Showing posts with label FORD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FORD. Show all posts

2012-03-16

ACT CHEVY vs. FORD HEATS UP IN 2012

 

For Immediate Release:                     ACT – 031612-9

 

        Waterbury, VT – Three years ago the American Canadian Tour (ACT) introduced a Ford crate engine option to their racing program. The goal was to give the Late Model teams some variety, and hopefully make the racing more exciting for the fans, many of whom are die hard Ford fans.

 

Many of the top teams in ACT elected to switch from the Chevrolet crate program, which had been the mainstay of ACT racing since it was developed in 1999. After a couple of years of ‘tweaking’ the rules, officials are hoping that the two major manufacturers’ engine programs have reached the ultimate goal of parity for which ACT racing is known. The goal of Late Model racing has always been to make it a ‘driver’s series’, not a cubic dollar series.

 

“When I was asked to test the original version of the Ford crate motor, I knew it would take some time to get things sorted out. There was no perfect science without actually competing with the engines in actual race conditions,” said Chris Michaud, the three-time Thunder Road Champion and original team elected to do the Ford testing.

 

“The most difficult part of getting the two engines in compliance has been the different needs for different sized tracks. Engine set back requirements for the Ford, different torque levels, particularly high end torque, have been a challenge. With the help of Butler & MacMaster Engines, and a lot of co-operation from teams, we think we have reached that goal for 2012. There are some adjustments we have made over the past couple seasons, and along with the rule changes we have made going into 2012, that should help make both engine more compatible. Now it is up to the drivers and team set ups, as it should be”, said Dean Gallison, the Director of Competition for ACT.


 

 

Some of the challenges will come from the following teams in 2012:

 

Chevy                                        Ford

 

ACT US

                       

#32 Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT                  #37 Brian Hoar, Williston, VT

#02 Randy Potter, Groveton, NH              #97 Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH

#78 Quinny Welch, Lancaster, NH             #27 Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Dover, NH

#55 Brent Dragon, Milton, VT                  #57 Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME

#51 Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp., ME            #  7 Glen Luce, Turner, ME

#15 Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME                  #17 Ray Parent, Tiverton, RI

#16 Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY   

                       

ACT CASTROL SERIES

               

#80 Donald Theetge, Boischatel, QC          #48 Karl Allard, Ste Felicien, QC

#21 JF Dery, Quebec, QC                        #91 Patrick Laperle, Ste Denis, QC

#19 Dany Trepanier, St- Edouard, QC                         

#40 David Michaud, St-Anne-de-Pin, QC             

#51 Patrick Hamel, St-Edouard, QC         

#11 Claude Leclerc, Lanoraire, QC

 

THUNDER ROAD

 

#14 Phil Scott, Middlesex, VT                   #44 David Pembroke, Montpelier, VT

#88 Nick Sweet, Barre, VT                     #  6 Chris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT

#89 Scott Payea, Milton, VT                    #26 John Donahue, Graniteville, VT

#85 Trampas Demers, Shelburne, VT

#18 Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT

#68 Brooks Clark, Waitsfield, VT

#41 Jamie Aube, Bow, NH

#99 Cody Blake, Barre, VT

#00 Mike Bailey, E. Barre, VT

#58 Jamie Hebert, Williamstown, VT

 

 

The Chevy vs. Ford rivalry will begin on Sunday, April 15, 2012 at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH for the 22nd running of the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150. The Merchants Bank 150 will open the Thunder Road season with the American Canadian Tour on Sunday, April 29, 2012.

 

 

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, or media@acttour.com, or visit www.acttour.com.

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 16.3.12 0 comments

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2011-03-30

Ford Blue Oval Challenge Has Lots Of New Competition

For Immediate Release                                                ACT – 033011-15

 

        Waterbury, VT – The Ford Blue Oval Challenge for ACT Late Model teams will see some administrative changes and a whole lot more competition in the upcoming 2011 race season.

 

The American Canadian Tour (ACT) and Ford Sportsman Circle Track Racing, a division of Ford Racing, announced today the second year of the “Blue Oval Challenge” for the Ford competitors racing in ACT events or at ACT affiliated Late Model tracks.

 

“A year ago we designed the Ford Blue Oval Cup program to make sure we covered all the ACT touring events, special events, and the affiliate tracks throughout the Northeast and Provinces of Canada. The events at the New Smyrna Speedway in Florida provided a great start to the 2011 season, and needless to say, Ford was delighted that Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (Pole) won the Goodyear Cup driving a Ford,” said Mike Delahanty, Program Manager-Sportsman Circle Track Racing for the Ford Racing Technology Division of Ford Racing.

