Paul Tracy weighs his IRL options... rules out driving (for) hot dogs

Canadian open-wheel veteran Paul Tracy is weighing his options in the newly-merged IRL following the news that his former team has opted not to play.

This story on TSN says PT is looking for $1 million to race in '08, and includes the quote: "(Oval racing) is pretty dangerous, and I'm not going to drive for hamburgers and hot dogs."

UPDATE: Maybe PT did drive the WeinerMobile.... this post from the CASC-OR forum from a few weeks back offers a clue... and concludes with this unfortunate photo. Must have hit a patch of slippery mustard.... (h/t Mike Galipeau)

... can you tell it's Friday?

This is cool... Varney Speedway has purchased scoreboards from Michigan Int'l Speedway

BROOKLYN, Mich. - With many facility enhancements occurring at Michigan International Speedway for the 2008 season, a Canadian short track is taking advantage of having a major NASCAR-sanctioned speedway in their region doing upgrades.

Varney International Speedway, a quarter-mile paved oval located an hour from Toronto in southwestern Ontario, is purchasing the old MIS scoreboards that were located in Turns 1 and 4 and will use them at their facility for the 2008 season and beyond. The scoreboards, which were purchased at a nominal cost, will be a tremendous help to the popular short track in Canada.

The scoreboards became available because MIS is installing a new, state-of-the-art, 130-foot, three-sided LED leaderboard. The scoreboard, higher than the scoring tower above the grandstands, will replace all three scoreboards at MIS, two in the turns and one in the center and will be visible from all grandstand seats, as well as several of the infield camping sites. The leaderboard will set a new industry standard for scoreboards across any sporting venue, Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis says.

"Varney International Speedway should really benefit from these scoreboards," Curtis said. "When they contacted us about purchasing our old boards, we were glad to see that someone else could use them. We support our local short tracks throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Canada and applaud their efforts. Without their grassroots initiatives, the sport wouldn't be where it is today."

Representatives from the recently renamed Varney International Speedway visited MIS in late February to assist in the process of taking down the old scoreboards in turns 1 and 4. The scoreboards will be loaded onto trucks and be assembled at Varney before the start of their race season in early May. John McDonnell, a longtime supporter of Varney International Speedway, personally spawned the project and received assistance in taking down the scoreboards from other track supporters Clark and Ingrid Hartman.

"I can't say enough about how grateful we are to have these scoreboards," McDonnell said. "MIS has been so helpful with the whole process and we were happy to purchase them for our 2008 race season. MIS truly cares about their race fans in the United States and Canada. It is a special place who really appreciates the sport of auto racing and what it means to the local short track communities."

Varney International Speedway owner Ken McLellan, who has owned the short track since 2000, agrees with McDonnell.

"I'm very excited about all of this," he said. "It's great that the opportunity presented itself to acquire these scoreboards and use them to better our speedway. Our drivers and fans will be excited about it as well."

With more than 10 percent of MIS race fans hailing from Canada, the country has become a major supporter of the Irish Hills track over the years.

"We've attended races at MIS in the past and have enjoyed our time there," McDonnell said. "MIS has a real strong fan base stretching from Windsor to Varney and beyond. We enjoy having a major NASCAR track close enough that we can attend a race without the added expense of overnight accommodations. It is no problem attending a race on Sunday and being at work on Monday."

Besides the new scoreboard, other projects on tap for MIS in 2008 include:

Some 300 new campsites sites with electric hookups will be added to the Graves Farm Campground, bringing the total number of campsites at MIS to nearly 9,000.

A permanent restroom/shower building will be built in the Graves Farm Campground.

Michigan International Speedway is moving forward with additional improved seating. Two additional grandstands in Turn One have been torn down and are currently being replaced with a grandstand that has wider seats, seatbacks and more leg room. The project began last year when one of the old 'silver' grandstands was torn down and replaced with seats that are four inches wider than seats in the old grandstands. The project does not add seats, but merely replaces old seats.

Michigan International Speedway tickets can fit anyone's budget. The speedway is hosting the ARCA RE/MAX Series on June 13, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Cool City Customs 200 on June 14, the NASCAR Nationwide Series CARFAX 250 on August 16 and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series on June 15 and 3M Performance 400 on August 17. Tickets are available for all events, including qualifying days.

Story and photo courtesy of Michigan International Speedway

(editor's note: The release refers to the facility as Varney International Speedway, although we have yet to see official notice that it is no longer called "Varney Motor Speedway". It is still referred to as such on the track's website)

Get Out the NASCAR Vote... name the race!

The vote to select the official race logo for the 'Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola' at Daytona International Speedway is dead locked with just a few days left!

This weekend is the last chance for race fans to visit http://www.nascar.com/ to vote for their favorite from two logo options and help swing the vote. Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin (below and bottom, respectively) even got into the action during last weekend's rain delay in California and voted for their favorite logo.

Be sure to visit NASCAR.com and click on 'Coke Zero 400' or go directly to http://www.nascar.com/promos/coke/logo_vote/ to make your choice as the contest heads for the finish line.

The winning logo, determined solely by fan votes, will be revealed on NASCAR.com immediately after the contest concludes on March 3. Then, watch for the new logo everywhere in conjunction with the inaugural running of the 'Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola' on July 5 - from official race merchandises to the infield grass at Daytona International Speedway.

From Charley Ciresi // Fast Horse / Coca-Cola

DEEP THOUGHTS, by Jack Handy.... BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Thank God for Global Warming or it would be Minus 40 today.....

The first practice day at Delaware Speedway is 43 days away.

Paul Tracy out of a ride as Forsythe opts against joining the IRL

From TSN

"If Paul Tracy is to compete in the IRL this season, it won't be with Forsythe-Pettit Racing.
A statement from Forsythe Championship Racing on Thursday confirmed that after 13 years of competition in both CART and Champ Car, Gerald Forsythe will not be making the switch to the rival IRL.
"The team has been unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to be able to compete in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 2008," said Neil Micklewright, the vice president of operations for Fosythe.
"Forsythe Racing Inc., the parent company of FCR, will participate in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Champ Car finale, with drivers to be announced..."

TSN has the full story here.

QUESTIONS ABOUT PT, the merger, Toronto, etc.:

• Since when did sponsorship matter to Forsythe?
• In 2006, Paul Tracy signed a five-year deal with Forsythe. Is Forsythe on the hook for the term of this deal regardless of his decision not to compete?
• Champ Car owned the Toronto event. During yesterday's press conference, it sounded as though part of the 'merger' was that the IRL would come to own almost all of Champ Car's tangible and non-tangible assets. Assuming the GP of Toronto falls into this category, does the IRL now own the GP of Toronto?
• If you click on http://www.torontograndprix.com/ it takes you directly to indycar.com. The official grandprixtoronto.com site is still there, but the owner of the domain has registered the similarly-sounding torontograndprix.com and redirected to the IRL. Click here to see the WHOIS regarding who owns the torontograndprix.com domain. The search produces one Derek Bess of Pickering, Ontario as the owner. Hmm.
• Yesterday, Tony George made it pretty clear that the GP of Toronto won't be happening in 2008. Yet event boss Charlie Johnstone isn't totally giving up home on an event for 2008. Could there be a plan in the works to put on an event this summer that doesn't involve the IRL? There are several series with contracts already in place for the race on the Toronto waterfront. Could the addition of another high-profile series replace the IRL for '08?
• Reading that story and quote from the Forsythe team, PT's participation in the Long Beach Champ Car finale appears to be in question.

So many questions....

