Showing posts with label JEAN-PAUL CYR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JEAN-PAUL CYR. Show all posts

2012-04-30

Brian Hoar Claims Elusive ACT Merchants Bank 150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                            ACT 042912
Barre, VT – Eight-time and defending ACT Champion Brian Hoar, of Williston VT, rode a hot streak on his way to his second win in a row on the ACT Tour in the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 at Thunder Road.  Hoar fought off former Lee USA Champion Wayne Helliwell Jr, of Dover NH, and two-time Serie ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle of St. Denis, QC for his first ever Merchants Bank 150 win. 

Hoar started from the second position, after a +6 plus minus out of his heat, and stole the lead from Thunder Road defending Champion Dave Pembroke on lap 21. Hoar paced the field for 19 laps only to lose the lead to seven-time ACT Champion Jean Paul Cyr on lap 40.  Cyr took the lead and looked unstoppable for 79 laps, slicing and dicing through lap traffic, until lap 109 caution in which he pitted after the other leaders to take tires.  Helliwell Jr, and two-time Merchants Bank 150 Champ Nick Sweet battled it out before Sweet headed down pit road on a lap 116 caution, leaving Hoar, Laperle, and Helliwell to fight for the win. 
Helliwell gave everything he had trying to pick up his first ACT tour win, nose to tail between two former ACT champs for the last 10 laps.  Hoar survived an assault of moves from Helliwell, even recovering from being sideways out of turn four with two laps to go.  Laperle stormed from the 19th starting position, but had to turn his focus on a late race charge for third from John Donahue of Graniteville, VT who finished fourth.  Jean Paul Cyr rebounded from his tire stop to round out the top five.
The race was completed in 1:13:55 but was slowed by 6 cautions and a red flag for a multi-car wreck on lap 70.  Many cars were involved including 2011 ACT Rookie of the Year Ben Ashline, multi-time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, Ben Rowe, Randy Potter, Glen Luce, Cody Blake, Quinny Welch, Jamie Aube, and Brent Dragon. The multi-car incident started with Michaud bouncing off the widowmaker and collecting the remainder of the group at the entrance of pit road.
Hoar had already qualified for the Bond Auto ACT Invitational on Saturday, September 22 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with his win in the season opener at Lee USA Speedway two weeks ago. 47 ACT Late models attempted to qualify for the 30 car field.  23 cars finished on the lead lap. 
Blair Bassett of Worcester, VT claimed an emotional first ever Bond Auto Tiger Sportsman win, fending off Scott Coburn, Chris Pelkey, 2011 Rookie of the Year Kyle Pembroke, and Joe Steffen.  Rounding out the top ten was Mike Martin, Dylan Payea, George May, Josh Demers, and Matt Potter. 
All-time Street Stock win leader Tommy Thunder added another to the list picking up his 23rd win in dominating fashion in the Allen Lumber Street Stock division.  He was chased to the line by Garry Bashaw, Bunker Hodgdon, Jason Kenison, and Daniel Lathrop.  Completing the top ten was Dean Switser, Ben Belanger, Nick Pilotte, David Whitcomb, and Danny Doyle. 
Thunder Road is off until Memorial Day for the 50th RV Mekkelsen Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 27.  The American Canadian Tour Late Models head to Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT for  101.5 The Fox Spring Green 112 next Sunday, May 6 with a 2pm post time. 
Merchants Bank 150
American Canadian Tour
Thunder Road International Speedbowl
Sunday, April 29, 2012

