2012-01-28

Kawartha Speedway Kicks Off 2012 Season With Long John 200 Enduro

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

Love it or hate it, there’s no escaping a Canadian winter.  You just have to make the best of it.  Fans of battle at Kawartha Speedway have been longing for a taste of action since the 2011 season wrapped-up in September and Sunday, February 5th the 3/8th mile Fraserville, Ontario oval will throw its best at old man winter with the 3rd annual running of the Long John 200 Endurance event.

 

With categories for 4, 6 and 8 cylinder competition, the midday mid winter marathon is the perfect opportunity for loyal supporters to get their racing fix long before the return of the Friday night fights in June...and even a couple of weeks prior to the Daytona 500 starting the NASCAR Sprint Cup season Sunday, February 26th.  Track General Manager/Promoter Derek Lynch says Kawartha Speedway is the perfect venue to host the cold weather epic.

 

“Unlike some facilities who stage a winter event, we’re fortunate enough to have an enclosed grandstand to keep the spectators out of the elements,” said Lynch.  “Even still, there are a few hearty souls who just couldn’t bear to come to watch a race at Kawartha without being close to the action and will chose to brave the conditions and sit or stand outside.  Either way, we’ll make sure there’s plenty of coffee, hot chocolate and warm food to kill the chill.”

 

The first car across the line in the combined 4 and 6 cylinder class will receive $300.00, with the same payday waiting for the 8 cylinder winner.  Second and third place in each grouping pays $200.00 and $100.00 respectively.  No matter what the division, the overall winner pockets a $300.00 bonus. There is a $25.00 entry fee for each participant.  Full rules and information can be found on the track web-site.  Even though this is the 3rd edition of the race, Derek Lynch confesses that he and his team are constantly tinkering with the format to find the perfect formula.

 

“Every time we open the gates, the goal is to give the fans the best possible show and the Long John 200 is no exception,” according to Lynch.  “We’re always looking for a solid car count and strong support from the crowd.  There’s no telling what will happen until the green flag drops, but we’re all looking forward to an amazing day.”

 

Pit gates and registration opens Sunday, February 5th at 11:00, with a warm-up session scheduled for noon and racing at 1:00.  Spectator admission is just $5.00.

 

Kawartha klips:  Kawartha Speedway will be part of the Canadian Motorsports Expo – presented by Inside Track Motorsports News – February 10th, 11th and 12th at the International Centre in Toronto.  See www.CanadianMotorsportsExpo.com for details...Be sure to check www.kawarthaspeedway.com for the latest off-season news and updates on the complete 2012 schedule.

 

Photo attachment:  Joel and Heather Wiebe – www.adrianmediaservices.com

The cold weather produced some hot action during the 2011 running of the Long John 200 Enduro at Kawartha Speedway.  The 2012 edition takes place Sunday, February 5th.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

 


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Airborne schedules pair of DIRTcar 358-Modified Asphalt Tour events

For immediate release – Airborne Speedway – January 26, 2012

SOUTH PLATTSBURGH, NY – Airborne Speedway and Dunn Tire Raceway Park in Lancaster, NY, will each host two events in a four-race DIRTcar 358-Modified series offering a combined purse of $60,000.

 

“We’ve added a mid-week night of racing to our 2012 schedule – Wednesday, June 20, and boosted the payoff for the Akwesasne Mohawk Casino Triple 50’s Shootout Saturday/Sunday September 8-9,” Airborne promoter Mike Perrotte said. “The Shootout winner will collect $5,000.”

 

“It’s always exciting for our fans to see how our Modified teams stack up against quality invaders and it’s a series we can build upon in the future,” Perrotte added.

 

The series opener at Airborne will go 75 laps and pay $3,000-to-win. Dunn Tire Raceway Park dates are Tuesday, June 26 and Tuesday, August 21. Both events at the western NY half-mile facility also pay $3,000 to win.

 

“We’ll be there at Dunn,” said Patrick Dupree two-time Airborne Modified track champion. “It’s a challenging track and a change of scenery for us. Hopefully we can do a good job of promoting DIRTcar racing on asphalt and expand the series.”

 

"We're very much looking forward  to be on board with this series, along with Airborne and DIRTcar," said Tim Packman, President Stock Car Operations at DTRP. "This provides us with a great opportunity to host an event with DIRTcar; one of the most recognized sanctions in motorsports. And, in our area, the DIRTcar 358-Modifieds are highly recognized as well. We're looking forward to these races. Our fans are already talking about both events."

