I don't know how many of you have visited the Inside Track Motorsport News FACEBOOK group, but I highly recommend it.
Group member John C. Bassett has access to some amazing videos and he's posted several on the site (thanks John!!). Have a look at the one for a piece promoting the late Dale Earnhardt prior to an outing in an ASA race at Cayuga Speedway. Looks like it's filmed on top of the old Molson plant at the foot of Bathurst St.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Shaw Motorsports November Newsletter
Click on the image for a full-size version of the Shaw Motorsports team newsletter for November 2007.
2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship odds
A Vegas-based betting company has offered its odds as to who will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion in 2008.If they're right, it's a two-man race between the usual suspects. Do you think they're right?
From Micah Roberts // Station Casinos:
"Jimmie Johnson and Jeff Gordon find themselves at the top again favored at 4 to 1 and 9 to 2 respectively to win the Championship. The Hendrick teammates were equally consistent using the "Car of Tomorrow" and the "Car of Yesterday" last season. No other team was close from start to finish on the season. Because the Hendrick team appeared to have such an edge in the COT last season, and the fact they'll be using the model for all 36 races this season, the question of the season will be, "Who can compete in the COT with Johnson and Gordon?"
To win 2008 Sprint Cup title...
Jimmie Johnson 4/1
Jeff Gordon 9/2
Matt Kenseth 8/1
Dale Earnhardt Jr 8/1
Tony Stewart 10/1
Clint Bowyer 15/1
Carl Edwards 15/1
Kurt Busch 15/1
Martin Truex Jr 17/1
Denny Hamlin 20/1
Kyle Busch 22/1
Kevin Harvick 22/1
Jeff Burton 25/1
Casey Mears 28/1
Greg Biffle 35/1
Ryan Newman 35/1
Kasey Kahne 38/1
Jamie McMurray 50/1
J.P. Montoya 75/1
Field - All Others 50/1
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About The Daytona 500
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Everyone knows the Daytona 500 is NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race. And everyone knows that the upcoming historic 50th running of 'the Great American Race' is the most anticipated event in motorsports history. But, here are 10 things you probably didn't know about the Daytona 500:
1. In 1959, the inaugural Daytona 500 was run caution-free.
2 The 1967 Daytona 500 was the only NASCAR win for racing superstar Mario Andretti.
3. Tiny Lund won the 1963 Daytona 500 on one set of tires. His pit crew, the famous Wood Brothers known for their lightning-fast pit stops, did not have to change a single tire all day.
4. Paul Bass drove an Edsel convertible in the inaugural Daytona 500. It was the only appearance of an Edsel in NASCAR competition.
5. The 1974 Daytona 500 was actually the 'Daytona 450'. NASCAR cut the distance of their races by 10% in the early part of the season due to America's energy crisis.
6. In 1989 Darrell Waltrip finally won the Daytona 500 in his 17th attempt. He drove car number 17 that day and pitted in pit stall number 17.
7. Upon seeing the mammoth Daytona International Speedway for the first time, in preparation for the first Daytona 500, driver Jimmy Thompson said, "There have been other tracks that separated the men from the boy. This is the track that will separate the brave from the weak after the boys are gone."
8. Curtis Turner's 1967 Daytona 500 pole speed of 180.831 mph was the first time a NASCAR stock car had qualified at over 180 mph.
9. Loy Allen Jr. and Mike Skinner both won the pole for the Daytona 500 in their rookie seasons.
10. A total of six drivers have scored their first NASCAR Sprint Cup win in the Daytona 500. They are Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994) and Michael Waltrip (2001).
- From DIS PR
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Everyone knows the Daytona 500 is NASCAR's biggest, richest and most prestigious race. And everyone knows that the upcoming historic 50th running of 'the Great American Race' is the most anticipated event in motorsports history. But, here are 10 things you probably didn't know about the Daytona 500:
1. In 1959, the inaugural Daytona 500 was run caution-free.
2 The 1967 Daytona 500 was the only NASCAR win for racing superstar Mario Andretti.
3. Tiny Lund won the 1963 Daytona 500 on one set of tires. His pit crew, the famous Wood Brothers known for their lightning-fast pit stops, did not have to change a single tire all day.
4. Paul Bass drove an Edsel convertible in the inaugural Daytona 500. It was the only appearance of an Edsel in NASCAR competition.
5. The 1974 Daytona 500 was actually the 'Daytona 450'. NASCAR cut the distance of their races by 10% in the early part of the season due to America's energy crisis.
6. In 1989 Darrell Waltrip finally won the Daytona 500 in his 17th attempt. He drove car number 17 that day and pitted in pit stall number 17.
7. Upon seeing the mammoth Daytona International Speedway for the first time, in preparation for the first Daytona 500, driver Jimmy Thompson said, "There have been other tracks that separated the men from the boy. This is the track that will separate the brave from the weak after the boys are gone."
8. Curtis Turner's 1967 Daytona 500 pole speed of 180.831 mph was the first time a NASCAR stock car had qualified at over 180 mph.
9. Loy Allen Jr. and Mike Skinner both won the pole for the Daytona 500 in their rookie seasons.
10. A total of six drivers have scored their first NASCAR Sprint Cup win in the Daytona 500. They are Tiny Lund (1963), Mario Andretti (1967), Pete Hamilton (1970), Derrike Cope (1990), Sterling Marlin (1994) and Michael Waltrip (2001).
- From DIS PR
A1GP: Hinchcliffe's View from the Pits
With race wins in Formula BMW USA, the Star Mazda Championship and the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, not to mention 18 race starts for A1 team Canada in A1GP, Hinchcliffe's a veteran of countless television interviews and while he's already forged a reputation as a commentator on Eurosport covering the Champ Car World Series from the booth, his experiences reporting from the pits in Malaysia were another first for the versatile Canadian.
"I have to say it was really cool to get the opportunity," stated Hinchcliffe. "I'm grateful to A1GP for giving me the chance to help out. They knew I was going to be in Malaysia with A1 Team Canada but wouldn't be racing so they asked if I'd be interested in reporting from the pits and giving my insight when required on what it's like to race an A1GP car."
He continued; "Obviously it's a little different from what I do for the Champ Car commentaries when I'm in a booth and remote from the action but armed with things like timing screens. Last weekend it was a case of being live on the ground in pit-lane and trying to stay on top of what's happening on-track without the aid of monitors or people passing you pieces of information. It was certainly a bit different being there from that perspective and looking for the story but it was a lot of fun!"
One aspect of the weekend's work new to Hinchcliffe, despite his previous TV experience, was the opportunity to interview drivers he regularly competes against in A1GP. While initially a little strange for the Canadian, he felt having the racer's perspective gave him an added advantage in grilling his fellow racers for the cameras.
"I was probably able to get a bit more information out of the drivers when I interviewed them," James reflected. "In turn they were probably a little more candid with me and I think that's what the producers wanted as it makes for good TV. We obviously all know each other pretty well from competing against each other and hanging out together so the interviews were relaxed but informative. That said, it was tough for me not being in the car at the weekend but the TV gig kept me pretty busy and it certainly helped me expand my experience on that side of the business!"
While James worked the pits, A1 Team Canada fielded series rookie Robert Wickens at Sepang, the 18-year-old subsequently scoring the team's first podium and points in the Sprint race.
"We knew the first couple of events for Canada would be tough as the new team came together pretty late," said Hinchcliffe. "We did pretty well all things considered but we knew we'd benefit from the break between Brno and Sepang. The whole team, spearheaded by Simon Cayzer, did a lot of work on the car and we definitely showed up in Malaysia with a much stronger package. Robbie did a fantastic job all weekend, in particular with his qualifying effort for the Sprint race. He really deserved that podium and I'm happy we've now got points on the board and a platform to build on."
Photo Credit: 'Hinchcliffe interviewing Canadian team-mate Robert Wickens in Malaysia' - Jakob Ebrey Photography
Copyright-free A1 Team Canada images are available for download at http://www.a1gp-photo.com/can
From: A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
GO BIG RACING begins busy off-season at T.O. motorcycle show
(Toronto, ON) Coming off a very successful 2007 season that saw Go Big Racing�s Paul Glenn (Keene, ON) power his Summit Gearworks/Infinet Designs Suzuki GSXR 600 to the International Motorcycle Supershow Amateur 600 Sport Bike Class Canadian Championship and Ross Millson's (Hamilton, ON) strong 3rd place finish in the HJC Rookie of the Year Standings in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, the team confirmed this week that they will be in attendance at the Toronto Motorcycle Show, December 7th to 9th at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (South Building).
It will be a busy weekend for Go Big Racing with the team splitting time between the Mosport International Raceway booth (booth #2450) and the Inside Motorcycle Winners Circle.
After a successful partnership at last year�s Toronto Motorcycle Show, Go Big Racing is proud to once again share space with a first class supporter of motorcycle racing in Canada. Go Big Racing will display at least two of their Summit Gearworks/Infinet Designs Suzukis at the booth and will be on hand to speak with fans and sign autographs.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with Mosport again this year," commented Millson. "Both Paul and I enjoy racing at Mosport during the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and are looking forward to getting back there for their 2008 stop on the Parts Canada Superbike Championship schedule."
The Parts Canada Superbike Championship weekend at Mosport International Raceway is tentatively scheduled for July 18-20, 2008.
In addition to their work at the Mosport booth, Paul Glenn's International Motorcycle Supershow AM 600 Championship winning Suzuki will be on display at the Inside Motorcycles Winner Circle along with many other Championship winning machines. Glenn will be available throughout the weekend to sign autographs and speak with fans.
Go Big Racing will also be making an appearance at the BBRV Full Throttle Celebrity Stage and Lounge. Hosted by Frank Wood (race announcer for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship), the Celebrity Stage, will be set in a late night talk show theme and have a mix of interviews, fashion shows, racing personalities and presentations.
