2012-02-29

No. 48 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Team Penalized For Infractions At Daytona International Speedway

For Immediate Release

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 29, 2012) – NASCAR has issued penalties, suspensions and fines to the No. 48 team in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, as a result of rules infractions found on Feb. 17 during opening day inspection for the Daytona 500.

 

The No. 48 car was found to be in violation of Sections 12-1 (actions detrimental to stock car racing); 12-4J (any determination by NASCAR officials that race equipment used in the event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the rule book or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the event); and 20-2.1E (if in the judgment of NASCAR officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance will not be permitted – unapproved car body modifications).

As a result, crew chief Chad Knaus and car chief Ron Malec have been suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship events, suspended from NASCAR until April 18 and placed on NASCAR probation until May 9. Additionally, Knaus has been fined $100,000.

Driver Jimmie Johnson and car owner Jeff Gordon have been penalized with the loss of 25 driver and 25 owner points, respectively.

 

For more information, contact:

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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Erik Jones Set to Become ARCA's First 15-Year-Old Driver at Mobile; Other Young Drivers Aiming for Short Track Success

 

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Beginning with next week's Mobile ARCA 200 at Mobile International Speedway, the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will allow approved and certified 15-year-old drivers to compete on tracks one mile in length or shorter.

 

Erik Jones, a Byron, Mich. driver who will not turn 16 until late May, plans to be the first 15-year-old competitor in the 60 years of ARCA's national tour. Jones is entered at the Irvington, Ala. half-mile in Venturini Motorsports' No. 25 Chevrolet, one of 36 cars on the current entry list but the only one featuring a driver who is not yet 16.

 

"I can't thank everybody enough, those who made this possible," Jones said recently. "To be able to run with the caliber of a team like Venturini Motorsports is one of the biggest opportunities I've ever had in my career. I have to thank ARCA for lowering the age limit to let 15-year-olds squeeze into the short track races. This is definitely one of the coolest things I've had come along in my whole career, so I can't be more excited for this opportunity. I hope to get a few wins this year."

 

Jones began his career at age 7 in 2004, racing quarter midgets in Michigan. He made his stock car debut in 2009 at Owosso Speedway in Ovid, Mich., quickly moving to the challenging Pro Stock division. Jones won a feature and the track's Pro Stock Rookie of the Year Award.

 

In 2010, Jones moved to the ASA Late Model Northern Series, becoming the youngest winner in series history at age 14. He finished the year having led the most laps in the series on the way to the Rookie of the Year title. Jones won the first JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour championship in 2011 with wins at Rockford (Ill.) Speedway and Owosso, and later won the Governor's Cup, a prestigious Florida super late model event.

 

Another young driver making his ARCA debut at Mobile is Tyler Reddick, a 16-year-old Californian who now lives in DuQuoin, Ill. and will race for Ken Schrader Racing. "The California Kid" has over 120 career wins, three national championships, and five Rookie of the Year titles as a dirt super late model driver. He is the youngest driver to start a World of Outlaws feature event, the youngest to win at the East Bay Winter Nationals, and the youngest to win a Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series feature event.

 

"I'm really excited to race with Ken Schrader," Reddick said. "We've had a great relationship for a long time, racing at his track (Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55) in Pevely, Mo. Other than racing a bandolero car three or four times, all my racing so far has been on dirt, so this will be my first start in a stock car on pavement."

 

Reddick's car will be sponsored by two record labels: Broken Bow Records, featuring artist Jason Aldean; and Stoney Creek Records, featuring artist Thompson Square.

 

The wave of young drivers does not stop with Jones and Reddick. Clint King, the 16-year-old who won the Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell on his birthday last August at Madison, Wis. and later won a pole at Salem, Ind. for Venturini Motorsports, will also race at Mobile.

 

Chase Elliott, a Hendrick Motorsports development driver and the son of NASCAR champion Bill Elliott, will drive the No. 9 Chevrolet. Elliott plans to make five ARCA starts in 2012, including events at New Jersey in July, Berlin (Mich.) and Madison in August, and Salem in September. The 2011 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Most Popular Driver, Elliott turned 16 in November, just one week before winning the Snowball Derby. 

 

The Mobile ARCA 200 will take place Saturday, March 10 at Mobile International Speedway. The race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Mobile will host practice and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Friday, March 9. The event at Mobile will be ARCA's first at the track.

