2012-05-17

Dan McHattie Ready to Chase an 8th Kawartha Championship

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

The display case in his basement already has trophies from 7 track championships in Kawartha Speedway’s NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model division, but Dan McHattie can think of only one thing.  Getting another.  The 35 year-old veteran racer from Cavan, Ontario loves adding to his hardware collection and with the 3/8th mile oval at Fraserville set to kick-off a new season Friday, June 1st McHattie is putting the finishing touches on the piece he’ll bring into battle for 2012.

 

“It’s essentially the same car we used last year, with some subtle changes in the suspension and some of the body panels,” said the mechanic at Kerr Industries in Oshawa.  “We tried some different ideas for the ACT Invitational last September and kept what worked to use this year.  The sport is constantly evolving and as strange as it might sound, sitting still will never help you go fast.  Sometimes you need to roll the dice if you want to get to the front of the pack.”

 

While many of the off-season changes Dan McHattie and his team made to the car are underneath the body panels, fans will notice the #71 JJ Stewart Chrysler/Uniglass Plus Ziebart/Sidey Auto Supply/ Barry McClennan Masonry/Douglas Automotive/Ontario Truck Training Academy/Corp Construction/Foxon Alternator and Starter Dodge Charger has been re-designed in a traditional, red and yellow paint scheme.  McHattie says that was also changed prior to the New Hampshire event and based on feedback from some of his long-time supporters.

 

“My cars have almost always been yellow and red,” said the old school racer.  “And for a couple of years – with Chevy Impala body panels – red and white.  The yellow nose and the number design on this year’s car is a throw-back to 2007.  People who’ve been by the shop in the past few weeks to see it have had some nice things to say.  I guess they just couldn’t get used to seeing me run a car that was only one colour.  Norm Mayhew at Mayhew Graphics did a great job getting things ready.”

 

With the level of talent already running in Kawartha Speedway’s headline division and the possibility of new drivers coming into the fray this season, McHattie understands that he’ll need to bring nothing short of his best effort every night to improve on his overall record of 28 main event wins and 71 top 5 finishes – let alone earn an 8th track title – but there could be strength in all the numbers.

 

“I have 7 track championships now.  That’s enough to give me one for each day of the week...but there’s a Beatles song called “Eight Days a Week”, isn’t there,” said McHattie with a chuckle.  “Then, look at the number on the side of the car.  ‘71’...7 plus 1 is 8, right?  It certainly won’t be easy, but I know it’ll be fun and I can’t wait for the season to get started.”

 

Kawartha klips:  There will be an open test day for NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams at Kawartha Wednesday, June 6th.  The practice is open to the public with free grandstand admission...The Richard Petty Driving Experience Summer Tour returns to Kawartha Speedway Saturday and Sunday, July 14th and 15th.  See www.drivepetty.com/can-tour or call 1.800.237.3889 to book the High-Speed Ride Along or behind the wheel Rookie Experience.

 

Team supplied photo attachment:

Defending NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Model track champion Dan McHattie will return to a traditional yellow and red paint scheme on his Dodge Charger for Kawartha’s 2012 season.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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Posted by Marc Patrick Roy at 17.5.12 0 comments

Story and Photos on Thunder Road driver Brett Wheeler

Story and photos by Leif Tillotson

It’s hard to imagine someone driving a race car in front of thousands of fans each week and going largely unnoticed, yet that is exactly where Waterbury Center, VT's Brett Wheeler and his Hallstrom Motorsports team find themselves most of the time.
There are better-funded race teams with much flashier drivers at Thunder Road International Speedbowl in Barre.  They grab headlines with wins and crashes, perhaps evening daring passes for position and maybe even an occasional bit of controversy. The driver of the #1 Late Model is not among this group.

With a solid ninth-place final points position in 2011, Brett Wheeler has proven that he belongs among “the big boys” at the track that bills itself as “The Nation’s Site of Excitement.”  Rather than muscle his way in front of his competitors, Brett is content to earn his place at the top by being a courteous, methodical and smart racer.

Traits like courtesy and smart racing are genetic to the Wheeler family. Brett’s brother Chad was the 2006 Late Model Champion at Thunder Road and rose to the title with much the same driving style that Brett now races with. Like Brett, Chad was a constant threat for wins while at the same time often “flying below the radar” when it came to newspaper headlines and fan attention.

The Wheeler presence extends to the crew chief role on the team as well. Troy Wheeler is Chad and Brett’s brother and was crew chief for Brett’s 2005 Riverside Late Model and Chad’s 2006 Thunder Road Late Model title. 

Brett’s racing career began in 1981 running motocross races.  Turning from 2 wheels to four behind the wheel of a Busch Grand National North car in 1984, Brett permanently took up stock cars beginning in 1988 with the Flying Tiger division at Thunder Road. 

In 1989 he raced a full season and earned Rookie of the Year honors in the Flying Tiger division.

Since 1989 Brett has raced primarily at Thunder Road and Riverside Speedway (in Groveton, NH). He was the 2005 Late Model Champion at Riverside Speedway and is also a winner at Thunder Road.  Brett has also competed in Late Model Sportsman events at Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, New York, Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine and Sanair Super Speedway, in St. Pie, Quebec.