"Go Big Racing is excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the BBRV Full Throttle Celebrity stage," noted Glenn. "We are hopefully going to hit on our racing on both sides of the border in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and the SunTrust Moto-ST Series during our time on stage with Frank!"
For information on the Toronto Motorcycle Show visit http://www.sportsmensshows.com/.
Visit: http://www.gobigracing.ca/. for additional information and to learn more about the sponsors that support the team, including Suzuki, Summit Gearworks, Infinet Designs, Ready Fastener, Turn 2 Sportbike Rentals, Mimic Industries, Ultimate Cycle, Bickle Tire Warmers, Accelerated Technologies, Bagshaw Performance Inc., MotorcycleCourse.com, JD Graphics and Corner 2 Racing.
From Paul Glenn, Go BIG Racing
It will be a busy weekend for Go Big Racing with the team splitting time between the Mosport International Raceway booth (booth #2450) and the Inside Motorcycle Winners Circle.
After a successful partnership at last year�s Toronto Motorcycle Show, Go Big Racing is proud to once again share space with a first class supporter of motorcycle racing in Canada. Go Big Racing will display at least two of their Summit Gearworks/Infinet Designs Suzukis at the booth and will be on hand to speak with fans and sign autographs.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with Mosport again this year," commented Millson. "Both Paul and I enjoy racing at Mosport during the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and are looking forward to getting back there for their 2008 stop on the Parts Canada Superbike Championship schedule."
The Parts Canada Superbike Championship weekend at Mosport International Raceway is tentatively scheduled for July 18-20, 2008.
In addition to their work at the Mosport booth, Paul Glenn's International Motorcycle Supershow AM 600 Championship winning Suzuki will be on display at the Inside Motorcycles Winner Circle along with many other Championship winning machines. Glenn will be available throughout the weekend to sign autographs and speak with fans.
Go Big Racing will also be making an appearance at the BBRV Full Throttle Celebrity Stage and Lounge. Hosted by Frank Wood (race announcer for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship), the Celebrity Stage, will be set in a late night talk show theme and have a mix of interviews, fashion shows, racing personalities and presentations.
"Go Big Racing is excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the BBRV Full Throttle Celebrity stage," noted Glenn. "We are hopefully going to hit on our racing on both sides of the border in the Parts Canada Superbike Championship and the SunTrust Moto-ST Series during our time on stage with Frank!"
For information on the Toronto Motorcycle Show visit http://www.sportsmensshows.com/.
Visit: http://www.gobigracing.ca/. for additional information and to learn more about the sponsors that support the team, including Suzuki, Summit Gearworks, Infinet Designs, Ready Fastener, Turn 2 Sportbike Rentals, Mimic Industries, Ultimate Cycle, Bickle Tire Warmers, Accelerated Technologies, Bagshaw Performance Inc., MotorcycleCourse.com, JD Graphics and Corner 2 Racing.
From Paul Glenn, Go BIG Racing
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Grand-Am KONI Challenge: Travis Walker returns to Compass360 Racing
Toronto, Canada -- Travis Walker returns for his third full season in a Grand Am KONI Challenge Acura in 2008, joining Karl Thomson at the helm of Compass360's #76 TSX.
"I'm thrilled that Travis will join me driving our championship- winning #76 TSX in 2008," enthused Thomson. "He's been a real team player and has always been at the top of the time sheets at every event over the past two years, so we're expecting more of the same this season." Thomson continued, "I think Travis is one of the great young talents in the Grand Am paddock, and I'm looking forward to seeing him deliver the season-long results that will have us in the championship hunt. And it'd be great to win a few more races along the way!"
Walker, who was voted Inside Track Magazine's "Up and Coming Road Racer of the Year" in 2006, is no stranger to the team. In fact, his strong KONI results with them in 2005 and 2006 led to his 2007 run in a Blackforest GS-class Mustang. "I am excited to be back with Ray, Karl and the Compass360 crew and to be part of their future. I know our Acura will be a front runner and I look forward to achieving some great results for the team," said Walker.
Walker's had great success since his start in karting. He won the Canadian Grand National Karting Championship in two classes and competed in the Ron Fellows Sunoco Karting Championship. In his first year racing cars he became the youngest driver, at age 17, to ever win a Honda Michelin series race in the series' 17-year history. The following year he was a top runner in the FAQ Hankook series in a Ray Lee-prepared RSX and also finished third in his first Grand Am race.
Crew Chief Lee looks forward to working with Walker again. "Travis has got great natural talent," Lee noted. "Amazing innate car feel, and he's good a communicating what the car's doing at its limit. I'm glad he's back with our team after his run in the Mustang!"
The Compass360 team (which competed under the Kensai Racing with Compass360 moniker for the past two seasons) begins its fifth consecutive Grand Am season in 2008. The team fielded BMW Z3 entries in 2004 and 2005, winning the VIR race in '05 and bringing the Manufacturer's Championship to BMW. In 2006 and 2007, teamed with Kensai, they switched to Acuras, rewarding that manufacturer with the Championship twice in succession, taking four wins in 2007, placing second in the driver's and team Championships.
Compass360 Racing is the motorsports division of Compass360 Design + Advertising, a firm offering branding expertise to clients in diverse industries across North America. For details visit http:// www.compass360.com/racing or email racing at compass360 dot com.
PR inquiries about the Compass360 Racing team should be directed to Team Principal Karl Thomson at (416) 465-2299 x21 or email karlt at compass360 dot com // Details on Travis Walker can be found at http://www.traviswalker.ca // Photo credit: Wes Duenkel. Reproduction rights granted.
INDYCAR: Jay Howard joins Roth Racing
2006 Indy Pro Series champion Jay Howard will join veteran owner/driver Marty Roth to form a two-car IndyCar Series team for the 16-race schedule. Roth Racing is the first to capitalize on the TEAM (Team Enhancement and Allocation Matrix) program instituted for IndyCar Series teams. Each full-time participant is guaranteed $1.2 million, and major sponsorship for Roth Racing will be announced soon.
"To say I'm happy is an understatement," said Howard, who had two victories and 13 top-10 finishes in 14 Indy Pro Series starts in 2006-07. "Since the age of 7 when I got in a go-kart all I ever wanted to do was be a professional race car driver. It's come true, so it's pretty special for me."
Howard, 26, will join reigning Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd (Target Chip Ganassi Racing) and '07 runner-up Hideki Mutoh (Andretti Green Racing) in moving up for '08. He competed in three races for first-year entrant SpeedWorks the season opener on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval and on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. -- but otherwise was seeking an IndyCar Series ride.
"I thought I had a deal in IndyCar for just the road courses, but that fell apart," Howard said. "I sat there thinking, 'What am I going to do?' It was too late to get an IPS drive. After that, I said I've got to use my time the best I can. I have to benefit by not being in the car. I wanted to show I'm still hungry for it and will never give up."
Roth, another Indy Pro Series graduate, has nine IndyCar Series starts. He advanced seven positions to finish 14th in the '07 finale at Chicagoland Speedway in his last race. The team recently moved its Indianapolis operation to the former Tony Stewart Racing facility and hired veteran race engineer David Cripps to lead that department.
"These partial seasons are very difficult and we focused our efforts this year on marketing and building the team from that standpoint rather than running around the track," Roth said. "Since Indy, we've been developing a plan to expand and go with a two-car program because they are just so much stronger as far as team performance. Jay Howard was just a natural fit; I love his driving style.
"When you have two cars running, you gather a lot of information but the cars have to be set up right. When you're in the IndyCar Series, you have to have a good engineer. With David Cripps and a few others we hope to (hire), I think we will have a strong package for next year."
Howard said any negotiations were dispensed with during one brief phone conversation.
"Marty called me and asked me if I was interested. I said yes and he said, 'OK, if anyone asks, tell them you're driving with Marty Roth from now on.' OK, it's as simple as that," Howard said. "Everyone is just pushing forward. I couldn't have asked to walk into a better situation. Marty definitely is a man of his word and he definitely is 110 percent into this.
"It might take a year for everyone to sort of settle in and me get more experience with things like pit stops, but I've been training unbelievably hard. I'm really fired up.
I'm really going to be pushing hard. I'll be pretty disappointed if I'm not in the top five at St. Pete."
"To say I'm happy is an understatement," said Howard, who had two victories and 13 top-10 finishes in 14 Indy Pro Series starts in 2006-07. "Since the age of 7 when I got in a go-kart all I ever wanted to do was be a professional race car driver. It's come true, so it's pretty special for me."
Howard, 26, will join reigning Indy Pro Series champion Alex Lloyd (Target Chip Ganassi Racing) and '07 runner-up Hideki Mutoh (Andretti Green Racing) in moving up for '08. He competed in three races for first-year entrant SpeedWorks the season opener on the Homestead-Miami Speedway oval and on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla. -- but otherwise was seeking an IndyCar Series ride.
"I thought I had a deal in IndyCar for just the road courses, but that fell apart," Howard said. "I sat there thinking, 'What am I going to do?' It was too late to get an IPS drive. After that, I said I've got to use my time the best I can. I have to benefit by not being in the car. I wanted to show I'm still hungry for it and will never give up."
Roth, another Indy Pro Series graduate, has nine IndyCar Series starts. He advanced seven positions to finish 14th in the '07 finale at Chicagoland Speedway in his last race. The team recently moved its Indianapolis operation to the former Tony Stewart Racing facility and hired veteran race engineer David Cripps to lead that department.
"These partial seasons are very difficult and we focused our efforts this year on marketing and building the team from that standpoint rather than running around the track," Roth said. "Since Indy, we've been developing a plan to expand and go with a two-car program because they are just so much stronger as far as team performance. Jay Howard was just a natural fit; I love his driving style.
"When you have two cars running, you gather a lot of information but the cars have to be set up right. When you're in the IndyCar Series, you have to have a good engineer. With David Cripps and a few others we hope to (hire), I think we will have a strong package for next year."
Howard said any negotiations were dispensed with during one brief phone conversation.
