2015-11-30

Le Grand maître Sylvain Vincent boucle sa carrière avec une victoire au Rally of the Tall Pines



Le Grand maître Sylvain Vincent boucle sa carrière avec une victoire au Rally of the Tall Pines

 

Bancroft, Ont., 29 novembre 2015 – Sylvain Vincent et son fils Simon, de Terrebonne (Qc) ont remporté le Rally of the Tall Pines, la dernière manche du Championnat des Rallyes Canadiens. Après une longue carrière dans ce sport et de nombreux podiums, Sylvain a su se mériter le titre de Grand Maître, bien que la victoire lui ait échappé tout au long de ses années en rallye.

L'équipe a su garder un rythme constant, et a pris les devants tôt dans la course après avoir été deuxième durant les spéciales de la matinée.

"C'est arrivé tellement de fois que nous soyons près de la victoire pour terminer deuxièmes, mais je n'ai jamais gagné", a dit Vincent, qui a décidé de se retirer du sport après cet évènement. "J'ai toujours dit que ce rallye était le plus difficile. C'est très exigeant physiquement, mais j'adore les routes alors ça s'équilibre. Mais après un rallye comme celui-ci, je suis épuisé."

"Dans la spéciale de 31 km, je voulais vraiment pousser pour tenir mes rivaux à distance, Nous avons eu de belles batailles durant la journée et c'était bien de vivre ça pour ma première victoire."

Brandon Semenuk (Squamish, C.-B.) a excellé sur les routes forestières très techniques de son tout premier Rally of the Tall Pines. Faisant équipe avec John Hall (Sherwood Park, Alb.), Semenuk n'avait jamais fait de rallye dans l'Est du Canada, ni terminé sur un podium national.

"Ce fut un rallye fou", a dit Semenuk, qui est un athlète de vélo de montagne freeride reconnu mondialement. "13 heures de course, le plus grand nombre de spéciales que j'ai fait en une journée et les deux dernières boucles de spéciales font partie des plus hallucinantes que j'ai fait, avec beaucoup de sauts et de courbes cachées derrière des crêtes."

"John a évidemment fait un bon travail puisque nous nous sommes rendus jusqu'à la fin et nous avons terminé deuxièmes. Il a fait ce rallye cinq fois, et son expérience a été plus que bénéfique."

Jeremy Norris (Kitchener, Ont.) et Jeff Hagan (Leamington, Ont.) en étaient eux aussi à leur premier podium national. Norris a fait ses débuts au Tall Pines il y a cinq ans, et a surmonté des problèmes cette année pour terminer troisième au classement général. Un manque de puissance turbo survenu à la mi‑journée a forcé l'équipe à prendre des pénalités pour réparer. Une fois de retour sur la route, ils ont poussé incroyablement fort pour rattraper le temps et les positions au classement.

"J'ai eu tellement de hauts et de bas aujourd'hui", a dit Norris. "Les choses allaient bien ce matin, quand nous étions troisièmes, puis nous avons eu des problèmes de turbo et avons perdu du temps. De pouvoir remonter le classement a rendu cette journée bien spéciale."

Simon Dubé (Jonquière, Qc.) a terminé sa saison avec une victoire dans la catégorie deux roues motrices, avec l'aide de son copilote Eric Lachance (St-Bruno-Lac-St-Jean, Qc.). Dubé a eu des expériences diverses dans ce rallye par le passé, mais a seulement eu des problèmes mineurs cette année. Une crevaison dans une spéciale a forcé l'équipe à ralentir, perdant seulement quelques secondes pour une performance quasi parfaite.

"ce fut une journée difficile, surtout dans les trois dernières spéciales parce que je commençais à me sentir mal", a dit Dubé. "J'ai remporté le championnat deux roues motrices une fois de plus, et j'ai terminé sixième alors je suis extrêmement content. Ce fut une saison incroyable, et toute l'équipe a été d'un grand support tout au long de l'année."

Le Rally of the Tall Pines marque la fin de la saison 2015 du Championnat des Rallyes Canadiens. Sillonnant les routes forestières au cœur du bouclier canadien, l'édition 2015 a demandé énormément de chacune des équipes. Des précipitations de pluie la veille du rallye ont détrempé les routes, les transformant en mélange de gravier et de glace lorsque les températures nocturnes sont descendues sous le point de congélation. Tandis que l'adhérence était somme toute présente, quelques sections étaient lisses et boueuses. Dans ces conditions imprévisibles, quelques équipes se sont fait prendre, mettant fin à leurs espoirs en début de course. Le rallye comprenait près de 200 kilomètres de spéciales chronométrées.

Le Championnat des Rallyes canadiens comprend six évènements, tenus à la grandeur du Canada, et qui se déroulent de février à novembre. La série est présentée par Subaru Canada. La Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) est l'organisme qui sanctionne le rallye au Canada.

Le rallye est souvent décrit simplement comme "de vraies voitures, sur de vraies route, vraiment rapides." Ce sport motorisé toute saison voit des pilotes et leur copilote conduire des voitures de rue modifiées jusqu'à la limite. Ils conduisent à de très grandes vitesses sur des routes fermées qui sont en général constituées de 150 kilomètres de gravier, de terre battue, ou de neige. Les spectateurs peuvent s'approcher des voitures dans les aires de service et aussi suivre l'action dans des aires spécialement désignées pour les spectateurs qui offrent les meilleurs points de vue des routes.