Rick Young's 'RICK @ the RACES (Feb. 24 '08) Sherbrooke & Beauharnois

Rick Young's RICK @ the RACES ( 24 Feb 2008)

CIRCUIT BERTRAND FABI, Sherbrooke, Quebec

BEAUHARNOIS , Quebec.

It was about four years ago when I got my first taste of Ice Racing and that was on the frozen St Lawrence Seaway at Beauharnois, between Valleyfield and Chateauguay, Quebec. Since then I've visited quite a few other ice tracks, but I still try to return at least once a year.

Probably the best ice racing I've ever seen was at the Circuit Bertrand Fabi in Sherbrooke, Quebec when the Andros Trophy cars payed a visit from Europe, a couple of years back. Since then, they have been absent. But this year the Geneva (Switzerland) based ISSR ice racing series have included Sherbrooke's annual Challenge Sur Glace on their schedule (rounds have
taken place in Sweden, Finland, Italy and France).

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to visit both tracks.

After an early start from my Maxville, Ontario home, I was in Sherbrooke, Quebec before 10-00am in good time to see the qualifying races for the cars (bikes and quads were also on the program).

My first task was to track- down ISSR media man Thierry Barrat. I'd been in regular contact via e-mail with Thierry prior to my visit and I had arranged to meet him there. When I found him, he was strapped into the passenger seat of the # 5 ISSR Mitsubishi ready to go out for the opening heat. These cars are required to have one passenger. We agreed to chat again after the race.

There were two qualifying races, with the Joncoux/Karam BMW taking the first and Stievenart/Stievenart Fiat taking the second.

I then went into the pit garage to catch up with Thierry. He'd flown in to Montreal from Europe on Thursday for the weekend races and would be flying back on Monday. We discussed the bodywork and bumper damage that all four of the ISSR Mitsubishi's sustained and he commented that this wasn't a situation they had to deal with in the European rounds ! The cars were shipped into Montreal from the port of LeHavre in France and were due to return for a regular race (not ice) after Sherbrooke. The trans-Atlantic journey takes ten days, he told me.

It was now time for me to leave, as I'd decided not to stay for the main event. I wanted to catch some of the Beauharnois racing on my way home. I arrived at Beauharnois to find the track had been relocated a short distance up the shore-line. Instead of watching the action from the relative luxury of the broadwalk (promenade) beside the bandstand I had to park my car and walk down to the ice.

Many of the spectators had driven down on to the ice to watch from the comfort of their cars, but I'm never too keen on doing that ! As normal, there were the usual divisions of four and eight cylinders . These were the opening races of the year for these guys .... the ice has only recently been thick enough for racing.

GP of Toronto: "...we may have to prepare ourselves for 2009"

Charlie Johnstone, president of the Grand Prix of Toronto responds to questions about the 2008 race

February 27, 2008: Toronto (ON) – An announcement last Friday of the unification of the Indy Racing League (IRL) and Champ Car series and today’s press conference outlining the details of that merger have left the fate of the 2008 running of the Grand Prix of Toronto in question. The Grand Prix of Toronto slotted into the July 4th through 6th date on the Champ Car series calendar long before the issue of the unification of the two racing series was settled and conflicts with an IRL race with a 60-year history at Watkins Glen.

“We entered into negotiations with Exhibition Place several months ago, and as you can appreciate, Exhibition Place has many other functions and events throughout the summer and into the fall, including the CNE,” said Charlie Johnstone, president of the Grand Prix of Toronto. “Finding an appropriate alternate time slot based on the respective schedule of the venue, the city and the racing league is proving to be difficult under this tight time frame. We will continue to work diligently with all of the key players to find a solution, but the reality is that we may have to prepare ourselves for 2009.”

Discussions will continue until such date as the complete schedule is finalized and released from the IRL.

“There is tremendous support for the Toronto race from our loyal fans, sponsors, partners, drivers and government,” said Johnstone. “The Toronto Grand Prix is a keystone of the Toronto summer schedule and an important economic driver for the city.”

From Rachelle Khalaf / Torchia Communications

IRL & Champ Car: 'We are family' press release

For Immediate Release

BRIGHT FUTURE AWAITS UNIFIED OPEN WHEEL RACING SERIES

Champ Car, Indy Racing League Work Together To Form Unified IndyCar Series

The future of open wheel racing is bright, according to the owners of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League who stood together publicly Wednesday for the first time since signing an historic agreement in principle to unify the sport.

"Our whole racing community is excited and energized about unification and everybody is working hard toward the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 29," said Tony George, CEO and founder of the Indy Racing League. 

"I'm thrilled we now have a unified open wheel racing series that will feature great drivers, a diversity of world-class venues and numerous top-notch teams," said Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Champ Car World Series and PKV Racing team. "I applaud Tony George for his commitment to the sport, and join him in now focusing solely on the future of open wheel racing in North America. I'm eager for our team to race this season, and certainly will do all that I can to help advance our sport in the short- and long-term."

The two men appeared at a news conference at Homestead-Miami Speedway Wednesday where the IndyCar Series starts its season Saturday night, March 29. 

Joining them were several owners and drivers as well as industry representatives who support unifying the sport. Champ Car owners present along with Kalkhoven included Eric Bachelart, Dale Coyne, Paul Stoddart, Keith Wiggins and Derrick Walker.  Champ Car drivers present included Franck Perera, Bruno Junqueira, Graham Rahal, Alex Tagliani, Oriol Servia, Simon Pagenaud, Nelson Philippe, Robert Doornbos and Will Power.  The Champ Car teams and drivers did not have time to prepare for this practice session so the IndyCar Series will add an additional practice session dedicated to them in March.

IndyCar owners present included Michael Andretti, Kim Green, Kevin Savoree, …  IndyCar drivers present included Marco Andretti, Helio Castroneves, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan and Danica Patrick. 

IndyCar Series officials expect several teams from Champ Car to join the series this season, some as early as the first race, while others should join by the time practice starts for the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race on May 4. 

Race venues from the Champ Car Series will be added to the ICS schedule in 2008.  Discussions are proceeding to add events in Edmonton, Canada and Surfers Paradise Australia to the current 16 race schedule.

The historic Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car race finale will be run the same weekend as the already scheduled ICS race in Motegi, Japan.   Champ Car will operate the Long Beach race and Champ Car teams will compete.  IndyCar Series points and prize money will be awarded for both races to teams who are 
participating in the IndyCar Series.  Beginning in 2009, the Grand Prix of Long Beach will be part of the ICS schedule.
        
As the 2009 schedule is prepared, the IndyCar Series intends to review all recent Champ Car and current IndyCar Series races, as well as other opportunities to produce the most viable schedule of short ovals, super speedways, street courses and road courses that will be of interest to fans, promoters, sponsors and racers. 

The ICS will use Dallara chassis and Honda engines in the 2008 season, and George thanked representatives of each company for their help in unifying the sport.

"I want to especially thank Al Speyer of Bridgestone-Firestone and Robert Clarke and Erik Berkman of Honda Performance Development for their overwhelming support of this initiative to unify our sport... 

"Finally, it is due to the efforts of Kevin and Gerald Forsythe that we are able to stand together today looking forward to the growth of the sport that we all love,"  George said.