"Marty called me and asked me if I was interested. I said yes and he said, 'OK, if anyone asks, tell them you're driving with Marty Roth from now on.' OK, it's as simple as that," Howard said. "Everyone is just pushing forward. I couldn't have asked to walk into a better situation. Marty definitely is a man of his word and he definitely is 110 percent into this.
"It might take a year for everyone to sort of settle in and me get more experience with things like pit stops, but I've been training unbelievably hard. I'm really fired up.
I'm really going to be pushing hard. I'll be pretty disappointed if I'm not in the top five at St. Pete."
Raceline Radio: Nov. 25 show podcast located at the Team 1040 in Vancouver
Did you miss the Raceline Radio show the other night?
Luckily for you, the Team 1040 in Vancouver is podcasting the show at this link.
The show features news and a lengthy discussion with NASCAR Nextel Cup champ Jimmie Johnson.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Mosport Can-Am: Vinegaroon To Run At Mosport
Stephani has been racing since the early seventies and was Chicago Region Driver of the Year in 1972. He was the Formula Vee Central Division National Champion in 1979. and Rocky Mountain Division National Formula Vee Champion in: 1977;1979;1988;1989;1996 and 1997. He holds track records at Blackhawk, Waterford Hills, and Watkins Glen. Since acquiring the Vinegaroon he has competed with it extensively all over North America. He has previously raced the Vinegaroon at Mosport in 2006 and is enthusiastically looking forward to returning for the Can-Am Feature at the VARAC Vintage Festival June 20-22, 2008.
Stephani joins the growing list of drivers who are enthusiastic about the opportunity to return the Can-Am Thunder to Mosport. Don�t miss this opportunity to be part of a great weekend at a track that hosted more Can-Am races than any other, see you there!
From Bob Harrington // http://www.harringtonphoto.ca/
A1GP: Canadian Robert Wickens Q&A
Living up to his billing as one of the country's most promising open-wheel racing talents, the 18-year-old delivered Canada's first points of the campaign with a third place podium finish in the Sprint race before an early retirement in the Feature cut short the team's hopes of a second points scoring finish.
An eventful A1GP race debut saw Wickens initially finish fourth in the Sprint but Germany's exclusion from third, following a late stewards decision, awarded the final podium placing to the Canadian. It was a richly deserved result for the rookie having qualified fifth and held third on merit for most of the race. The afternoon's Feature race proved no-less dramatic with Wickens spun at the first turn before retiring seven laps later having been fortunate to avoid a massive collision with South Africa's Adrian Zaugg.
Back from Malaysia, Robert took time out to reflect on an impressive and dramatic A1GP debut:
Q: You're the first Canadian driver to score a podium on your A1GP debut - what does that mean to you?
Robert Wickens (RW): "I think it's really cool! It's a bit unfortunate that I didn't get to go up onto the podium like I deserved to at the time but it's still a great result to have on paper. It's great to get Canada on the board with some points and even better that it's off the back of a top-three finish."
Q: Were you expecting such a strong start to your A1GP career?
RW: "To be honest I was definitely expecting points. We were quick in practice but I know we left a bit on the table from both myself and the basic handling of the car. I knew we had the potential to break into the top five and that's where we qualified for the Sprint.
"I made a great start in that race, we very nearly had second place after the first turn, and from there it was a case of trying to pace myself. The balance of the car really went off in the second half of the race so I found myself busy protecting my position."
Q: What was going through your mind after Germany barged past you on the final lap of the Sprint race?
RW: "Really at the moment it happened I was trying not to spin! Once I gathered the car up I was purely focused on holding on to fourth place through to the checkered. The suspension on the left-rear side had sustained some damage so it made for a pretty entertaining last lap as I fought to keep Brazil behind me."
Q: Does the added track time available in the 'Rookie-Only' session prove to be useful?
RW: "Well for me, this time around at least, it wasn't overly useful as I only completed four laps. That said even in that time I was able to get a feel for the track and get a visual on finding the limits. Unfortunately we had a problem with the steering rack and ultimately it cost us quite a bit of track time on the Friday morning."
Q: What were your expectations heading into the Feature race starting from 12th?
RW: "I certainly knew we had a car that was easily capable of reaching the points again. I knew that if we had a good couple of pit-stops and a decent race strategy then another top-five finish could have been achieved. I think we proved our pace on-track even after the first turn spin when China hit me from behind."
Q: You were flying through the field having been caught up in that turn one incident, how much reaction time did you then have when you saw Adrian Zaugg in the middle of the corner preceding your sudden retirement from the race?
RW: "Well I initially saw Zaugg off to the side as I was approaching the entry to the corner. I committed to the corner thinking everything was going to be fine but I don't know what went through his head as he started moving just as I was on the apex of the turn. We all know what followed after that!"
Q: Did you speak to Zaugg after the incident?
RW: "I didn't and I'm not the kind of driver who'll go up to another driver and start yelling either. He knew I was disappointed so I just left it at that."
Q: There was a lot of talk about driving standards at the weekend - what was your impression as a rookie to A1GP?
RW: "Well obviously I wasn't impressed with the incidents I found myself caught up in! There's no doubt that there's some great racing in A1GP and it makes for a good show at the end of the day which isn't always the case elsewhere."
Q: Overall you must have been happy with the progress made by the team - what areas in particular do you feel are working well now?
RW: "I think the overall efficiency of the team is working better now than it was before. There's a lot more chemistry there now that everyone's had the chance to work together for a bit longer, not forgetting that the squad was completely new at the start of the season. The atmosphere in the garage was really positive throughout the weekend and I think it was reflected in the performances."
Q: What do you think we can expect from A1 Team Canada throughout the rest of the season?
RW: "You'll see Canada growing stronger and stronger I believe. If we can maintain this level of improvement I wouldn't be surprised if you see us gunning for regular top-five's and podiums. We're definitely making our way towards the front of the field and I would have thought in the second-half of the season we'll be up there challenging consistently for podiums and hopefully a victory with some luck on our side!"
The 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport continues with Round 4 hosted at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China, Friday 14th - Sunday 16th December - www.a1gp.com
Photo Credit: 'Robert Wickens in action for A1 Team Canada' - Jakob Ebrey Photography
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
Something tells me my wife wouldn't mind attending this racing-related affair....
(editor's note... Sorry for the ALL CAPS. That's the way the release arrived. I give thanks that my wife doesn't read this blog... I don't think she reads this blog. Nothing good ever comes of me being near a Tiffany & Co. store... - gm)
FROM: SPRINT NEXTEL & TIFFANY & CO.
2007 NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES™ CHAMPION JIMMIE JOHNSON, AND DRIVERS CLINT BOWYER, JEFF BURTON, KURT BUSCH, KYLE BUSCH, CARL EDWARDS, JEFF GORDON, DENNY HAMLIN, KEVIN HARVICK, JUAN PABLO MONTOYA AND MARTIN TRUEX JR. WILL BE JOINED BY TELEVISION STARS KRISTEN BELL & ALI LARTER AT TIFFANY & CO. (727 FIFTH AVENUE AT 57th STREET) ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH AT 7PM TO CELEBRATE THE END OF ANOTHER RECORD CHASE FOR THE NEXTEL CUP....
AS THE MANUFACTURER OF THE NEXTEL CUP TROPHY, TIFFANY & CO. IS HOSTING THIS INTIMATE COCKTAIL PARTY FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW AS PART OF THE NEXTEL CUP SERIES CHAMPIONS WEEK IN NEW YORK, WHEN THE SPORT’S BRIGHTEST STARS ALIGHT ON THE CITY.
etc., etc....
Dodge Charger to race in NASCAR Sprint Cup in '08
(editor's note: Not sure how this impacts the Dodges on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. However, through their history they have branded their cars (in CASCAR and NCATS) based on what happens on NASCAR's top circuit (Winston Cup, Nextel Cup, etc.) Last season, Dodge campaigned both the Charger and the new Avenger on the NCATS tour. - gm)
From Dodge....
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (November 28, 2007) -- Dodge today confirmed that it will race the Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 and beyond, continuing to add to its rich NASCAR tradition.
Dodge, which has a storied heritage in auto racing with the Charger, has elected to continue the winning tradition that legends David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard Petty established in the 1970s by designating the Charger as the nameplate Dodge teams will use in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next year.
"Racing is the core of Dodge's DNA," said Michael Accavitti, Director -- Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing. "Dodge has a racing heritage that spans many different nameplates and models, and the Charger is the cornerstone of that heritage. When NASCAR originally announced the phase-in plan for the "car of tomorrow", it made sense for Dodge to race the Charger and Avenger. When the decision was made to race only one car next year, we talked with our partners, the more than 2,500 Dodge Dealers across the country, and they expressed overwhelming support for Dodge to continue its motorsports heritage with the Charger nameplate. NASCAR rules permit Dodge to use either nameplate in 2008.
"Since 2001 when Dodge returned to NASCAR, the goal has been to win races and ultimately the championship. Those goals have been accomplished with the Charger previously and we are committed to make it happen again."
The 2008 Dodge Charger lineup will feature five teams with 12 drivers that are a mixture of seasoned veterans, experienced young talent and champions from other racing series that are newcomers to NASCAR.
Dodge Charger Racing Heritage
The Dodge Charger has recorded 136 wins in NASCAR's premier series with 124 coming during an 11-year span, 1966-1977. Three drivers -- Pearson, Isaac and Petty (3) -- combined for five championships during that period driving a Charger.
After an absence of almost 30 years, Dodge returned to NASCAR competition in 2001 with the Charger returning to the track in 2005.
From Dodge....
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (November 28, 2007) -- Dodge today confirmed that it will race the Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2008 and beyond, continuing to add to its rich NASCAR tradition.
Dodge, which has a storied heritage in auto racing with the Charger, has elected to continue the winning tradition that legends David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and Richard Petty established in the 1970s by designating the Charger as the nameplate Dodge teams will use in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series next year.
