2012-05-30

New Short Track for ARCA's Best: Tour Making First Visit to Elko

 

For Immediate Release:

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

 

 (TOLEDO, Ohio) - Among the most thrilling action in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards is that which takes place on short tracks, and the newest track on the tour's schedule is the shortest of all.

 

At just three-eighths of a mile, Elko Speedway in Elko New Market, Minn. promises to provide a new dimension to ARCA competitors like nine-time champion Frank Kimmel, six-time race winner Chris Buescher, and points leader Tom Hessert. Those drivers, along with many others, will visit the track for the first time in a stock car in Saturday night's Akona 200 presented by Federated Car Care.

 

The unknowns, and Elko's position as the newest and shortest track on the ARCA Racing Series schedule, are mere pieces of what makes the sixth race of ARCA's 60th Anniversary Season a hot ticket and an intriguing event.

 

Hessert currently leads Buescher by just 15 points in the series standings. Despite Hessert's consistency as the only driver with multiple top-fives and four top-10 finishes in the season's first five races, Buescher is the man with momentum, having won on the half-mile Toledo Speedway for the fourth time last week.

 

Twenty-one-year-old Brennan Poole won in his first ARCA start one year ago, and could use another victory to kick-start his rise back to the top of the point standings.

 

"I hear (Elko)'s got a pretty good surface," said Poole. "It should be fun. It'll be tight, short track racing, with a lot of bumping and running. I'm looking forward to getting up there."

 

After five races, Poole stands just above Chad Hackenbracht, who just four years ago won a national asphalt championship in a Legends car at - of all places - Elko Speedway. Below them is Kimmel, not only the man with ARCA's most recognized name but also the holder of 74 career victories, good for second on ARCA's all-time list. Kimmel has not won since 2008, but has shown power on short tracks this season with two second-place finishes.

 

Just 45 points separate those five drivers in the series standings, and a hungry pack of competitors stands just below them.

 

Other entered drivers include: Steve Arpin, 2010's leading winner in the ARCA Racing Series and a native of Fort Frances, Ont., just north of Minnesota; Milka Duno, a veteran of three Indianapolis 500 starts; Erik Jones, who was the first 15-year-old driver in the ARCA Racing Series and turns 16 this week; Alex Bowman, a two-time Menards Pole Award winner and the race winner at Salem (Ind.) Speedway this season; and Joey Miller, the "hometown kid" from nearby Lakeville, Minn. whose experience at the track and five past ARCA wins could give him a leg up in the Akona 200.

 

A business relationship between series presenting sponsor Menards and Akona Manufacturing, a Minnesota-based brand, made the Akona 200 and ARCA's visit to its 29th state a reality.

 

"The Twin Cities is a great market in general, and a very important market for our series presenting sponsor - Menards," said Mark Gundrum, vice president of business development and corporate partnerships for ARCA. "Through a business-to-business relationship between Akona and Menards, we are able to bring ARCA's brand of stock car racing to a great facility just south of the Minneapolis and St. Paul area."

 

Race tickets are currently available at 32 Menards stores throughout Minnesota, and will be on sale for $15 - a $10 discount off of the at-track price - until Friday, June 1, the day before the race.

 

Akona Manufacturing is a branch of TCC Materials, a leader in the concrete products industry based out of Mendota Heights, Minn., less than 30 miles from Elko Speedway. Akona Manufacturing, LLC, founded in 1950, specializes in concrete repair products such as cement patches, floor underlayments, cleaners, sealers, and mastic repair products. Akona products are available at Menards.

 

More information on Akona products and events is available at www.akonallc.com.

 

The ARCA Racing Series will hold two practices on June 2, from 2-2:45 p.m. and 3:15-4. Menards Pole Qualifying presented by Ansell will follow at 5, and every driver in the starting field will sign autographs for fans on the track from 6:30-7:30. The 200-lap, 75-mile race will begin at 8. All times are Central.

 

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.

 

CONTACT:

Griffin Hickman, ARCA

 

Don Radebaugh, ARCA

 


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La soirée « Découverte » de l'Autodrome Drummond, un franc succès

Lundi 28 mai 2012 – Dave Paryzo – Directeur des communications

Si par les années passées dame nature n’avait pas voulu collaborer, les efforts de Yan Bussière et son équipe auront été récompensés, puisque cette fois-ci chaleur et beau temps ont été au rendez-vous.

C’est devant des gradins bien remplis que la 62e saison de l’Autodrome Drummond a pris son envol. La soirée a débuté avec des essais chronométrés. Chez les Modifié 358, Sébastien Gougeon #44 a réalisé le temps le plus rapide, tout comme Louis Bouthillier #84J et Jocelyn Roy #05 en Sportsman et Pro-Stock. Par la suite, ont suivi des épreuves de qualification dans chacune des catégories présentes en vue du programme d’ouverture du 2 juin. Gino Clair #22J et Sébastien Gougeon #44 ont croisé le fer en Modifié 358, tandis que Guy Ouellette #27G et Louis Bouthillier #84J ont arraché les victoires en Sportsman. Chez les Pro-Stocks, Jocelyn Roy #05 a poursuivi là où il avait laissé l’an dernier en allant chercher la victoire. Du côté des Lightning Sprints, Normand Hamel #44 et Pascal Lévesque #3 ont été dominants allant chercher des victoires dans leur qualification respective. Puis chez les STR, c’est Daniel Nadeau #54 et Gabriel Richer #10 qui ont triomphé.