 

Airborne’s 59th season opener is set for Sunday, April 29. Opening day will mark the debut of Airborne’s new Modified Sportsman division. Robin Wood of Plattsburgh will begin defense of his 2011 track championship in the J&S Steel Limited Late Model division.

 

Contact: Tom Herzig

 


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Warfield Promoted To Director Of NMG/Entertainment Marketing Communications

For Immediate Release

 

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications Bolsters Team

New Personnel In Other Key Areas Added To Division

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2012) — NASCAR announced today the promotion of three members of its Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) department along with the addition of three new members, continuing NASCAR’s long-term strategic plan to strengthen its Communications function within the organization.

 

The IMC team members receiving promotions are Scott Warfield to director of NASCAR Media Group/entertainment marketing communications, Amanda Ellis to senior manager of NASCAR competition communications, and Jason Christley to senior manager of NASCAR competition communications, developmental series. New personnel added to IMC are Kurt Culbert, director of stakeholder communications, Zack Albert, manager of sport services and Matt Ciesluk, director of strategic media projects.

 

“We’re thrilled to promote a trio of our team members who excelled in 2011 when a new Integrated Marketing Communications model was introduced to NASCAR,” said Brett Jewkes, chief communications officer. “At the same time, the addition of Kurt, Zack and Matt demonstrates NASCAR’s on-going commitment to build the communications group as part of our long-term plan to be more proactive in how we tell the story of our sport.”

 

In his expanded role, Warfield will lead strategic communications efforts in support of three significant business arms of NASCAR: NASCAR Media Group, NASCAR Entertainment Marketing and NASCAR Broadcasting. Warfield previously served as director of marketing, media and public relations for Motorsports Authentics and was the lead staff writer for motorsports and Major League Soccer for the Sports Business Journal.

 

Ellis oversees communications efforts for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and, in her enhanced role, will assume additional responsibilities across all NASCAR series. Before joining NASCAR, she worked in the industry for Turner Motorsports, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. and Bobby Hamilton Racing. In her second season with Bobby Hamilton Racing, Ellis was named the 2007 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Public Relations Representative of the Year.


Christley is charged with implementing strategic communications across NASCAR’s Touring and Weekly Series, which develop many of NASCAR’s young, up-and-coming drivers across North America including Canada and Mexico. He also oversees the management of the series’ website, NASCARHomeTracks.com, and its social media platforms. Prior to NASCAR, Christley worked for 14 years as an editor and sports writer at The Day of New London (Conn.) newspaper.

 

Culbert brings more than a dozen years of NASCAR expertise to the position, having worked with NASCAR personnel and stakeholders throughout his previous roles including most recently with Taylor. Previously, as manager of marketing communications for three years with the Sprint Corporation, Culbert initiated and managed the company’s relationships with NASCAR industry stakeholders and oversaw all contractual assets with teams and drivers. In addition, he worked closely with the sanctioning body to plan and execute a fully-integrated marketing and public relations campaign in support of Sprint’s multi-million dollar NASCAR series entitlement sponsorship. Culbert also worked closely with the NASCAR industry in previous roles with Carter Ryley Thomas (now CRT/Tanaka), Keystone Marketing and The Lynchburg News and Advance.

 

Albert joined NASCAR after 11 years as a reporter, editor and online producer for USA Today. A native North Carolinian with deep roots in the sport, Zack brings more than 20 years of experience covering auto racing in print and online media. He will assist in maintaining NASCAR's media website by producing news releases and multimedia, and will be a key contributor to NASCAR's social and digital media outreach.

 

Throughout his career as a professional in the public relations field, Ciesluk (Chess-luck) has worked closely with NASCAR, its media members and its partners. He comes to NASCAR from Catalyst Public Relations where he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Charlotte office and led the PR operations for several Fortune 500 companies. In addition, Ciesluk managed and executed the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series consumer marketing communications programs for several key sponsors and also has worked on media relations activations with dozens of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series tracks, drivers and racing teams.