Le Championnat sera télédiffusé sur RDS et TSN. Vérifiez vos horaires locaux.

Pour de plus amples informations : www.carsrally.ca ou www.tallpinesrally.com

Suivez toute l'action du Championnat des Rallyes canadiens en suivant la série sur les médias sociaux

www.facebook.com/CRCRally
www.twitter.com/CRCRally
www.instagram.com/CRCRally
www.youtube.com/CRCRallyTV2015

Résultats finaux du Rally of the Tall Pines 
1. Sylvain Vincent – Simon Vincent – une heure, 59 minutes, 9.5 secondes
2. Brandon Semenuk – John Hall – 2:00:58.0
3. Jeremy Norris – Jeff Hagan – 2:05:45.7
4. Boris Djordjevic – Lyne Murphy – 2:06:35.0
5. Nick Roberts – Niall Burns – 2:08:50.3
6. Simon Dubé – Eric Lachance – 2:11:39.8
7. Arkadiusz Gruszka – Maciej Sawicki – 2:14:30.0
8. Martin Walter – Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff – 2:16:23.6
9. Martin Bruneau – Anthony Bruneau – 2:18:29.0
10. Justin Bayliff – Christine Bayliff – 2:22:46.8

POUR PLUS D'INFORMATIONS – bureaux de la Canadian Association of Rally Sport (855) 640-6444

 

Crédit photo : Andrew Snucins

 


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Peterborough Speedway Celebrates a Successful 2015 Season


 

Peterborough Speedway Celebrates a Successful 2015 Season

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Drivers, teams, staff and officials from Peterborough Speedway gathered Saturday, November 28th at The Ranch Resort Banquet and Conference Centre in Bethany as Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval as Peterborough Speedway celebrated its 2015 season.

 

Track owner/promoter J.P. Josiasse welcomed everyone to the evening's festivities with his annual 'State of the Speedway' address, acknowledging the contributions of corporate and divisional sponsors, as well as track personnel. Peterborough Speedway continues to grow the motorsports brand that started in a farmer's field nearly half a century ago and will make history for generations to come.

 

2015 was a homecoming of sorts for Dave Morgan. After a break from the weekly racing scene, the veteran campaigner from Buckhorn, Ontario returned to action at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City and claimed the Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model track championship. Kevin Buscher took the Late Model Rookie of the Year Honours, while Tyler Betts was named the Most Improved Driver. The division's Most Sportsmanlike driver – in memory of Terry Calvert – was Mark Gordon, while Bryan Sudsbury's #29 was named the Best Appearing Car.

 

Whoever said 'lightning never strikes in the same place twice' doesn't know Anthony DiBello. For the second year in a row, the driver of the #16 emerged with the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car track championship. Bailey Jacobs captured the Rookie of the Year prize for the Thunder Car field, while Robert Richards won the Most Improved Driver honours. Tom Podd was named the Most Sportsmanlike Driver. The Best Appearing Thunder Car award went to Richards, with the #60 of Jacobs presented with the Thunder Car Hard Charger award.

 

Like DiBello, one track championship wasn't enough for Renegade Truck division pilot Jack Dallin as the driver of the potent #07 clinched the 2015 crown. Chris Burrage was named top first year runner in the class. Jordan Dallin took the Most Improved Driver hardware. The Most Sportsmanlike Driver was Burrage, with Jordan Dallin's #70 taking the Best Appearing Truck honours.

 

2015 was a banner year for Ennismore, Ontario's Tyler Junkin. He not only won the Mini Stock track point championship, he captured the Autumn Colours Classic title. Steve Brier was named Mini Stock Rookie of the Year, while Brandon Hannah captured the Most Improved Driver award. Kevin Strutt was named the Most Sportsmanlike driver, while Junkin's #41 was tabbed as the division's Best Appearing Car.

 

Multiple feature event wins and strong runs throughout the season helped pave the way to a 2015 Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun division track championship for Ryan Oosterholt. The Rookie of the Year in the class was Dave Feeney, who was also named the Most Improved Driver. For the second year in a row, Marilyn Junkin took the Most Sportsmanlike Driver award, with Jeremy Kelly's #80 was picked as Best Appearing Car.

 

Top 5 Point Standings by Division –

Earl Ireland Auto Sales Late Model: 1). Dave Morgan, 689. 2). Tyler Betts, 685. 3). Mark Gordon, 665. 4). Bryan Sudsbury, 634. 5). Jack Horner, 545.

Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car: 1). Anthony DiBello, 784. 2). Howie Crowe, 726. 3). Rob Richards, 725. 4). Steve Mayhew, 718. 5). Bailey Jacobs, 688.

Renegade Truck: 1). Jack Dallin, 397. 2). Tim Burke, 388. 3). Chris Burrage, 385. 4). Billy O'Hara, 336. 5). Jordan Dallin, 332.

