2012-01-18

INSIDE TRACK READERS' CHOICE AWARDS VOTING IS UNDERWAY

Program aimed at celebrating Canada’s best racers now in its 10th year

 

For immediate release: January 16, 2012

 

TORONTO, ON – Canadian motorsports fans have 10 days left to register their votes for Canada’s top racers of 2011. Visitors to www.insidetracknews.com will have their say in ‘Racer of the Year’ and ‘Up and Coming Racer of the Year’ categories as part of the 10th annual Inside Track Motorsports News Readers’ Choice Awards.

 

Known as the Official Publication of Canadian Motorsports, the magazine’s Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards are a key component of the publication’s commitment to focus positive attention on this country’s current and future stars.

 

Visitors to the Inside Track homepage, who click on the Readers’ Choice Awards program button, will be redirected to a secure online poll featuring a list of six nominees (each) in 11 categories representing various popular forms of racing in Canada. Also included in each category is space for a ‘write-in’ vote to register ballots for non-nominated racers.

 

The categories include Racer of the Year and Up and Coming Racer of the Year awards for Stock Cars, Road Racing and Motorcycles. In addition, Inside Track readers will register Racer of the Year votes for Dirt Ovals, Drag Racing, Rallying and Karting. This year’s nominees include talented competitors representing all regions of Canada.

 

Visitors to the website will also have an opportunity to vote for the Canadian Racer of the Year Participating at the Highest Levels of International Competition, as well as to select an Overall Canadian Racer of the Year. The 13th and final question will ask them to identify the individual they believe to be Most Deserving of Induction into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

 

“So far we’ve had almost five thousand completed ballots and we expect that total to rise considerably prior to the close of voting on January 25, 2012,” said Inside Track’s Greg MacPherson. “Inside Track Readers’ Choice Award winners are proud to include their awards on their resumes and many of them are active in promoting their nominations on their websites and social media feeds. We’re honoured that the awards are important to them.”

 

Nominees were determined following consultations involving Inside Track’s team of editors and contributors. Every effort was made to put forward the most worthy candidates, while fairly representing Canada’s top series and all regions of the country.

 

All voting will be conducted via a controlled balloting procedure at the official Inside Track website (www.insidetracknews.com). The polls will remain open until midnight on Wednesday, January 25, 2012. The results of the readers’ selections will be announced in an upcoming issue of Inside Track Motorsport News. The award winners will be honoured on stage at the Canadian Motorsports Expo on the night of Saturday, February 11. The show takes place at Toronto’s International Centre.

 

PHOTO: The Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards presentations at last year’s Canadian Motorsports Expo, featuring award recipients selected by Inside Track readers as Canada’s top and future racing stars.

 

VOTING LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ITMN_RCA_2011

 

ATTACHED: 1) Inside Track Readers’ Choice Awards ‘click here to vote’ program button. 2) A PDF of the various categories and nominees.

 

Inside Track Communications fast facts: Inside Track Communications is the nation’s leader when it comes to Canadian motorsports publications. Based in Toronto, Ontario, Inside Track Communications publishes Inside Track Motorsport News (www.insidetracknews.com), Inside Motorcycles (www.insidemotorcycles.com), and Inside MotoX & Off Road (www.insidemotocross.com). Inside Track Communications is also the co-owner of the Canadian Motorsports Expo (www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com).

 

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Austin Theriault Announces Plans For 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1.17.12

For more information, visit www.AustinTheriault.com or E-mail TBarrettGWC@hotmail.com

 

 

Theriault to chase full ACT Late Model Tour, southern Super Late Model races for BKR

 

 

FORT KENT, Maine – Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, will try and complete some unfinished business this season while also setting out on a new venture in his racing

career.

 

Theriault will run the complete ACT Late Model Tour schedule in 2012 as he chases his first career Tour championship, while the 17-year-old will also run more than half a

dozen Super Late Model events as a development driver for Brad Keselowski Racing.

“We've had all kinds of good opportunities in the last couple of years and learned from all of them,” said Theriault, who made his debut with BKR in the World Crown 300 at Gresham Motorsports Park in Jefferson, Ga., last November. "I know it all has happened fast, but I feel everything happens for a

reason and I'm ready for the challenge.

“I'm really looking forward to this season."

Theriault, who finished third in the final 2011 ACT Late Model Tour standings after posting six straight Top-5 finishes to close out the season, will attempt all ACT points races this year with his family-owned AT Racing No. 57 Ford.


“We're really putting all our efforts into going after the title," said Mickey Green, crew chief of the No. 57. "That's the main goal for us on the ACT side. Hopefully we can pick up where we left off last year.”