"Racing is the core of Dodge's DNA," said Michael Accavitti, Director -- Dodge Brand and SRT Global Marketing. "Dodge has a racing heritage that spans many different nameplates and models, and the Charger is the cornerstone of that heritage. When NASCAR originally announced the phase-in plan for the "car of tomorrow", it made sense for Dodge to race the Charger and Avenger. When the decision was made to race only one car next year, we talked with our partners, the more than 2,500 Dodge Dealers across the country, and they expressed overwhelming support for Dodge to continue its motorsports heritage with the Charger nameplate. NASCAR rules permit Dodge to use either nameplate in 2008.
"Since 2001 when Dodge returned to NASCAR, the goal has been to win races and ultimately the championship. Those goals have been accomplished with the Charger previously and we are committed to make it happen again."
The 2008 Dodge Charger lineup will feature five teams with 12 drivers that are a mixture of seasoned veterans, experienced young talent and champions from other racing series that are newcomers to NASCAR.
Dodge Charger Racing Heritage
The Dodge Charger has recorded 136 wins in NASCAR's premier series with 124 coming during an 11-year span, 1966-1977. Three drivers -- Pearson, Isaac and Petty (3) -- combined for five championships during that period driving a Charger.
After an absence of almost 30 years, Dodge returned to NASCAR competition in 2001 with the Charger returning to the track in 2005.
Inside Track Wednesday Notebook (Nov. 28, 2007)
Two more Geico insurance videos of Mike Wallace's cousin. This kid should have a TV show.
If that racing thing doesn't work out.... Helio Castoneves won the Dancing with the Stars competition last night....
Barrie Speedway will host its drivers' meeting this Sunday (Dec. 2) at the Barrie Golf & Country Club....
Sunset Speedway's drivers' meeting will go on Sunday (Dec. 2) at the Stroud Arena. The Sunset main page also includes the sad note: "...Ken Shakell, original owner and creator of Sunset Speedway, passed away peacefully in the early hours of November 12, 2007."
Tickets are going fast for the Brighton Speedway banquet, to be held January 11 in Trenton...
Capital City Speedway posted some information about its year-end banquet, held this past Saturday...
Edmonton Int'l Raceway held its year-end banquet. Visit their site to see all the news, as well as some photos and YouTube videos from the affair.
Delaware Speedway recently updated its rules package....
Flamboro Speedway's Late Model drivers' meeting takes place Dec. 15. Click here for details...
Merrittville's banquet takes place this coming Saturday...
New Brunswick Int'l Speedway currently has its season passes for sale (until Jan. 7). The NBIS rules meeting is scheduled for Dec. 9....
There is lots of news on the Auto Clearing Motor Speedway main page, including the newest additions to the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association 'History Wall'...
Nextel Cup champ Jimmie Johnson to race in the Rolex 24
MOORESVILLE, N.C. - Two-time Nextel Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson, defending Grand-Am Rolex Series champion GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing and Lowe's Home Improvement will join forces for the 46th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 26-27.
Johnson will co-drive with defending Daytona Prototype champions Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, plus 1996 Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser in the No. 99 Lowe's/GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac-Riley in America's premiere sports car race.
"This is going to be a lot of fun," Johnson said. "I really want to win the Rolex 24 and have tried a couple of times. I think joining this team will give me the best shot ever. What these guys were able to do last season was amazing. I have nothing but the highest respect for this team, drivers and the Rolex Series and hope I can celebrate with them when we roll the Lowe's/GAINSCO car into victory lane. "
The team began testing on Nov. 14 at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the race. Fogarty and Gurney won the pole at this race in 2006 then went on to win the July race at Daytona and the series championship. Team owner Bob Stallings is anxious to begin defending his team's 2007 championship title.
"We plan to take on all comers and there's no better place to start than at the world's most prestigious endurance race," Stallings said. "Jimmie is not only a great driver, but a terrific guy, and I'm especially thrilled that he's joining the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing family. I believe that, with this incredible lineup, we have more than a fair chance of capturing one of the most elite titles in motorsports winners of the Rolex 24 at Daytona."
Johnson, 32, earned his second NASCAR Nextel Cup title in 2007 capping a season that saw him earn 10 victories for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson owns 33 NEXTEL Cup victories – the 18th most of any driver. The El Cajon, Calif. native has competed three times in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He finished second in 2005 and 28th in 2004 driving for Howard-Boss Motorsports and 36th for the Riley-Matthews team last year.
"I have said this before and don't mind telling everyone again. One of the coolest things I have ever done in my career is watching the sun come up over the Daytona International Speedway at daybreak from behind the wheel of a prototype. That was such a beautiful sight and such a peaceful, cool feeling. I'm going to make sure I am in the car when the sun comes up this year."
The normally red painted No. 99 will also carry the blue and silver Lowe's paint scheme similar to paint scheme Johnson drives each weekend in Nextel Cup racing. The team will participate in the traditional three-day Rolex 24 test on Jan. 4-6.
"At our November test the car was really amazing. I could run within a tenth of a second of the best times and through the infield, we were great. This will be a fun weekend, but we are taking this very seriously. I want the trophy."
Bob Gfeller, senior vice president of marketing and advertising at Lowe's, said Johnson's appearance in the sports car race marks the third consecutive year a Lowe's car will compete on the road course in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
"We are very pleased to be part of this race once again," Gfeller said. "Everyone knows of our involvement and success in NASCAR and in recent history we have also taken an active role in sports car racing. Our customers and employees love all types of racing and we feel proud to have a place in this exciting event, and to have this opportunity to support Jimmie in his quest for another win."
From Drew Brown
Johnson will co-drive with defending Daytona Prototype champions Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty, plus 1996 Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser in the No. 99 Lowe's/GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac-Riley in America's premiere sports car race.
"This is going to be a lot of fun," Johnson said. "I really want to win the Rolex 24 and have tried a couple of times. I think joining this team will give me the best shot ever. What these guys were able to do last season was amazing. I have nothing but the highest respect for this team, drivers and the Rolex Series and hope I can celebrate with them when we roll the Lowe's/GAINSCO car into victory lane. "
The team began testing on Nov. 14 at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the race. Fogarty and Gurney won the pole at this race in 2006 then went on to win the July race at Daytona and the series championship. Team owner Bob Stallings is anxious to begin defending his team's 2007 championship title.
"We plan to take on all comers and there's no better place to start than at the world's most prestigious endurance race," Stallings said. "Jimmie is not only a great driver, but a terrific guy, and I'm especially thrilled that he's joining the GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing family. I believe that, with this incredible lineup, we have more than a fair chance of capturing one of the most elite titles in motorsports winners of the Rolex 24 at Daytona."
Johnson, 32, earned his second NASCAR Nextel Cup title in 2007 capping a season that saw him earn 10 victories for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson owns 33 NEXTEL Cup victories – the 18th most of any driver. The El Cajon, Calif. native has competed three times in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. He finished second in 2005 and 28th in 2004 driving for Howard-Boss Motorsports and 36th for the Riley-Matthews team last year.
"I have said this before and don't mind telling everyone again. One of the coolest things I have ever done in my career is watching the sun come up over the Daytona International Speedway at daybreak from behind the wheel of a prototype. That was such a beautiful sight and such a peaceful, cool feeling. I'm going to make sure I am in the car when the sun comes up this year."
The normally red painted No. 99 will also carry the blue and silver Lowe's paint scheme similar to paint scheme Johnson drives each weekend in Nextel Cup racing. The team will participate in the traditional three-day Rolex 24 test on Jan. 4-6.
"At our November test the car was really amazing. I could run within a tenth of a second of the best times and through the infield, we were great. This will be a fun weekend, but we are taking this very seriously. I want the trophy."
Bob Gfeller, senior vice president of marketing and advertising at Lowe's, said Johnson's appearance in the sports car race marks the third consecutive year a Lowe's car will compete on the road course in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
"We are very pleased to be part of this race once again," Gfeller said. "Everyone knows of our involvement and success in NASCAR and in recent history we have also taken an active role in sports car racing. Our customers and employees love all types of racing and we feel proud to have a place in this exciting event, and to have this opportunity to support Jimmie in his quest for another win."
From Drew Brown
Press release on Maritime racing hopeful Michael Broderick
From Kimberley L. Powell
MAKE WAY FOR MICHAEL BRODERICK!
There’s no debating that 16 year old Michael Broderick is a driven, young man. Born in Sydney Nova Scotia, Michael now resides in Moncton, New Brunswick where he is anxious to show the world what his family members already know: this kid can drive a race car!
Driving the #3 in the Thundercat Series, this Bernice MacNaughton High School Student’s first taste of stock car racing earned him eight top-ten finishes & eighth in the overall points standings. Scoring a ninth place finish in the season opener, the 2007 calendar year presented Michael with the tremendous opportunirty to further enhance his driving abilities, gain valuable seat time & prove to the racing world that he’s a talented young race car driver who’s ready to take his racing career to the next level.
With future aspirations of driving in the NASCAR Busch Series (NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008), Michael hopes to attract the attention of team owners looking to sign a young Canadian with a strong desire to be a competitive driver & a positive spokesperson for the sport.
The entire Broderick team wishes to thank BarnYard BBQ for their financial support throughout the 2007 race season. The team is, however, actively seeking sponsor support to help continue the growth & development of a competitive race team for the 2008 race season. Any financial support from local business merchants would be warmly welcomed.
Michael’s greatest supporters are his family members. Whether it was hard at work in the pits or offering Michael words of encouragement, Michael’s family always managed to keep team spirit high in the #3 BarnYard BBQ pit.
If you haven’t heard of the name Michael Broderick, let me assure you that you will by the end of 2008. Coupled with his eagerness to learn & his strong devotion to the sport, the stage is set for an exciting 2008 race season. With one season already under his belt, fans have plenty to look forward to as Michael looks to contend for a championship in the Thundercat Series.