UNIFICATION ELEMENTS
*  Champ Car teams committing to the IndyCar Series and demonstrating the ability to fund operating budgets will be provided:

        * One-year Honda basic engine lease
        *  Two Dallara chassis from a pool of new and used cars to the extent of the pool available for up to two seasons
        *  $1.2 million per car from the IndyCar TEAM program

*  At least two race venues from the Champ Car World Series schedule will be added to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2008 if the parties reach agreement. Discussions are proceeding to add events in Edmonton, Canada and Surfers Paradise, Australia to this year's current 16-race schedule. The IndyCar Series has scheduled meetings with both of these venues to discuss the
2008 schedule.

* The historic Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car race finale will be run the same weekend as the already scheduled IndyCar Series race at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach will be Champ Car's final race. Champ Car will promote the race as its "Finale." Champ Car will conduct the race and the IndyCar Series will require any teams taking advantage of the incentives offered by the Indy Car Series to compete at Long Beach. Since these teams will be missing the Motegi race, they will be awarded points and prize money as if they were competing at Motegi. Beginning in 2009, the Grand Prix of Long Beach will be part of the IndyCar Series schedule.

*  IndyCar Series officials met with Champ Car World Series teams at an IndyCar Series "orientation" held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Monday. The nine Champ Car teams 
that participated in the 2007 season were all in attendance.

*  IndyCar Series officials developed an assistance program that assigned an IndyCar Series team to work directly with a Champ Car World Series team (i.e.  Rahal Letterman Racing will work with Newman/Haas/Lanigan.)

*  IndyCar Series officials have scheduled individual meetings with Champ Car  World Series teams.

* IndyCar Series officials began preliminary discussions with ESPN/ABC regarding the expanded 2008 IndyCar Series schedule.

*  In the agreement in principle, the IndyCar Series will purchase various non-tangible assets such as intellectual property and historical records from Champ Car.  In addition, the IndyCar Series will purchase the Champ Car Medical transporter.

IndyCar TEAM Primer

IndyCar TEAM (Team Enhancement/Allocation Matrix) was introduced last October and was designed to be an expansion of the IndyCar Series Leader's Circle Program while further enhancing the value of racing in the IndyCar Series. The Leader's Circle Program was established in 2002 to provide incentives to teams which participate in the series full time. The program leverages relationships built by the Indy Racing League with its partners, sponsors and suppliers to provide benefits directly to the teams.

Beginning in 2008, the program will award a minimum of $1.2 million to each car entered to compete the entire season, including the Indianapolis 500. By implementing IndyCar TEAM, the Indy Racing League is dissolving its existing event purse formula.

The rollout of IndyCar TEAM was designed to be a baseline program designed to increase as the series grows and is successful in attracting sponsors.
 
From: John Griffin, Indy Racing League

LIVE BLOGGING: IRL / Champ Car press conference

Live blogging the press conference in Miami.... hit 'REFRESH' regularly to see updates to this post.

12:33 p.m.: Tony George is the first to speak, saying it is all about looking forward and not looking backward. "Last month when the calendar turned over to 2008, I was wondering to myself, 'can this happen?' And then I received a call that would make this the best year of my 48. It wouldn't have been possible without Kevin and Gerry coming to me to do what's best for the drivers, sponsors and fans..."

12:35: TG: We have a good shot at bring this thing together, albeit late in the year. This day is all about the fans who supported open wheel racing... Champ Car and the IRL.

12:36: Kevin Kalkhoven: I want to join Tony in expressing my satisfaction regarding what is happening with the unification. Tony and I have spoken for a long time to get here... but we are here. The winners today are the drivers, sponsors and fans... Unification isn't a magic bullet to get us forward.

12:37: KK: I'm going to be part of the new series with my own team and partner Jimmy Vasser... I'm also looking forward to being able to bring the series to Long Beach. We're going to have the final Champ Car-style race there this year before the switch to the Dallaras... To all our fans on both sides, it's been a long road but we're here and we're looking fwd. to an exciting '08 and beyond.

12:40: TG again: Very early on, we knew we would have to facilitate the change of the Champ Car teams to the Dallara package. We committed to help teams to transition, including two chassis. They would also be able to particpate in the team incentive programs outlined last fall. It's been a very rapid timeline as we only really reached agreement a few days ago. We're going to make an effort to add Edmonton and Australia to this year's IRL schedule, although details need to be worked out.

12:45: TG cont'd: We've gotten a great amount of help from all the IRL teams to help bring this thing about. I know the teams are excited about working with the Champ Car teams that are coming over to help them transition. Our job is to make them feel warm and welcome so that it seems like there's never been a season apart.... Newman-Haas will be assigned to Rahal-Letterman to work together... Ganassi has a very close relationship with Jimmy Vasser so the KV guys will look there to transition... As part of the agreement, we're going to be acquiring some of the tangible and non-tangible property of Champ Car. We're going to take on the medical transport trailer that has been a very important part of Champ Car's history as they're the ones who developed that concept.

12:48: KK returns to microphone: By uniting the sport, I hope that everyone recognizes - including the Champ Car fans - was that this was a conscious decision we took to develop North American motorsport in a positive way. I welcome the opp. to work with Chip and the Target-Ganassi team. I'm hoping the IRL fans will extend their hand to the Champ Car fans.

OPEN FLOOR TO QUESTIONS:

#1 Robin Miller on # of cars for the Champ Car teams:
TG: We are doing our best to assemble the chassis and to be as judicious as possible in allocating them. Our hope is to supply them with one new and one used car. Once we get into May, things will start to free up a bit but the near-term is the biggest challenge.
KK: Long Beach won't just be a Champ Car celebration, but a welcoming of what's coming. The Champ Car teams have already told me about the warm reception they've seen. Might see some cars come back (in a hurry) from Motegi and getting into a DP01 (in Long Beach).

#2: Was it (the war) worth it?
KK: Now is not the time to look back....
TG: Will you accept his answer as mine? (laughs)

3#: What will the series look like in the future?
TG: Probably a 20-race schedule with half of them on ovals. We've pretty much exhausted the number of ovals we could be at.... international opportunities are out there... Our [car] platform, we're going to be looking at all the available technologies... turbo-chargers may or may not be a part of that... We need to stabilize open-wheel racing for the next few years while we look at those issues and plans.

#4: Deadline for the schedule?
TG: We're working on that. We need to sort it out fairly quickly. It depends on how easy we're able to deal with all the issues... Everybody needs to know a plan ASAP. I'm hoping we can get through 2008 and make this a story about the fans... My goal is to bring everybody together. If you have happy fans, you're going to have happy teams and sponsors.

#5: CC events in consideration for '09 won't happen in '08. How do you keep interest in those events?:
TG: I don't have the answer to that. I try to offer suggestions but sometimes they're not received. The simple fact of the matter is that we have a lot of binding committments we have to honour and that doesn't give us a lot of room to do anything much different. We can't solve all the problems. We can try and offer solutions. I think it's taken a lot of give and take to get to this point and at some point there's got to be some give and take from others looking at the big picture. This thing is great for some and not so great for others in the short term.

#6: Atlantics?
KK: Atlantic will continue with a 12-race schedule. I think it's a very important thing.
re: Cosworth?: KK: Most of Cosworth's revenues are not racing related. Cosworth will continue and they have some amazing contracts for engine development for the future.

#7 Canadian events: Are Toronto and Mt. Tremblant definitely dead for '08 and will Edmonton be moved to September?
TG: Toronto I think is an event that was discussed and put on hold for this year for sure. You don't want to disenfranchise an event with that much history. Edmonton was a little bit easier to address because we had an available window of approximately when they were going to run their event this year. Montreal... you know... I don't know. I'm not privy to the commitment there, whether or not that is something that people have strong feelings about.