 

Une belle surprise attendait les amateurs présents puisque le promoteur Yan Bussière avait décidé d’ajouter deux finales au programme soit en Sportsman (15 tours) et en Pro-Stock (10 tours). Dans le cadre de la première finale de la soirée, les spectateurs présents ont pu assister à toute une bataille en Modifié 358 entre les deux frères Clair. C’est finalement Mario Clair #22 qui a eu le dessus sur François Bernier #49, Gino Clair #22J, Yan Bussière #21 et Sébastien Gougeon #44. Avec sa victoire, Clair se mérite automatiquement la pôle position en vue de la finale du 2 juin prochain. Lors de la confrontation de 15 tours chez les STR, Yannick Mathieu #59 a visité le cercle des vainqueurs devançant Mathieu Daigle #11 et Pierre Hébert #1 qui a fait toute une remontée. Du côté des Sportsmans, Steve Bernier #25 et Yvan Rivard #44 se sont livrés un spectaculaire duel. Finalement, Bernier a eu l’avantage. Le conducteur du bolide #25 a signé sa 22e victoire en finale Sportsman à Drummondville. Puis, les Pro-Stock ont conclu la soirée avec une épreuve de 10 tours qui a été l’affaire du quadruple champion Jocelyn Roy #05. À noter que 89 voitures étaient présentes dans les puits de l’Autodrome Drummond.

 

Modifié 358

Time trial: Sébastien Gougeon #44 (17.333 sec.)

Qualif #1: Gino Clair #22J

Qualif #2: Sébastien Gougeon #44

Finale: 1-Clair #22, 2-Bernier #49, 3-G. Clair #22J, 4-Bussière #21, 5-Gougeon #44

 

Sportsman

Time Trial: Louis Bouthillier #84J (18.351 sec.)

Qualif #1: Louis Bouthillier #84J

Qualif #2: Guy Ouellette #27G

Finale: 1-Bernier #25, 2-Y. Rivard #44, 3-Ouellette #27G, 4-Doyon #88, 5-Larocque #27

 

Pro-Stock

Time trial: Jocelyn Roy #05 (20.389 sec.)

Qualif: Jocelyn Roy #05

Finale: 1-Roy #05 2-Cyr #33, 3-Chicoine #17, 4-Bertrand #08, 5-Hébert #97

 

STR

Qualif #1 : Daniel Nadeau #54

Qualif #2: Yannick Mathieu #59

Finale: 1- Yannick Mathieu #59, 2-Mathieu Daigle #11, 3-Pierre Hébert #1

 

Lightning Sprint

Qualif #1: Normand Hamel #44

Qualif #2: Pascal Lévesque #3

 

L’Autodrome Drummond, la F1 de la terre battue !

Dave Paryzo

Directeur des communications

Autodrome Drummond

 


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NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Teams Test at Kawartha Speedway

By Jim Clarke, Kawartha Speedway PR/Clarke Motorsports Communications

 

Throughout its brief five year history, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series has more often than not come to the season’s final event at Kawartha Speedway with the top spot in points still up for grabs.  Andrew Ranger picked-up his first title in 2007 by a 103 point margin over DJ Kennington.  In 2008, Scott Steckly took the honours by only 24 points over Don Thomson Jr.  Ranger earned a second seat at the champion’s table in 3 years by simply starting the event in 2009, even though rain fell after qualifying, delaying the race until the next day.  Kennington’s 5 win season paved the way to the 2010 crown, while Steckly claimed a second championship in 2011, edging Kennington by just 79 points.

 

Wednesday, June 6th Kawartha Speedway will give drivers and teams from the country’s only national touring stock car series the chance to participate in a test session on one of the country’s premiere motorsports facilities.  Track General Manager and promoter Derek Lynch – himself a former series competitor, race winner and crew chief – says the teams look forward to the chance to shakedown their equipment prior to running the year’s first oval track events.

 

“There are rule changes from year to year,” said Lynch.  “Teams put in some long hours in the shop and need track time to build a fresh set of notes for the new season.  I’ve been in the same seat they’re in, so I know how valuable even a few hours of testing can be.”

 

Gates open at 10:00, with on track practice sessions starting at 11:00.  After a break for lunch at 12:30, there will be another open testing period getting underway at 1:00 before things conclude at 5:00.  NASCAR staff will be at the track throughout the day to help teams with the necessary paperwork and provide technical assistance as well as safety support.

