As of today, a driver can only use six 'past champion' provisionals a year to make Nextel Cup fields.
Same for any team, so that means a single outfit can't employ more than one former champ during the course of a season to get their car into more than six races they otherwise wouldn't have qualified for.
This rule was created way back to keep Richard Petty in the field in the final years of his career, when a NASCAR race just wouldn't have been the same for the fans without 'The King' on the grid. Once Petty retired, it was employed extensively - some say abused - by Darrell Waltrip.
The big loser 'in this deal' is Dale Jarrett, who will be driving the new Toyota entry for a brand new team in '07. You can't help but assume that having DJ's free passes into the starting field played a role in their eagerness to sign him to a whopping contract (rumoured to be $10M / year for two years).
Jarrett is no doubt relieved that the ink dried on his contract with Michael Waltrip Racing before this change was announced.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
UPDATE: Delaware Speedway story in the London Free Press
According to London Free Press scribe Jim Cressman, Delaware Speedway's 2007 season is no longer "in doubt", but the facility is still "troubled". (h/t Joel Robinson for the link)
Troubled Delaware to open April 28
Delaware Speedway will drop the green flag on its 2007 racing season as scheduled, track co-owner Arlen Scherba said yesterday.
Ownership is doing its best to put on a brave face during tumultuous times after general manager Kevin Bulmer and operations director Amy Dugas suddenly resigned 13 days ago.
Bulmer said last week he left "due to untenable working conditions and lack of support from current ownership."
Sources tell The Free Press a split developed among the four-man ownership group that involves Scherba of Sombra, Dave Meldrum of Stratford, John Sheppard of Scarborough and Dave McDonald of Freelton.
The four bought the operation from Tony Novotny in November 2002. Scherba and Meldrum had already been around the sport and bought in as a hobby.
But for the other two, it was a new venture and when the costs of running a race track began to mount up, they looked for immediate returns on their investments.
This industry doesn't work that way, especially short tracks in Canada. And it wasn't through the Friday paid admissions that Novotny made his money.
He was smart enough to establish Performance Fibreglass, a company that builds fibreglass race car bodies.
The "math" was simple. You own a race track and the sanctioning body, plus you own a fibreglass shop, equals: you make them run your cars.
Scherba admitted there has been a "negative cash flow" and now Delaware is facing more upgrades, especially the racing surface. Estimates peg those costs between $500,000 and $1 million.
"We realize there needs to be work done there," Scherba said of the asphalt track. "The better days of Delaware Speedway as far as track conditions are basically behind it.
"But we need to paint the picture that Delaware Speedway is not going to close."
"There is money behind the track and we will put more money into it to make it happen," Scherba said. "We've got a lot of people coming to the plate right now that have interest in buying in, under conditions, and the format and foundation underneath it may change in the next year and a half. Hopefully less than that."
Read into that what you will, but it sounds like there may be some more changes.
But in the meantime, the season opens with the APC Enduro 250 on April 28 and the first night of regular stock car action is May 5.
... continued at the link above.
Troubled Delaware to open April 28
Delaware Speedway will drop the green flag on its 2007 racing season as scheduled, track co-owner Arlen Scherba said yesterday.
Ownership is doing its best to put on a brave face during tumultuous times after general manager Kevin Bulmer and operations director Amy Dugas suddenly resigned 13 days ago.
Bulmer said last week he left "due to untenable working conditions and lack of support from current ownership."
Sources tell The Free Press a split developed among the four-man ownership group that involves Scherba of Sombra, Dave Meldrum of Stratford, John Sheppard of Scarborough and Dave McDonald of Freelton.
The four bought the operation from Tony Novotny in November 2002. Scherba and Meldrum had already been around the sport and bought in as a hobby.
But for the other two, it was a new venture and when the costs of running a race track began to mount up, they looked for immediate returns on their investments.
This industry doesn't work that way, especially short tracks in Canada. And it wasn't through the Friday paid admissions that Novotny made his money.
He was smart enough to establish Performance Fibreglass, a company that builds fibreglass race car bodies.
The "math" was simple. You own a race track and the sanctioning body, plus you own a fibreglass shop, equals: you make them run your cars.
Scherba admitted there has been a "negative cash flow" and now Delaware is facing more upgrades, especially the racing surface. Estimates peg those costs between $500,000 and $1 million.
"We realize there needs to be work done there," Scherba said of the asphalt track. "The better days of Delaware Speedway as far as track conditions are basically behind it.
"But we need to paint the picture that Delaware Speedway is not going to close."
"There is money behind the track and we will put more money into it to make it happen," Scherba said. "We've got a lot of people coming to the plate right now that have interest in buying in, under conditions, and the format and foundation underneath it may change in the next year and a half. Hopefully less than that."
Read into that what you will, but it sounds like there may be some more changes.
But in the meantime, the season opens with the APC Enduro 250 on April 28 and the first night of regular stock car action is May 5.
... continued at the link above.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Back by popular demand... ice racing at Brighton Speedway
BRIGHTON, ON - On the heels of a successful winter racing event, staff and management at Brighton Speedway Park have received many calls and requests for a repeat. Because of these demands, ice racing will return to Brighton on Saturday February 10th .
“With the forecast remaining positive and the cold weather expected to stay for a while, the majority of the work is done. There will be little effort needed to repair the icy surface and again offer a racing atmosphere for our drivers and their fans,” states promoter Mark Rinaldi.
The event will maintain a similar format as the Brighton WinterFest event. Snowmobiles, four wheelers and enduro cars will take to the 1/3 mile icy surface. There will however be the addition of a Junior class to both the snowmobile and 4 wheeler division, which will allow children as young as 8 years old to compete. “We saw an increase in the youth classes this past Saturday, and wanted to keep the trend going, encouraging more family fun and a challenge for everyone.” said Rinaldi. Parents of children wishing to compete should contact the Speedway prior to the date to verify any requirements.
To make the event more competitor and fan friendly, the start time will be pushed back 1 hour on February 10th. Practice will take place at 10:00 am with the green flag dropping at 11:00 am. “For some of our competitors that live far away it was a pretty early start trying to get here for 9:00 am practice. Not to mention that the day went so smooth the event really didn’t take as long as we expected, so we are going with a later start time”.
Once again the ever-popular enduro cars will hit the iced up track upon the conclusion of the snowmobiles and four wheelers for some slick racing action.
For more information on this event or other exciting news from the 40th Anniversary Season at Brighton Speedway be sure to visit www.brightonspeedway.com.
~30~
For more information contact Angie Rinaldi at 613-475-1102 or angie@brightonspeedway.com
“With the forecast remaining positive and the cold weather expected to stay for a while, the majority of the work is done. There will be little effort needed to repair the icy surface and again offer a racing atmosphere for our drivers and their fans,” states promoter Mark Rinaldi.
The event will maintain a similar format as the Brighton WinterFest event. Snowmobiles, four wheelers and enduro cars will take to the 1/3 mile icy surface. There will however be the addition of a Junior class to both the snowmobile and 4 wheeler division, which will allow children as young as 8 years old to compete. “We saw an increase in the youth classes this past Saturday, and wanted to keep the trend going, encouraging more family fun and a challenge for everyone.” said Rinaldi. Parents of children wishing to compete should contact the Speedway prior to the date to verify any requirements.
To make the event more competitor and fan friendly, the start time will be pushed back 1 hour on February 10th. Practice will take place at 10:00 am with the green flag dropping at 11:00 am. “For some of our competitors that live far away it was a pretty early start trying to get here for 9:00 am practice. Not to mention that the day went so smooth the event really didn’t take as long as we expected, so we are going with a later start time”.
Once again the ever-popular enduro cars will hit the iced up track upon the conclusion of the snowmobiles and four wheelers for some slick racing action.
For more information on this event or other exciting news from the 40th Anniversary Season at Brighton Speedway be sure to visit www.brightonspeedway.com.
~30~
For more information contact Angie Rinaldi at 613-475-1102 or angie@brightonspeedway.com
Kirk Hooker appears ready to head south...
Thanks to Kirk and Dianne Hooker for sending in some shots of the car that Kirk will be driving at New Smyrna Speedway during the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing, in mid-February.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Bourque 12th in the Rolex 24 at DIS
From Pierre Bourque's website:
Bourque finishes 12th in GT class @ Daytona 24hrs ...
Read full race report ...
Look for first-hand account Monday exclusively @ Canwest's Driving.Ca ...
And listen to Bourque live with Adler on the Corus Radio Network 3:30 p.m. ET (Monday).
Edwards to drive Roush's #50 Truck at Daytona and some other races, but Canadian Pete Shepherd will drive it for the remainder of the season
(I know Petey was disappointed about not racing the Truck at Daytona - especially after his great testing sessions in the past few weeks - but Jack Roush felt he needed a little more seasoning in the draft before being thrown to the wolves at DIS. Putting Daytona aside, this is incredible news for Shepherd, who will drive the #50 Roush truck in many of the remaining Craftsman Truck Series races. What an incredible opportunity. Congratulations Pete!... GM).
Here is the release from Roush....
Concord, N.C. (January 29, 2007) - Carl Edwards is looking to kick off the 2007 season with a bang at Daytona International Speedway. Edwards, who pilots the No. 99 Office Depot Ford Fusion in the Cup Series and the No. 60 Scotts Ford Fusion in the Busch Series, has signed up to race Roush Racing's No. 50 F-150 in the Craftsman Truck Series race Friday night.
Edwards will run a handful of truck races throughout the 2007 season (the schedule is TBD) while Peter Shepherd pilots the truck for the remaining races. The No. 50 truck that the two will share is still yet to be sponsored but Edwards is confident a new sponsor partner will come on board.
"I'm excited to be back in the truck at Daytona," said Edwards. "I won there a couple of years ago and it would be awesome to win there again. Matt Puccia is great and I know he and the guys have worked really hard to build some fast trucks for this year. We worked together at Ken Schraeder's shop back in the day so it's neat that we get to work together again.
Edwards continued, "To be able to help Peter Shepherd is awesome. He drove a Silver Crown car for me last year and did a good job. I'm really looking forward to racing with him this year."
Edwards and Shepherd will join truck teammates Erik Darnell and Travis Kvapil to round out the 2007 Roush Racing truck lineup. Kvapil, a former Craftsman Series truck champion, is the newest member to the Roush Racing team and will pilot the yet to be sponsored No. 6 F-150. Kvapil led the field at the recent Daytona truck test while teammates Darnell and Shepherd followed close behind.
With the Daytona race only three weeks away, Roush Racing is continuing to work on solidifying two primary sponsors; one for team Edwards and Shepherd and one for Kvapil. With 30 million loyal truck fans continuing to attend races (1.1 million in 2006) and watch on TV (viewership is up 46 percent since 2003), the Craftsman Truck Series continues to be one of the best buys in racing. The same fans that will be watching Edwards, Shepherd and Kvapil take to the track at Daytona, are 119 percent more likely to purchase a product from a brand that is represented in NASCAR.
With three championship contending teams, Roush Racing looks to continue their winning ways in 2007 with drivers that include, two Rookies-of-the-Year, pole winners, race winners and a champion. Anyone interested in being a part of this winning tradition should contact Robin Johnson at 704.720.4645.
Sheri L. Herrmann // Corporate Communications Manager // Roush Racing
MTV show follows the antics of Paul 'The Animal' Tracy
The Diary of Paul Tracy to air Tuesday, January 30 at 7 p.m. ET on MTV in Canada.
After a few weeks of consecutive collisions and track-side scuffles, MTV will catch up with this lead-footed race car driver in La Belle Provence. Under the scrutiny of the French Canadian fans and media we'll watch as Paul Tracy spins his tires and turns some heads with his racy comments and wild antics.
Couple that with a Mexican wrestling mask, some boxing gloves and a well used rental car, and you've got an MTV Diary that'll be sure to get you all revved up. The MTV Diary of Paul Tracy will air Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET on MTV.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
DAYTONA: Empringham wins Friday's Grand American KONI Challenge race
From Ford Racing:
Canadian David Empringham and Tom Nastasi, co-drivers of the No. 5 Blackforest Motorsports Ford Mustang GT, won Friday’s Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Empringham took the lead with only a few laps remaining by squeezing on the inside of the No. 55 Hyper Sport Mustang GT. This is the second time in the last three seasons Tom Nastasi has put a Mustang in victory lane for the Grand American KONI Challenge season opening race.
David Empringham – 5 – USG Sheetrock/Ramset Tools Mustang GT -- IS THIS THE TYPE OF COMPETITION WE’RE GOING TO SEE ALL YEAR LONG? “I certainly think so, 106 cars and a lot of good teams and good drivers. It was quite a battle. Certainly it was a lot of fun for me racing with Tom and my good friend Scott Maxell. We share offices in Scott’s store and all week long we kind of joke about racing against each other and it came out today, it was quite a battle.”
DID THE NISSAN AND BMW BEING UP THERE AT THE END KIND OF SURPRISE YOU? “I certainly knew that Billy would be strong. Certainly the advantage goes to the Mustang on this track, and we need to take the advantage whenever we can get it. We go to short tracks and it flip-flops the other way, and Bill’s a tough car to beat. Here we had an advantage and we’ll take it and we had to fight against the other Mustangs.”
HOW ABOUT THE PASS FOR THE WIN? “I had a little bit of a run on Scott [Maxwell], and I knew the only way I could get him would be on the inside. So I just kind of hung out a little bit high on the outside of his quarter panel. As the banking finished, I dove to the inside and I think he knew that was happening and he was already on the white line and I could tell that he wasn’t going to give it up and I was going to go in the grass. It was a pretty tight squeeze and we both managed to make it through.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR TOMORROW’S ROLEX RACE FOR TOMORROW? “For me, it’s a much different race. This is a sprint race and I’m in the No. 61 DP car and it’s going to be a whole different mentality. Keeping the car under you and trying not to make any mistakes and being easy on the car and hopefully just go round-and-round with the least amount of mistakes compared to the other competitors.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE LAST LAPS IN THE END AND HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO PULL AWAY WITH THE HORSEPOWER? “They were strong, but I knew we had the advantage in the right places. I was more worried about Scott. I was struggling a little bit out of the east hairpin; I kind of burned up my left rear too much trying to get by a few people. One of the restarts and I was back a ways, I was getting anxious. We were really strong until we pitted early and everything looked really good, and I went out with a new set of tires and the tires had an imbalance and I decided to not gamble and come in and change tires a little bit later than I wanted to, so I fell behind Scott and Bill. So I knew it would be quite a challenge. I thought we had lots of time, I wasn’t too worried about it, and then there was such a long yellow it turned out to be a bit of a panic to get by those guys.”
SNIP...
Scott Maxwell and Joe Foster, co-drivers of the No. 55 Supercuts Hyper Sport Mustang, fought for the win until the very end of the race at Daytona International Speedway. The team ended up in second place after leading for a total of 17 laps of the season opening race for the KONI Challenge Series.
SCOTT MAXWELL – 55 -- TALK ABOUT FIGHTING IN THE LAST FEW LAPS WITH DAVID EMPRINGHAM. “Overall the race was great. We got second, I’m a little disappointed about that, but it was a great race. Especially with Bill and Dave at the end. I thought I had him where I wanted him; I thought I could get him on a pass if I kept him close enough. On the last laps, I couldn’t pull his draft. It was a fun race and a good battle and it’s always fun when it’s another Mustang and a guy you trust. We trust each other and gave each other a lot of room. The car was great all day.”
HOW DID LAPPED TRAFFIC PLAY IN WITH THE CAUTIONS? “With the cautions now, it kind of gives you clear track. My car was pretty good in traffic; I didn’t really have any issues with the traffic. I was just hoping that it was going to stay green. I thought we had it and then we had a couple yellows and just couldn’t get back up there.”
