2012-03-05

Austin Theriault: The Rattler 250 South Alabama Speedway Race Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 3.5.12
For more information, visit http://www.austintheriault.com or E-Mail GWCNewEngland@gmail.com


KINSTON, Ala. – Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, Maine, finished seventh in the caution-filled Rattler 250 at South Alabama Speedway in Kinston, Ala., on Sunday, March 4. Theriault started 11th in the Brad Keselowski Racing No. 29 Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge after rain washed out all on-track activity on Saturday, and then he patiently avoided a slew of wrecks around him to post his best career Super Late Model finish. Theriault had worked into the Top-10 during the first half of the event, before another competitor's car spun into him and hurt the left rear of the No. 29. The team made several pit stops to try and repair the handling on Theriault's car, using some tire strategy en route to the seventh-place finish at the checkered flag.

 



WHO: Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, Maine
TEAM: BKR No. 29 Checkered Flag Foundation Dodge
CREW CHIEF: Gary Crooks, Mooresville, N.C.

WHAT: The Rattler 250
WHERE: South Alabama Speedway, Kinston, Ala. (.400-mile banked oval)
STARTED: 11th
FINISHED: 7th


***************************

AUSTIN, IT LOOKED LIKE YOU HAD A PRETTY GOOD CAR ALL DAY BUT JUST COULDN'T GET THE TRACK POSITION YOU NEEDED.

“The car was pretty good right off the bat. We were holding our own there. We were just trying to settle in and save our stuff, save our tires for later in the race.

“We got racing side-by-side (with the car of Stephen Nasse). I was on the outside, and we must have raced like that for five or six laps. The guy just went into the corner too hard, and he lost it all by himself. When he spun, he hit us and it did something to our rear end. I'm not sure what – something with the trailing arm or the panhard bar – but that's probably what happened when the car went away from us for a while.”

 

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE RACE DIRECTOR'S CALL TO HAVE YOU RESTART IN THE REAR JUST BEFORE HALFWAY?

“They put us to the back on the restart. They said we were involved in the caution. I didn't quite agree with the call, but we had to go to the back of the pack, anyway. On the next two cautions after that, we came in and tried to fix it. We never quite did, but it did get better.”

 

HOW MUCH BETTER WAS THE CAR?

 

“I thought we might have had a Top-5 car at one point, but tire strategy played into it. We kind of burned our tires coming through the field after that restart in the back. Overall, the guys worked hard all weekend and especially trying to work on the car (during the race). Pit stops were great, we gained a couple of spots on pit road, and we're definitely making progress as a team.

“The day very well could have gone downhill after that contact. We almost went a lap down at one point. Before all of the adjustments we made, we were probably five laps from going down a lap. It goes to show, you can never give up.”

--30--


 


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PASS South Ready To Blast Off 2012 Season at Dillon Motor Speedway

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (March 5) – Anticipation has been building all Winter for the start of the 2012 Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Models season to start. It all begins at Dillon Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 10th, a familiar setting for the nation’s top Super Late Model drivers. The 7th Annual South Carolina Clash marks the third time in the last four years that PASS South has began its season at Ron Barfield’s tough 4/10 mile oval, patterned after the legendary Darlington Raceway. And this year’s race is wide open with the retirement of former Dillon winner Justin Wakefield and two-time South Carolina Clash winner Ryan Blaney who is moving on to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series.

 

“I was thinking that since Blaney and Wakefield won’t be there that it was gonna be a Peltier and Fogleman show, but there are a ton of new cars this year that should have a shot to win every week,” said 2010 PASS National and PASS South Champion Preston Peltier. “We’ve been working really hard over the Winter and hopefully all the hard work will pay off.”

Dillon Motor Speedway holds a special place in Peltier’s heart since it is the track where he joined the Harold Johnson-owned #26 team back in 2009. The combination has proved tough, winning championships and taking six checkered flags since joining forces. But, this year Dillon is important to Peltier for a different reason.

