Oval Racing Stock car style in Québec, Ontario and New England States

2012-03-14

Ray Junior Courtemanche ouvre sa saison 2012 à Bristol ce weekend, en NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

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Ray Junior Courtemanche ouvre sa saison 2012 à Bristol ce weekend,

en NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Montréal, le 13 mars 2012.– Le pilote montréalais retourne sur les virages surélevés du demi-mile (0,8 km) de Bristol au Tennessee, après avoir tourné en essais privés sur cette piste au début de février. Il y participera à la première course de la saison 2012 de la série NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

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Bristol weekend coming up for Ray Courtemanche Jr

in NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

Montreal, March 13, 2012 – Montreal racer Ray Courtemanche Jr opens his 2012 season on the high banks of the half-mile (0.8km) Bristol Motor Speedway this coming weekend, in the opening round of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East.

Prendre la mesure des pilotes d’expérience à l’aise sur cette piste, à bord d’une voiture plus puissante que celles auxquelles Ray Junior est habitué, représente pour lui un défi irrésistible. « Lors des essais de février, j’ai gouté à rouler à une vitesse moyenne de près de 190 km/h. Dans les virages, j’ai aussi appris à regarder en haut sur la gauche du pare-brise, car le bol est tellement serré qu’on ne voit rien d’autre que la piste qui disparait sous la voiture si on regarde directement devant soi. La charge latérale sur le corps, les bras, le cou et les jambes est constante et écrasante, et je devais me rappeler de respirer pendant les trois ou quatre secondes que l’on passe sur le deux lignes droites durant les quelque 20 secondes que dure un tour de piste.»

La série NASCAR Pro Series East fait partie des séries-écoles qui ouvrent la porte vers les séries majeures de NASCAR comme les camions Camping World, la Nationwide et la Coupe Sprint. On y retrouve un mélange explosif de jeunes qui cherchent à se faire un nom, de vétérans endurcis qui aiment et restent en K&N, et de pilotes professionnels qui cherchent à redorer leur réputation avec une victoire ou deux. Les voitures légères et agiles disposent de 650 ch qui les propulsent à quelque 220 km/h sur les courts droits de Bristol.

Courtemanche adopte une attitude positive et réaliste pour ce qui est de la piste et les pilotes en course. « J’approche cette course dans le but d’apprendre une nouvelle piste et de montrer que je pourrai maintenir une bonne cadence de course en apprenant des vétérans autour de moi. Je compte aussi beaucoup sur mon chef d’équipe et préparateur de ma voiture, Mario Gosselin, qui m’avait beaucoup aidé lors des essais de février. Notre but est d’abord de terminer la course, et dans les 15 premiers si je me mets à rêver.

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Tackling the high-speed track against seasoned racers in a quicker car than those he races in Canada is a challenge that Ray Jr look forward to. “I tested at Bristol in February and got a first taste at averaging 190 km/h. And at looking high to the left in the high-banked corners to see where I was going. The physical stress is constant on every part of your body, and I had to remind myself to breathe during the three seconds we spend on the two short straightaways during the 20-second lap.”

The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East is a stepping stone on the way to more senior series in NASCAR, such as the Camping World trucks, the nationwide and print Cup Series. The Bristol starting field will be a mix of hardened veterans, young racers on the way up, and other professional drivers looking for a win in the prestigious series. The cars are light and agile, and the 650 hp engines turn them into roaring monsters capable of over 220 km/h on the short Bristol bullring.

Courtemanche remains respectful of the track and his fellow drivers. “I am going there to show how quickly I can learn a new track and set respectable times in a new environment, and to pick up on the experience of the racers around me. The car will be prepared by Mario Gosselin, my Crew Chief and coach for the week-end. Our goal is to finish, and a Top Fifteen would be a great bonus.

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2012-03-13

SÉRIE SPORTSMAN: PLUS DE 100 000 $ EN BOURSE ET BONIS REMIS AUX COMPÉTITEURS

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SSQ-2012-019

PLUS DE 100 000 $ EN BOURSE ET BONIS REMIS AUX COMPÉTITEURS

Près de 2 mois avant la première épreuve: 23 pilotes accrédités

Québec, QC (13 mars 2012) – Dimanche, le 11 mars, avait lieu, la 2^e rencontre préparatoire de la Série Sportsman pour la saison estivale de 2012. Vingt-trois pilotes et plus de soixante-quinze personnes se sont réunis au Méchoui International de St-Étienne-de-Lauzon pour écouter les plus récents développements.