Be sure to check back for future updates on Michaels’s progress throughout the entire 2008 race season. If you require further Information on Michael Broderick or for driving/development opportunities please contact: Kimberley L. Powell // Phone: 905-718-2046 // E-mail: kim_powell2002@yahoo.ca
MAKE WAY FOR MICHAEL BRODERICK!
There’s no debating that 16 year old Michael Broderick is a driven, young man. Born in Sydney Nova Scotia, Michael now resides in Moncton, New Brunswick where he is anxious to show the world what his family members already know: this kid can drive a race car!
Driving the #3 in the Thundercat Series, this Bernice MacNaughton High School Student’s first taste of stock car racing earned him eight top-ten finishes & eighth in the overall points standings. Scoring a ninth place finish in the season opener, the 2007 calendar year presented Michael with the tremendous opportunirty to further enhance his driving abilities, gain valuable seat time & prove to the racing world that he’s a talented young race car driver who’s ready to take his racing career to the next level.
With future aspirations of driving in the NASCAR Busch Series (NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2008), Michael hopes to attract the attention of team owners looking to sign a young Canadian with a strong desire to be a competitive driver & a positive spokesperson for the sport.
The entire Broderick team wishes to thank BarnYard BBQ for their financial support throughout the 2007 race season. The team is, however, actively seeking sponsor support to help continue the growth & development of a competitive race team for the 2008 race season. Any financial support from local business merchants would be warmly welcomed.
Michael’s greatest supporters are his family members. Whether it was hard at work in the pits or offering Michael words of encouragement, Michael’s family always managed to keep team spirit high in the #3 BarnYard BBQ pit.
If you haven’t heard of the name Michael Broderick, let me assure you that you will by the end of 2008. Coupled with his eagerness to learn & his strong devotion to the sport, the stage is set for an exciting 2008 race season. With one season already under his belt, fans have plenty to look forward to as Michael looks to contend for a championship in the Thundercat Series.
Be sure to check back for future updates on Michaels’s progress throughout the entire 2008 race season. If you require further Information on Michael Broderick or for driving/development opportunities please contact: Kimberley L. Powell // Phone: 905-718-2046 // E-mail: kim_powell2002@yahoo.ca
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Rick at the Races #19 (1981)... by Rick Young
PIC 2 My Austin A60 Camebridge
PIC 3 As I look out over the city of Athens ( Greece) there's not a race car in sight . (March 1981)
PIC 4 Colin Herridge works on Bill West # 39 car at Brafield
PIC 5 Some of the gang that traveled down to Ringwood with the Bill West # 39 team.
PIC 6 Tim Warwick # 478 in his Frankie Wainman 'rent car' at Ringwood
PIC 8 Frankie Wainman # 212 on the Grand Parade lap at Ringwood
PIC 9 A mobile advertizement for the 81 Baarlo World Final
PIC 10 Willy Neiling # 48 on his Victory Lap following his 1981 Long Tack W/F win at Baarlo
PIC 11 Willy Neiling # 48 in Victory Lane following his 1981 Long Track W/F win at Baarlo.
PIC 12 Having fun on the trip to the 1981 BriSCA F1 World Final at Bradford
PIC 13 Warren McIntyre # NZ 1 at the 1981 BriSCA F1 World Final at Bradford
PIC 14 Jim McClure # USA 3 at the 1981 BriSCA F1 World Final at Bradford
PIC 15 Colin Herridge and me looking over the Isle of Man reps car at the 1981 Brafield F2 World Final
PIC 16 David Bunt # 595 defending champion with his gold roof at the 1981 BriSCA F2 World Final.
PIC 17 Bill Batten # 667 was the winner of the 1981 BriSCA F2 World Final at Brafield
PIC 18 Len Wolfenden # 190 was the winner of the 1981 BriSCA F1 World Final at Bradford
Words and Photos by Rick Young
1981 was a year when there were many changes to my life, but before I continue, I first have to mention an event I attended in late 1980 ( December 28 to be precise) that almost slipped through my memory net . My local Brafield track held it's first ever ( and only , I believe) RallyCross . They utilized part of the centre green with a link to a dirt track made in the spectator parking field. A section of the perimeter fence had been removed to join the two sections.
While preparing this report, I couldn't remember who won, but after a quick e-mail message to my buddy Colin Herridge he confirmed that the winner was # 2 Trevor Hopkins in a 1840cc Ford Fiesta.
Time to digress... I hope my North America readers don't confuse this type of event with the US style of RallyCross where the cars race 'one at a time' against the clock. European RallyCross is 'real' racing, 'wheel to wheel' , usually with four cars in four lap races.
I'll also take this opportunity to mention that in 2006 , what is believed to be the first Euro Style RallyCross in the USA took place at the Glad Rag track near Saratoga Springs NY. After a suggestion that was made to a group of ice racers , Mike Kamm of the AMEC club put the event together. It was a great success and another event followed shortly.
Back to 1981
One of the first changes of the year was my car. During the winter I got rid of my Ford Capri and bought a modest 1966 Austin A60 Cambridge from my sister Anne's father in law. He had owned it from new and it had very low mileage.
The week before the BriSCA season got under way, Pat and I got married ( Mar 7) which was followed by a short honeymoon in Athens the capitol of Greece. We saw the Accropolis and toured the Greek Islands but saw no racing .
After working on the same trucking job on contract to a paper company in Dunstable for many years, I moved on, in an endeavor to earn a bit more cash. I went to work for another transportation company which specialized in a different type of work. Much of it meant 'hand bombing' loads of building bricks or sacks of animal feed from flat bed trailers, an ordeal which I soon began to hate. Every now and then I'd get lucky and do one of their better contracts, which involved hauling high security loads and would be accompanied by guards. I remember one such trip I did , via the Felixstowe to Rotterdam ferry to the Amsterdam docks. Once the containers had been safely loaded on to an awaiting ship, the other driver, myself, and the guards all sat down to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Diana on a TV in a Rotterdam bar.
Pat who was also in the transportation business ( she was the co-owner of a small trucking company specializing in loads from the UK to Italy when I met her ) started working for a company in Milton Keynes. She had the use of a Jaguar company car, so her Fiat X19 was sold.
Colin ( Herridge) and myself were still helping Bill West # 39 at the races , although most of the 1981 racing season , I didn't stray further than my local tracks of Coventry Brafield and Leiceseter. Pat and I had started looking to buy a house near the new city of Milton Keynes where there were better job prospects. We ended up buying a bungalow about a 25 minute's drive north of the city in the small village Maidford, Northants. Maidford is very close to Silverstone, where the world famous racing circuit is located. On race days you could hear the cars from our back yard. It was also quite near to the Brafield track and only a half-hour drive from Coventry.
To coincide with our move to Maidford, I changed jobs once more, and started driving for a company with a contract to the UK's leading Frozen Food store company of the time, from their cold store in Wolverton ( Milton Keynes).
The new house needed some work done on it, and my stock car buddies came to our assistance. Friends, Mick Coady, a BriSCA F2 driver and Kev Shambrook who drove a Spedeworth Superstox did the re-wiring. ( I learned that Kev sadly passed away in 2006) . Brian Bedford # 209 , my old friend from the mid 70's when I started my BriSCA F1 career did some of the plumbing. Actually Brian who used to live in Hemel Hempstead ( Herts) had also moved north and was now living in the nearby village of Weedon.
The Long Track F1 Stock Car World Final at Baarlo was scheduled early this year (Aug 8-9) but we still found time to make the trip to the Netherlands. The 1981 Championship went to Dutchman, Willy Neiling # 48 of Schinveld.
At the end of the month ( Aug 31) I was at Matchams Park , Ringwood for what I believe was the last BriSCA F1 meeting to be held there. Out on the track that day was my old friend Tim Warwick # 478 from Bedford who was renting a Frankie Wainman # 212 , 'hire car'. Wainman had started providing a service where budding racers could rent a BriSCA F1 stock car for the day. Many newcomers started in the sport this way, as it was a great way, prospective racers could see if they 'liked it' or 'not' before making an investment in their own car. After a long and successful career Frankie is retiring from the sport at the end of 2007 and his testimonial meeting was held at the Sheffield Stadium in November 2007. As for Tim, he was still racing a BriSCA F1 in 2007 and I met up with him at the Volusia Speedway. Florida in February when we were both there for the Speedweeks .
The 1981 BriSCA F1 World Final was held at the Odsal Stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire on September 12 and a group of us traveled up in a rented Ford Transit mini-bus. Although the old Beds & Herts club had been wound up, a former committee man Malcolm Burton organized the trip for a few of the former members. I remember a lot of beer was consumed on that journey, and in the Rugby Club bar at the track afterwards. One noteworthy fact concerning the race was the first inclusion of a New Zealand representative. Warren McIntyre # NZ1 was driving a Wainman car as was, Jim McClure # USA 3 from Saco, Maine, making his second appearance in the UK. Winner of the big race was Len Wolfenden # 190 from Nelson, Lancs.
The Superstox World Final was held at the Kaldenkirchen track in Germany and was won by Norfolk's (UK) Neil Bee # 482. I missed that one , but was at my local Brafield track in Northamptonshire for the BriSCA F2 World Final on September 20, which was won by Cornwall's Bill Batten.
Even with all those major changes in my life, I still managed to attend over forty race meetings in 1981.
1982 to follow....
ACT Releases 2008 Tour Schedule
WATERBURY, VT - A completely redesigned championship format will be used for the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model stock car racing season in 2008. A diverse slate of twelve events at seven speedways in the northeastern United States and Canada will comprise the schedule, while also giving race teams several options during the course of the April-to-September campaign.
The ACT driver and owner championships will be decided using the best ten results for each individual during the 12-race season, thus giving teams the benefit of dropping their two worst outings of the year. ACT President Tom Curley says that offering teams options like this will help raise the level of competition across the board.
"ACT - and the short track racing industry as a whole - is in a restructuring phase right now, and we are listening to what our racers are saying," Curley explained. "The times have changed, and we want to meet the current demands of our race teams and the fans that support them. We feel we have a schedule that is regionally attractive, but also one that does not require an overwhelming budget or too much weekly travel.
