(BOWMANVILLE, ON – May 5, 2009) Mosport International Raceway will renew one of its grandest traditions during Victoria Day SpeedFest, May 15-17, when the ground-pounding, high-horsepower Corvettes, Camaros, Jaguars and Mustangs of the Muscle Milk SCCA Trans-Am Series makes its return to Mosport for the first time since 2003.
Trans-Am has a long and storied history at Mosport that dates back to 1976. The series became a popular Victoria Day tradition at Mosport in the mid-1990s, and helped launch the careers of many big names in road racing including Wally Dallenbach, Jr., Tommy Kendall, Scott Pruett, Dorsey Schroeder, Scott Sharp, and Canada’s own Ron Fellows. This year marks the series return to competition since shutting down after the 2006 campaign.
Coming into the Mosport round, Tony Ave of Maiden, N.C. leads the eight-race championship after starting on the pole in the first two races and finishing second at Virginia. The Mustang pilot will be in tough against a field that includes Mosport veterans Tony Drissi of Los Angeles, CA. (Jaguar), Edison Lluch, Sr. of Lajas, Puerto Rico (Corvette) and Lluch’s son, Edison Jr. (Corvette). Among the other racers looking to get the top of the podium at Mosport is Simon Gregg of PonteVerdaBeach, FL. (Corvette), son of the late Trans-Am legend and four-time 24 Hours of Daytona champion, Peter Gregg. Klaus Graf (Jaguar), the 2005 Trans-Am champion should also be a contender at Mosport after notching his first win of the season at Virginia.
Joining the Trans-Am cars on track are the SPEED World Challenge GT and Touring Car Championships, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship and the Sundown Grand Prix endurance race into darkness. The traditional Saturday night fireworks show also returns to light up the night sky to help celebrate Canada’s first long weekend of the summer.
In addition to all the on-track action, Mosport’s popular Victoria Day weekend fireworks show returns to light up the night sky on Saturday evening beginning just after dark. Included with paid admission is access to the race team paddock and the Motorsport Expo & Marketplace, which features an interesting mix of racing souvenirs, apparel and displays.
Mosport SpeedFest ticket-holders can use their passes for admission to the adjacent Mosport Speedway half-mile oval for the Auto Workers Community Credit Union Saturday Night Stock Car Racing, presented by PartSource. Racing starts at 6:30 pm. The fireworks show should be visible from the Speedway’s grandstands.
A three-day SuperTicket is just $50 until May 13 ($60 at the Gate) and each ticket includes free parking and access to the fireworks show. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Single day tickets are also available.
For the racing enthusiast who wants to get a little closer to the action, the SpeedFest Corral offers a VIP trackside hospitality package that includes team tech sessions, a meet and greet with the drivers and the opportunity for guests to drive their car on the track in a parade lap for $90.
An advance three-day weekend general camping pass is just $30 (For tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are $50 for the weekend.
For more information about Mosport tickets and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET) or visit online at www.mosport.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
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Photo: The season opener for the 2009 Muscle Milk SCCA Trans-Am Series at Road Atlanta.
Credit: Mark Weber/SCCA
For Further Information:
Eric Prill, SCCA, (785) 250-7920 (cell.) or email eprill@scca.com
Lee Bailie, Mosport, (905) 995-8313 (cell.) or email lee@mosport.com
Muscle Milk SCCA Trans-Am Series official site: www.sccatrans-am.com
Danica Patrick was the guest on today’s Indy Racing League teleconference
About the speakers: Danica Patrick discussed the upcoming Indianapolis 500. This will be her fifth start in “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”
Danica Patrick
· 27-year-old veteran of five seasons in the IndyCar Series
· Drives the No. 7 Motorola entry for Andretti Green Racing
· Opened the 2009 season with two top-five finishes in the first three races, one of only four drivers to do so
· Has made 67 career starts, recording 13 top-five finishes, 38 top-10s and winning three poles
· Became the first woman to win a major closed-course auto race in April 2008 at Twin Ring Motegi in Japan
· Has made four starts in the Indianapolis 500, qualifying in the top 10 in each one
· Has three top-10 finishes in the Indianapolis 500
· Won Chase Rookie of the Year honors at Indianapolis in 2005, leading 19 laps en route to a fourth-place finish
***
Select Quotes: Listed below are select quotes from today’s teleconference. The complete transcript and audio MP3 file are posted at www.indycar.com/media.
Q: Danica, a couple of practice days this week before Pole Day on Saturday. You qualified in the top 10 all four years at Indy. What are the things that you try and accomplish the first couple of days of practice and then what are the keys to turning in another solid qualifying effort on Saturday?
DANICA PATRICK: It's a good opportunity to really just focus on qualifying. All the rest of the year we tend to not really be so heavily focused on it, and we kind of do maybe a qualifying practice run or two, but that's about it, and then we kind of fill the car up and work on race stuff from there.
We get a few days to really focus on it. It's about getting the car comfortable. You really want the car comfortable when it has more downforce on it. As you trim it out, the balance changes maybe a little bit, but really you want to start out with a good balanced car, and hopefully you can even take the downforce off and just get faster.
Q: Other than the obvious answer, to finish first after 200 laps, what are the things you need to do this year to win the Indy 500?
DANICA PATRICK: Well, I think that it would be the easiest to start in the front and just stay there. I think that we're going to obviously work hard to qualify well. I think it's a matter of, in the past the qualifying's been reasonably good, but it's a matter of staying there. I think that's going to be the real focus, is just to not drop back and to not lose positions on the track on starts or restarts, to stay on top of the car throughout the race and keep up with the way that the track is changing, and then to have really clean pit stops. I think that's going to have to be a really, really big focus for me, getting in and out of the pits and getting in and out of the box at full speed all the time. If we do those things well, I hope we can qualify well and then I believe that we can stay there. Then it will be a shootout in the end.