JOE FOSTER – 55 --WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND DURING THOSE LAST LAPS? “It was exciting. To be honest, before we got to that point, we had already had a great weekend. It was great overall for the team. Scott and Dave are old sparing partners and share an office in Toronto so Scott said he wasn’t going to let him by. I figured it was going to probably come down to the two of them anyways. My job was to hand off the car and serve him up an opportunity to win and all we can do is to get him in the position to take the win. We did everything we should have done to win. It just didn’t roll out that way. It was a good weekend and we’re in it for the long run and to win a championship. It was great for Hyper Sport and Supercuts. This year we have a real live commercial sponsor, which in this series is rare. We want to make sure that we give them good enough bang for the buck, which I think we did.”
HOW WAS THE TRAFFIC? “Traffic was crazy as usual. We’re always managing brakes because of that, a little bit of transmission managing too. I was kind of surprised to be able to lead, as I was racing to pace and almost a level of abuse to the car. It was fun racing with Tom [Nastasi], he’s a great guy.”
DID THE CAUTIONS HURT ON FUEL STRATEGY? “Yes, it was difficult. We took a gamble on fuel strategy, which we needed a caution for, and we got that caution. We then got anther caution that we didn’t want because Scott had a better car. In the end, the restarts did kill us a bit and wish we could have pulled away a little earlier.”
SNIP
After taking over his No. 4 Blackforest Motorsports Mustang GT from co-driver, Valerie Limoges, Alex Tagliani, brought his car into the garage with engine problems. During Limoges’ stint, she started losing power and the problem continued after Tagliani took over the car.
ALEX TAGLIANI -- 4 -- MUSTANG --(finished 83rd)“It’s unfortunate, because Valerie did a great job coming from 22nd and up to 10th. Once she started reporting that she had lost some power, she was starting to fall back. Then I jumped into the car and right away I felt that the engine did not have any power under the yellow and I called the pits and I told them that the engine didn’t feel like it had enough power that it needs to have. The Ford Mustang usually has a lot of power anyways, but at that point cars started passing us. I told them that I would do the best that I could and try to finish the race, unless there was a big major issue. I passed a few cars right away, and then all of a sudden, the engine started falling back and then it just started doing backfires and [having] a lot of weird noises and I just pulled it into the pit and it was just the engine. It’s unfortunate for Blackforest Motorsports because the car was performing and Valerie did such a good job and I think we could have had a podium today. When I jumped into the car, I was really comfortable. The team did a great job on the setup.”
Canadian David Empringham and Tom Nastasi, co-drivers of the No. 5 Blackforest Motorsports Ford Mustang GT, won Friday’s Fresh From Florida 200 at Daytona International Speedway. Empringham took the lead with only a few laps remaining by squeezing on the inside of the No. 55 Hyper Sport Mustang GT. This is the second time in the last three seasons Tom Nastasi has put a Mustang in victory lane for the Grand American KONI Challenge season opening race.
David Empringham – 5 – USG Sheetrock/Ramset Tools Mustang GT -- IS THIS THE TYPE OF COMPETITION WE’RE GOING TO SEE ALL YEAR LONG? “I certainly think so, 106 cars and a lot of good teams and good drivers. It was quite a battle. Certainly it was a lot of fun for me racing with Tom and my good friend Scott Maxell. We share offices in Scott’s store and all week long we kind of joke about racing against each other and it came out today, it was quite a battle.”
DID THE NISSAN AND BMW BEING UP THERE AT THE END KIND OF SURPRISE YOU? “I certainly knew that Billy would be strong. Certainly the advantage goes to the Mustang on this track, and we need to take the advantage whenever we can get it. We go to short tracks and it flip-flops the other way, and Bill’s a tough car to beat. Here we had an advantage and we’ll take it and we had to fight against the other Mustangs.”
HOW ABOUT THE PASS FOR THE WIN? “I had a little bit of a run on Scott [Maxwell], and I knew the only way I could get him would be on the inside. So I just kind of hung out a little bit high on the outside of his quarter panel. As the banking finished, I dove to the inside and I think he knew that was happening and he was already on the white line and I could tell that he wasn’t going to give it up and I was going to go in the grass. It was a pretty tight squeeze and we both managed to make it through.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR TOMORROW’S ROLEX RACE FOR TOMORROW? “For me, it’s a much different race. This is a sprint race and I’m in the No. 61 DP car and it’s going to be a whole different mentality. Keeping the car under you and trying not to make any mistakes and being easy on the car and hopefully just go round-and-round with the least amount of mistakes compared to the other competitors.”
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THOSE LAST LAPS IN THE END AND HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO PULL AWAY WITH THE HORSEPOWER? “They were strong, but I knew we had the advantage in the right places. I was more worried about Scott. I was struggling a little bit out of the east hairpin; I kind of burned up my left rear too much trying to get by a few people. One of the restarts and I was back a ways, I was getting anxious. We were really strong until we pitted early and everything looked really good, and I went out with a new set of tires and the tires had an imbalance and I decided to not gamble and come in and change tires a little bit later than I wanted to, so I fell behind Scott and Bill. So I knew it would be quite a challenge. I thought we had lots of time, I wasn’t too worried about it, and then there was such a long yellow it turned out to be a bit of a panic to get by those guys.”
SNIP...
Scott Maxwell and Joe Foster, co-drivers of the No. 55 Supercuts Hyper Sport Mustang, fought for the win until the very end of the race at Daytona International Speedway. The team ended up in second place after leading for a total of 17 laps of the season opening race for the KONI Challenge Series.
SCOTT MAXWELL – 55 -- TALK ABOUT FIGHTING IN THE LAST FEW LAPS WITH DAVID EMPRINGHAM. “Overall the race was great. We got second, I’m a little disappointed about that, but it was a great race. Especially with Bill and Dave at the end. I thought I had him where I wanted him; I thought I could get him on a pass if I kept him close enough. On the last laps, I couldn’t pull his draft. It was a fun race and a good battle and it’s always fun when it’s another Mustang and a guy you trust. We trust each other and gave each other a lot of room. The car was great all day.”
HOW DID LAPPED TRAFFIC PLAY IN WITH THE CAUTIONS? “With the cautions now, it kind of gives you clear track. My car was pretty good in traffic; I didn’t really have any issues with the traffic. I was just hoping that it was going to stay green. I thought we had it and then we had a couple yellows and just couldn’t get back up there.”
JOE FOSTER – 55 --WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND DURING THOSE LAST LAPS? “It was exciting. To be honest, before we got to that point, we had already had a great weekend. It was great overall for the team. Scott and Dave are old sparing partners and share an office in Toronto so Scott said he wasn’t going to let him by. I figured it was going to probably come down to the two of them anyways. My job was to hand off the car and serve him up an opportunity to win and all we can do is to get him in the position to take the win. We did everything we should have done to win. It just didn’t roll out that way. It was a good weekend and we’re in it for the long run and to win a championship. It was great for Hyper Sport and Supercuts. This year we have a real live commercial sponsor, which in this series is rare. We want to make sure that we give them good enough bang for the buck, which I think we did.”
HOW WAS THE TRAFFIC? “Traffic was crazy as usual. We’re always managing brakes because of that, a little bit of transmission managing too. I was kind of surprised to be able to lead, as I was racing to pace and almost a level of abuse to the car. It was fun racing with Tom [Nastasi], he’s a great guy.”
DID THE CAUTIONS HURT ON FUEL STRATEGY? “Yes, it was difficult. We took a gamble on fuel strategy, which we needed a caution for, and we got that caution. We then got anther caution that we didn’t want because Scott had a better car. In the end, the restarts did kill us a bit and wish we could have pulled away a little earlier.”
SNIP
After taking over his No. 4 Blackforest Motorsports Mustang GT from co-driver, Valerie Limoges, Alex Tagliani, brought his car into the garage with engine problems. During Limoges’ stint, she started losing power and the problem continued after Tagliani took over the car.
ALEX TAGLIANI -- 4 -- MUSTANG --(finished 83rd)“It’s unfortunate, because Valerie did a great job coming from 22nd and up to 10th. Once she started reporting that she had lost some power, she was starting to fall back. Then I jumped into the car and right away I felt that the engine did not have any power under the yellow and I called the pits and I told them that the engine didn’t feel like it had enough power that it needs to have. The Ford Mustang usually has a lot of power anyways, but at that point cars started passing us. I told them that I would do the best that I could and try to finish the race, unless there was a big major issue. I passed a few cars right away, and then all of a sudden, the engine started falling back and then it just started doing backfires and [having] a lot of weird noises and I just pulled it into the pit and it was just the engine. It’s unfortunate for Blackforest Motorsports because the car was performing and Valerie did such a good job and I think we could have had a podium today. When I jumped into the car, I was really comfortable. The team did a great job on the setup.”
Friday, January 26, 2007
Riverside Speedway goes 'specials only' for 2007
This item on Riverside Speedway's site is the strongest indication yet that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be visiting the Antigonish, NS-area oval in 2007. Most speculation has the race penned in for Sept. 15.
From Riverside Speedway's website:
"Things are shaping up for the 2007 Season we now have in place our dates for our 4 major events, However at this time we cannot announce what is on what date other that the PASS date is set for July 21st we are waiting on the respective tours to make the official announcements. We can tell you that the 3 other dates are June 9th , Aug 18th and Sept 15th with a 5th possible event Sept 29th.
For all those waiting to hear about a possible weekly program we are sorry to say that after a long hard look at it track management has decided not to run a weekly program in 2007. This is not to say we will not revisit it in 2008. "
From Riverside Speedway's website:
"Things are shaping up for the 2007 Season we now have in place our dates for our 4 major events, However at this time we cannot announce what is on what date other that the PASS date is set for July 21st we are waiting on the respective tours to make the official announcements. We can tell you that the 3 other dates are June 9th , Aug 18th and Sept 15th with a 5th possible event Sept 29th.
For all those waiting to hear about a possible weekly program we are sorry to say that after a long hard look at it track management has decided not to run a weekly program in 2007. This is not to say we will not revisit it in 2008. "
NASCAR Cdn. Tire Series: Fastline Motorsports welcomes back Tim Hortons
(Nice to see this announcement! Congratulations to the Fastline Motorsports gang and to Tim Horton's for their support of Canadian motorsports. - GM)
HAMILTON, ON – Fastline Motorsports is pleased to announce the return of Tim Hortons as a sponsor for 2007 of Team Fastline and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers Jeff and Jim Lapcevich.
"Tim Hortons is proud to be a sponsor of Fastline Motorsports. We've had a long-standing relationship with the Lapcevich brothers since 1990 and it's great to see that all of their hard work and dedication has resulted in some spectacular victories,” stated David McMullen, Vice President, Regional Marketing and National Promotions. “In addition, we appreciate their on-going support of the Tim Horton Children's Foundation throughout the years."
Tim Hortons Inc., www.timhortons.com, is Canada's largest quick service restaurant chain. Founded in 1964 as a coffee and donut shop, Tim Hortons has evolved to meet consumer tastes, with a menu that now includes premium coffee, flavored cappuccinos, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches and fresh baked goods. As of October 1, 2006, Tim Hortons system-wide restaurants numbered 2,637 in Canada and 305 in the United States.
The Tim Horton Children's Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp adventure for children, who could otherwise not afford it. Last year, over 11,000 children, between the ages of 9 and 12, were selected from each of the communities in which a Tim Hortons store operates, giving them the opportunity to attend one of the Foundation's six camps. In addition to the simple fun and excitement of such an experience, this opportunity can help these children build their leadership skills, self-confidence and self-esteem, qualities that will only benefit them in the future.
About Fastline Motorsports:
The Fastline Motorsports, www.fastlinemotorsports.ca, team cars are based on the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo body with a 107.5-inch wheelbase, which sits on top of a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis. The 355-cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine from AP Racing Engines produces over 500 horsepower, and this power is transferred to the car's rear wheels by a four-speed transmission. Headed by father Joe Lapcevich, and with an experienced and devoted crew of 12 others, this two-car team demonstrates the professionalism, ability, and confidence to represent this exciting sport both on and off the track.
About Jeff Lapcevich:
Jeff Lapcevich finished the 2006 CASCAR Super Series with four top-ten and two top-five finishes including a win in the Griddly Headz 100 at the Grand Prix of Edmonton and a second place finish on the Mosport International Raceway Road Course. Jeff Lapcevich began his career on road circuits, and the experience acquired in this form of motorsport has developed into a successful career on the CASCAR tour, as he has won six road course events in the past four years in CASCAR.
About Jim Lapcevich:
In 2006, Jim Lapcevich captured seven top-ten finishes in the CASCAR Super Series and two top-five finish with a fourth place finish at the Mosport International Raceway Road Course and at the Grand Prix of Montreal. With a strong background in oval track events, Jim Lapcevich has progressed from the Saturday night "bull-rings" to become one of the top drivers in CASCAR, with several victories in this national series. With a strong competitive desire, Jim will always be in the hunt vying for that checkered flag.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher bruce@jajentertainment.com
HAMILTON, ON – Fastline Motorsports is pleased to announce the return of Tim Hortons as a sponsor for 2007 of Team Fastline and NASCAR Canadian Tire Series drivers Jeff and Jim Lapcevich."Tim Hortons is proud to be a sponsor of Fastline Motorsports. We've had a long-standing relationship with the Lapcevich brothers since 1990 and it's great to see that all of their hard work and dedication has resulted in some spectacular victories,” stated David McMullen, Vice President, Regional Marketing and National Promotions. “In addition, we appreciate their on-going support of the Tim Horton Children's Foundation throughout the years."
Tim Hortons Inc., www.timhortons.com, is Canada's largest quick service restaurant chain. Founded in 1964 as a coffee and donut shop, Tim Hortons has evolved to meet consumer tastes, with a menu that now includes premium coffee, flavored cappuccinos, specialty teas, home-style soups, fresh sandwiches and fresh baked goods. As of October 1, 2006, Tim Hortons system-wide restaurants numbered 2,637 in Canada and 305 in the United States.
The Tim Horton Children's Foundation is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to providing a fun-filled camp adventure for children, who could otherwise not afford it. Last year, over 11,000 children, between the ages of 9 and 12, were selected from each of the communities in which a Tim Hortons store operates, giving them the opportunity to attend one of the Foundation's six camps. In addition to the simple fun and excitement of such an experience, this opportunity can help these children build their leadership skills, self-confidence and self-esteem, qualities that will only benefit them in the future.
About Fastline Motorsports:
The Fastline Motorsports, www.fastlinemotorsports.ca, team cars are based on the 2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo body with a 107.5-inch wheelbase, which sits on top of a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis. The 355-cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine from AP Racing Engines produces over 500 horsepower, and this power is transferred to the car's rear wheels by a four-speed transmission. Headed by father Joe Lapcevich, and with an experienced and devoted crew of 12 others, this two-car team demonstrates the professionalism, ability, and confidence to represent this exciting sport both on and off the track.
About Jeff Lapcevich:
Jeff Lapcevich finished the 2006 CASCAR Super Series with four top-ten and two top-five finishes including a win in the Griddly Headz 100 at the Grand Prix of Edmonton and a second place finish on the Mosport International Raceway Road Course. Jeff Lapcevich began his career on road circuits, and the experience acquired in this form of motorsport has developed into a successful career on the CASCAR tour, as he has won six road course events in the past four years in CASCAR.
About Jim Lapcevich:
In 2006, Jim Lapcevich captured seven top-ten finishes in the CASCAR Super Series and two top-five finish with a fourth place finish at the Mosport International Raceway Road Course and at the Grand Prix of Montreal. With a strong background in oval track events, Jim Lapcevich has progressed from the Saturday night "bull-rings" to become one of the top drivers in CASCAR, with several victories in this national series. With a strong competitive desire, Jim will always be in the hunt vying for that checkered flag.
For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher bruce@jajentertainment.com
NASCAR Feels Big Three's Pain
This is from a story in today's Globe & Mail, by Chris Jenkins
In the piece, Dodge confirmed its committment to the sport.