Pos. (Start) Driver, Hometown - Lap
1. (2) Brian Hoar, Williston, VT - 150 Laps
2. (9) Wayne Helliwell Jr., Dover, NH -150 Laps
3. (19) Patrick Laperle, St-Denis, QC – 150 Laps
4. (5) John Donahue, Graniteville, VT -150 Laps
5. (8) Jean-Paul Cyr, Milton, VT – 150 Laps
6. (27) Trampas Demers,  South Burlington, VT – 150 Laps
7. (15) Luke Hinkley, Claremont, NH - 150 Laps
8. (4) Brooks Clark, Fayston, VT - 150 Laps
9. (23) Austin Theriault, Fort Kent, ME – 150 Laps
10. (3) Nick Sweet, Barre, VT – 150 Laps
11. (10) Scott Payea, Milton, VT - 150 Laps
12. (13) Brett Wheeler, Waterbury, VT – 150 Laps
13. (7) Joey Polewarczyk Jr., Hudson, NH - 150 Laps
14. (1) Dave Pembroke, Middlesex, VT – 150 Laps
15. (18) Ricky Rolfe, Albany Twp, ME – 150 Laps
16. (29) Jamie Fisher, Shelburne, VT – 150 Laps
17. (25) Rowland Robinson, Jr.,  Birch Harbor, ME – 150 Laps
18. (6) Mark Lamberton, Mooers Forks, NY – 150 Laps
19. (20) Jamie Aube, No. Ferrisburg, VT – 150 Laps
20. (14) Glen Luce, Turner, ME – 150 Laps
21. (24) Brent Dragon, Milton, VT – 149 Laps
22. (17) Travis Fadden, North Haverhill, NH - 149                Laps
23. (11) Cris Michaud, E. Montpelier, VT – 148 Laps
24. (30) Eric Chase, Milton, VT – 148 Laps
25. (22) Phil Scott, Berlin, VT – 128 Laps
26. (26) Quinten, Welch                Lancaster, NH – 70 Laps
27. (28) Cody Blake, Barre, VT – 70 Laps
28. (16) Randy Potter, Groveton, NH - 70Laps
29. (12) Ben Ashline, Pittston, ME – 70 Laps
30. (21) Ben Rowe, Turner, ME – 69 Laps
Lap Leaders: Dave Pembroke (1-21), Brian Hoar (22-40), Jean-Paul Cyr (41-109), Wayne Helliwell Jr. (110), Nick Sweet (111), Helliwell (112-116), Patrick Laperle (117), Helliwell (118-128), Hoar (129-150)      
Time of Race: 1:13:55(red flag 14:21)                                                                                      
Margin of Victory: .279 seconds                                                                                
Cautions: 6 (laps 21, 65, 70(red), 109, 116, 128)                                                                                  
Heat Winners: Joey Polewarczyk Jr, Cris Michaud, Brett Wheeler, Glen Luce
Consi Winners: Mark Lamberton, Ben Ashline, Brian Hoar                                                                                            
B-Feature Winner: Quinny Welch                                                                                            

Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Top Ten
Pos. Driver, Hometown
1. 21 Blair Bessett Worcester, VT
2. 1 Scott Coburn Barre, VT
3. 64 Christopher Pelkey S. Barre, VT
4. 27 Kyle Pembroke Montpelier, VT
5. 00 Joe Steffen Grand Isle, VT
6. 01 Mike Martin Craftsbury Comm., VT
7. 07 Dylan Payea Henniker, NH
8. 16 George May Barre, VT
9. 10 Josh Demers Middlesex, VT
10. 23 Matt Potter Marshfield, VT

Allen Lumber Street Stocks Top Ten
Pos.  Car # Driver, Hometown
1. 50 Tommy Smith Williamstown, VT
2. 92 Garry Bashaw Lincoln, VT
3. 83 Bunker Hodgdon Hardwick, VT
4. 03 Jason Kenison Groveton, NH
5. 6 Daniel Lathrop Morrisville, VT
6. 16 #Dean Switser Jr. Lyndonville, VT
7. 99 Ben Belanger Whitefield, NH
8. 11 Nick Pilotte Jefferson, NH
9. 77 Dave Whitcomb Elmore, VT
10. 88 Danny Doyle Hancock, VT

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2011-04-15

ACT PR : ACT Looks for 9th Different Winner at Lee Opener

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                   ACT-041611-20

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour will look for its ninth different Lee USA Speedway winner in this Sunday’s (April 17) 2011 New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 season opener. No driver has been able to repeat in the eight events held at the 3/8ths mile speedway since 2003.

 

Three of the previous eight winners will attempt to change that fact on Sunday, as seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT (2005), ACT’s hottest driver at the end of 2010 Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. from Hudson, NH (2008) and defending NH Governor’s Cup winner Miles Chipman from Epping, NH (2010) have all filed entries. But that leaves over 40 other drivers aiming at their first career ACT win at Lee.

Seven-time and defending ACT Tour Champion Brian Hoar (Williston, VT) is among them. He has only had two career starts at Lee but has finished inside the top ten both times with a 9th in 2009 and a 3rd last season. A win Sunday would make Lee his 12th different track with an ACT victory.

Two veteran ACT competitors will attempt to break into victory lane and earn their first career top fives at the speedway. Milton, VT’s Brent Dragon and Shelburne, VT’s Jamie Fisher are the only two drivers to start all eight events at Lee, but neither has cracked the top five.

Fellow veterans Mark Lamberton of Mooer’s Forks, NY and Joey Laquerre of East Montpelier, VT are among only 10 drivers with multiple top fives in ACT Lee competition. Lamberton earned back to back top fives in 2005 and 2006 including a podium finish. Laquerre picked up his second 5th place effort in the 2010 NH Gov. Cup.

Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH leads the way for former Lee regulars as the multi-time track champion. Helliwell claimed nine feature wins at Lee in 2010 and earned a career best 6th in the ACT visit. He’ll be closely followed by Rochester, NH’s Jeffrey Labrecque, Jr. who turned a lot of heads with his own career best ACT, finish as the NH Governor’s Cup runner-up in 2010.

Several drivers from the Série Castrol Edge will make their trip across the border for the season opener. 2010 Série Castrol Edge Champion Karl Allard of St-Felicien, Quebec will attempt to make his first start at the speedway. He will be joined by fellow Castrol Edge Champion (2006, 2009) Donald Theetge of Quebec City, QC, who has two career ACT starts at Lee. Also making the trek south are Quebecers Yvon “The Bullet” Bedard of St-Nicolas and Princeville’s Jimmy Cormier.

The 2011 ACT Tour season is set to kick off this Sunday, April 17 with the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee (NH) USA Speedway. General admission gates will open at 10:00am with post time at 1:00pm.

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2010-05-19

ACT ANNOUNCES JULY 10 AIRBORNE RAINED OUT SPRING GREEN DATE

 

For Immediate Release                                        ACT – 051910-32

 

        Waterbury, VT – Officials from the American Canadian Tour (ACT) and Airborne Speedway announced today that the makeup date for the highly- anticipated Tour date will be Saturday, July 10, 2010. The Furniture World of Vermont Spring Green was scheduled to be run on May 8, but became the third rain-out on the early ACT schedule.

 

 

“We appreciate Mike (Perrotte, Promoter of Airborne) working to make this happen. Every team on the American Canadian Tour was looking forward to coming back to Airborne after the great success last year with the re-make of the facility”, said former Airborne owner and President of ACT Tom Curley.

 

The ½ mile was completely re-designed in 2009 and provided about the perfect track for ACT Late Model racing. During last fall’s running of the Fall Foliage 300, 19 different lead changes among five different drivers provided a great event for fans and competitors.

 

“We really needed to hear this news. This will give our team a lift after not qualifying last week at Oxford,” said seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr from Milton, VT. “I have always had some success at Airborne, and our new team should be pretty much on the same page by then. I am really happy to see this one get back on the schedule,” concluded Cyr.

 

Details will be forthcoming from both the ACT and Airborne offices regarding specifics related to the rescheduled event.

 

“We are still trying to figure out what might work for all parties involved with the final outstanding event at Albany-Saratoga Speedway that was rained out in April,” said ACT General Manager Darla Hartt. “We expect to make a rescheduling announcement soon,” she concluded.

 

Several touring teams will join the Thunder Road ACT Late Model teams at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway for their opening event this Sunday, May 23 on the brand new converted dirt track. Testing went great and 30 teams are expected to compete with a post time of 2:00pm this Sunday at the very fast ½ mile in Fair Haven, VT.

 

The American Canadian Tour will next appear at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH on Friday, June 11, 2010. The previously rained-out NH Governor’s Cup 150 will have a large field of Late Models from throughout the Northeast as the early entry list for this event set an all-time record.

 

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

 

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2010-04-21

ACT - Retour de Patrick Laperle

Pour diffusion immédiate (21-04-10-02)

 

Excellente nouvelle

Patrick Laperle participera aux deux prochaines

épreuves sanctionnées par l’ACT

 

Les amateurs de stock-car seront heureux d’apprendre que Patrick Laperle de St-Denis-sur-Richelieu participera aux deux prochaines épreuves du championnat américain de l’American-Canadian et qu’il sera également en piste lors du lever de rideau de la série ACT-Castrol Edge à l’autodrome St-Eustache, le 22 mai prochain.

 

 

Rejoint au téléphone, Patrick a tenu à préciser que la décision de retourner participer aux épreuves de l’ACT venait principalement du retour de son commanditaire principal, JPN Racing. « Normand Girard a décidé de revenir avec l’équipe après que l’ACT eut annoncé que pour la saison 2010, le système de transpondeurs serait utilisé à toutes les courses ». Pour l’instant, le double champion de l’ACT, ignore s’il prendra part à toutes les manches de la série ACT-Castrol Edge.

 

« Nous allons voir comment le tout va se dérouler lors de ces trois épreuves et quels seront nos résultats. Pour Albany-Saratoga, ce week-end et pour le Merchant Bank 150 à Barre, nous aurons la Ford Fusion préparée par Junior Hanley. La veille de ces deux courses, il y a une journée d’essais et cela nous aidera grandement à nous familiariser avec cette nouvelle monture », d’ajouter Patrick.