There's no doubt that you do have to have a fast car to win the Indy 500, because it usually comes to that last sort of 20 laps or five-lap shootout where it's all about speed.
Q: I wanted to ask you about what I call the kinder, gentler Danica Patrick. The first race you were trying not to be mad all weekend, then (Raphael) Matos took you into the boards at St. Petersburg, you didn't smack him like we thought you might. Where is that all coming from?
DANICA PATRICK: Is it OK, do you think? I hope I'm not boring anybody (laughter).
I've learned from the past. Look, the emotional Danica is still there, but there's a time and a place. The time and place is not every weekend. So it's just easier. I think I always felt in the past like I had to prove to people that I cared and that I wasn't happy being fifth or 12th or something by being mad. It just doesn't really pay off, and it turns people off. It's a lot easier and a lot more fun to be relaxed. It's all bunnies and rainbows around here.
**
The 2009 IndyCar Series season continues May 24 with the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast live in High Definition at 1 p.m. (EDT) by ABC. The race will air live on the IMS Radio Network, XM channel 145 and Sirius channel 211. The radio broadcast also will be carried on www.indycar.com. The 2009 Firestone Indy Lights season continues May 22 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race will be telecast May 22 by VERSUS as part of its Carb Day coverage from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. (EDT).
From IndyCar
- AmazingMail and LifeLock also on board as associate sponsors of the #34 car -
INDIANAPOLIS (May 5, 2009) – In addition to unveiling the new King Tut livery of its #34 Dallara Tuesday, Conquest Racing announced the return of Northlands and its premier event, the Rexall Edmonton Indy as title sponsor for the 2009 Indianapolis 500. The team also revealed the signing of AmazingMail and LifeLock for the 2009 Indianapolis 500.
After joining Conquest Racing at the season opening race in St. Petersburg, Edmonton-based Northlands, which promotes the Rexall Edmonton Indy that takes place July 24 – 26 at City Centre Airport in Edmonton, will once again have the logo of their signature event outfit the sidepods of Canadian Alex Tagliani’s #34 Rexall Edmonton Indy car.
“Northlands is extremely pleased to play our part in bringing Alex Tagliani to the starting grid for the 2009 Indy 500 through our sponsorship of the #34 Rexall Edmonton Indy car,” said Ken Knowles, Northlands President. “Our sponsorship provides an incredible opportunity to further profile Edmonton and the Rexall Edmonton Indy to the world - reaching unprecedented international audiences through one of the biggest sporting events in the world.”
“We’re very excited to be announcing new and returning sponsors to the team,” said team owner Eric Bachelart. “We couldn’t be happier to continue our partnership with Northlands and the Rexall Edmonton Indy and we’re thrilled to be welcoming new partners AmazingMail and LifeLock. We’re thankful for everyone’s support this month and we look forward to making them proud over the next few weeks.”
Conquest Racing and Rubicon Sports agency are also welcoming a couple of new partners in AmazingMail and LifeLock, which will both be associate sponsors on the #34 Conquest entry. AmazingMail, a company from Scottsdale, Arizona, is a leading provider of personalized digital direct marketing solutions. Much like in racing, AmazingMail is a company that is continuously innovating in order to maintain a competitive advantage for their clients. The AmazingMail logo will be visible on the rear wing of the black, white and gold Conquest car.
"It's great to be able to bring LifeLock back with me to join Eric and the Conquest team this year and to welcome our new partner AmazingMail as well. The combination of these two companies make a great B2B partnership and I am excited to expand on what I have already built with LifeLock in the last 15 months. AmazingMail is an incredible concept as well and can integrate very well with our existing partners on the B2C side as well," stated Jim Freudenberg of Rubicon Sports Agency.
Lifelock, a privately owned company located in Tempe, Arizona, is a leader in proactive identity theft protection, focused on educating consumers about the increasing threats of identity theft. Lifelock’s logo will be featured on the top of the sidepods of the Conquest machine.
Conquest Racing and Tagliani will be on track today for Rookie Orientation, which gets underway at 2 p.m. eastern time. The 2009 Indianapolis 500 takes place Sunday, May 24 and will be broadcast live on ABC starting at noon eastern time.
About Northlands: Northlands rocks Edmonton and Alberta with 2,500 events each year that attract over 4 million visitors to Alberta’s Capital City. Think Rexall Edmonton Indy, Canadian Finals Rodeo, Farmfair International, Capital EX, the best of horse racing, headliner concerts, international events and all the trade shows you can handle. Visit northlands.com to find out more.
About Amazing Mail: For over a decade, AmazingMail has continually led the direct mail marketing industry with technological innovation, cutting edge products, and world-class service and performance. Currently providing three 'solution tiers' from web-to-print, to dedicated account management, to integrated/automated platforms, AmazingMail is unequalled in the digital direct mail marketing space. Leveraging its U.S. Patent No. 6,732,152, AmazingMail can produce a superior mail piece in record time, efficient in quantities as few as one, making true the promise of one-to-one marketing.
About Lifelock: Founded in 2005, LifeLock is the industry leader in proactive identity theft protection. The organization has a strong focus on educating consumers and working with law enforcement and elected officials to better understand the increasing threats of identity theft. A multiple award-winning organization, LifeLock has most recently been recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Phoenix Business Journal. LifeLock (www.lifelock.com) is a private company backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Goldman Sachs and Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers.
# # #
From Karina Redmond / Conquest Racing & Darren Krill Senior Communications Manager, Northlands
JL Racing announces that it has signed P.J. Groenke to drive the number 92 Saab 93 Super Touring Car in the 2009 Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championships. Groenke will start the season at The Mosport Speed Fest in May and will compete in 5 races including the Honda Indy Toronto and the Grand Prix of Trois Rivieres.
