2012-08-13

L'ACT 100 sur le tri-ovale de Sanair

Pour diffusion immédiate (12-08-12=28)

 

UN PODIUM À SAVEUR AMÉRICAINE

 

Wayne Helliwell, le meneur au championnat américain de l’ACT, a remporté les honneurs de l’ACT 100 qui avait été reporté à cet après-midi en raison de la pluie. Le vainqueur a été pourchassé par Brian Hoar, huit fois champion de l’ACT dans les derniers instants, mais a su résister. Hoar a terminé dans son pare-chocs arrière suivi du jeune Austin Thériault dans cette course qui a été ponctuée de deux ralentissements et qui était présentée par Coffrage 20-20. À noter que Theriault avait du prendre la départ de l’arrière pour avoir effectué un changement de pneus.

 

                                    

 

Eddie MacDonald a pris le quatrième rang suivi de Karl Allard qui a été le meilleur Québécois avec une cinquième position après avoir pris le départ de la troisième.

 

À la reprise de cette épreuve, Patrick Laperle, au volant de la Fusion LaSalle Ford, a mené le bal jusqu’au 17e passage alors qu’il a été dépassé par Allard dont le règne a été de courte durée, car après un tour, Laperle a repris la commande.

 

Il a résisté à une relance au 35e tour et a poursuivi sa domination jusqu’au 54e, moment ou Helliwell a pris la position de tête pour la conserver jusqu'à la fin.

 

Jean-François Déry a suivi Allard au fil. Les autres Québécois qui ont complété les 100 tours de cette confrontation canado-américaine ont été Dave Michaud (11e), André Beaudoin, il était parti de la 32e pour terminer (14e) dans le peloton des 16 voitures qui ont effectué les tours réglementaires.

Stéphane Descoste a terminé 17e, Patrick Cliche 20e, Donald Theetge 21e, Dany Trépanier 22e, Jonathan Bouvrette 25e, Yannick Tremblay 26e, Patrick Hamel 28e, Gaétan Lauzier 31e, Claude Leclerc 33e, Steven Boissonneault 35e, Étienne Cliche 37e, Jean-Pierre Ouimet 38e et Daniel Descoste 39e.

 

Les pilotes québécois auront l’occasion prendre une revanche sur les Américains, lors de la Can-Am 200 qui se tiendra au circuit Ste-Croix/Riverside Speedway et qui regroupera les mêmes acteurs, le samedi 25 août prochain.

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Pour informations : ACT

                                    www.acttour.com

                                    media@acttour.com

 

Collaboration : Yvon Larrivée

                                    acttour@gmail.com

Photo :             Andy Allaire

 

PS : Je m’excuse du retard dans l’envoi de ce communiqué. Une panne informatique est à l’origine de ce délai.

 


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Helliwell Flies High, Claims Victory in Sanair 100

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                     ACT - 081212

Saint-Pie, QC – American Canadian Tour point-leader Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH beat the rain and nearly 40 other competitors to claim the victory at Sanair Super Speedway in St-Pie, QC on Sunday, August, 12.  Helliwell was hunted by eight-time Champion Brian Hoar who finished on his tail in second, and young sensation Austin Theriault to complete the podium.  Rowley, MA’s Eddie Macdonald took fourth, and former Serie ACT Castrol Champion Karl Allard rounded out the top five.

 

After completing seven laps before getting rained out the previous night, Patrick Laperle re-assumed the lead in the early laps stretching out over fellow ACT Castrol Champion Karl Allard, and Helliwell.  The race was slowed by just one yellow, when the car of rookie Etienne Cliche spun on lap 35.  With the field back together, Helliwell mounted his attack, passing Allard for second and finally diving hard underneath Laperle for the lead on lap 55.  From there, Helliwell sliced through lap traffic, leaving only 16 cars of the 39 car starting field on the lead lap.

In the second half of the race however, Hoar and Theriault began tearing through the field, slimming Helliwell’s lead as the race came to a close.  By the time the white flag flew with one lap to go, Hoar was attempting to dive underneath Helliwell for the lead, but Helliwell slammed the door and escaped to pick up the win.  Theriault, who started from the rear after a pre-race tire infraction, thrilled the crowd with a spectacular climb through the field from the 38th starting position, pulling all the way to Hoar’s bumper on the last lap to mount a charge of his own for the victory.  The top three battled nose to tail on the last lap, finishing within 6 tenths of a second of each other, relegating Macdonald and Allard to fourth and fifth.  Jean-Francois Dery, Ben Lynch, Laperle, Jean-Paul Cyr, and Rowland Robinson completed the unofficial top ten.  The race was completed in 56 minutes and 27 seconds.