 

Teams interested in participating in Kawartha Speedway’s NASCAR Canadian Tire Series test Wednesday, June 6th are encouraged to pre-register by calling 705.939.6316 or e-mail jessica@kawarthaspeedway.com.  Spectator admission for the practice session is free.

 

Kawartha klips:  2012 action gets rolling Friday, June 1st at Kawartha Speedway.  The OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Models and new OSCAAR Modifieds will join the NAPA Auto Parts ACT Late Models, Thunder Cars and Hasiuk Trailer and Container Rental Mini Stocks... This year’s season ending NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event hits the track Saturday, September 22nd.  Find the complete schedule and latest news at www.kawarthaspeedway.com.

 

Photo attachments:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

Milverton, Ontario’s Scott Steckly clinched the 2008 and 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series championships in the season ending event at Kawartha Speedway.

 

Prepared by:  Jim Clarke – Clarke Motorsports Communications

 


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Joey Doiron Racing: PASS North Series White Mountain Motorsports Park Race Report

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 5.28.12
For more information, visit http://www.joeydoiron.com or E-mail GWCNewEngland@gmail.com

NORTH WOODSTOCK, N.H. – Joey Doiron of Berwick, Maine, matched his career-best White Mountain Motorsports Park finish with an eighth-place effort in the PASS North Series 150 at the quarter-mile facility on Saturday, May 26. Doiron, who was caught up in a near-wreck during his qualifying race, started dead last in the 24-car field and drove all the way into the Top-10 to keep his hold on the PASS North points lead after three races. The night was difficult in more ways than one for Doiron, who suffered a significant burn on his hip from heat inside the race car during the feature event.

 

WHO: Joey Doiron, Berwick, Maine
TEAM: Joey Doiron Racing No. 73 JBJ Machine/Scarborough Downs Chevrolet
CREW CHIEF: John Doiron, Berwick, Maine

WHAT: PASS North Series PASS 150
WHERE: White Mountain Motorsports Park, North Woodstock, N.H. (.25-mile banked oval)
STARTED: 24th
FINISHED: 8th
LAPS LED: 0 times for 0 laps

PASS North Series
LAST RACE: May 12, Star 150, Star Speedway, Epping, N.H. (4th)
NEXT RACE: June 3, PASS 150, Riverside Speedway, Groveton, N.H. (.25-mile oval)
CURRENT POINTS POSITION: 1st

***

JOEY, IT WAS KIND OF A WILD NIGHT FOR YOU.

“In the heat race, I started eighth and was going for fifth around the (No. 10 car of Scott Dragon) when he got loose and overcorrected and turned right into me. If it wasn't for me, he would have been head-on into the wall. I don't know how it wasn't worse, but I somehow stopped about two feet short of the wall under the flagstand. They never threw a caution, so I finished last and had to start at the rear of the field (in the feature).

“I didn't hit anything, just when he hit me. There was a little damage to the left rear, but nothing major.”

DO YOU FEEL FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE WITH A TOP-10 FINISH?

“No doubt. I think people were definitely surprised we were able to come that far from the back up to where we ended up finishing. But it's also kind of disappointing – if we'd not had that trouble in the heat, we might have had a Top-3 car. Coming through field like we did, you just burn your stuff up. I didn't have a lot of tire left at the end of it.

“(Race winner Cassius Clark) just had an unbelievable pace going up front. You couldn't settle in and ride at all, especially early with the way the leaders running. The car was absolutely phenomenal – the best car I've ever had here. Again, the cautions at the end hurt us with the crate motor, but we'll take it and go on to next week.”

HOW IS YOUR HIP?

“I've got a big spot there, probably two inches in diameter, where there's a burn. It got so hot in their, that I couldn't even touch the (metal on the seat) with a glove. I'm not really sure what happened – I just know that we're going to get it figured out and fix it this week, because I can't race with it like that again.”

“I've never been in so much pain racing as I was (Saturday night). There was like a 50-lap run at the end of race, and I'm telling you I felt like crying it hurt so bad.”

 

SOCIAL MEDIA

Follow Joey Doiron Racing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JoeyDoironRacing
Follow Joey Doiron on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JoeyDoiron
Follow GWC Motorsports Marketing on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/GWCMotorsports
Follow GWC Motorsports Marketing on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/GWCNewEngland


--

 


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Foley drives to second win

For immediate release – Airborne Speedway – May 27, 2012

SOUTH PLATTSBURGH – George Foley of Vermontville took the lead on lap nine of the 30-lap Modified feature at Airborne Speedway Saturday night and went on to become the first two-time winner of the season.

 

Foley’s Shamrock Bar& Grill/Pulsifer Logging No. 34 was Chevy-powered after having Ford engine problems a week ago. Adam Bartemy, who stuck with Foley during the middle third of the race, yielded two spots in the final laps and finished 4th.

 

Patrick Dupree of Saranac Lake got up for second. Ernie’s Discount Tools Modified point leader Pat McGrail of Candiac, QC, was third. Todd Ormsby of Ausable Forks rounded out the top five.