“We are very excited to have PJ join the team”, said John Lockhart, Team Principal and Driver for JL Racing, “he brings with him a high level of professionalism and talent that certainly will be an asset to the team and our sponsors. I have raced against PJ for a few years and he is fast and smart on the track. We look forward to working with him and bringing success to both him and JL Racing.”
"I am thrilled to be driving with JL Racing this season. After completing a full season last year in the CCTCC, I've learned the importance of great team work. JL Racing is an accomplished and well-established team and I look forward to posting positive results with the team,” said Groenke
JL Racing will be competing with 2 cars in the Super Touring division with Groenke in the number 92 Saab 93 while Lockhart will be debuting the all new number 93 2008 Saab 93. “P.J. will handle the driving duties on our tried and true car while I will be developing the new car. I am sure P.J. will finish at the right end of the field while I hope to learn and develop the 2008 car for the future. Needless to say it will be a fun and exciting year”, Lockhart added.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 93 race cars. The team has made headlines several times with a first race, first place finish and subsequent podium finishes in the Saab 93. For more information: www.jlracing.net.
About P.J. Groenke: P.J. Groenke has been racing professionally in Canada since 2001. Highlights of Groenke's racing career include winning the 52nd Annual Indian Summer Trophy and finishing as a semi-finalist on Discovery Channel Canada’s Star Racer in 2006. Most recently, Groenke finished fifth in The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, Touring Class in 2008 and will be competing in the Super Touring Class in 2009.
P.J. Groenke is sponsored by Cheung’s Taekwondo and Clairhaven Ltd. Other supporting sponsors include Affinity Luxury Car Rental, Desson Manufacturing Ltd., Eventscape Inc., Payne Capital Corp., Proprint Services Inc., Ro-ro Property Management Corp., and Studio Property Consultants Ltd.
Media Contact: Phil Reilly – JL Racing
info@jlracing.net / 416 503 8086
JL Racing and William Osler Health Centre Foundation announced a partnership today that will see JL Racing’s Saab 93 race cars carry the Foundation’s logo for the 2009 Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship season. JL Racing will also serve to promote William Osler Health Centre Foundation through race and non-race activities developed by the Foundation and JL Racing.
“I am very proud and excited to be able to promote such a wonderful hospital and Foundation”, said John Lockhart, Team Principal and Driver of JL Racing. “Our team is located in the Etobicoke/Brampton area and we all live in this growing community. So, it is important that we help in anyway we can so that hospitals such as Brampton Civic, Etobicoke General, and Peel Memorial down the road, can continue to give the best health care our community deserves”.
“We are delighted to be able to partner with John Lockhart and JL Racing for the 2009 season”, says Anne Randell, President & CEO of William Osler Health Centre Foundation. “Through his racing activities and off the track support, we hope to spread the message that outstanding clinical programs and services are available at our hospitals. All of us can help make a difference and John has done his part in a tremendously generous way.”
John Lockhart and P. J. Groenke will be driving a pair of Saab 93 Sport Sedans in the premier Super Touring class of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship and the highlight of the year will be a two race weekend at the Honda Indy Toronto on July 10 – 12.
Lockhart also has a personal experience that brought home the importance of a strong community health care system. “Late last year, I had a scary life threatening health problem that if not for the quick attention of and access to our local hospitals could have ended tragically. I’m glad, obviously, to be fully recovered and as a result really appreciate what we have in this community. I am very thankful and only too happy to help and give back in the way that we can”.
About JL Racing: JL Racing is one of Canada's premier sport sedan racing teams. Formed in 2000, the team competes in top-rate, competitive, professional racing. In 2006, JL Racing formed a partnership with Saab Canada to race and showcase Canada's only Saab 9-3 race car. The team has made headlines several times with first race, first place finish and subsequent wins and podium finishes in the Saab 9-3. For more information: www.jlracing.net
About William Osler Health Centre Foundation: William Osler Health Centre Foundation fosters relationships with individuals, corporations and community groups in order to raise funds to support William Osler Health Centre’s capital, education and research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and Peel Memorial Hospital (currently closed for redevelopment). www.oslerfoundation.org
Media Contact: Phil Reilly – JL Racing
info@jlracing.net / 416 503 8086
After a disappointing opening to the 2009 Star Mazda Championship at Sebring, David Ostella had a much better time at round two and produced his first top-ten finish of the season during the Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway a week ago. Consistently finding time from the first official session on Friday, Ostella worked his way among the fastest in the field by race morning.
“Through practice and qualifying we were still setting up the car and figuring out what would work for the track,” the Canadian teenager said of the AIM Autosport approach to the weekend. “We finally got it on Sunday morning warm-up and at that point I just couldn’t wait for the race!”
What they had was a 1.46.622 second lap which was fourth quickest in the field of 28 cars and a great final step heading into the second race of the championship. After beginning Thursday with a 1:48.8 and P13, Ostella never took a backward step through practice, qualifying, or race day warm-up. He went seven-tenths quicker in practice two for P11, chopped more than a second off his best lap to qualify P10 on Saturday, and with another four-tenths Sunday morning was right where he wanted to be. Sadly for him and the Star Mazda field, the progress would pretty much grind to a halt Sunday afternoon.
“I was so pumped for the race after posting P4 on the result sheet but to be honest it was a pretty boring race,” he said of the caution filled event. “It was full of full-course cautions and we only had a handful of green laps. I was always in traffic and never reached the optimal tire temperature to see what I could really do.
“I had a bad start but held my position and was at pace with the field through the first couple of laps before a caution came out. On the first restart I was caught out by everyone checking up and ended up taking to the grass to avoid someone in front. I dropped back to 15th, but worse I bent something on the car and it was harder to driver afterward. In the green running we had, I managed to work my way back up to finish 9th and was staying right with the people in front so I was happy about that. Once again I’m left thinking I could have been in a higher position, but overall the weekend was great and I am now tenth in the championship and still making progress.”
