – Drivers from throughout the Atlantic region will converge this Saturday afternoon on the Centre for Speed (CFS), Atlantic Canada's Super Speedway and Metro Moncton's 'Playground of Power', for the final event of the 12th Annual Atlantic Stock Car Championships. Saturday's event, which will be the final races of the 2011 stock car racing season in Atlantic Canada, will feature drivers in three divisions, Sportsman, Mini Stock and Four Fun.

A number of current and former track, tour and defending Atlantic Champions, will be competing in Saturday's stock car racing event, which begins with qualifying heats at noon (12:00 p.m.) with feature races getting underway at approximately 2:00 p.m. Teams from throughout the Atlantic region will attempt to qualify for the Vance Hanes Auto Parts Sportsman 100 Atlantic Championship feature. Saturday's event will also include Atlantic Championship feature races for Mini Stock (over 100 horsepower racecars in a 50 lap feature) and Four Fun (under 100 horsepower racecars in a 50 lap feature).

Sportsman drivers that have registered to compete for this year's Atlantic Sportsman Championship include defending champ Calvin Rankin of Saint John, N.B., this year's Nova Scotia / New Brunswick Sportsman Series Champ Colby Smith, CFS track Champion Luc Bourgeois of Memramcook, N.B. as well as the 2010, 2009 and 2008 Champions plus many other top drivers from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick stock car tracks. Josh Collins of Newfoundland and Labrador has also expressed his intent to return for the Sportsman 100, making Saturday's finale a truly an Atlantic wide event.

Admission prices, information on advance tickets as well as a full event schedule are available at www.centreforspeed.com

The CFS speedway urges everyone to check the CFS web site (www.centreforspeed.com or call the speedway's info line to check the status of this event before travelling as a rain date will be announced in the event of poor weather conditions.

From Tim Wile, Promoter & General Manager

Billings Has Top Ten Finish at Super DIRT Week XL; Brockville Speedway Season Finale Coming up Next

By Craig Revelle - Finish Line Web Design

One of the most anticipated weeks of racing has now come and gone with the passing of Super DIRT Week XL, and for the second year in a row in the 358 Modified division, Matt Billings has met his goal of achieving a top ten finish at the biggest event of the season.

Billings arrived at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York on Tuesday and was one of the first 358 Modifieds to go through the rigorous technical inspection process that all cars competing during the week must go through. After clearing tech, Billings had hoped their first on track practice session would come on Wednesday, but it was soon announced that due to wet track conditions, all practice set for Wednesday had been canceled.

On Thursday, Billings was eager to get on track to display his new Super DIRT Week colors, and to see how fast his car was, but problems soon arose and Billings was not as fast on the practice sheets that he had hoped to be. The problems continued throughout the day on Thursday giving them a slow speed during time trials, but by the time pit area closed, the team was confident that they had it resolved.

Friday was a new day for Billings, and after a solid practice run, Billings was in the top ten, confirming that the problems from Thursday were now behind them. For the first time ever, the 20 lap qualifying heat races were run under the lights at the fairgrounds, and as a result of Thursday poor qualifying time, Billings was relegated to a starting position deep in the pack, and he would have to race his way into the show. Billings finished his heat race from 15^th place, securing the final transfer spot into Saturday’s Nationwide 150 main event.

On Saturday, Billings started the race from back in 33^rd position. Billings showed patience early, and with a strong car, and good pit strategy, he was up into the top six by lap 70. Soon after, Billings made his pit stop, dropping him to 20^th place, but methodically, he worked his way forward, and by the 100 lap mark, he was up to 16^th. In the final 50 laps of the race, Billings was able to move up to ninth place before the checkered flag, just narrowly missing the Hard Charger of the Race Award.

“It was a really good day for us. I love running here at the mile”, says Billings after the race. “Our goal was to come out here and improve on our (10^th place) finish from last year, and we were able to do that”.

This coming weekend, Billings will end his 2011 racing season back home at the Brockville Ontario Speedway. He will race with the 358 Modifieds on Saturday afternoon, and if all goes well, he will race Sunday against the Big Blocks.

Matt Billings is a proud supporter of the Heart and Stroke Foundation, taking part in a fundraiser earlier this year. He also participated in a fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. For more information on the Heart and Stroke Foundation, please visit www.heartandstroke.ca or for the Alzheimer’s Society, please visit www.alzheimer.ca.

