Selon la chaîne CTV (Barre, ON), la vente de la piste de 1/3-mi voudrait dire que c'est fini. Les nouveaux proprios auraient d'ailleurs avisé qu'un communiqué serait fourni d'ici quelques jours.
Haussé la barre !!!
C'est ce que la série ACT a fait lors de son banquet samedi soir !
Non seulement la salle était très belle, le souper était excellent et aucun détail n'avait été laissé de côté. Une soirée organisée par main de maître par ACT , plus particulièrement par Sylvain Brouillette et sa conjointe Chantal.
La soirée a débuté avec une mention TRÈS spéciale pour la compagnie DGR afin d'honorer leur implication exceptionnelle dans le stock car québécois. Les 200 invités de la soirée applaudirent chaleureusement cette mention.
Série Procam Super Truck
Dans la série Procam Super Truck, Charles Harvey, qui a terminé 3ième au championnat, a reçu le titre de Mister Excitement 2014. Marc-Antoine Demers, 2ième au championnat, a reçu le trophée du plus beau show de Boucane. Joey Ladouceur, quant à lui, est Grand Champion de la saison 2014 et Recrue par excellence. L'équipe de Christian Provost est repartie avec l'honneur de l'équipe de l'année et Patrick Riendeau s'est mérité l'honneur du plus beau camion. Mention d'honneur à deux pilotes : Steve Lavigne et Dany Gariépy. Lussier Chevrolet a remporté la Coupe des concessionnaires. Joey Ladouceur semblait très touché de recevoir la Coupe Martin Goulet, remis au plus gentilhomme.
La Coupe Rhéal Carpentier, remise à l'ambassadeur de la série, a été remis à l'équipe 422 pour leur implication exceptionnelle en piste et hors piste.
Série ACT
Du côté de l'ACT, Gaétan Gaudreault en 11ième position, Dave Coursol en 9ième position et Recrue par excellence, Claude Leclerc en 8ième position et Patrick Boyer en 7ième position, sont venus chercher leurs plaques alors que Donald Theetge 6ième position était retenu à l'extérieur. La cinquième, la quatrième et troisième position appartiennent respectivement à Patrick Cliche, Martin Goulet Jr et Jonathan Bouvrette qui ont aussi reçu une plaque commémorant leur position au championnat 2014. Vice Champion, Dany Trépanier est venu sur scène pour s'adresser à M. Curley ainsi qu'à ses confrères de l'ACT. Louis et Denis Larue sont venus chercher le grand trophée de Champion accompagné de leur excellent pilote, Alex Labbé. Steven Duguay était très fier de recevoir le titre de Chef d'équipe de l'année.
Parmi les surprises de la soirée, il y avait un hommage bien mérité et bien accueilli pour M. Tom Curley.
ACT Canada a décidé de présenter pour la toute première fois la Coupe Tom Curley, afin de graver dans le temps la mémoire de M. Curley. Celle-ci sera remise annuellement à un pilote ou à une personnalité qui aura été à la fois ambassadeur et représentant hors pair pour le stock car québécois. Visiblement ému, M. Curley a lui-même remis la Coupe portant son nom à Jonathan Bouvrette, ému et très touché, celui-ci a été chaudement applaudi par ses pairs. Jonathan Bouvrette et Alex Labbé ont aussi reçu des prix de Bassett Wheel, VP Fuelet Five Star Race CarBody.
Parmi les invités d'honneur, M. Curley et sa conjointe Darla, Bill Fitzgerald de l'ACT, Philippe Brasseur de Pole Position, Jonathan Gagné d'Affichage.ca, Dany Gagnon et Diane Bérubé de DGR, Pierre Lafrance de webmestre ACT, Denis Paquet d'Amsoil, Guillaume et Jean Bergeron du Riverside Speedway, André Poulain de l'autodrome Chaudière et finalement Marc Valois du RPQ, qui fait un travail remarquable pour l'ACT.