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear resumes May 14 at the Larry H. Miller Dealerships Utah Grand Prix. Star Mazda will run in support of the American Le Mans Series at Miller Motorsport Park in Tooele, Utah. David will once again be racing with support from Global Precast, Alpinestars, and RAW Integrated Ltd. For more information on David Ostella, please visit www.davidostella.com
Photo Credit: www.otp.ca / Photo Cutline: David had a strong run into the top ten at Virginia International Raceway. // Release from Jason Holland
Kawartha Durham Kart Club Race #1 Review
Kawartha Durham Kart Club hosted their first race of the 2009 Championship year on Sunday, May 3 sponsored by Mill Valley Trophies and the excitement and nervous anticipation could be felt throughout the paddock. With plenty of practice time to set up for the super fast banking, new technical corners and long straights at Kawartha Downs & Speedway, all competitors were confident about their karts and ready to line up and take the green. At the end of the day, the smiles on all the faces and listening to the racers re-create their on-track experiences made it even better. The following are the class winners.
Novice: Andre Fiorini
Junior Lite: Ayrton Wakfer
Junior Heavy: Danny Benedict
Masters: Randy Packham
Senior Lite: Kyle Hope
Senior Heavy: Kevin Barry
Junior Tag: Garett Grist
Senior Tag: Michael Adamovitz
KDKC Race #2 will be held at 3S Go-karts in conjuction with Toronto Kart Club on May 30th. KDKC Race #3 will be hosted by Simcoe Kart Club at 3S Go-Karts on May 31st.
From Paul Evans / www.kawarthadurhamkartclub.com
Thorold, Ontario (May 3) Larry Lampman sure has to wish every night was Opening Night at Merrittville Speedway. For the third time in the last four years, the two time L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Champion has won Merrittville’s Opening Night Features in dramatic fashion.
In the Baron Roofing Windows and Doors sponsored event May 2nd – it was again a dramatic move that took him to Victory Lane after 35 laps. The race began with a dramatic announcement from Race Director Bob St. Amand Jr. to the starting field on the one way radio, “Baron Roofing’s Terry Keagan has posted a $500 Bonus to tonight’s winner.”
In other Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Divisions’ inaugural 2009 Main Events on Niagara IceDogs Fan Appreciation Night – Greg Panunte, Billy Hogue, Adam Murphy and Rob Goulding also earned bonuses from Baron Roofing after taking wins in the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman, Hoosier Stocks, Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lites and Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Features respectively.
The top 3 in each feature shared in $3500 in Bonus Money from Baron Roofing Windows and Doors.
“With the economy as it is,” reflected Larry Lampman, “the extra money goes along way … thanks to Baron for it … and all they do for the sport.”
From lap 12 it seemed like the Season Opener was all for Brian Stevens. The second generation driver and former champion took control of top spot after quite an early race battle with an up and coming driver probably half Stevens’ age – Chris Steele.
Steele – the former karter and Open Wheel Lite Driver ran away to a comfortable lead on the full field before Stevens ran him down. Once in control, Stevens settled into a rhythm that wasn’t phased through a number of restarts with red flags needed to clear the track.
With the 10 to go signal given – the driver on the move was Lampman who eventually took second spot from Steele. Pete Bicknell was also on the move in the later stages breaking into the top 3 before a lap 28 caution again slowed the field.
On the ensuing restart – Lampman tried just about every line on the still tacky track to overtake the leader Stevens.
“Sometimes being in second is the best spot to be in,” added Lampman, “you can try things other than what the leader is doing … I’ve got lots of respect for Brian … I even drove once for his dad (Wall of Famer) Ray Stevens … I can’t thank (car owners) Dan and Veronica Miller enough ... they sure do make it fun for me.”
Lampman had one shot to try and overtake Stevens for the lead and that came on the final circuit.
Stevens settled for second with Bicknell third. Scott Wood – who experienced problems with his own car in qualifying drove the Todd Kendrick #55 to 4th spot in quite a run after starting 25th in the field while Chris Steele was 5th.
L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified Heat Winners – First – Chris Steele, Second – Mark D’Ilario, Third – Brian Stevens. Consolation – Chad Brachmann.
For the second time this season, the front row at the start of the Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Feature was all 99’s. In an identical line-up to Humberstone Speedway’s 50th Season Opener just last Sunday – Greg Panunte and Nick Cupolo – who both share # 99 – shared the front row at the drop of Starter Doug Leonard’s Green Flag.
“We sure hope that we can keep this momentum up,” relayed Greg Panunte after running to his 2nd DIRTcar win of 2009, “who knows what the next race will bring … I can’t thank my sponsors and crew enough … and especially everyone at Baron.”
With Panunte out front at the start an early caution on lap 2 collected Cupolo who was able to continue in the 25 lap event.
By the halfway point, Panunte opened up a straightaway lead on the field and as the Port Colborne native came up on lap traffic – his pace never lessened. Former Champion Chad Chevalier made quite a late race charge to take third after coming from the back and began to challenge fourth generation driver Cody McPherson for runner-up spot.
Chevalier made a valiant effort but at the finish came up a mere 8 thousandth of a second short. Following Panunte, McPherson and Chevalier were Rick Bellante and Tyler McPherson.
Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Heat Winners – First – Greg Panunte, Second – Nick Cupolo, Third – Rick Bellante.
The start of the Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Feature saw Adam Leslie lead the troops to the green flag in a tribute to Canada’s Fallen Soldiers. Leslie’s special edition Memorial- themed graphics will be used in select events this season.
Leslie remained in top spot through a number of early cautions including a red flag when Jordon Curran flipped his car. Curran walked to the pits under his own power.