“This race is for little Angel Thompson, who has cancer on her brain stem,” said Peltier. “She’s a big race fan and we’re gonna try to raise some money to help her family pay for her medical bills.”

Ross Kenseth will be making only his second career PASS South start after an impressive 7th place finish in 2011 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in THE RACE. Kenseth will be balancing his studies at Clemson University with racing for the PASS South Championship in 2012. And, it all begins with the South Carolina Clash.

“I’m really excited to go to a new place and race against some different guys I haven’t raced with very often,” said Kenseth, who recently tested at Dillon Motor Speedway.

For veteran driver Steve Wallace, the 2012 PASS South season will mark a chance at redemption. Wallace returns to his short track roots in the #66 Leavitt Racing Components house car as he attempts to make his first ever PASS South start at Dillon.

“I’m excited to get back to my roots,” said Wallace, who has Late Model wins at Nashville, Bristol, and Pensacola. “I built a new car and hopefully we can win with it in PASS. It’s weird not racing a full Nationwide schedule this year, but for once racing is fun again!”

For whoever goes to Dillon Motor Speedway’s victory lane, it certainly will not be easy. The field is stacked with experienced veterans and young up-and-comers. Ben Rowe, the 2009 South Carolina Clash winner, makes the tow down from Maine to jump start his 2012 racing season. He’ll be joined by fellow New Englander Kyle Desouza, who will be attempting his first PASS South start at Dillon. Perenial championship contender Jay Fogleman returns to the site of his first ever PASS race with new teammate David Latour, Jr., ironically attempting his first PASS South green flag. Several duos of teammates will be at Dillon including Coulter Motorsports’ Gray Gaulding and Craig Goess, Jr., Eddie Sharp Racing’s Brandon Jones and William Gallagher, and Brad Keselowski Racing’s Landon Cling and Nate Caruth. Veteran Brandon Ward is back in a brand new car for New Day Motorsports and is not only looking for his first PASS South win, but hopes to be a serious contender for the championship. PASS South newcomer Kyle Grissom makes the leap from Late Model Stocks to Super Late Models and will be joined by veterans Tim Pinion, Tim Nooner, and Spencer Wauters. Wauters has two career best finishes of fifth at Dillon in 2009 and 2010. Lake Junalaska, NC’s James Holton looks to make his first PASS South race, but it will be tough with home state veterans Clete Caywood and RA Brown to compete against.

The 7th Annual South Carolina Clash roars into Dillon Motor Speedway March 9th and 10th. There will be rotating practice on Friday, March 9th for all divisions from 3 PM until dark. On Saturday, March 10th, gates open at 9 AM with rotating practice for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Super Limiteds, CCS Legends, CCS Bandoleros, and Mini Cups from 11 AM until 3 PM. Qualifying begins at 4 PM and will be followed by the feature division races. PASS South then heads to South Boston (VA) Speedway on Saturday, March 24th for 150 laps with Twin 75’s for the NASCAR Late Model Stocks and a main event for the CCS Legends. For more information on any PASS division go to ProAllStarsSeries.com.

-30-

 


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Kawartha Speedway 2012: The Show Must Go On

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

The biggest obstacle faced by any speedway is down-time.  What happens when there is an on-track incident that requires extensive clean-up and perhaps medical attention?  Grandstands everywhere are filled with paying customers who are there to see a show and although even a casual motorsports fan understands that crashes and mechanical failures are part of the game, they want to see the high speed action and thrills of their favourite driver compete for the checkered flag.

 

Like other tracks, Kawartha Speedway is faced with the added pressure of a curfew imposed by the local municipality.  Once the cars roll from the staging area at 7:00 for the first qualifying heat race, the entire show needs to be in the books by 11:00.  That allows just a 4 hour window for a program with the track’s 3 regular divisions and a variety of touring series.  With the restrictions of a tight schedule, the support staff needs to bring their best effort to the track for each and every show and Kawartha’s crew is one of the best in the industry.