 

"I didn't want to push things in the middle stages of the race after taking the lead because I like to save something for the end of the race and not abuse the tires,” Foley said in victory lane.  "I am proud of the way we responded after the motor issue last week and this proves it is not just the Ford motor that gets me here to victory lane.  I am looking forward to more victories this season."

 

Jason McClatchie of Plattsburgh won the Culligan Water Technologies/Verizon 50-lap Renegade feature convincingly and was awarded a recliner from Furniture World of Vermont.  The race remained under green from start to finish. Kevin Boutin of Fairfax, VT was the runner-up.

 

McClatchie started 7th used the inside line to take the lead from Mark Caron on lap 22.  McClatchie's car worked well throughout the race as he built a hefty lead over the last 10 laps.  Rick Doner finished third, Josh Terry placed fourth with Lance Rabtoy fifth.  McClatchie said "I didn't want a caution because I knew Boutin had worked his way into second, so I was happy that it stayed green.  My car started to go away in the last few laps, but I was able to build up a nice lead."

 

Sportsmen Modified Sebastien Fournier of St-Leonard , QC was able to keep Nick Heywood at bay over the final 5 laps to pick up his first win if the year.  Heywood finished second, Jamie LaFountain rebounded from a hard crash last week to finish third ahead of Travis Bruno fourth and Eric Lauziere fifth.

 

Plattsburgh’s Bucko Branham carried the Limited Late Model checkers after besting defending champion Robin Wood. John Bradley, Jayson Criss and Josh LeClaire finished 1-2-3 in the Mini Modified feature.

 

Airborne Speedway Event Summary – May 26, 2012
Furniture World of Vermont/Culligan Water Technology Night

Ernie’s Discount Tools Modifieds
Feature (30 laps): 1. George Foley, Vermontville, NY 2. Patrick Dupree 3. Pat McGrail 4. Adam Bartemy 5. Todd Ormsby 6. Aaron Bartemy 7. Vince Quenneville 8. Todd Stone 9. Pierre Berthiaume 10.Leon Gonyo 11.Andy Heywood 12.Greg Atkins 13.Maxime Viens 14.Andy Lindeman 15.Matt Woodruff  16.Craig Reyell 17.Jessey Mueller 18.Richard Tisseur 19.Alain Fournier 20.Mike Reyell 21.Chris Cayea 22.Michael Viens 23.Roger Labreche 24.Kris Vernold 25.Dan Brown 26.Mike Wells

 

Contact: Tom Herzig

 


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Pass North: Clark Cashes in at White Mountain

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:media, contact Norm Desjardins-racewithpass@yahoo.com

 

North Woodstock NH (5/27) Cassius Clark made an early outside charge in Saturday nights Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North 150 to capture the lead and score the super late model feature win at White Mountain Motorsports Park. Joey Polewarczyk earned the second spot with defending series champion Johnny Clark third, DJ Shaw fourth and Travis Benjamin fifth.

 

The win was Clark's first PASS North checker since the 2009 season and the fourteenth of his PASS North career.

 

Gary Smith and Travis Benjamin led the twenty six car field to the green and it was Benjamin jumping out to the lead with Joey Pole, Derek Ramstrom, Smith and Ben Rowe in tow. Clark was coming from his eighth starting spot and as the field strung out he rambled up the outside groove, putting his Hight Chevrolet out front on lap eighteen.

 

The field almost made it to half way caution free but, despite two quick yellows, Clark kept Benjamin in his mirror and it was Clark, Benjamin and Pole nose to tail with Ben Rowe, Derek Ramstrom, Shaw and Johnny Clark trying to chase the trio down.

 

The top two split Kevin Roberge's spinning car on lap ninety and Benjamin took the low side to capture the lead for the subsequent restart, Clark quickly reestablished control when the green flag flew. Benjamin went for a slide in turn one at lap 100, handing second to Ben Rowe; Benjamin rejoined the fray in eighth.

 

Clark had left the pack behind by lap 115 but the battle for second was fierce. Ben Rowe, Pole, Ramstrom and Johnny Clark were nose to tail and side by side. Pole won that battle as Rowe slid back and Ramstrom was on the move in third and looking for more. Another strong performance by Ramstrom ended short of the checkers when he spun trying to put the bottom move on Pole for second. Ramstrom had to settle for nineteenth.

 

A green white checker finish gave Pole and Johnny Clark one last shot at the leader but Cassius wouldn't be denied his victory lane celebration.

 

Five quick cautions slowed the race; thirteen of the twenty six starters finished on the lead lap. Heat race wins went to Gary Smith, Travis Benjamin and Ben Rowe.

 

All three PASS North touring series are in action next Sunday June 3rd at Groveton New Hampshire's Riverside Speedway. Post time on Sunday is 1:30 PM.

 

All the latest news, photos and points are on line at www.proallstarsseries.com . Visit Riverside Speedway on line at www.riversidespeedway.org .