À la demande des représentants de pilotes et en accord unanime avec l'ensemble des pilotes présents à la réunion, le 3^e membre du comité de décision et de discipline ne sera pas un pilote, mais un officiel. Citant vouloir éviter des possibles conflits ou une perception de conflits pour le représentant des pilotes devant y siéger, ils auront préféré voir M. Dany Ouellet, le directeur technique de la Série, se joindre au représentant des médias et au représentant des propriétaires de piste de course.
M. André Poulin, président de la Série, a aussi annoncé que suite au retrait de Frameco Ltée à titre de fournisseur officiel et exclusif des pneus, la fonction serait dorénavant assumée par la Série elle-même. « Il est malheureux de mettre fin à une alliance qui existait depuis nombre d’années, mais nous comprenons que le modèle financier ne devenait plus intéressant pour eux. Je tiens à remercier Frameco Ltée pour leur implication continue dans le stock-car et plus particulièrement avec la Série. Immédiatement après avoir pris connaissance de la nouvelle, nous avons évalué toutes les options. En devenant le fournisseur de pneus, la Série vient contrer en partie la hausse de pneus chez GoodYear et de la hausse de la TVQ depuis l’été passé. Nous avons aussi conclu une entente avec Construction GCEG, par l’entremise de son président Carl Simard, qui remettra 10.91 $ par pneu et permettra d’absorber une autre partie de la hausse. Malgré tout, en adoptant le nouveau modèle, la Série arrive à maintenir le prix abordable pour l’achat des pneus par les compétiteurs et versera une ristourne qui sera redistribuée aux pilotes. Incluant cette ristourne, les bourses et le Fond de point qui sera remis au terme du championnat plus de 100 000 $ sera distribué en 2012 » déclara Poulin.
Sept pilotes ont profité de la réunion pour compléter leur accréditation. S’ajoute donc au nombre de pilotes déjà inscrit et portant le nombre à 23 : Julien Bernier (No. 43), Jonathan Côté (No. 07), Louis-Philippe Labrecque (No. 22), Louison Lapierre (No. 38), Michaël Lavoie (No. 10), Steve Lesage (No. 95) et Philippe Poulin (No. 33). À près de deux mois de la première compétition officielle, on peut déjà s’attendre à un nombre record de participants.
Encore cette année, la Série sera présente au Salon de l’auto-sport de Québec. Les pilotes qui accompagneront avec leur voiture sont : Stéphane Fournier (No. 4), Alex Montminy (No. 18), Marco Savoie (No. 27) et Stéphane Roy (No. 77). Le 43^e salon de l’auto-sport se déroulera au centre de foire de Québec (Expocité) les 13, 14 et 15 avril prochain. C’est justement à ce salon que sera dévoilé le nom du commanditaire principal de la Série et le calendrier officiel pour 2012.

Question d’agrémenter le tout, une confrontation amicale de karting entre les compétiteurs et les officiels se tiendra samedi, le 14 avril à 22 h au Karting Lavertu Extrême de Québec. Au coût de 20 $ pour 20 minutes, les personnes intéressées sont priées de contacter M. André Poulin. Les spectateurs sont bien entendus bienvenus et peuvent assister gratuitement à cette première compétition informelle de 2012.

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai. La première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman et mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.

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Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35

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NATIONAL STOCK CAR RACING APPEALS PANEL STATEMENT

On March 13, 2012, the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel heard and considered the appeal of the #48 Hendrick Motorsports NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team.

The penalties concern Section 12-1 of the NASCAR Rule Book “Actions detrimental to stock car racing;” Section 12-4(J): “Any determination by NASCAR Officials that the Race Equipment used in the Event does not conform to NASCAR rules detailed in Section 20 of the NASCAR Rule Book, or has not been approved by NASCAR prior to the Event;” and Section 20-2.1(E): “If in the judgment of NASCAR Officials, any part or component of the car not previously approved by NASCAR that has been installed or modified to enhance aerodynamic performance, will not be permitted: Unapproved car body modifications.”

This stemmed from an opening day inspection for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Daytona International Speedway on February 17, 2012.

The original penalties assessed prior to the deferral were:

- Car Owner (Jeffrey M. Gordon) – Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Car Owner points;

- Car Driver (Jimmie K. Johnson) – Loss of 25 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Driver points;

- Crew Chief (Chad A. Knaus) - $100,000.00 fine. Suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events. Suspended from NASCAR until April 18, 2012. Placed on NASCAR probation until May 9, 2012.

- Car Chief (Ron P. Malec) - Suspended from the next six (6) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship Events. Suspended from NASCAR until April 18, 2012. Placed on NASCAR probation until May 9, 2012.

Upon hearing the testimony, carefully reviewing the facts and historically comparative penalties, the unanimous decision of the National Stock Car Racing Appeals Panel was to uphold the original penalties assessed by NASCAR.

The Appellants have the right under Section 15 of the Rule Book to appeal this decision to the National Stock Car Racing Chief Appellate Officer.