Here is the story.....
CONCORD, N.C. — When asked about Ford Motor Co.'s announcement that it lost a record $12.7-billion (U.S.) last year, the director of Dodge's racing program cringes as if he just swallowed a swig of motor oil.
These aren't the best of times for the U.S. auto industry, and the effects are starting to trickle down to NASCAR. Folks in the race team shops sprinkled throughout suburban Charlotte are worried about tightening their belts — and not just the ones on their engines.
Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge Motorsports and SRT Product Planning, said teams must start finding ways to become more efficient.
“I've always contended that if it's a money-burning contest, you've got the wrong partner,” Mr. Accavitti said. “I don't want to say we're cheap, but we never really had a lot of money to just throw at things.”
In an attempt to stop long-standing rumours that Dodge was considering pulling out of NASCAR entirely, Mr. Accavitti made a firm public commitment to the sport during NASCAR's preseason media tour Thursday.
“Dodge is here to stay,” he said.
But not here to go on a wild spending spree.
Continued at the link above....
In the piece, Dodge confirmed its committment to the sport.
Here is the story.....
CONCORD, N.C. — When asked about Ford Motor Co.'s announcement that it lost a record $12.7-billion (U.S.) last year, the director of Dodge's racing program cringes as if he just swallowed a swig of motor oil.
These aren't the best of times for the U.S. auto industry, and the effects are starting to trickle down to NASCAR. Folks in the race team shops sprinkled throughout suburban Charlotte are worried about tightening their belts — and not just the ones on their engines.
Mike Accavitti, director of Dodge Motorsports and SRT Product Planning, said teams must start finding ways to become more efficient.
“I've always contended that if it's a money-burning contest, you've got the wrong partner,” Mr. Accavitti said. “I don't want to say we're cheap, but we never really had a lot of money to just throw at things.”
In an attempt to stop long-standing rumours that Dodge was considering pulling out of NASCAR entirely, Mr. Accavitti made a firm public commitment to the sport during NASCAR's preseason media tour Thursday.
“Dodge is here to stay,” he said.
But not here to go on a wild spending spree.
Continued at the link above....
Thursday, January 25, 2007
AUTO CLEARING MOTOR SPEEDWAY announces 2007 schedule
SASKATOON, SK (January 12, 2007) – Auto Clearing Motor Speedway is extremely pleased to announce and present its 2007 race schedule. Race fans are in for some extremely exciting race action this summer with a 23-race schedule. It all begins under the lights on Saturday, May 12th and ends with the ever popular Ellenn Plastics Enduro on Saturday afternoon, October 6th.
“We are really looking forward to a more traditional race season this year”, states club President Andrew Clewes, “last year we couldn’t start racing until mid July because we were busy building our new $3M facility until then”.
All of the six race classes offered in 2006 will be offered again in 2007. Race fans will be able to experience the thrill of Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks a total of 11 times each over the course of the 2007 race season. Super Late Models will hit the track nine times and the Sportsman class of cars eight times.
Of the 23 races on tap this season, 13 will be special races. Included amongst the 13 special events are two visits by the ever-popular Legends Cars of Alberta; the Dent Clinic 150 on Saturday June 9th and the Mac’s Froster 50 on Saturday August 11th. This will be the second year that Auto Clearing Motor Speedway will stage the Mac’s Froster 50.
The Super Truck Racing Series will make two appearances at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in 2007; on Saturday, June 23rd and then again on September 1st.
The USA/Canada IMCA Modifieds will visit Auto Clearing Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 14. This is a date that all race fans will want to be at.
There will be two special races for the steel bodied Street Stock cars; the Martensville 100 on June 16th and the Tiger Automotive Street Stock Invitational on Saturday, August 18th.
Last season, with the introduction of the NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series, there was a positive rebirth in the Super Late Model class. This season there will be two NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series races at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, the first on Saturday May 26th and the second, the Points Final, on Saturday September 22nd. It is expected that the fields for these races will approach 30 cars, undoubtedly resulting in some excellent racing.
With the recent demise of the former CASCAR Western Series, Auto Clearing Motor Speedway has been instrumental in formulating, and will host, the Western Elite Sportsman Tour (WEST). A total of four WEST races will be staged at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in 2007; two in June (June 2nd and June 29th), and two in September (September 1st and September 15th). The September 15th race will be the WEST’s Points Final race.
In addition to local Sportsman cars, many of the cars that competed in the former CASCAR Western Series race program are expected to race in the WEST. These cars are the same type of cars that will be running in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
Ticket pricing, including season ticket prices, are now being finalized and will be announced next week.
For more information on any of the races in the 2007 race schedule, or to find out how to sponsor one of the 2007 races, please contact our Business Development office.
For information on Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, please visit our web site at www.autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca.
From Herm Hordal / ACMS
“We are really looking forward to a more traditional race season this year”, states club President Andrew Clewes, “last year we couldn’t start racing until mid July because we were busy building our new $3M facility until then”.
All of the six race classes offered in 2006 will be offered again in 2007. Race fans will be able to experience the thrill of Pro Trucks, Street Stocks, Thunder Stocks, and Mini Stocks a total of 11 times each over the course of the 2007 race season. Super Late Models will hit the track nine times and the Sportsman class of cars eight times.
Of the 23 races on tap this season, 13 will be special races. Included amongst the 13 special events are two visits by the ever-popular Legends Cars of Alberta; the Dent Clinic 150 on Saturday June 9th and the Mac’s Froster 50 on Saturday August 11th. This will be the second year that Auto Clearing Motor Speedway will stage the Mac’s Froster 50.
The Super Truck Racing Series will make two appearances at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in 2007; on Saturday, June 23rd and then again on September 1st.
The USA/Canada IMCA Modifieds will visit Auto Clearing Motor Speedway on Saturday, July 14. This is a date that all race fans will want to be at.
There will be two special races for the steel bodied Street Stock cars; the Martensville 100 on June 16th and the Tiger Automotive Street Stock Invitational on Saturday, August 18th.
Last season, with the introduction of the NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series, there was a positive rebirth in the Super Late Model class. This season there will be two NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series races at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, the first on Saturday May 26th and the second, the Points Final, on Saturday September 22nd. It is expected that the fields for these races will approach 30 cars, undoubtedly resulting in some excellent racing.
With the recent demise of the former CASCAR Western Series, Auto Clearing Motor Speedway has been instrumental in formulating, and will host, the Western Elite Sportsman Tour (WEST). A total of four WEST races will be staged at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in 2007; two in June (June 2nd and June 29th), and two in September (September 1st and September 15th). The September 15th race will be the WEST’s Points Final race.
In addition to local Sportsman cars, many of the cars that competed in the former CASCAR Western Series race program are expected to race in the WEST. These cars are the same type of cars that will be running in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.
Ticket pricing, including season ticket prices, are now being finalized and will be announced next week.
For more information on any of the races in the 2007 race schedule, or to find out how to sponsor one of the 2007 races, please contact our Business Development office.
For information on Auto Clearing Motor Speedway, please visit our web site at www.autoclearingmotorspeedway.ca.
From Herm Hordal / ACMS
GOING SOUTH?
I'm trying to put a list together of the Canadians who are heading to Florida to race during the stock car portion of Speedweeks.
Once again, Inside Track is planning to document the adventures of the Canucks in action at New Smyrna, USA Int'l, Volusia, etc...
So, if you know of anyone, please post their name and where they plan to race in the comments section of this thread. Or you can drop me a note here.
Delaware Speedway: Bulmer and DuGas resign
Jim Cressman had a story in the London Free Press two days ago ("Delaware Season in Doubt") about the recent resignations of Delaware Speedway GM Kevin Bulmer and Operations Director Amy DuGas.
I have dealt with Kevin and Amy for years and it has been a pleasure knowing them. I hope they find satisfaction in their future endeavours.
This morning, I was contacted by Delaware Race Director Jeff Wilcox, who is still employed at the half-mile, London-area oval. While things are still in a state of flux - including the issue of who will replace the departed Bulmer and DuGas - he wanted to clarify a few things.
According to Wilcox, the 2007 season is not in doubt, contrary to the headline on the story. He also wanted to note that the schedule posted on the track's website is still in place and things are "moving forward."
I have dealt with Kevin and Amy for years and it has been a pleasure knowing them. I hope they find satisfaction in their future endeavours.
This morning, I was contacted by Delaware Race Director Jeff Wilcox, who is still employed at the half-mile, London-area oval. While things are still in a state of flux - including the issue of who will replace the departed Bulmer and DuGas - he wanted to clarify a few things.
According to Wilcox, the 2007 season is not in doubt, contrary to the headline on the story. He also wanted to note that the schedule posted on the track's website is still in place and things are "moving forward."
NASCAR Canadian Tire Series to air on TSN
Toronto, ON (January 25, 2007) – TSN announced today a multi-year agreement for exclusive broadcast rights to the newly-formed NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, which launches in May of 2007. TSN will televise 12 one-hour broadcasts, which will include race coverage, driver interviews and features.
The announcement complements TSN’s extensive NASCAR broadcast package. With an expanded schedule for the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series of 28 races, up from 21 races last season, TSN also recently announced the acquisition of TV rights to all 35 NASCAR Busch Series races, including the inaugural Montreal race.
“As NASCAR’s popularity north of the border continues to grow, TSN has enjoyed increased NASCAR audiences, which have more than doubled in the past 10 years,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series offers TSN the opportunity to showcase and support Canadian drivers and Canadian racing as part of the network’s all-encompassing NASCAR coverage.”
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was announced in September 2006, following the acquisition of certain assets of the CASCAR Super Series. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will stage events nationally with a schedule of 12 races (May-October) throughout Canada. Many of the former CASCAR drivers and teams are anticipated to compete in the Series.
“This is a very important announcement for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Canadian racing fans will have the broadest offering of NASCAR programming including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said Robbie Weiss, Managing Director, NASCAR International. “We are excited to continue this great partnership with TSN and bring the best of Canadian racing to a broader audience.”
TSN’s broadcast schedule of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be announced following confirmation of the race schedule.
NASCAR is the No. 1 televised motorsport series on television in Canada. TSN recorded record ratings for its coverage of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with a national average audience of 332,000 viewers, up 15 per cent from 2005 and more than double the audience in 1996 (150,000). The 2006 Daytona 500 was the most watched motorsport race in TSN history with a national audience of 568,000 viewers.
For More Information: Andrea Goldstein, TSN Director of Communications, (w)416.332.7575, (c)647.224.8800 // Josh Cogan, TSN Communications Officer, (w)416.332.7599, (c)416.859.4738
The announcement complements TSN’s extensive NASCAR broadcast package. With an expanded schedule for the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series of 28 races, up from 21 races last season, TSN also recently announced the acquisition of TV rights to all 35 NASCAR Busch Series races, including the inaugural Montreal race.
“As NASCAR’s popularity north of the border continues to grow, TSN has enjoyed increased NASCAR audiences, which have more than doubled in the past 10 years,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series offers TSN the opportunity to showcase and support Canadian drivers and Canadian racing as part of the network’s all-encompassing NASCAR coverage.”
The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series was announced in September 2006, following the acquisition of certain assets of the CASCAR Super Series. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will stage events nationally with a schedule of 12 races (May-October) throughout Canada. Many of the former CASCAR drivers and teams are anticipated to compete in the Series.
“This is a very important announcement for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. Canadian racing fans will have the broadest offering of NASCAR programming including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series, and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said Robbie Weiss, Managing Director, NASCAR International. “We are excited to continue this great partnership with TSN and bring the best of Canadian racing to a broader audience.”
TSN’s broadcast schedule of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be announced following confirmation of the race schedule.
NASCAR is the No. 1 televised motorsport series on television in Canada. TSN recorded record ratings for its coverage of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with a national average audience of 332,000 viewers, up 15 per cent from 2005 and more than double the audience in 1996 (150,000). The 2006 Daytona 500 was the most watched motorsport race in TSN history with a national audience of 568,000 viewers.
For More Information: Andrea Goldstein, TSN Director of Communications, (w)416.332.7575, (c)647.224.8800 // Josh Cogan, TSN Communications Officer, (w)416.332.7599, (c)416.859.4738
Ford lost almost $13B in 2006
Ford Motor Company just announced that it lost $12.7 BILLION dollars last year.
Wow. And I was worried about my credit card bills after Christmas.
Would you consider buying a Ford if they supported Canadian racing? Or is there jsut no way you would buy one of their products?
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Canadian Touring Car Championship launches new website
Courtesy Jason Sharpe
TORONTO, ON – January 22, 2007 – The Canadian Touring Car Championship announced today the launch of a new online community for Canadian sportscar fans, sponsors and competitors – www.touringcar.ca
The new website is a direct result of the growth sportscar racing has experienced over the last five years here in Canada. Its purpose is to become the online destination of choice for fans interested in knowing more about the hottest cars in the country and the people who build and drive them.
Additionally, it will become an invaluable resource for sportscar teams and drivers across the country wishing to participate in what is Canada’s premiere road racing Championship.
Initially, the site will feature all of the drivers and teams committed to competing in the Championship, along with the schedule of events and necessary competition forms for teams across the country. As the season grows nearer, the site will morph into an interactive community where fans will be able to interact with drivers and team members, get exclusive behind the scenes access to what it takes to compete at this elite level and receive promotional opportunities from sponsor partners.
During the season fans will be able to log on for up to the minute news and results from the Championship and its competitors, as well as take part in many contests and promotions geared to the sportscar lifestyle.
For marketers, the site will become an integral tool for reaching a large, loyal and lucrative consumer base. The site will feature an area for sponsor partners to connect with the fan on both an emotional and rational level, through innovative, exclusive content, features and promotional opportunities.
“The need for a dedicated, sportscar racing site has been a long time coming here in Canada,” said Canadian Touring Car Championship President John Bondar. “Our racing fans are hungry for more sportscar themed media and we’re really proud that the Canadian Touring Car Championship is bringing it to them,” he added.
Boasting Canada’s best drivers in today’s hottest sportscars the Canadian Touring Car Championship will consist of three classes of competition, over 8 weekends, with the marquee event being the recently announced addition of the Grand Prix of Toronto. Other races will be held at the famed Mosport International Raceway, the new Calabogie Motorsport Park & Shannonville Motorsport Park.
TORONTO, ON – January 22, 2007 – The Canadian Touring Car Championship announced today the launch of a new online community for Canadian sportscar fans, sponsors and competitors – www.touringcar.ca
The new website is a direct result of the growth sportscar racing has experienced over the last five years here in Canada. Its purpose is to become the online destination of choice for fans interested in knowing more about the hottest cars in the country and the people who build and drive them.
Additionally, it will become an invaluable resource for sportscar teams and drivers across the country wishing to participate in what is Canada’s premiere road racing Championship.
Initially, the site will feature all of the drivers and teams committed to competing in the Championship, along with the schedule of events and necessary competition forms for teams across the country. As the season grows nearer, the site will morph into an interactive community where fans will be able to interact with drivers and team members, get exclusive behind the scenes access to what it takes to compete at this elite level and receive promotional opportunities from sponsor partners.
During the season fans will be able to log on for up to the minute news and results from the Championship and its competitors, as well as take part in many contests and promotions geared to the sportscar lifestyle.
For marketers, the site will become an integral tool for reaching a large, loyal and lucrative consumer base. The site will feature an area for sponsor partners to connect with the fan on both an emotional and rational level, through innovative, exclusive content, features and promotional opportunities.
“The need for a dedicated, sportscar racing site has been a long time coming here in Canada,” said Canadian Touring Car Championship President John Bondar. “Our racing fans are hungry for more sportscar themed media and we’re really proud that the Canadian Touring Car Championship is bringing it to them,” he added.