 

Unofficial Results: PASS North 150 – White Mountain Motorsports Park - North Woodstock NH – 5/26/12

 

1 77 Cassius Clark 2 15X Joey Polewarczyk 54 Johnny Clark 4 60 DJ Shaw 5 17 Travis Benjamin 6 10 Scott Dragon 7 4 Ben Rowe 8 73 Joey Doiron 9 06 Dan Colby 10 7L Glen Luce 11 75 Gary Smith ME 12 48 Lonnie Sommerville 13 27 Alexander Gingras 14 26 John Donahue 15 00 Brian Kruczek 16 61 Andy Shaw 17 16 Kevin Roberge 18 7 Curtis Gerry 19 35 Derek Ramstrom 20 87 Matt Harris 21 24 Mike Rowe 22 2 Matt Matheson 23 9 JT Thurlow 24 15 Scott Chubbuck 25 21 Dustin Hubbard 26 57 Kyle DeSouza

 


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Isabelle Tremblay et Martin Roy confiants pour la course de NASCAR Canadian Tire

 

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE - POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE

 

 

Au Grand Prix de Mirabel ce week-end...

 

Montréal (Québec), le 29 mai 2012.- La pilote québécoise Isabelle Tremblay participera ce week-end au Grand Prix de Mirabel, sur le Circuit ICAR, dans la série NASCAR Canadian Tire. ce sera un deuxième départ en NASCAR cette saison pour Isabelle qui, après une performance prometteuse en Ontario il y a deux semaines lors du lancement de la saison, espère décrocher un bon résultat. Un objectif partagé par son coéquipier, le pilote recrue Martin Roy qui aborde lui aussi ce rendez-vous sur un circuit québécois avec détermination.

 

 

                  

 

« J'ai l'impression qu'il va y avoir beaucoup d'action cette année au Grand Prix ICAR de Mirabel et je me réjouis d'y prendre part pour la seconde fois de suite. Notre équipe travaille très fort depuis l'épreuve de Mosport, tout le monde donne son 100% pour que la préparation des voitures soit excellente pour cette première épreuve de la saison en sol québécois » indique Isabelle Tremblay, la seule pilote féminine au départ de l'épreuve dans la série NASCAR Canadian Tire. « Nous avons la chance de bénéficier de personnes très compétentes au sein de notre équipe, comme notre conseiller Mario Gosselin, Francis Landreville, Dany et Jeffrey Lapalme, Daniel et Miguel Laliberté, Sébastien Bérubé ou encore Marc Sergerie. Ils sont une quinzaine en tout à se joindre à l'équipe pour les événements » ajoute Isabelle. Les ambitions de la pilote, qui sera de nouveau aux commandes de la Dodge No.07 aux couleurs de Frank Lyman Design, sont grandes avant ce rendez-vous : « c'est une course de longue haleine, ce n'est pas au premier tour qu'elle va se gagner, je veux donc pouvoir ménager mes pneus en début d'épreuve pour pouvoir gagner des positions en fin de course. Faire un "Top 10" ce week-end serait une belle victoire pour moi ».

 

 

 

Isabelle Tremblay entame sa seconde saison dans la série, elle précise : « le niveau est vraiment très élevé dans cette série mais j'ai davantage d'ambitions que l'an dernier où j'étais recrue. J'ai fait des pas de géant depuis et je continue à en faire ». Concernant l'éventualité que la pluie soit de la partie pour la course dimanche, Isabelle confie : « j'aime beaucoup le Circuit ICAR et je suis très à l'aise de piloter sous la pluie, ça ne me gêne donc vraiment pas si on doit faire la course sous la pluie. Pour les fans, on préfère évidemment toujours disputer des courses sous le soleil, mais si c'est de la pluie dimanche, je ne vois pas ça comme un handicap, d'autant que je me sens très en confiance avec ma voiture cette année ».

 

Martin Roy, pilote et propriétaire de l'équipe, ambitionne lui aussi  un bon résultat au Grand Prix ICAR de Mirabel, au volant de sa Dodge Veloce/Gamache Truck Centre. « Sans les ennuis mécaniques rencontrés à Mosport, je pouvais terminer "Top 10". J'ai davantage d'expérience sur piste ovale mais je suis très motivé pour cette course à ICAR, bien que je sois pilote recrue dans la série. Notre équipe a du potentiel, nous voulons progresser et amener les deux autos à l'arrivée » indique Martin.

                  

 

 

À la conférence de presse officielle demain...

 

Avant de prendre la piste dès samedi pour les premiers essais en vue du Grand Prix ICAR de Mirabel (course dimanche à compter de 13h00), Isabelle Tremblay fait partie des pilotes invités à la conférence de presse officielle de lancement de l'événement, qui aura lieu demain matin à 11 heures au Circuit ICAR.