Billings Motorsports would like to thank all of their sponsors for their continued support. Billings Automotive, Carquest, Stealth Racewear, Pastime Motors, Hansler Smith Limited, Enders Racing Engines, Brockville Physiotherapy, Babe Design, Finish Line Web Design, and Enders Racing are an integral part of the team’s success, and we thank you all for your support this season.

Stop by the Billings Motorsports trailer at the track and pick up your Billings Motorsports t-shirts and hoodies. T-shirts are being sold for $20 and hoodies are on sale for $35.

For more information on Matt Billings and the Billings Racing Team, please visit our website, www.mattbillings74.com.

INSIDE TRACK TV: Sauble Thunder Car champ Matt Mulholland at Peterborough's Lucas Oil Autumn Colours Classic

In this YouTube video, Inside Track TV host Spencer Lewis chats with 2011 Sauble Speedway Thunder Car champion Matt Mulholland about his season and what's ahead for the Port Elgin, Ontario racer.

INDYCAR: Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix to be held in June 2012

DETROIT – Chevrolet today announced a multi-year agreement with the Penske Corporation and INDYCAR to bring professional motorsports back to the Motor City for the first time in four years. The first Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be held June 1-3, 2012 at the picturesque 2.1-mile Raceway at Belle Isle Park road course.

“Chevrolet has a long, storied history in Indy car racing,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “This year we celebrated the shared centennial of Chevrolet and the Indianapolis 500. We're excited to see that history continue with the help of Penske Corporation and INDYCAR bringing back open-wheel racing to Detroit in 2012.  This city is a natural for racing – it put the world on wheels and the roar of engines is something that simply belongs here."

Detroit’s historic Belle Isle Park will host four races during the three-day event, including: 

• The Chevrolet Indy Grand Prix presented by shopautoweek.com, where Chevrolet’s new twin-turbo V-6 race engines will compete in the IZOD IndyCar Series

• The Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Challenge where Chevrolet Daytona Prototypes and Camaros will compete in the first GRAND-AM Rolex Series race held on Belle Isle

• The Cadillac V-Series Challenge at Belle Isle, where Cadillac CTS-Vs will compete in the second Pirelli World Challenge series race held on Belle Isle

• The Firestone Indy Light Series race, featuring the rising stars of open-wheel racing  

“Chevrolet has been instrumental in bringing motorsports back to Detroit,” said Penske Corp. Chairman Roger Penske. “The Grand Prix will draw international attention and visitors to Belle Isle – which is one of the most-scenic race venues in the United States. We believe the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix will be one of the most-popular races in the IZOD IndyCar Series and will play a major role in continuing the renaissance of Detroit.”

Indy car racing has developed a global audience. The 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series, which concludes Oct. 16, includes 17 events in the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Japan, reaching an estimated television audience of 191 million people in 200 countries.

The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix was last held in 2007 and 2008. Based on estimates from the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, those two events combined attracted more than 200,000 visitors, and brought more than $100 million to the Detroit Metro economy.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring the Detroit Grand Prix back to Belle Isle,” said Detroit Mayor Dave Bing. "Thanks to the support of INDYCAR, Penske Corporation and Chevrolet we will once again host one of the world's most prestigious motorsports events." 

For more information and to sign up for tickets to the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, please visit www.detroitgp.com. Learn more about the event through social media by visiting www.twitter.com/detroitgp and www.facebook.com/detroitgp.

From Monte Doran / Chevrolet Communications

NCATS season finale from Kawartha on TSN

( #NCATS @TSN_Sports ) The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season finale from Kawartha Speedway airs starting Saturday, October 15 on TSN. It’s a special 90-minute show.

F2000: Rémy Audette One Start Away From Becoming 2011 Champion !

Blainville (Québec), October 12 2011.– Québec driver Rémy Audette is set to contest the last double-header of the F2000 Championship Series this weekend at the Watkins Glen circuit in the state of New York. Holding a very comfortable lead at the top of the driver standings, Audette only needs to take the start of one of the rounds in order to clinch the 2011 championship title.  Naturally, he is eyeing much more than just merely the start!

