2017-04-09

Sportsman Drivers Ready For Dirt Challenge




Sportsman Drivers Ready For Dirt Challenge



PLATTSBURGH- The familiar names will be back at Airborne Park Speedway this season. The only question, will their asphalt successes transform into dirt successes?

The five-time defending Sportsman Modified champion will be looking for his sixth consecutive title, but it will be difficult for Nick Heywood to replicate his ten win season from 2016. 

Last season's runner-up in points will be back to contend in 2017. "The Professor" Bucko Branham will showcase his familiar number 20. Also joining the group is Mooers driver, Jamy Begor

Heywood is back with two cars in the stables for the upcoming season. Liquor & Wine Warehouse, Labatt Blue, Casella, P.M. Leary Restoration and Roto Rooter return as main sponsors for the number 29. He will have to deal with the learning curve with limited dirt racing experience in a Sportsman Modified.

"We raced a couple times at Mohawk last season in Begor'sdirt car," Heywood said. "I think a major change to get used to isturning right to go left."

Heywood sees the change to dirt as a rejuvenation for the track, as asphalt racing has been struggling. 

"It's a new chase for us, we've had success on the asphalt and were looking forward to this new challenge. We're excited and can't wait."

Branham will step into a Sportsman Modified on dirt for the first time. Bucko has prior dirt racing experience that dates back to the mid 80's. He started on dirt in a Street Stock and moved up to a Pro Stock. Running three nights a week, Branham said he loved it.

"We'll have a lot more prep with the car this season," Branham said. "Tire prep, cleaning the car, just the upkeep of the car will be more work than people think."

The familiar number 20 will have its core group of sponsors returning for the upcoming season. After Hours Imaging, Bud Light, Liquor & Wine Warehouse and Daniel's Signs will be onboard Branham's 2016 Bicknell that he purchased in the off-season from Super DIRTcar Series driver, Justin Haers

"It will be important to drive the track and not let the track drive you," Branham added.

Jamy Begor and his number 19 has a large number of returning sponsors. Jeffords Steel, A to Z Property Maintenance, Huntley Trucking, K & L Plumbing & Heating, Begor's Supply, Gioiosa's Wine & Spirits and JP Signs return this season for Begor. In the winter months, Phil's Chevrolet, Nana's Convenience Store and NAM Construction became new additions for 2017.

Begor added that Phil's Chevrolet has been a long time dirt racing sponsor. Some popular drivers that have carried the sponsor's name on the car include Geoff Bodine, Dave Blaney, Jack Johnson and Danny Johnson. 

Begor participated on a part-time basis at the Mohawk International Raceway last season. Begor also participated at Super Dirt Week in Oswego. With that in mind, Begor may have a slight advantage. 

"The most difficult learning curve was probably car control," Begor noted. "You really drive with the rear and it takes away the smooth asphalt style."

All three drivers indicated that they are anxious to get going. With no laps on the dirt surface to this point, there are some unknowns for many.

"Track maintenance and track prep will be key," Branham stated. "I think the best thing would be for a dry-slick surface."

The regular season gets going on May 6 with a 7 P.M. post time. Airborne has practice sessions scheduled for Saturday April 22 and 29. To stay up to date and for more information, visit airborneparkspeedway.com or Facebook at Airborne Park Speedway.


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Déception de taille pour Raphaël Lessard à Nashville

Déception de taille pour Raphaël Lessard à Nashville

 

Nashville, TN, 8 avril 2017 -- Immense déception pour le clan Lessard et Venturini Motorsports alors que Raphael Lessard a été contraint à l'abandon avant même le départ de sa toute première course ARCA ce soir à Nashville. Lessard amorçait son premier tour de qualification dans le cadre du Music City 200 au Fairgrounds Speedway de Nashville, lorsque sa voiture #25 Musselman's BIG CUP Apple Sauce-Toyota-Camry a soudainement terminé sa course nez le premier dans le mur. 

 

Malgré la présence d'une 2e voiture sur le site, les dirigeants de Toyota et de Venturini Motorsorts ont, d'un commun accord,  décidé de ne pas l'utiliser puisque tous les réglages de celle-ci sont en fonction de la prochaine course ARCA à Salem le 30 avril prochain.