 

The complete 2012 event schedule - featuring 20 races at 18 tracks - is available at ARCARacing.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA's first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

 

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

 


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UNE COURSE SUR GLACE AU CIRCUIT ICAR :: UNE PREMIÈRE A MIRABEL

 

Communiqué pour publication immédiate

 

Le Circuit ICAR de Mirabel est fier d’annoncer la présentation d’une spectaculaire course sur glace le dimanche 4 mars prochain.  L’événement sera disputé sur un circuit routier glacé et regroupera six (6) catégories avec des pilotes vedettes de plusieurs disciplines du sport motorisé.

 

CATÉGORIES AU PROGRAMME 

 

MOTOS

La catégorie de motos sur glace regroupera l’élite de cette discipline des plus spectaculaires sur deux roues.  Des pilotes de renom et de tous les coins de la province seront présents.  Maxime Sylvestre (Berthierville), Dominic Beaulac (Bécancour), Samuel Desbiens (Lac St-Jean), Bobby Desjardins (Ferme-Neuve), Michel Grenier (Buckingham) ne sont que quelques-unes des têtes d’affiche qui seront sur place.

 

VTT

Les pilotes de VTT parviendront également des quatre coins de la province avec des engins très puissants également de cylindrée ouverte.  Ces bolides à roues ouvertes sont très propices aux accrochages et dépassements des plus spectaculaires.   Bobby Desjardins, de Ferme-Neuve, sera à surveiller. Il pilotera chez les 2 roues et les 4 roues.  Michael Lainesse de Victoriaville est un jeune pilote prometteur dans cette discipline qui tentera d’éviter les obstacles et de remporter sa première victoire en VTT sur glace.

 

SIDE BY SIDE

Cette discipline, grande nouveauté en 2012, a fait son apparition au Supermotocross du Stade Olympique en 2011.  Maintenant présentée sur glace, plusieurs mordus s’adonnent à ce sport.  Cette catégorie est ouverte à tous et regroupera des bolides allant de 600cc jusqu'à 1000cc.  Les  Yamaha, Polaris, BRP, Arctic Cat et CF Moto seront à l’honneur dans cette nouvelle discipline sur glace.              

 

 

 

 

 

DÉFI DES CHAMPIONS CF MOTO  

Le side by side est probablement un des véhicules hors-route les plus vendus présentement parmi les adeptes de sensations fortes.  CF Moto une compagnie de la Beauce lancera le DÉFI DES CHAMPIONS au Circuit ICAR lors du Meltdown le 4 mars prochain.  Cette épreuve regroupera des champions de course automobile tel Dave Coursol (St-Jérome), jeune sensation de la course automobile au québec,  Steve Coté (Blainville) qui  se prépare pour une saison en NASCAR Canadian Tire qui l’amènera au Circuit ICAR les 2-3 Juin prochain.  Maxime Pelletier (Mascouche) est le champion Sportsman 2011 de la région. Marcel Fournier, 40 fois champion canadien sur moto et enfin,  Elie Arseneau, pilote instructeur du Circuit ICAR et en NASCAR Canadian Tire.  Il nous reste deux (2) places à confirmer à bord des bolides SNYPER.

 

AUTOS

Les autos seront divisées en trois (3) catégories.  Tous seront des véhicules 4 cylindres où toutes les modifications à la mécanique sont permises. La 1ère sera une classe non cramponnée n’exigeant aucune cage de protection.  La 2e catégorie est cramponnée MF 44 avec 200 cloues et moins  et la 3e  sera la plus rapide avec des pneus cloutés de 400 crampons et plus.  Les bolides seront tous des 4 cylindres avec cage de protection obligatoire.  Les pilotes à surveiller, Maxime Sylvestre (Berthier), Stéphane D’astous (Baie Comeau), Christian et Francois Gratton (Repentigny) et Olivier Mathieu (L’Assomption) ne représentent que quelques-unes des vingt (20) voitures attendues pour cet événement haut en couleurs. 

 

Son, animation, gradins et restaurant intérieur chauffée dans le chic Club House VIP du Circuit ICAR sera exceptionnellement ouvert a tous, toute la journée pour le MELTDOWN.  L’entrée spectateur est de 20$ pour adultes et  gratuit pour les enfants de 12 ans et moins.  Les pratiques débuteront à 9h30 le matin. Les finales débuteront à compter de 13h30.             

 

Informations au www.circuiticar.com ou par courriel au info@circuiticar.com ou téléphone 514.955.4227.

 

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UNE 5e RECRUE EN SPORTSMAN ANCA EN 2012

HANI CHINIARA FAIT LE SAUT À SON TOUR DANS LA CATÉGORIE MAÎTRESSE !