Mini Stock: 1). Tyler Junkin, 889. 2). Kevin Strutt, 814. 3). Donovan Price, 807. 4). Brandon Hannah, 767. 5). Brad Lavalle, 737.

Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun:  1). Ryan Oosterholt, 861. 2). Sean Kennedy, 831. 3). Matthew Vanderbelt, 761. 4). Jeremy Kelly, 760. 5). Mike Sellers, 719.

 

Bullring bullet points: Sunday, December 6th at there will be a rules meeting held at the Best Western Otonabee Inn, 84 Landsdowne Street East, Peterborough to discuss plans for the 2016 season.

 

Fans can always find the latest news at www.peterboroughspeedway.com  or by liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter.  You can also download the free Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.

 

Photo attachment: Morgan-Amber Photography

 

2015 Peterborough Speedway track champions (left to right) Dave Morgan, Anthony DiBello, Jack Dallin, Tyler Junkin and Ryan Oosterholt pose with their hardware at the Saturday, November 28th Awards Celebration.

 

Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media




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NCTS Year in review


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2015-11-25

ARCA Racing Series releases 2016 schedule

ARCA Racing Series releases 2016 schedule

(TOLEDO, Ohio – November 25, 2015) – The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will race 20 times in 2016, including eight races on superspeedways, nine on short tracks, two on dirt and one on a road course. The full schedule has been announced over the last few weeks. 

The season will mark the third consecutive season with a 20-race schedule. ARCA raced 21 races in 2013 and 19 in 2011 and 2012. 

"We are pleased to announce our full and complete schedule," ARCA President Ron Drager said. "We feel we have once again put together a schedule that highlights the diversity of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. We are excited for the start of the new season." 

The series will kick off the 2016 campaign – as it has for more than 50 years – by racing at Daytona International Speedway. The race will be right before the NASCAR Sprint Unlimited and will help christen the newly-renovated Daytona Rising project. 

The only different track on the schedule from 2015 is the return of the ARCA Racing Series to Madison, Wisconsin for Father's Day Weekend. There are other changes to the schedule, however. 

For example, ARCA's Chicagoland date shifts to Thursday night, September 15 in primetime as part of a huge weekend of racing, which includes the kick-off for the Sprint Cup Chase Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. The weekend also includes the Camping World Truck Series and the Xfinity Series.  

The road course race at New Jersey will be on Saturday, May 28, instead of the Sunday afternoon race it has been the last few years. And, the race on the mile-dirt at the DuQuoin State Fairgrounds is going to be a night race. 

In addition, the ARCA Racing Series will celebrate milestone races with the 75th series event at Toledo Speedway and 99th and 100th races at Salem Speedway in southern Indiana. 

The series will have companion races with all three of NASCAR's top touring series at one time or another in 2016, starting with the Daytona race in February, plus share Iowa Speedway with the Verizon Indy Car Series in July. 

The race at Winchester Speedway will once again coincide with the King of the Wing sprint cars.

The return to Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin is good for the series' presenting sponsor, Drager said. 

"It was important for us to schedule a race in the Menards market," Drager said. "Last year, we did not have a race in either Minnesota or Wisconsin and this year, we decided to go back. We are definitely looking forward to racing again at Madison and the upper Midwest." 

The 2016 season will be part of ARCA's 64th consecutive season of competition since 1953. 

Before moving ahead with the 2016 schedule, series officials will celebrate the 2015 season one final time with the annual banquet in downtown Indianapolis on Saturday, Dec. 12.

For complete details, visit arcaracing.com



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TSN / RDS Year in Review : NASCAR Canadian Tire Series


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2015-11-24

Touring Series Most Popular Drivers Announced

For Immediate Release

Touring Series Most Popular Drivers Announced
Four Rookies & Two Repeat Winners Among 2015 Honorees

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2015) – After nearly 34,000 votes were cast around the world for NASCAR regional touring series' 2015 Most Popular Driver Awards, seven drivers earned the ultimate honor from fans – including four rookie drivers and a pair of repeat winners.

The Most Popular Driver Award winners for 2015 are:

• Rico Abreu (St. Helena, Calif.), NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

• Nicole Behar (Spokane, Wash.), NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

• Jason Hathaway (St. Thomas, Ont.), NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1

• Rodrigo Marban (Mexico City), NASCAR Mexico Toyota Series

• Alon Day (Ashdod, Israel), NASCAR Whelen Euro Series

• Melissa Fifield (Wakefield, N.H.), NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

• Trey Hutchens (Lexington, N.C.), NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour

 

Underscoring the exciting young talent entering NASCAR's ranks, award winners Abreu, Behar, Day and Hutchens are all in their first full season of NASCAR touring series competition, with Hutchens also earning the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Award in the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

Both Fifield and Marban won the Most Popular Driver Award for their series last year, with Fifield making history as the first female to win the award for the tour. 

Marban of the NASCAR Mexico Series garnered more votes than any other driver in 2015, just ahead of NASCAR Next drivers Behar and Abreu. Behar dethroned 2014 Most Popular Driver Brandon McReynolds, while Abreu earned the award in his first year in stock cars after transitioning from a successful open-wheel career.