 

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 U.S., 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, and as a result more Fortune 100 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 eight cities across North America. The next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race will be the 54th Annual Daytona 500 which will air Feb. 26 on FOX at 1 p.m. ET. For more information and a complete schedule, visit www.nascar.com. Follow NASCAR on www.facebook.com/NASCAR or on Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

For additional information, contact:

David Higdon, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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NASCAR's Brian France Says 'Sport Is In A Very Good Place'

For Immediate Release

 

Industry To Build On 2011 Success, Introduce EFI, Restore Pack Racing

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 26, 2012) — NASCAR and its stakeholders intend to build on the success of 2011 as the new season begins with the Feb. 26 Daytona 500 and other Speedweeks events at Daytona International Speedway.

 

In his State of NASCAR remarks delivered during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France said, “The sport is in a very good place and we’re going to work even harder to achieve the very best things for the sport of NASCAR well into the future.”

 

France pointed to initiatives begun a year ago – a simplified points structure in all three national series and a “Wild Card” twist in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup™ that placed a greater emphasis on race victories – which culminated in what France called “a championship battle that will be talked about for decades to come.”

 

While the 2012 season will be one of continuity rather than major change, NASCAR will introduce electronic fuel injection into the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and implement rules designed to restore traditional “pack racing” at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

 

“We have had a breathtaking number of close finishes at those tracks, but the fans want a mixture of styles including a return to a more traditional ‘pack racing’ and that close side-by-side competition that’s unique to Talladega and Daytona,” France said. “NASCAR and the teams are working hard on this and based on the test earlier this month, we’re encouraged that we’re making progress.”

 

France also said the sanctioning body continues to operate on a more collaborative method of maintaining and growing the industry by taking into consideration the thoughts and needs of teams, tracks, media partners and especially its fans. “The goal of this effort is to help us better serve our great fans, grow our audience and ensure that our sport stays relevant, vibrant and highly-valuable to sponsors and other partners critical to the health of NASCAR,” said France.

 

“The industry has never been more united in growing the sport.”

 

France said the organization is “very encouraged” by increased television ratings across its three national series – NASCAR Sprint Cup, NASCAR Nationwide and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. He also pointed to attendance gains at a number of venues. “While we are still in a tough economic climate that is still difficult, we are pleased with some positive steps we saw last year,” he said.

 

France and Robin Pemberton, NASCAR’s vice president, competition and racing development, touched on how EFI and the introduction in 2013 of re-styled NASCAR Sprint Cup cars from Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota will make the sport more relevant to manufacturers and technology companies.

 

“EFI excites the manufacturers and technology companies,” said France, responding to questioning about NASCAR’s embrace of technology. “To attract new companies (to the sport), we’ve had to take a little different view of that.”

 

Ford earlier this week unveiled its 2013 Fusion prototype with the other OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) to follow in the near future. A closed test of the cars is scheduled early next month with additional testing to follow before final specifications are drawn.

 

“This is certainly a milestone in our sport,” said Pemberton. “We’ve worked very closely with the manufacturers on the new car and the four new models are simply outstanding.

 

“I think the fans are going to love them and it is going to be such a positive step in helping our race cars become more and more relevant with our fans past, present and future.”

 

Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood previewed next month’s 54th Annual Daytona 500 (Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio). He and his staff are committed to building on the enthusiasm of the 2011 season – and last year’s race that made 20-year-old winner Trevor Bayne a household name.

 

“We kicked off the (2011) season with energy and enthusiasm and that’s our goal for this year,” said Chitwood. “We want to produce that kind of event again.”

 

Daytona’s season begins Saturday with the running of the 50th Annual Rolex 24. The twice-round-the-clock race, most of which can be seen live on SPEED beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET, kicks off the 2012 GRAND-AM Rolex Series campaign.

 

Thursday’s event at the NASCAR Hall of Fame also introduced the 2012 Drive for Diversity class which will compete in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and at selected NASCAR Whelen All-America Series tracks for Rev Racing.

 

They are Jorge Arteaga, 25, Aguascalientes, Mexico; Mackena Bell, 21, Carson City, Nev.; Trey Gibson, 19, Easley, S.C.; Ryan Gifford, 22, Winchester, Tenn.; Kyle Larson, 19, Elk Grove, Calif.; and Bryan Ortiz, 22, Bayamon, Puerto Rico.

 

For additional information, contact:

Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 


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Autodrome St-Eustache - Roland Quenneville président d'honneur de la couse Xtrême

La course Xtrême non-voyants à Saint-Eustache

SOUS LA PRÉSIDENCE D'HONNEUR DE

ROLAND QUENNEVILLE

 

Le 25 août 2012, l'Autodrome St-Eustache sera le théâtre d'une course  automobile inusité dont les bolides seront pilotés par des pilotes non-voyants accompagnés de co-pilotes qui les assisteront dans leurs manœuvres.