 

The popularity of the Ford program will be in evidence throughout the region with the start of the coming season. The number of Ford teams to compete in ACT racing this coming year has more than doubled.

 

“We have gotten a very impressive list of championship caliber teams who have decided to switch to Ford and run for the Blue Oval Challenge this coming season,” said Nick Bigelow, ACT Media Director.

 

Last season Ford had some very high profile teams with New Hampshire-based teams Joey Pole and Wayne Helliwell, Vermont champions Cris Michaud, Joey Laquerre and John Donahue, along with Maine veteran Glen Luce and first year sensation Austin Theriault.

 

In 2011, seven-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar in the RPM Rick Paya team, and Dave Pembroke a former Thunder Road and Milk Bowl champion, both from Vermont, will be competing in Fords.  Former Castrol Edge and ACT Champion, Patrick Laperle, one of the most feared racers throughout the Northeast, has a Ford in his stable of cars.

 

Veteran Seekonk Speedway Pro Stock racer Ray Parent from Tiverton, RI and former NASCAR North and Busch East regular Tom Carey, Jr. from New Salem, MA will also unveil Ford programs at the ACT opening event at the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 to be held at Lee USA Speedway on April 17, 2011.

 

Ford contingency programs are in place for all ACT US and Castrol Edge touring events and special events, including the recently concluded New Smyrna Goodyear Cup; the New Hampshire Motor Speedway third annual ACT Invitational, to be held over the NASCAR Chase weekend on September 23-25th; the All-Star Showdown at Chaudiere, pitting the best of the US against the best of the Castrol Edge Série; the richest race of them all, the TD Bank 250 at the Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine; and the 49th running of the People’s Bank Milk Bowl at Thunder Road.  All will help to make the Ford Blue Oval Challenge the richest contingency in ACT racing.  ACT competitors planning to participate in the Ford Blue Oval program will find registration forms available to them on the ACT website, located under the “Forms” tab. 

 

ACT statistician Nick Bigelow has worked on making the yearly Blue Oval Challenge point system more compatible with the various kinds of events that are eligible, including touring and weekly races. For more information visit the ACT web site at www.acttour.com and go to the ‘Forms’ tab on the left side panel for details.

 

The first points given toward the overall $35,000 in posted contingency awards has Joey Pole as the early leader by virtue of his win at the New Smyrna Goodyear Cup last February. Approved ACT Ford programs at the following weekly tracks will be eligible to be included in the 2011 Blue Oval Challenge: Thunder Road Speedbowl, Barre, VT; White Mountain Motorsport Park, N. Woodstock, NH; Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford, ME; Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA; Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT; Twin State Speedway, Claremont, NH; Riverside Speedway, Groveton, NH; Canaan Fair Speedway, Canaan, NH, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, West Haven, VT; Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Malta, NY; Kawartha Speedway, Peterborough, ON; Capital City Speedway, Ottawa, ON.

 

The winner of the Blue Oval Challenge will receive $5,000.00 at the annual ACT Banquet of Champions at the end of the 2011 season.

 

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 30.3.11 0 comments

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2010-10-05

ACT : FORD BLUE OVAL CHALLENGE BONUS LIFTS MILK BOWL WINNER PAST $15,000

FORD BLUE OVAL CHALLENGE BONUS LIFTS MILK BOWL WINNER PAST $15,000

 

For Immediate Release -                                                       ACT – 100510-55

 

        Waterbury, VT – The Ford Blue Oval Challenge contingency awards, announced earlier this season for the competitors on the American Canadian Tour (ACT) and various affiliated weekly track participants, was the final bonus at Thunder Road’s Milk Bowl to raise winner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr.’s (Joey Pole) total winnings to over $15,000.00. The race posted over $80,000.00 in posted prize money and awards.

 

The unique three-segment event, promoted as the ‘toughest short track race in America’, was contested for the 48th time at the high-banked quarter mile oval in Barre, VT on Sunday, October 03, 2010. Joey Pole bested over 60 of the region’s top Late Model teams to win one of the most prestigious short track events in the country. With the $1,000.00 posted by the 2010 FORD contingency program for the event, Joey Pole became not only the youngest to win the event in the past 48 years, but set a record winner’s share of $15,420.00.