La soirée s'est terminée aux petites heures du matin sur la musique de l'excellent DJ Gilles Caplan.
Communiqué pour diffusion Immédiate
Le 23 janvier 2015
Un regard vers le développement et le futur
Le nouveau promoteur de l'Autodrome Chaudière 2014 inc, M. André Poulin, continue de mettre tout en œuvre pour faire de 2015 une saison exceptionnelle.
Avec l'expertise des officiels de la populaire série DMCC, nous avons conçus ce qui sera le nouveau tracé pour la venue de cette grande série de Drift canadienne dans l'enceinte de l'Autodrome.
Cette nouvelle portion de tracé donnera aussi à l'Autodrome Chaudière une polyvalence qui permettra d'avoir plusieurs tracés différents pour les jeudis « Beauce Lapping Night », la venue des Mini Sportsman Québec en circuit routier, de la CKAS en karting et du Club Auto Sport Delta.
Cette nouvelle amélioration permettra aussi d'organiser certaines journées Drift Day amateur pour développer la relève de ce sport au Québec. Plus de détails à venir dans les prochaines semaines.
Selon les dires de M. Poulin, cet nouvel aménagement donnera aussi la possibilité de peut-être ajouter du karting de location à l'Autodrome Chaudière à court ou moyen terme.
Marie-Claude Levasseur, Relationniste
Thunder Road Stars Ready to Head South FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ACT-012215-6 Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour roster for the events at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach, Florida on Sunday through Tuesday, February 15-17 features several drivers from Barre's Thunder Road International Speedbowl. East Montpelier's Emily Packard, Montpelier's Josh Demers and Milton's Eric Chase will all make the journey south in just under a month. Veteran Thunder Road Late Model competitor Chase is the only one of the three with experience at the fast half-mile. Back in 2008, Chase claimed a feature win at New Smyrna in the opening event of the "World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing." He was also competed in the first time ACT visited New Smyrna Speedway in February of 2011. Packard is coming off of her second full season of Late Model competition at Thunder Road and her first full season on the ACT Tour. Her success on the Tour, highlighted by her 4th place finish in the final standings shows her talent in the long distance events and her abundance of experience at the Devil's Bowl and Airborne half-miles should help her with the learning curve at New Smyrna. Former Tiger competitor Demers claimed second in the Late Model Rookie Standings in 2014. He had a tremendous rookie season highlighted by a podium finish in just the third event of the season. The length of New Smyrna will be an adjustment, but he should feel right at home on the highbanks. The American Canadian Tour will run three 100-lap events at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna Beach Florida. The first will be a stand alone race on Sunday, February 15, along with the season opening K&N East Series event. The American Racer Challenge Cup is still a two-day event with twin 100-lap races held on Monday and Tuesday, February 16-17, 2015. Combined finishes from the Monday and Tuesday events will decide the overall American Racer Challenge Cup winner. For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, media@acttour.com, or visitacttour.com. -30-
Nick Robinson Moves To PASS South Super Late Models Full-Time In 2015
- For Immediate Release
CHARLOTTE, NC (January 22) – Pro All Stars Series (PASS) Pro Late Model veteran Nick Robinson plans to make the move up to compete full-time in the PASS South Super Late Model division in 2015. The move comes following a solid year in 2014 which saw Robinson score his first career PASS Pro Late Model win at Hickory Motor Speedway in September and finish fifth in the final standings.
"Our goals for 2015 are to finish in the top-10 throughout the year and run consistently at each track," said Robinson, who is still seeking additional sponsorship for his family owned team. "I know I will be running against some tough competition and I can't wait to be a part of it all."
The 13-year-old native of Clayton, NC, has shown consistent improvement since he started competing in the PASS Pro Late Model division in 2012. Despite several strong runs early in 2014, Robinson was plagued by a variety of problems that kept him out of victory lane. That all changed in September at Hickory with a dominating performance as Robinson captured his first career checkered flag. An emotional win that proved not only popular with Robinson's friends and family, but his competitors as well.