Helliwell was elated in victory lane. “This is such a big deal for the Tour to come back here. This is my first time at Sanair, and my first time winning a Canadian race, so that makes it special,” said Helliwell.  “We really had no expectations coming, just wanted to stay competitive.  It was a huge points day for us, and that’s what we are really pumped about.”

When asked about his last lap battle with Hoar and Theriault, he grinned. “I watched them really pour it on at the end, I just had to stay calm and keep my car in shape,” he said.  “They are really battling me in points, too.  We needed to keep them behind us.”

Helliwell has already been invited to the Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on September 22. 

The stars of the American Canadian Tour and Serie ACT Castrol will return to action for another combo race at Riverside Speedway in St- Croix, QC on Saturday, August 25. 

For additional information head to www.acttour.com, call the ACT office at (802) 244-6963, or email us at media@acttour.com

Sanair 100 – Unofficial Results

Sanair Super Speedway – St Pie, QC

Sunday, August 12

Pos. Start Driver Car # Hometown

1. (1) Wayne Helliwell Jr. 27NH Dover, NH

2. (12) Brian Hoar 37VT Williston, VT

3. (8) Austin Theriault 57ME Fort Kent, ME

4. (9) Eddie MacDonald 17MA Rowley, MA

5. (3) Karl Allard 48QC Saint-Felicien, QC

6. (7) Jean-Francois Dery 21QC Quebec, QC

7. (18) #Ben Lynch 7NC Derry, NH

8. (2) Patrick Laperle 91QC St-Denis, QC

9. (16) Jean-Paul Cyr 32VT Milton, VT

10. (15) Rowland Robinson, Jr. 28ME Birch Harbor, ME

11. (11) David Michaud 40QC St-An-des-Plns, QC

12. (4) Brent Dragon 55VT Milton, VT

13. (25) #Jimmy Hebert 58VT Williamstown, VT

14. (32) Andre Beaudoin 24QC St. Augustin, QC

15. (23) Ricky Rolfe 51ME Albany Twp, ME

16. (22) Derek Lynch 15ON Warkworth, ON

17. (38) Stephane Descoste 10QC Oka, QC

18. (26) Ray Parent 17RI Tiverton, RI

19. (19) Randy Potter 02NH Groveton, NH

20. (24) Patrick Cliche 5QC St-Jean-Chry., QC

21. (10) Donald Theetge 80QC Boischatel, QC

22. (14) Dany Trepanier 19QC St-Edouard, QC

23. (21) Mark Lamberton 16NY Mooers Forks, NY

24. (5) Joey Polewarczyk Jr. 97NH Hudson, NH

25. (37) Jonathan Bouvrette 41QC Blainville, QC

26. (36) Yannick Tremblay 25QC Chicoutimi, QC

27. (29) Spencer MacPherson 31ON Carleton Place, ON

28. (35) Patrick Hamel 51QC Sainte-Croix, QC

29. (33) Glen Luce 7ME Turner, ME

30. (28) James Linardy 77MA Somerville, MA

31. (34) Gaetan Lauzier 74QC St-Pacôme, QC

32. (30) Jamie Fisher 18VT Shelburne, VT

33. (27) Claude Leclerc 11QC Lanoraie, QC

34. (20) Luke Hinkley 31NH Claremont, NH

35. (17) Steven Boissonneault 31QC Lyster, QC

36. (6) Ryan Nolin 40VT Georgia, VT

37. (13) #Etienne Cliche 98QC Vallee-Jonction, QC

38. (31) Jean-Pierre Ouimet 14QC Terrebonne, QC

39. (39) Daniel Descoste 2QC St. Joseph, QC

 

Lap Leaders: Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (1), Patrick Laperle (2-17), Karl Allard (18), Laperle (19-54), Helliwell (55-100)                                                                                              

Time of Race: 56:27                                                                                        

Margin of Victory: .434 seconds                                                                                               

Cautions:  2 (Lap 5 (rain), 35)                      

 

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Chris Buescher Takes Late Lead at Berlin Raceway for Third ARCA Racing Series Win of 2012

For Immediate Release:

Saturday, August 11, 2012

 

 

(MARNE, Mich.) - Over the first 160 laps at Berlin Raceway, the story centered on just how long the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards field could stay green.

 

 At the end, the story was a familiar one, as Chris Buescher drove to another short track victory in the Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group. The win is his third of 2012 and the eighth of his career, and gives him a sweep of the series' Michigan events after a superspeedway win at Michigan International Speedway two months ago.

 

Buescher (No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing Ford) led the final 17 laps and 40 overall in a race that featured just two cautions for 14 laps, and none until Lap 161 - with just under 20 percent of the race remaining. Buescher passed Erik Jones (No. 55 Paragon Corvette Reproductions/CG Financial Services Chevrolet) on Lap 184 to make his final move to the front, and he extended his advantage to a 2.739-second victory margin.