The closest race was in the Canadian Tire Series where championship runner-up Hathaway edged Alex Tagliani by just 104 votes. It is the second year in a row in which Tagliani missed out on the top spot by a slim margin. Last year, he was beaten by JR Fitzpatrick by just 48 votes.

Similarly, Fifield beat Preece for the Whelen Modified Tour award by 110 votes. Hutchens collected more than 40 percent of the Whelen Southern Modified Tour vote to top tour champion Andy Seuss, a three-time winner of the award.

Day won three of the final four races of the Whelen Euro Series season to finish as runner-up in the championship standings in his first year in the series.

The Most Popular Driver Award winners will be recognized as part of the NASCAR Touring Series Awards on Dec. 12 in the Charlotte (North Carolina) Convention Center at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

 

Contact:

Jason Christley

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications


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2015-11-22

Kyle Busch Wins 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship


Kyle Busch Wins 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

Overcomes Injury, Celebrates Walk-Off Win in Miami

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 22, 2015) – Only nine months removed from suffering a broken right leg and left foot in an accident at Daytona, Kyle Busch won at Homestead-Miami Speedway to capture the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. The title is the first for Busch and Toyota.

 

To take home NASCAR's greatest prize, Busch needed to finish ahead of the three other Championship 4 drivers – Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon and Martin Truex Jr. – in the final race of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup at Homestead.

 

Busch and his brother Kurt Busch (2004 NSCS champion) join Terry and Bobby Labonte as the only brothers to earn NSCS titles.­­­

 

Missing three months – a span of 11 races – due to his injury, Busch returned to his No. 18 Toyota at Charlotte in May, showing signs of rust by logging two finishes worse than 35th (36th at Dover; 43rd at Michigan) in his first four points events. He rounded into form his fifth race back by speeding to Victory Lane at Sonoma, catalyzing a dominant run of four wins in his next four starts, including three in a row at Kentucky, New Hampshire and Indianapolis.

 

Entering the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup as one of the favorites to take home the crown, Busch gutted his way through the first two rounds, highlighted by a runner-up showing in the Challenger Round cutoff race at Dover. He hit his stride as the only driver to log top-five finishes in each Eliminator Round race to set up his championship effort at Homestead.

                                                                                                                                       

Busch joins Bobby Labonte, Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick as the fourth driver to earn both a NSCS and NASCAR XFINITY Series championship. His title marks the fourth for Joe Gibbs Racing, which also won championships with Bobby Labonte (2000) and Tony Stewart (2002, '05).

 

Toyota, which began full-time racing in the NSCS in 2007, has now captured a driver's championship in all three NASCAR national series. Busch also won Toyota its first NSCS race at Atlanta in 2008.

 

Busch is the second consecutive champion to win the title with a victory in the Championship Race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Harvick accomplished the feat last season.

 

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™, NASCAR XFINITY Series™, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series™), four regional series, one local grassroots series and three international series. The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit http://www.NASCAR.com and http://www.IMSA.com and follow NASCAR atwww.Facebook.com/NASCAR and Twitter: @NASCAR.

 

Contact:

Kerry Tharp

NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications



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Setzer Claims Meltdown Thriller At Hickory; Tate Fogleman Takes Championship



Setzer Claims Meltdown Thriller At Hickory; Tate Fogleman Takes Championship


-       For Immediate Release

 

HICKORY, NC (November 21) – Brandon Setzer took the lead from Mike Hopkins for the final time with 60 laps to go and held on for a popular hometown win Saturday afternoon in the 10th Annual Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at Hickory Motor Speedway.  Setzer becomes the 7th different first-time winner in Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model competition for 2015.  

            "Man it's so awesome to get this win in front of the hometown crowd, I've got so many sponsors and family and friends here, I've just got to thank everybody so much," said Setzer in victory lane.  "Mike Hopkins drove a great race and his stuff stayed together way better than I thought it would in the first half.  He [Hopkins] pushed me really hard there, that's all I had, and Tyler [Church] there at the end too, but you know this thing had enough."

            While Setzer was celebrating his first career win, third generation racer Tate Fogleman soldiered home to a tenth place finish to secure his first career PASS South Super Late Model championship.  At 15-years-old, Fogleman becomes the youngest driver to ever win a PASS Super Late Model championship.  By following his father, Jay, as a series champion, they join Mike and Ben Rowe as the only father-son combination to ever win a PASS title.  Zane Smith saw a big points lead evaporate late in the season due to late season penalties.  Smith was fined for jumping a late restart at South Boston Speedway in August.  That paled in comparison to a huge points and monetary penalty assessed after an event at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in October in which Smith intentionally spun race winner Joey Doiron after the checkered flag, destroying Doiron's machine.  Smith's collapse late in the year played into Fogleman's hand and paved the way for him to win his first title.

            "I just can't thank the guys enough, I'm lost for words," said an emotional Fogleman afterwards.  "I could feel my heart beating there, it definitely got hairy there at the end a couple of times.  In the beginning we got into a good spot and just saved tires, but in the second half the car got tight.  We were right in the middle of everything but luckily everybody got spread out and we could just ride there."