Theriault will begin his 2012 season in the BKR No. 29 at Lanier (Ga.) National Speedway in the CRA-sanctioned Speedfest 200 on Jan. 28-29. He also has plans to run The Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway in March, the Rowdy 251 in Berlin, Michigan, in June, as well as both ends of the famed Snowball Derby – both the Super Late Model and Pro Late Model events – in December as part of his schedule with BKR.

BKR is owned by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver and 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Brad Keselowski.

“It's definitely a huge opportunity to spread your wings and head down south for these Super Late Model races, to get some seat time with those guys." Theriault said. “We did a couple races at the end of last year for BKR and look forward to expanding on what we've been able to accomplish in the ACT Tour in the last few years.

“I'm trying to climb the ladder. We've been given a huge opportunity now and we're going to see where it takes us. I wouldn't be able to be successful without the help of my 57 crew and all the guys that I've worked with at BKR."


Green, who has worked as Theriault's crew chief on the Late Model side since Theriault's rookie season in ACT in 2010, believes that Theriault can head as far as he wants.

“I look at him as a Ryan Moore type,” Green said, noting another Maine native and ACT graduate who has driven in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and worked for a number of Sprint Cup Series organizations. “Austin's equally as good, if not better. Sometimes he doesn't give himself enough credit for how good he really is.”

Theriault hopes to add two things to his racing resume this season – a run for the series championship and a victory in one of the country's premier short-track events in the South. It's one of the reasons he made sure his schedule allowed enough room for all ACT points races as well as some of the bigger Super Late Model shows in the nation down south.

“Last year was a good example of how we can adapt to different obstacles and threaten for a win, and we came close a couple times (in ACT races),” Theriault said. “Over the winter, we've taken everything we've learned to try and make things better for this season. Championships will come, but we've got

to win some races, too.

“I think we've obviously taken steps in that direction.”

 

###

 

Follow Austin Theriault on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/atracing
Follow GWC Motorsports Marketing on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/GWCMotorsports
Follow GWC Motorsports Marketing on Twitter:http://www.Twitter.com/GWCNewEngland



Travis Barrett
GWC Motorsports Marketing

 


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REVSTAR renonce au championnat sur glace en 2012

Afin de mettre tout le focus sur la prochaine saison, REVSTAR a décidé de d'éliminer le championnat de glace 2012  mais nous comptons revenir plus fort l'an prochain.

 

Avec l'addition de 5 nouveaux pilotes STR et encore d'autres qui pourraient s'ajouter pour la prochaine saison, en plus de la série Slinghots gagne en popularité, nous avons décidé de concentrer nos efforts pour la préparation des bolides.

Le numéro 10, Gabriel Richer qui avait impressionné en dominant le premier championnat sur glace ne sera pas trop déçu d'apprendre que la série ne reviendra pas cet hiver, puisqu'il est passablement occupé par ses tâches de nouveau papa. Toutefois, il sera partant pour le championnat régulier de la saison 2012.


Gabriel Richer -  Premier champion de Glace de REVSTAR


Avant le retour sur la glace en 2013, nous allons faire l'essais d'un nouveau type de pneus à crampons pour les Slingshot pour voir si nous pourrons lancer un championnat pour cette catégorie.

Pour l'instant on met le championnat hivernal sur la glace !!!  Et on vous revient l'automne prochain avec des nouvelles pour la prochaine édition.

Mais d'abord la saison 2012 de REVSTAR
avec ses deux catégories STR et Slinshots

Le travail de logistique pour la prochaine saison est bien amorcé, nous pourrons bientôt dévoiler le calendrier des activités 2012 qui sera encore très équilibré entre les pistes d'asphalte et de terre battue. Nous allons poursuivre nos efforts pour promouvoir nos deux séries.

Nous sommes anxieux d'entreprendre notre quatrième saisons en REVSTAR. Après quelques années pour établir la série sur des bases solides, nous avons maintenant atteint la maturité avec deux championnats chaudement disputés.  Yannick Poirier en STR et  Isabelle Manny, qui a marqué l'histoire de la série en remportant le premier championnat des Slingshot, seront de retour pour défendre leur titre en 2012.

Nous prévoyons présenter des grilles imposantes pour tous les programmes lors de la prochaine saison et l'engouement continue auprès des amateurs de courses.

Moins cher qu'on pourrait le croire !

Un sport abordable et sécuritaire : Pour un investissement comparable à celui d'un achat d'une motoneige ou d'un VTT, nos pilotes participent à un véritable championnat de Stock Car et vivent des sensations incomparables.  Vous pourriez vous aussi être dans le feu de l'action !

Carl Labonté

---------------------

REVSTAR

 


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'Rapid Roman' Richie Evans Rode Orange Chariot Into History

For Immediate Release

 

New York Star Won Nine NASCAR Modified Series Titles In Hall Of Fame Career

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2012) – Richard Ernest “Richie” Evans certainly was the face of NASCAR – and modified racing – in the northeast, winning an estimated 475 times in approximately 1,300 starts. It equates to a win in every three starts (a 36.5% clip), something unheard of in modern racing at any level.