Boasting Canada’s best drivers in today’s hottest sportscars the Canadian Touring Car Championship will consist of three classes of competition, over 8 weekends, with the marquee event being the recently announced addition of the Grand Prix of Toronto. Other races will be held at the famed Mosport International Raceway, the new Calabogie Motorsport Park & Shannonville Motorsport Park.
TAGLIANI'SGOOD FIRST IMPRESSION IN THE ROCKETSPORTS CHAMPCAR
Courtesy Heather HauptEAST LANSING, Michigan (January 23, 2007) – Despite only running 27 laps around the 1.8-mile short course at Sebring International Raceway today in Sebring, Florida, driver Alex Tagliani and the Rocketsports Racing team were able have a good first impression of the new Panoz DP01 Champ Car and find exactly what they needed in order for continued success during their three-day run.
"It was a good shakedown with the new DP01 Champ Car for me and the Rocketsports team," said driver Alex Tagliani. "We did not do many laps today, but we learned a lot and are ready to move forward during the next two days of testing. What today did show was that the Rocketsports team was well prepared for this test because we went out on track and had no problems. Overall I feel confident and comfortable because I feel that the team has put together a reliable car. The new Panoz DP01 Champ Car worked perfect and it was a pleasure to drive."
"What we were able to accomplish today was finding the limits of the car," continued Tagliani. "It was actually fairly easy and we did not have to struggle to get to that point. That really helps us out while we continue to run down here in Sebring this week. Now that we have found that limit on the new car, we can start to work on finding a way to make it go quicker. Our future ahead will be focusing on finding a setup that creates a quicker car. We know that the car is running, and there are no problems, so we are off to a great start and excited about the days ahead."
Participating in the first of three Champ Car Open Tests in preparation for the 2007 Champ Car season opener in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 8, Rocketsports Racing and driver Alex Tagliani will have two more days of testing in Sebring, Florida.
On track activities for the Champ Cars tomorrow will include two sessions, run from 9:45 a.m. EST – 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., as they continue to share track time with the American Le Mans Series.
The final day of testing down in Florida will give the team all the time they need as the track will be open for the Champ Cars to run solely from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. To follow the team's progress throughout the next couple of days, log on to www.champcar.ws and check out the live Timing and Scoring feed during the times previously listed.
SAMAX Motorsports Ready to Challenge the World's Best at Daytona
Courtesy Max d'Orsonnens
Wednesday January 24, 2006. - Florida-based SAMAX Motorsports is ready to challenge the world's best drivers and teams this weekend at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the 15-race Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series 2007 schedule. The twice around the clock race at the 3.56-mile (5.73 Km) Daytona International Speedway road course will feature a combined entry list of 70 Daytona Prototypes (DP) and GT sports cars. SAMAX will field two Pontiac Riley prototypes for the 45th annual classic edition. Eight drivers from seven countries will share duties for SAMAX.
"Without a doubt this is the best group of drivers that I have ever had the opportunity to work with," commented SAMAX team principal Peter Baron. "If you look across all the entries in the 24, there are only a handful of line-ups with no weaknesses, and we firmly believe we are amongst the strongest."
#11 CITGO Racing by SAMAX Pontiac RileyRegular season drivers Milka Duno and Canadian Patrick Carpentier, now living in Las Vegas, will be joined for the season opener by English driver Darren Manning and Scotland's Ryan Dalziel in the #11 CITGO Racing Pontiac Riley. Last season at Daytona, Duno, from Caracas, Venezuela teamed up with Dario and Marino Franchitti and Kevin McGarrity to bring home the CITGO car in eighth place overall, while Carpentier, who was making his first-ever start in a prototype, led Eddie Cheever's Lexus Crawford during 68 laps over a period of two hours late Saturday night. However, a mechanical failure, while in fourth place, foiled their podium bid two hours from the end of the race.
Manning, a seasoned veteran of open wheel racing, was quick during the series winter test sessions setting fast laps on a regular basis. Although Manning was not accustomed to an endurance-racing car, owner Peter Baron was impressed with his showing and asked the former Formula One BAR Honda test driver and IRL regular to join his team for the 24-Hour classic. Dalziel, a European driver who made a name for himself in North America, finished runner-up two years in a row in the Atlantic Series before switching to sports cars in 2005. He made 13 combined starts in the Rolex GT class and ALMS GT1 category, finishing twice on the podium; his first-ever with SAMAX at Miami/Homestead in 2005. Last year, he started 14 Daytona Prototype races, finishing once on the podium and twice in the Top-5.
SAMAX Motorsports, based in Pompano Beach, Florida, is in its third year of competition in the Grand-American Rolex Series. The team will field two Daytona Prototypes in this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Steve Challis is the technical director of the #11 CITGO Racing crew, and Travis Lowe is chief engineer of the #7 Pontiac Riley entry. More information on SAMAX Motorsports is available at www.samaxmotorsports.com.
Weekend ScheduleThe action starts Thursday morning with two practice sessions scheduled for the Daytona Prototypes. Following practice, the prototypes will take the track for the first round of qualifying at 3:45 p.m. with the top 30 securing their positions on the grid. A second qualifying session is scheduled on Friday morning for those failed to qualify on Thursday.
The grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona will open at noon on Saturday, followed by pre-race ceremonies. The green flag for the race will be waved at 1:30 p.m. SPEED and FOX Sports will combine to offer 15 hours of race coverage from Daytona. SAMAX press releases will be sent following Thursday's qualifying and the end of Sunday's race. Learn more about Grand-Am at www.grand-am.com.
Wednesday January 24, 2006. - Florida-based SAMAX Motorsports is ready to challenge the world's best drivers and teams this weekend at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the opening round of the 15-race Grand-American Rolex Sports Car Series 2007 schedule. The twice around the clock race at the 3.56-mile (5.73 Km) Daytona International Speedway road course will feature a combined entry list of 70 Daytona Prototypes (DP) and GT sports cars. SAMAX will field two Pontiac Riley prototypes for the 45th annual classic edition. Eight drivers from seven countries will share duties for SAMAX.
"Without a doubt this is the best group of drivers that I have ever had the opportunity to work with," commented SAMAX team principal Peter Baron. "If you look across all the entries in the 24, there are only a handful of line-ups with no weaknesses, and we firmly believe we are amongst the strongest."
#11 CITGO Racing by SAMAX Pontiac RileyRegular season drivers Milka Duno and Canadian Patrick Carpentier, now living in Las Vegas, will be joined for the season opener by English driver Darren Manning and Scotland's Ryan Dalziel in the #11 CITGO Racing Pontiac Riley. Last season at Daytona, Duno, from Caracas, Venezuela teamed up with Dario and Marino Franchitti and Kevin McGarrity to bring home the CITGO car in eighth place overall, while Carpentier, who was making his first-ever start in a prototype, led Eddie Cheever's Lexus Crawford during 68 laps over a period of two hours late Saturday night. However, a mechanical failure, while in fourth place, foiled their podium bid two hours from the end of the race.
Manning, a seasoned veteran of open wheel racing, was quick during the series winter test sessions setting fast laps on a regular basis. Although Manning was not accustomed to an endurance-racing car, owner Peter Baron was impressed with his showing and asked the former Formula One BAR Honda test driver and IRL regular to join his team for the 24-Hour classic. Dalziel, a European driver who made a name for himself in North America, finished runner-up two years in a row in the Atlantic Series before switching to sports cars in 2005. He made 13 combined starts in the Rolex GT class and ALMS GT1 category, finishing twice on the podium; his first-ever with SAMAX at Miami/Homestead in 2005. Last year, he started 14 Daytona Prototype races, finishing once on the podium and twice in the Top-5.
SAMAX Motorsports, based in Pompano Beach, Florida, is in its third year of competition in the Grand-American Rolex Series. The team will field two Daytona Prototypes in this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Steve Challis is the technical director of the #11 CITGO Racing crew, and Travis Lowe is chief engineer of the #7 Pontiac Riley entry. More information on SAMAX Motorsports is available at www.samaxmotorsports.com.
Weekend ScheduleThe action starts Thursday morning with two practice sessions scheduled for the Daytona Prototypes. Following practice, the prototypes will take the track for the first round of qualifying at 3:45 p.m. with the top 30 securing their positions on the grid. A second qualifying session is scheduled on Friday morning for those failed to qualify on Thursday.
The grid for the Rolex 24 at Daytona will open at noon on Saturday, followed by pre-race ceremonies. The green flag for the race will be waved at 1:30 p.m. SPEED and FOX Sports will combine to offer 15 hours of race coverage from Daytona. SAMAX press releases will be sent following Thursday's qualifying and the end of Sunday's race. Learn more about Grand-Am at www.grand-am.com.
Canada's Hinchcliffe Scores Top-Six Brace Down-Under
Courtesy A1 Team CanadaSunday 21 January, 2007 - Taupo Motorsports Park in New Zealand proved to be a happy hunting ground for A1 Team Canada's James Hinchcliffe (20) as the Toronto rookie heralded his return to competition by picking up a pair of top-six finishes on Sunday in Round 6 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Sixth at the checkered flag in both the Sprint and Feature races, Hinchcliffe's performances netted the Canadian entry a total of six points to maintain its footing in the top-ten of the A1GP Nations Standings, the team currently placing ninth from the 23 competing nations. Germany stretched its advantage at the head of the pack to 19 points over France (65-46) courtesy of back-to-back wins in New Zealand from teenage sensation Niko Hülkenberg, the German pole-winner scoring his third and fourth A1GP victories and his first top-step podium sweep.
Having qualified seventh for Sunday morning's 20-minute Sprint race, Hinchcliffe passed A1 Team Great Britain's Robbie Kerr for sixth place on the run to the first turn. After that the 20-year-old held station with passing opportunities limited not least due to the slick nature of the brand new 3.5km track. With points awarded to just the top-six in the Sprint event, Hinchcliffe claimed the final score but more importantly secured a third row grid slot for the afternoon's 50-lap Feature race.
A loose car greeted James at the start of the afternoon race but his pace soon picked up following his mandatory pit-stop, taken on lap nine, the opening of the pit-window. Armed with a fresh set of tires and with the handling vastly improved James placed seventh. He remained there at mid-distance, enduring a solitary race to that point with Kerr three and a half seconds ahead of him and Williams Formula One test driver, India's Narain Karthikeyan, four and a half seconds behind in eighth.
The status quo was interrupted on lap 40 with Kerr retiring the British entry promoting Hinchcliffe up into sixth. Consistently faster it wasn't long before James found himself at the back of a five-car train headed by France's Loic Duval in second, all giving chase to the dominant Hülkenberg. The German scored his second win of the day with Duval second and New Zealander Jonny Reid delighting the 25,000-strong home crowd with third, the Feature top-three a carbon copy of the Sprint podium.
"I'd have liked to have scored a few more points," stated Hinchcliffe upon his A1GP race return. "I didn't want to try anything too heroic in the Sprint and settled for the final point and decent grid slot. We were looking really fast towards the end of the Feature race but for the most part it was a fairly quiet outing although Taupo's a physically demanding track so I was working hard on every lap!"
SPEED will air all the action from Round 6 of the A1GP Series in Canada as a tape-delayed broadcast on Wednesday 24th January starting at 4pm EST - http://www.speedtv.com/ / Round 7 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport sees a return to Sydney's Eastern Creek Circuit in Australia, Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th February - www.a1gp.com.
Top-Ten A1GP Nations Standings after Round 6/11: 1st Germany (65), 2nd France (46), 3rd New Zealand (43), 4th Great Britain (36), 5th Mexico (34), 6th Malaysia (30), 7th Italy (29), 8th Switzerland (29), 9th CANADA (28), 10th Netherlands (26).
Winter Races Will Happen!
Courtesy Race Director
An outlet for craving that winter “need for speed” is here! The 1/3 mile track, traditionally home to stock cars, has been transformed into this winter’s facility for adrenaline. This Saturday, January 27th , Brighton Speedway will be hosting its 4th Annual Winterfest Ice Races. racing will begin at 10:00 am, when the areas hottest snowmobiles and 4-wheelers take to the ice. As these races conclude the field of endurance cars will be introduced as they gear up to slide across the finish line in the Bill’s Johns 50 lap Endurance Race. These daring racers will show their grassroots talent at approximately 2:00 pm, when the green flag flies and the race of mayhem begins.
As Mother Nature continues to provide her chilling temperatures, the crew has been working around the clock to build the icy surface. The Montgomery “Ice Making” School Bus has helped ease the pain of the long cold nights. Although the bus was made in 2006, it didn’t get it’s chance to create a perfect racing surface with more accuracy and comfort for the Rinaldi family and friends of Brighton Speedway. With over 1 foot of solid ice covering the track, there is no doubt that the bus has worked and the crew is enthused for this weekend’s races.
Amateur snowmobiler, and regular Saturday night favourite, Caley Weese (#77 of Carrying Place) was asked to offer her perspective on the upcoming racing experience. “After taking a few test laps around the track, it became clear to me that this would be a thrilling experience. The icy base was hard packed and well formed, making it challenging to corner and maintain traction on my sled. From a standstill starting position the track was full of bite and I’d have to say the snowmobiles will have perfect racing conditions, the 4 wheelers will fly and the stock cars will be, as always, entertaining, ” Caley said with a smile!
For more information, or to get your sled, 4 wheeler or endurance car registered contact 613.475.1102 or visit the website at www.brightonspeedway.com. If you can’t be part of the show, at least come watch these thrill seekers make their rounds as part of Winterfest Celebrations.
An outlet for craving that winter “need for speed” is here! The 1/3 mile track, traditionally home to stock cars, has been transformed into this winter’s facility for adrenaline. This Saturday, January 27th , Brighton Speedway will be hosting its 4th Annual Winterfest Ice Races. racing will begin at 10:00 am, when the areas hottest snowmobiles and 4-wheelers take to the ice. As these races conclude the field of endurance cars will be introduced as they gear up to slide across the finish line in the Bill’s Johns 50 lap Endurance Race. These daring racers will show their grassroots talent at approximately 2:00 pm, when the green flag flies and the race of mayhem begins.
As Mother Nature continues to provide her chilling temperatures, the crew has been working around the clock to build the icy surface. The Montgomery “Ice Making” School Bus has helped ease the pain of the long cold nights. Although the bus was made in 2006, it didn’t get it’s chance to create a perfect racing surface with more accuracy and comfort for the Rinaldi family and friends of Brighton Speedway. With over 1 foot of solid ice covering the track, there is no doubt that the bus has worked and the crew is enthused for this weekend’s races.
Amateur snowmobiler, and regular Saturday night favourite, Caley Weese (#77 of Carrying Place) was asked to offer her perspective on the upcoming racing experience. “After taking a few test laps around the track, it became clear to me that this would be a thrilling experience. The icy base was hard packed and well formed, making it challenging to corner and maintain traction on my sled. From a standstill starting position the track was full of bite and I’d have to say the snowmobiles will have perfect racing conditions, the 4 wheelers will fly and the stock cars will be, as always, entertaining, ” Caley said with a smile!
For more information, or to get your sled, 4 wheeler or endurance car registered contact 613.475.1102 or visit the website at www.brightonspeedway.com. If you can’t be part of the show, at least come watch these thrill seekers make their rounds as part of Winterfest Celebrations.
CARQUEST Back in 2007
Ken Cunning
Halifax, NS (January 24, 2007) – The Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited is proud to announce that CARQUEST Auto Parts will continue to be the presenting sponsor for the 2007 season. The tour will continue to be known as the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour.
“CARQUEST Auto Parts has been the presenting sponsor since the inception of the tour in 2001” said Ken Cunning, General Manager of Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. “We are proud to be associated with CARQUEST Auto Parts and to continue to present the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour with them”.
“The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour fits with our customer base and the race events are in the major areas of the Maritimes”, said Wayne Johnston, Vice President & General Manager Atlantic Division, CARQUEST Auto Parts. “We have stores throughout the Maritimes and this association allows us to present our brand to existing and potential customers, through the top stock car racing series in the Maritimes.”