John Capels

Leo Mehl

Dale Pinilis

Ed Bennett - Appellate Administrator and non-voting member

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2012-03-11

Yannick Miron fait le saut en Sport Compactes Lucas Oil.

C'est dans une soixantaine de jours que se mettra en branle la saison 2012 de stock car à l'Autodrome St-Eustache, et pour la famille Miron de Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, c'est la course contre la montre pour que le bolide du jeune Yannick Miron, qui fort d'un championnat dès sa première saison en course dans la catégorie de la relève, les Challenge 4, s'exécutera dans la catégorie de pointe des voitures 4 cylindres, les Sport Compactes Lucas Oil de l'ANCA en 2012.

« Le niveau de compétition est d'un cran plus élevé dans cette catégorie et les pilotes sont très expérimentés et compétitifs… » d'affirmer Stéphane Miron, le père de Yannick, qui est le maître d'œuvre de la préparation et de l'entretien du nouveau bolide de l'équipe #90, une rutilante Honda qui vient tout juste de sortir de l'atelier de peinture, après de longs mois de travaux de préparation à tous les niveaux dans l'atelier de mécanique de l'entreprise familliale du chemin d'Oka à Ste-Marthe-sur-le-Lac. « La catégorie Sport-Compacte, qui est née à St-Eustache sous la gouverne de Yves Ladouceur et de l'ANCA est maintenant reconnue au niveau provincial aux 4 plus importantes pistes asphaltées du Québec, ce qui nous permettra, en plus du Championnat local Lucas Oil de l'Autodrome St-Eustache, de participer à la Triple Couronne Best Buy, une série de 3 courses qui seront disputées à Montmagny, Ste-Croix de Lotbinière et à l'Autodrome St-Eustache. » d'ajouter Monsieur Miron.

Ce n'est pas d'hier que la famille Miron est impliquée dans la course automobile. Les plus vieux se souviendront de Florent Miron qui a évolué sur les différentes pistes du Québec et a remporté un championnat à la piste de Mont-Laurier dans la catégorie Sportsman il a quelques décennies. Aujourd'hui c'est trois générations de Miron qui viennent encourager le jeune Yannick dans sa course au championnat 2012.

Quant à lui, le jeune Miron, 20 ans entreprendra sa 2^e saison en stock car le 19 mai prochain. Le défi est de taille pour répéter l'exploit de sa première saison : le Championnat ! On lui souhaite la meilleure des chances !

Source : Yves Ladouceur

Autodrome St-Eustache

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Mark Martin a Solid Second in Vegas

Interstate Batteries Driver Leads 44 Laps in Sam’s Town 300

Date: March 10, 2012

Event: Sam’s Town 300 (Round 3 of 33)

Series: NASCAR Nationwide Series

Location: Las Vegas Motor Speedway (1.5-mile oval)

Start/Finish: 7^th/2^nd (Running, completed 200 of 200 laps)

Winner: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., of Roush Fenway Racing (Ford)

Veteran Mark Martin, winner of four NASCAR Nationwide Series races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, came up one spot short of his fifth series win in Saturday’s Sam’s Town 300.

The driver of the No. 18 Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) led once for a total of 44 laps, but after surrendering the lead coming off of pit road on lap 146, Martin couldn’t get around eventual race winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and brought the white-hot No. 18 Interstate Batteries Camry home in the runner-up spot.

“Thanks to Joe Gibbs and everybody at JGR and Interstate Batteries,” said Martin, who now has six top-two finishes in seven career Nationwide Series starts at Las Vegas. “This Toyota was awesome and they were awesome.”

After qualifying seventh, Martin battled a loose handling racecar from the drop of the green flag, much like many of his fellow competitors. Crew chief Adam Stevens worked hard on the first three pit stops of the day to tighten up Martin’s racecar with a combination of air pressure and track bar adjustments. Not only did Stevens cure the handling issue, the Interstate Batteries team got Martin off pit road in the lead on lap 102. He led the next 44 laps, but on the final round of pit stops on lap 146, Stenhouse claimed the edge over Martin as the two raced off pit road.

Martin battled hard to get around Stenhouse during restarts on lap 150 and lap 162, but Stenhouse somehow kept Martin behind him during the final 53 laps of the 200-lap race.

“That was a serious beat down that Ricky Stenhouse Jr., put on me that last run,” said Martin, whose only finish outside the top-two at Las Vegas was a sixth-place effort in March 1998. “I have to admit, I almost wrecked the car five times trying to keep up with him and finally just had to surrender. I just about wrecked it I don’t know how many times. He was just gone and we have to, unfortunately, settle for second place.”

Martin’s JGR teammate, Brian Scott, driver of the No. 11 Toyota Camry, finished 34^th after making contact with the outside SAFER Barrier in turn four, thus ending his day just prior to the race’s halfway point.

