2011-05-16

AUTODROME ST-VALÈRE - LEVÉE DE RIDEAU

Communiqué de presse (16-05-11)

 

Dès le samedi 28 mai prochain

TOUT EST EN PLACE POUR UNE AUTRE EXCELLENTE
SAISON À L’AUTODROME ST-VALÈRE.COM

 

Maintenant que la belle température s’installe parmi nous, voilà que le promoteur André Fortier de l’Autodrome St-Valère est à mettre une dernière touche à la préparation de sa prochaine saison qui débutera, le samedi 28 prochain.

 

Au cours des derniers mois, monsieur Fortier a dû prendre des décisions importantes, parfois difficiles, afin de satisfaire certaines exigences qui autrement auraient mis en péril le prochain calendrier qui s’annonce fort spectaculaire. En effet, lors d’une rencontre avec les élus de la municipalité de St-Valère, le promoteur a convenu d’améliorer certains points afin de réduire le nombre de plaintes.

 

C’est ainsi que cette saison, les programmes se tiendront sur une seule journée, soit le samedi avec une possibilité de reprise le lendemain en cas de mauvais temps. On s’est également entendu pour que les programmes ne s’éternisent pas et qu’ils devront être complétés à dix-sept heures.

 

En plus, personne n’y échappe, le promoteur et la municipalité ont convenu que la surveillance du nombre de décibels émis par les voitures en piste devra être surveillé étroitement. Pour ce faire, il a fait l’acquisition d’un décibelmètre pour en effectuer la vérification. La norme acceptée sera de 98 décibels. « On se devra d’être très sévère et de ne rien laisser passer », devait ajouter monsieur Fortier qui tient à collaborer.

 

Voilà les principaux changements apportés à la programmation, mais il y en a d’autres. Les compétiteurs seront heureux d’apprendre que le tracé a été repensé et que l’épingle qui existait après le passage devant le signaleur a été modifiée.  C’est donc sur un tracé ovale qu’ils se disputeront la victoire en 2011. Également, en raison des ententes convenues, il serait bon de prendre note que les inscriptions, au coût de dix dollars par voiture, seront acceptées de sept à neuf heures en matinée. Les retardataires seront refusés en raison de ce qui précède.

 

Au niveau de la compétition, l’Autodrome St-Valère.com offrira les mêmes que l’an dernier, soit : 4-6-8 cylindres, camionnettes, Super 4, Pro-Stock, Sportsman et Modifié ainsi que des catégories pour les dames. L’admission sera de 15 $ pour les adultes, de 10 $ pour les étudiants de 12 à 17 ans alors que le tout sera gratuit pour les enfants de 11 ans et moins. Si la température est incertaine, il vous est suggéré fortement de consulter le site internet (www.autodromest-valere.com) afin de savoir si le programme y est présenté ou remis au dimanche après-midi.

 

Trois autres programmes

Afin de permettre aux compétiteurs d’avoir plus de confrontations durant la saison estivale et également pour tenter sa chance ailleurs, le promoteur André Fortier s’est entendu avec les dirigeants de l’Autodrome East Broughton pour la présentation de trois programmes à cet endroit.

 

Pour ce tracé de la région de Thetford Mines, en cas de mauvais temps, les programmes ne seront pas remis au lendemain, mais tout simplement annulés.

 

Également, les mêmes classes seront offertes et les inscriptions acceptées de midi à 15 h 00. Le signal du premier départ sera donné à 16 h 00 et les dates de ces événements sont ; 9 juillet, 6 août et 3 septembre.

 

CALENDRIER

Date

Endroit

28 mai

Autodrome St-Valère.com

11 juin

Autodrome St-Valère.com

2 juillet

Autodrome St-Valère.com

9 juillet

Autodrome East Broughton

30 juillet

Autodrome St-Valère.com

6 août

Autodrome East Broughton

20 août

Autodrome St-Valère.com

3 septembre

Autodrome East Broughton

17 septembre

Autodrome St-Valère.com

1er octobre

Autodrome St-Valère.com

 

 

Note

En cas de mauvais temps, les programmes de St-Valère seront reportés au lendemain à la même heure alors que ceux d’East-Broughton seront tout simplement annulés.