Josh Sliter – nephew of defending champion Shawn Sliter soon began to mount a challenge and briefly had the lead in a see saw battle with Leslie. While the two were battling, Adam Murphy soon would close in on the pair. Murphy would pressure Leslie until taking top spot along the back-stretch of lap 16.
A late caution found Murphy able to hold off Jamie Gilbert by half a car length at the finish. Shawn Sliter, Josh Sliter and Adam Leslie closed out the top 5.
Modern Corporation Open Wheel Lite Heat Winners – First – Adam Leslie, Second – Josh Sliter, Third – Paul Klager.
Race Car Drivers follow many superstitions on race day leading up to taking to the track.
Billy Hogue may have started a new tradition.
On his Facebook page, Hogue proclaimed that he would show everyone how it’s done.
He did just that in winning the Hoosier Stock Feature.
Hogue’s car was perfect hugging the bottom groove and after quite a see saw battle with then leader Shayne Pierce – found an advantage to win by at most a few feet.
“Thanks so much for the Baron bonus,” remarked an emotional Hogue in Victory Lane, “ thanks also to my wife and dad … this means a lot to me … I’d like to dedicate it to my late mother-in-law.”
8 time 2008 Feature Winner Dolph McCready was first to lead the 20 lap event and almost immediately was challenged by Pierce.
After a lap 9 restart Pierce charged into the lead along the backstretch with Kevin Knapp also overtaking McCready for the runner-up spot.
Another caution again slowed the field after Rob Disher lost his left rear tire in turn 4. While still under caution, Knapp dropped out of second with a flat tire but was able to return.
With Pierce out front on the restart, McCready, defending champion Rob Murray and Hogue were three wide at times in a furious battle for the runner-up spot that was slowed when Brad Sheehan slowed to a stop along the backstretch with fire under the hood.
Pierce set the pace on the ensuing restart but at the line could not hold off Hogue.
Hoosier Stock Heat Winners – First – Dolph McCready, Second – Kevin Knapp, Third – Brent Begolo.
Garnet Wilson was on the pole for the start of the 15 lap Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Feature and was the first to hear about the Baron Roofing Windows and Doors Top 3 Bonuses as the first green flag fell on the 2009 Season.
Wilson, second year driver Matt Deschamps and veterans Aaron Wiley and Rob Goulding were sometimes 4 wide as the race continued.
Goulding edged by Wilson by with a few inch lead – eventually opening up a three car lead with Deschamps taking second.
Joining the leaders was Rocco Conte who along with Wiley who both were battling Wilson.
At the finish Goulding stretched his lead to 5 car lengths over Deschamps with Conte taking third. Wilson held on for fourth while defending champion Abel Castelein made a late race charge to round out the top 5.
“We battled with this car all last season,” revealed Goulding in Victory Lane, “ we put a lot of research into building (runner-up finisher) Matt Deschamps new car … we finally got these VW’s working.”
Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinder Heat Winners – First – Matt Deschamps, Second – Garnet Wilson, Third – Aaron Wiley.
The night began with the twice rain-delayed L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions from last season hosted by Merrittville’s Reunion Committee Members – Rick Kavanagh, Jeno Begolo, Mark Swartz, Ted Renshaw and Terry Huffman.
Merrittville Announcer Clint Kruchka performed the ceremonies honoring the late Dave Halliwell and Gary Saunders. Dave’s son Brian – a former racer and official in his own right threw the green flag to start the 358 Modified Feature while Saunders dropped the green for the Hoosier Stock Main Event.
The Infield Flags were at half mast to honor Merrittville Alumni Bev MacTavish and Roly Charest who passed away during the off season.
UPCOMING AT MERRITTVILLE SPEEDWAY: Merrittville Speedway will celebrate Mother’s Day May 9th with a special $8 Grandstand Ticket for all Moms when Global Warranty Corporation presents Canadian Tire Financial Services Employee Night.
The 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Event will begin at 7:00 PM with the Gates opening at 5:30.
For further info call 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com.
From Jim Irvine / Merrittville Speedway
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INDIANAPOLIS (May 4, 2009) – As a kid at the age of 10, when his grandfather bought him his first go-kart, Alex Tagliani never thought that he would one day sit in an indy car at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Now, 26 years later, when he straps himself into his Conquest Racing Dallara on May 5 for rookie orientation, that long time dream will become a reality.
The Canadian driver, who was confirmed today by Conquest Racing as the driver of its #34 entry for the 2009 Indianapolis 500, will be turning his first laps around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval as he begins preparations for this year’s race.
“It’s every drivers dream to be at the Indianapolis 500. As a kid I never thought I would make it here and even later on in my career because of the split, so it has always remained a dream of mine. It’s the one race that has always sat atop my list.
“Finally, more than nine years after my first start in a major open-wheel series race, I will get to experience all that surrounds the famous ‘Month of May’, and get to experience it during the kick off of the Centennial Era Celebrations, which makes it even more memorable,” expressed Tagliani. “I know that the first few laps around the track tomorrow will be quite special and I’m super excited and really looking forward to it.”
While Tagliani has plenty of open-wheel experience under his belt, he will be returning to rookie status this month, as is the rule for any driver competing in his first Indianapolis 500.
“I’ll be sporting my rookie status with pride this month,” added Tagliani. “No matter how much experience you have behind the wheel, when you race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the first time I think it’s easy to feel like a rookie. It’s such a unique track, there’s nothing else like it.”
One of two Canadians at this year’s race, Tagliani will only be the fourth rookie driver to hail from Quebec, Canada since Jacques Villeneuve took part in his first Indy 500 in 1994.