Stenhouse’s victory was his third career Nationwide Series win, his first of the season and his first at Las Vegas. Stenhouse is the defending Nationwide Series champion.

Martin finished 5.904 seconds behind Stenhouse, while Elliott Sadler, Trevor Bayne and Brendan Gaughan rounded out the top-five. Cole Whitt, Austin Dillon, Justin Allgaier, Sam Hornish Jr., and Kasey Kahne comprised the remainder of the top-10.

There were seven caution periods for 32 laps, with 13 drivers failing to finish.

The next event on the Nationwide Series schedule is the March 17 Ford EcoBoost 300 at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway. The race starts at 2 p.m. EDT with live coverage provided by ESPN beginning with its pre-race show at 1 p.m.

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Hometown Driver Cale Gale Wins ARCA's First Race at Mobile

For Immediate Release:

Saturday, March 10, 2012

(IRVINGTON, Ala.) - The customary purple Hoosier band draped around his neck, the Mobile ARCA 200 winner paused for a moment on the frontstretch at Mobile International Speedway, waiting for a quieter moment to answer a question.

That's because the winner was Mobile's own Cale Gale, and he was surrounded by excited, loud fans and friends from his hometown just minutes after holding off Chad Hackenbracht and taking the checkered flag for his second ARCA win.

The race was the first trip to the track for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards, and the first short track race of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season.

Gale (No. 33 Rheem Chevrolet) led 76 of 203 laps, including the last 28, in a race extended by a green-white-checkered finish. Just days after celebrating his 27th birthday, Gale passed fellow Alabama driver Grant Enfinger on Lap 176 and held the advantage through four late caution periods and the subsequent restarts. A full-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver, Gale now has 11 ARCA starts, and a second win to back up a 2006 triumph at Gateway.

"This worked out better than we ever could have expected it to," said Gale, standing in Mobile's victory circle and approximately 100 yards in front of his own infield billboard reading "Thanks Mobile! Gotta Have A Dream" and featuring pictures old and new from his racing career.

"We came here with intentions to win but actually being able to pull it off is awesome and it comes at a good time," he said. "What a packed house today. (Promoter) Rick (Crawford) has done an awesome job promoting this thing, and Tommy Praytor too. It's especially special, because my grandfather passed away last year and we spent many a night down here on Saturday nights and it's my first race to win since he passed away."

The win was the first for Eddie Sharp Racing since Craig Goess scored his only career ARCA victory at Pocono in 2010.

Driving to the front took some work for Gale. He started ninth, four rows behind Menards Pole Award presented by Ansell winner Alex Bowman (No. 22 eBay Motors/St. Jude Children's Hospital Dodge). Bowman led the first 28 laps in his fourth ARCA start, keeping the lead even after a Lap 19 restart.

Chase Elliott (No. 9 Aaron's Dream Machine/Hendrickcars.com Chevrolet) passed Bowman on the inside on Lap 29 after looking close a lap earlier, turning what had been as much as a 0.733-second Bowman advantage into his own lead. Elliott drove away easily after finding clean air, and even Gale passed Bowman for second on Lap 31.

The race was Elliott's first in the ARCA Racing Series. The son of NASCAR champion Bill Elliott had previously raced in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series but never in an ARCA car.

Elliott kept the lead on a Lap 42 restart resulting from the race's second caution, but chose to pit during the race's third caution period, allowing Bowman to return to the front. Erik Jones (No. 55 Paragon Corvette Reproductions Chevrolet) - making his first ARCA start at just 15 years old - rose to second, just ahead of Hackenbracht (No. 58 CGH Motorsports Chevrolet) and Frank Kimmel (No. 44 Ansell/Menards Toyota).

Bowman built a gap on the Lap 56 restart, finding himself more than a second ahead of Jones within six laps. His advantage was not meant for long, though. Two cars lost control and drove off the track and over the hill in Turns 3 and 4, an unusual occurrence but not at all unexpected at Mobile, where the only retaining wall is on the frontstretch.

Bowman pitted on the ensuing caution period, allowing Jones to move to the front. Jones led for 15 laps, but Gale - who had been fifth when Jones took the lead - quickly closed the gap. Jones led by 0.748 second at Lap 75 and 0.863 second at Lap 77, but saw that advantage sink under 0.1 second two laps later. On Lap 80, Gale took the first spot, with Elliott following for second.

Matt Lofton (No. 16 Strutmasters.com Chevrolet) followed the lead pair in third, with Enfinger (No. 61 Breland Homes Ford) and Bowman moving back to the top five by Lap 100, the race's halfway point.