 

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AUTODROME GRANBY: DIFFUSION VIDEO EN RAPPEL

Granby, QC - 2011-05-13 - À l'Autodrome Granby, vendredi le 13 mai avait lieu la levée de rideau pour les courses sur terre battue. Voici un extrait audio/videéo des finales modifiés et sportsman disputé cette soirée là tel que diffusée en direct.

Granby, QC - 2011-05-13 - Autodrome Granby's opening night was held on May 13 2011. This is a video/audio recap of the features for the modified and sportsman classes as broadcasted live.






Les gagnants:

Dans la classe modifié Alain Boisvet emporte la finale de 50 tours devant David Hébert et Claude Brouillard.

En Sportsman, c'est Guy Ouellette devant Steve Nadeau et Steve Bernier.


The winners were:

In the 50 lap mod class: Alain Boisvert over David Hébert and Claude Brouillard.

In the sportsman ranks: Guy Ouellette won over Steve Nadeau and Steve Bernier.


COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE DE L'AUTODROME & RÉSULTATS / TRACK PRESS RELEASE AND RESULTS


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Thunder Road PR - 49TH THUNDER ROAD MEMORIAL DAY CLASSIC DOUBLEHEADER MAY 29TH

For Immediate Release                ACT – 051411-27

 

        Waterbury, VT –Mekkelsen RV from East Montpelier, VT has been supporting Thunder Road for many of the fifty-two years of the track’s history. The 49th edition of the Memorial Day Classic will host a 100-lap Thunder Road ACT Late Model event and a 100-lap opening event on the 2011 Bond/WIX Tiger Tour.

 

“This should be one of the most exciting Memorial Day Classics for fans and competitors in years. My guess is that the competition in 2011 among the Late Models is going to be the best we have seen in recent memory, and the addition of the Bond Tigers, which many of us graduated from, certainly adds another dimension to this traditional holiday weekend,” said three-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud from Northfield, VT.

 

The Thunder Road Late Model division has enjoyed unusual growth during the off-season. Returning contenders will begin the run for the “King of the Road” title, beginning with the Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic. Coming back to race the full season are veteran racers Scott Payea from Milton, VT, former NASCAR North drivers Jamie Aube, or Ferrisburgh, VT and Mike Bruno from Rutland, VT. Thunder Road already has some of the best Late Model racers in the country with former Champions Jamie Fisher, Phil Scott, Dave Whitcomb, Dave Pembroke and defending Champion Nick Sweet all ready to start the 2011 campaign at the Memorial Day Classic, Sunday, May 29.

 

The list of Late Model winners at Thunder Road who will join the impressive field include: multi-time winner John Donahue, Graniteville, VT; Joey Becker, Cambridge, VT; Matt White from Northfield; Brooks Clark and Grant Folsom from Waitsfield, VT; and Reno Gervais, of Island Pond, VT. The newcomers are equally as strong, led by sophomore driver Cody Blake, Barre, VT, and Rookie of the Year contender Jimmy Hebert from Williamstown, VT.

 

“The list of teams who will compete at Thunder Road this year is certainly impressive. From the response we have gotten there appear to be another dozen or so who will join the list with the same kind of racing credentials. We are very lucky to have such a dedicated and skilled group of teams. I think it is a fair estimate to say that around 70% of the Thunder Road Late Model teams have come from the Bond Tiger division over the years. That will continue to be the case with the outstanding drivers we have in the Tiger Sportsman division,” said Darla Hartt, Vice President of ACT and General Manager of Thunder Road.

 

Bond Sportsman Tiger favorites to watch in the 49th annual Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic doubleheader are defending Champion Tony Rossi from Peacham, opening day winner Derrick O’Donnell of Bradford, former Thunder Road Champions Shawn Fleury from Middlesex, VT and Joe Steffen from Essex Jct, VT.

 

The Tiger division has an outstanding corps of young talent with Bobby Therrien, Hinesburg, VT; Tucker Williams, Hyde Park; Jason Allen, Barre; and Jason Corliss from Danville.