 

Evans will be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday, one of five members of the Hall’s third class comprised of the New York native, legendary crew chief Dale Inman, team owner Glen Wood and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. He is the first of 15 inductees without a connection to NASCAR’s premier series.

 

The 2012 enshrinement ceremony kicks off NASCAR Acceleration 2012 weekend, which includes the NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint, where fans can interact with the sport’s legends and current stars in person, get autographs and catch a sneak peek at the upcoming season. Fans can go to NASCARacceleration2012.com for more information.

 

Nicknamed the “Rapid Roman” by virtue of racing out of Rome, N.Y., he found a home in the modifieds – a car fashioned from pre-World War II coupes and sedans powered by high horsepower engines.

 

Evans won nine NASCAR national modified championships over a 13-year span, including eight consecutive titles from 1978-85. His signature No. 61 orange race car was a magnet for fans and a terror to his fellow competitors.

 

He worked on his own cars – up to 100 hours a week – and raced virtually every night of the week.

 

“Working with the car and working on it in the garage every week is an advantage,” Evans once said. “While I’m working on the car, I’m thinking about every lap I rode in that thing. It’s not like the mechanic who stood and watched it during the feature and then has to make some decisions.”

 

Evans lost his life at age 44 while practicing at Martinsville Speedway for the 1985 season finale of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He’d earlier locked up the series’ first championship along with a fourth consecutive Whelen All-American Northeast Region title.

 

He was named one of NASCAR’s “50 Greatest Drivers” in 1998.

 

On Jan. 10, the New York State Senate adopted a resolution honoring Evans’ NASCAR Hall of Fame induction “remembering his extraordinary accomplishments in the racing area that were a direct result of his skill, dedication and commitment.”

 

“We are just so thrilled and excited. He has received a lot of rewards but this is the ultimate,” said his widow, Lynn, commenting on her husband’s election to the NASCAR Hall of Fame. “I know he is looking down and smiling ear to ear.”

 

Evans, one of six brothers and sisters, left his family’s Westernville, N.Y. home at the age of 16 to work as a gas station mechanic. In 1964 Evans began racing hobby stocks at Utica-Rome Speedway.

 

Evans’ first NASCAR championship came in 1973 – after a number of seasons winning race after race regardless of sanctioning body. The title snapped a two-year reign by fellow Rome resident Jerry Cook, who won four more championships before Evans reclaimed a crown in 1978 that he relinquished only after his passing.

 

The Evans-Cook rivalry was legendary – although they weren’t the only prominent figures in NASCAR modified racing, which included future NASCAR Sprint Cup star Geoffrey Bodine, Maynard Troyer, Ron Bouchard, Bugs Stevens, George Kent and Tom Baldwin Sr.

 

But they lived in the same town and each had a separate set of fans. Evans and Cook got along fine; the fans, however, were a different story. And they won every NASCAR Modified Series championship between 1971 and 1985.

 

The two also had distinctly different personalities. “The only thing we had in common was racing and there were times we didn’t even talk to each other,” said Cook, who became a NASCAR official following a racing career that ended in 1982 with nearly 350 victories. Cook currently is NASCAR’s Competition Administrator. “But we put on a show with it.

 

“He didn’t win everything. I beat him and other drivers beat him so it wasn’t like he won every single thing. But he did real well at it, that’s for sure.”

 

Evans won regularly and won with style and grace. He also was a promoter’s dream, his presence putting hundreds of additional folks in the grandstands.

 

“He was a hard-core guy, racing to put food on the table,” said John Bisci, a high school student who watched Evans race at Lancaster Speedway in New York and became the track’s program editor in 1976. Bisci is Public Relations Manager at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “You could talk to him any time. After the races he would give you an autograph and never said, ‘I’m too busy kid; come back later.’

 

“No matter how many times he won, nobody booed. He never disparaged the other drivers and told the fans, ‘I’m glad you were cheering for me.’ He was a ‘party guy’ but when it came time to race he was all business.”

 

NASCAR Sprint Cup owner Tommy Baldwin Jr., whose father competed against Evans, brought his No. 36 car to a recent event with an Evans retro paint scheme. “Richie was someone we all looked up to and when he came to town we knew we had to beat him to win,” said Baldwin. “He made us work harder and I think that prepared a lot of us for the Sprint Cup level.”

 

The color orange may not have made Evans’ cars go any faster – but it probably gave him a psychological edge in an era when few race cars were brightly painted. “He had a fast orange car in a sea of stock Detroit colors. There was no mistaking him for anyone else,” said Bisci. “You’d see him in the rear view mirror and you knew it was him that was coming.”