"With the 10-race championship decided in a 12-race season," Curley continued, "teams will, in a sense, not be penalized for a bad finish. Because we draw such huge fields of cars at tracks like Thunder Road, Oxford, Lee USA, White Mountain, and others, our drivers will not have to scramble and play 'catch-up' as much if they fail to qualify for an ACT race; they can drop their worst two events of the season. There are many scenarios that could develop, and there is the great potential for a very exciting point battle. We entertained the idea of a format similar to this last season, but felt that the timing was better for 2008. We are confident that our new schedule and format will be a favorite for both teams and fans."
The ACT Late Model Tour season kicks off at the high-banked, 3/8-mile Lee USA Speedway on the New Hampshire seacoast on Sunday, April 20 with a 100-lap event. Maine's Oxford Plains Speedway hosts the first of its three 150-lap races on April 26, while Barre, VT's Thunder Road will hold the 10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on May 4. Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY presents the 34th Annual Spring Green 100 on May 17, followed by Thunder Road's Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic 100 on May 25.
ACT returns to Waterford Speedbowl in southern Connecticut on Saturday, June 7 for the first time in four years. "Rocket" Roger Brown won in the series' debut at the 3/8-mile oval in 2004. The Tour then travels back to Oxford Plains Speedway on June 21 before the ¼-mile White Mountain Motorsports Park bullring in North Woodstock, NH hosts a 150-lap event on June 28. Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario returns for the second straight season with the Summer Sizzler 200 on a new date, Sunday afternoon, July 13. The 30th Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 is at Thunder Road on Sunday, August 31, before the final Oxford Plains event on Saturday, September 13. The season concludes with the 45th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl on the weekend of September 27/28 at Thunder Road.
Also new to the American-Canadian Tour schedule for 2008 is the first-ever "ACT Showdown at Chaudière" - a non-points all-star invitational event for the Top 10 drivers competing on the ACT Late Model Tour and Canada's Série ACT Castrol, Saturday, September 6. Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jct., QC will present the "Showdown," paying $5,000 to the winner and a healthy $1,000 for the last-place finisher. The 35th Annual TD Banknorth 250 on Sunday, July 20 at Oxford Plains Speedway will again be a non-points "open competition" event for ACT-type Late Model cars.
Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT wrapped up his fifth consecutive and seventh overall ACT Late Model Tour Championship in 2007, and will reportedly try for an unprecedented sixth-straight in 2008. Other lead contenders include veterans Brent Dragon and Randy Potter, young guns Brown, and Joey "Pole" Polewarczyk, and 2007 ACT runner-up Scott Payea.
For more information on the American-Canadian Tour, call (802) 244-6963 or visit http://www.acttour.com/ .
2008 AMERICAN-CANADIAN TOUR SCHEDULE
# DAY DATE TRACK LAPS
1 Sun 4/20 Lee USA Speedway 100
2 Sat 4/26 Oxford Plains Speedway 150
3 Sun 5/04 Thunder Road 150
4 Sat 5/17 Airborne Speedway 100
5 Sa/Su 5/24-25 Thunder Road 100
6 Sat 6/07 Waterford Speedbowl 100
7 Sat 6/21 Oxford Plains Speedway 150
8 Sat 6/28 White Mountain Motorsports Park 150
9 Sun 7/13 Kawartha Speedway 200
** Sun 7/20 Oxford Plains Speedway - TD Banknorth 250 250
10 Sun 8/31 Thunder Road 200
** Sat 9/06 Autodrome Chaudière - "ACT Showdown at Chaudière" 200
11 Sat 9/13 Oxford Plains Speedway 150
12 Sa/Su 9/27-28 Thunder Road 150
** - Non-ACT Championship events
(schedule subject to change)
Driver and Owner Championships/Point Fund based on best 10 events during season
From Justin St. Louis / ACT Tour
The ACT driver and owner championships will be decided using the best ten results for each individual during the 12-race season, thus giving teams the benefit of dropping their two worst outings of the year. ACT President Tom Curley says that offering teams options like this will help raise the level of competition across the board.
"ACT - and the short track racing industry as a whole - is in a restructuring phase right now, and we are listening to what our racers are saying," Curley explained. "The times have changed, and we want to meet the current demands of our race teams and the fans that support them. We feel we have a schedule that is regionally attractive, but also one that does not require an overwhelming budget or too much weekly travel.
"With the 10-race championship decided in a 12-race season," Curley continued, "teams will, in a sense, not be penalized for a bad finish. Because we draw such huge fields of cars at tracks like Thunder Road, Oxford, Lee USA, White Mountain, and others, our drivers will not have to scramble and play 'catch-up' as much if they fail to qualify for an ACT race; they can drop their worst two events of the season. There are many scenarios that could develop, and there is the great potential for a very exciting point battle. We entertained the idea of a format similar to this last season, but felt that the timing was better for 2008. We are confident that our new schedule and format will be a favorite for both teams and fans."
The ACT Late Model Tour season kicks off at the high-banked, 3/8-mile Lee USA Speedway on the New Hampshire seacoast on Sunday, April 20 with a 100-lap event. Maine's Oxford Plains Speedway hosts the first of its three 150-lap races on April 26, while Barre, VT's Thunder Road will hold the 10th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on May 4. Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY presents the 34th Annual Spring Green 100 on May 17, followed by Thunder Road's Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic 100 on May 25.
ACT returns to Waterford Speedbowl in southern Connecticut on Saturday, June 7 for the first time in four years. "Rocket" Roger Brown won in the series' debut at the 3/8-mile oval in 2004. The Tour then travels back to Oxford Plains Speedway on June 21 before the ¼-mile White Mountain Motorsports Park bullring in North Woodstock, NH hosts a 150-lap event on June 28. Kawartha Speedway in Fraserville, Ontario returns for the second straight season with the Summer Sizzler 200 on a new date, Sunday afternoon, July 13. The 30th Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200 is at Thunder Road on Sunday, August 31, before the final Oxford Plains event on Saturday, September 13. The season concludes with the 45th Annual Chittenden Milk Bowl on the weekend of September 27/28 at Thunder Road.
Also new to the American-Canadian Tour schedule for 2008 is the first-ever "ACT Showdown at Chaudière" - a non-points all-star invitational event for the Top 10 drivers competing on the ACT Late Model Tour and Canada's Série ACT Castrol, Saturday, September 6. Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jct., QC will present the "Showdown," paying $5,000 to the winner and a healthy $1,000 for the last-place finisher. The 35th Annual TD Banknorth 250 on Sunday, July 20 at Oxford Plains Speedway will again be a non-points "open competition" event for ACT-type Late Model cars.
Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT wrapped up his fifth consecutive and seventh overall ACT Late Model Tour Championship in 2007, and will reportedly try for an unprecedented sixth-straight in 2008. Other lead contenders include veterans Brent Dragon and Randy Potter, young guns Brown, and Joey "Pole" Polewarczyk, and 2007 ACT runner-up Scott Payea.
For more information on the American-Canadian Tour, call (802) 244-6963 or visit http://www.acttour.com/ .
2008 AMERICAN-CANADIAN TOUR SCHEDULE
#
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
**
10
**
11
12
** - Non-ACT Championship events
(schedule subject to change)
Driver and Owner Championships/Point Fund based on best 10 events during season
From Justin St. Louis / ACT Tour
Monday, November 26, 2007
CRCA's 50th Anniversary Celebration
From Marty Cooper, President of the CRCA
The Canadian Race Communications Association (CRCA) race marshals' club has been supporting all forms of motor sports in Canada for almost 50 years. In fact, the club will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2009 and planning is well underway for the festivities.
We're trying to get the word out to as many of our members and former members as possible by enlisting the help of the various motor sport clubs and businesses having a vested interest in the continued success of volunteer organizations such as ours.
The attachment is a flyer in .jpeg format that provides details of our upcoming celebration and we�re hoping that Inside Track will upload it to their website, print it in their magazine and/or publish our information in any other form over the coming months.
Your kind assistance is very much appreciated.
(Done! And I'm sure we can get something into the printed version, too. Thanks for letting us know about this and all the best in your planning! - gm)
Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget Banquet
Rookie: Original Member Albert Banyard, Secretary Cindy Lorenz, 2007 Rookie of the Year Alison Macleod
Official: 2007 Official of the Year Terry Watts, President Ken Lorenz
Mostimproved: 2007 Most Improved Driver Darren McLennan
Mechanic: 2007 Mechanic of the Year Cliff Walsh, President Ken Lorenz
Champ: Secretary Cindy Lorenz, 2007 Club Champion Todd Cresswell, President Ken Lorenz
Sportsman: 2007 Most Sportsmanlike Award Dave Smith, Original member Albert Banyard,
Todd Cresswell, of Newmarket, Ont., was crowned the 2007 Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget Champion at the 42nd annual banquet held recently night at the Best Western Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ont. In accepting his award, Cresswell thanked his father, Bill, for all his years of support on and off the track. He presented Steve Snowden, from Lucas Oil, the series sponsor, his helmet mounted on a plaque as thanks for their sponsorship for the past three years.
Snowden then announced that he signed an additional 2 year agreement with Can-Am Midget Club President, Ken Lorenz, for Lucas Oil to continue as the primary sponsor of the series through 2009.
One of the surprise highlights of the evening was the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement award to Harry Macy, former President and one of the founding members of the Can-Am Midget Racing Club in 1965. Macy was not able to attend because of recent surgeries but a speaker phone was set up in the banquet room for everyone to wish Harry well. The award was accepted on his behalf by Robbie Robinson, a representative of the FOAR Score Racing Fan Club based in Buffalo, New York.
Alison MacLeod received the George McIntyre Memorial Rookie of the Year award. Alison is also driving a full schedule in the Clorox Ford Racing Female Development Driver Program driving a USAC Ford Focus Midget. Darren McLennan earned the Rick Sykes Memorial Most Improved Driver of the Year award finishing in 5th place in the series.