 

The emergency response unit – supplied by Todd Equipment in nearby Millbrook, Ontario – is a fully-equipped ATV, manned by professionally trained personnel who arrive on the scene within seconds of trouble on the racetrack.  Mark and Deborah Edgerton have the background and experience to do the job and co-ordinate the activity at the accident site.  After starting with the track’s clean-up crew, Mark Edgerton – a veteran of nearly 30 years with Cavan Monaghan Fire Rescue – proposed the idea of an Emergency Response Team to Promoter/General Manager Derek Lynch when the track reopened in 2004.  A racer himself, he says Lynch was immediately behind the program.

 

“Derek’s said his main concern has always been with driver safety,” said Edgerton.  “In our first meetings, he related some of his own experience and told me that every racecar is designed to take a crash but his biggest fear is to be trapped in a car that is on fire.”

 

Mark Edgerton says he and his wife Deborah have upgraded the ERT’s equipment and supplies every year since the team’s inception.  The unit rolls to every crash scene on the racetrack, not matter how minor it may initially appear. 

 

“There’s no way to evaluate anything until we’re actually on site,” said Edgerton.  “Deborah has close to 10 years experience with St. Johns Ambulance and more than 5 years as a first aid and CPR instructor.  Her background can quickly gauge the severity of any injury and communicate instructions to the crew from Apollo Patient Transfer if needed.”

 

All members of Kawartha Speedway’s support crews are linked by way of radio communication with the control tower and race director Rob McCrae and look to keep the show rolling.  Debris on the racetrack is quickly taken care of by the clean-up crews started by Dave McKinnon and taken over by Bill Prince in 2010, while Dave Ephgrave from Fitzsimmons Towing and the Nadeau Auto Body/Eggy Car Care towing specialists John McMahon and Gary Ainsworth get any damaged racecars back to the pit area.

 

Its not just about the speed, Kawartha Speedway is committed to safety on and off the racetrack and their support teams have set the bar as high as possible.

 

Kawartha klips:  2012 race action gets started with an open test session Friday, May 25th.  Fans can see the complete schedule and the latest off-season news anytime at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

1). Cavan-Monaghan Fire Rescue veteran Mark Edgerton co-ordinates the emergency response team at Kawartha Speedway.

2). Kawartha Speedway Race Director Rob McCrae (centre) discusses the night’s schedule with Promoter/General Manager Derek Lynch and pace car driver Phil Matthews.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

 


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SÉRIE SPORTSMAN QUÉBEC - PATRICK LAROUCHE : ANNÉE D'APPRENTISSAGE EN STOCK-CAR

 

Communiqué de presse                                                                                   

Pour diffusion immédiate

SSQ-2012-015

 

PATRICK LAROUCHE : ANNÉE D’APPRENTISSAGE EN STOCK-CAR

Québec, QC (4 mars 2012) – Au quotidien les outils que Patrick Larouche de St-Lambert manipule son le crayon, l’égoïne et le marteau, à l’été 2012 ce sera un volant, vêtu d’un habit anti-feu et d’un casque de sécurité, qu’il devra apprendre à maîtriser.

 

Depuis près de 20 ans, Larouche se spécialise dans la rénovation d’édifices ancestraux, tel que les églises, les hôtels et les vielles maisons.  Un travail qui demande de la précision et une attention particulière pour assurer de préserver l’originalité, le cachet historique et d’assurer les normes de sécurité et de fiabilité auquel ses clients exigent et s’attendent.

Lorsque viendra le temps de disputer les manches du calendrier 2012 de la Série Sportsman Québec, il devra faire ses classes à titre de pilote.  Toutefois, il a une belle feuille de route en ce qui a trait aux compétitions en sports motorisés.  D’abord, pendant plus de 10 ans, dans les courses d’accélération à titre de pilote, mécano et propriétaire de voitures certaines ayant plus de 475 chevaux.  Depuis l’an dernier, il a été commanditaire et équipier de la voiture No. 9 Lamotagne Racing pilotée par Jean Lamontagne dans la Série Sportsman.