Louie Hallstrom had been a crewmember on Brett’s race efforts from 1986 through his championship season at Riverside in 2005. Before that he worked on the crews of Clem "Desperate" Despault and “Stormin” Norm Andrews. When Brett took a break from full-time racing starting with the 2006 season, Louie also stepped away from the sport for a while.

In 2009 Louie and his wife Lisa started Hallstrom Motorsports based out of Northfield, Vermont. After a brief period with a different driver, The Hallstroms put Brett behind the wheel of their race car midway through the 2010 season and have had him as their driver ever since. 

What makes the Hallstrom Motorsports team so different is how long they have been together. The majority of the team (including Brett) have been together for more than 20 years; a length of time almost unheard of in a sport with such high turnover for personnel.   Troy Wheeler serves as the crew chief,  Ken Goslant is the spotter and crew members include Todd Keller, Scott Guyette, Steve Grandfield, Henry Lavanway, Jeff Davis, Mike Burnor, Jonathan Davis and Mike Pendergast. 

The #1 Late Model finished in second place two times in 2011 as well as a third place and a ninth place final points finish in the twelve races that made up the Thunder Road weekly points season. While not receiving the same amount of attention as other drivers in the top 15 in points, Brett and the Hallstrom team definitely earned their position among the heavy hitters and modern-day Thunder Road legends.

 Maintaining a top-level race team does not come easily. It also does not come without a lot of help from sponsors. The team receives sponsorship help from Spherion Staffing Services, Army ROTC/Norwich University, New Horizons Screen Print & Embroidery, E.A. Grandfield Excavating, Depot Square Pizzeria, Texas Roadhouse and Hallstrom Excavating. Like most race teams, though, additional sponsorship is always being sought.

It certainly helps for the team’s budget that Brett’s smooth and smart driving style usually brings the car back in one piece at the end of the night. Having been around the sport for so long, Brett clearly races with the old racing adage “in order to finish first you must first finish” firmly in his thoughts.  This means that rather than having to spend time working on rebuilding the car, which is both expensive and time-consuming, the fact that Brett keeps the car mostly damage-free allows the team more time to work on fine-tuning their setup and looking for additional speed from their car.

For a top race team, it can be frustrating not to get as much press as other teams get.  “The team's accomplishments are often overlooked” says Lisa Hallstrom. “Brett tends not to create any waves, which is good, however he tends to blend in sometimes and not stand out.  Because he's not a "young gun" any longer, his consistency is often overlooked.”

Despite the fact that universal rules allow ACT-legal Late Models like the #1 Hallstrom car to race all over New England and Canada, the Hallstrom Motorsports team is devoted to Thunder Road.  “We've been asked to race many different series/tracks” says Lisa Hallstrom. “However, Louis is a firm believer that the competition is the greatest at Thunder Road and if you can win there, you've accomplished something.”

Don’t be surprised to find Brett Wheeler and the Hallstrom Motorsports team doing just that- -winning- -in 2012 and beyond. And even though the team does not have a Late Model championship at Thunder Road, expect them to continue being a consistent, quiet threat for the top spot not only on a weekly basis but also when it comes to season-ending “King of the Road” points.



******************************************************************
Visit www.LeifTillotsonPhotography.com to view my photos and read my published articles


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Central Vermont Motorcycles Presents Final Spring Sunday Race at Devil's Bowl

ATTACHED PHOTO: Bond Auto Parts Modified racers Ron Proctor (#27), Leon Gonyo (#4), and Jessey Mueller (#19, black car next to #4) are looking to end Vince Quenneville, Jr.'s (#78) win streak at Devil's Bowl Speedway on Sunday afternoon.  (MemorEvents photo)

 

Final afternoon race before Friday summer schedule begins

For Immediate Release                      DBS-051612-1

 WEST HAVEN, VT – Central Vermont Motorcycles presents Devil’s Bowl Speedway’s final Sunday afternoon stock car race of the Spring season at 1:30pm on Sunday, May 20.  The event is the third round of the track’s NASCAR Whelen All-American Series slate and will be the final tune-up for the all-new Friday night summer schedule, set to begin on May 25.

 

Bond Auto Parts Modified drivers will be gunning for Vince Quenneville, Jr., at the Central Vermont Motorcycles Trophy Dash on Sunday afternoon.  The Brandon, VT veteran grabbed his second victory in as many races at last week’s Mother’s Day Special, but has been tested by Leon Gonyo, Jessey Mueller, and defending track champion Ron Proctor every step of the way.  Gonyo, of Chazy, NY, was the Mother’s Day runner-up and Charlton, NY racer Proctor matched that mark at the season-opening 101.5 “The Fox” Spring Green on May 6; Mueller, 17, was third in both events.

Other Modified racers have stood out as well, including top rookie Joey Roberts of Georgia, VT.  Roberts has posted top-five finishes in each of the first two starts of his open-wheel career.  Alex Bell, Don Scarborough, Hunter Bates, and rookie Andy Smith have all been inside the top ten in both events.