The Albert Banyard Sportsman of the Year award was presented to the Can-Am Midget announcer and a member of the Board of Director, Dave Smith, for all his efforts this season. The Harry Macy Mechanic of the Year trophy went to Cliff Walsh as he campaigned 3 cars this season with two finishing in the top ten and the third car finished 11th in owner points. Walsh thanked all the help he receives in the garage as well as the track along with some very talented drivers (Lucas Smith, 3rd, Alison MacLeod, 9th, and Harvey Walsh and son Adam Walsh sharing driving duties in the third car.
Race Director Terry Watts received the Official of the Year award and the Lucas Oil Can-Am Midget car #00 walked away with the Best Appearing Car and Crew trophy.
Rob Neely, driving the TQ #74 this season for Ken & Cindy Lorenz finished 2nd place in the points series, followed closely by Lucas Smith in 3rd. Craig Mackereth and Darren McLennan rounded the top five in points.
Finishing in the sixth through 10th places were, Daniel Bois, James Gray, Greg Smulders, Alison MacLeod and David Balych.
Additional Thank You awards were given out to Grant and Cathy Slater for their series within a series held at Sauble Speedway this season, and to Ron McKay from Bicknell Racing/Hoosier Tires for their continued support. Bob Saunders, from Race Time Radio, received the Media Award and was also the Guest MC of the evening along with Dave Smith. Ralph Webb, along with Colormark was thanked for all his photos and banners, as well as the nights program.
The Lucas Oil Can-Am Midgets are completing their schedule for 2008 season and it looks like it will be another competitive year ahead for all their fans.
By Cindy Lorenz
IHRA Nitrojam.com Rock Spring Blast
Every spring racers travel from across the country to Rockingham Dragway with a definite purpose in mind…to see how their engine combinations and off-season work will pay off once the racing starts for real. The Nitrojam.com Rock Spring Blast presented by Richmond County Tourism is expected to be one of the largest organized test sessions in the country and will bring drivers from all over the United States and Canada.
"The Rock Spring Blast is a great opportunity for drivers and crew chiefs to see how their off-season work will pay off," IHRA president Aaron Polburn said. "You can run on the dyno all you want, but you are not ready for the season until you make a few laps on a national event-level prepped racing surface. This event will tell you a lot about where you stand, what you need to work on and what you have done that will be successful."
The Spring Blast is a four day feast designed with the most ardent gearhead in mind. The top doorslammers in the country will be joined by new and established sportsman cars to give the race fan everything he or she could want. Feb. 21-22 will feature testing in the Pro Stock and Pro Modified classes while all other pro entries will be welcomed to take a shot or two at the racing surface at Rockingham Dragway. Feb. 23-24 will be a free bracket race for all sportsman competitors as well as a Chicago Style race in the professional classes.
"This is what it's all about, running at this track where we have some of the quickest fields in IHRA history," Rockingham Dragway owner Steve Earwood said. "This is also the site of the second event on the 2008 Knoll Gas Nitro Jam schedule and our Summit Racing Equipment Pro-Am event is tentatively scheduled for the next weekend, so you will do yourself a big favor by getting a few passes under your belt."
Nitrojam.com, the official website of the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam, secured title sponsorship for the Rock Spring Blast prior to the Thanksgiving holiday.
"Everyone knows the Spring Blast is the top test session in the country," Nitrojam.com webmaster Jeff Lee said. "This event is the one everyone keeps their eye on. Last year the drag racing world wanted to see what Scott Cannon had coming for the Pro Mod class in the 2007 season and I remember the anticipation to see Robert Patrick's Mustang in action. We are proud at Nitrojam.com to secure our name to this prestigious event."
Earwood always looks forward to getting a sneak preview of who will be swinging for the fences during the Knoll Gas Nitro Jam season.
"You get to see people dealing with new equipment, refreshed motors and new combinations," Earwood said. "And this is not just an event to break in new things, it is a chance for the drivers to shake some of the cobwebs off in a very competitive, professional setting."
Tickets for the Nitrojam.com Rock Spring Blast presented by Richmond County Tourism will be $20.00 for adults, $5.00 for kids age 6-12. Children under 6 will be admitted free with a paid adult admission. The box office at Rockingham Dragway will also be open during the Spring Blast to sell tickets for the Nitro Jam Spring Nationals, scheduled for April 18-20 at Rockingham Dragway. For more information about Rockingham Dragway visit www. Rockinghamdragway.com.
Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge 2008 Dates Released
Cornwall, Ontario - DIRTcar had their annual banquet in Syracuse during the weekend of November 10-11. Promoters took this opportunity to sit down and talk about the calendar for the 2008 edition of the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge. It was a great meeting because the dates were settle and a new track will join the family for next season.
Frogtown International Speedway will be added to the mix, as they become the sixth track to join the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge. Located in Hogansburg, New York, Frogtown is known for some great racing and great speed. With its 5/8-mile length, it will be the longest track the tour will compete on. Many great drivers are regulars at this speedway. Veteran Dave Heaslip was crowned the 2007 track champion. Carey Terrance who finished third on the Hoosier Tire/Sunoco Race Fuels 358 MrDIRTcar tour is another of the top runners. You can also name Roy Tarbell, Mark Smoke and Robbie Grant who finished 5th, 8th and 9th on the same tour. Perry Francis and long time runner Billy Cook are other drivers that could be serious contender.
The series will start with a 2-night battle at Autodrome Granby on Friday, July 18 and Autodrome Drummond on Saturday, July 19. The challenge will continue after twelve days of break at Frogtown Speedway on Thursday, July 31. Autodrome Edelweiss will be the fourth track visited on the following night on Friday, August 1st. The tour will then travel to Brockville Ontario Speedway on the following night on Saturday, August 2nd. It will all end at Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 3rd.
With the Quebec province construction holidays that are pushed one week later next summer, it could be a great suggestion for people who would like to visit some new tracks. With Frogtown, Edelweiss, Brockville and Cornwall making it a 4-night in a row thing it's a great opportunity for people who wants to see some great racing during their holidays.
In 2007, the car counts were great at each track; Drummondville had 43 modifieds in the pits when the skies opened up. Edelweiss had the second best with 38. Last year's champion Laurent Ladouceur had a pretty great run, after winning the first race at Edelweiss, he had pretty consistent results and was crowned during the last race at Granby. Other winners were Pat O'Brien who won at Brockville and Cornwall. Yan Bussière was the best at Drummond and Martin Roy won at Granby.
We can expect many great things to come for this series in 08. Already a few new teams have announced their plans for next season and the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge are part of them. The car count will probably be bigger than ever. Will the title be headed back to Quebec? It will be decided when the series starts on July 18, 2008!
From Cornwall Motor Speedway
Frogtown International Speedway will be added to the mix, as they become the sixth track to join the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge. Located in Hogansburg, New York, Frogtown is known for some great racing and great speed. With its 5/8-mile length, it will be the longest track the tour will compete on. Many great drivers are regulars at this speedway. Veteran Dave Heaslip was crowned the 2007 track champion. Carey Terrance who finished third on the Hoosier Tire/Sunoco Race Fuels 358 MrDIRTcar tour is another of the top runners. You can also name Roy Tarbell, Mark Smoke and Robbie Grant who finished 5th, 8th and 9th on the same tour. Perry Francis and long time runner Billy Cook are other drivers that could be serious contender.
The series will start with a 2-night battle at Autodrome Granby on Friday, July 18 and Autodrome Drummond on Saturday, July 19. The challenge will continue after twelve days of break at Frogtown Speedway on Thursday, July 31. Autodrome Edelweiss will be the fourth track visited on the following night on Friday, August 1st. The tour will then travel to Brockville Ontario Speedway on the following night on Saturday, August 2nd. It will all end at Cornwall Motor Speedway on Sunday, August 3rd.
With the Quebec province construction holidays that are pushed one week later next summer, it could be a great suggestion for people who would like to visit some new tracks. With Frogtown, Edelweiss, Brockville and Cornwall making it a 4-night in a row thing it's a great opportunity for people who wants to see some great racing during their holidays.
In 2007, the car counts were great at each track; Drummondville had 43 modifieds in the pits when the skies opened up. Edelweiss had the second best with 38. Last year's champion Laurent Ladouceur had a pretty great run, after winning the first race at Edelweiss, he had pretty consistent results and was crowned during the last race at Granby. Other winners were Pat O'Brien who won at Brockville and Cornwall. Yan Bussière was the best at Drummond and Martin Roy won at Granby.
We can expect many great things to come for this series in 08. Already a few new teams have announced their plans for next season and the Lucas Oil Canadian DIRT Challenge are part of them. The car count will probably be bigger than ever. Will the title be headed back to Quebec? It will be decided when the series starts on July 18, 2008!
From Cornwall Motor Speedway
David Elliott on parade
This past weekend, David Elliott showed off his new look Late Model in the Waterdown (near Hamilton, ON) Santa Clause Parade. There's a note about Dave's new sponsorship in the next issue of Inside Track.
(h/t Brett Paveling of the Elliott Racing Team)
The Inside Track Holiday Buyers' Guide is here!
Click here or on the cover to the right to download a PDF (just under 3 MB) of the 2007 Inside Track Holiday Buyers' Guide. The piece features ads and editorial that are sure to make shopping easy for the racing fanatic on your list.
Best of all, all of the stories and ads are hotlinked so you can click on the ones you're interested in and you'll be taken directly to that business' website.
Have a great weekend and happy shopping!!!
PHOTO GALLERY: Flamboro Speedway 2007 banquet from Dave Franks
82 pictures from Dave Franks (Thanks Dave!) from the Flamboro Speedway banquet on Saturday night (Nov. 24, '07).