 

2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Graphics package

http://bit.ly/hof2012graphics

 

NASCAR Hall of Fame hub page where users can view and download all of our NASCAR Hall of Fame content

http://bit.ly/hofresources

 

For additional information, contact:

Owen A. Kearns, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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ARCA Racing Series, ARCA CRA Super Series Scheduled to Race Friday, July 27 at Lucas Oil Raceway

For Immediate Release:

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

 

(TOLEDO, Ohio) - Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis will host the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and the ARCA CRA Super Series on Friday, July 27, the track announced today.

 

The date announcement for the track's second consecutive ARCA Racing Series event and ninth since 1971 finalizes the 20-race ARCA Racing Series schedule for 2012. The Lucas Oil Raceway event had appeared on the previously-announced race schedule without a confirmed date.

 

The ARCA Racing Series and ARCA CRA Super Series events will follow a USAC Midget and Silver Crown doubleheader on Thursday, July 26.

 

"We are pleased to welcome back ARCA for the second consecutive season following their thrilling race last year, and the ARCA CRA Super Series has long been a valuable partner," said Wes Collier, general manager of Lucas Oil Raceway. "The history and tradition Lucas Oil Raceway has with USAC is long and storied with past race winners including some of the greatest names in racing. We are anxious for a tremendous two nights of racing."

 

Ty Dillon won at Lucas Oil Raceway last season, scoring one of his series-leading seven victories before becoming the 2011 ARCA Racing Series champion. ARCA's July visit to the track in Clermont, just west of Indianapolis, was the series' first since 1985.

 

The ARCA CRA Super Series is a top stock car sanctioning body and features some the finest up-and-coming talents in all of racing. Past CRA winners at Lucas Oil Raceway have included Scott Hantz, Jeff Land, and Ross Kenseth.

 

The track will announce a schedule of events and ticket prices for the weekend shortly, and ARCA will make future announcements regarding event broadcast coverage and sponsorship.

 

2012 will be the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The season begins with the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 18. The event will air live on SPEED.

 

The complete 2012 event schedule 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.

 

CONTACT:

Griffin Hickman, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA

 


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NASCAR Extends Partnership With Federal-Mogul

For Immediate Release

 

MOOG Steering And Suspension Brand Remains Exclusive

NASCAR Performance® Partner, Extends NASCAR Contingency Program Sponsorship

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2012) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) announced today that it has renewed its partnership agreement with Federal-Mogul Corporation (NASDAQ: FDML), extending Federal-Mogul’s market-leading MOOG brand of automotive steering and suspension components as an exclusive NASCAR Performance partner.

 

This multi-year agreement will continue to provide Federal-Mogul’s MOOG product and marketing team with a platform to enhance and differentiate its products and drive sales. The NASCAR Performance brand marks and intellectual property will appear on MOOG packaging as well as within the brand’s product literature, advertising and promotional programs, and at industry events.

 

“There’s no better proving ground for MOOG steering and suspension components than NASCAR,” said Jay Burkhart, senior vice president, Federal-Mogul Global Aftermarket. “Federal-Mogul’s extension of its partnership with NASCAR emphasizes our commitment to provide the best steering and suspension parts to NASCAR race teams, professional automotive technicians and vehicle owners.”

 

MOOG steering and suspension products – such as ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel hub assemblies and universal joints – feature innovative, problem-solving designs that make them the ideal choice for race teams, automotive technicians and vehicle owners. MOOG components are engineered to help professionals ensure precise handling and steering response, to deliver increased product durability, and to ensure easier installation on today’s vehicles, virtually regardless of make or model.

 

For more than 45 years, NASCAR has validated the performance of MOOG products under the toughest racing conditions,” said Todd Armstrong, managing director, NASCAR Automotive Group. “Just as NASCAR is the world’s premier motorsports innovator, Federal Mogul is the technology expert when it comes to providing quality, precision steering and suspension components to car owners, certified mechanics and race enthusiasts.”

 

MOOG products have been the preferred steering and suspension technology of NASCAR teams for more than four decades. In fact, every NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion since 1966 has relied on MOOG products for exceptional on-track performance and durability.

 

The agreement continues the MOOG brand’s high-profile involvement as a NASCAR Contingency Program sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR K&N Pro Series. Federal-Mogul and the MOOG brand also sponsor the prestigious weekly and annual MOOG “Problem Solver” awards for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series crew chiefs.