Brent Dragon of Milton, VT snapped a three-year dry spell by winning the season’s first J&S Steel Late Model feature on Mother’s Day.  Craig Bushey and Matt White, first-year Devil’s Bowl racers who are expected to be championship contenders, finished on the podium, and Rutland, VT’s Kevin Elliott finished a solid fourth after leading laps.  Strong performances were also turned in by Dan Petronis of Mechanicville, NY, veterans Dennis Demers and Norm Andrews, and rookies Robert Bryant, Jr., and Danny Sullivan.

Frank Monroe of Granville, NY and Robert Gordon of Milton, VT will look to keep the close action going in the Renegade division.  Monroe nipped Gordon by eight-thousandths of a second to win last Sunday.  They’ll be tested by Jeremy Jones, Bill Duprey, Ryan Keith, and Randy Miller.

Like Quenneville in the Modifieds, Josh Masterson will try to keep his perfect streak going in the Bomber division on Sunday.  The Bristol, VT rookie has won the first two races of his career after challenges from Garry Bashaw, Ray Germain, Jr., and the always-exciting Harold LaVair.

General admission for the Central Vermont Motorcycles Trophy Dash on Sunday, May 20 is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (62+), and free for children 12 and under.  Devil’s Bowl Speedway is located on Route 22A in West Haven, VT, six miles north of Exit 2 on US Route 4.  For more information, call (802) 265-3112 or click www.devilsbowlspeedwayvt.com.

-30-

Contact: Justin St. Louis

 

 


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Steve Kearney: Understanding an Underdog

By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

Steve Kearney knows his place in the pecking order.  Like the 75 or 80 other drivers who sign-in at the pit gate of Brockville Ontario Speedway on Saturday nights during the spring, summer and fall, Kearney shares a passion for the sport of stock car racing.  It’s not his profession; just a hobby.  The 41 year-old defines himself as a support division racer.  The grandstands aren’t always filled with fans when he and his fellow street stock runners take to the track, but every racecar driver – whether they’ve been part of the game for years or just starting out – has followers and they’ve all paid to see the show.

 

Originally from Athens – but now living in Brockville – Kearney started working on racecars when he was about 15 years old.  The machine he campaigns now began its life as a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass family grocery-getter that was transformed into a stock car by Doug Herbison, using a CSC main cage and a variety of handcrafted components.  Kearney says one of his biggest thrills is running a hard race but admits that there are other interests that sometimes keep him away from the track.

 

“My partner Patti and I have a blended family with 3 kids between us,” said Kearney.  “We all love the outdoors and look forward to our time together at the campground and fishing.  I’ve worked hard to build and maintain a racecar that runs competitively with the teams who are at the track every week and I’m sure if I went out of my way to attract sponsorship support for the car, I’d be right there with them, but that’s not really what I’m about.  I love racing, but I’m also trying to walk a fine line that’ll allow us to do a little bit of everything.”

 

For the 2012 season, Kearney – a process operator at 3M in Brockville – has come-up with an innovative idea that just might allow him to race and still spend some valuable time with his family.  The quarter panels of his #22 street stock carries the message ‘U Can Camp’, while ‘Rent My Trailer’ appears on the car’s hood.  He says the goal is to rent his travel trailer during the season to help off-set the cost of his racing program.

 

“Over the years, I’ve noticed some unusual sponsorship ideas.  Patti and I talked about this during the winter and thought we’d give it a try,” said Kearney.  “We don’t have a ton of money to throw around and whether or not it’ll be successful is hard to say.  It’s just like making changes to the racecar.  You never know what might help how the car handles or in this case, catch someone’s eye.”

 

Getting the car to the track is truly a family effort.  The driver’s father Mike and mother Sharon do their part; while Patti and her daughter Danielle and Steve’s kids Brandon and Brittany pitch-in to make the sure the car is detailed, clean and ready to race when it rolls onto the track.  A former recreational hockey player who traditionally wore #21, Kearney made the switch to #22 for his racing endeavours in an effort to make his luck behind the wheel a little better than it had been at the rink.

 

“I may have started a little bit later than some of the other drivers who are moving their way through the ranks and even though things aren’t always perfect, there isn’t too much I’d change,” said Kearney.  “I don’t feel the need to move into a different division or run the car harder than I should to pick-up another position on the track.  Having fun is what our team is all about and as long as we’re doing that, the #22 street stock will still be part of the show at The BOS.”

 

Photo attachment:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Steve Kearney’s freshly scrubbed #22 street stock made its 2012 debut Saturday, May 12th at Brockville Ontario Speedway.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE propulsée par Lucas Oil: Levée de rideau sur la saison 2012 // The 2012 Championship opening race

Communiqué de presse           Pour diffusion immédiate

SSQ-2012-025


Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE propulsée par Lucas Oil:

Levée de rideau sur la saison 2012

du côté de l’Autodrome St-Eustache ce weekend

Québec, QC (15 mai 2012) – Après trois années d’absence, les pilotes de la Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE, propulsée par Lucas Oil, seront en piste à l’Autodrome St-Eustache (St-Eustache, QC) ce samedi 19 mai à compter de 17h00 pour la tenue de la première manche du calendrier 2012.