            In qualifying, defending PASS South Super Late Model champion Tyler Church took the quick qualifying time with a lap of 14.802 seconds.  But, in the top 10 qualifiers redraw, he would pull the 10th pill, while Derek Scott, Jr. and Joey Padgett would move up to the front row.

            When the race got underway, Scott jumped out into the lead.  Championship contender Zane Smith started 27th, but made his way around Kody Evans for 15th on lap 48.  The first caution of the night waved on lap 54 when Jeff Batten slammed the turn three wall.  The next caution waved just three laps later for a grinding crash by Kyle Desouza into the turn one wall.

            On the restart, Setzer moved by Scott to take the lead for the first time of the afternoon.  But, following a caution for the stalled car of Joey Padgett on lap 69, Scott moved around Setzer to reassume the lead. Smith was continuing his climb to the front, moving by Fogleman and into the top 10 on lap 73.

            After starting fifth, Maine's Mike Hopkins was the car on the move, passing Setzer for second on lap 75 and then Scott ten laps later after a hard battle for the lead.  Church was biding his time as well, moving around Clay Rogers and into the top five on lap 92.  Hopkins was the leader at the competition caution on lap 120 over Setzer, Roger Lee Newton, Scott, and Church.

            Following a 10 minute break to change tires and make adjustments, Hopkins continued to lead over Setzer and Church, who made his way by Scott for third on lap 130.  With 61 laps to go, the complexion of the championship changed when Smith spun entering turn one after checking up for Scott and Newton as they slowed to pass the lapped car of Evans.  Smith lost a lap, but would eventually fight his way back to a sixth place finish.

            On the restart, Setzer bypassed Hopkins for the lead.  A great battle ensued for the top spot as Setzer, Hopkins, and Church raced inches apart with 30 laps to go.  The caution would wave two more times as Ben Rowe and Clay Rogers both had single car spins in turn four, just in front of the points leader Fogleman.

            Setzer continued to lead, while Hopkins and Church tussled over the second spot.  The two raced hard and eventually made contact entering turn three, sending Hopkins for a spin with 14 laps to go.  

            Once back under green, Setzer checked out for his first Mason-Dixon Meltdown win over Church, Newton, Brandon Ward, and Jody Measamer.  Rounding out the top ten were Smith, Rogers, Vinnie Miller, Kodie Conner, and Fogleman.

In the PASS Pro Late Model division, Austin Thompson took the lead from Kerry Lawrence and never looked back as he went on to claim his fourth win of the season.  Rounding out the top five were Jake Spillers, Zachary Dabbs, and JP Josiasse.  Kodie Conner finished ninth to claim his first career PASS Pro Late Model division title.

            Chris Lamb took the USAC Eastern Midget win over Jake Nelke, Andrew Layser, Matthew Lundstrom, and Sam Hatfield.

The PASS South Super Late Models will return on Saturday, February 6, 2016 to kickoff the season at Greenville-Pickens Speedway with the return of the Winter Meltdown.  For more information and updates throughout the offseason, please go to ProAllStarsSeries.com.  And, don't forget, to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter at @PASSSLM14.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  PASS South Super Late Model – Mason Dixon Meltdown 200 – Unofficial Results

1.         6 – Brandon Setzer                                               15. 71 – Jimmy Doyle

2.         7 – Tyler Church                                                    16. 4s – Trevor Sanborn

3.       33 – Roger Lee Newton                                         17. 15 – Mike Hopkins

4.       62 – Brandon Ward                                                18. 01 – Derek Scott, Jr.

5.       98 – Jody Measamer                                            19.  54 – Matt Craig 

6.       77 – Zane Smith                                                     20.   83 – Joey Padgett

7.       17 – Clay Rogers                                                    21.  12 – Kody Evans

8.       16 – Vinnie Miller                                                    22.  82 – John-Michael Shenette

9.       45 – Kodie Conner                                                 23.   4m – Kyle McCallum

10.                          8 – Tate Fogleman                                     24.   98x – Justin Ashburn

11.                         4n – Ben Rowe                                                         25.   88 – Kyle Desouza

12.                          64 – Garrett Evans                                                  26.   49 – Jeff Batten

13.                          19 – Riley Herbst                                                    27.     29 – Ryan Krachun

14.                          41 – Mike Rowe                                          

 

 

 

 

PASS Pro Late Model – 40 laps – Unofficial Results

1.    2 – Austin Thompson

2.    03 – Kerry Lawrence

3.    55 – Jake Spillers

4.    23 – Zachary Dabbs

5.    24 – JP Josiasse

6.    82 – Cameron Burke

7.    21 – Monty Cox

8.    24x – Mason Diaz

9.    45 – Kodie Conner

 

 




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2015-11-19

Payea Returning to ACT with RPM Motorsports

Payea Returning to ACT with RPM Motorsports

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT111915-145

 



<<ATTACHED PHOTO (tr06201337.JPG): Scott Payea (#89VT), seen here before a Thunder Road Late Model event in 2013, will return to the ACT Tour in 2016 with RPM Motorsports. (Alan Ward/Big Al's Photos photo)>>

 

Waterbury, VT – RPM Motorsports has announced that former American-Canadian Tour (ACT) standout Scott Payea will join the team for the 2016 ACT Tour season. Milton, VT's Payea returns after two years off from racing to compete for the Tour championship behind the wheel of the RPM Racing Engines Ford with car owner and crew chief Rick Paya.