 

Jason Bonnett from St Albans is the defending Champion of the Bond/WIX Tiger Tour. He will defend his title beginning at Thunder Road. Veterans Eric Badore, Milton, Josh Demers, Middlesex, George May and David Finck from Barre, and Troy Gray of Fairlee are veterans who will join 40 teams as they try to qualify for the first of the BOND/Wix Tiger Tour 100-lap events.

 

The limited Late Model Tiger division has been racing at Thunder Road since 1964. The Bond Tigers will have five (5) 100-lap ACT touring events at five different race venues during the 2011 season. The tracks include: Thunder Road Speedbowl, Barre, VT; White Mountain Motorsport Park, Woodstock, NH; Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH; Riverside Speedway, Groveton, NH; and Airborne Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY. The races will be spread from May until October.

 

Gates will open at 10:00am on Sunday, May 29, 2011. Tickets for the Memorial Day Classic Twin 100’s are only $15 for Adults, $5 for kids 6-12 and a special family ticket for two adults and two kids will cost just $30.

Post time is slated for 1:30.

 

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

 

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ALEX TAGLIANI: Healthy, Fit and Hoping To Make History

For Immediate Release

 

Contact Ron Green

True Speed Communication

(704) 875-3388 ext. 808 or Ron.Green@TrueSpeedCommunication.com

www.TrueSpeedCommunication.com

Online Media Kit Available at: www.TrueSpeedMedia.com

 

ALEX TAGLIANI

Healthy, Fit and Hoping To Make History

 

 

INDIANAPOLIS (May 13, 2011) – Roll back the calendar one year and you will find IZOD IndyCar Series driver Alex Tagliani in the worst condition of his professional driving career.

 

 

One week before the Indianapolis Motor Speedway opened practice for the 2010 Indianapolis 500, Tagliani started sniffling and coughing.

For most people, catching a cold is a minor annoyance. For Tagliani, it messes with his head. The Canadian IndyCar pilot was diagnosed with asthma at a young age. Though he has controlled the asthma well the past 15 years, attacks and severe bouts of bronchitis from his youth were never a distant memory.

 

Still, Tagliani was not too concerned when the sniffles and cough first started in early May. It didn’t take him long, though, to realize this was no ordinary cold. By midweek, Tagliani was trying every home remedy he could think of to break the cough. He was taking zinc and vitamin C, spending time in long, hot, steamy baths and in saunas. Nothing was working, and he was starting to worry.

 

As a professional driver, Tagliani had never missed a day of a race weekend due to illness. He even qualified fourth in Australia, once, while experiencing the full effects of food poisoning. For Tagliani, he just wanted to feel better, but he also felt a huge sense of responsibility to his race team, which was only five months old. As a single-car team making its debut at Indy, he knew it needed to get on the track to start building data for qualifying and the race. Up to that point, the driver had simply told his team he was just battling a cold. He did not want them to worry like he was.

 

When he woke up Thursday morning, just two days before Opening Day at the Speedway, Tagliani had his wife, Bronte, drive him to Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis. A few hours later, and just three miles east of Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 16th Street, Tagliani lay in a hospital bed with an IV in his arm and an oxygen mask strapped to his face. There was no way he would be ready to drive a racecar in two days. So, he broke it to the team. As professionals, they told him they’d be ready when he was.

 

After 48 hours in the hospital, including 24 spent in intensive care, Tagliani checked out of Methodist and headed to the track Saturday morning. By Sunday afternoon, he was in the No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins Dallara/Honda/Firestone racecar practicing. With Tagliani weak and receiving breathing treatments in-between practice runs, the team ran a conservative schedule leading up to Pole Day.

 

When the 6 p.m. qualifying gun sounded, marking the closing of the track for Pole Day qualifications, few would believe what Tagliani had gone through the past week. Still incredibly weak, Tagliani was the surprise of Pole Day. He sat on the pole for more than half the day and ended with a second-row starting spot. One week later and much healthier, he brought the Bowers & Wilkins machine home in 10th place.

 

Fast forward one year, and Tagliani has a spring in his step this month. Being fit and healthy has him calm. Knowing his team’s success at Indy last year and the fact it is one year older and under the ownership of Sam Schmidt, has “Tag” optimistic. He stops just short of saying his team could make history in this historic 100th Anniversary of the Indianapolis 500-Mile-Race.