Watkins Glen used to be a track that I wasn’t extremely fond of but during our last trip there in early June, we were able to find the proper settings and won both races.  It’s funny how an opinion about a circuit can completely change when you win. Now, I love Watkins Glen ! » explains Rémy Audette, clearly very relaxed heading into the last outing of the 2011 season. « From a numbers standpoint, all I need to do is start one of the two rounds to earn enough points to assure me the title. But, I want to finish the season on a high note; I want to win again. I have been victorious at five of the twelve races since the beginning of the season. It would be great to earn one more and cap off this fantastic 2011 season with another great result » adds the Audette Racing driver.

This race weekend at Watkins Glen is spread out over three days with practice sessions on Friday, one qualification and race on Saturday, and another qualification and race on Sunday.  The start of the each race is set for 4pm and the season-ending banquet is scheduled to follow Sunday’s round.  Close to forty drivers are registered for this, the final double-header of the 2011 F2000 Championship Series. « Traffic on the track is not really going to pose a problem because we will be on the Grand Prix track at Watkins Glen, therefore not the one that the NASCAR cars use but the one that was formerly used by the Formula 1 for the US Grand Prix.  With our F2000 open wheel cars, it’ll take a while before we can catch and pass the last cars in the pack. Having said that, we are potentially expecting rain for Friday and maybe Saturday. I would like to contest a race in the rain, it would add a little spice to the final event and clinch another track record! » confides Rémy Audette.

North American Formula 2000 is the Audette Racing Team’s primary goal for this year, with Rémy Audette behind the wheel.  Mathieu Audette also contested select rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship during the summer with his Acura RSX Type-S, earning one victory and three podiums.

The Audette Racing Team benefits form the support of Dimensions Doors, Novatech, Acura Plus Blainville, Les Extrusions du Nord, Verre Select, Jeld Wen, OPM, Amusements Spectaculaire, Les Moulures PFJV, Gulf, Blueprint Racing, Mec-Inov and Omnitech.

For More Information : Audette Racing,  www.audetteracing.com

(514) 758-3737 (to reach Rémy)  -  (514) 758-1212 (to reach Mathieu)  

Sallows Calls Syracuse a Great Experience Despite Mechanical Issues that Eventually Kept them Out of the 30 Lap Championship Race

By Craig Revelle - Finish Line Web Design

With over 60 cars registered for the Mr. DIRTcar Sportsman championship event at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, Dillon Sallows knew it was going to be tough. Making his first ever appearance at the ultra-fast mile long track can be intimidating to even the most experienced racer. The high speeds did not phase Sallows at all though, as he turned a fast lap that ranked seventh overall in the first practice session on Friday afternoon.

The excitement soon turned to disappointment for Sallows, as a miss in the engine developed, slowing him down considerably. Despite the issues, and several attempts to fix the problem Sallows went out and did his qualifying attempt for the DIRTcar Futures race, and for Saturday’s main event. Sallows posted the 48^th fastest speed of the 64 competitors, and with only the top 24 being locked into the race in speed, he would have to try and race his way into the show on Saturday in the last chance race. In the Futures race, Sallows finished 17^th.

After several hours of working on the car to resolve the miss in the engine, Sallows had the problem resolved going into Saturday. They had a long way to go in the last chance qualifier, with only three cars transferring to the main event. Sallows was unable to contend for a transfer spot, and would not make the 30 car field for the main event.

“It is disappointing for sure”, says Sallows. “We had fun though, and we learned a lot about racing here, and I hope we can make it back here again next year. I really have to thank my Dad, all of our sponsors, the crew and everyone that helped us this weekend”.

Sallows, who operates his race team with his parents, Dallas and Kim Sallows races under the banner on DKD Racing, the initials of each family member. In addition to the C & B Enterprises sponsorship for 2011, DKD Racing will also have an impressive list of sponsors that include Erin & Buggo, Shortall’s Sand & Gravel, Unity Savings, Pat Roger’s Towing, Alex McCoy Plumbing and Heating, The W.I.P.P. Restaurant, Hollingsworth Supply Services, Finish Line Web Design, Sign A Rama, and Megaly’s General Store.

For more information on Dillon Sallows and the DKD Racing team, please visit our website, www.dillonsallows.com.

Danny O’Brien Stays in Championship Contention Going Into Final Race of 2011 Season; Fall Nationals at Brockville Coming Up Next

By Craig Revelle - Finish Line Web Design

Going into Super DIRT Week, Danny O’Brien faced a 25-point deficit in the battle for the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified point championship. With events scheduled at Weedsport Speedway in Weedsport, New York on Wednesday night, Rolling Wheels Raceway on Thursday night and the New York State Fairgrounds on Saturday, O’Brien was looking to have a good run throughout the week, and put himself in contention coming back to his home track for the final event of the season.