The talented veteran open-wheel driver will look to continue his strong form during May. The Las Vegas resident put in impressive runs at St. Petersburg and Long Beach in the first two races of the season before different incidents cost him top-five finishes. Despite the setbacks in both races, the Canadian demonstrated his perseverance and fought back to give the team two top-ten finishes.
Conquest Racing and Tagliani will be on track Tuesday May 5 at 2 p.m. eastern time for the IndyCar Series’ Indianapolis 500 Rookie Orientation Program. Sponsorship for the #34 Conquest car will be announced shortly with the unveiling of its new livery on Tuesday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
From Conquest Racing PR/Karina Redmond
You can get there by clicking on this link:
http://www.sccbc.net/pitpass/2009/May09pp.pdf
MILLVILLE, N.J. (May 2, 2009) - Spencer Pumpelly passed Charles Espenlaub during the final 15 minutes of Saturday's two-and-a-half hour Garden State 250 at Thunderbolt Raceway at New Jersey Motorsports Park, the third round of the Grand-Am KONI Sports Car Challenge season, and earned a victory for himself, co-driver Duncan Ende and TRG's No. 39 DigiTrust Group/Adam's Polishes Porsche 997.
Using the inside line of Turn 5, Pumpelly slipped two tires off the track but managed to keep the Porsche 997 out of the side of Espenlaub's No. 91 Imported Car Store/Sparco BMW M3, which belonged to the Automatic Racing team.
In ST, Compass360 Racing swept the Street Tuner podium, with Randy Pobst and Christian Miller gaining the victory in the final four minutes as all three cars led during the final 10 minutes. It was the second straight victory for Pobst and Miller, who also drove the No. 74 Skunk2/034 Motorsport Honda Civic Si won March's Grand-Am Fan Appreciation Weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Pumpelly led twice for 22 laps, and made his way through the field as most of the leaders - including James Gue and Todd Lamb - came in for a splash of fuel during the final 20 minutes. Espenlaub had built a multi-second lead when Lamb pitted on Lap 81, but Pumpelly cut deep into that advantage and on Lap 86 of the 93-lap event, drove underneath Espenlaub as the pair was coming up on slower traffic.
After Pumpelly made the pass, he started pulling away, and he took the checkered flag 2.505 seconds ahead of Joey Hand, who moved through the field after stopping 15 minutes from the checkered flag in the No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW M3. Hand, who led three laps midway through the race, teamed with Chris Gleason in the pair's best finish of 2009.
Finishing third were Billy Johnson and Peter Ludwig, who drove the No. 18 Dietz & Watson Porsche 997 that wasn't entered until Friday morning. The car finished second at the track last August.
While Espenlaub and co-driver Charles Putman's car faded to sixth at the checkered flag, the Automatic Racing team's other car, the No. 99 Hands Tool/Imported Car Store BMW M3, was fourth with David Russell and Barry Waddell driving. Gue and Bret Seafuse, driving JBS Motorsports' No. 37 Trumansburg ShurSave Ford Mustang GT, finished fifth, and moved to within three points (83-80) of the lead of Ken Wilden, who finished eighth in the No. 59 Rehagen Racing Ford Mustang GT he co-drove with Dean Martin.
Pobst's winning pass in the ST race came in a wild three-wide drag race to Turn 1 with less than four minutes remaining. After watching Eric Curran and Travis Walker - who led an ST race-high 45 laps - battle for the lead, Pobst drove to the inside as the trio drove down the main straightaway on Lap 91. Pobst outbraked both drivers, then pulled away slightly to give himself and Miller a second straight victory.
Pobst and Miller also took over the ST point lead, now by six points (89-83) over Kristian Skavnes and Andrew Aquilante, who finished sixth in the No. 111 SRRT Phoenix/Subaru of America Subaru Legacy.
Orange-suited drivers dominated the podium. Walker and co-driver Matt Pritiko finished second in the No. 76 Skunk2/034 Motorsport Honda Civic Si, while Curran and team owner Karl Thomson earned third in the No. 75 Skunk2/034 Motorsport Honda Civic Si. It was the team's first 1-2-3 finish and gave Honda Civic Sis a stranglehold on the top five, as Bret Spaude and David Thilenius finished fifth in Bill Fenton Motorsports' No. 27 Southern Auto Auction/Honda of Keene Honda Civic Si.
Finishing fourth in the ST race was the No. 146 Freedom Autosport Mazda Mazda MX-5, co-piloted by polesitter Andrew Carbonell and Daytona Prototype regular Guy Cosmo, who was added to the car Saturday morning.
Two cautions - both for stalled cars - slowed the race's pace to 83.131 mph, nearly 20 mph faster than last year's inaugural race at the 2.25-mile track.
The next KONI Challenge weekend is the Verizon Festival of Speed at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., with a two-and-a-half hour race Saturday, May 16.
NEWS & NOTES:
- The GS victory was the third career victory for Spencer Pumpelly and first for Duncan Ende. It was also the second victory of the season for Porsche.
- This is the first GS victory of the season for TRG, which last won in KONI Challenge last season at Iowa Speedway.
- Turner Motorsport scored its second podium finish of the season with its No. 97 Turner Motorsport BMW M3 and drivers Joey Hand and Chris Gleason.
- Motorsport Technology Group also earned its second podium finish of the season with its No. 18 Dietz 7 Watson Porsche 997 and drivers Billy Johnson and Peter Ludwig, who won at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
- Automatic Racing put two cars in the top six.
- BMWs put five cars in the top 10, while Ford earned three top 10s and Porsche two.
- Eleven GS cars finished on the lead lap.
- Nine drivers in nine cars led laps in the race: Matt Bell (28), Spencer Pumpelly (22), James Gue (22), Jack Roush Jr. (8), Charles Espenlaub (5), Joey Hand (3), Todd Lamb (2), Billy Johnson (2), Nic Jönsson (1).