« J’ai beaucoup appris en travaillant avec l’équipe de Jean.  Cela me sera très profitable.  C’est certain que je serai à l’école.  De course en course je devrais m’améliorer.  La Série Sportsman est une belle organisation, un groupe de pilotes très compétitifs.  Ce sera un beau défi de compétitionner avec eux et je suis prêt à le relever » déclara Larouche.

Avec l’aide de son ami Jean Lamontagne et aidé de Marc-André Cliche des ateliers Mac Rod Shop de Vallée-Jonction, ils ont construit et préparé une toute nouvelle Chevrolet  Impala.

Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, la venue de nouveaux pilotes est toujours intéressante.  Tout le monde y gagne : spectateurs, commanditaires, les autres compétiteurs et bien sûr la série aussi.  « C’est certain que Patrick devra être patient et profiter des conseils des vétérans de la Série.  Il devra faire le plus de tours possible pour être en parfait contrôle de sa voiture et éventuellement, livrer la bataille avec les autres.  Il est bien entouré et j’ai confiance qu’il pourra être au centre de la compétition pour le titre de recrue.  Il est important de ne pas brûler les étapes. »

Pour tout connaître sur Patrick Larouche, le pilote de la Chevrolet Impala No. 01, visitez sa page de pilote au :
http://www.seriesportsman.ca/francais/pilotes/01-patrick-larouche-st-lambert/

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai et la première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman qui mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.

– 30 –

 

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

 

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

 

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35

 


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ONE QUEBECER ON TRACK

 

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE

(Pour diffusion immédiate)

 

SEUL QUÉBÉCOIS EN PISTE

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin participera au 60e anniversaire des 12h de Sebring

 

 

Trois-Rivières, le lundi 5 mars 2012 – Louis-Philippe Dumoulin portera le flambeau québécois en participant à l'épreuve d'endurance des 12h de Sebring le 17 mars prochain. Il pilotera la Porsche 911 GT3 Cup WeatherTech n°22 préparée par l'équipe Alex Job Racing.

PRESS RELEASE

(For immediate diffusion)

 

ONE QUEBECER ON TRACK

Louis-Philippe Dumoulin will be participating in the 12 hours of Sebring's 60th anniversary

 

Trois-Rivieres, Monday March 5th 2012 – Louis-Philippe Dumoulin will be the Quebec torchbearer at the 12 hours of Sebring endurance race this upcoming March 17th, at the wheel of WeatherTech's Porsche 911 GT3 Cup n°22 prepared by Alex Job Racing.  

 

Grâce à la passion et la persévérance de Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, de nouvelles possibilités se sont offertes au détenteur du titre de recrue de l'année 2011 en série Nascar Canadian Tire. Le Québécois n'en est pas à ses premières armes en épreuve d'endurance (Koni Challenge, Rolex 24h Daytona) et le 60e anniversaire de ce légendaire événement est une occasion supplémentaire de se démarquer en compétition (Sebring, 14 au 17 mars 2012).

 

 

« Je suis très excité de participer à cette course d'endurance de la série American Le Mans, de renommée internationale au même titre que les 24h de Daytona et les 24h du Mans. Des équipes de partout dans le monde seront présentes et c'est une fierté de faire partie de l'équipe WeatherTech voiture n°22 préparée par Alex Job Racing et de compétitionner avec des pilotes de haut calibre. », partage Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

 

 

Les 12h de Sebring, parmi les trois premières courses d'endurance au monde après les 24h du Mans (considérant l'ancienneté, la notoriété et le prestige), l'historique de la piste de Sebring et sa configuration ne sont pas sans rappeler l'importance de la stratégie technique utilisée. De plus, la série American Le Mans comprend cinq catégories de voitures différentes et les pilotes doivent gérer et s'adapter constamment au trafic. L'instructeur de pilotage à l'international et ses coéquipiers, Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, IL) et Leh Keen (Charleston SC), en sont conscients. Le circuit de Sebring est connu de Louis-Philippe Dumoulin qui a participé à un événement de voitures de course historique en 2007 au volant d'une BMW de la Série American Le Mans (Sebring -HSR).

