Showing posts with label MERCHANT'S BANK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MERCHANT'S BANK. Show all posts

2012-04-30

UN PREMIER PODIUM POUR PATRICK LAPERLE

Pour diffusion immédiate (30-04-12=06)

Merchants Bank à la piste Thunder Road
Champion en titre de la série ACT-Castrol, Patrick Laperle de St-Denis-sur-Richelieu a démontré qu’il était prêt à entreprendre la défense de celui-ci, dimanche après-midi à la piste Thunder Road de Barre au Vermont. Cette épreuve, le Merchants Bank 150 a été remportée par nul autre que Brian Hoar, le multiple champion du tour américain de l’ACT alors que Laperle a pris place sur la troisième marche du podium.

Cette course a nécessité six drapeaux jaunes dont un pour un carambolage au 70e passage impliquant neuf voitures dont celles de Brent Dragon, Chris Michaud, Ben Rowe, Glen Luce et Randy Potter. Le poste de commande a changé en neuf occasions parmi six pilotes.
Lors de sa qualification, Laperle avait pris le départ de la troisième place pour terminer quatrième alors que dans le Merchants Bank 150, il est parti de la 19e position pour remonter en troisième dans le dernier tiers.
Laperle a été plus chanceux que ses compatriotes Stéphane et Daniel Descostes ainsi que le nouveau venu Réjean Bissonnette qui n’ont pu se qualifier.
Dimanche prochain, le tour américain disputera sa troisième épreuve de la saison à la piste Devil’s Bowl au Vermont alors que Laperle entreprendra la défense de sa couronne ACT-Castrol à l’Autodrome Montmagny, le samedi 26 mai.

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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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14th Annual Merchants Bank 150 Weekend

Thunder Road International Speedbowl
PITS NOTES SATURDAY APRIL 28, 2012
·         109 cars attended the annual Car Show held at Thunder Road
·         46 ACT Late Models participated in practice in preparation for Sunday’s Merchants Bank 150.
·         Joey Polewarcyzk Jr. of Hudson, NH had the fastest lap time of 13.069.
·         Other fast times were set by defending Late Model Champion Dave Pembroke, two-time defending Merchants Bank 150 Champion Nick Sweet, Lt. Governor Phil Scott, former Rookie of the Year Cody Blake, as well as Ben Rowe, Brooks Clark, Randy Potter, and Cris Michaud in the Merchants Bank Ford Fusion.

·         Austin Theriault of Fort Kent, ME was also fast in practice after flying back from a fifth place finish at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, FL in his Brad Keselowski Racing Development ride on Friday night.
·         Four (4) Canadian teams participated in practice with former ACT Champion Patrick Laperle the fastest among them with a time of 13.175
·         Cris Michaud, of E. Montpelier won the pit stop contest with a time of 21.69 after Patrick Laperle’s team recorded a time of 21.63 but received a 10 second penalty for two loose lugnuts
·         Brent Dragon of Milton, VT was the most consistent driver of the day.  He was in the top five fastest cars in the first three practices.
·         All but two of the ACT Late Model Champions over the past 20 years (Pete Fecteau and Lance Ferno) will attempt to qualify for The Merchants Bank 150
·         David Finck of Barre, VT and Shawn Fleury of Middlesex, VT  were consistently the fastest Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen
·         Cam Ouelette of Barre, VT and Tommy Smith of Williamstown, VT ran the fastest times of the day in the Allen Lumber Street Stock division. 
·         Street Stock driver Brock Parrot of Williamstown, VT took a spin after a malfunction in the drive train, and the wheel of the #35 Street Stock of Keith Fortier of Hinesburg, VT came off entering turn one.  All were okay. 
·         With no major wrecks or spins, all the cars participating in practice today are expected to attempt to qualify for the Merchants Bank 150 on Sunday, April 29 at 1pm. 
ACT Late Model Top 20 Practice Times
Saturday, April 28, 20121. 97nh Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. - 13.069
2. 88vt Nick Sweet - 13.105
3. 10nh Ben Rowe - 13.140
4. 14vt Phil Scott - 13.169
5. 55vt Brent Dragon - 13.172
6. 68vt Brooks Clark - 13.172
7. 02nh Randy Potter - 13.175
8. 91qc Patrick Laperle - 13.175
9. 99vt Cody Blake - 13.184
10. 6vt Cris Michaud - 13.186
11. 40vt Eric Chase - 13.193
12. 44vt Dave Pembroke - 13.197
13. 18vt Jamie Fisher - 13.205
14. 57me Austin Theriault - 13.211
15. 85vt Trampas Demers - 13.227
16. 37vt Brian Hoar - 13.235
17. 27nh Wayne Helliwell, Jr. - 13.242
18. 89vt Scott Payea - 13.255
19. 16vt Joey Becker - 13.269
20. 58vt Jimmy Hebert - 13.273