The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour visits five different race tracks in the three Maritime Provinces on the east coast of Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Facilities are required to meet specific criteria for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour events, ensuring quality shows for the audience and the competitors. The complete 2007 schedule will be issued shortly.
Halifax, NS (January 24, 2007) – The Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited is proud to announce that CARQUEST Auto Parts will continue to be the presenting sponsor for the 2007 season. The tour will continue to be known as the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour.
“CARQUEST Auto Parts has been the presenting sponsor since the inception of the tour in 2001” said Ken Cunning, General Manager of Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited. “We are proud to be associated with CARQUEST Auto Parts and to continue to present the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour with them”.
“The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour fits with our customer base and the race events are in the major areas of the Maritimes”, said Wayne Johnston, Vice President & General Manager Atlantic Division, CARQUEST Auto Parts. “We have stores throughout the Maritimes and this association allows us to present our brand to existing and potential customers, through the top stock car racing series in the Maritimes.”
The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour visits five different race tracks in the three Maritime Provinces on the east coast of Canada: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Facilities are required to meet specific criteria for the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour events, ensuring quality shows for the audience and the competitors. The complete 2007 schedule will be issued shortly.
FORD TO DISCONTINUE CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES SPONSORSHIP
DEARBORN, Mich., January 24, 2007 – Ford Motor Company announced today that it would no longer serve as an official sponsor of the Champ Car World Series. Ford had participated in Champ Car and its predecessor, CART, since re-entering open-wheel racing in 1992.
“We evaluate all of our racing programs on an annual basis and have decided that this sponsorship does not align with our current business objectives,” said Dan Davis, director of Ford Racing Technology. “Although we are leaving open wheel racing at this time, we’re proud of our long relationship with Champ Car, its teams and drivers, and we wish them well as they try to grow the sport.”
Ford’s withdrawal from Champ Car will not affect the other racing programs the company currently supports, including NASCAR’s three major national touring series, the NHRA PowerAde Drag Racing Series, both the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car and KONI Challenge Series and several series sanctioned by USAC.
From Susan Pollack
Back to the Future: Tagliani has a solid outing in Rocketsports' new DP01 Champ Car
EAST LANSING, Michigan (January 23, 2007) – Despite only running 27 laps around the 1.8-mile short course at Sebring International Raceway today in Sebring, Florida, driver Alex Tagliani and the Rocketsports Racing team were able have a good first impression of the new Panoz DP01 Champ Car and find exactly what they needed in order for continued success during their three-day run.
“It was a good shakedown with the new DP01 Champ Car for me and the Rocketsports team,” said driver Alex Tagliani. “We did not do many laps today, but we learned a lot and are ready to move forward during the next two days of testing. What today did show was that the Rocketsports team was well prepared for this test because we went out on track and had no problems. Overall I feel confident and comfortable because I feel that the team has put together a reliable car. The new Panoz DP01 Champ Car worked perfect and it was a pleasure to drive.
“What we were able to accomplish today was finding the limits of the car,” continued Tagliani. “It was actually fairly easy and we did not have to struggle to get to that point. That really helps us out while we continue to run down here in Sebring this week. Now that we have found that limit on the new car, we can start to work on finding a way to make it go quicker. Our future ahead will be focusing on finding a setup that creates a quicker car. We know that the car is running, and there are no problems, so we are off to a great start and excited about the days ahead.”
Participating in the first of three Champ Car Open Tests in preparation for the 2007 Champ Car season opener in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 8, Rocketsports Racing and driver Alex Tagliani will have two more days of testing in Sebring, Florida. On track activities for the Champ Cars tomorrow will include two sessions, run from 9:45 a.m. EST � 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 � 3:30 p.m., as they continue to share track time with the American Le Mans Series. The final day of testing down in Florida will give the team all the time they need as the track will be open for the Champ Cars to run solely from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. To follow the team’s progress throughout the next couple of days, log on to http://www.champcar.ws/ and check out the live Timing and Scoring feed during the times previously listed.
By Heather Haupt // heatherh@rocketsportsracing.com
“It was a good shakedown with the new DP01 Champ Car for me and the Rocketsports team,” said driver Alex Tagliani. “We did not do many laps today, but we learned a lot and are ready to move forward during the next two days of testing. What today did show was that the Rocketsports team was well prepared for this test because we went out on track and had no problems. Overall I feel confident and comfortable because I feel that the team has put together a reliable car. The new Panoz DP01 Champ Car worked perfect and it was a pleasure to drive.
“What we were able to accomplish today was finding the limits of the car,” continued Tagliani. “It was actually fairly easy and we did not have to struggle to get to that point. That really helps us out while we continue to run down here in Sebring this week. Now that we have found that limit on the new car, we can start to work on finding a way to make it go quicker. Our future ahead will be focusing on finding a setup that creates a quicker car. We know that the car is running, and there are no problems, so we are off to a great start and excited about the days ahead.”
Participating in the first of three Champ Car Open Tests in preparation for the 2007 Champ Car season opener in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 8, Rocketsports Racing and driver Alex Tagliani will have two more days of testing in Sebring, Florida. On track activities for the Champ Cars tomorrow will include two sessions, run from 9:45 a.m. EST � 12:00 p.m. and from 2:00 � 3:30 p.m., as they continue to share track time with the American Le Mans Series. The final day of testing down in Florida will give the team all the time they need as the track will be open for the Champ Cars to run solely from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. To follow the team’s progress throughout the next couple of days, log on to http://www.champcar.ws/ and check out the live Timing and Scoring feed during the times previously listed.
By Heather Haupt // heatherh@rocketsportsracing.com
MERRITTVILLE AND HOOSIER TIRE CANADA COMBINE FOR SPEEDORAMA SHOW
Thorold, Ontario (January 17) … Merrittville Speedway and Hoosier Tire Canada will once again join forces for the Speedorama Show to be held at the Automotive Building at Exhibition Place in Toronto from January 26th to 28th.
“There’s a huge amount of Race Fans in Southern Ontario,” relates (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “the Speedorama Show gives us a great networking opportunity.”
Merrittville Speedway is preparing for its 56th consecutive season and will have 2007 Tentative Schedules available in addition to information on Season Tickets and Special Events.
The Baron Roofing & Siding Season Opener will feature the Spring Sizzler 100 Saturday April 28th with more than 100 laps of Feature Action for it’s Dirt Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the L. St. Amand 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
Special Events through-out the Season will feature the 2nd Annual Lucas Oil Shoot Outs for Sportsmen and 358 Modifieds. The Advance Auto Parts National Big Block 100 lap Trevor Wilkens Memorial, the return of the Fan Favorite Empire Super Sprints and two visits of the BRP 360 Late Models.
Merrittville Speedway’s Season will once again close with a Triple-header with events featuring the J&S Heating Rose Webber Memorial for the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites that draws entries from all over the United States September 7th to 9th in addition to the 2nd Annual Open Street Stock Shoot-out prior to the Duel on the Dirt Finale that pits the Merrittville Hoosier Stocks against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks. New to the Saturday Night portion this year is the a visit from the DIRT Sportsmen Super DIRT Series.
Featured in his own display at Speedorama will be the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite #1 of veteran Paul Klager, “ we’ll be there throughout the show … race fans can get a close up look at our Ripley’s RCM Racing Equipment Car,” invites Klager.
Although small in size, Open Wheel Lite cars are powered by up to 1200 c.c. Motorcycle Engines and are one of the quickest divisions every Saturday Night.
“Southern Ontario Race fans may like to get involved with our Season Finale and now’s the time to start,” relates Bicknell, “the focus on Sunday is the Konzelmann Estate Winery 200 Enduro and its open to anyone … rules are now available.”
In 2007, the Thorold facility will maintain the freeze on Grandstand Admissions with a low $10 General Admission Ticket for weekly regular events and Children under 8 are always free. For today’s young family – Merrittville Speedway also offers an economical Family Pass which allows Two Adults and Two Juniors from 8 – 12 admission plus 4 Pillers Hot Dogs and 4 cans of Pepsi for $35.
Hoosier Tire Canada carries a full line of tires designed for champions of all forms of the sport – including asphalt and dirt and for oval track, drag strip and road course.
Hoosier Racing Tires are available in Canada and Western New York from Bicknell Racing Products. For information call 905-685-3184 or 716-285-7502 or visit www.hoosiertire.com.
The Speedorama Show Hours are from 10 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday and from 10 AM to 6 Pm on Sunday. For further information visit www.speedoramashows.com.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway – visit Speedorama or www.merrittvillespeedway.com or call the Winter Office at 905-685-7223.
“There’s a huge amount of Race Fans in Southern Ontario,” relates (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “the Speedorama Show gives us a great networking opportunity.”
Merrittville Speedway is preparing for its 56th consecutive season and will have 2007 Tentative Schedules available in addition to information on Season Tickets and Special Events.
The Baron Roofing & Siding Season Opener will feature the Spring Sizzler 100 Saturday April 28th with more than 100 laps of Feature Action for it’s Dirt Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the L. St. Amand 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders.
Special Events through-out the Season will feature the 2nd Annual Lucas Oil Shoot Outs for Sportsmen and 358 Modifieds. The Advance Auto Parts National Big Block 100 lap Trevor Wilkens Memorial, the return of the Fan Favorite Empire Super Sprints and two visits of the BRP 360 Late Models.
Merrittville Speedway’s Season will once again close with a Triple-header with events featuring the J&S Heating Rose Webber Memorial for the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites that draws entries from all over the United States September 7th to 9th in addition to the 2nd Annual Open Street Stock Shoot-out prior to the Duel on the Dirt Finale that pits the Merrittville Hoosier Stocks against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks. New to the Saturday Night portion this year is the a visit from the DIRT Sportsmen Super DIRT Series.
Featured in his own display at Speedorama will be the Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite #1 of veteran Paul Klager, “ we’ll be there throughout the show … race fans can get a close up look at our Ripley’s RCM Racing Equipment Car,” invites Klager.
Although small in size, Open Wheel Lite cars are powered by up to 1200 c.c. Motorcycle Engines and are one of the quickest divisions every Saturday Night.
“Southern Ontario Race fans may like to get involved with our Season Finale and now’s the time to start,” relates Bicknell, “the focus on Sunday is the Konzelmann Estate Winery 200 Enduro and its open to anyone … rules are now available.”
In 2007, the Thorold facility will maintain the freeze on Grandstand Admissions with a low $10 General Admission Ticket for weekly regular events and Children under 8 are always free. For today’s young family – Merrittville Speedway also offers an economical Family Pass which allows Two Adults and Two Juniors from 8 – 12 admission plus 4 Pillers Hot Dogs and 4 cans of Pepsi for $35.
Hoosier Tire Canada carries a full line of tires designed for champions of all forms of the sport – including asphalt and dirt and for oval track, drag strip and road course.
Hoosier Racing Tires are available in Canada and Western New York from Bicknell Racing Products. For information call 905-685-3184 or 716-285-7502 or visit www.hoosiertire.com.
The Speedorama Show Hours are from 10 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday and from 10 AM to 6 Pm on Sunday. For further information visit www.speedoramashows.com.
For further information on Merrittville Speedway – visit Speedorama or www.merrittvillespeedway.com or call the Winter Office at 905-685-7223.
Grand Bend Motorplex adds sweeper / scrubber
GRAND BEND, ON - Grand Bend Motorplex gets help from sponsors to add the ultimate in track cleanup equipment (a Sweeper/Scrubber unit) to its facility.
“Ever since we witnessed how well these units can cleanup an oil spill in the ¼ mile, we have wanted to add one, but the cost was just a little bit out of reach,” says track manager Ron Biekx. “So like I did with our vacuum truck a few years ago I went to our sponsors for some help. They came through with flying colours, just like I thought they would”.
“ First, I want to thank our sponsors. We couldn’t have done this without them” says Paul Spriet track operator. “I feel our sponsors supported this acquisition because many of them are racers themselves, and they are interested in promoting the sport for all involved. They know that the biggest headache and delay in completing a drag racing program is the time it takes to cleanup an oil down, especially one that occurs in the first ¼ mile of the racing surface”.
According to Spriet “This new process is the way both of the major sanctioning bodies, and some of the major racing facilities, cleanup at their national events and weekly programs. Everyone we talked with about this process loves how it works”
Biekx explains “The old way to cleanup the spill is to apply an absorbent over the spill, brush it in, and then sweep and/or vacuum it up. The problem with this process is the absorbent can get blown across the entire track, requiring twice as much cleanup time. The absorbent also adheres to the glue on the racetrack, making it hard to pickup. This can make the track slippery and requires the lanes to be re-glued.
The new sweeper/scrubber unit does away with this process. It works by applying a hot soapy solution to breakdown the oil, brushing it in to loosen any residual oil, and then vacuuming up the mixture, all in one action. What would have taken us an hour before can now be done in as little as 20 minutes, plus it leaves the racing surface in pristine racing condition. It is better and safer for the competitors, and it reduces the downtime for the fans. Plus, this unit comes with an added bonus; it can be run as a vacuum unit only. After a rain we now have 2 vacuum units to help dry off the track, plus our track dryer for the shutdown area.”
Biekx finished by saying; “We definitely want to extend special thanks to the folks from Sarnia Drywall Supply for loaning us their trailer and the guys at Bluewater Ford for loaning us the F250 that made molehills out of the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky when it was time to pick the unit up.”
This addition, along with a new track surface (to be completed in late May), will keep Grand Bend Motorplex at the forefront of Canadian drag racing facilities.
Grand Bend Motorplex is one of Canada’s premier racing facilities featuring both drag racing and Motocross events. It is home to the biggest drag racing event in Eastern Canada - The 8th Annual Mopar Canadian Nationals presented by Castrol, July 20-22, 2007, plus many other large events from May to October.
Go to grandbendmotorplex.com for all the details.
Monday, January 22, 2007
NASCAR ADJUSTS ‘CHASE’ FORMAT
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 22, 2007) – Race victories will become more important than ever in 2007 as a result of adjustments to the points system and the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup format announced today by the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR).
The adjustments are designed to establish more balance between winning and consistency, but there is a new emphasis on the former.
“The adjustments taken today put a greater emphasis on winning races,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “Winning is what this sport is all about. Nobody likes to see drivers content to finish in the top 10. We want our sport – especially during the Chase – to be more about winning.”
Chase Adjustments:
- The Chase – consisting of the season’s last 10 races – will further reflect the importance of racing to win, via a variety of adjustments.
- During the format’s first three years, the top 10 drivers in points after the 26th race of the season (at Richmond International Raceway) qualified for the Chase; in addition, any other driver outside the top 10 but within 400 points of the standings’ leader was also eligible.
Starting this season, the 400-point cut-off is eliminated. - Also, after Race 26, the top 12 drivers in the points will qualify for the Chase.
All 12 drivers will have their point totals re-set to 5,000; each will then receive a 10-point bonus for each race victory they had during the first 26 races. - The Chase drivers will be “seeded” to start the Chase based on the number of wins amassed during the regular season.
Points adjustment:
- In line with the Chase adjustments, wins throughout the season will be more valuable.
- Race winners throughout the 36-race season will now receive 185 points, a five-point increase. Counting the five-point bonuses available for leading at least one lap and leading the most laps, a race winner now can earn a maximum of 195 points, creating a possible maximum of 25 points between first- and second-place finishers.
The 2006 season of Kasey Kahne provides a dramatic illustration of the adjusted Chase format’s implications.
Kahne qualified for last year’s Chase, but started it in 10th place – despite having won a series-high five races. Under the new format, Kahne would begin the Chase in first place, with 5,050 points.
Mark Martin and Jeff Burton, seventh and eighth at the outset of last year’s Chase, would instead start in 11th and 12th, each with 5,000, since they had no race victories entering the Chase.