At Weedsport Speedway on Wednesday night, O’Brien was second fastest in his time trial group, and started on the outside of the front row in his heat race. At the drop of the green, O’Brien had a fast car, and took home the win, placing him into the redraw for one of the top 12 starting spots for the 75 lap main event. O’Brien drew starting spot number nine, and lined up on the inside of the fifth row for the feature. The entire 75 lap distance went caution free, and at the checkered flag, O’Brien finished right where he started. While the results weren’t what the team had hoped for going in, they still manage to trim their points lead down to 17 points going into the next night at Rolling Wheels Raceway.

Rolling Wheels is located just minutes up the road from Weedsport. O’Brien and the team spent the day on Thursday going over the car and getting ready for the next race on the Mr. DIRTcar Series. In his qualifying heat race, O’Brien struggled early, finishing fifth, earning the final transfer spot into the main event. He would start the 75 lap main event from 18^th place. During the race, O’Brien moved his way forward, and at the checkered flag he was in sixth place. As the race ended and the points were added, O’Brien shaved two more points of the deficit going into the next event on the series schedule at Syracuse.

The dilemma for O’Brien and his team came on Saturday. The New York State Fairgrounds was the site of the next race on the schedule. In past years, this race did not count towards the Mr. DIRTcar Series, it only offered points just to show up, and do a lap during the week. This year, it became a full fledged series race. With running Syracuse, the expenses for the whole week add up fast, and O’Brien had opted out of running this race. On Saturday morning, O’Brien decided to take advantage of his guaranteed starting spot, and just do a lap to collect the minimum points. While O’Brien finished at the back, the other championship contenders didn’t fair well either, and O’Brien will go into the final race of the season just 30 points out of the lead in the battle for his first ever Mr. DIRTcar Championship.

The final race of the season is set for Saturday night at Brockville. It would be a perfect scene for O’Brien to capture his first title on a track that he has had so much success at in past years and a track where his fan base is second to none.

“It would be great to win it in front of all our fans”, says O’Brien. “The only thing we can really do is go out there and run well as we can, and contend for the win. There is no point worrying about points now, we just need to go out and win the race and it will take care of itself”.

Danny O’Brien and Kendrick Racing would like to thank 1000 Islands RV Centre, Pat’s Rad, Stover Bus Lines, BOB FM, Ponte Bros. Masonry, Morrison Racing Engines, Bicknell Racing Products, and Integra Racing Shocks for their support during the 2011 racing season.

For more information on Danny O’Brien and the 17D racing team, please visit our website, www.dannyobrien.ca

SEBASTIAN VETTEL WINS 2011 F1 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP AT SUZUKA

ROLLE, Switzerland (10th October 2011) – Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador Sebastian Vettel underlined his reputation as a true master of Inspired Performance today, by winning the 2011 Formula One World Championship at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Going into the race needing to finish tenth or better to secure the title, the Red Bull Racing driver maintained his composure under huge pressure to finish in third place. This podium finish gave him enough points to seal the championship and at 24, makes him the youngest double World Champion in Formula One history with four races still to go this season.

The German star and Infiniti driver has been the class of the 2011 season so far, winning nine races and, along with team mate Mark Webber, ensuring Infiniti and Red Bull Racing have not only wrapped up the Driver’s championship but lead the Constructor’s World Championship by 130 points.

With the weekend’s brilliant result, Infiniti congratulates Sebastian Vettel on his inspired World Championship victory.

SEBASTIAN VETTEL

Finish position: 3rd, Start position: Pole

“A lot of people have been quite confident about the title, but one of the important things was that we didn’t allow ourselves to drift away with the thought too much. Instead we concentrated on every single step and everything we have done this year and everything we have achieved – then wow. I want to thank all the guys and girls in the factory in Milton Keynes, as it’s not just us here pushing very hard, it’s them as well – from the post office to the design office to the engineering office here at the track, their effort is just incredible. It’s hard to imagine you know, we have two cars and two drivers only and we carry that weight on our shoulders every time we go on track. Sometimes we don’t treat the cars as good as we should, but we always try to get every single bit out of them every race weekend. But it’s phenomenal what’s happened – we set ourselves the target to win the Championship this year and so, to win it by Japan with four more races to go, is difficult to put into words – it’s as confusing as the first one. I never imagined I would win one Championship and so to win this second one is amazing. I have a lot of good memories from Formula One, from watching it when I was young, to now and I feel fortunate and blessed to experience today. There were so many excited people when we did the drivers’ parade today and that was my last thought when I put my helmet on. For drivers, it doesn’t get much better than this, a sunny day and all the fans excited to see what you do – I think that’s what life is about. And so, to wrap up the Championship here is difficult to put into words – it’s more than fantastic.”