 

Payea previously competed on the ACT Tour for six seasons beginning in 2005. He was the ACT Rookie of the Year in 2005 and finished runner-up in points for three straight years from 2007-2009, losing the 2008 championship to Patrick Laperle by a single point. Payea also won five Tour events, including two victories in the Merchants Bank 150 at Barre, VT's Thunder Road as well as wins at White Mountain Motorsports Park, Waterford Speedbowl, and Airborne Park Speedway.

 

He then competed weekly at Thunder Road from 2011 through 2013, finishing in the top-10 in points each year. Payea retired from racing at the end of the 2013 season to spend more time with his family, but after two seasons on the sidelines, he jumped at the unexpected chance to return.

 

"I went to a few races to watch with my son, and I found out that there's no middle ground for me," Payea said in an RPM Motorsports press release. "I either wanted to be out there on the track or not there at all, so I didn't go too often. In the back of my mind I was hoping I would get another shot, but I never expected to have a car owner like Rick call me and want me to drive."

 

Payea joins a team which has won eight ACT Tour Championships and nearly 40 ACT Late Model races with drivers including Jean-Paul Cyr, Brian Hoar, Nick Sweet, and Austin Theriault. RPM Motorsports recently won the final two races of the 2015 ACT season at Airborne Park Speedway and Thompson Speedway with Brian Hoar at the controls. But Hoar announced in Victory Lane at Thompson that he was stepping away from racing to spend more time with his own family, creating the opportunity for Payea to return to the driver's seat.

 

"The announcement of Rick Paya and his RPM team bringing Scott Payea back to the 2016 ACT Tour can prove to be a game-changer," ACT President Tom Curley said. "We know the kind of credentials that the RPM team brings to any organization, and Scott certainly proved what an outstanding racer he had become before he made the decision to spend some time with his young family. That decision alone shows the character of Scott Payea. This team will be strong beginning with our opening event at Lee USA Speedway in April. Teams that love to compete, like early contenders Wayne Helliwell Jr. and Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., will be happy to have this kind of quality competition joining us on the 2016 ACT campaign."

 

The 2016 ACT U.S. and Série ACT schedules are expected to be released by Thanksgiving. For more information contact the ACT offices at 802.244.6963media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com. For more information on RPM Motorsports call 802.524.7406or visit www.motorsports.rpmenginesvt.com.

 

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PASS South Ready For Mason-Dixon Meltdown At Hickory This Weekend

PASS South Ready For Mason-Dixon Meltdown At Hickory This Weekend




-       For Immediate Release

 

CHARLOTTE, NC (November 18) – Top short track racers from across the country are making their way south as they prepare for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown 200 at the legendary Hickory Motor Speedway.  This Saturday's 200 lapper at Hickory also doubles as the 2015 season finale for the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) South Super Late Model division.  The South's longest running and most prestigious short track championship will be decided between points leader Tate Fogleman and challengers Zane Smith, Matt Craig, and Jody Measamer.

Although not in reach of the championship, Nashville, NC's Jeff Batten is on the verge of completing his strongest season yet in PASS South Super Late Model racing.  In only his second season racing Super Late Models, Batten sits fifth in points.  But, that was a goal he and his team really did not fill was attainable this year.

"It's awesome that we're in the top five in points right now, but we really hadn't been points racing due to me missing a couple of races because of my work schedule," said Batten, driver of the Batten Ceramic Tile/Digital Repair/Hutson Insurance Chevrolet #49.  "Hopefully we can get out of Hickory with a top five and end the season on a good note and carry some momentum to the offseason."

            Following in the footsteps of his Uncle John, himself a longtime PASS South competitor and former track champion at Kenly, NC, Jeff Batten struggled at the start of the 2015 season.  But, an uptick in performance late in the year has Batten optimistic for a good finish in the Mason-Dixon Meltdown.

            "Hickory is a good track for us," said Batten.  "We always seem to have good speed, but we just don't have the finishes to show for it.  Hopefully we've got that turned around this weekend and we get the finish we need, to show for the speed we've had lately."

            Another driver hoping to make his mark in PASS Super Late Model racing is Texas newcomer Derek Scott, Jr.  Scott was the fastest qualifier for the Easter Bunny 150 at Hickory Motor Speedway in April.  After starting 7th, Scott quickly made his way into the lead on lap 17, before eventually fading to a ninth place finish due to mechanical problems.

            "Experience is the key to a good quality race and we got that at Hickory this Spring," says Scott, driver of the Derek Scott's Auto Park Chevrolet #01.  "The transmission had issues and we lost power steering in the last 30 laps at Hickory in April.  So we're definitely looking forward to getting back there this weekend."