 

Tout comme Patrick Leporé, Sylvain Contant, Martin Fauteux et Neil Leblond qui graduent de classe en 2012, le pilote de la voiture #64 en Production, HANI CHINIARA réalise à son tour un vieux rêve, et c’est en Sportsman qu’on le verra compétitionner en 2012.

 

C’est suite à une transaction qui a eu lieu avec Alain Lachapelle au cours des derniers jours que le pilote de Ville Saint-Laurent deviendra la 5e recrue de cette division. Un “plus” pour la catégorie puisque Chiniara participera à tous les événements, contrairement à Lachapelle qui ne participait qu’occasionnellement aux courses Sportsman avec un bilan de 4 apparitions en piste au cours de la dernière saison.

 

La Série Master Sportsman Canada/USA intéresse fortement la nouvelle recrue qui a l’intention d’y participer.

 

On sait que la Série Master Sporstman Canada/USA est un championnat de 6 courses opposant les Sportsman ANCA de l’Autodrome St-Eustache et ceux de la piste Airborne Park Speedway de Plattsburgh NY, un championnat qui suscite un engouement certain auprès des pilotes des deux côtés de la frontière.

 

Hani Chiniara est un fervent adepte de sports motorisés à plusieurs niveaux. Il compte plusieurs années de compétition dans les différentes divisions de l’ANCA. On l’a vu également à plusieurs reprises dans les épreuves d’endurance à chaque débuts et fins de saison au fil des ans. Il est également propriétaire d’une camionnette Procam/Super Truck, une série qui visitera l’Autodrome St-Eustache à 2 reprises en 2012. Hani est également un passionné d’accélération, il possède d’ailleurs la populaire voiture “Big Bad Nova” ainsi que plusieurs voitures de collection.

 

Comme toujours, il sera supporté par LE CENTRE DE L’AUTO CHINIARA de Ville Saint-Laurent.

 

Les pilotes Sportsman  seront en piste le 28 avril prochain, lors de la journée porte ouverte de l’Autodrome St-Eustache, et lors de la première course de la Coupe Master Sportsman Canada USA à Plattsburgh, NY le 12 mai avant de revenir à St-Eustache pour l’ouverture officielle le 19 mai.

 

                                                                          -30-

 


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2012-02-25

MARIO CARRIER: UN BOLIDE COMPLÈTEMENT REFAIT!

SPORTSMAN ANCA 2012

 

Le moins qu’on puisse dire, c’est que MARIO CARRIER, de Ville Lorraine, le pilote de la voiture #61 n’a pas chômé cet hiver et, c’est avec un bolide complètement refait qu’il se présentera pour la première course de la COUPE MASTER SPORTSMAN QUÉBEC/USA à Plattsburgh NY le 12 mai prochain, avant de se présenter pour la première de la saison pour le championnat local ANCA à l’Autodrome St-Eustache la semaine suivante, le 19 mai pour l’ouverture officielle la sa piste locale en terre québécoise.

 

On sait que la saison de l’équipe #61 a pris fin de façon abrupte l’automne dernier alors la voiture de Carrier a violemment percuté le mur de la sortie de la courbe #1, la rendant inutilisable. L’hiver s’annonçait long pour Mario Carrier et son fidèle équipier de toujours, Éric Paquin. La décision a été vite prise: On ne se laisse pas abattre et on retourne aux courses en 2012.

 

Après avoir étudié les disponibilités, le choix de Mario fût d’acheter une voiture de Jocelyn Gagnon, ce dernier étant en train de se condtruite un bolide neuf pour 2012,  Cette ancienne voiture 31 de Steve Ladouceur, une voiture munie d’un Châssis Morin performance, contrairement au bolide précédent qui roulait avec un ancien châssis métrique, avait besoin d’un peu d’amour et de préparation, mais l’occasion était bonne.

 

C’est donc dans son garage de Lorraine que  Mario et son comparse ont passé une partie de leur hiver. Leurs travaux ont porté fruits, tant et si bien que le bolide est prêt à revecoir sa nouvelle carrosserie qui est en cours d’installation.

 

C’est donc avec enthousiasme que l’équipe #61 voit venir la saison 2012, et ce n’est pas en spectateur, comme aux derniers programmes de 2011 que Mario Carrier débutera cette saison tant attendu, mais à bord d’un bolide complètement refait. Nouvelles couleurs ?? On verra ça au printemps !!

