2017-01-29

Raphaël Lessard débute sa saison avec un Top 10 au SpeedFest 200

 

Raphaël Lessard débute sa saison avec un Top 10 au SpeedFest 200

 

CORDELE, Géorgie, 29 janvier 2017 – Raphaël Lessard, jeune pilote de St-Joseph-de-Beauce, vient tout juste de signer son premier Top 10 de l'année lors du SpeedFest 2017 au Crisp Motorsports Park en Géorgie. En effet, Raphaël s'est élancé de la 22e position pour terminer en 10e position lors de la course de 200 tours de la Champion Racing Association (CRA) sur l'ovale du Watermelon Capital Speedway.

 

Toujours au volant de sa Toyota Camry #99 FRL Express/Team Coach Imaging/Toyota-TRD/JBLAudio de l'équipe David Gilliland Racing, Raphaël a connu une course sans embûches majeures alors qu'il s'est frayé un chemin parmi des pilotes d'expérience. Ayant connu une séance de qualification difficile après qu'un bris mécanique l'ait empêché de faire un bon chrono, Raphaël n'est pas resté longtemps en 22e position alors que, dès les premiers tours, il a imposé son rythme en effectuant toute une remontée atteignant la 10 position pour un première fois au 71e tour. Il a même fait une pointe en 9e place au 138e tour.

 

Comme à son habitude, Raphaël a été en moyen de dépasser ses concurrents par la ligne extérieure, chose extrêmement difficile dans les courses d'ovales. En fin de course, le problème de suspension est réapparu, rendant la conduite difficile, et l'espoir de voir Raphaël monter sur le podium s'envoler. Le pilote a tout de même réussi à se tenir entre la 15e position et la 9e position tout au long de l'épreuve,  et de finalement terminer en 10e place.

 

Ce n'est que partie remise, alors que Raphaël participera au Rattler 250 de la série SSS du 16 au 19 mars prochains au South Alabama Speedway. Entre temps, le Beauceron reviendra au Québec pour « voir la neige », pour reprendre ses mots.

 

Raphaël Lessard : « Ça a été une fin de semaine correcte. On a eu des problèmes en qualifications avec une pièce qui a brisé en arrière de la voiture. En course, ça a été la même histoire, nous avons également eu des problèmes. Au début de l'épreuve, j'ai réussi à remonter le peloton, car j'ai trouvé une bonne ligne à l'extérieur sur la piste. Après l'arrêt aux puits et des pneus neufs ça s'est amélioré pour quelques tours, puis notre problème de suspension est revenu. Somme toute, arriver 10e malgré ce pépin n'est pas si pire! Je me dois de remercier l'équipe David Gilliland Racing qui n'a pas arrêté de travailler sur la voiture une seconde! Merci aussi à FRL Express, Team Coach Imaging, Toyota TRD et JBL Audio qui me soutiennent encore cette année ».


Source: Torcha Communications


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Young Guns Continue to Make Headlines at Peterborough Speedway



Young Guns Continue to Make Headlines at Peterborough Speedway

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Whether they've chosen to follow in the footsteps of a successful parent or sibling, or made the move in pursuit of their own interests a group of young racers has elected to join the weekly wars at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval. As the opening night of its 50th Anniversary Season grows closer, Peterborough Speedway is looking toward the future by honouring a page of its rich racing history.

 

19 year-old Bailey Jacobs and 21 year-old Sean Kennedy are about to enter their 3rd season of action at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City. After graduating from the karting ranks, Jacobs finished 2nd in the 2016 Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car standings, while Kennedy was last year's runner-up in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun point chase. On the other side of the coin, Brandon Vennor – a 23 year-old – made his first starts in the Trent Lakes Complete Plumbing Renegade Truck division and was 6th in the final standings. 16 year-old Kyle Gordon set the same standard in the Thunder Car field and was 7th overall. Neither driver had any previous racing experience, but learned their craft with the help of supportive family members. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says there have been several drivers who've followed the same path over the years.

 

"While some people their age spend time playing soccer or softball, Peterborough Speedway has long been the place for young drivers to hone their skills," said Josiasse. "Derek Lynch grew-up watching his father at the track and started his career at what was then known as Westgate Speedway in 1986 at the age of 14. He was named rookie of the year in the Late Model Sportsman class that season and won the track championship a year later. His career would eventually take the Norwood, Ontario native to the former NASCAR Busch North Series and victory lane in what is now the NASCAR Pinty's Series. Lynch also earned the pole position during our 2016 APC Pro Late Model event."