Also, Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle, who failed to make the Chase last year – they were 11th and 12th and beyond the 400-point cut-off – would qualify under the adjusted format. Stewart would be fifth with 5,020 points, Biffle 10th with 5,010.
“The Chase has been successful because it has done what it was designed to do – give more drivers an opportunity to win the championship,” France said. “It has reenergized our sport. And now, a good thing is about to get better.
“In 2004 when we unveiled the Chase, we said we would keep a close eye on it, and make adjustments if needed. We have done that, and we feel like the sport – and the sport’s fans – will benefit.”
From NASCAR
TV: TSN and RDS New Home of NASCAR Busch Series
(Note: See the red text at the bottom of this release. It seems to be announcing that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races will be changing from Sportsnet to TSN. - G.M.)
Toronto, ON (January 11, 2007) – TSN and RDS announced today a multi-year agreement for exclusive Canadian broadcast rights in English and French to the NASCAR Busch Series, effective 2007, including the inaugural race in Montreal on August 4, 2007.
Under the agreement, TSN and RDS have secured the Canadian broadcast rights to all 35 NASCAR Busch Series races, all of which will be available in High Definition on TSN, with a broad selection of events on RDS.
The 10-month NASCAR Busch Series racing season gets underway on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway and concludes with the race at Homestead-Miami on November 17. Highlights of the race schedule include the Series’ first ever race in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“There has been a great deal of buzz and excitement about a NASCAR race coming to Montreal,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The NASCAR Busch Series is the second most popular racing series in North America. As our increased television audiences indicate, fans in Canada have an insatiable appetite for NASCAR. Having a race in Montreal will not only please the growing Canadian fan base, but will also attract new fans.”
“RDS is proud to include NASCAR Busch Series races in the most extensive programming lineup of car racing ever offered to Francophones in Canada,” said Gerry Frappier, President of Le Réseau des sports. “And with the coming of a NASCAR Busch Series race in Montreal, car racing fans and RDS viewers will get the best taste yet of all the excitement that NASCAR has to offer.”
The NASCAR Busch Series complements TSN’s extensive auto racing broadcast package, which will see TSN televise 28 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2007, up from 21 races last season. The announcement also strengthens RDS’s commitment to expanding awareness of NASCAR in Quebec and throughout French Canada. This marks the first time both TSN and RDS will air the NASCAR Busch Series property.
“This is a historic announcement for NASCAR and TSN, who have enjoyed a broadcast partnership for more than 20 years. With this announcement, Canadian racing fans will have the broadest offering of NASCAR programming including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said Robbie Weiss, Managing Director, NASCAR International. “We are excited to continue this great partnership with TSN and grow the existing relationship with RDS.”
NASCAR has a strong fan base in Canada with 5.8 million fans, representing one out of four Canadian adults. NASCAR is the No. 1 motorsport series on television in Canada. TSN recorded record ratings for its coverage of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with a national average audience of 332,000 viewers, up 15 per cent from 2005.
NASCAR has a long and celebrated history in Canada, having held sanctioned events in many different NASCAR divisions dating back to the 1950s. In 2007, NASCAR will continue to support Canadian motorsports with three main initiatives: NASCAR Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at circuits throughout Canada, and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series races at Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin, Alta., Barrie (Ontario) Speedway and Autodrome St. Eustache in St. Eustache, Que.
-END-
From Andrea Goldstein, TSN Director of Communications.
Toronto, ON (January 11, 2007) – TSN and RDS announced today a multi-year agreement for exclusive Canadian broadcast rights in English and French to the NASCAR Busch Series, effective 2007, including the inaugural race in Montreal on August 4, 2007.
Under the agreement, TSN and RDS have secured the Canadian broadcast rights to all 35 NASCAR Busch Series races, all of which will be available in High Definition on TSN, with a broad selection of events on RDS.
The 10-month NASCAR Busch Series racing season gets underway on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway and concludes with the race at Homestead-Miami on November 17. Highlights of the race schedule include the Series’ first ever race in Montreal at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
“There has been a great deal of buzz and excitement about a NASCAR race coming to Montreal,” said Phil King, President, TSN. “The NASCAR Busch Series is the second most popular racing series in North America. As our increased television audiences indicate, fans in Canada have an insatiable appetite for NASCAR. Having a race in Montreal will not only please the growing Canadian fan base, but will also attract new fans.”
“RDS is proud to include NASCAR Busch Series races in the most extensive programming lineup of car racing ever offered to Francophones in Canada,” said Gerry Frappier, President of Le Réseau des sports. “And with the coming of a NASCAR Busch Series race in Montreal, car racing fans and RDS viewers will get the best taste yet of all the excitement that NASCAR has to offer.”
The NASCAR Busch Series complements TSN’s extensive auto racing broadcast package, which will see TSN televise 28 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races in 2007, up from 21 races last season. The announcement also strengthens RDS’s commitment to expanding awareness of NASCAR in Quebec and throughout French Canada. This marks the first time both TSN and RDS will air the NASCAR Busch Series property.
“This is a historic announcement for NASCAR and TSN, who have enjoyed a broadcast partnership for more than 20 years. With this announcement, Canadian racing fans will have the broadest offering of NASCAR programming including the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series,” said Robbie Weiss, Managing Director, NASCAR International. “We are excited to continue this great partnership with TSN and grow the existing relationship with RDS.”
NASCAR has a strong fan base in Canada with 5.8 million fans, representing one out of four Canadian adults. NASCAR is the No. 1 motorsport series on television in Canada. TSN recorded record ratings for its coverage of the 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with a national average audience of 332,000 viewers, up 15 per cent from 2005.
NASCAR has a long and celebrated history in Canada, having held sanctioned events in many different NASCAR divisions dating back to the 1950s. In 2007, NASCAR will continue to support Canadian motorsports with three main initiatives: NASCAR Busch Series race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at circuits throughout Canada, and the NASCAR Whelen All American Series races at Edmonton International Raceway in Wetaskiwin, Alta., Barrie (Ontario) Speedway and Autodrome St. Eustache in St. Eustache, Que.
-END-
From Andrea Goldstein, TSN Director of Communications.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Nextel Cup; Toyota shakes things up
Is Toyota changing Cup for the worse by writing huge cheques? Some at Ford seem to think so, according to this story on TSN. New Toyota driver Dale Jarrett thinks Ford has dropped the ball the past few seasons and that they'd better stop complaining about others and focus on getting themselves back in the game.
Speaking with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series officials, there isn't going to be a Toyota Camry in action in the Canadian series this season... it's just tooo late to make it happen. But I hope they come out to play for 2008. It would be great to see them join DaimlerChrysler / Dodge / MOPAR in their support of Canadian motorsports.
Speaking with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series officials, there isn't going to be a Toyota Camry in action in the Canadian series this season... it's just tooo late to make it happen. But I hope they come out to play for 2008. It would be great to see them join DaimlerChrysler / Dodge / MOPAR in their support of Canadian motorsports.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
INSIDE TRACK: Thursday Notebook
Kawartha Speedway held its 2006 banquet last weekend. Click here to see the report and photos.
Flamboro Speedway is set to hold its 2007 Registration & Drivers Meeting. It takes place on Sunday, January 28 at the Royal Canadian Legion (79 Hamilton St. N., in Waterdown, Ont.).
The Thunder Car meeting is at 11:00 a.m., while the Late Models and Mini Stocks go at 12:30 p.m.
Sunset Speedway has its 2007 rules posted online here.
Flamboro Speedway is set to hold its 2007 Registration & Drivers Meeting. It takes place on Sunday, January 28 at the Royal Canadian Legion (79 Hamilton St. N., in Waterdown, Ont.).
The Thunder Car meeting is at 11:00 a.m., while the Late Models and Mini Stocks go at 12:30 p.m.
Sunset Speedway has its 2007 rules posted online here.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
BENNY PARSONS: Reaction to his passing
I thought this sad news might be coming when news circulated several days ago that BP was in intensive care from the complications of fighting his lung cancer.
I didn't know him and had only been introduced a few times, but I'd seen him operate in the Media Room and in the garage. It was clear that he was the same friendly, well-liked person when the cameras were off.
Here are some of the links and comments that came out yesterday following BP's passing.
The story at NASCAR.com
MARK MARTIN: “Benny has been a friend to me for over 30 years. He was a friend to me behind the scenes, as well as a neighbor. He gave advice to me 30 years ago about a NASCAR career and he was a great friend to me ever since then. It’s a big loss to NASCAR. I can remember last fall him calling me, and the excitement in his voice, telling me he was cancer free. I think that makes it so much more disappointing to all of us, because we thought he was in the clear. He wasn’t just a great driver and a great champion and a great TV personality, but he was a great person and a really fun person to be around, and he will be missed.”
DARRELL WALTRIP: "Benny Parsons was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known," said Darrell Waltrip. "He was almost too nice to be a race car driver and I say that as a compliment.
In my 30 odd years of racing Benny Parsons, I never knew of anyone being mad at Benny.
Some of my fondest memories in racing were racing Benny. In the Coca Cola 600, we had a whale of a battle and it was one of the best races ever held at Charlotte.
One of the funniest was in the 1981, Bud Shootout. I passed Benny on the apron at the start-finish line to win the race. Benny said 'you can̢۪t do that!' I said, 'I didn̢۪t see any out-of-bounds markers!' You sure couldn̢۪t do that today.
Benny Parsons was a great champion, a great ambassador for our sport but more than that, he was a great person. He exemplified that good guys can be winners too.
Stevie, the girls and I pray for Terri, Phil and the entire Parsons family to find the strength to get through this."
JACK ROUSH: "Everyone at Roush Racing is saddened by the passing of Benny Parsons. Benny was a great friend and supporter of Roush Racing and he will be greatly missed. He was an outstanding ambassador for NASCAR and the sport of racing who was a champion both on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at Roush Racing I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Parsons family."
GREG BIFFLE: "Benny Parsons is not only the person I owe my NASCAR career to but he was a true friend to me from the day we met. I will always appreciate his friendship and what he did for me. Knowing he's not going to be there to come up and ask me how things are going when I walk into the garage at Daytona is probably the hardest thing to accept. Everytime I think about how lucky I am to have the job and the life I have, I think of BP because he's the reason I ever got this opportunity. I will miss him a lot, as we all will. BP and his family are in my thoughts and prayers."
Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch : “We at Talladega Superspeedway are saddened to have received news that Benny Parsons passed away this morning. He has made a remarkable impact on motorsports first as a driver, and then as an analyst. What is most difficult to measure is the great impact he made upon those of us fortunate enough to count him as a friend. We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with his family at this difficult time.”
Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a great champion and a larger-than-life person. Benny Parsons personified everything that was good about racing. He was a true ambassador for our sport with his words and his actions. From his days as a taxi driver in Detroit to his time as a racing champion and popular TV analyst, he exuded an infectious passion for racing that we will all miss.”
I didn't know him and had only been introduced a few times, but I'd seen him operate in the Media Room and in the garage. It was clear that he was the same friendly, well-liked person when the cameras were off.
Here are some of the links and comments that came out yesterday following BP's passing.
The story at NASCAR.com
MARK MARTIN: “Benny has been a friend to me for over 30 years. He was a friend to me behind the scenes, as well as a neighbor. He gave advice to me 30 years ago about a NASCAR career and he was a great friend to me ever since then. It’s a big loss to NASCAR. I can remember last fall him calling me, and the excitement in his voice, telling me he was cancer free. I think that makes it so much more disappointing to all of us, because we thought he was in the clear. He wasn’t just a great driver and a great champion and a great TV personality, but he was a great person and a really fun person to be around, and he will be missed.”
DARRELL WALTRIP: "Benny Parsons was the kindest, sweetest, most considerate person I have ever known," said Darrell Waltrip. "He was almost too nice to be a race car driver and I say that as a compliment.
In my 30 odd years of racing Benny Parsons, I never knew of anyone being mad at Benny.
Some of my fondest memories in racing were racing Benny. In the Coca Cola 600, we had a whale of a battle and it was one of the best races ever held at Charlotte.
One of the funniest was in the 1981, Bud Shootout. I passed Benny on the apron at the start-finish line to win the race. Benny said 'you can̢۪t do that!' I said, 'I didn̢۪t see any out-of-bounds markers!' You sure couldn̢۪t do that today.
Benny Parsons was a great champion, a great ambassador for our sport but more than that, he was a great person. He exemplified that good guys can be winners too.
Stevie, the girls and I pray for Terri, Phil and the entire Parsons family to find the strength to get through this."
JACK ROUSH: "Everyone at Roush Racing is saddened by the passing of Benny Parsons. Benny was a great friend and supporter of Roush Racing and he will be greatly missed. He was an outstanding ambassador for NASCAR and the sport of racing who was a champion both on and off the track. On behalf of everyone at Roush Racing I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the entire Parsons family."
GREG BIFFLE: "Benny Parsons is not only the person I owe my NASCAR career to but he was a true friend to me from the day we met. I will always appreciate his friendship and what he did for me. Knowing he's not going to be there to come up and ask me how things are going when I walk into the garage at Daytona is probably the hardest thing to accept. Everytime I think about how lucky I am to have the job and the life I have, I think of BP because he's the reason I ever got this opportunity. I will miss him a lot, as we all will. BP and his family are in my thoughts and prayers."
Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch : “We at Talladega Superspeedway are saddened to have received news that Benny Parsons passed away this morning. He has made a remarkable impact on motorsports first as a driver, and then as an analyst. What is most difficult to measure is the great impact he made upon those of us fortunate enough to count him as a friend. We will all miss him dearly. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with his family at this difficult time.”
Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of such a great champion and a larger-than-life person. Benny Parsons personified everything that was good about racing. He was a true ambassador for our sport with his words and his actions. From his days as a taxi driver in Detroit to his time as a racing champion and popular TV analyst, he exuded an infectious passion for racing that we will all miss.”
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Benny Parsons Passes Away
Benny Parsons, 65, passed away today [Jan 16] at the Intensive Care Unit of the Carolinas Medial Center in Charlotte, NC. Parsons, who became a popular television and radio personality after retiring from driving in 1988, entered the hospital Dec. 26 as the result of complications stemming from his battle with lung cancer. The cancer was diagnosed earlier this year and was recently reported to be in full remission.
More info on services as it becomes available. See info about Benny's career and bios at BennyParsons.com, goPRN.com or rendezvousridge.com.
More info on services as it becomes available. See info about Benny's career and bios at BennyParsons.com, goPRN.com or rendezvousridge.com.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Southern Ontario Sprints: Dave McLeod Passes Away
From the SOS:
We are very sad to announce that veteran race driver and car owner, Dave MacLeod suffered a massive heart attack and passed away on Monday, January 15, 2007. Dave had been a loyal supporter of the SOS since our inception in 1996.
He competed with the SOS as a driver for many of those years behind the wheel of the #32. During the last couple of years he had hung up his helmet but stayed very active fielding a 2-car team with drivers such as Mark Schulz, Keith Dempster, Jamie Collard and Jim Porter behind the wheel.
Dave was a very popular individual that always made his presence known in the pits and was always there to offer a lending hand whenever it was needed. Dave will be truly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers got out to Dave’s family and friends.
Mertz & Sons Funeral Home
911 Englewood Ave. Town of Tonawanda 716-836-2935
Funeral Visiting Hours Tuesday 2-4pm & 6-8pm; Wednesday 2-4pm & 6-8pm
Funeral Service on Thursday at 11:00 AM
We are very sad to announce that veteran race driver and car owner, Dave MacLeod suffered a massive heart attack and passed away on Monday, January 15, 2007. Dave had been a loyal supporter of the SOS since our inception in 1996.
He competed with the SOS as a driver for many of those years behind the wheel of the #32. During the last couple of years he had hung up his helmet but stayed very active fielding a 2-car team with drivers such as Mark Schulz, Keith Dempster, Jamie Collard and Jim Porter behind the wheel.