 

Tous ses fans, ses amis et sa famille sont derrière lui pour l’encourager et le stimuler. Nous aussi, on lui souhaite la meilleure des saisons et que son dûr labeur soit courronné de succès.

                                                               -30-

 

Texte: Autodrome St-Eustache: Yves Ladouceur 450-472-6222

Photos: Michel Flageoles

 


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ARCA's Alabama History Stretches Beyond Talladega

 

For Immediate Release:

Thursday, February 23, 2012

 

Stories of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season:

ARCA's Alabama History Stretches Beyond Talladega

 

Note: With the Automobile Racing Club of America celebrating its 60th season in 2012, ARCA will look back throughout the season on the racing body's most notable and historical moments, chronicling the best stories of every era from ARCA's dawn in 1953 to today.

 

As the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards travels from last weekend's opener at Daytona to Mobile International Speedway - a place where the series has never raced - a fitting storyline is ARCA's history in Alabama, a state rich with racing tradition.

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Alabama is known in racing circles for many of the famous names who called the state home. One of NASCAR's first families, the Flocks, hailed from Fort Payne; Tim, the youngest Flock, won two NASCAR championships in the 1950s. Bob and Fonty, his brothers, combined for three ARCA victories in 1954 while also racing in NASCAR.

 

The members of Hueytown's Alabama Gang, originally headed by Bobby and Donnie Allison and Red Farmer, are the most memorable drivers from the state. In 1975, Bobby won an ARCA Racing Series event at Salem Speedway in the midst of his career as one of NASCAR's all-time winningest drivers.

 

Bobby's son, Davey, actually made his name in the ARCA Racing Series before moving on to NASCAR stardom. In 1983, Davey Allison won both ARCA races at Talladega Superspeedway, and won once at the Alabama track the next year on the way to finishing as the series' runner-up and Rookie of the Year.

 

Farmer won the other Talladega race in 1984, just before Allison won his fourth at the track the following year. Farmer also won at Talladega in 1988, a true exclamation point on a superb era for Alabama drivers in ARCA.

 

But ARCA's history moves far beyond those famous drivers and the high banks of Talladega - which, by the way, will host its 50th ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards race in May.

 

In 1961, the ARCA Racing Series first appeared in the state at Birmingham Speedway. Ernie Derr won a 250-lap race on November 5, one of his 11 ARCA victories. The next year, ARCA raced at the fairgrounds in the state's capital city, Montgomery; Dick Freeman's win there was one of his 12.

 

Huntsville Speedway hosted ARCA in 1963 and 1965, featuring wins by Earl Balmer and Jack Bowsher, respectively. Bowsher's 1965 win was one of 25 he earned that year - out of 37 races - and remains a piece of one of the most dominant seasons ever turned in by an ARCA competitor.

 

Next month, after 53 total races in the state and 46 consecutive seasons away from any Alabama track not named Talladega, the ARCA Racing Series will celebrate its 60th Anniversary Season by placing its mark at Mobile International Speedway for the first time. Located in Irvington, Alabama's fastest half-mile is under the new leadership of NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Rick Crawford. A regular host to weekly action and even several late model championship series, the track will use its first ARCA race to honor ARCA greats like Allison and Farmer - no strangers to Mobile themsleves - and look to the series' future.

 

The Mobile ARCA 200 will take place Saturday, March 10 at Mobile International Speedway. The race is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Mobile will host practice and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Friday, March 9. The event at Mobile will be ARCA's first at the track.

 

The complete 2012 event schedule - featuring 20 races at 18 tracks - is available at ARCARacing.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series will visit Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time; ARCA's first visit to Minnesota will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

 

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events

 


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Bond Auto to Sponsor American-Canadian Tour Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway

         

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  ACTNHMS-022312-5

NHMS PRESS RELEASE

 

LOUDON, N.H. - They provide the parts that create a winning ride and now they'll be there in victory lane no matter who wins the American-Canadian Tour race on Saturday, September 22.  New Hampshire Motor Speedway officials announced today that Bond Auto, a New England based full service auto parts retail and wholesale store, will be the title sponsor for the ACT Invitational during the fall NASCAR weekend. 

 

The Bond Auto Parts ACT Invitational will be part of "The Magic Mile's" short track Saturday Showdown during the SYLVANIA 300 weekend. The thrilling day features, NASCAR's K&N Pro Series East New Hampshire 100 and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour F.W. Webb 100. Last year, it was Rowley, Mass. native Eddie MacDonald who raced his way from 25th to first in just a few laps, capturing the checkered flag. 