 

Elle prendra également part à plusieurs activités médiatiques entourant l'événement mais également dans le cadre du Grand Prix du Canada de Formule 1 qui aura lieu du 8 au 10 juin à Montréal, particulièrement sous le thème des pilotes féminines en sport automobile. « La course automobile est un des rares sports ouvert autant aux femmes qu'aux hommes, et même s'il y en a encore peu au plus haut niveau, je pense que c'est en train de changer » précise Isabelle qui est aussi impliquée dans l'événement "Grands Plaisirs pour une Grande Cause" au profit de la Fondation du CHU Sainte-Justine, Département d’ORL. La 3ème édition, présentée par Le Groupe Jean Coutu, aura lieu chez John Scotti Lamborghini ce jeudi, le 31 mai, dès 18h30.  

 

Pour plus d'information sur Isabelle Tremblay et ses activités en sport automobile, consultez dès maintenant le site www.isaracingteam.com

 

- 30 -

 

           

 

Info : contact@isaracingteam.com

 

Photo jointe à ce communiqué (fichier haute résolution libre de droits pour utilisation média disponible sur demande) : Isabelle Tremblay aux commandes de sa Dodge No.07.

 

 


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Ray Junior Courtemanche et Bonzaï Racing à ICAR ce weekend avec une "nouvelle voiture"

   

 

Communiqué - Pour diffusion immédiate

 

Le 29 mai 2012.- Le Grand Prix ICAR Lucas Oil présenté par Budweiser inclura la deuxième course de la Série NASCAR Canadian Tire le weekend prochain, les 2 et 3 juin sur le circuit routier au nord de Montréal.

 

Après une performance, avouons-le, difficile autant que prometteuse lors de la première ronde de la série au Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (anciennement Mosport) il y a dix jours, Ray Junior Courtemanche se présentera à ICAR ce weekend avec une voiture remise à neuf. Son raisonnement s’explique facilement. « Le choc lors de ma sortie dans le virage 2 a non seulement détruit la carrosserie et l’arrière du châssis, mais aussi causé des dommages importants à la mécanique que nous avons seulement découvert lors de notre retour à Montréal. »

 

Plutôt que de simplement réparer la voiture, Ray Jr. a alors décidé de la refaire en profondeur afin d’arriver à ICAR avec une voiture essentiellement neuve. L’équipe Bonzaï Racing et les spécialistes chez Bow Motorsports de Chateauguay, dont le réputé monteur de châssis Robin McCluskey, ont remis le châssis sur le marbre pour bien le redresser, puis installé une chaîne mécanique totalement neuve : moteur, embrayage, boîte, arbre de transmission et pont arrière. Les éléments de suspension avant ont aussi été remplacés et recalés. Toute cette équipe se présentera à ICAR confiante de la qualité du travail accompli.

 

Ray Junior a aussi décidé de maximiser l’impact visuel de la voiture. « Nous avons ensuite monté une toute nouvelle carrosserie Dodge Challenger, et fait appel à Jeff Rivard de chez JR Design pour créer un look absolument unique basé sur des idées pour le moins originales de mes deux enfants (voir  les photos), Chloé et Maxime. Je suis certain que notre nouvelle apparence fera tourner des têtes et deviendra facile à repérer dans le peloton en course. »

 

Coté équipe, Ray (Ti-Loup) Courtemanche, ex-pilote et père de Ray Junior, prendra en main les responsabilités pour la préparation et le support à la piste avec les autres membres de l’équipe. Jacques Dulac, technicien aéronautique chez Bell Helicopter et préparateur de la Fomule 1600 pilotée par Ray Junior aux principales courses du Formula Tour 1600 apportera son support technique à l’équipe. « Je crois que nous avons fait un grand saut positif pour nous rapprocher du peloton rapide. Reste à moi de faire mon boulot de pilote, autant que celui de promoteur de nos principaux partenaires, Construction Danam Bonzaï et Porto Cabral. »

 

Les voitures de la série NASCAR Canadian Tire seront en piste au Circuit ICAR de Mirabel le samedi 2 juin pour des pratiques à 10hr et pour la qualification à 16hr, puis pour la course de 102 km prévue pour le dimanche 3 juin à 13hr.

 

- - - - -

 

Pour information ou photos supplémentaires :

Félix Bégin, (514) 293-6081 ou  f.begin@bonzairacing.ca

 

 

            

 

 

Ci-dessous : Photo de Ray Jr Courtemanche, libre de droits,

pour utilisation média uniquement.

 

 

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2012-05-28

Un cinquième gain en carrière au Rocky Mountain Rally pour Antoine L'Estage et Nathalie Richard


 

 

Un cinquième gain en carrière au Rocky Mountain Rally

pour Antoine L'Estage et Nathalie Richard

 

Calgary (Alberta), le 27 mai 2012.- Déjà vainqueurs du Rallye Perce-Neige en ouverture de saison, le Québécois Antoine L'Estage (de St-Jean-sur-Richelieu) et sa co-pilote Nathalie Richard (d'Halifax, NS) ont remporté ce week-end la deuxième étape du Championnat canadien des Rallyes 2012 présenté par Subaru et supporté par Yokohama, le Rocky Mountain Rally, à Calgary.