 

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 races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in 20 languages. In the United States, races are broadcast on FOX, TNT, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2, SPEED and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. NASCAR fans are among the most brand-loyal in all of sports. As a result, more Fortune 100 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. NASCAR consists of three national series (NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series), four regional series, one local grassroots series, and 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 eight cities across North America. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nascar.com. Follow NASCAR on www.facebook.com/NASCAR or on Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

About Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul Corporation is a leading global supplier of powertrain and safety solutions to the world’s foremost original equipment manufacturers of automotive, commercial, aerospace, marine, rail and off-road vehicles; industrial, agricultural and power generation equipment; as well as the worldwide aftermarket. Federal-Mogul’s leading technology and innovation, lean manufacturing expertise, and global distribution network deliver world-class products, brands and services at a competitive cost. The company’s sustainable global profitable growth strategy creates value for its employees, customers and shareholders. Federal-Mogul was founded in Detroit in 1899. The company is headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, and employs approximately 45,000 people in 35 countries.

 

Federal-Mogul’s aftermarket products are sold under a variety of well-known brands, including: Abex®, AE®, ANCO®, Beral®, Carter®, Champion®, FP Diesel®, Fel-Pro®, Ferodo®, Glyco®, Goetze®, MOOG®, National®, Necto®, Nüral®, Payen®, Precision®, Sealed Power®, Speed-Pro® and Wagner®. All Federal-Mogul trademarks are owned by Federal-Mogul Corporation, or one or more of its subsidiaries, in one or more countries.

 

For additional information regarding Federal-Mogul, MOOG steering and suspension components and the NASCAR MOOG Problem Solver awards, visit www.federal-mogul.com or www.moogproblemsolver.com.

 

For more information, please contact:

Nick Kelly, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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Honda Indy Toronto presents Canadian debut of the new 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar at the Canadian Motorsports Expo

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 18, 2012) – Race fans attending the Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track will have an exclusive opportunity to have an up-close look at the new 2012 Dallara DW12 IndyCar. This is the first time Canadian race fans and journalists in Canada will have the chance to view the long awaited car.

 

The CME takes place February 10, 11 and 12 at the International Centre near Pearson International Airport. The new vehicle has been designated the DW12 in honour of the late Dan Wheldon, who was a series champion and two-time winner of the Indy 500.

 

“Canadian Motorsports Expo visitors are going to be the first in Canada to get a firsthand look at the new road course version of the Dallara DW12 IZOD IndyCar Series car, identical to the ones that will be in action on the streets of Toronto in July,” said the CME’s David Weber. “The Honda Indy Toronto is one of Canada’s biggest sports and entertainment events and we’re excited to be working the organizers to promote both the event and Canadian motorsports at the CME.”

 

Located at the core of the CME’s 80,000 square-foot floor, the Honda Indy Toronto booth will be hosted by event representatives who will be available to discuss the 2012 event and the new Dallara DW12 car.

 

“The Honda Indy Toronto is the highlight of the year for many motorsports fans and car aficionados,” said Charlie Johnstone, Vice President and General Manager of the Honda Indy Toronto. “Motorsports has much more to offer than one single weekend of spectacular racing and excitement. IndyCar and other racing series can offer great entertainment all year long, which is something we will also offer at the CME.”

 

Having one of the country’s most prestigious motorsport events and festivals represented at the motorsports show is great news for readers of Inside Track Motorsport News and CME attendees.

 

“At the CME, we can speak directly to the motorsport enthusiast who will definitely appreciate seeing the new car up-close and in-person six months before it hits the track,” continued Johnstone.

 

Fellow Canadian and 2011 IndyCar Rookie of the Year James Hinchcliffe – a former Inside Track Readers’ Choice Award (RCA) winner and current RCA nominee – will be vying for a victory on the streets of Toronto after recently signing with Andretti Autosport. Another Canadian – 2011 Indy 500 pole-winner Alex Tagliani of Quebec – will also be in action in Toronto, having recently signed a deal to race for Bryan Herta Autosport. Canadian racing veteran Paul Tracy is reportedly still in discussions to contest the full 2012 IZOD IndyCar series schedule, but nothing has been confirmed yet for ‘The Thrill from West Hill.’

 

“We have some solid Canadian talents participating this year and driving at the highest level,” said Johnstone. “Having Canadian IndyCar drivers is very important for us and for our fans. We always want to see local heroes on-track and to have them succeed. We can’t wait to see how they perform in Toronto this July and what the season holds for our Canadian drivers.”

 

ABOUT HONDA INDY TORONTO: The Honda Indy Toronto takes place July 6-8, 2012 on the streets surrounding Exhibition Place near Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. With 26 years of IndyCar racing history in Toronto, the Honda Indy Toronto is among the most respected motorsports events in North America and includes the fastest racing series on the planet, celebrity athletes, and a week-long festival of live entertainment and interactive activities.

For more information, visit www.hondaindytoronto.com. Follow the Honda Indy Toronto on Twitter @HondaIndy and ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/HondaIndyToronto.