"The win at Hickory was big to me and my team because we were consistently fast at all of the races leading up to Hickory, we just never had them finish out the way we wanted them to," says Robinson. "When the race was done, it was an awesome feeling to wave the checkered flag and celebrate with everyone who made it happen."
Prior to that event at Hickory, though, Robinson actually made his PASS South Super Late Model debut at South Boston Speedway in August. Robinson qualified well and was knocking on the door of the top-10 when a mechanical problem sidelined him and relegated him to a 24th place finish.
"Well the biggest difference to me was the power and weight of the car," said Robinson. "I could definitely feel the difference in the speed at South Boston, which is an awesome track to have my debut at. Last year was a great learning experience for me. I had fun learning how to set up my car and make the proper changes to improve the car at the track."
The Nick Robinson Racing team recently purchased a brand new chassis from Robert Hamke of Hamke Race Cars & Parts and plans to begin testing in the coming weeks.
The PASS South Super Late Model division will be kicking off the 2015 season on Saturday, March 7 at Dillon Motor Speedway as part of the 10th Annual South Carolina Clash. Please visit ProAllStarsSeries.com for more information.
The Pro All Stars Series is recognized as North America's premier sanctioning body for asphalt Super Late Models and boasts such marquee events as the legendary Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway and PASS South's Easter Bunny 150 at the historic Hickory Motor Speedway. For technical information concerning all PASS divisions please send questions to passracing@roadrunner.com. For media or marketing questions, please contact Alan Dietz at 704-231-2039or alandietzpass@live.com. And, don't forget to "Like" the Pro All Stars Series on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @PASSSLM14 to keep up with breaking news as it happens.
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Ingersoll Rand Expands Relationship With Racing Community,
Becomes 'Official Power Tools of NASCAR'
Multi-Faceted Agreement Makes Company an Official Partner of IMSA /
Contingency Sponsor in NASCAR Touring & Weekly Series
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 22, 2015) — NASCAR® and Ingersoll Rand, a global leader in reliable and innovative power tools, today announced a multi-year partnership designating Ingersoll Rand as the "Official Power Tools of NASCAR." An innovator in tool technology, Ingersoll Rand products have been a staple in NASCAR garages for more than 50 years.
The multi-faceted agreement also designates Ingersoll Rand as an Official Partner of the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) and as a contingency sponsor of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NASCAR Touring & Weekly Series.
"Ingersoll Rand has been rooted in racing for decades and this renewed relationship celebrates the tireless work of pit crew mechanics and passionate race fans across all levels of racing," said John Evans, president of power tools at Ingersoll Rand. "We know how important tool performance is in racing – if your tools perform, your vehicle performs. We are now putting high-performance Ingersoll Rand tools into the hands of the best auto technicians in the world while engaging fans who have a passion for cars."
NASCAR technicians are recognized as being among the most qualified in the automotive industry, and they demand high performance tools. According to a recent study commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Research Now, more than half (52 percent) of automotive professionals (i.e. technicians, service managers, etc.) are NASCAR fans. The same study also revealed that more than half (52 percent) of automotive professionals associate NASCAR products with high performance.
As part of this integrated partnership, Ingersoll Rand will be at the track each weekend providing expert tool support, service, new tool demonstrations for pit crews and will offer fans the opportunity to try tools first hand. Additionally, Ingersoll Rand will launch its Home Tracks Text-to-Win contest for fans at tracks throughout the season. Fans will have opportunities to win an Ingersoll Rand prize pack and meet-and-greets with pit crews and other high-profile racing and automotive personalities.
"Ingersoll Rand, a global brand that has a rich history in NASCAR, understands how to utilize our sport to effectively connect with the racing community," said Jim O'Connell, chief sales officer, NASCAR. "The new partnership reinforces their desire to engage fans across all levels of our sport and we are proud to welcome them to our family of Official NASCAR Partners."