Antoine L'Estage and Nathalie Richard Win Rocky Mountain Rally, Controlling From The Start

 

CALGARY, ALBERTA, May 27, 2012 - Antoine L'Estage (St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, Que.) won the 2012 Rocky Mountain Rally, the second round of the Canadian Rally Championship, leading from start to finish to claim his fifth win at the Calgary based rally. With co-driver Nathalie Richard, L'Estage took the lead early on day one, and never relinquished the advantage on the way to victory.

 

 

En tête dès la première étape chronométrée, Antoine L'Estage et Nathalie Richard ont tout misé sur la première journée de compétition, vendredi, sur des chemins boueux, pour se forger une avance insurmontable sur leurs rivaux. Lauréats de huit des neuf spéciales du jour, ils pouvaient alors contrôler leur avance samedi, durant la seconde journée de course marquée par des conditions de route plus sèches, sous le soleil.

 

Derrière L'Estage/Richard dominants, la lutte pour la deuxième position a été très spectaculaire entre les Subaru Impreza WRX des équipes Subaru Rally Team Canada (Pat Richard) et Can-Jam Motorsports (Leo Urlichich). Deuxième durant la majeure partie de l'épreuve, Urlichich (de Toronto, ON) et son co-pilote irlandais Carl Williamson ont finalement vu Pat Richard (de Squamish, BC) et Alan Ockwell (de Toronto, ON) prendre l'ascendant en toute fin de rallye.

 

Si les routes de ce Rocky Mountain Rally n'ont guère été chanceuses pour le jeune Max Riddle (sortie de route alors qu'il était cinquième), elles ont en revanche permis au favori local Hardy Schmidtke, co-piloté par John Hall, de se mettre en valeur avec une belle quatrième place finale, devant Alexandre Kozlov et Martin Matas qui décrochent un premier "Top 5" en championnat canadien avec leur Subaru Impreza WRX. Ils devancent l'équipage vainqueur de la classe production GT, soit Eric Pehota et Richard Doucet, sur Subaru Impreza WRX.

 

En championnat deux roues motrices, la bataille à trois manufacturiers pour la victoire a été fort intéressante. C'est au final l'expérimenté Eric Grochowski, co-piloté par Leanne Junnila (tous deux de Calgary, AB) qui l'emportent aux commandes de leur VW, devant Kris Schofield/Jennifer Daly (Toyota) et Andrew Comrie-Picard/Brian O'Kane (Nissan Sentra).

 

La prochaine étape du Championnat canadien des Rallyes présenté par Subaru et supporté par Yokohama aura lieu dans un mois au Québec, lors du traditionnel Rallye de la Baie-des-Chaleurs, en Gaspésie. Pour toute information sur la série, ses événements et les classements détaillés, rendez-vous sur le site carsrally.ca.

 

Classement final Rocky Mountain Rally 2012 :

1) Antoine L'Estage - Nathalie Richard (Mitsubishi Lancer Évo.10) – 1h22'24"40

2) Patrick Richard - Alan Ockwell (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 1h24'03"50

3) Leo Urlichich - Carl Williamson (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 1h24'29"20

4) Hardy Schmidtke - John Hall (Mitsubishi Lancer Évo.9) – 1h29'42"70

5) Alexandre Kozlov - Martin Matas (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 1h38'09"00

6) Eric Pehota - Richard Doucet (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 1h38'40"10

7) Azam Deen - Shabir Haji (Subaru Impreza WRX) – 1h41'05"80

8) Tibor Kertes - Spencer Armstrong (Mitsubishi Lancer Évo.10) – 1h41'41"60

9) Eric Grochowski - Leanne Junnila (Volkswagen Golf GTI) – 1h43'34"80

10) Kris Schofield - Jennifer Daly (Toyota Corolla) – 1h44'58"50

Classements détaillés et complets sur le site rockymountainrally.com

 

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“It feels great, it was a perfect rally for us. We led right from the first stage,” said L'Estage, at the end of the final day of the rally. “We pushed right from the start and got a big lead, so today was just a matter of trying to pace ourselves.”

 

Challenging road conditions on day one saw the team excel in wet, muddy, even snowy conditions before moving to dry gravel stages for day two.

 

“The car was perfect, the crew was great, Nathalie was perfect. We had the right tires for each of the different conditions on this rally, and we have maximum points possible in the championship,” said L'Estage.

 

Winning at the Rocky Mountain Rally also allows the team to extend their lead in the Canadian Rally Championship, having also won the season opener, Rallye Perce Neige, in February. 

 

Behind L'Estage and Richard, there were a number of battles, including that for second place. Pat Richard (Squamish, B.C.) and Alan Ockwell (Toronto) of Subaru Rally Team Canada suffered multiple setbacks on day one, but were not deterred and pushed hard to make up time on rivals Leo Urlichich (Toronto) and Carl Williamson (Wales).

 

“We had a good day,” said Richard at the end of the rally. “We won all the stages and we're pushing pretty hard. First stage we took ten seconds off Leo, second stage we took 12, then 15 and then 25.”

 

Richard was forced to push harder on each subsequent stage on the final day in order to make up for time lost on day one, when at the start of the final stage of the day, the rear differential exploded when Richard launched the car.