****************
- The ST victory was the sixth career victory for Randy Pobst and second for Christian Miller, who won their second straight race win together. It was also the Honda's second win of 2009, which earned four of the top five positions.
- This is the second victory of the season for Compass360 Racing, which now has eight career team victories in ST.
- This is the first time in the team's history that all three cars earned podium finishes. Only Freedom Autosport had multiple cars in the top 10.
- While Hondas dominated the top five, six different manufacturers finished in the top 10.
- Six ST cars finished on the lead lap.
- Five drivers in five cars led laps in the race: Travis Walker (45), Andrew Carbonell (35), Mike Halpin (6), Randy Pobst (3), Adam Burrows (3).
POST-RACE QUOTES (RACE WINNERS):
Duncan Ende (No. 39 DigiTrust Group/Adam's Polishes Porsche 997; co-winner in GS): "I had a really good stint. I was able to get a good start, even though I was on lined up on the outside. I was able to avoid any type of carnage in the first couple of corners. I was running second pretty comfortably the first 10 minutes or so. I then got boxed by some ST traffic coming on the straight-away and then I lost a few spots. I settled in after that and ran consistent laps. I was able to maintain a gap and gave it to Spencer who ran a great race to bring it home in first place."
Spencer Pumpelly (No. 39 DigiTrust Group/Adam's Polishes Porsche 997; co-winner in GS): "We originally thought that the 91 was going to have to pit for gas. Then Kevin (Buckler) came on the radio and said maybe they won't. I then had to get a little more aggressive, I was able to get a run on him and get by. TRG did an awesome job the last pit stop. It was super fast, we got on and off pit road the best we have all season. I think that was more than the four second gap than we won with, I really have to hand it to them. Duncan did a great first stint and they helped with those four seconds as well."
Randy Pobst (No. 74 Skunk2/034 Motorsport Honda Civic Si; co-winner in ST): "Was that wild? What a great camera opportunity for the Compass360 team. Karl Thompson must have been absolutely biting his nails. From the moment I got in the car - Christian gave me the Honda Civic in great condition - the Hoosier tires were still sticky and I drove as hard as I could every minute. I was seventh or eighth when we got in. Christian stopped a little bit later. I wanted a yellow, because Christian and I don't have our seat belts match, so our stops are little longer as a result, and I don't want to risk doing it under green. That worked out OK for us. I consider myself very lucky. I was just running my pace, and I didn't know Travis (Walker) tangled up with a GS car, which is a shame. He drove a good race. That helped me get to him and Eric Curran in the other Compass360 car. I had a little more tire. If this race had been 10 minutes shorter, I wouldn't have gotten it. But coming on the front straight, I think Eric Curran missed a shift, Travis had to lift a little to miss him, and that gave me a run at both of them."
Christian Miller (No. 74 Skunk2/034 Motorsport Honda Civic Si; co-winner in ST): "My thoughts at the start of the race was don't wreck the car on the first lap, because you can't win it that way. Being on the outside at the start is not the easiest thing, because there are three rights in a row, so I got shuffled back a couple of spots. Matt (Pritiko) who was behind me, gave me some space so I was able to race. I fell in line and the four of us checked out. My job was easy - keep the car clean, keep it out of the dirt, keep brakes and give it to Randy (Pobst). It was a matter of doing that for 45 minutes or an hour, whatever we did. The Compass 360 guys did a great job and I gave it to Randy."
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For additional information contact Grand-Am: Michael Harker, PR Coordinator, 386-547-3943, mharker@grand-am.com
Brian Graham Racing/TLM Racing with Grote are proud to announce a new partnership with Amsoil. All the team cars will run with Amsoil oil and gear oil as well as the team haulers.
We are exited to welcome Amsoil to the team and look forward to the benefits their products will bring to our race team. We will also have www.syntheticlubricants.ca, an independant Amsoil dealer visiting the tracks this season to offer technical support of the Amsoil product line as well as showcase what Amsoil can offer the racing community.
The 2009 season begins May 8-10 with the opening rounds of the Ontario Formula Ford Championship, BGR/TLM with Grote will have Stefan Rzadzinski, Fabio Urbano, Kieran Murphy, and Mikhail Goikhberg all making their Fomumla Ford debuts.
From BGR / TLM with Grote
Woodbridge, Ontario, April 27, 2009 – AIM Autosport’s Star Mazda squad left Virginia International Raceway with the win on Sunday and had all three drivers in the top ten for the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. They are second overall in the team championship while Peter Dempsey in the Motorsport Ireland / Queyside.ie No. 3 AIM Autosport / Mobil 1 / MIKE Formula Mazda leads the driver’s championship.
Dempsey, who qualified on the front row for the start, had his work cut out for him in a race that ran mostly under full course caution. Running in second, he was shuffled back to fourth on the first restart and would have to wait until two laps from the end of the race to get past the three team mates running ahead of him. Peter would use every inch of the track going in a drag race to the first turn on the final restart to take the lead position. A last lap challenge from pole sitter Adam Christodoulou worked in Peter’s favor and in another drag race to the checkers, he prevailed by a margin of .038 seconds.
“I really needed this win” Dempsey commented. “It was doubtful that I would even be at VIR until the last moment, so getting the win is what was needed to allow me to continue in the championship. I have to thank everyone at AIM Autosport for the fantastic job this weekend and now we concentrate on taking the momentum of this win forward.”
AIM Autosport’s other cars also had good results finishing in the top ten. In fact, Jorge Goncalvez (72) had a great run to finish in fourth place coming through from twelfth on the starting grid. The Venezuelan took advantage of restarts to move through the pack and record his best result so far. He is now sixth in the championship. David Ostella (Global Precast No. 71) did a great job of recovery after running off course to avoid and accident in front of him. He would cross the line in ninth place after starting from tenth on the grid. David is tenth in the championship.