Press Release                     For Immediate Release

SSQ-2012-025-EN


Sportsman Quebec ISPEEDZONE Series Powered by Lucas Oil :

The 2012 Championship opening race

at Autdrome St-Eustache this weekend

Quebec, QC (May 15 2012) – After a three year hiatus the Sportsman Quebec ISPEEDZONE Series Powered by Lucas Oil will return to Autodrome St-Eustache (St-Eustache, QC) this Saturday May 19 at 5pm for the first race on the 2012 Championship schedule.

 

Vingt-trois (23) pilotes ont confirmé leur participation à ce jour pour la finale de 75 tours qui sera présentée, sous les réflecteurs, grâce au financement par Lucas Oil et de M. Jacques Sigouin.  « Avec 23 pilotes de préinscrits pour cette course, l’action, l’émotion et la sensation devraient être au rendez-vous.  Le calibre des compétiteurs ne cesse de s’améliorer.  Les voitures sont plus belles que jamais.  Je suis convaincu que nous allons livrer tout un spectacle pour les amateurs de la grande région de Montréal » déclara M. André Poulin, président de la Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE.

En 2008, la dernière fois que la série itinérante avait pris part à une compétition sur le tracé de l’« ASE », c’est Simon Roussin de Québec qui avait remporté l’épreuve.  D’ailleurs, Roussin, double champion de la Série (2008, 2011) sera en piste pour tenter de renouer avec la victoire sur le tracé de 4/10-mile, situé en banlieue nord de l’île de Montréal.

La première manche de la Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE fait partie du programme de course où les voitures sportsman seront en vedette à l’Autodrome St-Eustache.  En plus de la Série Sportsman Québec ISPEEDZONE, l’autre finale pour voiture sportsman sera celle de la Série Masters qui alignera des voitures de la classe Sportsman ANCA de l’Autodrome St-Eustache et des Limited Late Models de la piste Airborne Speedway Park.

L’admission générale sera possible à compter de 14h30 au coût de 20$ par adulte, 10$ pour les 13 à 17 ans et gratuit pour les moins de 12 ans.  Du côté des puits, l’admission se fera à compter de 12h au coût de 25$.

– 30 –

 

Photo : Simon Roussin (No. 66) le champion 2008 et 2011 de la Série roule devant David Gagnon (No. 47) la recrue 2011.

 

 

Crédit photo: Simon Fiset –

 

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez :

 

Autodrome St-Eustache, 450-472-6222 ou sur l’internet au : www.autodrome.ca

 

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

Twenty three drivers (23) drivers thus far have confirmed they will compete in the 75-lap feature which will be ran under the lights and is made possible  by Lucas Oil and M. Jacques Sigouin.  “With 23 drivers pre-registered at this point door-to-door racing is guaranteed.  The caliber of competitors is constantly improving.  The cars are nicer than ever.  I am convinced that we will be providing great entertainment for the fans” declared M. Andre Poulin, Sportsman Quebec ISPEEDZONE President.

In 2008, the last time the Touring Series held a race at “ASE”, Simon Roussin of Quebec City won the race.  Roussin, a two-time Champion of the Series (2008, 2011) will be present with the firm intention of notching his belt with another win on the 4/10-mile short track located North of Montreal.

The Sportsman Quebec ISPEEDZONE Series 2012 Schedule kick-off is part of a Sportsman Festival held at Autodrome St-Eustache.  In addition to the Sportsman Quebec cars the Autodrome St-Eustache ANCA sportsman and the Airborne Speedway Park Limited Sportsman class will also be showcased.

General admission, 20$ per adult, starting at 14h30; 10$ for the 13 – 17 age group, while under 12 admission is free.  Pit access will begin at 12h and the fee will be of 25$.

– 30 –

 

Photo: Simon Roussin (No. 66) the 2008 and 2011 Series’ Champion races ahead of David Gagnon (No. 47) the 2011 rookie of the year.

 

Photo credit: Simon Fiset

 

For more information, contact:

 

Autodrome St-Eustache, 450-472-6222 or via the web : www.autodrome.ca

 

André Poulin, Sportsman Québec Series, email: andre.poulin@sportsman.ca, 581-998-7388

 

Prepared by M.P. Roy, email: mproy@roy-motorsports.com, 514-907-1773 poste 35

 


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2012-05-16

Sarah Cornett-Ching Has Strong Performance in OK Tire ARCA West Series Opener; Late Race Incident Takes Her Out of Contention

Craig Revelle - Finish Line Web Design

May 15, 2012

 

PENTICTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The final result at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, BC was nowhere near indicative how well Sarah Cornett-Ching performed in the opening round of the OK Tire ARCA West Series debut on Saturday night.  A solid run went south after contact from another competitor sent her into the wall, ending what would have been a great day for the Cornett-Ching team.

 

Sarah had a great practice session at Motoplex a week earlier, and the team was confident going into opening night.  They tried out a new setup during that practice session, and were anxious to see how they stacked up against some of the best racers in the province.

 

“We have done a lot or work over the off season and applied some new things to our set up going into last weekend’s practice and we were really happy with how the car performed”, says Cornett-Ching.  “It is a great feeling to be competitive and battle for wins each and every night that we race, and we also take pride in knowing that we are one of the few competitive teams that set up our own car”.