Enfinger, of Fairhope, Ala., passed for third on Lap 103, just before another caution period, and it was clear that he was ready to take aim at Gale and form a true Alabama battle at the front. He moved into second nine laps later, and slowly infringed upon Gale's lead. The leaders hit lapped traffic at Lap 126, and with one driver in front of them struggling with a broken sway bar and creating a slight traffic jam, Enfinger closed Gale's lead to 0.076 second at Lap 127. He passed for first the next time around.

With Enfinger now in front of Gale, the Alabama drivers easily put some distance on the field. At Lap 133, they led by three seconds over third. Twenty laps later, they had more than seven seconds on third-place driver Mikey Kile (No. 1 ModSpace Ford) - an advantage of about one-third of a lap.

At Lap 168, though, a 59-lap green flag run ended with a spin in Turns 3 and 4. Enfinger pitted as the leader, and kept the lead over Gale as he exited. Behind them were Mason Mingus (No. 32 Call 811 Before You Dig Toyota), Clint King (No. 66 Warehouse Design Chevrolet), and Hackenbracht.

Hackenbracht passed King almost immediately after the Lap 175 restart, a precursor to Gale's pass of Enfinger for the lead the next time around. Mingus then lost control and drove over the Turns 3 and 4 hill, bringing out another caution with Gale the leader and Hackenbracht having passed Enfinger for second.

Gale led Hackenbracht out of the Lap 182 restart, another restart five laps later, and two more as the final laps ran down. The final caution period came with just four laps remaining, setting up an extension of the race and a final green-white-checkered finish on Laps 202 and 203.

Hackenbracht stuck to Gale's back bumper and tried to drive under Gale in the second turn of the final lap, but Gale held his line and Hackenbracht struggled. In front of a screaming hometown crowd, Gale drove to victory by 0.634 second, with Hackenbracht, Bowman, Kile, and King trailing him.

Chris Buescher (No. 17 Roulo Brothers Racing Ford) finished sixth, just ahead of Brennan Poole (No. 25 Adcetera Toyota). Jared Marks (No. 12 Dodge Motorsports/UNOH Dodge) was eighth, edging Tom Hessert (No. 52 Federated Auto Parts Chevrolet) and Elliott.

Southern short track ace Bubba Pollard (No. 29 Grease Monkey/M&E Construction Chevrolet) finished 11th over Ryan Reed (No. 15 JDRF Toyota), Enfinger, Sean Corr (No. 82 Empire Racing Ford), and Tyler Reddick (No. 18 Broken Bow Records/Stoney Creek Records Chevrolet).

Kimmel, the nine-time ARCA champion, ended the day 17th. Jones, who led 14 laps in his debut, finished 29th after his car stalled coming off of pit road. The full results are available at ARCARacing.com.

The race was slowed by 11 cautions for 65 laps, and finished in one hour, 48 minutes, and four seconds.

The next race for the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards will take place Sunday, April 29 at Salem Speedway. The 200-lap, 111-mile Kentuckiana Ford Dealers 200 is scheduled to start at 2:15 p.m. Salem will host practice and Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell on Saturday, April 28. The event at Salem will be ARCA's 91st at the track, where nine-time ARCA champion Frank Kimmel has nine wins.

2012 is the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards' 60th Anniversary Season, featuring 20 races at 18 tracks. The complete 2012 event schedule is available at ARCARacing.com.

The ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards has crowned an ARCA national champion each year since its inaugural season in 1953, and has toured over 200 race tracks in 28 states since its inception. The series has tested the abilities of drivers and race teams over the most diverse schedule of stock car racing events in the world, visiting tracks ranging from 0.4 mile to 2.66 miles in length, on both paved and dirt surfaces as well as a left- and right-turn road course in its most recent season. This year, the series visited Alabama's Mobile International Speedway for the first time. In June, the first event at Minnesota's Elko Speedway will give ARCA a race in a 29th state.

Founded by John and Mildred Marcum in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio, the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) is recognized among the leading sanctioning bodies in the country. Closing in on completing its sixth decade after hundreds of thousands of miles of racing, ARCA administers over 100 race events each season in three professional touring series and local weekly events.

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2012-03-08

MAC ROD SHOP : PAS JUSTE DES PIÈCES

Communiqué de presse Pour diffusion immédiate

SSQ-2012-018

Québec, QC (7 mars 2012) – Chez MAC ROD SHOP de Vallée-Jonction, c’est une histoire de famille. Fondée en 2006 par François, la patriarche, et Marc-André, l’aîné de la famille, l’entreprise est un atelier de fabrication et de restauration de Hot Rod, stock-car, voitures sport et anciennes.

Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, les ateliers MAC ROD SHOP est le choix de plusieurs équipes de stock-car, ils offrent un grand éventail de produits et services dont ceux de vérification par dynamomètre des moteurs. « Effectivement, en plus d’être le constructeur de choix de plusieurs des équipes dans la Série pour les pièces, la réparation ou les conseils sur la suspension, MAC ROD SHOP, contribue au processus de contrôle des moteurs avec son dynamomètre. D’ailleurs, ils possèdent le seul dynamomètre fixe dans la grande région de Québec-Beauce » déclara Poulin.
La Série contrôle la puissance maximale des moteurs en recueillant des données de performance de chacun des moteurs utilisés dans les compétitions à partir des résultats que le dynamomètre relève. Une fois les données recueillies et analysées pour la conformité, des scellés sont apposés pour prévenir toute modification non autorisée. L’objectif étant d’assurer la conformité et un contrôle des coûts associés aux moteurs.

Les pilotes et propriétaires d’équipe de course qui souhaitent participer à une ou des épreuves de la Série en 2012 sont invités à assister à la réunion d’information qui aura lieu à la salle de réception de Méchoui International, au 264 St-Grégoire, St-Étienne, G6J 1E8, le dimanche 11 mars à compter de 13 h.

La levée de rideau pour la série se fera avec une journée d’essai et d’inspection à l’autodrome Montmagny le 12 mai et la première compétition, une manche de 75 tours, qui aura lieu le 19 mai à l’Autodrome St-Eustache dans le cadre du festival sportsman qui mettra aussi en vedette les Sportsmans ANCA et la classe Sportsman de la piste américaine Airborne Speedway.

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Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35

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Dwight Brown Vows to Keep Charging Until All the Numbers Add Up

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

What is the difference between a driver and a racer? Some people may try to tell you there isn’t one, but just take a casual survey at your favourite speedway. You don’t need to be part of the action on the track to be a racer. It’s more about having an undying passion for the sport. You eat, sleep and dream motorsports. It’s an infatuation that consumes you and you can’t wait to get to the track.

Dwight Brown is a racer. A regular in the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division at Kawartha Speedway, the 43 year-old father of 2 from Beeton, Ontario knows there’s more to the sport than just getting behind the wheel, fastening the seatbelts and driving as fast as he can for as long as he can. Brown is always thinking. Always looking for a break that will help him gain an advantage on the competition and a position on the racetrack. He knows where he’s running and where he needs to finish to get the most out of his equipment in every race.

“We have the chance to pick up a maximum of 100 points during every show,” said Brown. “A heat race win is worth 10 points. The semi feature pays another 15 and winning the 25 lap main event earns 75. Every position is worth points toward the annual track championship and even though I can’t always give you an exact amount, I’ve usually got a good idea of who’s running where and how I’ll need to finish to keep pace or even pull ahead.”

While many would look back at a season with a pair of feature race wins, the soft spoken speedster – who works as a forklift mechanic through the week – thinks of what could’ve should’ve would’ve been if he had been just a little more aggressive while marching toward the front. A well placed nudge or bump at the right moment may have closed the 6 point gap that stood between Brown and a second place 2011 point finish or eliminated the 17 deficit to eventual track champion Dan McHattie.

“I finished in the top five 8 times last year, but running 13^th in the Summer Sizzler and 9^th on August 5^th made a big difference in the outcome of the final standings,” admitted Brown. “One night, I followed another driver – I can’t remember who it was – for a number of laps and watched the leaders get further and further away. I gave him a tap in the bumper and managed to get the spot, but it also caused the right front fender to start rubbing on the tire. From there, I tried to chase down the pack but also worried about cutting down the tire.”

A 24 year veteran of the weekly short track racing wars who has advanced through almost every division, Dwight Brown – the driver of the Bourque Transmission/RB Graffix #20 machine – admits he still loves the competition that comes with battling the best on Kawartha’s 3/8^th mile layout, but confesses he’s becoming a little concerned about the increasing costs and a timid economy that seem to be affecting car counts and spectator turnouts.

“The action is great in all 3 classes, but there isn’t a speedway in the land that wouldn’t love to have extra drivers in each division and more people there to see the show,” said Brown. “Hopefully 2012 will be the year that happens for Kawartha...and my goal is to run well enough to earn the late model track championship.”

Kawartha klips: 2012 race action gets started with an open test session Friday, May 25^th. Fans can see the complete schedule and the latest off-season news anytime at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

Photo attachment: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

1). Dwight Brown’s first season in Kawartha Speedway’s headline class was in a ride he called the ‘Sesame Street car’, sponsored by the number 20 and the colour red.

2). Friday, July 22^nd marked Dwight Brown’s first trip to NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model victory lane for Kawartha Speedway’s 2011 season.

Prepared by: Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

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LE CHAMPION DÉFENDRA SON TITRE

Communiqué de presse Pour diffusion immédiate

SSQ-2012-017

Québec, QC (6 mars 2012) – Le multiple champion de la Série Sportsman Québec (2008, 2011), Simon Roussin, sera de retour pour défendre son titre et espère accéder à un troisième titre. Il devient le 15^e pilote à completer son accreditation pour l’année 2012.