 

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs February 10, 11 & 12, 2012 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada)). In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Celebrity drivers will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. One of the special themes of this year’s CME is the CASCAR Reunion. Please check the show’s website (www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com) for news, updates, schedule information and more.

 

For more information on exhibitors, seminars, conferences, special events and guests, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com , call 416-962-7223 or email info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. Twitter: @CME_racing.

 


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HENDRICK MOTORSPORTS' NOS. 24 AND 88 SPRINT CUP SHOW CARS ON DISPLAY ALL THREE DAYS OF THE CANADIAN MOTORSPORTS EXPO

(TORONTO, ON // JANUARY 18, 2012) – Canadian racing fans in attendance at the upcoming Canadian Motorsports Expo presented by Inside Track Motorsport News are in for a special treat. The show, which takes place February 10, 11 and 12 at Toronto’s International Centre will feature two of the world’s most famous race cars.

 

Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard Chevrolet Impala, as well as Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet Impala NASCAR Sprint Cup show car, will come straight from the Hendrick Motorsports shop in North Carolina to be displayed at the CME. It will be the Canadian debut for both of these new-look paint schemes, which will take to the track the following weekend at Daytona International Speedway during qualifying for the Daytona 500.

 

The No. 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet Impala NASCAR Sprint Cup show car that is coming to the CME will feature the dramatic new Diet Mountain Dew paint scheme. NASCAR Canada is returning to the CME and will once again be the presenting sponsor of one of the most iconic cars in the world of motorsports.

 

“We’re looking forward to being part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo again and we’re proud to present Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew / National Guard Chevrolet Impala show car,” said Richard Coughlin, NASCAR Canada’s Director of Sponsorships. “This car has a new look for 2012 and Canadian NASCAR fans will be able to get an up-close look at it a week before they can see it on TSN when Dale Jr. takes to the track at Daytona in the same paint scheme.”

 

For the second year in a row, Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet Impala NASCAR Sprint Cup show car will be presented by Canadian Motor Speedway and featured in the CMS booth. Gordon – a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion – is closely affiliated with the proposed motorsports facility in Ft. Erie, Ontario. In addition to displaying the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet Impala show car, the Canadian Motor Speedway booth will once again feature design and management representatives from this exciting project.

 

“For the past few years, the CME has been proud to host the Canadian debuts of some of the most exciting cars in the world of motorsports,” said the CME’s David Weber. “Having the No. 24 and No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports show cars on display in the same schemes as the ones that will be driven by Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at Daytona the following week is a real coup. We’d like to thank our friends at Canadian Motor Speedway and NASCAR Canada for their support in bringing the No. 24 and No. 88 to Canada.”

 

ABOUT NASCAR CANADA: NASCAR Canada, a partnership between NASCAR and TSN Events, a division of TSN within the CTVglobemedia family, Canada’s leading multi-media company, was created in 2004 to manage the growth of the NASCAR brand in Canada through sponsorship, licensing, and marketing initiatives. TSN, which has been broadcasting NASCAR races across Canada since 1984, brought to Canadian fans more than 90 NASCAR race broadcasts in 2011.

 

ABOUT THE CANADIAN MOTOR SPEEDWAY: Canadian Motor Speedway is a $150 million racetrack development situated on 820 acres of land in Fort Erie, Ontario. Directly adjacent to the QEW within five miles of the Canadian/U.S. border, the project is just over 11 miles away from Niagara Falls. The core of the project consists of a standalone 1-mile oval which combines to form a 2.6-mile FIA-grade road course. The development will provide world class racing events for up to 100,000 spectators in a variety of motorsports including automobiles, motorcycles, karting and various motorized and non-motorized public events. Visit www.CdnMotorSeedway.com for more information.

 

ABOUT THE CME: The Canadian Motorsports Expo Powered by Inside Track Motorsport News is a three-day celebration of Canadian racing that runs February 10, 11 & 12, 2012 at the International Centre (6900 Airport Road in Mississauga, Ontario (Canada)). In addition to booths and racing vehicles representing the entire spectrum of Canadian motorsports, the show is loaded with seminars and forums to entertain and inform racers and fans alike. Celebrity drivers will be at the CME to sign autographs and meet the fans. One of the special themes of this year’s CME is the CASCAR Reunion. Please check the show’s website (www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com) for news, updates, schedule information and more. For more information on exhibitors, seminars, conferences, special events and guests, visit www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com, call 416-962-7223 or email info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com.