The NASCAR contingency programs foster strong relationships between competitors and the high-quality, performance-driven brands in the program, by providing prize money for each race and at the end of each racing season. Competitors become eligible for the money by displaying partner decals on their race vehicles. As a sponsor of the contingency program, Ingersoll Rand will celebrate and reward the work of pit crew mechanics each week during the NASCAR Sprint Cup season and at select Home Tracks throughout the year with prize money and tools.
Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday morning that this will be Jeff Gordon's final season competing for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship.
The four-time champion announced the news to his No. 24 team Thursday, saying he hesitated using the word "retirement" as he enters his 23rd and final full-time season.
"As a race car driver, much of what I've done throughout my life has been based on following my instincts and trying to make good decisions," Gordon said in a release provided by the team. "I thought long and hard about my future this past year and during the offseason, and I've decided 2015 will be the last time I compete for a championship. I won't use the 'R-word' because I plan to stay extremely busy in the years ahead, and there's always the possibility I'll compete in selected events, although I currently have no plans to do that."
Gordon, 43, signed a lifetime contract in 1999 with team owner Rick Hendrick, who first brought him into stock-car racing's big leagues at the end of the 1992 season. He scored four victories in last season's resurgent campaign, bringing his career victory total to 92, third-most on NASCAR's all-time list. The rest of his stellar portfolio -- including three Daytona 500 wins and a record five Brickyard 400 victories -- boasts all the credentials for automatic first-ballot induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Gordon had joked ahead of the 2014 season that he would retire on the spot if he were to claim his fifth title, but his rejuvenating run deep into the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup playoffs seemed to quell any retirement buzz. On Thursday, Gordon said that while his driving days may be coming to a close, he'll continue to stay active in the sport.
"I don't foresee a day when I'll ever step away from racing," said Gordon, who is a part-owner of Hendrick's No. 48 team driven by teammate Jimmie Johnson. "I'm a fan of all forms of motor sports, but particularly NASCAR. We have a tremendous product, and I'm passionate about the business and its future success. As an equity owner in Hendrick Motorsports, I'm a partner with Rick (Hendrick) and will remain heavily involved with the company for many years to come.
"It means so much to have the chance to continue working with the owner who took a chance on me and the incredible team that's stood behind me every step of the way."
Gordon first caught Hendrick's eye in what is now the NASCAR XFINITY Series in March 1992 atAtlanta Motor Speedway, with the veteran team owner marveling about the young driver's car control, even as he seemed on the brink of losing control. Eight months later, Gordon made his debut for Hendrick at the same Georgia track in what signaled a passing of the torch in the NASCAR driver ranks. King Richard Petty said farewell in his final NASCAR start, and Gordon -- who cut his teeth through the sprint-car circuit -- said hello to the world of stock-car racing, paving the way for what became a dynasty for the rest of the decade.
"There's simply no way to quantify Jeff's impact," Hendrick said in the team release. "He's one of the biggest sports stars of a generation, and his contributions to the success and growth of NASCAR are unsurpassed. There's been no better ambassador for stock car racing and no greater representation of what a champion should be. I will never be able to properly express the respect and admiration I have for Jeff and how meaningful our relationship is to me. I'm so grateful for everything he's done for our company and my family, and I look forward to many more years together as friends and business partners."
Peterborough Speedway Officials Fine Tune the 2015 Schedule
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
With the region locked in the grip of the annual January cold snap, most people are thinking of ways to stay warm, instead of focusing on a season of action at Canada's Toughest 3rd of a Mile Paved Oval. The new campaign takes the green flag in about 4 month's time and the promotional team at Peterborough Speedway is putting the finishing touches on an exciting agenda.