 

Alex Tagliani, Driver of the No. 77 B&W Dallara/Honda/Firestone for Sam Schmidt Motorsports:

 

You’re a veteran of the sport of Indy-style racing, yet this will only be your third Indy 500. What does the “500” mean to you?

 

“You know when you’re a kid and you’re watching the races on TV, it’s pretty easy to see that the Indy 500 has been creating a lot of attention and attraction, so as a kid, you know it’s the biggest motorsports event in the world. When you finally make it, and as a young kid driving go-karts, the hardest thing is just to make it in the sport. Then, once you make it to the big-time, such as IndyCar, the first thing that enters your mind is, ‘I want to win the Indy 500.’ It has to happen. In my situation, I had joined CART, and then the split happened and we don’t race at Indianapolis, anymore. I had to stay with the opportunity that had presented itself to me, which was racing for Forsythe in CART. I worked so hard to make it, but it almost felt like I was in the right place at the wrong time.”

 

Can you remember your thoughts the first time you rolled out onto the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a racecar?

 

“It was amazing. You’re looking everywhere and, at the same time, you’re finding it hard to believe that you are actually driving on that track. The complex is quite big, so it’s very impressive. The first lap that you do, you just swallow everything. That’s what I did. The track is quite daunting the first couple of laps you do. But that first lap is one of those laps that you’ll always remember forever.”

 

What do you remember about your first Indy 500 race morning?

 

“When I walked through Gasoline Alley with my mom and dad, and I got on the other side in the pit lane and I finally saw the grandstands full, I was like, ‘Holy smoke.’ It was really an eye-opener. You know, you’ve been to races that are very popular and packed, like Long Beach, but there’s nothing like Indy. It’s hard to explain. You know you keep talking about it with your friends and you try to explain it, but you just have to live it to fully understand it. And then, when I finally drove out onto the track for the warm-up laps, I was like, ‘Man, the track got smaller because, all month long, you’re running in front of empty grandstands, so your visibility is wide open. So when everyone is packed in the stands, it feels like the track got narrower because it seems as if you’re driving in a tunnel. It was those two things that shocked me and opened my eyes right away.”

 

You now live in Indianapolis part of the time. What do you like about the city?

 

 

“It’s similar in a way to Montreal, where I’m from. There is the downtown area that is really nice, but there are also a lot of little suburbs with lots of land. It’s fun because you don’t have to go to downtown to live your life. But I also like the people. It’s a city where racing is so important. So, if you’re involved in the sport, you develop friendships very fast and you become part of the city very quickly. That makes you feel like you’re at home. ”

 

You started of the 2010 month of May in a bed at Methodist Hospital. Explain what you were going through.

 

 

“For me, being sick in the racecar has become a fear of mine. It has happened once on a street course in Australia. I’m so conscious of it, now, like when you’re traveling and people are coughing and are sick beside you and you’re trying not to breathe and catch anything. Getting sick on a race weekend is just one thing that I never wanted to happen. At Indy last year, for some reason, I just don’t know what happened. I have asthma, but I’ve controlled it really well for the last 15 years. But my problem, when I get a cold or a cough, the normal person will just have a runny nose and some coughing. But for me, obviously, it seems to attack my lungs more easily than others. So, it started like that, just a little cold and some coughing about a week before Opening Day. But all of a sudden, it’s severe bronchitis and I’m having issues getting rid of it. I started coughing worse and worse. I tried everything – taking hot baths, taking zinc and vitamin C and spending time in a sauna to try and kill it, but nothing was working. So, basically, I went to the hospital and they said, ‘You’re staying here. You’re not going anywhere.’ It was some kind of infection that was much stronger than bronchitis. I just got hit hard. And that’s when I started freaking out. I’m in bed at the hospital and they’re telling me I’m not going to get rid of it quickly. So, they start giving me treatments and antibiotics. I was very lucky to get a very good doctor at Methodist Hospital. He took really good care of me and even took me up to the intensive care unit just to try and accelerate the process of healing. They knew I needed to run. So we didn’t run the first day, but I did manage around 17 laps the second day, but I was pretty sick the whole month. I had to buy a breathing machine to help me breath when I was out of the car. When I was in the car with the tight belts and helmet, it was very difficult for me to breath. It was a pain in the butt to be that way, and now I fully understand why I worry about getting sick on a race weekend. No one likes to be sick at all, and I hate it. And the timing last year couldn’t have been any worse.”