#8: What prompted this to happen now?
KK: Open wheel racing in North America wasn't going anywhere... Tony held out an olive branch and Gerry and myself decided it was the right thing to do.

Ends.... various driver and team press conferences reacting to the 'merger' will follow throughout the day at Miami.

Inside Track Readers' Choice Awards: Up and Coming Stock Car Racer of the Year Nominees

UP AND COMING STOCK CAR RACER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Canada’s next crop of stock car stars in the running for Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards

TORONTO, ON – An important aspect of the Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards presented by Castrol is the program’s ability to shine a light on the future stars of Canadian motorsports. Since being launched in 2002, well-known drivers like Pete Shepherd Jr., Jason Hathaway, Derek Polack and Tyler Brown have received the prestigious ‘Up and Coming Stock Car Racer of the Year’ award, as voted by the readers of Inside Track Motorsport News.

This year’s list of nominees features six racers who have already made a mark on their sport despite their young ages. Canadian motorsports fans are able to cast their votes online at http://www.insidetracknews.com/ until midnight on Friday, March 14 to help determine the overall winners in this and 11 other categories.

Steve Arpin enjoyed a ‘dream’ season in 2007. The Fort Frances, Ont. racer piloted his #00eh Open Wheel Modified on 47 different tracks in 22 different U.S. states. Arpin went from “coast to coast and north to south” on his way to amassing 18 feature wins and 42 top-five finishes.

“That was a pretty amazing season for us, although we ran into some motor issues toward the end of the season,” said Arpin. “But things are sorted out now and has given us a good balance to start ’08.”

Arpin’s successes saw him declared the North Florida Nationals champion, a further five-race winning streak carrying him to the Florida DIRTcar Winternationals UMP Modified points championship. At the (five-day) IMCA Dakota Classic Modified event, he won every heat and feature race that he entered heading to the contest crown.

Victories followed in Ohio (101 American Heritage Classic) as well as Rice Lake Speedway (Memorial Day Special) and Deer Creek Speedway (Wissota Heartland Nationals). The 24-year-old racer ended the year by being declared the 2007 Fall Modified National Champion.

At 20 years of age, Michael Kipp started the 2007 racing season as the defending Western Canada Baby Grand Series champion. Throughout his ensuing 21-race schedule (12 events in Canada, nine in the U.S.), he proceeded to dominate his competition, winning every feature race, but one.

“And I was right on the leader’s bumper that whole race,” notes Kipp. “But I didn’t have my mechanic with me that night [in Regina] and my setup was off. I nearly got him, though!”
This impressive record not only assured the Beaumont, Alberta resident driver of his second consecutive Baby Grand Canadian title, but also earned him the Int’l Western Pro Division (U.S.) crown.

“Last year, we kind of blew everyone out of the water, so it’s time to try something different. I’ll still run the #22 Baby Grand, but I’m going to try a few races in the Truck and Late Model divisions at Edmonton International Raceway just to see what direction I might take later on.”

Spencer MacPherson admitted to being “kind of shocked” to learn that he’d been nominated for the ‘Up and Coming Stock Car Racer of the Year’ award. The 19-year-old from Carleton Place, Ont. was a standout in his sophomore year racing in the Late Model division at Ottawa’s Capital City Speedway.

Over the course of the 2007 season, MacPherson made the trip to victory lane on five occasions. In the final point standings, he fell just shy of the overall division title, losing the championship by a mere five points to eventual winner Rick Rump.

Progressing up the racing ladder, MacPherson took part in four contests on the highly competitive American-Canadian Tour (ACT) in ‘07, rolling up three top-10 finishes. His best result was a third at Autodrome Montmagny.

“The Late Model field at Capital City may not be very big but there are a lot of strong runners there. Next year, we would like to run more events in the ACT, we will probably do the full Castrol (Quebec) ACT Series plus run a couple of events in the U.S.”

When your father is multi-time CASCAR champion Steve Robblee, it’s almost demanded that you will pursue a racing career, too. In 2007, 20-year-old Matt Robblee proved that he not only inherited his father’s passion, but also his talent and heavy right foot, as well.

In his first season behind the wheel of an Ontario Sportsman Series presented by Castrol (OSS) car (following a five year stint in Delaware Speedway’s Truck Division), Matt claimed a 50-lap feature win at Cayuga Speedway. He ended the year in third-place overall in the OSS points championship, bested only by his father and Mike Hryniuk.

“It was a great season; the racing was 10 times better than what I’ve been used to,” said Robblee. “It was a real learning experience. And it was really something to watch, or at least follow, my dad.” With his rookie season behind him, Matt plans to return to the OSS with an eye to climbing a couple of steps higher on the championship ladder.

In 2007, a regular summer’s weekend saw Terrance Bay, Nova Scotia’s Craig Slaunwhite racing his Late Model Sportsman on Friday night at Halifax’s Scotia Speedworld before heading up the road to Antigonish’s (NS) Riverside Int’l Speedway on Saturday night. And by year’s end, his hard work was rewarded with division championships at both venues.

In between his regular gig, Slaunwhite managed to squeeze in three races in the CARQUEST Maritime Pro Stock Tour, claiming victory in the Pepsi 250 at Shediac, NB en route to being declared the Atlantic/Canadian Champion.

“The win was nice, but my favourite race was the second Pro Stock event at Scotia Speedworld. I led 105 laps but had to pit twice for tires and that put me to the back of the field. I worked my way forward but on the last lap I tried to make a pass for third and spun out. A good night that ended with a bad deal.”

The Watson Racing family has a long and rich history at Ontario’s Barrie Speedway, having built the circuit many years ago and having multiple clan members in action, at any given time, throughout the decades. So it was almost inevitable 14-year-old Brandon Watson would get into the fray at the family’s ‘home’ track. In 2007, after two seasons of ‘4 Cylinder’ action, Brandon slipped behind the wheel of a Late Model car at Barrie.

In seven race starts at Barrie Speedway, this shy youngster ran up six top-10 finishes, his best result a third place showing. Continuing to expand his horizons, the Watson Crew trekked to Kawartha Speedway (near Peterborough, Ont.) where Brandon entered a 100-lap invitational. Competing for the first time against some of Ontario’s top Late Model pilots, Watson came away with a credible, and rewarding, fourth-place finish.

“I was really tired by the end of the race, but pretty happy with the results,” said Brandon. “And it didn’t bother me much racing against those other drivers, I wasn’t overwhelmed by them.” With the youthful confidence inspired by talent, Brandon will continue to race his Late Model in ’08 and hopes to augment his schedule with a few ACT appearances.

To date, more than 2,500 Canadian racing fans have visited http://www.insidetracknews.com/ to register their votes for the Inside Track Readers Choice Awards presented by Castrol. Voting remains open until Friday, March 14, 2008. Results will appear in print and online shortly thereafter.

Mac's Convenience Stores title sponsor of ARCA's Western Canadian series

Merced, CA (February 24, 2008) - Officials from the Automobile Racing Club of America have announced that Mac's Convenience Stores/Circle K Stores will serve as series title sponsor for ARCA West's U.S. and Canadian tours in 2008. Under terms of the agreement, the U.S. tour will become the ARCA West Circle K Challenge Series, while the Canadian tour will become the ARCA West Mac's Challenge Series.

"We are pleased to partner with a retailer the caliber of Mac's Convenience Stores/Circle K Stores.," said Richard Michaud, president of ARCA West. "We strongly feel that having a partnership of this magnitude under the ARCA banner will produce positive results for both entities."