Dave was a very popular individual that always made his presence known in the pits and was always there to offer a lending hand whenever it was needed. Dave will be truly missed.
Our thoughts and prayers got out to Dave’s family and friends.
Mertz & Sons Funeral Home
911 Englewood Ave. Town of Tonawanda 716-836-2935
Funeral Visiting Hours Tuesday 2-4pm & 6-8pm; Wednesday 2-4pm & 6-8pm
Funeral Service on Thursday at 11:00 AM
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Pete Shepherd 2nd fastest in the final day of Daytona Truck testing
(Based on his performance the past few days, it would be a surprise if Petey hasn't earned himself a ride for the Daytona opener. It's so nice to see someone make the most of their opportunity. --- Greg.)
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Testing Speeds - Day 3
Sunday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
1. Travis Kvapil, 6B, Ford, 48.707, 184.778 mph
2. Peter Shepherd, 50, Ford, 48.886, 184.102
3. Kraig Kinser, 47A, Chevrolet, 49.191, 182.945
4. Erik Darnell, 99, Ford, 49.207, 182.901
5. David Starr, 10A, Ford, 49.240, 182.778
6. Johnny Benson, 23, Toyota, 49.294, 182.578
7. Mike Skinner, 5, Toyota, 49.295, 182.574
8. Blake Bjorklund, 8, Chevrolet, 49.334, 182.430
9. Shane Huffman, 40, Chevrolet, 49.339, 182.411
10. Terry Cook, 59, Toyota, 49.352, 182.363
11. Ken Schrader, 18, Dodge, 49.361, 182.330
12. Willie Allen, 13, Chevrolet, 49.381, 182.256
13. Matt Crafton, 88, Chevrolet, 49.408, 182.157
14. Bill Lester, 15, Chevrolet, 49.461, 181.962
15. Dennis Setzer, 75, Chevrolet, 49.496, 181.833
16. Chad McCumbee, 08, Chevrolet, 49.506, 181.796
17. Brendan Gaughan, 77, Chevrolet, 49.525, 181.726
18. Rick Crawford, 14, Ford, 49.547, 181.646
19. Joey Clanton, 09B, Ford, 49.654, 181.254
20. Kelly Bires, 21, Ford, 49.770, 180.832
21. Wayne Edwards, 28, Chevrolet, 50.004, 179.986
22. Travis Kvapil, 6A, Ford, 50.216, 179.226
23. John Michael, 63, Ford, 50.405, 178.554
24. Tyler Walker, 36B, Toyota, 51.015, 176.419
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Testing Speeds - Day 3
Sunday's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
1. Travis Kvapil, 6B, Ford, 48.707, 184.778 mph
2. Peter Shepherd, 50, Ford, 48.886, 184.102
3. Kraig Kinser, 47A, Chevrolet, 49.191, 182.945
4. Erik Darnell, 99, Ford, 49.207, 182.901
5. David Starr, 10A, Ford, 49.240, 182.778
6. Johnny Benson, 23, Toyota, 49.294, 182.578
7. Mike Skinner, 5, Toyota, 49.295, 182.574
8. Blake Bjorklund, 8, Chevrolet, 49.334, 182.430
9. Shane Huffman, 40, Chevrolet, 49.339, 182.411
10. Terry Cook, 59, Toyota, 49.352, 182.363
11. Ken Schrader, 18, Dodge, 49.361, 182.330
12. Willie Allen, 13, Chevrolet, 49.381, 182.256
13. Matt Crafton, 88, Chevrolet, 49.408, 182.157
14. Bill Lester, 15, Chevrolet, 49.461, 181.962
15. Dennis Setzer, 75, Chevrolet, 49.496, 181.833
16. Chad McCumbee, 08, Chevrolet, 49.506, 181.796
17. Brendan Gaughan, 77, Chevrolet, 49.525, 181.726
18. Rick Crawford, 14, Ford, 49.547, 181.646
19. Joey Clanton, 09B, Ford, 49.654, 181.254
20. Kelly Bires, 21, Ford, 49.770, 180.832
21. Wayne Edwards, 28, Chevrolet, 50.004, 179.986
22. Travis Kvapil, 6A, Ford, 50.216, 179.226
23. John Michael, 63, Ford, 50.405, 178.554
24. Tyler Walker, 36B, Toyota, 51.015, 176.419
Shepherd fast in Saturday Truck Series testing at Daytona
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Testing Speeds - Day 2
Saturday's Speeds
Saturday morning's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
1. 6B, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 50.180, 179.354
2. 6A, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 50.227, 179.186
3. 99, Erik Darnell Ford 50.633 177.750
4. 50, Peter Shepherd, Ford, 50.703, 177.504
5. 00, AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 50.806, 177.144
6. 5, Mike Skinner, Toyota, 50.967, 176.585
7. 23, Johnny Benson, Toyota, 51.083, 176.184
8. 36B, Tyler Walker, Toyota, 51.134, 176.008
9. 33, Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 51.168, 175.891
10. 13, Willie Allen, Chevrolet, 51.188, 175.822
11. 9, Ted Musgrave, Toyota, 51.239, 175.647
12. 60, Jack Sprague, Toyota, 51.281, 175.504
13. 30, Todd Bodine, Toyota, 51.281, 175.504
14. 4, Chase Miller, Dodge, 51.305, 175.421
15. 09, Joey Clanton, Ford, 51.361, 175.230
16. 2, Cale Gale, Chevrolet, 51.381, 175.162
17. 59, Terry Cook, Toyota, 51.409, 175.067
18. 14, Rick Crawford, Ford, 51.438, 174.968
19. 07, Tim Sauter, Chevrolet, 51.461, 174.890
20. 08, Chad McCumbee, Chevrolet, 51.467, 174.869
21. 21B, Kelly Bires, Ford, 51.488, 174.798
22. 15B, Bill Lester, Chevrolet, 51.559, 174.557
23. 75, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet, 51.582, 174.479
24. 18, Ken Schrader, Dodge, 51.605, 174.402
25. 8, Blake Bjorklund, Chevrolet, 51.652, 174.243
26. 15, Bill Lester, Chevrolet, 51.770, 173.846
27. 40, Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 52.085, 172.794
28. 63, Scott Lynch, Ford, 52.088, 172.785
29. 10A, David Starr, Ford, 52.090, 172.778
30. 47, Kraig Kinser, Chevrolet, 52.116, 172.692
31. 88, Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 52.154, 172.566
32. 77B, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 52.340, 171.953
33. 28, Wayne Edwards, Chevrolet, 52.360, 171.887
34. 77, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 52.868, 170.235
Saturday afternoon's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
6A, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 48.713, 184.756
60, Jack Sprague, Toyota, 48.824, 184.356
23, Johnny Benson, Toyota, 48.829, 184.317
59, Terry Cook, Toyota, 48.841, 184.271
6B, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 48.914, 183.996
99, Erik Darnell, Ford, 48.946, 183.876
30, Todd Bodine, Toyota, 48.967, 183.797
9, Ted Musgrave, Toyota, 48.975, 183.767
2, Cale Gale, Toyota, Chevrolet, 49.005, 183.655
33, Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 49.012, 183.628
08, Chad McCumbee, Chevrolet, 49.072, 183.404
5, Mike Skinner, Toyota, 49.129, 183.191
40, Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 49.146, 183.128
00, AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 49.150, 183.113
18, Ken Schrader, Dodge, 49.179, 183.005
88, Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 49.204, 182.912
17. 36B, Tyler Walker, Toyota, 49.243, 182.767
18. 50, Peter Shepherd, Ford 49.254 182.726
19. 47A, Kraig Kinser, Chevrolet 49.269 182.671
20. 4, Chase Miller, Dodge 49.307 182.530
21. 77, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet 49.324 182.467
22. 14, Rick Crawford, Ford 49.339 182.411
23. 15, Bill Lester, Chevrolet 49.355 182.352
24. 13, Willie Allen, Chevrolet 49.362 182.326
25. 75A, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet 49.454 181.987
26. 21, Kelly Bires, Ford 49.465 181.947
27. 07, Tim Sauter, Chevrolet 49.524 181.730
28. 15B, Bill Lester, Chevrolet 49.595 181.470
29. 28, Wayne Edwards, Chevrolet 49.635 181.324
30. 75, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet 49.908 180.332
31. 10A, David Starr, Ford 50.238 179.147
32. 63, Scott Lynch, Ford 50.390 178.607
33. 8, Blake Bjorklund, Chevrolet 51.127 176.032
34. 09B, Joey Clanton, Ford 51.237 175.654
35. 09, Joey Clanton, Ford 51.407 175.073
Saturday's Speeds
Saturday morning's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
1. 6B, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 50.180, 179.354
2. 6A, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 50.227, 179.186
3. 99, Erik Darnell Ford 50.633 177.750
4. 50, Peter Shepherd, Ford, 50.703, 177.504
5. 00, AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 50.806, 177.144
6. 5, Mike Skinner, Toyota, 50.967, 176.585
7. 23, Johnny Benson, Toyota, 51.083, 176.184
8. 36B, Tyler Walker, Toyota, 51.134, 176.008
9. 33, Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 51.168, 175.891
10. 13, Willie Allen, Chevrolet, 51.188, 175.822
11. 9, Ted Musgrave, Toyota, 51.239, 175.647
12. 60, Jack Sprague, Toyota, 51.281, 175.504
13. 30, Todd Bodine, Toyota, 51.281, 175.504
14. 4, Chase Miller, Dodge, 51.305, 175.421
15. 09, Joey Clanton, Ford, 51.361, 175.230
16. 2, Cale Gale, Chevrolet, 51.381, 175.162
17. 59, Terry Cook, Toyota, 51.409, 175.067
18. 14, Rick Crawford, Ford, 51.438, 174.968
19. 07, Tim Sauter, Chevrolet, 51.461, 174.890
20. 08, Chad McCumbee, Chevrolet, 51.467, 174.869
21. 21B, Kelly Bires, Ford, 51.488, 174.798
22. 15B, Bill Lester, Chevrolet, 51.559, 174.557
23. 75, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet, 51.582, 174.479
24. 18, Ken Schrader, Dodge, 51.605, 174.402
25. 8, Blake Bjorklund, Chevrolet, 51.652, 174.243
26. 15, Bill Lester, Chevrolet, 51.770, 173.846
27. 40, Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 52.085, 172.794
28. 63, Scott Lynch, Ford, 52.088, 172.785
29. 10A, David Starr, Ford, 52.090, 172.778
30. 47, Kraig Kinser, Chevrolet, 52.116, 172.692
31. 88, Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 52.154, 172.566
32. 77B, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 52.340, 171.953
33. 28, Wayne Edwards, Chevrolet, 52.360, 171.887
34. 77, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet, 52.868, 170.235
Saturday afternoon's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series testing speeds from Daytona International Speedway:
6A, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 48.713, 184.756
60, Jack Sprague, Toyota, 48.824, 184.356
23, Johnny Benson, Toyota, 48.829, 184.317
59, Terry Cook, Toyota, 48.841, 184.271
6B, Travis Kvapil, Ford, 48.914, 183.996
99, Erik Darnell, Ford, 48.946, 183.876
30, Todd Bodine, Toyota, 48.967, 183.797
9, Ted Musgrave, Toyota, 48.975, 183.767
2, Cale Gale, Toyota, Chevrolet, 49.005, 183.655
33, Ron Hornaday Jr., Chevrolet, 49.012, 183.628
08, Chad McCumbee, Chevrolet, 49.072, 183.404
5, Mike Skinner, Toyota, 49.129, 183.191
40, Shane Huffman, Chevrolet, 49.146, 183.128
00, AJ Allmendinger, Toyota, 49.150, 183.113
18, Ken Schrader, Dodge, 49.179, 183.005
88, Matt Crafton, Chevrolet, 49.204, 182.912
17. 36B, Tyler Walker, Toyota, 49.243, 182.767
18. 50, Peter Shepherd, Ford 49.254 182.726
19. 47A, Kraig Kinser, Chevrolet 49.269 182.671
20. 4, Chase Miller, Dodge 49.307 182.530
21. 77, Brendan Gaughan, Chevrolet 49.324 182.467
22. 14, Rick Crawford, Ford 49.339 182.411
23. 15, Bill Lester, Chevrolet 49.355 182.352
24. 13, Willie Allen, Chevrolet 49.362 182.326
25. 75A, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet 49.454 181.987
26. 21, Kelly Bires, Ford 49.465 181.947
27. 07, Tim Sauter, Chevrolet 49.524 181.730
28. 15B, Bill Lester, Chevrolet 49.595 181.470
29. 28, Wayne Edwards, Chevrolet 49.635 181.324
30. 75, Dennis Setzer, Chevrolet 49.908 180.332
31. 10A, David Starr, Ford 50.238 179.147
32. 63, Scott Lynch, Ford 50.390 178.607
33. 8, Blake Bjorklund, Chevrolet 51.127 176.032
34. 09B, Joey Clanton, Ford 51.237 175.654
35. 09, Joey Clanton, Ford 51.407 175.073
Saturday, January 13, 2007
SAUBLE SPEEDWAY: Announces Late Model Specials for 2007
Sauble Speedway will host a pair of 75 lap Late Model specials in 2007. Click on the image below or go to www.saublespeedway.com for more information.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Pete Shepherd second-fastest in Truck testing today at Daytona Int'l Speedway
From Ford Racing....
Today marked the first day of a three-day test session for NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series teams at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for next month’s Daytona 250 season-opener. Travis Kvapil, the 2003 truck series champion, is set to compete in the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford that was driven to victory lane a series-high six times in 2006. Kvapil, driving the defending race-winning Ford F-150, posted the fastest time in the morning session in the truck, while his Roush Racing teammates rounded out the top three. Rookie Peter Shepherd was the second quickest driver, while Erik Darnell, the 2006 Raybestos Rookie of the Year, was the third fastest driver. Kvapil and Darnell took part in an afternoon press conference discussing upcoming season.
(p.s. - no cutting & pasting... please post the link elsewhere. Thanks!)
What is it about racing that attracts these type of people?
The news this morning is filled with reports of a 25-year-old man from Oakville (named Adam Spencer) who has reportedly skipped Canada with $8 million of his investors' money. There is a Canada-wide warrant out for his arrest.
One of the people mentioned in some of the reports is that he was an avid racing fan and briefly sponsored Canadian racer James Hinchcliffe.
You can read about the charming Mr. Spencer here, here, here and here.
AZ-BMS Diabetes Deal: Two Paths for Big Pharma
If there is a schism among Big Pharma it is between those companies clinging on to the notion that pharma's future role is--as it is today--as a massive marketer of mass-market drugs, and those that see specialism as a means to avoid imploding under the weight of their own infrastructures.
The diabetes deal announced yesterday by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers illustrates the pursuit of each strategy: AstraZeneca, eager to play in what one pharma CEO described this week as "the disease of our epoch," has paid BMS $100 million upfront for worldwide (except Japan) co-development and co-commercialization rights to two late-clinical stage diabetes projects. For BMS the move is another big step back from primary care marketing and confirmation that the company's future lies along a specialist path.
AZ will fund the majority (75%) of development costs through 2009, the companies said, after which costs will be split 50-50. Should each of the two drugs--saxagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor currently in Phase III and dapagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor in Phase IIb--reach global markets BMS will earn $650 million in pre-commercial milestones and could land an additional $300 million per drug in sales milestones. Post launch expenses and profits will be split evenly on a global basis and BMS will manufacture both products and book sales.