In addition to Batten, Scott, and the PASS South championship contenders a great group of drivers have pre-entered for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory.  Former 3-Time PASS National Champion and former Mason-Dixon Meltdown winner, Ben Rowe, will be joined by his father and newly crowned PASS North Champion, Mike Rowe, in team cars out of the Richard Moody Racing stables.  Georgia's Kyle McCallum and Maine's Trevor Sanborn will be teammates for the Woodman Racing team, who will also be supporting the efforts of Rhode Island's, Kyle Desouza.  Vinnie Miller will be driving a team car to that of championship contender Zane Smith for Crooks Racing, while Northwest legend Garrett Evans will be making his first ever start at Hickory.  Two drivers with a lot of laps at Hickory, Jimmy Doyle and Brandon Setzer, will be back looking for their first PASS South wins, along with rookie Walker Yates and veterans Clay Rogers and Brandon Ward.  And, Connecticut's John-Michael Shenette and Maine's Mike Hopins will be making their first trips to North Carolina to attempt their first PASS South start.

Action begins on Friday, November 20 at Hickory Motor Speedway with open practice for all divisions from 2-5 PM. OnSaturday, November 21, practice will begin at 11 AM with qualifying starting at 1:30 PM for the PASS South Super Late Models, PASS Pro Late Models, USAC Eastern Midgets, and Legends Cars, and feature racing at 3 PM.

Entry forms and the complete weekend schedule for this weekend's Mason-Dixon Meltdown at Hickory Motor Speedway can be found at ProAllStarsSeries.com.

The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary AIM Recycling Oxford 250 Presented By Kenny U-Pull at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway.  For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com.  For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039 or alandietzpass@live.com.  And, don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.

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Scott Payea Returning to American-Canadian Tour in 2016 with RPM Motorsports


      Scott Payea Returning to American-Canadian Tour in 2016 with RPM Motorsports
            Veteran racer making comeback with eight-time ACT Late Model Tour championship team  

For Immediate Release                                                                                                                                               RPM-111915-2  
         GEORGIA, VT – Scott Payea is back.  The veteran Late Model stock car driver has joined champion car owner and crew chief Rick Paya for a full-season schedule on the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) with RPM Motorsports in 2016.  The pairing marks a new era for the RPM team and a return to the driver's seat for the Milton, VT racer after a two-year hiatus.
          Scott Payea was a top ACT contender for several years before taking a break to spend time with his young family.  Payea was an immediate force upon joining ACT in 2005, finishing third in the first start of his career.  He went on to claim the Rookie of the Year title that season and was the championship runner-up three straight years in 2007-09, winning five ACT races during that time.  Payea scaled back from touring in 2010 to race locally at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT before hanging up his helmet at the end of 2013.
         Engine builder, crew chief, and RPM Motorsports owner Rick Paya has played a part in hundreds of short track victories during his career, and has won a total of eight ACT championships with drivers Jean-Paul Cyr and Brian Hoar.  The RPM team won the last two ACT Late Model Tour races of 2015 with Hoar behind the wheel, but, somewhat ironically, it was Hoar's recent decision to step away from racing and spend more time with his own family that opened the door for Scott Payea to return. 
         "Scott wasn't really on anyone's radar because he hasn't raced in the last couple of years, but he was always on mine," Rick Paya said.  "Scott was my first choice to drive the car after Brian left.  I called him out of the blue, and I think I took him by surprise.  I'm really excited that he said yes."
          Scott Payea admitted that he was shocked by both the phone call and Rick Paya's confidence in his abilities as a driver. 
"I was walking home from the park with my kids a few weeks ago when my phone rang," Scott Payea said.  "Rick and I talked a couple of times, and I went to the race shop told Rick I thought it would be great if we could work something out, but he said, 'No, it's a done deal, you're my driver.'  That was pretty amazing." 
          Scott Payea said that attending races and being on the sidelines over the last two years was more difficult than he had anticipated.  He also did not anticipate that he would have the opportunity to drive for RPM Motorsports. 
           "I went to a few races to watch with my son, and I found out that there's no middle ground for me," he said.  "It was hard.  I either wanted to be out there on the track or not there at all, so I didn't go too often.  In the back of my mind I was hoping I would get another shot, but I never expected to have a car owner like Rick call me and want me to drive." 
         The RPM Motorsports team expects to use the first few events in 2016 as a time to jell and come together as a group, but given Payea's rookie impact in 2005, and RPM's 2009 ACT championship in its first season with Hoar behind the wheel, history may be on their side.  
          "I think the hardest part will be training people how to spell our last names right," Rick Paya joked.  "I know Scott will be just fine after a couple of practices next Spring, and the whole team is really excited to see how we do together." 
           "Initially the goal is for me to knock the rust off after two years, but I'm obviously pairing up with a team that is accustomed to having a great deal of success," Scott Payea said.  "I hope that makes everything easier.  It's an incredible opportunity, and I'm super, super excited to get the season started." 
            RPM Motorsports is in the midst of sponsorship negotiations for the 2016 season and is hopeful to announce its marketing partners soon. 
            The American-Canadian Tour's 2016 schedule is expected to be announced near Thanksgiving.  For more information on ACT, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.acttour.com. 
            RPM Racing Engines, home of RPM Motorsports, is based in Georgia, VT and has nearly 30 years of winning history.  RPM Racing Engines builds power in several motorsports disciplines, but specializes in ACT's and PASS "spec" programs. For more information, call (802) 524-7406 or visit www.rpmenginesvt.com.  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                - END -                                                                                                                                