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2012-04-27

Laperle Files Entry to Merchants Bank 150

Pour diffusion immédiate (24-04-12=05)

Dimanche à la piste Thunder Road
PATRICK LAPERLE PARTICIPERA AU MERCHANTS BANK 150 
Photo: Le champion 2011 Série ACT Castrol Patrick Laperle (91QC) fait un dépassement sous Scott Payea (89VT) à la piste de Thunder Road dans le cadre du Labor Day Classic 2011 (Photo courtoisie Alan Ward)
Barre, VT – Deux fois champion de la série ACT-Castrol, Patrick Laperle a fait parvenir son inscription en prévision de la 14e édition du Merchants Bank 150 qui se déroulera à la piste Thunder Road, dimanche prochain. Cette ancienne vedette du tour américain de l’ACT qui a remporté la couronne en 2008, a choisi cette compétition pour lancer sa saison 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          ACT-042412-23

Laperle Files Entry to
Merchants Bank 150

Attached Photo: PatrickLaperle.jpg – 2011 Série ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle (91QC) looks for room under Thunder Road regular Scott Payea (89VT) during the 2011 Labor Day Classic. (Photo by Alan Ward)

Barre, VT - Two-time and defending Serie ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle has filed his entry for the 14th Annual Merchants Bank 150 at Thunder Road.  The former ACT US star, who won the ACT Championship in 2008, will make his return to the Barre Highbanks to kick off the 2012 season.

.La fiche de Laperle à ce spectaculaire tracé fait de lui un candidat sérieux à la victoire. De ses 19 victoires dans l’ACT, quatre d’entre elles sont survenues à la piste Thunder Road et il est au troisième rang au chapitre des succès dans l’ACT. Patrick s’est également signalé plus d’une fois dans le prestigieux Milk Bowl et en 2010, il a triomphé lors du Labor Day Classic.

Il va sans dire que Laperle est très enthousiaste concernant son début de saison.
« Normalement nous participons à quelques courses durant la saison hivernale, mais cet hiver, nous ne sommes pas sortis. Nous sommes donc plus qu’excités de commencer la saison », de dire Laperle. « Pour cette saison, nous avons de nouveaux commanditaires qui nous aiderons à participer à plus de courses. Cependant, nous allons les prendre l’une après l’autre et nous suivrons nos performances » de conclure Laperle.

Pour ce lever de rideau à la piste Thunder Road, Laperle aura de l’opposition, car les deux pilotes le précédant dans la liste des vainqueurs de l’ACT seront également de la partie. Huit fois champion de l’ACT, Brian Hoar qui a triomphé à la piste de Lee tentera de poursuivre dans le même sens dans ce championnat américain de l’ACT. Également sept fois détenteur de la couronne américaine, Jean-Paul Cyr tentera d’empêcher Hoar d’atteindre son objectif. Il compte également sur de bons résultats en 2012 pour rejoindre Hoar au sommet.

Vainqueur des deux dernières éditions du Merchants Bank 150, Nick Sweet sera sur place dans le but de réussir un triplé. Champion de la piste Thunder Road, David Pembroke sera également du nombre des participants tout comme les réputés Phil Scott et Chris Michaud. Pour cette 14e édition du Merchants Bank 150, on pourra franchir les tourniquets dès dix heures. L’admission pour les adultes sera de 20$.
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Laperle’s resume at Thunder Road makes him an early favorite for the Merchants Bank 150.  His 19 ACT wins, four of which have been at Thunder Road, is third overall on the All-Time ACT Win List. He is a multi-time Thunder Road Milk Bowl Champion as well as the 2010 Labor Day Classic winner.

Laperle is enthusiastic about starting the 2012 racing season.

“Usually we compete in races over the winter, but we did not do that this year.  We are more excited than ever to start the season.” commented Laperle. “We have added some new sponsors this year which will allow us to race more, so we will take it one race at a time and see where we are.” Laperle finished.

Laperle will not be without competition at the Thunder Road opener, however, as the two drivers listed above him on the ACT All Time Win List will also be in competition.  Eight-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar of Williston, VT fresh off of his win at Lee USA in the season opener will be looking to continue his hot streak on the ACT U.S.  Seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr of Milton, VT will be looking to dethrone Hoar and tie him in ACT Championships during the 2012 season.  There will also be stiff competition from Barre’s Nick Sweet, the winner of the last two Merchants Bank 150s, David Pembroke of Middlesex, VT, the defending Thunder Road Late Model Champion, as well as multi-time champions Phil Scott and Cris Michaud. 

Gates open for the 14th Merchants Bank 150 at 10 am on Sunday April 29, 2012. Post time is set for 1:00 pm. Admission is: Adult $20.00, Children 12 and under are free.

For additional information, head to www.acttour.com  or email us at media@acttour.com

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2010-04-21

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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