Le pilote de Québec a connu un début de saison 2011 difficile, avec trois accidents successifs. Malgré cela, avec de la détermination et un peu de chance, il est revenu en force, pour remporter deux victoires et enregistrer 4 top-5 et 6 top-10. Cette performance, lui a valu un deuxième titre de champion, le seul pilote de la jeune Série à avoir accompli l'exploit à deux reprises.
« Je dois être plus chanceux! Nous revenons pour remporter un troisième titre. J'ai très hâte de courir sur le triovale de Sanair. J'ai toujours aimé rouler sur cette piste qui est très rapide » indiquait Roussin.
Selon M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec, Simon Roussin demeure un des plus sérieux candidats pour le titre de champion. « Simon est un très bon pilote. Sa voiture est toujours préparée au quart de tour. La Série est chanceuse de pouvoir le compter parmi nous, il relève d'un cran le niveau de compétition. »

Pour tout connaître sur Simon Roussin, visitez sa page de pilote au :http://www.seriesportsman.ca/francais/pilotes/66-simon-roussin-quebec.html

Les pilotes et propriétaires d’équipe de course qui souhaite participer à une ou des épreuves de la Série en 2012, sont invités à assister à la réunion d’information qui aura lieu à la salle de réception de Méchoui International, au 264 St-Grégoire, St-Étienne, G6J 1E8, le dimanche 11 mars à compter de 13h. Il est possible de profiter des installations et de bruncher sur place à compter de 11h en réservant au 418-831-2547 avant le 7 mars (mentionnez que vous êtes avec la Série Sportsman Québec).

– 30 –

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

André Poulin, Président Série Sportsman Québec, courriel: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

Préparé par M.P. Roy, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35

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2012-03-06

Bond Auto Parts Launches Sponsorship Effort at Devil's Bowl Speedway

ATTACHED PHOTO: Jake Zakrzewski, Jr. (#34) is one of the top drivers who will compete in the Bond Auto Parts Modified division at Devil's Bowl Speedway. (MemorEvents photo)

Vermont auto parts dealer pledges support to West Haven track

For Immediate Release DBS-030612-1

WEST HAVEN, VT -- Bond Auto Parts has stepped up its commitment to support local stock car racing at Devil’s Bowl Speedway. The Barre, VT-based auto parts retailer will present three season-long programs at the Devil’s Bowl half-mile as part of the weekly NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

The track’s headline open-wheel division will be known as the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds in 2012. Drivers in the Bond Auto Parts Modified class not only race for the Devil’s Bowl Speedway track championship, the division’s top driver will also be crowned the NASCAR Vermont State Champion and honored at a post-season awards gala in Charlotte, NC.

Bond Auto Parts Modified drivers also earn points toward the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship and will be featured in several special events throughout the summer. Top drivers include defending track champion Ron Proctor of Charlton, NY, veterans Vince Quenneville, Jr., and Don Scarborough of Brandon, VT, and young stars Jessey Mueller, Hunter Bates, Jake Zakrzewski, Jr., and Cody Sargen.

In addition to its support of the top class at Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Bond Auto Parts will also present the weekly Bond Auto Parts Hard Charger Award in the Renegade and Bomber divisions. Each week, the driver who gains the most positions in each division’s feature races will be rewarded with a $50 gift card to Bond Auto Parts.

“We here at Bond Auto Parts are excited about partnering with the new ownership of Devil's Bowl Speedway,” said Mark Mast, Vice President of Marketing for Bond Auto Parts. “In our business we try to support as many tracks as we can and Devil's Bowl offered us some great opportunities. By sponsoring local tracks we can really get our brand out in front of our customer base on all levels including the drivers, teams and the fans.”

Bond Auto Parts is Vermont’s largest aftermarket automotive dealer, with 42 stores serving Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.bondauto.com.

Devil’s Bowl Speedway opens its 46^th season of stock car racing on Sunday, May 6, with the Bond Auto Parts Modifieds, Renegades, Bombers, and the Spring Green 112 for the American-Canadian Tour Late Models. For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

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Andy Belmont Racing; Mikey Kile Say Bring On Mobile

MOBILE, Alabama (March 6, 2012) - - With the season-opening Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 from Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway in the rearview mirror, Andy Belmont Racing (ABR) driver Mikey Kile and the rest of the ABR team turn their attention towards round two, which in retrospect they consider the official start of the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards season when the green flag waives at Mobile (Ala.) International Speedway (MIS) on Saturday March, 10.