Both Mac's Convenience Stores and Circle K are subsidiaries of Alimentation Couche Tard, which is the fourth largest convenience retailer in North America operating a network of more than 5,600 stores across Canada and United States.

"From a company standpoint, this certainly shows that we are serious about our involvement in motorsports and the connection between Mac's/Circle K and rce fans," said Ron Thompson, Marketing Manager for Mac's Western Division. "We value the patronage our stores receive from the race teams and fans."

Schedules for the 2008 ARCA West Mac's Circle K Challenge Series will be released in full in the coming weeks and is expected to include standalone events in Canada and the U.S., as well as a number of companion events.The ARCA West Mac's/Circle K Late Model Challenge Series feature template bodied, straight rail late models with drivers from throughout the Pacific Northwest and Canada competing in a fast, fun and affordable touring series.

The series is a licensee of the nationally-based Automobile Racing Club of America and provides a west coast connection to the ARCA sanctioning body. The 2008 season marks the debut of the sanction's Canadian tour, as ARCA West recently partnered with the former NEWALTA Late Model Challenge Series , the largest touring stock car series in Western Canada.

Via Rod Ormon / justturnleft.ca

Toyo Tire Canada Inc. - New president

For Immediate Release - February, 2008 - Vancouver, Canada. After almost four years at the helm of Toyo Tire Canada Inc. Mr. Hiroshi (Hiro) Hiratsuka is returning to Japan to assume his new duties at Toyo’s Tokyo office.

Despite numerous challenges the demand and sale of Toyo tires in Canada has grown steadily during Mr. Hiratsuka’s term as president. Mr. Hiratsuka identified many factors that have contributed to this strong performance, in particular the combined and coordinated efforts of all members of the Toyo team. “From the continued timely introduction of new products and launch of North American tire production to the increasing loyalty and strong support from Toyo’s Canadian dealers, everybody has played a strong role”.

Mr. Shingo (Matt) Matsuoka will succeed Hiratsuka as president of TOYO TIRE CANADA and officially take responsibility for all facets of the operation in January, 2008.

Mr. Matsuoka joined the TOYO TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY in 1977 and the next eight years were spent in Japan responsible for Toyo’s markets in the Middle East and Oceania and finally in charge of production and shipping.

Matsuoka’s first experience with the tire business in North America came in 1986 and for the next five years Matsuoka was assigned to the TOYO TIRE CORPORATION in California as marketing coordinator with responsibility in both the ordering and distribution departments. During the 1990’s Matsuoka returned to Japan taking on sales responsibility for Latin America and Oceania and in 2000 he was posted to Australia as Director of Marketing. From 2004 Matsuoka returned to Japan taking on the General Manager’s role responsible for sales in Oceania, North and Central America.

Matsuoka states he is “looking forward to both the challenge and ultimate success of TOYO TIRE CANADA in achieving our long term sales and market share goals. TOYO is heavily committed to the Canadian market and continues to develop unique products to meet Canadian customer needs. The Atlanta factory is now a reality and an asset for TOYO TIRE CANADA. We must work to ensure we use this highly sophisticated manufacturing source to assist Canadian dealers with their supply chain management.”

Mr. Matsuoka will be based at Toyo’s new Canadian head office located in Richmond, B.C.

In Canada Toyo offer a complete range of premium consumer and commercial tire products through authorized independent tire dealers.

For more information, please contact: TOYO TIRE CANADA INC.

A1GP: Canada Celebrates Durban Sprint Victory

Durban, South Africa (Sunday 24 February, 2008) – Robert Wickens powered his way round the streets of Durban, South Africa today to lead A1 Team Canada to its first ever Sprint race victory in Round 7 of the 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.  The Toronto rookie capitalized on his maiden pole position to lead the 22-strong field of nations from green to checkered, claiming Canada's second ever A1GP victory and the first since Sean McIntosh's Indonesian Feature race triumph in the inaugural 2005-06 season.
 
Wickens threatened a second straight race win having hounded Switzerland's Neel Jani throughout the afternoon's 70-minute Feature event.  The Canadian's race ended abruptly however on lap 40 taking action to avoid a backmarker.  Despite this, Wickens' superb Sprint victory boosts Canada from tenth to eighth in the A1GP Nations Standings.
 
Having claimed A1 Team Canada's first ever pole position the day before, Wickens had his sights set on nothing less than victory in Sunday morning's 20-minute Sprint race.  Durban's 3.28km temporary street circuit enjoys a notorious reputation for incidents and accidents and despite being hit from behind by New Zealand's Jonny Reid on the approach to Turn 1, Robert held his line at the start and more importantly the lead. 
 
A late-race safety car period had the potential to threaten Canada's hopes but again Wickens showcased his coolness under pressure, the 18-year-old holding off Great Britain's Oliver Jarvis at the re-start with two to go.  Robert duly claimed the win as the race ended under a red flag with Jarvis finishing second for Great Britain and Neel Jani third.
 
Canada then put forward a strong challenge for a second straight win in the Feature.  With Robert sitting second after the first round of pit-stops and holding position following the second mandatory stop, the gap to Neel Jani in the lead was cut to as low as half a second by lap 36 with the race clock showing ten minutes to go.  Disaster struck four tours later while lapping Lebanon's entry into the first turn. 
 
Attempting to avoid contact with the slower car on the exit, the steering input snapped Wickens around resulting in contact with the wall.  Robert then found himself hit by a blameless Oliver Jarvis as the Brit wasn't expecting to see the Canadian car on the exit of the corner.  Wickens was out on the spot with Jani going on take to the Feature win ahead of France's Loic Duval and Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque.
 
Looking back on the highs and lows of the day Wickens commented, "Well obviously the Sprint win was an awesome result for the whole team and we were hoping for more of the same in the Feature.  We've had a strong weekend but we should have had at least second place in the Feature.  I was going to run into Lebanon on the exit so I put a lot of steering into the car and I just clipped the inside wall and spun around I apologize to Great Britain.  We didn't get the result we wanted, I feel bad for the team as they've been nothing short of outstanding all weekend!"
 
Mark Gallagher, whose Status Grand Prix operates A1 Team Canada said; "When we took Canada under our wing six months ago we aimed to elevate the team onto the podium and today we took a victory after yesterday's pole position.  This weekend showed that the technical crew headed by Simon Cayzer is top notch, that Robert is a special talent which the Canadian motorsport community and his sponsors at Red Bull should be very proud of.  Similarly Wade Cherwayko's three years of investment in Canadian motorsport in A1GP should be recognized for the opportunity it has given to drivers like Robbie, James Hinchcliffe and Daniel Morad.  It's a shame that the Feature didn't result in another podium, but we now look forward to Mexico and another strong weekend!"
 
Setanta Sports Canada will broadcast Round 7 from South Africa as a tape-delay starting at 8:30am EST on Monday 25th February – www.setantanorthamerica.com
 
The 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport now crosses the Atlantic with Round 8 hosted in Mexico City, Mexico, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th March – www.a1gp.com
 
A1GP Top-Ten Standings - Round 7/10: 1st Switzerland (118), 2nd France (108), 3rd New Zealand (98), 4th South Africa (83), 5th Germany (77), 6th Great Britain (70), 7th Netherlands (69), 8th CANADA (52), 9th Ireland (50), 10th China (43)
 
Photo Credit: 'A1 Team Canada's Robert Wickens celebrates his maiden A1GP Sprint victory' – Jakob Ebrey Photography
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison – PR & Media Manager

AIM Autosport update - Feb. 23 2008

TORONTO, ON - As the checkered flag waved on the 2008 Rolex 24 At Daytona, one team already had a head start on the competition. It was hard to miss the big space in the paddock where the AIM Autosport transporter had been set up in the Daytona International Speedway garage just hours prior.