Bond Auto is no stranger to the motorsports industry. The Vermont company in the past has sponsored several drivers at Richard Petty Motorsports including Kasey Kahne and A.J. Allmendinger.  

"As a company that is aligned so closely with motorsports, we are always looking for the best way to support the racing scene so that everyone benefits", stated Mark Mast, Vice President of Marketing at Bond Auto.  "By sponsoring divisions or a particular race, everyone from the fans to the drivers are affected."

"We are ecstatic to have Bond Auto Parts as our sponsor for the American-Canadian Tour Invitational in September," said Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. "As a New England based company, they have realized the marketing power of auto racing in the northeast.  We are very pleased that they are joining us in 2012 to help showcase all of the excitement that NHMS has to offer." 

For more details or to purchase tickets for the exciting 2012 season at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, fans are encouraged to call the track's ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 or by visiting www.nhms.com.  See you trackside!

About New Hampshire Motor Speedway

New Hampshire Motor Speedway is the largest sports and entertainment facility in New England and will host the two biggest sporting events in the six-state region as part of its exciting 2012 racing schedule.

Located approximately one hour north of Boston, in Loudon, N.H., the speedway hosts more than 100,000 spectators at each of its two prestigious NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races. Our NASCAR event weekends draw larger crowds than the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, the World Series and the NCAA Final Four events. The facility is active every day from April through October and attracts more than 500,000 guests during the season. For more information on NHMS, please visit us at http://www.nhms.com/.

About Bond Auto Parts

Bond Auto Parts, Inc. is northern New England's automotive aftermarket leader and is continually ranks among the top 25 auto parts chains in the country.  Bond offers retail customers, professional installers, and jobbers the unbeatable combination of outstanding inventory, quality, price and service.  A family business, which started over 50 years ago, Bond Auto, is a thriving company with an extensive regional network of over 45 store locations throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. 

In 1956, Earl Bond, founded and opened the first Bond Auto Parts store in Barre, Vermont.  In 1963, Bond started it's own warehouse operation with the help of his sons Bill and George; all along, continuing to add store locations.  Today, the third generation of Bond family members are in charge, providing the same dynamic leadership that has characterized the company's success for more than 5 decades.  "Team Bond Auto" also includes an outstanding staff.  Together, Bond Auto forms a cohesive unit dedicated to providing the utmost in service to our clientele in the industry.

For more information contact the ACT office at (802)244-6963, media@acttour.com or visit www.acttour.com.

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RAY JUNIOR COURTEMANCHE AUX ESSAIS NASCAR SUR LE BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY,

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAY JUNIOR COURTEMANCHE AUX ESSAIS NASCAR SUR LE BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY,

Le pilote montréalais se prépare pour sa participation à une course de la série NASCAR K&N Pro Series Est le 16 mars prochain.

RAY JUNIOR COURTEMANCHE TO TEST AT BRISTOL MOTOR SPEEDWAY

The Montreal-based driver prepares for his debut race in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, to be run on March 16 at the notoriously difficult race track.

 

Montréal, 22 Fév. 2012 – En préparation pour sa participation à une course de la série NASCAR K&N Series sur cette piste, le 16 mars prochain,  Ray Junior Courtemanche et son équipe Danam Bonzaï Racing seront à pied d'œuvre lors des essais officiels NASCAR prévus pour le 27 février au légendaire Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Ray Junior trépigne d'impatience. « Le demi-mille de Bristol, avec ses virages relevés à plus de 30 degrés, présente un challenge unique pour l'équipe et pour moi. La vitesse en piste et l'intensité du pilotage en font la piste la plus intense à piloter sur tout le circuit NASCAR. »  L'équipe et le pilote devront établir des repères et des réglages de base pour ce circuit unique et des plus rapides, afin d'arriver à la course prêts à rouler fort et établir de bons chronos, comme les font les habitués de cette piste.

 

Le gratin des pilotes NASCAR d'autres séries tourneront aussi lors de la journée d'essais. Ray Junior anticipe une journée occupée. « En plus d'apprendre la piste et la machine de DGM Racing, je me promets d'observer les pilotes habitués à Bristol, afin d'accélérer ma compréhension du tracé idéal dans les virages.  Les 20 années d'expérience de DGM Racing me permettront aussi d'accélérer mon apprentissage. »

 

Cette expérience promet d'aider Ray Junior à commencer la série NASCAR Canadian Tire 2012 mieux préparé à affronter les loups tels qu'Andrew Ranger et autres Terry Micks, et surtout, battre les autres recrues en piste.