 

Your team has a new name in Sam Schmidt Motorsports, but it’s essentially the same team as last year. How important is that consistency going into Indy?

 

 

“It’s crucial. It’s everything. You see that in various other sports, not just in racing. Racing in general – and especially at Indy –is not a sport you can take for granted. When you go through a year like we did last year with some great performances and a fantastic month of May, the first thing you want to do is capitalize on the stability and continuity with the same car, the same people and the same sponsors. Your approach has to be consistent as possible if you want to maximize great results. I think that’s why the team is very excited and we all can’t wait to hit the track the sooner the better because it feels like just a continuation of where we left off from last year.”

 

You do have that consistency that’s important to you, but you also have a teammate this year, as well. How can having a teammate at Indy help you?

 

 

“You know, we were quite proud at what we were able to accomplish last year as a one-car team and driver. But, being a one-car team is also our biggest challenge throughout the year. With all the variables thrown at you on a regular race weekend, with little track time, that’s where you can fall back on a teammate. We feel the pain sometimes when we pull the car out of the trailer and we’re not even in the window. Those kinds of weekends are challenging without a teammate. For Indy, we feel we have a great baseline and we’re in the window. That’s already a very positive thing. On top of that, now we have someone to look at data with and to hear someone else and what they’re feeling. This will be really important this coming week if we have to fight the weather and have little track time. Now, we’ll have two cars trying different things.”

 

People say the Indy 500 is actually two events. The first is to get qualified and then the race is second. Talk about qualifying at Indy and the pressure that comes along with it.

 

 

“I’m not sure I have the proper vocabulary to express that. It’s crazy. You know you can’t afford any mistakes. Last year, the field was only separated by 4 mph, and I will not be surprised this year if it’s even tighter. The stress and the intensity that you go through just to make sure that everything you decided to put on that particular car for that moment of those four laps is, well, I just can’t describe it. I felt like I had a huge weight lifted off my shoulders after my first qualifying run.”

 

Without giving away strategy, how does the No. 77 Bowers & Wilkins team approach the month of May?

 

 

“We have a really good shot at being strong at Indy this year. Our job is just to be patient, to be on the track when we need to be on the track, and not to run when you don’t need to run. We were probably the car that did the least amount of running last year and, with the team building a car at the last minute for Bruno (Junqueira), I think it was a great month. We are more prepared and in a better position to have a stronger showing this year.”

 

Alex Tagliani’s Indianapolis 500-Mile Race Performance Profile:

Year

Date

Event

Start

Finish

Status/Laps

Laps Led

Earnings

2010

5/30

94th Indianapolis 500-Mile Race

5

10

Running, 200/200

0

$302,805

2009

5/24

93rd Indianapolis 500-Mile Race

33#

11

Running, 200/200

0

$295,305

 

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MOSPORT PR - THE NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES KICKS OFF THEIR 2011 SEASON AT MOSPORT SPEEDWAY IN THE DICKIES 200

THE NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES KICKS OFF THEIR 2011 SEASON AT MOSPORT SPEEDWAY IN THE DICKIES 200

 

 

(BOWMANVILLE, ON – May 13, 2011)  After a long and harsh winter, Canada's top stock car championship, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series  is set to open their 2011 campaign with one of the most challenging tracks on their schedule, as they take on Canada’s fastest half-mile paved oval for the Dickies 200, May 28.

 

Defending Series Champion D.J. Kennington of St. Thomas will be looking to defend his title with an season opening victory.  Driving the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge Challenger, Kennington is no stranger to success on oval tracks, having all five of his victories in 2010 take place there.

 

Standing in Kennington’s way will be 2010 Dickies 200 winner and five-time national champion Don Thomson Jr., 2008 Series champion Scott Steckly, Mark Dilley and Kerry Micks, who won at Mosport Speedway in 2008.

Young guns such as Jason Hathaway, Durham’s own Joey McColm and Pete Shepherd III and Series newcomers Isabelle Tremblay and Pete Vanderwyst will all look to make their mark on the 2011 season.