 

“We at Ford could not be prouder of Joey Pole and the entire team. They have worked all season to bring our Ford crate program to the front and there is no question that Ford is now in the short track business with a very competitive program. Winning on the mile at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last month was certainly the highlight of our initial full season with the Ford Blue Oval Challenge, but now winning the biggest race of the year at Thunder Road’s quarter mile is far more than we expected this early with the development of it,” said Mike Delahanty, Program Manager-Sportsman Circle Track Racing for the Ford Racing Technology division of Ford Racing.

 

When asked what it meant to Joey Pole, he said, “This is really unbelievable, I sure hope my dad gives me some of the money! I have had a love-hate relationship with this tough old racetrack since I started coming here five years ago. When I won the Vermont Governor’s Cup last year in front of Tony Stewart, I thought nothing could ever compare to that. I think I just fell in love with this place again”, he concluded.

 

The final race of the ACT season is set for Waterford Speedbowl on the coast of Connecticut this Sunday, October 10, 2010. Post time is 1:00. Joey Pole will look for his third consecutive win.

 

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com

 

 

 

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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 5.10.10 0 comments

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2010-04-28

FORD BLUE OVAL CHALLENGE WINNERS SHARE BUMPS UP TO $5000

For Immediate Release ACT – 042710-27

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today that the highly anticipated Ford Blue Oval Challenge winner’s share of the overall point fund has been increased from $3,000 up to $5,000 to win. A lucrative Ford contingency program was announced late last fall for the teams on both the ACT US and Castrol programs. Also, all Ford teams running at approved affiliate ACT tracks will be eligible to receive bonus money in the Blue Oval Challenge Cup portion of the overall program. Mike Delahanty, the Program Manager-Sportsman Circle Track Racing for the Ford Racing Technology Division of Ford Racing, announced last February the program for ACT Ford competitors. It is one of the richest contingency programs in the history of ACT with over $35,000 up for grabs among the region’s Ford crate teams.

“I know all the Ford teams that are associated with ACT are very appreciative of the support Ford Racing has given those teams that are supporting them,” said ACT President Tom Curley. “We have at least 10 teams that will be receiving points for this program in the 2010 season in both Tour racing and weekly racing. The jump from $3,000 to win the inaugural Blue Oval Challenge Cup to $5,000 certainly speaks to Ford’s commitment to short track racing in our region,” finished Curley.

Over the past couple of years, the Ford-powered S347JR was researched and developed by Ford racing with assistance from Butler & MacMaster Engines from Hallowell, ME. “We are excited to be part of the ACT Ford racing program,” said Dave MacMaster, the chief architect and the single individual most responsible for the 10-year success of the ACT GM type crate revolution, which has now become popular across the entire country. “When you look at the high caliber ACT teams that have taken on the Ford crates going into 2010, I think that is a very healthy sign for short track racing in our neck of the woods,” concluded MacMaster.

High profile teams like three-time Thunder Road Speedbowl Champion Cris Michaud from Williamstown, VT and fellow Vermonter, 50-year veteran Joey Laquerre from Barre, VT, will be joined by young superstar Joey Polewarczyk from Hudson, NH, and Lee USA defending track champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. from Dracut MA. Also making the switch to Ford in 2010 are two former Maine champions, Glen Luce from Turner and noted car builder and nine-time Oxford Plains Champion Jeff Taylor from Norridgewock.

This Sunday the 12th Annual Merchants Bank 150 opens the ACT and Thunder Road 2010 seasons. The Ford teams will get their first chance to pick up a $500 dollar Ford bonus with a win, and they can make history as the first Ford ever to win an ACT Tour event--- (Michaud won the first ever ACT Ford crate feature race at Thunder Road during the 2009 season). Posted awards total over $27,000 and over 60 teams from throughout the northeast and provinces of Ontario and Quebec are expected to attempt to qualify for thirty starting spots.

The winner will also be the first of the year to earn an invitation to compete at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the second ACT Invitational over the NASCAR Cup Chase weekend in September. Class day begins at 1:00 with post time scheduled for 1:30.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com.