With a handful of regular divisions tackling the tight, tricky bullring on Mount Pleasant Road west of the Liftlock City, fans can also look forward to performances by the OSCAAR Super Late Models, Modifieds and Midgets. The Ontario Legends, Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup, Ontario Modifieds Racing Series and Can Am TQ Midgets will also join the home track Late Model, Thunder Car, Renegade Truck, Mini Stock and 4Fun classes.
For 2015, an appearance by the United Late Models of Ontario as part of their inaugural schedule will compliment Peterborough Speedway's weekly wars. Track owner and promoter J.P. Josiasse says putting together an active calendar of events is all about giving the fans what they want.
"Looking back at what we were able to accomplish in 2014 leaves some pretty big shoes to fill this year," said Josiasse. "The car counts were strong and fans saw some excellent racing in every division throughout the season. We had a number of first time feature winners, a 14 year-old driver won a track championship, a pair of hometown favourites – Griffin Powell, who finished 10th in the 4Fun standings and Late Model track champion Ryan Kimball – claimed Autumn Colours Classic checkered flags and there were only 2 shows lost due to weather. That sets the bar very high, but as a team I think we're up for the challenge."
Josiasse says he's heard from some drivers who'll be changing divisions or landing new rides when the year's first green flag waves. There will be also a former track champion making a return to battle after a brief layoff. Further updates will come over the next couple of months.
Fans will get their first official look at the 2015 event line-up when the Peterborough Speedway display will be featured at the first ever Canadian International Motorama Custom Car and Motorsports Expo – Friday, Saturdayand Sunday, March 13th to 15th – at the International Centre in Toronto.
Fans can always find the latest pre-season news and details of upcoming mall displays atwww.peterboroughspeedway.com or by liking the track on Facebook or following it on Twitter. You can also download the free Peterborough Speedway app on your Smartphone.
Photo attachment: Peterborough Speedway archive
Three times each season, Peterborough Speedway hosts Toonie Grandstand Admission/Fan Appreciation Nights – presented by Pepsi – where spectators have the chance to meet the drivers.
Prepared by: Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
André Poulin veut rendre les pratiques accessibles à tous
Dans le but de permettre l'amélioration des pilotes, le promoteur André Poulin a décidé de rendre accessible et ce, sur une base régulière, la piste de l'Autodrome Chaudière à des coûts abordables, et selon un horaire pré déterminé.
En effet, tel que vous pourrez le constater en consultant la section Évènements/Calendrier sur le site internet de l'Autodrome, se tiendra tous les mercredis à compter du 6 mai, aux deux semaines, des séances de pratiques de 18h à 21h00 pour toutes les catégories.
Au coût de 20$ par voiture, les pilotes pourront venir tester leurs ajustements ou simplement prendre de l'aisance avec leur voiture. Seules les voitures de même classe et/ou catégorie seront mise en piste en même temps et selon des temps accordés afin de rendre le tout disponible à un plus grand nombre de personnes possible.
Pour ceux qui veulent assister à ces séances, l'entrée sera gratuite. De plus, dans la section des puits, le service de restauration sera mis à votre disposition en tout temps.
Il y aura aussi la possibilité, pour ceux qui le désire, de faire la location privée de la piste en contactant André Poulin et ce, selon les disponibilités; premier arrivée, premier servi !
Pour toutes informations supplémentaires, n'hésitez pas à communiquer avec nous soit par courriel àandre.poulin@seriesportsman.ca ou par téléphone au 581-998-7388.
Wendell Scott: Legend, Trailblazer … and NASCAR Hall of Famer
Scott's Legacy a Story of Perseverance, Excellence
(Note: This release is part of a series in advance of the 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Jan. 30, broadcast live at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, Motor Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio. Bill Elliott, Fred Lorenzen, Wendell Scott, Joe Weatherly and Rex White are the five 2015 inductees.)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 19, 2015) – During a 13-year premier series career, Wendell Scott likely never considered he was making NASCAR history. The Virginian's sole concern was getting to the next race on a miniscule budget.