MARK WEBBER

Finish position: 4th, Start position: 6th

“Congratulations to Sebastian – to become a double World Championship is a very good job. All the overtaking during the race was in the pit stops today, with not much on track. We passed a Ferrari and a McLaren, but it was quite even between all of us. I had some contact with Michael Schumacher, which did some damage to my front wing at a crucial part of the race as I was trying to come back through the pack. We made contact, but he got away with it. The safety car didn’t really come at the right time for me – as I was hoping to have a look at Fernando around the stops, but when the field bunches up you have to go through the Michael situation again and it's hard to undercut people. In the end it was a reasonable result; it was a great race for Jenson, it's his second home race in many ways, and congratulations to Seb for the title.”

CHRISTIAN HORNER

Red Bull Racing Team Principal

“Firstly, it’s phenomenal for Sebastian Vettel to win his second World Championship. He’s driven magnificently this year and thoroughly deserves this Championship victory, which he has dominated since the first race in Melbourne. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and team work and he can be very proud of what he’s achieved. This now places him amongst an elite group of drivers who have realised not only a double Championship – but back-to-back World Championships. The race today was a tight one, we seemed to lose time in the pit lane today – perhaps with our positioning at the end of the pit lane, but nonetheless Jenson drove a strong race and congratulations to him. Third and fourth is still a strong haul of points for the Constructors’ Championship and we have consolidated our lead of 130 points. However, today belongs to Sebastian.”

WENDY DURWARD

Director, Infiniti Canada

“This is an exhilarating day for the Red Bull Racing team and everyone at Infiniti. As an official team partner, we are thrilled by such an exciting victory and it’s even more special because it happened in Infiniti’s homeland of Japan. On behalf of all our employees and dealer network across Canada, I send our congratulations to Sebastian Vettel and the entire team,” said Wendy Durward, Director of Infiniti Canada. “Vettel is a marvel. What he’s achieved, and at such a young age, is truly astounding. We could not imagine a better global brand ambassador for Infiniti because he lives and breathes Inspired Performance every day.”

Infiniti, the luxury performance brand from Japan, joined forces with Red Bull Racing for the start of the 2011 F1 season and features prominently on the RB7 cars driven by Vettel and Webber.

PHOTOS: Peterborough Speedway - Autumn Colours Classic 2011

A small photo gallery from Peterborough Speedway's Autumn Colours Classic on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011. Congratulations to four-time OSCAAR champ Glenn Watson, who closed out the season in style with a checkered flag in the 50-lap feature.

Photos by GregM / ITMN

Andrew Ranger to race Homestead-Miami for Go Canada Racing

Andrew Ranger will be back behind the wheel of the #67 GCR Mustang for the final Nationwide race of the year at the Homestead-Miami Speedway Ford 300. This will be the first appearance at Homestead for Andrew and the first Homestead race for the GCR #67.

“I’m very excited to get back behind the wheel of the #67 car. This will be my first race at Homestead and my second oval with GCR,” said Ranger.

“The Homestead race caps off a very exciting inaugural year for GCR and we’re delighted to have Andrew back in the Car,” stated team owner Steve Meehan.

Visit www.GoCanadaRacing.com for more info.

From Tom Baker / Go Canada Racing

Hindman Clinches Title and Sets New Lap Record for BGR Team Grote

Capping off his near perfect OFFC Campaign, Trent Hindman and team-mate Dalton Kellett had the perfect team weekend. Showing why he is regarded as one of the top up and coming drivers in North America, Trent came into the weekend only needing to finish 4th in one of the two remaining rounds to clinch the title. Trent put his Mazdaspeed Racelite Protection VanDiemen on the pole for both rounds, set fastest laps both days and took the win in both rounds after a fierce early race battle with team-mate Dalton Kellett each day.  Dalton (K-Line VanDieman) kept the pressure on his team-mate making it an all BGR Team Grote  front row each day and backed it up with solid races with Trent before Trent finally build a gap to lead a one two for BGR.  The two had it all their way as they built a lead on the pursuing pack to win comfortably and bring the team another Rookie of the Year Title to go along with the Championship. 