 

Dickies Canada, known for guaranteed work wear since 1922, has launched their all new, online Race to Win Challenge.  It’s the fun and easy way to enjoy the excitement of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series racing all summer long

 

Fans are encouraged to visit Dickies.ca to sign up and pick their winners today for the NASCAR Canadian Tires Series, and they could win great weekly prizes from Dickies, including $250 worth of Dickies clothing.

 

The end-of-season Grand Prize is an all-expenses paid trip for two to the Texas Motor Speedway for the Texas 500 Weekend.

 

Adult tickets for the Dickies 200 at Mosport Speedway are just $30 until May 25 ($35 at the Gate).  Youth tickets (ages 13-16) are $20.  Each ticket includes parking, a NASCAR driver autograph session, access to the Mosport Expo and Marketplace and the NASCAR Midway.  As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.

 

The Grand Prix Club offers a VIP hospitality package for only $90.  The GP Club Chalet tent is located at Corner One and pass holders will have access to a grandstand reserved for VIP Hospitality guests.  It will open at 4:30 pm and dinner will be served from 5:30 pm until the drop of the green flag at 7 pm.

 

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at

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

 

 

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TMR PR - Maryeve Dufault Sets Sights on Second Short Track

Maryeve Dufault Sets Sights on Second Short Track

Race of Her Career: Toledo Speedway

MOORESVILLE, North Carolina (May 13, 2011) — 2011 ARCA Series Racing presented by Menards Rookie of the Year candidate, Maryeve Dufualt and her No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger are gearing up for the fourth event on this years racing schedule, the Menards 200 at Toledo (Ohio) Speedway.  Two weeks ago, the Sorrel Quebec, Canada native made her first ever short track career debut at Salem (Ind.) Speedway and claimed a respectable 13th place finish for the Tony Marks Racing (TMR) team.  Salem, with its unforgiving high banks is much different than the half-mile semi-banked track of Toledo, so testing the No. 12 VR-12 / Dodge Motorsports Dodge Charger this past Monday proved to be a successful venture for Dufault.

 

“Toledo is smooth compared to Salem”, said Dufault. “We got a few good sessions in on Monday, and I think it’s going to be really good.  I am really, really happy with the team.  They have worked really hard to get the car ready for Toledo and I think it’s going to be really good.   I still have some learning of short tracks since this is only my second short track race in my life, but I feel good about the track.”

Dufault is having a great 2011 rookie season, but she is very keen on knowing that the series schedule brings some challenges with each event and with that also comes the challenge of competing against seasoned drivers in the series as well.

“With every track there are new challenges and short track racing definitely has those”, added Dufault. “I am racing with people who have been racing on short tracks for a lot of their career, whereas this is only my second time.  There is still a lot to learn.  I just have to take my time, be smart and really take in what every lap has to offer.”

Team owner and Ohio native, Tony Marks, his hopes are optimistic for this weekend as well, especially after the test session last Monday was assisted by Jarit Johnson.

“Maryeve is a very focused and talented driver”, said Marks.  “I am very happy with her performance and all the dedication she has with this team. They guys in the shop have worked really hard for a performing car this weekend, and all we can do is go out there and do our best.  This is a really big weekend for me personally, TMR, and VR-12.  We have our sponsors here, it’s a home track and my son Jared (Marks) is competing Sunday as well, so we are all are looking forward to having a really good weekend.”

The Menards 200 presented by Federated Car Care (200 laps / 100 miles) is the fourth of 19 events on the 2011 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The 69th ARCA race at Toledo Speedway is a two-day show. Practice begins Saturday, May 14th with an hour and a half practice session planned from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day slated to begin at 3:30 p.m. An hour and 15 minute on-track autograph session has been etched in from 12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on race day (Sunday). The contest will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15. The race will not be televised nationally but event coverage including live timing and scoring throughout the weekend will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com presented by ARCANation.com.  For the second consecutive race at Toledo Speedway, the anticipated thriller will be available locally on television through the Buckeye CableSystem Sports Network (BCSN) Sunday night at 9:00 p.m. All times are local.

For additional information on TMT, Inc. please visit; tmtcompanies.net.