Scott wasn't the only driver to struggle financially. The odds of making a good living racing stock cars were long in the 1960s and early 1970s when purses were small, large sponsors unheard of and manufacturer support came and went with the turning of the calendar's pages.
But Scott faced a challenge not shared by his fellow competitors: that of an African-American battling to succeed in a still-segregated society.
Measured against that backdrop, Scott succeeded admirably. He became the first – and to date, only – black driver to win a premier series race, at Jacksonville, Florida, in 1963. He made 495 starts to rank 37th on the series' all-time list, posting 147 top-10 finishes, more than 25% of the races he entered. Scott finished four times among the top 10 in driver championship standings including a sixth in 1966.
While most of Scott's success came on shorter tracks, he logged superspeedway top 10s at Atlanta, Charlotte, Daytona Beach, Dover and Darlington. He twice finished seventh in Atlanta Motor Speedway's Dixie 400 – in 1966 finishing ahead of NASCAR Hall of Famers Buck Baker, Bobby Allison and fellow 2015 inductee Rex White. Scott also finished seventh in a Daytona 500 qualifying race – which at the time carried premier series championship points.
Scott was singular of purpose, owning and preparing the cars which carried the No. 34. His Chevrolets and Fords were second hand. Without sponsorship, Scott couldn't afford to hire a pit crew, which usually was comprised of his sons. Tires and spare parts were cast offs from other teams.
Scott, however, never used that as excuse to give less than 100 percent. He finished 321 of his 495 starts.
"We weren't allowed to use the words 'can't' and 'never.' He didn't believe in those words," said Franklin Scott, one of Scott's seven children and a member of his father's pit crew. "He instilled in everybody he met that if you're willing to work and do the things necessary to be successful, you can be successful."
"If he had had the proper equipment, I believe he would have been a winner a lot of times," said 1960 premier series champion White, sentiments echoed by NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett, a two-time premier series champion.
"If he'd had the equipment or financial backing that I and others had, he would have won more races," said Jarrett in a 2009 story published in the New York Times.
Former Charlotte Motor Speedway president H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, quoted in the same article, said Scott "was obviously a much better driver than the record shows."
Wendell Oliver Scott was born Aug. 29, 1921 in Danville, Virginia. His father was an expert mechanic, a trade the young Scott quickly learned. After serving in Europe during World War II, Scott returned home to become a taxi driver, who also transported illegal whiskey. He competed in his first race at the Danville fairgrounds winning $50. Over the next decade Scott won more than 100 sportsman and modified stock car races as well as the Virginia State Sportsman championship.
Scott made his NASCAR premier series debut at age 39 on March 4, 1961 at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina, driving a year-old Chevrolet purchased from Baker. He continued as a series regular until 1973, his career ended by an accident at Talladega Superspeedway.
Scott's signature victory in the Dec. 1, 1963 race at Jacksonville's Speedway Park in the third event of the 1964 season was fraught with controversy. Scott, who started 15th, initially was listed as finishing third behind Baker, who took part in victory circle ceremonies and headed for home with the race trophy. A subsequent scoring re-check found Scott actually had finished two laps ahead of Baker.
"I knew I'd passed Buck … three times and only made one pit stop for gas and didn't lose a lap," said Scott, who led the final 27 laps after frontrunner Richard Petty slowed with steering problems. "I knew I had won."
In 1990, Scott lost a battle to cancer at age 69. In January 2013 Scott was awarded his own historical marker in Danville, proclaiming in part, "Persevering over prejudice and discrimination, Scott broke racial barriers in NASCAR."