But, as most teams began to tear down and decamp for the long trip home, AIM Autosport Transport Driver Walter Ristucc was already racking up the miles on the way back to team headquarters outside of Toronto.

With a strong driver line up, the second-best qualifying result in the team’s short Daytona Prototype history, and a stout mechanical package, hopes were high that the team would improve on the remarkable fifth-place result the team earned in the 2007 edition of the 24.

Those hopes proved to be well grounded, as all four AIM Autosport drivers-full time pilots Brian Frisselle and Mark Wilkins as well as Colin Braun and Andrew Ranger- raced their way to the front of the pack at various points in the event for a total of 37 laps in front of the massive field.

But after overcoming a series of setbacks during the long Daytona night, a cut tire finally ended the 2008 effort after causing significant damage to the car. Despite the outcome, the team was eager to begin preparations for the next at-speed outing for the No. 61 Gold car, and set off to the team base in Toronto well before the 24 even finished. With twelve hard-earned points in the bank, the team will look to put those same strengths to use and climb back up the championship ladder during the 2008 season.

That climb will start with two days of running during an official Rolex Sports Car Series test at Homestead Miami Speedway on February 25-26.

“We were all obviously disappointed with how things played out during the 24, but now we’re in sprint race mode for the next four rounds and that’s purely where our focus is,” said AIM Autosport team principal Ian Willis. “We know that the same things that made us so strong in the 24 will also be key in the next four rounds (Homestead, Mexico City, VIR, and Laguna Seca) before the Glen six hour. We made the move to the new Riley bodywork to get a head start on understanding what it was capable of, and that strategy has already begun to pay off. We’re looking forward to the Homestead test to keep moving that program forward.”

The early exit from the 24 was a bitter pill for the full-time pilots Mark Wilkins and Brian Frisselle, but after showing such strength in the 24, both young chargers were buoyed by the start of the 2008 Rolex season.

“Obviously it was disappointing how things played out during the 24, but the fact is, this team had done the homework, showed up with a fast car, and was competitive until something beyond our control put us out,” said Frisselle. “That’s racing, and these guys know what we need to do to show up at Homestead and be fast again. We have some points to make up now in this championship, but we also know we have the tools we need to do just that.”

“I’m already anxious to get back in the car!” said Wilkins. “This whole season is a different game now that we have the 24 behind us. With the Ford power and the new Riley bodywork, we just want to get as many miles as possible under our belts and keep learning what we can do to get the most out of the package. We picked up a lot last month but we are looking forward to moving this learning curve even more in the Homestead test and then coming back to put that to good use in the race.”

The GAINSCO Grand Prix of Miami weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway on March 27-29 will mark round two of the fourteen-round Rolex Sports Car Series season. Established in 1995, AIM Autosport also operates a multi-car team competing in the Star Mazda Series in addition to their Rolex Series operation.

The company has a mandate to identify, train and manage emerging motorsport talent. AIM has provided many young drivers with a solid foundation on which to build a career in professional racing. The success of the AIM driver development programs has been achieved through the dedication of our employees and the ongoing support of our commercial and technical partners.

Away from the track, AIM Autosport serves the needs of the racing community with a purpose-built preparation shop situated in the Toronto suburb of Woodbridge, Ontario.

From Matt Cleary, Sunday Group Management

NASCAR: California Weather Bites NASCAR Fans

A fair crowd braved morning rain at California Speedway only to be left wanting some 12 hours later. NASCAR officials worked throughout the day to get 87 laps on the board before rain put a complete nix on the days activities.

The Auto Club 500 will be run to it's completion on Monday morning starting at 10 a.m. Pacific time on FOX. One hour after the completion of the race, fans can switch over to ESPN2 to see the running of the Nationwide Series Stater Brothers 300.

A1GP: Robert Wickens scores first pole for Canada

February 23, 2008 - After gambling in the first session by waiting to go out, A1 Team Canada would not score a time in the first qualifying session for the sprint race. A red flag stopped the session with only six cars having recorded a time. Once the track was clear, it was all out for a single, one-lap qualifier for the sprint. Most teams elected to go out early in case of another problem on the tight street course in Durban but Robert would wait patiently and this time it paid off.

With a clear track, Robert would go out and take the pole. He would score the fastest sector 2 time and record a lap of 1:18.150 to take the pole by a margin of 0.018 seconds.

In qualifying for the feature race Robert would end the first session off the pace when he had to brake hard for a car on its in lap and lost some time. But he would make up for it in session 2.

He would wait to go out but another red flag nearly scrubbed the session. The track was cleared quickly and there was enough time to get the rest of the field out for their hot lap. Robert would again put in some very fast sectors matching the fastest times in sectors 2 and 3 and bring the car home P2, just 0.112 seconds off pole.

Robert will start both races from the front row - a good place to be on the very tight street course in Durban. and has the opportunity to bring A1 Team Canada forward in the overall championship where they currently sit 10th.

The Sprint Race goes at 04:00 hrs EDT Sunday morning with the feature to follow at 08:00 hrs EDT

Photos: A1GP // From Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications

NASCAR: Mother Natures Sends Carpentier Packing

Rain washed out practice and qualifying for the Auto Club 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at California Speedway. Carpentier, driving the No. 10 Charter Dodge, was the only rookie left on the outside looking in as officials went to the rulebook to set the 43-car field.

“I’ll tell you now I don’t agree with that rule of top-35 anymore too much," Carpentier said, a smile on his face. "It puts us behind a little bit and for us we were kind of banking on these tracks because we tested here, the first three (tracks) and after that we go to tracks that we haven’t tested at. I said that I knew it was going to be a challenge but I didn’t think it was going to be that big of a challenge. We’ll see. For me, I firmly believe that we’re going to get out of it, going to come back in top-35 but it’s going to take time.”

Scott Riggs battled bravely to put the team in the top-35 last year, but came up short in his efforts before leaving Gillette/Evernham Motorsports. Carpentier is toiling under those efforts through the first five races of the season. Missing the first two events simply puts the affable Canadian that much further behind.

"It’s frustrating," he said when asked. "Like I said to the guys, I think I’m going to start hitchhiking and get a ride for the race so at least I feel what it is. It’s just a rough day for Charter and we had a new sponsor this weekend again so for us it’s tough. You cannot even fight it, you know, so you cannot even try to get in so you just come, you leave. So that’s what's the sad part about it. You know if at least if you give it a shot and you don’t make it you gave it a shot.”

Rain washed away any possibility of Carpentier driving his way into the field. Not having the chance to at least try after sitting through seven hours of track drying, when it wasn't raining, only adds to the frustration level.

“Yeah, it was like they had a couple of guys go look at the track and see if it was okay. That’s what we were talking about. Maybe they should have a couple of go or go homers go look at the track and see if it’s okay [laughter]. It’s sad. All these guys that keep running and running and for me I don’t get track time either. It’s kind of a catch-22. But we’ll do some testing Monday and Tuesday. I’m going to go down to North Carolina and we’re going to test at Rockingham and get back to Vegas.”

REPORT: GP of Toronto is toast for 2008

CityNews is reporting that the deal to end the open wheel war has sealed the fate of the Grand Prix of Toronto for 2008, at least.