 

In opening practice, Sarah posted the third fastest speed, but she was looking for a little more grip coming off the corners.  In time trials, they were unable to find that grip, and were 10th out of the 21 cars.  With the inversion of the fastest 10 cars from time trials, Cornett-Ching was able to start from the front row in her qualifier.  She got off to a great start, and the changes they made to the car got the rear grip they had been looking for, and she drove her Snap On Tools #99 to victory.

 

 "It is a great feeling to put our car in victory lane to show our sponsors, crew and everyone who supports us we have what it takes”, says Cornett-Ching after the qualifier”.  It also doesn't hurt to put a little fear in the competitors minds either!"

At the drop of the green flag in the Lordco 100 ARCA West Series season open, Sarah got off to a great start, settling into second place, and she maintained that through the first 60 laps of the race.  Sarah was able to battle on the outside to maintain her position on the first restart of the race, but after the second caution, Sarah lost ground on the outside, and while looking for an opening to get back in line, trouble began, as she was hit from behind, causing a chain reaction of events that resulted in her car hitting the inside wall on the frontstretch.  She was able to rejoin the field, and finish on the lead lap, but her 16th place finish was a disappointing end to a very promising night.

"I am really disappointed with the finish but I can honestly say I can't wait for the next race May 26 in Williams Lake, BC”, says Cornett-Ching after the race.  “We have a race car that's faster than a jet fighter and it will be in Victory Lane yet this year”.

For more information on Sarah Cornett-Ching and to follow her racing accomplishments, please visit her newly revamped website, www.sccracing.com or visit her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sccracing.

Sarah Cornett-Ching had a successful practice last week at Motoplex Speedway, she returned this week for the season opener.  (SCC Racing Photo Collection)

 


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UNE SAISON COMPLÈTE POUR HUGO VANNINI

Pour diffusion immédiate

Série Nascar Canadian Tire

Après trois saisons sporadiques dans la série Nascar Canadian Tire, Hugo Vannini est prêt à entreprendre une première saison complète et il sera au Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, cette fin de semaine pour le lever de rideau de cette série.

 

« Nous avons maintenant deux voitures munies de moteurs plus puissants que par le passé », de dire ce technicien en génie mécanique de Repentigny. « L’an dernier nous n’avons participé qu’à huit épreuves et je me suis classé au 17e rang. Cependant, c’est difficile à croire avec toutes les malchances accumulées lors de nos présences en piste. Un réservoir à essence neuf s’est avéré défectueux, un système de freins neuf a bloqué, des boyaux neufs étaient déjà troués et quoi  encore. »

« Au cours de la saison hivernale, nous avons passé les deux véhicules au peigne fin et il reste juste à aller de l’avant sans regarder vers l’arrière. Pour cette première saison complète, mon objectif est de franchir la ligne d’arrivée à chaque confrontation et ce, dans une position avantageuse» de conclure Hugo.

Pour le tandem Vannini-Tremblay, une fin de saison parmi les dix premiers et ce, sans l’appui d’un commanditaire majeur, serait un grand pas vers l’avant.

-30-

Source VTI Motorsports

 


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UNE 21ième SAISON POUR L'AUTODROME CHAUDIÈRE

  Communiqué pour diffusion immédiate : le 14/05/12                                                                                                                  

 

C’est SAMEDI le 19 mai à 18H00 que l’Autodrome Chaudière ouvre sa saison 2012 avec son traditionnel SPÉCIAL FAMILLE DROUIN & FRÈRES GM.

Classes Locales-- SS AIM QUÉBEC et la Série Revstar

 

La plupart des pilotes sont de retour dans leur classe ou ont gradué à un niveau supérieur. Trois pilotes Kamikaze Fm 101.3, le champion Martin Bisson, Jessy Bolduc et Carl Poulin évolueront en Sport Compacte Bestbuy Pièces D’Autos avec Dominic Jacques, Champion 2011,  les Blanchette, Carrier, Godbout, Nolet, Bolduc, Gaulin,  Darveau,  Poulin,  Labbé, Houle et autres.

En Limité Cool FM 103.5, la lutte s’annonce farouche avec les Marcoux, Lecours, Savard, Simoneau, Vachon, Harvey et les retours d’Yves Perreault, James Vachon et d’Éric Cloutier.

En SS AIM QUÉBEC, la nouvelle classe Sportsman à Vallée, un mélange de vétérans et de recrues nous donnera des qualifications et des Finales des plus serrées avec les Poulin, Côté, Bilodeau, Drouin, Gagné, St-Gelais et autres dont les recrues Julien Bernier et Philippe Poulin. «A voir les dernières pratiques et les temps enregistrés de ces voitures, le spectacle sera de qualité avec un niveau de compétition élevé», de dire Éric St-Gelais, pilote de la voiture #42.

Les rapides bolides à aillerons de catégories STR seront en piste avec 20 voitures. Leurs amis Slingshots seront également de la programmation.