 

Stirling, Ontario's Willow Barberstock made her first ever start at the Autumn Colours Classic when she was just 12 years old and concluded her time in the Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun division by earning the track championship. The popular youngster – who has become a favourite with the fans – will kick-off 2017 with her 3rd season with the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series

 

Even with the plans to mark the 50th Anniversary of the speedway, the official schedule won't be released until the annual Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo – March 10th through 12th – at the International Centre in Toronto. They'll also be part of special events that will include displays at the Peterborough Home, Cottage and Country Show – March 31stto April 2nd – at the Evinrude Centre and at the Lindsay Square Mall, April 23rd through 30th. Fans have come to expect participation at the pre-season events and several drivers and teams are lined-up to show-off their new colours."

 

Bullring bullet points: Keep on top of all the 50th Anniversary news at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval by logging onto www.peterboroughspeedway.com, liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter. Fans can also download the free Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.


Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Youngster Kyle Gordon (left) had some help from his father Mark to guide him through his first year of action in the Paul Davis Systems Thunder Car division at Peterborough Speedway.

 

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


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OMRS Rookie Crop is Set to Make Their Mark on the Track in 2017




OMRS Rookie Crop is Set to Make Their Mark on the Track in 2017

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

With the Rookie of the Year award presented to Stu Robinson Jr. after a successful first year on the 2016 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series tour, the popular open wheeled tour will see several different drivers compete for the prestigious honour during the 2017 campaign. With new drivers joining the ranks and bringing experience earned in different motorsports genres, Randy Hollingsworth – who along with Rick Warnes and Bill Pickford make up the team of OMRS officials – says the new schedule is already showing plenty of promise.

 

"Our group has always been committed to putting the best field on the track at every event and our development deals are a great way to find some new talent," said Hollingsworth. "We have a program in place with J.P. Josiasse at Peterborough Speedway that allows drivers from the 4Fun and Thunder Car divisions to take the next step in their driving careers. The track also allows us to host an annual 'Test a Mod' day that has opened the door for racers to get behind the wheel of one of our cars in an on-track practice session."

 

After making a few starts late in the year, Connor James is ready to face the challenge of a full season of open wheeled modified racing. The 20 year-old from Bradford, Ontario started his career in Junior Late Models at the age of 10 and won Sauble Speedway's Junior Late Model championship in 2011. James also got his feet wet in 4-cylinder racing, during the 2014 campaign.

 

Jaden Chapman comes to the Ontario Modifieds Racing Series with a wealth of experience, including time in endurance and super stock divisions at Delaware Speedway. Teaming-up with car owner Dwayne Brooks who will donate any money won this year to Crohns and Colitis Society research, the 22 year-old Sarnia, Ontario resident – who works as an apprentice at the hometown BMW dealership – will also compete in the Thunder Car division at Sauble Speedway in 2017.

 

Graduates of the karting ranks, Norwood's Isaac Delyea and Owen Brooks of Peterborough got their first taste of an OMRS machine during the 2016 'Test a Mod' day at Peterborough Speedway. The pair of youngsters is looking forward to the first green flag of the season for the popular series.

 

 

2017 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series schedule

 

Saturday, May 20th:               Sunset Speedway – Spring Velocity

Saturday, May 27th:               Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, June 10th:              Peterborough Speedway

                                                Test a Mod Day, 11:00 to 2:00

                                                OMRS Racing, 7:00

Saturday, June 24th:              Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, July 1st:                  Flamboro Speedway – Canada Day

Saturday, July 15th:                Peterborough Speedway

Saturday, July 22nd:               Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, August 19th:           Peterborough Speedway

                                                Toonie Admission/Fan Appreciation Night

Saturday, August 26th:           Peterborough Speedway

 

Saturday, September 23rd:    Sunset Speedway – Fall Velocity

                                                Qualifying heats

Sunday, September 24th:      Sunset Speedway – Fall Velocity

                                                Last chance qualifying and feature

 

Fans can find full series details at www.facebook.com/OMRS. The Ontario Modifieds Racing Series is supported by Clarke Motorsports Communications.

 

Photo attachment: Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Isaac Delyea (left) and Connor James are 2 of about a handful of drivers expected to compete for the 2017 Ontario Modifieds Racing Series rookie of the year award.

 

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

                      clarkemotorsports@hotmail.com, www.facebook.com/clarkemotorsports

                      613.968.6410


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