Acquisition of diabetes projects to shore up its primary care portfolio has been high on AZ's agenda since the PPAR agonist tesaglitazar (Galida) crashed out of clinical trials in May 2006; ironically the decision to yank Galida was based on thought-leader and regulatory reaction to BMS's own PPAR, muraglitazar (Pargluva) and intimations that Galida was in for similar treatment. Pargluva was killed after analysis published in JAMA by Cleveland Clinic CV chair Steve Nissen, MD, questioned the safety of PPARs and FDA said further long-term clinical studies would be needed to approve the product. (See "Anything but Academic: Lessons from the PPAR Failures," The RPM Report, June 2006.)
By the time saxagliptin hits the market the best AZ and BMS can hope for is only two entrenched competitors: Merck's Januvia and Novartis' Galvus will likely await. Dapagliflozen is a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, which blocks the re-absorption of glucose from urine in the kidney; a more novel, yet riskier prospect.
The diabetes deal announced yesterday by AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers illustrates the pursuit of each strategy: AstraZeneca, eager to play in what one pharma CEO described this week as "the disease of our epoch," has paid BMS $100 million upfront for worldwide (except Japan) co-development and co-commercialization rights to two late-clinical stage diabetes projects. For BMS the move is another big step back from primary care marketing and confirmation that the company's future lies along a specialist path.AZ will fund the majority (75%) of development costs through 2009, the companies said, after which costs will be split 50-50. Should each of the two drugs--saxagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor currently in Phase III and dapagliflozin, a SGLT2 inhibitor in Phase IIb--reach global markets BMS will earn $650 million in pre-commercial milestones and could land an additional $300 million per drug in sales milestones. Post launch expenses and profits will be split evenly on a global basis and BMS will manufacture both products and book sales.
Acquisition of diabetes projects to shore up its primary care portfolio has been high on AZ's agenda since the PPAR agonist tesaglitazar (Galida) crashed out of clinical trials in May 2006; ironically the decision to yank Galida was based on thought-leader and regulatory reaction to BMS's own PPAR, muraglitazar (Pargluva) and intimations that Galida was in for similar treatment. Pargluva was killed after analysis published in JAMA by Cleveland Clinic CV chair Steve Nissen, MD, questioned the safety of PPARs and FDA said further long-term clinical studies would be needed to approve the product. (See "Anything but Academic: Lessons from the PPAR Failures," The RPM Report, June 2006.)
By the time saxagliptin hits the market the best AZ and BMS can hope for is only two entrenched competitors: Merck's Januvia and Novartis' Galvus will likely await. Dapagliflozen is a sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitor, which blocks the re-absorption of glucose from urine in the kidney; a more novel, yet riskier prospect.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Headz Gamez.... website updated
A few days ago, the Headz Gamez website was gone.
Now it's back, with a new welcome message and updates to several of the pages, including the removal of the photo gallery of the Parrsboro, NS event. It also still bills the game as "an official licensee of NASCAR." The "Careers" page has also been updated.
There is no mention as to the identity of the "new management", although with bankruptcy papers making the rounds to the tune of over $5.75 million dollars, it's nice to see the new group believes in being "fiscally responsible." Obviously, someone thinks there's a future for these games....
From the updated site:
"HGI's former founder, CEO, President and sole director stepped down as of November 23, 2006 citing a desire to move on to other ventures.
The new management of HGI are excited about the future prospects for the company and will be continuing to be committed to producing an exciting line of sports related board games for distribution worldwide.
It has been desided (sic) that HGI will not be proceeding with its plans to build a factory in Nova Scotia. HGI believes in being fiscally responsible and it is not economically feasible."
Now it's back, with a new welcome message and updates to several of the pages, including the removal of the photo gallery of the Parrsboro, NS event. It also still bills the game as "an official licensee of NASCAR." The "Careers" page has also been updated.
There is no mention as to the identity of the "new management", although with bankruptcy papers making the rounds to the tune of over $5.75 million dollars, it's nice to see the new group believes in being "fiscally responsible." Obviously, someone thinks there's a future for these games....
From the updated site:
"HGI's former founder, CEO, President and sole director stepped down as of November 23, 2006 citing a desire to move on to other ventures.
The new management of HGI are excited about the future prospects for the company and will be continuing to be committed to producing an exciting line of sports related board games for distribution worldwide.
It has been desided (sic) that HGI will not be proceeding with its plans to build a factory in Nova Scotia. HGI believes in being fiscally responsible and it is not economically feasible."
NPP Late Model Series releases its 2007 schedule
EDMONTON, AB – The Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series has released its 2007 race schedule. This upcoming season marks the seventh consecutive year of the tour which features some of the best Late Model Stock Car drivers in Western Canada.
N.P.P. LATE MODEL SERIES
2007 OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 28th Castrol Raceway - Test 'n' tune
Saturday, May 5th Castrol Raceway - Season Opener
Saturday, May 19th Hidden Valley Motorsports Park
Sunday, May 20th Hidden Valley Motorsports Park
Saturday, May 26th Central Alberta Raceway
Saturday, June 2nd Castrol Raceway
Saturday, June 16th Rapid Fire Motorsports Park
Sunday, June 17th Rapid Fire Motorsports Park
Saturday, June 30th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Oilmen's Invitational
Sunday, July 1st Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Oilmen's Invitational
Friday, July 13th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Gold Cup
Saturday, July 14th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Gold Cup
Friday, July 20th Rocky Mountain Raceway Park
Saturday, July 21st Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, July 28th Central Alberta Raceway
Saturday, August 11th Castrol Raceway
Friday, August 17th Castrol Raceway - World of Outlaws Show
Saturday, August 18th Castrol Raceway - World of Outlaws Show
Saturday, Sept. 1st Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 2nd Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 8th Castrol Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 22nd Castrol Raceway - Season Championship
2007 N.P.P. SERIES TRACKS
Bridge County Raceway - Lethbridge
Castrol Raceway - Edmonton, Alberta
Central Alberta Raceway - Rimbey, Alberta
Hidden Valley Motorsports Park - Drumheller, Alberta
Rapid Fire Motorsports Park - Drayton Valley, Alberta
Rocky Mountain Raceway Park - High River/Okotoks, Alberta
N.P.P. LATE MODEL SERIES
2007 OFFICIAL SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 28th Castrol Raceway - Test 'n' tune
Saturday, May 5th Castrol Raceway - Season Opener
Saturday, May 19th Hidden Valley Motorsports Park
Sunday, May 20th Hidden Valley Motorsports Park
Saturday, May 26th Central Alberta Raceway
Saturday, June 2nd Castrol Raceway
Saturday, June 16th Rapid Fire Motorsports Park
Sunday, June 17th Rapid Fire Motorsports Park
Saturday, June 30th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Oilmen's Invitational
Sunday, July 1st Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Oilmen's Invitational
Friday, July 13th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Gold Cup
Saturday, July 14th Castrol Raceway - N.P.P. Gold Cup
Friday, July 20th Rocky Mountain Raceway Park
Saturday, July 21st Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, July 28th Central Alberta Raceway
Saturday, August 11th Castrol Raceway
Friday, August 17th Castrol Raceway - World of Outlaws Show
Saturday, August 18th Castrol Raceway - World of Outlaws Show
Saturday, Sept. 1st Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 2nd Bridge County Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 8th Castrol Raceway
Saturday, Sept. 22nd Castrol Raceway - Season Championship
2007 N.P.P. SERIES TRACKS
Bridge County Raceway - Lethbridge
Castrol Raceway - Edmonton, Alberta
Central Alberta Raceway - Rimbey, Alberta
Hidden Valley Motorsports Park - Drumheller, Alberta
Rapid Fire Motorsports Park - Drayton Valley, Alberta
Rocky Mountain Raceway Park - High River/Okotoks, Alberta
Grand Prix of Toronto Finalizes On-Track Line-Up for 2007
TORONTO, ON – The Grand Prix of Toronto is proud to ring in the New Year by announcing the addition of the Star Mazda Championship to its 2007 race schedule. This final addition to the on-track line-up ensures the Grand Prix of Toronto will showcase the most impressive open-wheel and production-based racing events ever to hit the Exhibition Place circuit.
“As the largest annual sporting event in Ontario, we are constantly looking for ways to ensure fans have new reasons to return year after year.” says Charlie Johnstone, president and CEO, Grand Prix Association of Toronto. “With six races that will bring more than 180 race cars, drivers from more than 10 countries and over 24 different makes of cars - from Champ Car’s Panoz DP01 to Mazda, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac and Dodge Viper - this year’s event will demonstrate an extraordinary range of racing action for our visitors.”
The Star Mazda Championship is the most competitive open-wheel development series in North America and has helped propel aspiring young drivers up the ranks in open-wheel racing. Alumni include Oakville, Ontario native and 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship top-ten finisher, James Hinchcliffe and one of the most recognized family names in racing, Graham Rahal, second place finisher in the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship. The Toronto stop on the Star Mazda Championship schedule will boast a field of up to 30 Pro Formula Mazda cars featuring a carbon-fiber chassis, six-speed sequential gearbox and a 240-horsepower Mazda rotary powerplant.
In addition to the Star Mazda Championship, the 2007 Grand Prix of Toronto on-track schedule will showcase the accomplished driving skills of an international field of racers from the Champ Car World Series and Champ Car Atlantic Championships, SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships (SCCA SPEED GT and SCCA SPEED Touring Car) and the Canadian Touring Car Championship.
From Andrea Hynes // Manager, Communications // Grand Prix Association of Toronto
“As the largest annual sporting event in Ontario, we are constantly looking for ways to ensure fans have new reasons to return year after year.” says Charlie Johnstone, president and CEO, Grand Prix Association of Toronto. “With six races that will bring more than 180 race cars, drivers from more than 10 countries and over 24 different makes of cars - from Champ Car’s Panoz DP01 to Mazda, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac and Dodge Viper - this year’s event will demonstrate an extraordinary range of racing action for our visitors.”
The Star Mazda Championship is the most competitive open-wheel development series in North America and has helped propel aspiring young drivers up the ranks in open-wheel racing. Alumni include Oakville, Ontario native and 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship top-ten finisher, James Hinchcliffe and one of the most recognized family names in racing, Graham Rahal, second place finisher in the 2006 Champ Car Atlantic Championship. The Toronto stop on the Star Mazda Championship schedule will boast a field of up to 30 Pro Formula Mazda cars featuring a carbon-fiber chassis, six-speed sequential gearbox and a 240-horsepower Mazda rotary powerplant.
In addition to the Star Mazda Championship, the 2007 Grand Prix of Toronto on-track schedule will showcase the accomplished driving skills of an international field of racers from the Champ Car World Series and Champ Car Atlantic Championships, SCCA SPEED World Challenge Championships (SCCA SPEED GT and SCCA SPEED Touring Car) and the Canadian Touring Car Championship.
From Andrea Hynes // Manager, Communications // Grand Prix Association of Toronto
DRAGS: St. Thomas Dragway Drivers' Meeting set for March 4
ST. THOMAS, ON – The 2007 St. Thomas Dragway Driver’s Meeting will be held Sunday, March 4, 2007 at 10 A.M. at the St. Thomas-Elgin Memorial Arena, 80 Wilson Ave., St. Thomas. Doors open at 9.30 A.M. for coffee and donuts.
Ritch Bowers, NHRA Division 3 Technical Director, will be present to answer all your questions regarding the 2007 NHRA Rule Book, Summit Super Series and Division 3 Bracket Finals.
IMPRESSIVE TV RATINGS FOR FIRST FIVE CASCAR RACES
TORONTO, ON - The ratings for the first five CASCAR Super Series races broadcast on SPEED have been released. James Robinson Associates Ltd., the producer of the Super Series television shows since 1994, is pleased to announce that shows have attracted an average audience of more than 260,000 viewers, for a five-race total of 1.3 million.
CASCAR is the only Canadian auto racing series to air on SPEED."We're very pleased to see the excellent response to our shows in terms of SPEED viewer numbers in the U.S. and Canada," said Jim Robinson.
"These shows appeared on Rogers Sportsnet during the Canadian racing season and the added exposure of appearing on SPEED on Saturday afternoons during the fall and winter means additional value added for the advertisers who support the shows. The high ratings for these broadcasts speaks to the excellent quality of the racing in Canada and, we believe, to the quality of the productions."
JRA would like to thank the racing fans and sponsors for their support of the CASCAR Super Series races on SPEED.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
ACT: CROUCH RETURNS TO STOCK CAR RACING
WATERBURY, VT – Six-time American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Champion, Robbie Crouch of S. Burlington, VT will return to the Late Model Series in search of a seventh championship title in 2007. Known as the “Tampa Tornado” during his heyday, Crouch last raced in July, 1997.
“It should be fun and add some excitement to my life,” commented the 54 year-old racer who has owned almost every ACT record available. “The ACT Tour is on an up swing. It’s building like back in 1986, I see the same things happening now. I like that and I want to be involved,” he remarked.
Crouch will pilot a car owned by Dave Storey of Plaistow, NH, “I have a weak spot for nostalgia,” stated Storey. “As a car owner, I raced against Robbie in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. I always respected the type of racer he was. This Tour has become a real driver’s series and he’s one whale of a driver. The opportunity arose and this dream of mine, to have him race for me, has come true,” he finished.
Along with Crouch’s six American-Canadian Tour titles he’s a record four time winner of Vermont’s most prestigious race, the Milk Bowl at Barre’s Thunder Road. In all, he has over 80 ACT wins in a career that spans over 15 seasons.
Tom Curley, ACT president stated, “Having Robbie Crouch committed to run for the title just turned the wick up on ACT racing in 2007. This is going to be a lot of fun. Three of the greatest champions in the history of ACT (Crouch and Jean-Paul Cyr, six titles each and Brian Hoar, five) battling to break the Championship Tour title logjam should be very, very exciting.”
He continued, “What a thrill this is going to be for guys like Roger Brown, Joey Polewarczyk, Jamie Fisher and Scott Payea, among others. The biggest winners will be the fans. Having Crouch back in the Dave Storey ride to finish out his career with guys like Rowe, Leclerc and second generation Dragon teams mixed in should make for some very competitive and great racing. With the addition of our ACT Quebec Série, having the ACT teams eligible for the Oxford 250, and having guys like Crouch, Hoar and Kip Stockwell return to ACT competition this year, it looks like 2007 will be our best year in many decades.”
“Hopefully it will be like riding a bike,” Crouch said. “Maybe what I’m lacking in terms of youth will be made up with my experience. I’m trying to get prepared mentally and physically to give Mr. Storey’s team the best chance possible.”
Crouch will begin his quest for a record tying seventh ACT Tour Championship on Saturday, April 28 at Maine’s Oxford Plains Speedway. Additionally he will return to Thunder Road for the first time in many years in the track’s 48th season opener, the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, May 6.
For additional information contact the ACT office (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com
By Marjorie Mulligan Fay / ACT
Inside Track Photo Quiz
We're just putting the finishing touches on our big, final, CASCAR issue. Lots of great photos from over the years, many of them (like this one) by Dave Franks.
Here's one for a teaser.... It pertains to a pretty significant day in Canadian motorsports.
Can you name the individual, the year and the event?
Here's one for a teaser.... It pertains to a pretty significant day in Canadian motorsports.
Can you name the individual, the year and the event?
INSIDE TRACK: Canadian racing notebook - Wednesday
TSN has a story saying that Jacques Villeneuve will be driving for Peugeot at Le Mans.
The OSCAAR Outlaw SLM officials and racers gathered for a meeting on Sunday to elect their new executive and to prepare for the upcoming season. One piece of news that emerged following the meeting was that OSCAAR will be racing at Cayuga Speedway on the Canada Day Weekend, bringing their headline 'Don Biederman Memorial' race to yet another facility.
(Biederman photo by Dave Franks)
The OSCAAR Outlaw SLM officials and racers gathered for a meeting on Sunday to elect their new executive and to prepare for the upcoming season. One piece of news that emerged following the meeting was that OSCAAR will be racing at Cayuga Speedway on the Canada Day Weekend, bringing their headline 'Don Biederman Memorial' race to yet another facility.(Biederman photo by Dave Franks)
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