"That couldn't have gone any better! We are so proud of our two drivers this wekend, a perfect score card with the poles, fastest laps, and one two finishes to cap off a great season for the team. Trent broke the Official race lap record held by BGR alumni Conor Daly.Trent showed why he is champion with his crushing pole position on the Sunday in the rain, an astounding 6 seconds to second shows that in all conditions he is the guy to beat. Dalton gets faster everytime and ends up with P3 in the championship despite missing the first few rounds. commented team owner Brian Graham. These are two very talented drivers and both have a bright future in motorsports" 

BGR Team Grote will continue testing into the fall months with a scheduled test October 27-28 at Mosports DDT. Interested drivers should contact the team  through the team website www.briangrahamracing.com    

BGR Team Grote has put more drivers in the winners circle than any other team  in  OFFC history. With alumni drivers now competing in some of the worlds most elite series including ALMS (Kyle Marcelli), GP3 and Indy Lights (Conor Daly and Josef Newgarden) as well as others who continue their trek to the top.  Striving to provide karters as well as seasoned racers a strong platform to develop their skills as they push towards their goals, BGR Team Grote continues to look for up and coming drivers looking to make the jump from karting to open wheel racing

Don't Miss It! - BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY ON CBC

RICK MERCER

Live at Brighton Speedway

Tuesday October 11th

on CBC at 8:00 pm

Brighton Speedway has received confirmation that the segments of the Rick Mercer Report taped at the

October 1st Eve of Destruction will air this Tuesday, October 11th at 8:00 pm.   

This process generally takes 3-4 weeks to turn the taping into an edited show however the producers has so much amazing footage they have been able to turn this episode in less than 2 weeks.  

The Rick Mercer Report highlighting the 2nd Annual Eve of Destruction will air Tuesday October 11th on CBC at 8:00 pm. 

SPREAD THE WORD! 

It will also repeat the following Friday at 8:30 and will be online at www.youtube.com/mercerreport

 

Brockville Fall Nationals Open on Friday at the BOS

Track Champion comes home to Brockville with a shot at DIRTcar Title

BROCKVILLE, ON – All anyone wants in sports is a chance in finale.  That's exactly what 10 time Brockville Ontario Speedway track champion Danny O Brien has heading to the third annual DIRTcar Northeast Fall Nationals this coming weekend at Brockville Ontario Speedway.  The Kingston driver is just 30 points behind defending 358 Modified champion Danny Johnson following 3 events in the last few days at Super DIRT week.

This won't be the first time, the Pocket Rocket has had to come from behind this season at the Beast of the East.  Stephane LaFrance got a good jump in the first half of the Brockville chase for the championship in 2011.  O Brien, however caught fire in the second half of the year for his 10th track title.  The 358 Super DIRT series finale will be part of a solid twin bill on Saturday, October 15th with an open 360 sprint car event.  Qualifying for the 100 lap event begins at 12:15 pm with the first green flag of the afternoon at 1 pm on October 15th.

Friday night, October 14th features the final 50 lap race in the Super DIRT Pro Stock series along with a 40 lap Street Stock feature.  Pro Stock qualifying gets underway at 6:40 with racing set to begin at 7 pm.

Sunday afternoon, October 16th will feature the Big Block Modifieds, in their third to final event of 2011 and the season closer in the Super DIRT Sportsman Series along with the Vintage cars.  Tim Sears Jr's third place finish at Syracuse this week, puts him in great shape for a Sportsman series repeat. Sunday's schedule has qualifying for the Sportsman and Modifieds with a start time of 11:45 am with again the heat races getting underway at 1 pm.

Brockville regulars turned some heads on Saturday at the Moody Mile as hometown shoe Matt Billings managed a 9th place finish in the 150 lap 358 Modified race, while St Andrew's Shane Pecore came home sixth in the Sportsman event.  Both will be looking forward to making their final runs of the year on home turf this weekend.