 

Pour nous suivre : http://www.facebook.com/groups/bonzairacing/

 

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Montreal, February 22, 2012 – Starting out in a new series, in a different race car, against unknown competitors and at the most challenging race track on the NASCAR scene is, to say the least, a tall order. Driver Ray Junior Courtemanche and his Danam Bonzaï Racing team will begin their learning curve this coming February 27 at the legendary racetrack.

 

Ray Junior can't wait to hit the track "The half-mile Bristol track, with its high banked corners and high speeds is a unique challenge for me and for the team. The short straights and high speeds make it the most intense race track in North America, almost like racing on a short Kart track with 650 hp and 1400kg to muscle around."  Driver and Team need to pick reference points for the ideal line on the track and determine the best possible suspension settings, so that pre-race practice and qualifying will focus on fine tuning for the race just like those who know the track will be doing, rather than finding base settings.

 

The best drivers from other NASCAR series will also practice on that day. Ray Junior expects to be very busy the whole day. "In addition to learning the track and how the DGM Racing Chevrolet works, I will be watching how the other driver drive the track to get quick times. I also expect the guys at DGM Racing to share their 20 years of experience to help me get around the place as quickly as possible."

 

That extra race early in the season is sure to help Ray Junior hit the ground « running » as he starts his first full season in the NASCAR Canadian Tire 2012 Series, where the competition, led by the likes of Andrew Ranger and hard-driving veteran Terry Micks will not make life easy for the rookie driver in his quest for top rookie honours at the end of the 2012 season.

 

Share our excitement at http://www.facebook.com/groups/bonzairacing/

 

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PATRICK LEPORÉ FAIT LE SAUT SPORTSMAN-ANCA EN 2012 !

Multiple Champion stock car en catégorie Production ANCA

 

La saison 2012 en sera une de transition pour le pilote de Mirabel, PATRICK LEPORÉ, le double Champion (2010 et 2011) de la catégorie Production, puisque la voiture #12 évoluera dans la catégorie reine de l'Autodrome St-Eustache, les Sportsman ANCA.

 

« La voiture est présentement en préparation aux ateliers de Morin Performance. Des améliorations au châssis sont les principaux items qui seront effectués avec le remplacement des « clips » avant et arrière du châssis original GM métrique. » de préciser Leporé en ajoutant qu'un moteur GM 602 fait aussi partie des améliorations qui seront apportées à cette voiture qui a connu ses heures de gloire lorsque Guy Jubinville la pilotait du temps où elle portait une carrosserie de camionnette.

 

Il n'est pas exclu également que sa voiture de l'an passé fasse quelques apparitions dans la catégorie Production au cours de la saison qui vient.

 

Patrick Leporé ajoute que la venue d'un commanditaire majeur serait la bienvenue pour disposer d'un peu plus de budget.

 

« La Coupe Master Sportsman Canada/USA, une série de 6 courses entre les pilotes américains de Plattsburgh et ceux de l'Autodrome St-Eustache, en sols canadien et américain,  fait également partie de mon plan de match… » de renchérir le sympatique pilote qui a la ferme intention de s'imposer et de « prendre sa place » en piste aux commandes de son nouveau bolide.

 

IL NE SERA PAS SEUL !!!

Au moins deux autres pilotes de la division PRODUCTION feront le saut en Sportsman ANCA. En effet, SYLVAIN CONTANT, de Mascouche, le pilote de la voiture #91 prendra possession dès le 23 février d'une voiture avec châssis tubulaire Morin d'un pilote de la région de la vieille capitale, tandis qu’un autre pilote de Mascouche, MARTIN FAUTEUX graduera dans la « grosse classe » avec une voiture acquise d'Isabelle Tremblay tout récemment. On reparlera de ces deux pilotes sous peu.

 

4 RECRUES À DATE

Si on ajoute ces 3 pilotes Production à NEIL LEBLOND, de Gatineau, qui pilotait une Légende Modifiée auparavant, et qui s'est porté acquéreur d'une voiture Sportsman de Plattsburgh, ce n'est pas moins de 4 recrues, en date d'aujourd'hui, qui se sont inscrits en Sportsman ANCA pour 2012, et si on additionne le tout aux pilotes de Plattsburgh qui ont signifié leur intérêt pour les Sportsman ANCA pour la prochaine saison, on est en droit de croire que le peloton de cette catégorie pourrait être des plus intéressants pour la saison estivale 2012.