While the ABR team in their familiar No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion had a strong machine at Daytona, many of the spectacles that surface with restrictor plate racing are now obsolete which means it’s time to get back to the grassroots of stock car racing.

This weekend however, it’s not the traditional short track venues of Salem (Ind.) Speedway or Toledo Speedway that the 60-year old series is trekking towards, but instead, it’s a return to the deep South to the state of Alabama for ARCA’s inaugural showing at Mobile.

“I’m so ready to get back to some real racing,” said Kile, whose poised to make his 30^th career ARCA start this weekend. “Daytona is fun but you can never predict the outcome. This weekend though, we’re heading to a track this weekend where a driver can actually make a difference.”

The 29-year old continued, “Jeff (McClure) my crew chief is really excited about this race. He likes short track racing just as much as I do and with Andy Belmont Racing’s success rate last year on the short tracks, it’s definitely giving the team something to look forward to. No question about it, I think we have a shot at Victory Lane on Saturday afternoon.”

A trip to the winner’s circle would not only be a nice way to reward ModSpace with their second career victory in the ARCA Racing Series – but for Kile, a native of Westlake, Louisiana, Saturday’s anticipated thriller also means an enormous celebration from the stands.

“I consider Mobile a hometown race,” sounded Kile. “Since it’s close to home, I’m going to have a lot of support in the stands from family and friends, so while I want to get a win for everyone at ModSpace and the team, it would be nice to get a win for them too.”

Team principal Andy Belmont is all to-familiar with history in Motorsports and he would be more than obliged to see his veteran team be the first to soar to the checkered flag this weekend.

“With the combination of Mikey and Jeff, how can we not be a favorite?” offered the long-time ARCA icon and Penndel, Pennsylvania native. “The guys have really been busting their tails to make sure that every car that we put on the track can be a contender. Mobile’s sure to have a lot of action, but we’re hoping to etch our name into the record books by winning the Mobile ARCA 200.”

An undeserving 16^th place finish at Daytona has Kile occupying that position entering this weekend’s festivities in the championship standings, but with several competitors ahead of him opting out of partaking in Saturday’s contest, Kile will unofficially take the green flag inside the top-10 and look to make a massive dent towards the coveted top spot in the overall championship.

For the second consecutive event, Kile will have a teammate at ABR as rookie Thomas Praytor will steer the No. 5 ModSpace Ford Fusion in the first short track race of the season.

The Mobile ARCA 200 (200 laps / 100 miles) is the second of 20 events on the 2012 ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards schedule. The first ARCA race held at MIS is a two-day show. Practice begins Friday, March 9 with a three and a half hour practice session planned from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Menards pole qualifying presented by Ansell is set for later in the day at 7:00 p.m. An on-track autograph session has been etched in on race day, Saturday, March 10 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. The event will take the green flag shortly after 2:00 p.m. The race will not be televised on SPEED but additional race coverage including live timing and scoring will be available through the ARCA Racing Network (ARN) online at arcaracing.com. All times are local.

For more on Mikey Kile, please visit him online at MikeyKile.com and through Twitter @MikeyKile.

Additional information on Andy Belmont Racing is available by logging onto AndyBelmont.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Mikey Kile, driver of the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards for Andy Belmont Racing (ABR).

About ModSpace:

Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary and permanent space needs. With more than 40 years of experience, ModSpace serves a diverse set of customers and markets through a network of 80 branches throughout the United States and Canada. Further information is available by visiting http://www.modspace.com.

About Andy Belmont Racing (ABR):

Andy Belmont Racing (AndyBelmont.com) is a competitive and respected motorsports operation who fields race cars in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. ABR has been serving the motorsports community and winning for nearly 25 years. Currently, the team fields a full-time ARCA Racing Series program for series winner Mikey Kile in the No. 1 ModSpace Ford Fusion.

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2012-03-14

Ray Junior Courtemanche ouvre sa saison 2012 à Bristol ce weekend, en NASCAR K&N Pro Series East

2012-03-13

SÉRIE SPORTSMAN: PLUS DE 100 000 $ EN BOURSE ET BONIS REMIS AUX COMPÉTITEURS

NATIONAL STOCK CAR RACING APPEALS PANEL STATEMENT

2012-03-11

Yannick Miron fait le saut en Sport Compactes Lucas Oil.

Mark Martin a Solid Second in Vegas

Hometown Driver Cale Gale Wins ARCA's First Race at Mobile

2012-03-08

MAC ROD SHOP : PAS JUSTE DES PIÈCES

Dwight Brown Vows to Keep Charging Until All the Numbers Add Up

LE CHAMPION DÉFENDRA SON TITRE

2012-03-06

Bond Auto Parts Launches Sponsorship Effort at Devil's Bowl Speedway

Andy Belmont Racing; Mikey Kile Say Bring On Mobile

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