The National Post quotes a statement from GP Toronto boss Charlie Johnstone saying, "The unification of Champ Car and IRL is beneficial to race fans, sponsors, event promoters and Canadian motor sports in general. Our team of staff, partners, sponsors and supporters is continuing to work diligently to ensure that Toronto's premier racing festival, the Grand Prix of Toronto, has the most solid foundation on which to build continued success for many years to come. From a sport and business standpoint, the positives outweigh the negatives."

Johnstone's full statement appears on the GrandPrixToronto.com website.

Finally... I just noticed something.
If you go to http://www.torontograndprix.com .... it immediately takes you to IndyCar.com.
That was fast.

DONE DEAL: Champ Car and IRL sign agreement to unify open wheel racing

CHAMP CAR, INDY RACING LEAGUE SIGN AGREEMENT TO UNIFY OPEN WHEEL RACING

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 - Owners of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League completed an agreement in principle Friday that will unify the sport for 2008.

Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle in Chicago, joining his partner Kevin Kalkhoven and Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George who had signed late Thursday in Indianapolis.

Details of a press conference about the agreement will be forthcoming.

From John Griffin, Indy Racing League

***

UPDATE (6 p.m.) Watch here for the latest news on the 'merger.' It's a link to the Google news feed.

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Eddie Gossage of Texas Motor Speedway reacts to the news...

General reaction: “The fans have won and we have to give Tony George and the Indy Racing League credit for making a generous offer to resolve this issue. This is spectacular news, but we all have to be cautious because the act of unifying open-wheel racing in America is not a cure for all that ails the sport. It is a necessary and huge first step, but there is much work to be done.”

Promoter perspective: “The most important aspect is that the unification brings the promoters the stability of full fields with a depth of talent. Last season, we had a 19-car field and we have not had more than 22 starters since 2002. I’m hopeful that this will provide us with those large fields in excess of 25 cars that used to be commonplace in open-wheel racing. The combination of the larger fields with the talent depth should ultimately result in even more exciting racing for our fans. Fan interest – both at the track and on television – remains critical to growing the sport from this point on. We’ll continue to do our part to make it flourish.”

What Champ Car brings in terms of talent: “The majority of their stars already have come to the IndyCar Series or in the case of Sebastian Bourdais gone to Formula One, but they still have one of the best personalities in the sport in Paul Tracy. There also is a young talent pool led by Bobby Rahal’s son Graham that could benefit from the marketing of the IndyCar Series and help the group emerge as future stars. With the loss of some key IndyCar stars such as Sam Hornish Jr. and Dario Franchitti to NASCAR, this also should immediately help in replenishing the talent pool.”

The fans: “To win back its fans, Indy-car racing now has to be humble, stabilize its schedule, solidify its driver lineup and feverishly market its stars. Every decision by everyone in Indy-car racing needs to be made for what is in the best interest of the fans. Today, the unification of the sport best serves the fans.”

The future: “I hope everyone involved doesn’t immediately think that the unification on its own will have Indy-car racing challenging NASCAR anytime soon. It will help unify the interest in the sport, but it will take everyone in the series to make sacrifices to grow the sport and take it to another level. Promotion, marketing, public relations, driver accessibility and sponsor activation are just a few of the many aspects that will have to take advantage of this long-awaited opportunity.”

NCATS: Ranger suffers broken foot in motorcycle ice race at Valcourt

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champ Andrew Ranger broke his left foot in three places during a 100 mph crash, during qualifying, for a motorcycle ice race in Valcourt, Quebec last weekend.

A translation of the story on RDS is located here.

According to a representative with Ranger's management group, PSM, the breaks were 'clean' and will require five weeks to heal.

Hopefully, Ranger will be back in dancing shape well in advance of the start of the NCATS season.

Open Wheel Mixed Messages

This story in the Indianapolis Star says:

"Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven left Indianapolis shortly before noon today after failing to strike a deal with Indy Racing League president Tony George to unify open-wheel racing in the U.S."

On the other hand, I just got off the phone with a guy who knows a guy who should really know what's going on... and that guy said a press conference announcing the deal will take place this afternoon (Friday).

As an update to an earlier post, it's my understanding that NASCAR is confident that the Edmonton Champ Car date isn't moving.

Place your bets....

PMRA: Competition Tire returns to PMRA as Goodyear contingency sponsor

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ONTARIO ( February 22, 2008) - The Pro Modified Racing Association Presented by Torco Racing Fuels Ontario is pleased to announce that Competition Tire Canada will again be posting Goodyear Racing Tire contingency awards at each series event for 2008.

"The PMRA has proven itself to be a solid drag racing series," said Craig Fairchild of Competition Tire's Craig Fairchild. "We want to be a part of this, and we will offer a contingency award to the low qualifier and winner of each event if they are running Goodyear Racing Tires."

"Goodyear has won more racing championships than any other tire company in the world," noted Bruce Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations for the PMRA. "I have known the Fairchilds and  Competition Tire for over 20 years and their company has a major history with motorsport. Having them involved in the PMRA series is great, and their faith in the series to return for a third year is rewarding."

Competition Tire Canada is one of Canada's top auto racing suppliers. Based in the Niagara Peninsula, Competition Tire has been offering quality Goodyear motorsport products and service for over two decades in road course, oval track, and drag strip racing.

Goodyear's racing heritage reaches back almost to the very first car race at the turn of the 20th century. In the early years auto makers were just beginning to see the wide-open possibilities of a sport called automobile racing. From then until now -- with one major interruption -- Goodyear's enthusiastic involvement with motorsports has grown as fast as the size of the crowds. The company produces more than one-half million tires a year for races of all kinds, all over the world.

PMRA tour stops in 2008 include two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, Ontario, Dunn Tire Raceway Park in Lancaster, New York, Sanair in Quebec and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

Negotiations are underway with several US race tracks based in Michigan, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania with the plan of presenting a seven-event PMRA drag racing series this season.

Photo Credit: Dale Boeru – CanadianRacingPhotos.com // From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

Edmonton open-wheel date change could play havoc with the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule

Last night at 11:15, the following statement was issued jointly by the Indy Racing League and the Champ Car World Series:

“The ongoing talks between the Indy Racing League and Champ Car World Series will continue into at least Friday in regards to the unification of open-wheel racing. Any confirmation of unification will be made once an agreement is in place. There are no plans for a news conference at this time. Much progress has been made toward unifying the sport.”

A story in the Indianapolis Star is saying....

"[The IRL's Fred] Nation said there is no cause for concern even though a news conference planned for this morning at Indianapolis Motor Speedway was put on hold.
"Absolutely not," he said. "They made a heck of a lot of progress, but they're not over the hump yet..."

Regarding ownership of the new series, according to the report the discussions aren't building toward a merger. It would be better characterized as a capitulation on the part of Champ Car.

"The IRL is seeking full rights to Indy-style racing, including its history and trademarks. All future races will be held under the IndyCar Series banner, and Champ Car's owners are not permitted to operate a rival series based in the U.S..."

In terms of impacting the Canadian open-wheel race originally scheduled for July 19-20 in Edmonton, it appears that date will be on the move.

"The Edmonton race, set for July 20, requires an adjustment because that conflicts with the IRL's race in Lexington, Ohio, an event key to Honda, the league's lone engine supplier.
The IRL will offer Edmonton officials the July 27 and Aug. 3 dates. The former is the same day as the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard..."