Fans are urged to book their camping spaces quickly, as less than 45 spots are left in the improved Thousand Islands RV turn 4 camping area. Tickets are selling at a brisk pace as the big weekend approaches. Lap sponsorships are also available. The Fall Nationals are presented by CKWS Television, BOB and JR fm, the Brockville Recorder and Times and Thousand Islands RV. More information is available by calling the track office at 613-345-6324.

From Steve Young / BOS

OSCAAR: Glenn Watson wins at Peterborough's Autumn Colours

Glenn Watson won the race and his fourth consecutive OSCAAR crown.

Canadian Robert Wickens Wins Formula Renault 3.5 Series Title

Toronto, Canada (October 09, 2011) – Champion!  Robert Wickens is quickly enjoying the word having wrapped up the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series title in Spain on Sunday, beating France's Jean-Eric Vergne to the crown by nine points, 241 to 232.  

The 22-year-old Canadian, a reserve driver for Marussia Virgin Racing in Formula One, is celebrating his first European open-wheel racing championship after finishing runner-up in the F2 Championship and GP3 Series in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Wickens' title triumph, his first since winning the 2006 Formula BMW USA Championship, comes with the prize, courtesy of Renault, of a half-day test in the Lotus Renault GP R31 Formula One car.  The Toronto resident will participate in the scheduled 'F1 Rookie Test' at the Yas Marina International Circuit next month immediately following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.  

Spain's Circuit de Catalunya played host to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series finale with Wickens holding a slender two-point lead over Vergne entering the weekend.  He successfully extended that to nine points by capturing the pole, his seventh of the season, and by dominating Saturday's 29-lap race.  The Marussia Motors-backed racer put in a championship drive, steering his Carlin entry to the checkered flag with a commanding 21-second advantage over Vergne, who took second to guarantee the title fight would go all the way to the final race of the season.

Wickens was again a man on a mission in Sunday morning's qualifying outing, securing a front-row slot alongside Spain's Albert Costa on pole with Vergne down in fifth.  At the start Robert dropped a spot to third on the run to Turn 1.  With Vergne up to fourth, the title rivals fought under braking with the Frenchman's car collecting Wickens, damaging the Canadian's right-hand track rod in the process.  Unable to turn right and then hit violently from behind on the left-hand side by Nathanael Berthon's entry, Robert's race was done on the opening lap, his title hopes on hold.

Vergne, who needed to finish fifth, then struggled with an ill-handling car, dropping down to 12th after the mandatory pit-stops.  Out of the points and with his championship hopes gone, he eventually retired on lap 17 ensuring Wickens would lift the title despite his own earlier retirement.  The 26-lap race was won by Costa followed by Britain's Nick Yelloly and Kiwi Brendon Hartley.

"Well it's not the way I wanted to seal the championship but I'm happy to be champion," stated Wickens in Spain.  "I've been fast here all weekend, I think yesterday's race pace demonstrated that.  It's obviously a shame we didn't have the opportunity to demonstrate that in today's race but it really does come down to the whole season and overall it's been a good year.

"It was great to have a competitive team-mate like Jean-Eric Vergne this season.  I think we raised our levels to compete against each other and it's certainly why the championship went all the way to the wire.  I also really have to thank Marussia Motors for their support this season and also to Carlin for providing me with a great car.  Everyone on the team's worked so hard and it's been so competitive that we couldn't afford to let up at any point.  I'm just really happy to have won the title!"

Wickens lifts the 2011 Formula Renault 3.5 Series courtesy of a season that included a total of five victories (Spa-Francorchamps, Nurburgring, Silverstone (x2), Catalunya), seven pole positions and 10 podium finishes.  The Canadian lifted his title on the same day Germany's Sebastian Vettel, who was propelled straight into Formula One from the Formula Renault 3.5 Series in 2007, claimed his second successive Formula One World Championship Drivers Title at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Robert will immediately head to Korea to reunite with Marussia Virgin Racing ahead of next weekend's Korean Grand Prix, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th October.  He will return home to Canada to celebrate his Formula Renault 3.5 Series on Monday 17th October.

2011 FR3.5 Series Top-5 Driver Standings (R9/9): 1st – WICKENS (CAN) 241pts, 2nd – Vergne (FRA) 232pts, 3rd – Rossi (USA) 156pts, 4th – Costa (ESP) 151pts, 5th – Ricciardo (AUS) 144pts - www.worldseriesbyrenault.com

ENDS – www.robertwickens.com / Twitter: @robertwickens

Press release issued on behalf of Robert Wickens by SM-PR