 

Ce dernier veut mettre, bien volontiers, les incidents de la dernière saison derrière lui afin de recommencer à neuf, mais il avoue que parfois c’est difficile, car il y a toujours quelqu’un pour lui rafraîchir la mémoire.

 

Même s’il n’a participé qu’à quatre événements américains en 2009, Patrick est au troisième rang des tours menés avec 222 comparativement à 319 pour le jeune Joey Polewarczyk qui lui avait pris part au 13 épreuves du calendrier. C’est ainsi que lors du prochain week-end, il croisera le fer avec ses anciens rivaux dont le multiple champion Jean-Paul Cyr qui pilotera pour l’ancien coureur Gary Caron, l’Ontarien Derek Lynch, Mark Lamberton, Glen Luce, Brian Hoar et autres.

 

Pour sa part, Donald Theetge, le champion en titre de la série ACT-Castrol, a mentionné qu’il ne serait pas à la piste Albany-Saratoga en raison d’une obligation familiale qu’il considère primordiale.

 

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Source :                     American Canadian Tour

                                    www.acttour.com

                                    (802) 244-6963

Collaboration :          Yvon Larrivée

                                    (acttour@gmail.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 


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12TH ANNUAL MERCHANTS BANK 150 OPENS T-ROAD

 

For Immediate Release                                        TR – 042110-25

 

        Waterbury, VT – Over fifty (50) American Canadian Tour (ACT) Late Model teams are expected to battle the high banks of Thunder Road for thirty (30) qualifying spots in the $25,000 Merchants Bank 150 opening event on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the “Nation’s Site of Excitement”, Barre, Vermont’s Thunder Road.

 

 

Thunder Road (TR) presents a unique challenge for teams of the ACT. There are a large number of regular veteran touring teams entered, including, multi-time champions Brian Hoar and Jean Paul Cyr (the defending Thunder Road Champion). Joining them with plenty of experience are Brent Dragon, Scott Payea and Hudson, New Hampshire’s Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. These teams are joined by the Thunder Road regular weekly competitors, including three time champions Cris Michaud and Phil Scott, and former Thunder Road champion David Pembroke. Regulars Nick Sweet, Rich Lowery, Joe Becker, Matt White, Brooks Clark and Trampas Demers only add to the depth that the weekly racers bring to the Merchants Bank 150.

 

Defending champion of the Merchants Bank 150, Eric Williams from Hyde Park, Vermont said “It’s really tough to get the handle on Thunder Road for Tour teams that did not grow up racing there. Once you figure the track out, it can be a lot of fun, and the competition is always fierce, but Thunder Road regulars really have an edge over most of the touring guys, especially in qualifying”. Williams was also the 2008 “King of the Road” at Thunder Road.

 

Some of the touring teams have found success at Thunder Road over the years. “I really didn’t like the place the first time I was there, but I took it as a team challenge and decided we were going to figure it out,” said veteran racer Glen Luce of Turner, ME. “I wish I could tell some of the other Tour teams from Maine how to get around those high banks, and especially turn 4, but it is really something you have to feel to get any success there. I love the atmosphere at TR and just need to find some consistency,” concluded Luce.

 

The Merchants Bank car show will open the weekend in downtown Barre from 9:00am until noon. Over 100 race cars will be on display during this traditional free family show. A pit stop contest will take place at 10:45, and the highlight of the day is when the Pipers and Drummers line up the 100 cars at high noon. The race cars will “fire them up” and drive through the city and up Quarry Hill to Thunder Road. There is no other parade as unique as the opening Merchants Bank weekend parade for Thunder Road fans and competitors. A full afternoon of practice follows the morning festivities.

 

Sunday is race day for the 12th annual Merchants Bank 150 and starts with a Class Day Extravaganza with the presentation of 130 cars to fans beginning at 1:00. Racing starts at 1:30. Gates open at 10:00. Admission is only $18 for both days with a family of four admitted for only $35.

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

 

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 Two (2) attached photos:

Pic1: 2009 Merchants Bank 150 Champion Eric Williams (7VT) leads Scott Payea (89) and 2009 Thunder Road Champion Jean-Paul Cyr (#11VT). Photo by Karl Baitz.

Pic2: 2009 ACT Tour Champion Brian Hoar (#37) drives under Cris Michaud (6) during the 2009 running of the Merchants Bank 150. Photo by Karl Baitz.

 

 

 

 

 


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ACT NEWCOMERS GIVE A NEW LOOK TO 2010 TOUR

For Immediate Release ACT – 042110-24

Waterbury, VT – Fans at the opening events on the 2010 American Canadian Tour (ACT) will see a host of veteran returning drivers, along with lots of new teams—the most diverse group the popular regional Tour has seen since it started touring in 1996.