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2015-11-18

La Série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil hausse la barre pour 2016

La Série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil hausse la barre pour 2016

St-Eustache-Mardi 17 novembre 2015

C’est devant une imposante pléiade de pilotes, membres d’équipes et personnalités du milieu que ce déroulait une réunion de la série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil en vue de la saison 2016.Consciente que sa série est en plein essor, la direction, présidée par M. Alan Labrosse, tenait à apporter quelques améliorations entourant la série et ainsi hausser la barre d’un cran. Plusieurs pilotes chevronnés s’ajouteront aux pilotes déjà établies de la série. Les  Sylvain Lacombe, Maxime Pelletier et Steve Côté, ont déjà confirmés leur participation au championnat l’an prochain. La compétition sera assurément des plus excitante. Avec une moyenne de 22 voitures par programme en 2015, il ne serait pas surprenant de voir le nombre de voitures au départ considérablement augmenter pour le premier drapeau vert en mai 2016. Parmi les personnes présentes lors de la réunion, mentionnons la présence de M. Jacques Sigouin de Lucas Oil. Ce dernier en a profité pour confirmer le retour de l’entreprise à titre de commanditaire officiel de la série. Bien que Lucas Oil soit associée à différentes sphères de la course automobile, M. Sigouin a également mentionné que la collaboration avec la série NSLO représentait une très grande fierté pour lui et l’entreprise américaine.  Voici donc les différents points apportés lors de cette réunion :

Événement spéciaux

Offrant des programmes réguliers de 50 tours depuis quelques années, la série présentera des événements spéciaux avec un nombre de tours majorés en 2016. En plus des programmes réguliers, les pilotes et amateurs pourront assister à 4 programmes spéciaux la saison prochaine. Le 18 juin 2016 aura lieu une épreuve de 75 tours, un 2x 50 tours le 23 juillet, une course de 100 tours le 20 août et un double à déterminer lors de la dernière finale de la saison le 18 septembre.

Triple Couronne Can-Am NSLO

Si elle s’impose comme une série locale de premier plan à l’Autodrome St-Eustache, la série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil fait l’envie de plusieurs un peu partout au Québec et au nord des États-Unis. Afin de permettre à ses pilotes de voir du pays et ainsi faire bénéficier les amateurs de course automobile éloignés de la région montréalaise, la direction de la série est fière d’annoncer la création d’une Triple Couronne Can-Am NSLO qui se déroulera en 3 manches dont 2 à l’extérieur de l’ASE. La première épreuve de la Triple Couronne Can-Am NSLO est prévue le 25 juin à l’Autodrome Montmagny, la deuxième au Airborne Park Speedway de Plattsburgh Ny le 30 juillet et la troisième manche à l’ASE le 20 août 2016. Les épreuves disputées à Montmagny et Plattsburgh seront considérés comme hors-championnat.

Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

La direction de la série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil a fait connaitre sa position quant au retour de ses pilotes pour la prochaine édition du GP3R. Il a été convenu que la série ne participerait pas à l’organisation des épreuves qui se déroulent sur le circuit routier trifluvien. Le weekend prévu pour ces épreuves demeure libre sous toutes réserves, et si l’organisation du GP3R assume les responsabilités et  frais reliés, notamment au niveau des bourses, les épreuves seraient considérées hors-championnat. La position du GP3R sera officiellement connue au courant du mois de décembre.

Programme fidélité

Depuis la saison 2014, la direction fait tirer parmi ses fidèles pilotes un prix de plusieurs milliers de dollars, en l’occurrence un moteur Crate 602 GM. Or, en 2016 le programme fidélité sera de retour avec un nouveau prix. La saison prochaine, une remorque de course fermée de 24 pieds sera tirée à la fin de la saison parmi les pilotes de la série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil. Un cadeau d’une valeur de plus de $12000.00.

Direction de course et direction technique

Le retour à titre de directeur de course de M. Donald Forte a été confirmé par la direction de l’Autodrome St-Eustache. Le nombre de bolides et le niveau de compétition sans cesse en hausse dans les différentes catégories de l’ASE, l’ajout d’un directeur technique devenait une priorité pour les dirigeants. C’est M. Mario Desjardins qui se voit confier le poste de directeur technique de l’ASE alors que M. Donald Forte dirigera les épreuves sur le circuit de l’ASE. M. Desjardins assurera la gestion des inspections avant et après course. Il sera également responsable des sanctions émises aux pilotes dont la voiture ne se conformera pas au règlement technique.

L’hiver semblera encore plus long alors que tous ont déjà hâte au premier drapeau vert de la prochaine saison, le samedi 21 mai 2016. Pour ceux qui désiraient obtenir plus d’informations sur la série NASCAR Sportsman Lucas Oil ou sur les autres divisions de l’ASE, vous pouvez communiquer à l’ASE au 450-472-6222 ou par courriel au : info@autodrome.ca

Source : Justin Beaudin ASE


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