Sunday, November 25, 2007
A1GP: Podium Delight for Wickens and A1 Team Canada
Having reached the podium on his A1GP race debut, the 18-year-old from Toronto experienced a more frustrating Feature event, Wickens retiring early from the proceedings after a frantic start. A1 Team Canada exits Malaysia sitting 12th in the A1GP Nations Standings, with ten points scored courtesy of Wickens' Sprint race podium while A1 Team Switzerland leads on 61 after Champ Car racer Neel Jani dominated events at Sepang with back-to-back victories.
Starting fifth on the grid for the 10-lap Sprint race, Wickens wasted little time in placing the Canadian entry into the top-three. Jani led from pole while Robert launched up the order giving chase to France's Loic Duval in second. Germany's Michael Ammermüller was an ever present threat from behind but Wickens had the measure of his rival until an over-steer issue presented itself.
The Canadian rookie put on a fine display of defensive driving but an overly-aggressive last lap move by the German resulted in contact, Ammermüller dropping Wickens to fourth at the checkered but a penalty issued to the German following a stewards enquiry rightfully handed the final podium placing to Robert - a well earned reward for both team and driver. Wickens and the Canadian crew subsequently had reason to be optimistic heading into the afternoon's 35-lap Feature race having scored their first points of the season and battled at the sharp end of the grid. Neel Jani collected the Sprint win for Switzerland ahead of France's Duval and Ammermüller for Germany.
The opening lap of the Feature provided early drama as Wickens was tipped round following contact at turn one having started from 12th on the 22-nation grid. While he recovered, the 2006 Formula BMW USA Champion found himself down in 18th with a long race ahead of him to crack the top-ten.
Undeterred and quickly sprinting up through the order, Robert was then helpless to avoid a collision with Adrian Zaugg seven laps later as the South African attempted to point his car in the right direction having spun out at turn eight. Some fast acting from the Canadian avoided a potentially huge impact but the resulting contact was enough to put both cars out on the spot. A1 Team Switzerland's Jani went on to triumph again ahead of Brazil's Sergio Jimenez and France's Loic Duval.
Commenting after a day of highs and lows Wickens reflected; "It was great to score a podium in the Sprint race as Germany's last lap move was quite desperate. It's a brilliant result for the team and a great way to start my A1GP career. In the Feature I thought I left plenty of room at turn one but I was knocked into a spin. I got back up to speed and then the incident with Zaugg happened. I saw him on the grass as I came into the corner but then he drove straight out in front of me leaving me with no alternative other than to go off to try and avoid him. It was unbelievable and not how I wanted to end the day!"
"Robert drove magnificently all weekend," said Team Manager Simon Cayzer. "He deserved a podium in the Sprint on merit alone so we're delighted with the end result and it's a culmination of the work put in by the whole team and James Hinchcliffe in racing for us through the opening rounds and being here this weekend as well in support. The first corner incident in the Feature was just one of those things but Zaugg's move was just plain dangerous. He didn't look and he could have caused a major accident!"
The 2007-08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport continues with Round 4 hosted at the Zhuhai International Circuit in China, Friday 14th - Sunday 16th December - www.a1gp.com
Top-Ten A1GP Standings - Round 3/10: 1st Switzerland (61), 2nd France (51), 3rd New Zealand (45), 4th Netherlands (39), 5th Great Britain (36), 6th South Africa (36), 7th Ireland (30), 8th Germany (22), 9th Brazil (22), 10th Mexico (17), *12 Canada (10)
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
RALLYING: Rally of the Tall Pines Results
Due to bad weather conditions, the rally proved to be difficult for several top teams who finished their rally off-road. Among them are Andrew Comrie-Picard (Toronto, ON) and Marc Goldfarb (Atkinson, NH) in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9. Comrie-Picard still had a mathematical chance of winning the championship but two off-roads, the second one definitive, ended his hopes. Two other potential winner teams were forced to retire after going off-road: Peter Thomson (Toronto, ON)/Rod Hendricksen (Clinton, NJ), in their Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8, and Americans Ken Block/Alex Gelsomino, in a Subaru Impreza WRX STi.
So most of the rally showcased the dual between L'Estage/Richard and Frank Sprongl (Georgetown, ON)/Brian Maxwell (Port Hope, ON), in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7. Sprongl, six-times Canadian rally champion and a crowd favorite back in the 1990s, took the lead in the first third of the rally, but L'Estage gained command and led the rest of the way. Shortly before the halfway mark, the rally was so hard fought, both teams were equal at the top.
Rookie team Craig Henderson/Lyne Murphy, from Saint-Constant, QC, makes up the top three. In their Subaru Impreza WRX and running their fourth national rally ever, the team amazed everyone, avoiding pitfalls and pushing top teams in every stage.
Fourth in this Tall Pines, third overall and champions in their Production 4 class, Martin Gauvin and Daniel Duchesneau, both from New Richmond, QC, in a Subaru Impreza WRX, also gave a solid performance. Gauvin/Duchesneau lead Americans Ted and Lise Mendham (Subaru Impreza WRX) and Ontario rookie driver Leonid Urlichich/American co-driver Dave Shindle. Driving a Subaru Impreza WRX STi that used to be driven by former Canadian champion Tom McGeer, Ulrichich also had a very good drive in this rally where he could pass as a local, since he is from Peterborough, south of Bancroft.
In the final standings, drivers' championship, Antoine L'Estage finishes first with 124 points. He leads Andrew Comrie-Picard (88), Martin Gauvin (44), Craig Henderson (33), Gord Olsen (24) and Ted Mendham (21). In the co-drivers' championship, Nathalie Richard wins with 124 points, and leads Marc Goldfarb (71), Daniel Duchesneau (44), Brian Maxwell (34), Lyne Murphy (33) and Todd Patola (24). In the manufacturers' championship, Hyundai wins with 112 points, ahead of Mitsubishi (92) and Subaru (76).
The fifty-second season of the Canadian Rally Championship will start on February 9, 2008, with the presentation of Rallye Perce-Neige, in Maniwaki (QC).
Filming of the 2007 championship for TV has been provided by ATV Productions. For more information on the Canadian Rally Championship and rally events, please visit http://www.carsrally.ca/.
Rally of the Tall Pines final standings (complete results on www.rallyscoring.com):
1) Antoine L'Estage – Nathalie Richard (Hyundai Tiburon 4WD) – 2 hours 00 min. 22 sec.
2) Frank Sprongl – Brian Maxwell (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.7) – 2h01'32
3) Craig Henderson – Lyne Murphy (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 2h10'10
4) Martin Gauvin – Daniel Duchesneau (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 2h11'10
5) Ted Mendham – Lise Mendham (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 2h14'21
6) Leonid Urlichich – Dave Shindle (Subaru Impreza WRX STi) – 2h14'56
7) Peter Reilly – Phil Assad (Volkswagen Golf AWD) – 2h17'33
8) Martin Losier – François Morin (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo.5) – 2h18'13
9) John Cassidy – Dave Getchell (Subaru Impreza WRX STi) – 2h19'02
10) John Vanos – Jeff Secor (Subaru Impreza WRX STi) – 2h19'10
Available Photos: Low res photos of the top 3 teams are attached. High res photos are available for media use only by contacting rally@poleposition.ca.
Photos by VINCENT FORTIN.
From Canadian Association of Rallysport
Friday, November 23, 2007
A1GP: Top-Ten Practice Start Bodes Well for Wickens
Wickens, who becomes only the fourth driver to race for A1 Team Canada in the nation versus nation series this weekend, had his practice time cut short in the morning's 'Rookie-Only' session at the 5.54km circuit thanks to a problematic steering rack. Limited to ten laps, the 18-year-old from Toronto posted the 12th fastest time of the session with a 1m54.695s lap from 20 nations fielding rookies.
This afternoon's hour-long session, with all 22 competing nations participating, proved to be more productive for Canada with Wickens, the 2006 Formula BMW USA Champion, comfortably running inside the top-ten throughout. His best lap time, a 1m50.909s, ended the session eighth quickest with the team looking to maintain that form into Saturday's qualifying sessions, Canada having yet to start a race this season higher than tenth on the grid.
"Today's been pretty good," reflected Wickens after his first outing on the Sepang track. "We had a problem with the steering rack in the rookie session which basically meant I couldn't turn the car so we lost a lot of track time. The team rebounded really well though and I'm extremely satisfied to have been running in the top-ten the whole of this afternoon's session."
He continued, "We made improvements to the car in the limited time we had and despite going out on fresh tires at the start of the session I did my fastest lap on the second to last lap of the session which shows the improvements we've made. I'm really looking forward to Saturday's practice and qualifying."
A1 Team Canada Team Manager, Simon Cayzer, commented; "We had some problems this morning which cost us some time but the second practice session went well. We have some more fine tuning to do but overall we're relatively happy with our set-up start. Robert did a good job today despite being quite new to the car and having never driven the circuit before, he seems quite a cool, calm customer!"
Official Practice (1 Hour Session)
1, Great Britain, Oliver Jarvis, 1:49.459
2, Switzerland, Neel Jani, 1:49.911
3, France, Loic Duval, 1:50.094
4, New Zealand, Jonny Reid, 1:50.320
5, China, Congfu Cheng, 1:50.471
*8, CANADA, ROBERT WICKENS, 1:50.909
Rookie Practice (2 x 25 Minute Sessions)
1, Great Britain, Oliver Jarvis, 1:52.013
2, Brazil, Sergio Jimenez, 1:52.757
3, Australia, John Martin, 1:52.806
4,. Italy, Edoardo Piscopo, 1:53.161
5, New Zealand, Earl Bamber, 1:53.682
*12, CANADA, ROBERT WICKENS, 1:54.695
Qualifying for Sunday's 20-minute Sprint race and 70-minute Feature race starts tomorrow, Saturday 24th November, at 2:15pm in Malaysia (1:15am EST). Live timing - www.a1gp.com
Photo Credit: 'Robert Wickens makes his competitive debut for A1 Team Canada this weekend' - Jakob Ebrey Photography
From A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
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