 

With the win, Buescher assumes the points lead in the ARCA Racing Series, edging Brennan Poole, who finished ninth. Buescher now leads Poole (No. 25 Adcetera.com/Midas Chevrolet) by 35 points. Frank Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota), who finished second, is 70 points from the lead.

 

Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell winner Chad Hackenbracht (No. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet) led the first six laps before being passed by Buescher, who led until Lap 31. It was at Lap 32 that the 16-year-old Jones, making his fourth start across numerous series at Berlin this season, took the lead in his home state.

 

Kimmel, who started fourth, snuck by for the lead at Lap 50, and started then to show the same dominance he exhibited in winning his 75th career race just two weeks ago. He lapped Chase Elliott (No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine/HendrickCars.com Chevrolet) on Lap 69, leaving just seven of the 29 cars that started on the lead lap.

 

Kimmel led by three seconds at Lap 90 and twice that at the halfway point 10 laps later. He led by over 10 seconds as early as Lap 114 and as late as Lap 120, but began to conserve his car as it became evident that the green flag racing could continue for a long time. A pit stop under fast conditions would be harmful, and Kimmel knew it.

 

As he slowed, Elliott began to move toward the front. At one point three laps down, he passed Kimmel several times and moved onto the lead lap at Lap 146. By then, Kimmel's advantage over Mason Mitchell (No. 6 J&S Ag Services/Make-A-Wish Chevrolet), who qualified second and had not pitted, was just over three seconds.

 

Just four cars were on the lead lap with 50 to go, and Elliott was the one charging the hardest. He moved into second place on Lap 155 and passed Kimmel for the lead on Lap 159. Just as Lap 161 started, a car spun on the frontstretch to yield the race's first caution period with Elliott having made a substantial comeback to take the first position.

 

The green flag flew on Lap 170, with Elliott leading Jones, Kimmel, Mitchell, and Buescher. Elliott and Jones had only taken two tires, while Kimmel had taken four. Elliott maintained the lead for the first several green flag laps, but Jones passed him on Lap 173.

 

Another caution flag flew quickly, at Lap 176. The green flag flew at Lap 181 with Jones continuing to lead. Buescher charged to the outside on the restart while Kimmel went inside, but Jones maintained a slight lead. He could not hold Buescher back, though, and the Roulo Brothers Racing driver passed him on Lap 184. Kimmel made his way to second, but could not pass Buescher as the 19-year-old pulled away while the final laps ticked down.

 

Buescher joined Alex Bowman as a three-time winner in the series this season. Bowman, who is fourth in points, finished 13th. Not only did Poole lose the points lead, but he also lost most of the front of his car in a last-lap crash with Ricky Ehrgott. Neither driver was injured.

 

Jones finished third, his third top-five in eight starts this year. Tom Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet) ended the race fourth after battling back onto the lead lap, edging Mitchell. Clint King (No. 15 Speedrack Products Group Toyota) finished sixth, his fourth top-six in five races this year.

 

Elliott ended the race seventh, topping Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet), Poole, and Hackenbracht.

 

The race lasted one hour, nine minutes, and 45 seconds. The full race results are below.

 