 

 

Le but de cette course est de venir en aide à plus de non-voyants que possible. La Fondation des Aveugles du Québec est l'organisme qui bénéficiera principalement des profits générés par la tenue de cet événement dont le Conseil 1813 St-Eustache des Chevaliers de Colomb a accepté la gestion financière des montants qui seront perçus des commanditaires et du public qui voudront bien s'y associer.

 

 

Monsieur ROLAND QUENNEVILLE, un bénévole de longue date auprès de plusieurs club sociaux et organisations charitatives, dont La Fondation Mira entr'autres,  a accepté la Présidence d'honneur de cette levée de fonds pour les aveugles.

 

…..« C'est avec enthousiasme et émotion que j'ai accepté l'invitation d'Yves Ladouceur pour la présidence d'honneur de la première édition de la Course Xtrême non-voyants qui se tiendra dans ma ville à l'Autodrome St-Eustache le 25 août prochain. Tous connaissent mon attachement pour les non-voyants et mon implication comme organisateur de levées de fonds et bénévole pour la Fondation Mira depuis plusieurs années maintenant, je suis assuré qu'avec l'équipe qui m'entoure, je pourrai mettre toutes mes énergies disponibles en œuvre pour faire de cet événement un succès sans précédent dont les retombées profiteront à améliorer la qualité de vie de mes amis non-voyants dont plusieurs de ceux-ci vivent à proximité de nous dans notre région immédiate….. »  de préciser Monsieur Quenneville.

 

GUILLAUME LAFOREST, un non-voyant membre de la Fondation des Aveugles du Québec, qui sera un des pilotes non-voyants participants,  et son père Guy Laforest ont accepté d'assister le président d'honneur en étant les principaux porte-paroles de cette levée de fond, une initiative de Yves Ladouceur, Chevalier de Colomb et directeur des opérations courses à l'Autodrome St-Eustache.

 

LA FONDATION DES AVEUGLES DU QUÉBEC

La Fondation des Aveugles du Québec s'est donné comme rôle premier de soutenir les personnes ayant une déficience visuelle, les conseiller et les aider à mener une vie des plus autonome et active possible.

 

Sa mission consiste à améliorer la qualité de vie des personnes aveugles et malvoyantes dans les domaines de l'habitation, les loisirs et de la vie communautaire.

 

En plus de promouvoir une vie autonome pour les personnes aveugles, cela se manifeste par un soutien dans l'organisation de leur vie quotidienne ainsi que par une lutte de tous les instants contre l'isolement.

 

Parmi les réalisations de la Fondation depuis 1991, on peut compter  45 logements dans des habitations adaptés à prix très modiques, des loisirs et activités récréatives pour les 6 à 25 ans, de la prévention et sensibilisation auprès des aînés, entr'autres.

 

Une entreprise de Saint-Eustache a d'ailleurs offert gratuitement ses services pour la fourniture et la préparation de toutes les voitures qui serviront au déroulement de la course. Il s'agit de la société RECYCLAGE SURPLUS opérée par Danny Boyer et Nadia Grenier que nous remercions grandement.

 

Du côté des Chevaliers de Colomb, l'ex-Grand-Chevalier Denis Fillion et le Grand Chevalier Gilles A. Perron ont accepté que Les Chevaliers de Colomb Conseil 1813 parrainer cet événement dont une partie des profits profitera à leur Conseil pour la bonne marche de leurs œuvres locales et régionales.

 

Déjà, avant même le lancement officiel de la campagne, une quinzaine d'entreprise ont déjà assuré leur participation à la commandite de voitures à 1 000$ l'unité, d'autres se proposent d'emboîter le pas et de suivre leur exemple.

 

D'autres communiqués suivront pour les informations concernant le déroulement de cette course des plus audacieuses que sera la Course Xtrême non-voyants à l'Autodrome St-Eustache en août 2012.

 

Pour toute information, on contacte Roland Quenneville au 450-473-1295, Yves Ladouceur au 450-735-4444 ou 450-472-6222 et Denis Fillion au 514-949-7961.

 
 
 
AUTODROME ST-EUSTACHE
Yves Ladouceur
Directeur des opérations course
Tél.: 450-472-6222
Rés.: (450) 735-4444

 


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