 

Les pilotes Sportsman  seront en piste le 28 avril prochain, lors de la journée porte ouverte de l’Autodrome St-Eustache, et lors de la première course de la Coupe Master Sportsman Canada USA à Plattsburgh, NY le 12 mai avant de revenir à St-Eustache pour l’ouverture officielle le 19 mai.

                                                                          -30-

 


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Tagliani Successfully Completes Test at Texas Motor Speedway

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Fort Worth, TX - February 22, 2012 - After a day of waiting on Monday for track weepers to dry at Texas Motor Speedway, Alex Tagliani and the Lotus test team were ready to hit the 1.5-mile oval on Tuesday.

The test marked the second chance in as many months for the Canadian driver to continue learning the new features of the Lotus-powered Dallara DW12. With only three install laps completed on day one, the second outing brought better results as the Lotus test team, comprised of members from Team Barracuda - BHA, Lotus HVM Racing and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, completed 132 incident-free laps.

 

"Overall, I think it was a good day," said Tagliani. "For our first time on an oval in the new car, we learned some amazing things. Of course, we still have some work to do and we didn't have as much speed as we would have liked, but every time I came into the pits with a change, the guys were able to make it happen.

"I am so thankful and proud to be working with this amazing group of guys. Plus, this is the track where Todd [Malloy] and I had a great event last season, so we kind of started today where we left off."

Tagliani also noted that the Lotus group was helpful and positive. He added, "They were receptive to the things we need to improve. It's great to work with people like that."

Now, it's onto the next test with an exciting twist. The official unveiling of the Team Barracuda - BHA car is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 28, during the team's test at Barber Motorsports Park. Media is encouraged to attend. After that, Tagliani and his crew head to the IZOD IndyCar Series open test in Sebring, FL.

On March 25, the season kicks off on the streets of St. Petersburg, FL, where Tagliani has his sights set on Victory Lane. Fans can watch all the action live on ABC.

About Bryan Herta Autosport
Founded by veteran driver Bryan Herta and noted race engineer and team manager Steve Newey, Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) has been a race-winning team in Firestone Indy Lights competition since 2009 and recently won the 2011 Indianapolis 500 with driver Dan Wheldon in only its second IZOD IndyCar Series start. The Indianapolis, Ind.-based squad made its IndyCar debut in 2010 contesting the Indianapolis 500. New for 2012, BHA has formed a joint venture with Bowen and Bowers Motorsports, Inc. (BBM) to field a full time entry in the IZOD Indycar Series for Canadian driver Alex Tagliani.  Based in Toronto, Ontario, Bowen and Bowers Motorsports, Inc. is the coming together of leading sports and entertainment property development professionals, Chris Bowers and David Bowen, along with the financial management experience of Trapeze Asset Management Inc. For more information, visit www.bryanhertaautosport.com.

About Barracuda Networks Inc.
Barracuda Networks combines premises-based gateways and software, virtual appliances, cloud services, and sophisticated remote support to deliver comprehensive content and network security, data protection and application delivery solutions. The company's expansive product portfolio includes offerings for protection against email and Web threats as well as products that improve application delivery and network access, message archiving, backup and data protection. Coca-Cola, FedEx, Harvard University, IBM, L'Oreal, and Europcar are among the more than 150,000 organizations protecting their IT infrastructures with Barracuda Networks' range of affordable, easy-to-deploy and manage solutions. Barracuda Networks is privately held with its International Headquarters in Campbell, Calif. For more information, please visit www.barracudanetworks.com.

 


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3M, USG And Freescale Add Special Awards To 2012 NASCAR Contingency Program

Contingency Partners Continue Support Of NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Teams With Per­ Race and Year­-End Awards

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 21, 2012) – As teams make final preparations to start the 2012 race season, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced the lineup of 2012 NASCAR Contingency Program sponsors for all three national series.

 

The NASCAR Contingency Program is administered by the Charlotte, N.C. ­based NASCAR Automotive Group. The program strives to build strong relationships with high­ quality, performance­ driven brands that are leaders in their respective categories, and award money to NASCAR teams via per ­race and year-end awards. Competitors become eligible for prize money by displaying sponsor decals on the front fender of their race cars and trucks. In some instances, use of a sponsor’s product is also required.

 

Three new special awards highlight the 2012 contingency program award lineup. This season, longtime NASCAR Official Partner and Roush Fenway Racing primary sponsor 3M will present the 3M Lap Leader Award in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and NASCAR Nationwide Series. The award will go to the eligible driver who leads the most laps in each race throughout the season. USG Corp., the Official Building Product Supplier of NASCAR, will present the USG "Improving the Finish" Award to the eligible NSCS driver who improves the most positions from starting position to finishing position in each NSCS race event.