For more on Maryeve Dufault, please log onto Maryeveracing.com

To learn more about Tony Marks Racing, please click over to Tmr-racing.com

See the buzz that VR-12 is creating by clicking over to their website at VR-12.com.

Quench yourself with Victory Water, see how at Victoryh20.com.

About Tony Marks Racing (TMR):

Tony Marks Racing was founded in 2009 through the passion for racing of team owner and former driver Tony Marks.  Marks is the successful owner of TMT, Inc., a logistics, warehousing and packaging company with over 400 employees whose
customers are mainly comprised of Fortune 100 companies. 

Marks began his racing career in 1985 getting behind the wheel of everything from
drag racers, Dirt Late Models, SCCA Formula Fords, USAC F2000 Open Wheel and ARCA cars.  Tony personally raced until 2005 amassing numerous wins, championships and track records along the way until he  then changed his focus from driver to owner and began building racing programs for his children Jared (16 years old) and Rachel (13 years old).  Under the auspices of TMR, Jared began his racing career in 2002 in quarter midgets and now competes in late model, CRA, ASA and ARCA Series events while Rachel continues her development program racing quarter midgets and Bandoleros.

TMR has been at the forefront of charitable giving through its’  “Driving Against Hunger” and “Million Meal Challenge” race programs which have raised over $200,000 for Forgotten Harvest in 2010 at the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series events at Michigan International Speedway. 

For the NASCAR events TMR along with TMT, Inc. partnered with Forgotten Harvest for the “Million Meal Challenge For Our Kids” which helps to bridge the hunger gap while schools are out of session and feeds 20,000 children per day in the Detroit metro area. Forgotten Harvest was significantly displayed on the entry of Chase Austin during both the Truck and Nationwide events at Michigan International Speedway along with logos of “Million Meal Challenge” sponsors Walgreen’s, United Race Group, Holyfield’s Choice Alka-Power Water and Vitamin Spice.  Evander Holyfield was also instrumental in the challenge, acting as Grand Marshall for the August race and announcing his “Fight Against Hunger” on behalf of Forgotten Harvest. 

As the first race team to “Drive Against Hunger” through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, TMR plans to continue their alliance with Forgotten Harvest and once again “Drive Against Hunger” during the 2011 season.

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ACT CASTROL PR - LA SÉRIE ACT-CASTROL COMMENCERA À L'AUTODROME CHAUDIÈRE

LA SÉRIE ACT-CASTROL COMMENCERA À L’AUTODROME CHAUDIÈRE

 

Pour diffusion immédiate (13-05-11-07)

 

(Waterbury, VT)---  C’est le samedi 21 mai, que débutera la cinquième saison de la série ACT-Castrol. Et, pour une première fois dans sa jeune histoire, ce lever de rideau se tiendra sur le spectaculaire tracé de l’Autodrome Chaudière de Vallée-Jonction en Beauce.

ACT CASTROL SERIES READY TO OPEN AT CHAUDIERE

 

For Immediate Release       ACT – 051311-26

 

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) will open the 5th season of championship stock car racing for the Série ACT Castrol on Saturday, May 21. The popular series will begin the 2011 season at Autodrome Chaudiere in the Beauce  Region of Quebec, just east of Quebec City.

 

Ainsi, l’action ne devrait pas manquer sur ce petit anneau de vitesse qui au fil des ans, est devenu l’endroit par excellence de plusieurs équipes de la série ACT-Castrol. Les supporteurs y sont toujours très nombreux et traditionnellement, ils sont témoins de courses plus que captivantes et l’action est toujours au rendez-vous. On sait que c’est à cet endroit que chaque saison, l’American-Canadian Tour y présente son fameux « Showdown des Champions », une confrontation de 200 tours dans laquelle s’affrontent les meilleurs de la série ACT-Castrol et ceux du championnat américain de l’ACT vers la fin de la saison et dont le gagnant mérite la jolie somme de 5,000 $.

 

« Nous sommes impatients de nous retrouver à l’Autodrome Chaudière pour l’ouverture de la saison 2011 de notre série ACT-Castrol. Au cours des dernières années, nous avons obtenu beaucoup de support tant de la part des compétiteurs que des promoteurs du Québec. Nous sommes fiers d’avoir construit une série aussi populaire dont les succès ne se comptent plus au Québec », de dire Tom Curley, le président de l’American Canadian Tour.