Un rendez-vous à ne pas manquer SAMEDI Le 19 Mai 18H00. L’ouverture des puits est à 13h30 et celle des spectateurs à compter de 14h30..

Prix pour ce Spécial Famille : Deux Adultes et deux Enfants (0 à 17 ans) : 30.00$(Adm.Gén.)

En cas de mauvaise température, remis au dimanche 20 mai à 13h00.

Plus d’informations autodromechaudiere.com  

 

André Gagnon, Relationniste

Autodrome Chaudière

PS Merci Christian Jacques et Genest pour les photos.

 


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STEVE COTE: PREMIÈRE SORTIE - UN PREMIER PODIUM // STEVE COTE: FIRST TIME OUT - A PODIUM FINISH

STEVE COTE: PREMIÈRE SORTIE – UN PREMIER PODIUM

 

WM–2012002

 

Kahnawake, QC — 14 mai 2012 — Le pilote de Montréal et champion 2010 de la NASCAR Whelen All American Series au Québec, Steve Cote, a conclus la semaine dernière avec brio en signant un podium dans la Série canado-américaine Master mettant en vedette des pilotes de la piste de Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY) et de l’Autodrome St-Eustache (St-Eustache, QC).

 

Cote avait participé jeudi dernier à la séance officielle d’essai en NASCAR Canadian Tires Series du côté du Canadian Tire Motorsports Park à Bowmanville, ON.  Une première sortie officielle avec la puissante voiture de l’écurie White Motorsports sur un circuit routier de 2.459 milles (3.96 km).

 

« J’avais une certaine nervosité avant la séance, mes attentes étaient assez élevées et je ne voulais pas décevoir, mais une fois sur la piste tout est rapidement revenu en ordre.  J’ai pris quelques tours pour me familiariser avec le circuit et au moment où j’étais pour m’élancer pour des tours rapides une succession d’incidents sur la piste ont neutralisé la séance. »

 

Un après l’autre, Kerry Micks (moteur brisé), Steven Mathews (sortie de piste dans le bac à gravier) et Noel Dowler (panne) ont forcé la neutralisation de la séance d’essais, l’amputant de précieuses minutes.  Le groupe de vingt voitures sur place pour la première séance officielle de la série a été privé de près de 45 minutes sur les 2 heures prévues.

 

« Dans l’ensemble et considérant le temps de piste que nous avons eu, je suis très satisfait nous étions dans la même seconde que les plus rapides.  Nous avons une bonne base, nous aurons l’opportunité de peaufiner nos ajustements et revenir en force pour la première manche du calendrier NASCAR Canadian Tires Series qui débute ce dimanche à la piste de Bowmanville » ajouta Cote.

 

Samedi dernier, participant à une première compétition cette année, c’est au volant de la voiture sportsman de Normand Lavigueur que Steve a terminé deuxième dans la confrontation Airborne - St-Eustache. 

 

Le vétéran pilote et propriétaire de la voiture, Normand Lavigueur, qui ne pouvait participer, avait fait le choix de confier le volant à Cote.  « Quand j’ai réalisé que je ne pourrais être en piste, j’ai regardé quel pilote pourrait faire le meilleur honneur à mes commanditaires, ça n’a pas pris longtemps pour les convaincre » déclara Lavigueur.

 

Cote, un des 13 représentants du Canada et de l’Autodrome St-Eustache en sol Américain, a pris le départ en douzième position.  Une épreuve de 50 tours, qui a été marquée de deux neutralisations, dont une pour un carambolage et qui aura forcé un drapeau rouge.  Cote a remonté une à une les positions.  « La voiture No. 85 JPN Racing / Dan-Marc Construction était très rapide et même soudée sur la piste.  J’avais une voiture pour remporter l’épreuve, mais j’ai manqué de temps.  J’aurais eu besoin d’une neutralisation pour pouvoir défier l’éventuel gagnant, Maxime Bouchard-Pelletier.  Il est parti à l’avant et avait creusé un écart insurmontable dans les circonstances » déclara Cote.

 

« Je suis très fier d’avoir vu Normand me confier le volant.  Je crois qu’il est important d’être assis dans une voiture de course le plus souvent possible et surtout lorsqu’il s’agit d’une voiture de pointe.  L’entente conclue avec Normand me permettra de récidiver au volant de la voiture No. 85 à chaque fois qu’il sera retenu par son entreprise et que le calendrier NASCAR Canadian Tire le permettra.  C’est aussi grâce aux partenaires financiers suivants que le tout est possible : JPN Racing, Dan-Marc Construction, JP Lauzon et fils, Oxygène 640, Rénovations N Lavigueur » ajouta Steve.

 

D’ailleurs Steve Cote est toujours à la recherche de partenaires financiers pour les opérations associées à la voiture White Motorsports No. 99 en NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.  « Nous allons faire le calendrier au complet et se battre pour le titre de recrue.  Les coûts sont faramineux.  Toute aide financière nous permettra d’assurer que les deux voitures à ma disposition soient le mieux préparé possible et pour faire les frais pour les longs voyages du côté de l’ouest et des maritimes» ajouta Steve.