2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards Event #15

Berlin Raceway, Marne Michigan, 8-11-12

Berlin ARCA 200 presented by Hantz Group

August 11, 2012 / 10:19 PM

FIN

STR

NO

DRIVER/HOMETOWN

LAPS

STATUS 

1

3

17

Chris Buescher/Prosper TX

200

Running

2

4

44

Frank Kimmel/Clarksville IN

200

Running

3

5

55

Erik Jones/Byron MI

200

Running

4

27

52

Tom Hessert/Cherry Hill NJ

200

Running

5

2

6

Mason Mitchell/W. Des Moines IA

200

Running

6

7

15

Clint King/Denton NC

200

Running

7

10

9

Chase Elliott/Dawsonville GA

200

Running

8

12

16

Matt Lofton/Roxboro NC

198

Running

9

6

25

Brennan Poole/The Woodlands TX

198

Running

10

1

58

Chad Hackenbracht/New Philadelphia OH

197

Running

11

8

68

Brian Campbell/Wyoming MI

197

Running

12

16

66

Nelson Canache/Caracas Venezuela

196

Running

13

14

22

Alex Bowman/Tucson AZ

195

Running

14

13

35

Michael Simko/Clarkston MI

195

Running

15

15

23

Spencer Gallagher/Las Vegas NV

194

Running

16

18

10

Ricky Ehrgott/Brandon FL

193

Running

17

19

02

Josh Williams/Port Charlotte FL

191

Running

18

24

34

Darrell Basham/Henryville IN

184

Running

19

9

40

Justin Lloyd/Raleigh NC

182

Running

20

22

3

Tim Walter/Valparaiso IN

178

Running

21

20

04

Darren Hagen/Indianapolis IN

171

Suspnsn

22

21

2

Ron Cox/Soddy Daisy TN

171

Running

23

17

29

Brian Keselowski/Rochester Hills MI

129

Handling

24

26

48

James Hylton/Inman SC

31

Handling

25

25

06

Tommy O'Leary/Cygnet OH

18

Rear End

26

23

0

James Swanson/San Antonio TX

8

Rear End

27

29

69

Will Kimmel/Sellersburg IN

3

Handling

28

28

99

Mike Young/Toledo OH

1

Handling

Menards Pole Award Presented by Ansell: Chad Hackenbracht 16.908 (93.258 mph)

Margin of Victory: 2.739 seconds

Cautions: 2 for 14 laps

Time of Race: 1:09:45

Average Speed: 75.269 mph

Lap Leaders: Hackenbracht 1-8 (8); Buescher 9-31, 184-200 (40); Jones 32-48, 173-183 (28);

Kimmel 49-158 (110); Elliott 159-172 (14)

 

 

Dirt racing is up next for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, with the Allen Crowe 100 taking place next Sunday, August 19, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill. The race will be the first of two dirt events this year - preceding the September 3 race in DuQuoin, Ill.

 

Practice will begin at 9 a.m. and last for one hour, with Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell starting at 11. The 100-lap, 100-mile race will take place at 1 p.m. All times are Central. ARCARacing.com will feature live timing and scoring coverage throughout the day, and ARCA Racing Network hosts Charlie Krall and Tim Clagg will deliver a live audio call for the race on the site.

 

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. 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 26 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 0.375 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 visited Alabama's Mobile International Speedway and Minnesota's Elko Speedway for the first time.

 

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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Kawartha Speedway 2012: Now, Back to Our Regularly Scheduled Schedule

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

What was originally scheduled to be a one week break became a two week layoff when heavy rains and thunderstorms forced the cancellation of the Friday, August 10th show at Kawartha Speedway.  Proving that you can’t keep a good man – or in this case, a good race track – down, action returns to the 3/8th mile oval at Fraserville Friday, August 17th.  Fans will be treated to a regular show featuring the Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks, Thunder Cars and a 100 lap main event for the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models.  Track General Manager/Promoter Derek Lynch says the extra distance shows are a treat for the fans and drivers.

 

“For the last few seasons, we’ve given the drivers in all 3 of our regular classes the chance to run some longer races,” said Lynch.  “The Late Model teams have a couple of 100 lappers every year.  That’s 4 times the length of what they do on a typical Friday night.  A run of that length gives them a chance to see how the car will perform under some changing conditions.  There isn’t too much that can be done from behind the steering wheel – other than maybe adjusting the brake bias – so you need to have a plan of attack from the drop of the green flag.”

 

While he may not have found his way into victory lane following a Kawartha Speedway main event, Tim Cole has been turning in some of the most consistent runs of his career this year.  The veteran competitor from Courtice, Ontario says he just needs a little good luck and a couple of breaks before he’s able to steer his #93 Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rentals/Kwik Signs/Oshawa Office Equipment Chevrolet Impala into the winner’s circle.

 

“Our team came into 2012 with a new attitude and a fresh approach to the season,” said Cole.  “The car has a different look and maybe that’s helped others take notice of what we’re able to do on the track.  Weekly racing is really a hobby for most of us and the way we perform is often determined by the level of confidence we have in our equipment.  I think we’re better prepared now than we might’ve been in the past.  Right now, I’m just outside the top 10 in points, but a couple of well-timed runs can quickly change that.”

 

Gates open Friday, August 17th at 3:00 with practice sessions for all divisions starting at 5:00.  The first green flag is at 7:00.

 

Kawartha klips:  The August 10th rainout had track officials juggling a busy schedule.  OSCAAR’s Don Biederman Memorial 75 lapper has been moved to Friday, September 7th.  The show – the final night for track points – already featured a 50 lap feature for the Mini Stocks and the Ontario Legends.  Racing starts that night at 6:00...Thunder Cars teams will run a double points show Friday, August 17th.  NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model drivers will get the chance to pad their totals with a double point event Friday, August 24th...At the start of the year, Kawartha Speedway and Capital City Speedway announced a Thunder Car challenge series.  In addition to regular race purse, drivers will run for a bonus payout of $250 for 1st, $150 for 2nd and $100 for every competitor.  The 50 lap events are Friday, August 24th at Kawartha and Saturday, September 8th at Capital City.  Registration by August 15th is required and drivers need to run both events to eligible...Fans can find the complete schedule and the latest track news at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Courtice, Ontario’s Tim Cole is having a great 2012 season in the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division at Kawartha Speedway.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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