 

Deux des anciens champions de cette série ACT-Castrol seront les têtes d’affiche parmi le peloton de 30 équipes attendues pour la circonstance puisqu’ils ont fait parvenir leur inscription au bureau de l’ACT.  Il d’agit du détenteur de la couronne, Karl Allard de St-Félicien et Donald Theetge de Québec, le champion des saisons 2006 et 2009.  Allard, en route vers sa couronne, a connu une saison exceptionnelle en 2010 avec une fiche de six victoires et dix résultats sur 11 parmi les cinq premiers. Pour les statistiques de Vallée-Jonction, il domine avec trois succès dont deux l’an dernier, comparativement à deux pour Theetge, le pilote de la Chevrolet Impala/NAPA 200 de Montréal.

 

« Participer à une course à Vallée-Jonction, c’est toujours un plaisir. Les spectateurs sont de véritables connaisseurs et nous aimons toujours faire belle figure devant les gens de notre belle région de Québec. Karl est l’un des meilleurs pilotes de la série à affronter et il est difficile à battre à l’Autodrome Chaudière » de mentionner Donald Theetge.

 

Interrogé à propos de la piste, Theetge a devait déclarer : « Il y a une énorme différence comparativement aux autres où la série Castrol évolue. L’atmosphère à Vallée-Jonction est très semblable à celle que l’on retrouve à la piste Thunder Road de Barre au Vermont. Après chaque soirée, nous avons une ou deux ailes à changer, mais c’est une excellente place pour débuter la saison. Nous désirons la victoire et espérer que cela nous guidera afin de priver Karl Allard d’un deuxième titre d'affilée », de conclure Theetge.

 

Pour le lever de rideau, le samedi 21 mai, les premières qualifications de la série Castrol sont prévues pour 17 h 00. L’accès aux puits pour les compétiteurs aura lieu à 10 h 00 et les séances d’essais libres débuteront à 13 h 00.

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This will be the first time the Series has opened its season at the Vallee Junction, QC bullring, which has become a favorite of Castrol Series teams. There are always huge supportive crowds, and traditionally some of the most exciting racing on the Series. It is the home of the ACT Showdown of Champions, a special 200-lap race between the best of the Castrol teams and the best of the US teams, at the end of each season paying $5,000 to win with $40,000 in overall purse and prize money to the top eleven (11) competitors from the ACT Castrol Serie and ACT US regulars.

 

“We are really looking forward to the opening of the 2011 season with our Castrol Series. We have received tremendous support over the past few years from both the competitors and Quebec promoters. We are very proud to have helped build such a popular and successful program in Quebec,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.

 

Two former Castrol Série Champions will headline an expected field of 30 teams who plan to attend the season opener. Defending Castrol Champion Karl Allard and two-time Champion Donald Theetge (2006, 2009) will face off in the first battle for the 2011 Championship. Both drivers have had remarkable success at Chaudiere. Allard is coming off an unprecedented six (6) wins on his way to winning the 2010 Castrol Championship title, two of those wins came at Autodrome Chaudiere. Allard and Theetge hold nearly all the statistical records at the speedway.

 

“Racing at Valle Junction is always fun. There is huge fan support, and we always like to do well in front of our Quebec City fans. Karl (Allard) is one of the best drivers and teams to race against, and he is tough to beat at Chaudiere,” said Donald Theetge of nearby Boischatel, QC.

 

When asked about the unique banked tight bull ring Chaudiere track, Theetge had this to say: “There is a big difference in that kind of track compared to the other tracks our ACT Castrol Series competes at. It has the atmosphere of a place like Thunder Road in Barre, VT, and we usually have to replace a fender or two at the end of the night, but it is a great place to start the season. We want to win and see if that can get us headed toward taking the title from the #48 team this season,” concluded Theetge.

 

The 2011 season gets underway on Saturday, May 21 with a post time of 5pm. Competitor gates will open at 10:00, practice begins at 1:00pm. Chaudiere is located about 2½ hours from the Vermont border town of Newport, VT.

 

 

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

 

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