 

La série NASCAR Canadian Tire Series représente le plus haut niveau de compétition en sport motorisé et le seul championnat national au Canada.  Les meilleurs équipes et pilotes de stock-car compétitionnent sur des circuits ovales et des circuits routiers à travers le pays à titre d'épreuve principale, entre autres au Grand-Prix de Trois-Rivières et à deux reprises en marge des séries internationales du NASCAR Nationwide à Montréal et de l'IndyCar à Edmonton.  La foule ayant assisté aux épreuves est estimée à plus de 360 000 personnes à travers le Canada et à plus de 168 000 téléspectateurs à chacune des épreuves diffusées sur la chaîne TSN.

 

La levée de rideaux sur la saison 2012 de la Série NASCAR Canadian Tire se fera sur le circuit routier de Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (anciennement Mosport International Raceway) à Bowmanville, ON le 20 mai 2012.  Le championnat de 12 courses visitera des installations dans les provinces de Nouvelle-Écosse, Québec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta et Colombie-Britannique.

Suivez @stevecoteracing et @whitemotorsport sur Twitter et assurez-vous de consulter la page Steve Cote Racing sur Facebook à www.facebook.com/stevecoteracing

 

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Photo: NO 99 AT ICAR TEST SESSION - PHOTO CREDIT WHITE MOTORSPORTS.jpg

 

La voiture Chevrolet No. 99 White Motorsports pilotée par Steve Cote dans la Série NASCAR Canadian Tire Series sur la ligne des puits au Circuit ICAR (Mirabel, QC).

 

Courtoisie : White Motorsports

 

Photo: NO 85 IN THE PITS - PHOTO CREDIT SLYCER.jpg

 

La voiture Chevrolet No. 85 JPN Racing / DAN-Marc Construction pilotée par Steve Cote dans la Série MASTER canado-américain dans les paddocks du Airborne Speedway Park (Plattsburgh, NY).

 

Courtoisie : Slycer

 

Photo: STEVE COTE IN TRAFFIC AT AIRBORNE - PHOTO CREDIT ANDY WATTS.jpg

 

Steve Cote au volant de la voiture No. 85 JPN Racing / DAN-Marc Construction dans la circulation dense sur le circuit Airborne Speedway Park (Plattsburgh, NY).

 

Courtoisie : Andy Watts

 

 

Les photos sont disponibles sans frais pour les médias.

 

Pour de plus amples informations, contactez:

Marc Patrick Roy, Roy Motorsports, (877) 356-7769 poste 35, courriel: mproy@roy-motorsports.com

 

 

STEVE COTE: FIRST TIME OUT – A PODIUM FINISH

 

 

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Kahnawake, QC — May 14, 2012 — Montreal (Quebec) stock car driver and the 2010 NASCAR Whelen All American Series Quebec Champion, Steve Cote, closed off the week with a podium finish in the Canada-USA Masters Series showcasing drivers from Airborne Speedway (Plattsburgh, NY) and Autodrome St-Eustache (St-Eustache, QC).

 

On Thursday Cote took part in the Official NASCAR Canadian Tire Series test session which took place at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, ON.  It marked the first time out in an official test session for Steve behind the wheel of the powerful White Motorsports stock car on the 2.459-mile (3.96 km) road course.

 

“Before the session I was nervous, my expectations were pretty high and I did not want to disappoint, but once I hit the track, everything settled in.  At first, I circled the circuit in order to acquaint myself with the course and as I was going to go for some fast laps a series of incidents neutralized the session.”

 

One after the other, Kerry Micks (blown engine), Steven Mathews (off course excursion in the gravel trap) and Noel Dowler (breakdown on the track) shaved some precious minutes from the test session.  Twenty-two cars were on hand for this first official session, scheduled for 2 hours, which was shortened by 45 minutes.

 

“Overall I am please and when you consider how much track time we got, I am very satisfied since I was within the same second as the faster competitors.  We have a good baseline setup and we will have the opportunity to improve it before returning for the first race of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule which will be this Sunday at the Bowmanville track” added Cote.

 

Last Saturday, Cote competed for the first time this year, driving Normand Lavigueur’s Limited Sportsman car he finished second in the Airborne – St-Eustache confrontation race.

 

Veteran owner-driver, Normand Lavigueur, who could not participate in the race handpicked Cote to step in for him.  “When I realized I had a scheduling conflict, I checked to see who could best represent my sponsors, it didn’t take long for me to convince them” declared Lavigueur.

 

Cote was one of the 13 Canadian competitors who traveled south of the border; he started the race from the twelfth starting position.  A 50-lap race, which was slowed twice, one of them for a pile-up which necessitated a red-flag.  He reeled in, one-by-one, positions up to second place.  “The No. 85 JPN Racing / Dan-Marc Construction stock car was very fast.  I had a car to win the race, but I ran out of time.  I would have needed a caution to challenge eventual winner, Maxime Bouchard-Pelletier.  He started up front and stretched out an insurmountable lead under the circumstances” declared Cote.