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2010-02-03

FW: FORD RACING ANNOUNCES $35,000 CONTINGENCY FOR 2010 ACT TEAMS

FORD RACING ANNOUNCES $35,000 CONTINGENCY FOR 2010 ACT TEAMS

For Immediate Release - ACT – 020210-06

Waterbury, VT – Ford Racing announced an aggressive $35,000 contingency plan for the American Canadian Tour (ACT) for the 2010 campaign. The contingency program, tailored to support those teams that have chosen to compete in 2010 with the Ford powered S347JR engine in any ACT affiliate track weekly events, as well as the touring programs under the ACT sanction, is the largest contingency plan offered in the 25-year history of ACT.

“We want short track supporters across North America to know that we are very supportive of their efforts. Short tracks have been the backbone of stock car racing for over 50 years, and Ford recognizes their importance. We believe the contingency program that we have offered the ACT competitors and supporters reflects our support,” said Mike Delahanty, Program Manager-Sportsman Circle Track Racing for the Ford Racing Technology division of Ford Racing.

The Ford spec engine program was begun as a joint venture between Ford engineering and ACT in 2008. After months of research and development to make the Ford compatible with the existing motors that were exclusive in weekly and touring Late Model racing throughout the Northeast, the approved product was introduced at the beginning of the 2009 season. Long-time ACT competitor, and three-time King of the Road Champion at Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT, Cris Michaud, brought Ford Racing their first crate victory in mid-summer last season. 2009 Lee USA Track Champion Wayne Helliwell, and ACT regular young gun Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. from Hudson, NH, among others, have switched over to Ford for their 2010 campaigns.

The FORD Racing Blue Oval Challenge Program will offer several contingency programs to registered and approved competitors who compete in ACT Tour (US) events; ACT Castrol Série events, two ACT special events: the New Hampshire Motor Speedway Invitational II and the Vermont Milk Bowl at Thunder Road. The contingency program will award the following:

I ACT TOUR & ACT Castrol Série

Win $500

2nd $250

3rd $100


II ACT Special Events, NHMS ACT Invitational II, VT Milk Bowl

Win $1000

Best FORD $ 500

III ACT Ford Racing Blue Oval Cup

(A season-long point program encompassing all Ford participants throughout the ACT Tour, ACT Castrol Canadian Series, and all ACT affiliate weekly tracks. An end-of-season point tally will reward Ford-powered competitors finishing in the top 10 as follows):

1st place- $3000 6th place- $ 600

2nd place- $1500 7th place- $ 500

3rd place- $1000 8th place- $ 400

4th place- $ 800 9th place- $ 300

5th place- $ 700 10th place- $ 200

A total of 43 ACT events will be eligible for contingency during the 2010 race season, and all ACT affiliate weekly programs will be eligible including: Thunder Road in Barre, VT; Lee USA in Lee, NH; White Mountain Motorsport Park in Lincoln, NH; Oxford Plains Speedway in Oxford, ME; Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA; Waterford Speedbowl, in Waterford, CT; Twin State Speedway in Claremont, NH; Kawartha Speedway in Peterborough, ON; and Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, ON. Other tracks may be added and eligible number of point-counting events and further details will be forthcoming from the ACT office to registered competitors.

“This program, designed by Ford, validates the vision we have been working on over the past decade at ACT,” said Tom Curley, President of ACT. “We have tried to bring one region of the country under a ‘universal’ set of rules that was cost efficient for race teams, promoters, and fans. The idea was to have a strong, cost effective race car for weekly racing that was still exciting to watch and also capable of running touring events in the region. Recent events like the TD Bank 250 at Oxford and the ACT Invitational at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway have certainly showcased how successful the format for these times has been. The Ford vs. Chevrolet rivalry is now officially re-established.”

The sensational young star of ACT racing, Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., said, “We made the switch to Ford for the 2010 season for a couple of reasons. We needed to try something different to compete with teams like Brian Hoar, Brent Dragon, and Brad Leighton in order to get an ACT Championship, which is our goal. If we are successful, we are hoping that Ford might also help us with some future goals we have in racing. This contingency incentive program is just great--not only the money involved, but racing against all the other potential Ford teams in a region gives our competitive juices just one more goal to go after.”

The ACT season opens on April 18, 2010 at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH with the annual running of the NH Governor’s Cup 150. This will also be the first opportunity to lock in an invitation to the ACT Invitational II at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

Additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com

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From: ACT Media [mailto:media@acttour.com]
Sent: February 2, 2010 15:50 PM
To: media@acttour.com
Subject: FORD RACING ANNOUNCES $35,000 CONTINGENCY FOR 2010 ACT TEAMS


ACT-07COLOR-NEW-SM fordracingsmall


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