 

 

« Les murs sont très proches à Sebring, une erreur ne pardonne pas. De plus, la piste est longue, bosselée et physique pour les pilotes. Il y a un enchaînement de virages rapides et serrés, on trouve de tout à Sebring et cela nous oblige à la prudence et à adopter des manœuvres intelligentes et stratégiques pour être là dans la dernière heure, sur le même tour que le meneur et se battre pour la victoire », mentionne Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

 

Suivez la course en direct sur le site Sebring International Raceway (www.sebringraceway.com)

 

Sites Internet :

1.        www.dumoulincompetition.com

2.        www.weathertech.ca/behindtech[1]

3.        http://alexjobracing.com

4.        www.sebringraceway.com

5.        http://hometracks.nascar.com/series/canadian_tire_series

 

-30-

Due to relentless passion and perseverance from Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, new possibilities have come forth for the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Rookie of the Year Champion. Endurance racing is not a new challenge for this Quebec native, (Koni Challenge, Rolex 24h Daytona), the 60th anniversary of this legendary event gives the opportunity to use past skills and experience to stand out from other competitors (Sebring, March 14th to 17th 2012).

 

« I am very excited to be participating in this American Le Mans series endurance race, internationally renowned alongside the 24 hours of Daytona and the 24 hours od Mans. Teams from all around will be participating and this makes me proud to be a part of the WeatherTech team car n°22 prepared by Alex Job Racing and to compete with highly ranked pilots. », shared Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

 

The 12 hours of Sebring ranks amongst the top three endurance races worldwide after the 24 hours of Mans (considering the seniority, notoriety, and prestige) and this Sebring track's history is a reminder for its demanding configuration, technical aspects, and strategic technicalities. The Le Mans American series is composed of five different car categories, requiring the pilots to readjust and adapt to the traffic conditions. The international racing instructor and his teammates, Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, IL) and Leh Keen (Charleston SC), acknowledge these challenges. The Sebring circuit is known by Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, whom participated in the historic event of the Le Mans series (Sebring -HSR) in 2007 at the wheel of a BMW.

 

« The walls are very narrow at Sebring and mistakes are not forgiven. Even more, the track is long, uneven and physically demanding for the pilots. There are a series of fast, tight corners, and you can find a bit of everything at Sebring. It requires the pilots to adopt intelligent technical strategies in order to be on the same final lap at the same time to fight for the finish line », mentioned Louis-Philippe Dumoulin.

 

Follow the race live on the Sebring International Raceway website (www.sebringraceway.com)

 

Websites:

1.        www.dumoulincompetition.com

2.        www.weathertech.ca/behindtech[2]

3.        http://alexjobracing.com

4.        www.sebringraceway.com

5.       http://hometracks.nascar.com/series/canadian_tire_series

 

-30-

 


[1] WeatherTech conçoit, développe et fabrique des accessoires automobiles haut de gamme et sur mesure pour les consommateurs et les manufacturiers. Les ingénieurs utilisent les outils les plus sophistiqués disponibles pour la saisie des données et la géométrie complexe des véhicules tels que les surfaces au sol, les zones de rangement, les ouvertures de fenêtre ou les ailes (standards de qualité optimale).

[2] WeatherTech develops and produces high quality automotive accessories for consumers and manufacturers. Only the most sophisticated tools and equipment available are used by the engineers for the complex geometrical aspects of these vehicles, such as the floor surface area, storage compartments, windows and aisles (optimal quality standards).


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