If true, this presents a challenge for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, which recently released its 2008 schedule, including a race at Edmonton on July 19. The possible July 27 alternative in Edmonton would work for the NCATS series, but the Aug. 3 weekend would be in direct conflict with the NASCAR Nationwide (formerly Busch Series) race weekend in Montreal.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Sun Valley Speedway, in Vernon, BC, is scheduled for July 12. This date of this race would also have to move if Edmonton changes weekends, given that it's impractical for the NCATS drivers, crews and officials to go to western Canada on non-consecutive weekends.

The NCATS schedule is here.

If you thought the 'war' was nuts.... the 'peace' is going to look downright insane

Robin Miller is reporting on SPEEDTV.com that a press conference announcing the end of the open wheel war will take place tomorrow (Friday). So far, so good.

But if you thought this long-awaited announcement would end the insanity.... you would be wrong.

Miller writes: "Unless there’s a last-minute intervention by the gods of reason, the IRL race at Motegi, Japan will run April 19 as scheduled and the 33rd annual Long Beach Grand Prix will take the green flag on April 20.

And both races will count towards the 2008 IRL championship.
That’s correct. The regular IRL teams will be on the oval in Japan with their Dallara-Hondas while the Champ Car teams that are expected to compete full time in the unified series will be running their Panoz-Cosworths for the final time. Drivers will earn equal IRL points in each event...."

Only these guys could come up with that plan. Maybe they can move the Indy 500 up to April 21?

Royal Distributing-Bourque Polaris Race Report - Bracebridge CSRA

Royal Distributing-Bourque Polaris Race Report // Muskoka Pro Snowcross
CSRA Race, Bracebridge, ON

BRACEBRIDGE, ON - 16 year old Stephanie Simard continued her strong campaign this season with yet another podium finish in the Pro Women's final on her Polaris IQ. Stephanie took home 2nd place behind WPSA champ Angela Vachino. Angela has proven to be the woman to beat on both sides of the border. Stephanie kept the race close all the way to the finish line for a very strong 2nd place. Simard continues to impress in her debut season in the Pro classes.

15 year old Semi Pro rider David Joanis went out and won all his semi-pro qualifiers in Semi-pro open. Dave dominated in the final and cruised to a win, again putting the sponsors up front. Dave's count on the season is 7 wins in 8 races in Semi pro, with one 2nd place. The Semi Pro Super Stock final was cancelled due to whiteout conditions, to be run later in the season.

Dave rode in the Pro Stock class again this week, riding with the top riders. Dave won a qualifier, followed closely by Royal Pro rider Lee Butler for a one-two finish. In his second qualifier, Dave ran very close with WPSA Pro Riders Iain Hayden and Brett Bender for a podium finish. Dave then ran 3rd in the Pro Stock final on Sunday, opening eyes further around the pits and in the stands that he is a talent here to stay!

#73 Pro Lee Butler, fresh off a win in Lindsay, was solid and near the front in all qualifiers, but due to some tough luck in the competitive Pro Stock final didn't find the podium this week . Lee continues to be solid in the points and looks for more wins this season.

Photos courtesy of Gary at Supernova Photo // Release from Mark Fries (Royal Distributing) // Thanks to our Sponsors: Polaris Racing, Walker Evans Shocks, Stud Boy, FXR Clothing, Kimpex, Ipone Oils, HMK, Oakley, Wiseco, Rox, PowerMadd, Dayco, Fly, Ogio, Camoplast, TekVest, Renton Coil Springs, C&A Skis, and Digatron Gauges

Raceline Radio Network Newsletter

From Erik Tomas, Raceline Radio Network

Our Quebec NASCAR Sprint Cup duo watched this year's 50th anniversary Daytona 500, the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup opener, the same way most of us did. On the sidelines or on TV as Ryan Newman scored Roger Penske's first stock car 500 win.

Nice race! The new car works perfectly. The final 250 miles were superb. Close to 40 lead changes, and with a mere seven cautions, the race was done in three hours!

So close for frequent Raceline Radio/FAN 590 guest Patrick Carpentier. In the second twin 150 mile Daytona 500 qualifier, Patrick told his Gillett-Evernham crew on the radio his # 10 Dodge had developed a vibration. Patrick bravely kept his foot into it, high enough in the running order and fast enough to make the 500 to write another page in Canadian racing history. But with only 5 laps to go, the right front tire explodes, and Patrick's Daytona 500 hopes to kick off the NASCAR portion of his career wind up against the wall!

Earlier in the same race, Formula One, CART champion and Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve had a nastier time of it. Bouncing in and out of the transfer spot to make the 500, Villeneuve's tapped by John Andretti and the #27 Bill Davis Racing Toyota, collects people on his way to the wall, and JV's NASCAR debut winds up in a smoldering, bent and broken Camry.

It got worse afterwards. Bill Davis announced Villeneuve would come out of the car until JV found some money. A sponsor. Benson and Skinner take over the ride on a race-by-race basis.

It's not a good start for Villeneuve. Better but not perfect for Carpentier. But Patrick is the new darling of the NASCAR set. Despite stinging disappointment, he's been competitive while staying out of the way. Carp's always smiling on TV. He's in good spirits with the media and the fans. They like this guy and that's important too. Do nice guys always finish last? Not any more. Let Montoya be the former open wheel villain.

Hopefully, Villeneuve can find some money. Carpentier still has to race his way into the first few with Valvoline, but if his up-beat attitude means anything, he'll shrug off his Daytona cloud, makes some fields, finish a few and maybe even pilfer a top 10.

Carp and JV are just 2 reasons why this year's NASCAR Sprint Cup war is going to be one of the most interesting in years.

Ryan revelation! Newman developed his race craft on dirt tracks, and highly educated, has a degree in mechanical engineering. Connected to his roots? Earlier in the weekend, Newman was running a UMP Late Model at the Dirt-Nationals at Volusia Florida. He then headed to Daytona, put on his asphalt hat and won the biggest stock car race in the game. That's why we LOVE this sport.

Silence is NOT Golden!

Amid rumours of bankruptcy, ChampCar has been silent about what's happening for 2008. You know the story by now. A badly needed merger with the IRL was on, then off, then supposedly on again. Schedule juggling, second-guessing, what's happening with the three Canadian races? Who's in charge of it? We still won't know for sure.

On Raceline and other media, ChampCar officials claim every time rumours leak and we try and probe what's happening, it means set backs for a merger.

But having fans, event managers and the media in the dark is very damaging at this point. Uncertainty kills credibility.

ChampCar needs to tell us if 2008 is a go or not and RIGHT now.

The very latest: Not a whole lot more than we know already. IRL boss Tony George and ChampCar boss Kevin Kalkhoven have been in England attending weddings and family functions. From both sides, the message is reunification talks continue. Quietly and privately.

George: "talks carry on, but it's a delicate and complicated process. "

Kalkhoven: "We know the advantages in a merger with the IRL, but we are more than content to go it alone. Right now, we're going ChampCar racing."

It's believed ChampCar and The IRL have finally reached that illusive agreement in principle to work together. But a long list of critical issues hang in the balance and there is virtually NO time left to get this bricked together for 2008.

I know I have been telling fans to support the three Canadian ChampCar shows until their status changes, but that only lasts so long before it seems like ChampCar doesn't care. Faith only goes so far.

I feel for the people running and promoting these races. It's cruel. They have nothing to tell their customers.

But, for the time being, nothing's changed from my stand point. Until they tell me to stop, The 2008 ChampCar season and the three Canadian dates are green and go. And I will cover them best I can while not really knowing what the heck is going on!

COMING UP: Sunday February 24th, 2008
Ryan Newman, winner of the 50th anniversary Daytona 500… and 17 year old Canadian racing phenom Daniel Morad.

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