 

“I am proud and feel privileged to have Normand let me drive for him.  I think it is important to be behind the wheel as often as possible, even more so when it is a good car.  The Agreement reached with Norman will have me drive every time his business keeps him away from driving the No. 85 stock car and that my NASCAR Canadian Tire Series commitments allow.  But it was also made possible thanks to these great financial partners: JPN Racing, Dan-Marc Construction, JP Lauzon et fils, Oxygène 640, Rénovations N Lavigueur” added Steve.

 

As matter of fact Steve Cote is still seeking financial partners for his White Motorsports No. 99 NASCAR Canadian Tires Series stock car.  “We will be racing the full schedule and competing for the rookie of the year title.  Costs are astronomic.  Any additional financial help we can secure will go toward the two cars at our disposal and for the expensive travel fees associated to the long haul out west and in the Maritimes” added Steve.

 

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is Canada's top level of motorsport and only National motorsport championship.  Canada's top teams and drivers race stock cars on both oval and road courses from coast to coast as the headline show, including the Trois-Rivieres Grand Prix and as a companion series to the NASCAR Nationwide in Montreal and the IndyCar Series in Edmonton.  Attendance is estimated at over 360 000 people across Canada and each of the average TV viewership per event on TSN was 168 000 viewers.

 

Steve Cote and the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series kick off the 2012 Championship on the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park road course, formerly Mosport International Raceway, (Bowmanville, ON) on May 20th, 2012.  The 12-race Championship will visit racing facilities in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Follow @stevecoteracing and @whitemotorsport on Twitter and make sure to check out the Steve Cote Racing page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stevecoteracing

 

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Photo: NO 99 AT ICAR TEST SESSION - PHOTO CREDIT WHITE MOTORSPORTS.jpg

 

The No. 99 White Motorsports Chevrolet driven by Steve Cote in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series sitting on pit lane at Circuit ICAR (Mirabel, QC).

 

Credit: White Motorsports

 

Photo: NO 85 IN THE PITS - PHOTO CREDIT SLYCER.jpg

 

The No. 85 JPN Racing / DAN-Marc Construction Chevrolet driven by Steve Cote in the Canada – USA Masters Series sitting in the pits at Airborne Speedway Park (Plattsburgh, NY).

 

Credit: Slycer

 

Photo: STEVE COTE IN TRAFFIC AT AIRBORNE - PHOTO CREDIT ANDY WATTS.jpg

 

Steve Cote behind the wheel of the No. 85 JPN Racing / DAN-Marc Construction in heavy traffic at Airborne Speedway Park (Plattsburgh, NY).

 

Credit: Andy Watts

 

 

These pictures are available royalty free for media purposes.

 

For more information, contact:

Marc Patrick Roy, Roy Motorsports, (877) 356-7769 extension 35, email: mproy@roy-motorsports.com

 

 

 

 


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Ray Courtemanche Junior au Canadian Tire Motorsports Park ce week-end pour lancer la saison NASCAR Canadian Tire



Communiqué - Pour diffusion immédiate


Dix pilotes du Québec en piste pour un début de saison prometteur...

Ray Courtemanche Junior au Canadian Tire Motorsports Park
ce week-end pour lancer la saison NASCAR Canadian Tire

Montréal (Québec), le 15 mai 2012.- Le circuit routier légendaire, anciennement appelé Mosport, accueille ce week-end la première course de la saison 2012 de la série NASCAR Canadian Tire. En plus des habitués tels Steckly, Micks, Hathaway, DJ Kennington et JR Fitzpatrick, nous pourrons aussi voir aux avant-postes les Andrew Ranger et autres Louis-Philippe Dumoulin se battre dans le peloton de tête. Ray Junior aimerait aussi aller rejoindre le peloton des leaders, même si la commande est de taille. Fort d’une course en avril à Bristol (Tennessee) en série NASCAR K&N East, et de pratiques d’avant-saison à ICAR et à Homestead en Floride, Ray se  présente à ce circuit pour la première fois.

Après avoir roulé sur un ovale rapide comme Homestead, Ray trépigne d’envie de se lancer en piste. « Je me sens à l’aise dans la machine, prêt à affronter pour la première fois le tracé super rapide de la piste ontarienne. Toute l’équipe a travaillé fort pour me donner la meilleure voiture possible, et il ne me reste qu’à bien apprendre la piste et forcer au max pendant toute la course.»

Avec 5 virages à haute vitesse et un long droit tout en montée, rouler vite au Canadian Tire Motorsport Park requiert une machine stable en virage, et puissante pour ne pas perdre trop de temps sur le droit. « Nous avons acheté deux nouveaux moteurs et remis à point la géométrie de la suspension avant après les essais à ICAR. Je crois que la voiture est à point : il ne reste qu’à moi de faire un bon travail.»

Outre Ray Junior, la délégation du Québec comprend Andrew Ranger, Louis-Philippe Dumoulin, Derek White, Dexter Stacey, Isabelle Tremblay, Martin Roy, Dave Coursol, Hugo Vannini et Steven Coté; un mélange excitant de leaders, de nouveaux prétendants à la victoire, de pilotes d’expérience, et de nouveaux venus. Les pilotes seront en piste samedi dès 11 heures 30 pour deux sessions de pratiques, puis à 16 heures pour la qualification. Le départ de la course sera donné à 13 heures 30 dimanche.

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