 


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Caley Weese Heads Back to School

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

Having completed her second season at the controls of a pro late model at Brighton Speedway Park with a 7th place point finish, Caley Weese is about embark on one of the most exciting adventures of her young career.  The 25 year-old racer from Carrying Place, Ontario – a graduate of the Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications program at St. Lawrence College – has been accepted to participate in the RACE 101 program, based in North Carolina.  The elite driver development tutoring regularly selects between 15 and 20 drivers from a variety of asphalt and dirt speedways across North America.  A year in length, the school requires drivers to be part of a trio of 3 day weekend sessions during the off-season, while completing on-line courses during the season at their respective speedways.

“Since I started racing in 2003, my goal has been to pursue motorsports full-time,” said Weese, who works as a marketing co-ordinator for McDougall Insurance and Financial in Belleville, Ontario.  “This program has so many valuable aspects – including a super late model ride in the PASS touring series for the highest graduating student – that can open a number of doors to help achieve what I’m looking for.”

With on-track seat-time scheduled for the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway, the RACE 101 classroom sessions include workshops on racecar chassis set-up, as well as media relations, team marketing and promotion.  With a number of best appearing car awards and a solid advertising program already part of her racing resume, Caley Weese is looking forward to the chance to take every aspect of her team’s performance to the next level.

“I’m so lucky to have the opportunity to be part of a training session that has already impacted so many famous drivers over the years,” said the racer known as ‘the skirt in the dirt’.  “Main instructor Tony Blanchard – a NASCAR and ARCA crew chief – worked with Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano from a very early age and helped his progression through the ranks and eventually land the Home Depot ride with Joe Gibbs Racing.  I don’t know if that’s the same type of result that I can hope for, but I’m going in with an open mind, hoping to learn as much as I can.  This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I can’t wait to get started.”

Weese Racing would like to thank sponsors Dibbits Excavating, Lucas Oil, Ten Star Weese Insurance, Foxy Hair & Esthetics, Today’s Best Country Cool 100.1/95.5 Hits FM, McDougall Insurance and Financial, Associated Muffler & Brakes, Mister Transmission, Quinte Stucco, Burr Insurance, Novo Foam Products, A&W Belleville and Spy Optics for their support during the 2011 season. 

To learn more about the Race 101 driver development program, follow Caley Weese and the class of 2012 at www.race101.com.  Catch-up with Caley by visiting www.weeseracing.com.

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications
Caley Weese began her 2011 campaign by having her #77 late model as part of mall displays in Kingston, Belleville and Cobourg.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications



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2011 Award's Banquet Wraps-up Another Successful Kawartha Speedway Season

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

With a collection of bright, sparkling trophies waiting to be handed-out, Kawartha Speedway’s drivers and teams gathered to celebrate the 2011 season Saturday, January 14th.  A crowd of more than 300 was on hand in the converted dining room under the track’s main grandstand for a sumptuous buffet dinner, followed by the presentation of class awards to Dan McHattie, Ken Donaldson Jr. and ‘Too’ Moroney for their championships in the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model, Better Carpet Thunder Car and Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stock divisions respectively.  For McHattie, it was his 7th title in the track’s 11 year history.  Donaldson and Moroney each claimed their first crowns.


On-line voting – on the track’s web-site, Facebook and Twitter – was used to decide the annual winners for rookie of the year, most improved and most sportsmanlike drivers in each regular division.

Three wins and a 7th place finish in points earned the rookie of the year honours for mini stocker Alex Lees.  A track championship and 5 trips to victory lane saw Ken Donaldson Jr. claim the thunder car prize, while 50 year-old Bryan Watts – who finished his freshman season just outside the top 10 in points – took home the late model trophy.

His first main event wins since 2006 – including a history making run in the year’s Summer Sizzler – saw Bryan Mercer pick-up the most improved driver award for the late model division.  Back to back trips to victory lane – the first wins of his career – earned the same prize for thunder car racer Andy Ford.  Brad Martin’s inaugural visit to the winner’s circle – in a 50 lap invitational on fan appreciate night – saw the Plainville, Ontario sophomore take the mini stock accolades. 

A smooth running Dwight Brown – who picked-up a pair of 2011 main event wins – saw the Beeton, Ontario racer take the most sportsmanlike late model driver hardware.  Steve Mayhew – easily the most experienced campaigner at the track – earned the statuette in the thunder car class, while Mike Nelson – who won last year’s track championship – was named the most sportsmanlike mini stock driver for the year. 

The dedicated pit crew award for 2011 was earned by the thunder car team of the #28, driven by Howie Crowe, Jr. and in a contingency draw – sponsored by 5 Star Racecar Bodies – Better Carpet Thunder Car driver Josh Gruntz and NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model runner Bryan Mercer each earned a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of a new body for their respective rides. 

Track Promoter/General Manager Derek Lynch took the podium to close-out the night’s festivities.  He congratulated everyone on a successful 2011 campaign and spoke briefly on the upcoming season, before announcing 2011 late model champion Dan McHattie as the winner of the annual president’s award.  In accepting the honour, McHattie praised Lynch and the entire Kawartha team.