 

Freescale, the Official Automotive Semiconductor of NASCAR, is not only helping to usher in electronic fuel injection to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but also will present a new contingency special award to NSCS competitors. The Freescale "Wide Open" Award will be given to the eligible NSCS driver that is the most aggressive during the final 20% of the race, measured by having the throttle “wide open” the greatest amount of time, and finishing in the top five.

 

“As one of the largest suppliers of electronics for automotive, networking, consumer and industrial products, Freescale is known for high performance products and for pushing technology to the limits,” said Rich Beyer, chairman and CEO of Freescale Semiconductor. “We want to reward that same kind of performance on the track.”

 

“We are very pleased to have a strong lineup of NASCAR Prize Money & Decal Program sponsors in the national series this year including new special awards from our dedicated partners 3M, USG and Freescale,” said Todd Armstrong, managing director, NASCAR Automotive Group. “NASCAR contingency sponsors and teams display a level of synergy and teamwork that is unparalleled in sports and continues to be one of the major reasons companies choose to partner with NASCAR.”

 

Below is the 2012 national series sponsor lineup and special awards:

·         3M – NSCS*, NNS*

- Lap Leader Award

·         ARP Fasteners – NNS

·         Auto Meter Gauges – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

·         Competition Cams – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

·         Coors Light – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS* (Keystone Light)

                - Pole Award

·         DIRECTV – NSCS*

- Crew Chief of the Race/Year

·         Edelbrock Intake Manifolds – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

·         Featherlite – NNS*, NCWTS*

- Most Improved Driver Award

·         Freescale – NSCS*

- Wide Open Award

·         Goodyear Tires – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Goodyear Tires Award to Series Champions

·         Growth Energy/American Ethanol – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Green Flag Restart Award (NSCS)

- Awarded to Series Champions (NNS, NCWTS)

·         Holley Throttle Bodies/Carburetors – NSCS (throttle bodies), NNS, NCWTS

·         JE Pistons – NNS, NCWTS

·         JEGS – NSCS, NNS

·         K&N Filters – NSCS, NNS, NCWTS

·         Lincoln Electric – NSCS, NCWTS

·         MAHLE Clevite – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Engine Builder of the Race/Year Award

·         Mechanix Wear – NSCS*, NNS, NCWTS

- Mechanix Wear Most Valuable Pit Crew (Quarterly/Year ­End)

·         Mobil 1 – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Driver of the Race/Year

·         MOOG Steering & Suspension – NSCS*, NNS, NCWTS

- Problem Solver of the Race/Year

·         MSD Ignition – NNS, NCWTS

·         Simpson Firesuits – NNS, NCWTS

·         Sunoco – NSCS*, NNS*, NCWTS*

- Diamond Performance Award to Series Champions

- Rookie of the Year

·         USG – NSCS*

- Improving the Finish Award

 

*Indicates Special Award sponsor with a year -end bonus.

 

For a detailed description and special award standings of national series awards presented via the NASCAR Contingency Program please visit www.nascarmedia.com.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of North America's premier sports. NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport – with more of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S. than any other sport, and is the No. 2 rated regular season sport on television. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and as a result more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, and one local grassroots series, as well as two international series. Also part of NASCAR is Grand-­Am Road Racing, known for its competition on road courses with multiple classes of cars. NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races at 100 tracks in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. Based in Daytona Beach (Fla.), NASCAR has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Charlotte (N.C.), Concord (N.C.), Conover (N.C.), Bentonville (Ark.), Mexico City, and Toronto.

 

About NASCAR Automotive

The NASCAR Automotive Group, based in the Charlotte, N.C. office, supports sponsorship and licensing partnerships of companies in the automotive category and the NASCAR Contingency Program. Under the NASCAR Performance brand, automotive partners build brand awareness and sales of their products and services via an integrated marketing program. The program includes: The NASCAR Technical Institute – a branch of Universal Technical Institute Inc. (UTI) that trains automotive technicians for the workforce; a weekly TV show on SPEED called “NASCAR Performance”; a national radio show called “NASCAR Performance Live” on MRN and NASCAR SIRIUS XM Radio; and print and online media programs with the BABCOX family of automotive magazines and NASCAR.COM. For more information, visit www.NASCAR.COM/auto.

 

 


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