Five former ACT regulars from the past rejoin the 2010 Tour -- Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Ontario are each sending teams who could have an immediate impact on the 2010 Tour season.

Seven-time Champion Jean-Paul Cyr from Milton, VT will drive for former racer, and now car owner, Gary Caron. “I am anxious to get things started this season. Winning the Thunder Road (TR) title last year was a huge goal, and I really enjoyed the weekly racing at TR, but I missed the longer distance races. The Tour has changed a lot since my last Championship run in 2007. I like the challenge of racing with guys like Brian (Hoar), Brent(Dragon), Joey Pole and Randy Potter. I am excited about working with Gary and Kyle Caron,” said Cyr.

Cyr will also have to contend with another veteran of earlier days on the ACT, Mark Lamberton from Mooers Forks, NY will be driving a team car for the Richard I. Green team (RIG) out of Enosburg Falls, VT. Long time RIG driver Joey Becker will crew the Lamberton effort, while Lamberton crews for Becker at Thunder Road. “We have really tried to give the boys whatever they need to be competitive this season,” said an excited Rick Green at the practice session held at Thunder Road a week ago. Lamberton is known as a ‘long track’ specialist, but after results from the TR test, it appears the RIG investment during the off-season has paid off. Becker, with the sister car to Lamberton, was the fastest and most stable car all day long.

Experience will not be lacking when Derek Lynch from Warkworth, ON pulls into the pits at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY this weekend. Lynch was just 16 years old when he ran the old ACT Pro Stock Tour in 1988. He was mentored by two of the most notable racers of that time: Jr. Hanley and Robbie Crouch. Lynch was 10th on the all-time ACT money earned list in only 6 full years of racing - earning nearly $300,000. He also won races at Thunder Road and he won the Oxford 250 in 1994. Lynch moved on to race for a number of years on the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (formerly Busch East) and recently has spent several seasons racing throughout Canada on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

One of the biggest surprises in 2009 was when Jeff Zuidema from North Brookfield, MA showed up at an ACT event. This multi-time Champion at Thompson Speedway in Connecticut has joined forces with veteran car owner Dave Maynard for the 2010 campaign. The team has a new car and new motor program for 2010. Zuidema is an all-star driver who has total focus on the ACT for 2010. With some limited experience racing ACT in 2009, the 42MA team hopes to challenge for some wins and a top finish in 2010.

Travis Adams from Canton, ME will join fellow Maine teams Glen Luce and Ricky Rolfe on the Tour this season. Adams has won the Oxford Plains Speedway (OPS) Championship a total of five (5) times, with four consecutive titles for the past four seasons. “We really want to try the Tour,” said Adams. “It will be a whole lot different, but our team has always enjoyed the challenge racing brings. We realize there is a big learning curve for us, but it is time for us to leave the comfort of ‘home’ (Oxford). At this point, I guess I am most looking forward to getting back to OPS in May and June,” laughed Adams. The colorful Adams team might just take full advantage of experience gained in the longer-distance ACT Tour events, when the TD Bank 250 comes around with the 2010 edition this July 18th at Oxford Plains.

The biggest battle of the summer season might just be the ACT Rookie of the Year title. A total of six drivers will test each other in the quest for the title. Bradley Babb from Windham, ME, is a skilled 17 year old chauffeur who raced at the Beech Ridge Motor Speedway under the guidance of former ACT Pro Stock driver and his father, Bobby Babb. Babb will be behind the wheel of the Sallie Bolduc 60 NH machine. Other Maine entrants are 18 year old Dave Farrington, Jr. from Jay and 16 year old Austin Theriault of Fort Kent. Twin State Speedway young gun, Chris Riendeau from Ascutney, VT made two ACT events in 2009 and will also compete for the coveted Rookie title. He will be joined by another Twin State regular in Aaron Fellows of Croydon, NH. The final Rookie contender is David Paya from Milton, VT. Paya has raced at Airborne Speedway and Thunder Road in the past and competed in minimum select ACT events in 2009.

“There are another half dozen teams that have entered the first several events and will ‘test’ the waters to see what it has to offer”, said ACT statistician Nick Bigelow. Maine entries include T.J. Watson from Cundy’s Harbor, a regular at the Wiscasset Speedway and a participant at the first ACT Invitational held last September at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. New Hampshire native Bryan Town has also entered the first races on the 2010 schedule.

The Tour opens for the first ever appearance at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway on Sunday, April 25th. Teams will return to the home of the ACT Late Models, Thunder Road International Speedbowl, for the opening of its 2010 season with the 12th annual Merchants Bank 150 weekend on May 1-2.

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

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