 

Pourtant, tout s'annonçait bien pour le jeune Beauceron, alors qu'il avait réalisé le 7e meilleur temps lors de la pratique, à peine 90 minutes plus tôt. Lessard et sa voiture #25 Musselman's BIG CUP Apple Sauce-Toyota-Camry préparée par l'équipe de course Venturini Motorsports étaient les 21e à s'élancer lors des qualifications lorsque son incident s'est produit alors qu'il venait de prendre le drapeau vert pour son premier tour de qualification.

 

« Je suis extrêmement déçu et je ne comprends pas ce qui est arrivé », de dire Raphael Lessard quelques minutes après avoir fini de discuter avec son chef mécanicien Dave Leiner. « J'ai hâte qu'on analyse le tout plus en profondeur pour expliquer ce qui est arrivé. J'étais tellement emballé par la performance de ma Camry lors de la pratique cet après-midi ».

 

La prochaine course de Raphaël sera maintenant samedi prochain le 15 avril alors qu'il participera au Easter Bunny 150 de la série PASS au Hickory Motor Speedway de Newton en Caroline du Nord.


 

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AUTODROME MONTMAGNY : BILLETS COMBO= SALON AUTO+BOUTIQUE INTERNET

AUTODROME MONTMAGNY : BILLETS COMBO= SALON AUTO+BOUTIQUE INTERNET

BILLETS COMBO SALON

Le billet combo pour le programme d'ouverture de la saison 2017 des 20 et 21 mai est présentement en prévente au coût  60.00 $ au salon de l'Auto Sport de Québec. La prévente se termine le 30 avril à 23h59. Une économie de 10.00$ sur le prix régulier des deux programmes.


BILLETS COMBO INTERNET BOUTIQUE


Pour ceux qui ne peuvent se les procurer au Salon, il est possible d'en faire l'achat en ligne sur notre site internet www.autodromemontmagnyspeedway.comdans le nouvel onglet BOUTIQUE.

 Mais pour les achats fait via la boutique les billets ne seront pas postés. Ils vous  seront remis à l'entrée des spectateurs le jour du programme, soit le samedi 20 mai, classés par ordre alphabétique du nom de famille. 


André Gagnon,

Directeur adjoint et Relationniste

Autodrome Montmagny

Division Stock Car

andre.gagnon1428@videotron.ca


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Sean Kennedy Takes Aim at the 2017 4Fun Track Championship

Sean Kennedy Takes Aim at the 2017 4Fun Track Championship

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media

 

Some racers will tell you there's nothing wrong with second place, while others say they're always looking for the win. Sean Kennedy has won his fair share of feature events in Peterborough Speedway's Battlefield Equipment Rental 4Fun division, but in each of the past 2 seasons, the hard-charger from Courtice, Ontario has owned the runner-up position in the final point standings.

 

As the venue known as Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval gets ready to celebrate its first half century of action with the launch of the 50thAnniversary Season, the 21 year-old is ready to take care of some unfinished business.

 

"We've had some great runs over the years and I'm proud of everything this team has been able to accomplish," Kennedy said. "Racing at this level is all about having fun and making friends, but I think the time has come to have my name engraved on the track championship trophy. And this would be the perfect time to do it. We've worked hard since the final checkered flag of the 2016 season and we're looking forward to this year's opening ceremonies to kick-off the new campaign."

 

Coming from the karting ranks, where he recorded a number of event and class victories, Kennedy knows his way to the winner's circle. Adding about a handful of stock car main event triumphs allowed the popular wheel-twister to maintain a high level of confidence, every time he rolls his #9 machine onto the race track.

 

"With close to 40 different teams in the field, our class is one of the most competitive at the track," the driver said. "That can make gaining a spot in the main events kind of tough, but since short track racing rewards consistency, you have to choose your battles carefully. Its hard to get any points when the car is sitting on the trailer."

 

Getting ready to enter his 3rd season of action in the 4Fun division at the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road, west of the Liftlock City, Kennedy and his parents Dave & Cheryl Kennedy Rachel Bolton are putting in some late hours to get their ride ready for the Saturday, May 20th season opener. When things get rolling for 2017, Sean Kennedy's efforts will be proudly supported by Apex Auto – Oshawa, Signworks and Clarke Motorsports Communications. Fans can follow the team during the season by liking the 'skracing' page at www.facebook.com


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