“I’ve been racing in Ontario for more than 20 years and I can’t think of a single facility where I’d rather run.  If Derek called me next week and told me we were running garbage cans when the season opened, I’d start building one,” said McHattie, to the applause of the crowd.

Kawartha klips:  Next on the agenda for the Fraserville, Ontario 3/8th miler will be the 3rd running of the Long John 200 Endurance event Sunday, February 5th.  The track will also participate in the Canadian Motorsports Expo – presented by Inside Track Motorsports News – February 10th, 11th and 12th at the International Centre in Toronto.  Full show details can be found at www.CanadianMotorportsExpo.com ...Friday night action for 2012 gets underway with an open practice session May 25th.  The season opener is Friday, June 1st.  Fans can visit www.kawarthaspeedway.com to see the complete schedule.

Photo attachment:  Joel & Heather Wiebe – www.adrianmediaservices.com
#1).  2011 track champion ‘Too’ Moroney and the top finishers in the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Mini Stock division pose with their hardware at the Kawartha Speedway banquet.
#2).  Ken Donaldson Jr. is joined by fellow Better Carpet Thunder Car drivers at the Kawartha Speedway banquet.  The Queensville, Ontario racer earned a track championship and rookie of the year honours during the 2011 season.
#3).  Cavan, Ontario’s Dan McHattie captured his 7th career NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model track championship in 2011.  The veteran racer also earned the President’s Award at the Kawartha Speedway banquet.

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications


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Tom Culey sets the record straight / Tom Curley rétablit les faits

Suite à l’article publié sous la plume d’Yvan Provencher de Onroule.ca, dans lequel il s’entretient avec M. Jacques Guertin propriétaire du complexe de Sanair, nous avons contacté M. Tom Curley, président l’American Canadian Tour pour obtenir sa version des faits.

Yvan Provencher of Onroule.ca published an internet interview with Mr Jacques Guertin, owner of the Sanair complex, earlier this week.  Since we contacted American Canadian Tour President Tom Curley to get his reactions to the story.

 

Dans l’article (http://onroule.ca/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8188) publié le 16 janvier on cite, M. Guertin: "J'ai vu qu'on avait annoncé le retour de la série ACT-Castrol à Sanair, d'ailleurs Tom Curley est venu voir la piste pour voir dans quel état elle est présentement. On dit que ce sont les frères Bergeron, les propriétaires du circuit de Riverside Speedway à Ste-Croix, qui organisent cette course ici, à Sanair. Mais il n'y a encore rien de signé et je ne les ai même pas rencontrés. Comme vous pouvez le constater sur notre site, on n'a pas annoncé cette course et on ne le fera pas tant qu'on aura des documents signés."

 

Nous avons donc contacté M. Curley pour obtenir sa version des faits.  “Nous travaillons présentement le contrat pour Sanair.  Il n’y a pas de problème.  Nous avons négligé le dossier puisque notre attention était sur les règlements LMS.” [NDLR: les nouveaux règlements ACT LMS seront publiés aujourd’hui nous a mentionné aussi mentionné Curley].  “J’ai le contrat sur mon bureau, suite à une réunion avec les gens de Riverside, nous serons en mesure de compléter cette partie du dossier” déclara le grand-manitou de l’ACT.

 

Ce weekend, samedi, à Burlington au Vermont, se déroulera le gala pour couronner les champions ACT Tour, du Vermont Bryan Hoar et ACT Castrol, le Québécois Patrick Laperle.  Plus de 100 000$ en bourses et bonis a été payé aux équipes en 2011.

In the text published on January 16 (http://onroule.ca/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8188), Mr Guertin is quoted as having said: “I saw the announcement of the the ACT Castrol to the facility.  As a matter of fact Tom Curley was here to check the place out and witness the shape its in.  They say the Bergeron brothers, owners of Ste-Croix’s Riverside Speedway, will host this race.  But nothing is signed.  As you can read on our website nothing is posted about a race and we will not until the documents are signed.”

 

We contacted Mr Curley in order to get his side of the story.  “We are working on the contract with Sanair. There are no problems, just got off track with these rules issues. [Editor’s note: the ACT Late Model rule book should be released today he also informed us in a separate statement].  I have the Sanair contract information on my desk and after a meeting with the Riverside folks we will complete that part of the process” told us Mr Curley.

 

This weekend, on Saturday, in Burlington, Vermont ACT will host the combined gala to crown the ACT Tour Champion, Brian Hoar of Vermont and ACT Castrol Champion, Patrick Laperle of the province of Quebec.  Over 100 000$ was awarded in points fund and other awards to teams during the 2011 season.

 


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