 

Though the car was able to be repaired overnight, the team awoke to find they had been assessed 45 seconds in chicane penalties.

 

“It was quite frustrating, because we started off the day thinking we were ahead of [Leo], but it turned out we were going to get assessed a penalty,” said Richard. “We had to big a bit deeper. It was quite an up and down day for us, but I'm happy we were able to claw back the time and win it despite of the penalties”

 

The second place finish means Richard and Ockwell, who failed to score points at the season opener, are now on the board in the championship standings.

 

“I'm still not satisfied. I come to these events to win, and we had some problems yesterday. We've got some homework to do before the next event,” said Richard.

 

Though Urlichich and Williamson finished third, the pair had arrived at the event hoping to find the extra speed to challenge Richard and Ockwell. Over the first day's muddy stages, they indeed found that pace, but once on the drier stages of day two, Richard was simply too fast.

 

“I have a massive smile on my face now,” said Urlichich. “Yesterday...I said I wanted a battle royale for this rally, and there it was. Ok, with a bit of luck on our side, and different conditions, toughness of the event, changing weather, we had a battle royale. I tried my best everywhere. There was not a stage road, or a kilometre where I said 'nah, I'll just take it easy here.'”

 

A two-day battle also raged for fourth place, between the Calgary based team of Eric Grochowski and Leanne Junnila and Kris Schofield (Calgary) and Jennifer Daly (Kelowna, B.C.) for the two wheel drive victory.

 

Grochowski and Junnila had made some improvements to their VW Golf, most notably a new, more powerful motor and carved out an early lead on the first day, until overheating problems in the evening cost all of the lead. The pair entered the second day of action four seconds behind Schofield and Daly.

 

However, Schofield and Daly experienced their own mechanical problems, when they broke both the brake and shock on the rear passenger corner of the car. Those were issues that, along with a deficit in power, would hamper their performance on the extremely fast Hunter Valley stages of day two.

 

“With the brake failure, and pretty much the whole rear passenger corner of the car – no suspension and no brakes – that probably slowed us down a little,” said Schofield.

 

With a fully functional car after overnight repairs, Grochowski and Junnila were able to press their power advantage to retake the lead and open up a safe margin over Schofield and Daly, winning two wheel drive.

 

“The car ran flawlessly today, and we pushed really hard today,” said Grochowski at the end of the rally. “I know how fast Kris is, he's fully committed all the time so we weren't sure how it was going to play out. We put time on Kris every stage. We didn't leave anything in reserve today.”

 

Schofield and Daly took second in class, while Andrew Comrie-Picard (Los Angeles) and Brian O'Kane (Calgary) finished third.

 

The victory in Production GT – a class for nearly showroom stock all wheel drive cars – was claimed by Eric Pehota and Richard Doucet of Pemberton, B.C.

 

The Rocky Mountain Rally is the first gravel round of the six event Canadian Rally Championship, and is made up of 13 stages, totalling 184km of competitive distance. The second round of the championship, the Rocky Mountain Rally is the first western event of the year.

 

“The Conditions were challenging but we were able to run every stage in the schedule,” said Keith Morison, of the organising committee. “We're looking forward to more changes and growth for the event next year.”

 

The Canadian Rally Championship is comprised of six events held nationwide in a season that

extends from February to November. The series is presented by Subaru Canada, supported by

Yokohama Tire Canada and features contingency programs from Subaru Canada and Mitsubishi

Canada. The Canadian Association of Rallysport (CARS) is the official sanctioning body for rallying in

Canada.

 

Rally car racing is often described simply as “real cars, real roads, real fast.” The all-season

motorsport sees drivers and their co-drivers take modified road cars to the limit as they achieve

blistering speeds over closed-road courses that typically cover more than 150 kilometres of gravel, dirt

or snow-covered roads. Fans can get up close to the cars in the service areas and catch all the action

from specially designated spectator points located at the best spots on the route.

 

Full coverage of the championship will air on RDS and TSN. Check local listings.

 

For more information: www.carsrally.ca or www.rockymountainrally.com

 

Rocky Mountain Rally Final Results

 

  1. Antoine L'Estage – Nathalie Richard – one hour, 22 minutes, 24.4 seconds
  1. Pat Richard – Alan Ockwell – 1:24:03.5
  1. Leo Urlichich – Carl Williamson – 1:24:29.2
  1. Hardy Schmidtke – John Hall – 1:29:42.7
  1. Alexandre Kozlov – Martin Matas – 1:38:09.0
  1. Eric Pehota – Richard Doucet – 1:38:40.1
  1. Azam Deen – Shabir Haji – 1:41:05.8
  1. Tibor Kertes – Spencer Armstrong – 1:41:41.6
  1. Eric Grochowski – Leanne Junnila – 1:43:34.8
  2. Kris Schofield – Jennifer Daly – 1:44:58.5

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION - Canadian Association of Rally Sport offices : (905) 640-6444

 


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