“All three drivers did a great job this weekend.” said team principal Keith Willis. “We fought a variety of issues with all three cars but had good feedback from the drivers to end the weekend with strong results.” Willis continued, “Peter knew what he had to do this weekend and he just went out and did it. Jorge quietly went about his business and returned a fantastic result moving up eight positions and David put in a solid effort and kept his head. His quick thinking and fast response kept him in it at the end. David is developing as a very smart driver with good skills.”
Next up for the AIM Autosport Mazda team in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear is the race at Miller Motorsport Park in Tooele, Utah on May 16.
From Chris Jameson / Level Ten Communications
(April 30th, 2009) - Canadian driver Jake Thompson walked away from the opening weekend of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup with his first career win and established himself as a serious contender for the $100,000 championship prize.
Heading into the weekend Thompson was trying to keep his expectations low. The event at Virginia International Raceway would be his first competition in a race car after moving up from the karting ranks. Those expectations changed after he was able to put his #19 Volkswagen Jetta TDI fourth in official practice. Friday afternoon Thompson would set the tone for a good weekend by qualifying third for race 1 and second for race 2.
Starting from row two for the first race, Thompson made it clear he was looking to begin his pro career with a trip to the top of the podium by making a pair of early moves that put him in the lead on lap 4. His stay at the front would be short lived as he showed his inexperience by going off in turn 14 the following lap. A lengthy trip through the grass relegated Thompson to the middle of the pack, but he immediately went back to work storming to the fastest lap of the race and a new track record. By the end of the 30 minute race he had worked his way back up to 8th place, a good recovery drive to salvage some points for the championship.
Looking for redemption on Sunday, Thompson used his front row grid spot to move into the lead by lap 3. Over the next 10 laps Jake would fend off challenges from both Timmy Megenbeier and defending race winner Mark Pombo to hold onto the top position. On the final lap Pombo made one last attempt for the lead going into Turn 14, but ended up off course, which allowed Thompson to cruise through the final corners for his first win of the season.
“This weekend has been a fantastic start to the year” commented Thompson. “Coming into the season I didn’t know what to expect from my first season in cars, but now I am looking to build on this win and battle for the championship”.
Heading to Round 3 at Miller Motorsports Park, May 17th, Thompson shares the championship lead with Saturday winner Joey Atterbury, and will be looking to build on the momentum he picked up at VIR.
More information can be found at www.jakethompson.ca . Jake can be reached by email at jake@jakethompson.ca
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Born in Calgary, AB, 23 year old Jake Thompson is an aspiring race car driver competing in the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Series. Thompson began karting at the age of 13, and in 2004 won the Canadian National Karting Championships in the premier ICC Shifter class. The 2009 Jetta TDI Cup will be Thompson’s rookie season in a full sized race car. In addition to his accomplishments on the race track, Jake holds a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
Chris Raabe and the 01 racing team have picked up where they left off at the conclusion of the 2008 season. They have not missed a beat a beat since returning to action just 3 weeks ago.
In 4 races since the green flag has waived on the 2009 season, Raabe has put his Scott Industrial Services, Kingston RV, Tyroute Telus, Corcoran Excavating, McColman Media, Kwik Load Products, Canadian Tire Cataraqui, Kingston Hyundai, Word for the World Ministries, Aaron’s Sales & Leasing, Endura Paints, Brunet Plumbing, Waste Management and Finish Line Web Design sponsored TEO car in victory lane 2 times, both at the Can-Am Speedway in Lafargeville, NY.
Even though the stellar winning streak has continued, the competition has definitely stepped up their racing programs over the off season. The quality, and quantity of cars has been tremendous for the DIRTcar Sportsman class. 42 cars signed into the pit area last Saturday night at Can-Am, followed by 27 the following night at Thunder Alley.
At Can-Am, on Saturday evening, Chris took the lead early, and pulled away, opening up a 3 second lead by lap 11. Tim Sears Jr. and Jordan Bennett were making there way through the field, and were closing quickly after another 3 laps of green flag racing. The ensuing caution brought the Sears car right on the back bumper of the 01 car, and it was “game on” for the remainder of the event. On the final lap, Sears drove his car into the corner deep, roughing up the 01 car, but it wasn’t enough, as Raabe held onto the inside groove and the win.
The following night, the team headed to the Thunder Alley Speed Park, just up the road from Can-Am. A bad draw put the team in the back of their qualifying heat race, but Chris quickly moved towards the front, and finished 3rd. With the heads up start format in place, the feature event was lined up based on the finish of each of the 3 qualifying heats. Chris started the feature from the 9th position, and quickly worked his way towards the front of the field. With 12 laps to go, Chris was up to second place, looking to pass race leader Brandon Sweet. Chris went up high to mount his challenge, at the same time, a lapped car moved up as well, holding the 01 car up just enough to allow third place runner Jordan Bennett just enough room to get under Raabe, and make the pass for second, and that is how the race ended.
This coming weekend will be the first triple-header of the season. Can-Am on Friday evening, followed by Thunder Alley on Saturday, and then the team heads to Rolling Wheels Raceway, to begin their defense of the track championship at the fast Elbridge, New York track.
“The team started to get the 01 car to get a handle at Rolling Wheels by the end of last year, winning the track title”, says car owner Garry McColman. “However, the team has yet to win at the big 5/8’s mile track. This weekend will be a challenge as always at “the Wheels”. Chris likes the track as speeds hit just over 110 mph but with the crate motor, it is imperative to get a good starting position in the feature.”
The team will be unveiling its 2009 merchandise in the coming weeks. It will be available at the track each week, as well as chrisraabe.com.
PHOTO: Car Owner Garry McColman, and Chris Raabe show off their new Aaron’s sponsorship.
Craig Revelle – Finish Line Web Design
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