Scott previously was inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
Le #33R Rémi Perreault entamera sa 4e saison sous une note positive
Rémi Perreault est assurément un des pilotes le plus apprécié de ces co-équipiers. Il le dit lui-même; il peut compter sur les doigts d'une main les pilotes qui ne lui ont pas donné un coup de pouce depuis son arrivée avec la Série Sportsman Québec. C'est non seulement une personne vraiment sympathique mais aussi un pilote très respectueux en piste et dans les puits.
Le pilote de Joliette a débuté sur la piste de l'Autodrome Saint-Eustache en 2009. « J'ai commencé, en allant voir des courses avec ma conjointe Marie-Andrée. On a parlé avec du monde qu'elle connaissait là-bas et le lendemain, je me suis acheté un Camaro. Pas le bon modèle, pas le bon moteur et sans « frame » mais bon, je connaissais strictement rien en mécanique! Ça m'a pris 2 ans monter tout ca avec tous les coûts que ca implique.» nous raconte Rémi.
Il se rappelle encore de la nervosité qu'il avait lors de sa première course et surtout de son déroulement! Premier tour de pratique, le moteur chauffait; deuxième pratique perte d'huile et après seulement quelques tours de piste en course, un accrochage qui l'a mené directement dans le muret et qui a occasionné plusieurs bris sur la voiture. Malgré tout, il se souvient que les gens étaient tellement gentils et l'ont beaucoup aidé ce qui lui a donné la piqure. Il terminera malgré tous ses déboires Recrue de l'année. Pour sa deuxième année, il fait l'acquisition d'une toute nouvelle voiture, prête pour les courses cette fois !!! C'est à sa troisième saison, en 2011, qu'il accèdera à son premier podium.
C'est à la fin de cette saison, suite à des rumeurs d'associations entre les Série Sportsman Québec et Sportsman ASE qu'il achète son tout premier Sportsman Québec. « C'était un coup de tête, 10 minutes au téléphone et c'était règlé » souligne-t-il.
Pourquoi la Série Sportsman Québec?
La participation au GP3R et le fait de rouler sur plusieurs pistes en plus de suivre la Série ACT LMS ont pesé dans la balance pour son choix. Il est certain qu'il aurait aimé pour la saison 2015 que la Série visite davantage de piste près de chez lui mais reste confiant pour les années à venir.
Son cheminement en Sportsman Québec
Les deux premières années ont été une période d'apprentissage; les pistes, les réglages, courir avec un signaleur, les balances, ect… « C'est pas innée chez moi, les lignes de course, les freinage et les sortis de courbes pour être au maximum de la voiture, de très bon pilote, de grosse équipe, c'est pas facile à suivre » précise Rémi.
Quant en 2014 il débute l'année avec une voiture flambant neuve avec comme objectif premier de s'y adapter. Formant équipe avec sa conjointe Marie-Andrée et à de rares occasions avec un mécanicien il va s'en dire que pour lui, sa 8ieme position au GP3R ainsi que le prix du Hard Charger pour le pilote ayant fait le plus de dépassement positif lors de cette course ont été une victoire. Avec ce premier top 10, son objectif était atteint !
Pour 2015, il désire finir toutes ses courses et le plus souvent possible dans le top 10. Si on y ajoutait un ou deux top 5, ce serait mission accomplie! On le voit, ça transparait, pour lui les courses, c'est une place où il s'amuse, où il jase avec les gens mais il sait aussi qu'il doit apprendre à prendre sa place en piste. Il se réjouit du succès de ses amis et se remémorent avec joie le premier podium de son ami #4 Stéphane Fournier lors du GP3R. Il retire autant de plaisir dans la victoire des autres ainsi que dans le fait de « challenger » avec un pilote pour la 15e position tout comme si c'était pour la 3e position! Des pilotes avec autant d'esprit d'équipe, y'en a pas des tonnes !
On ne peut que te souhaiter une excellente saison 2015 Rémi.
Marie-Claude Levasseur, Relationniste
Back in August of this year Sprint, NASCAR premier series long time title sponsor, appointed Bolivian American Marcelo Claure as CEO. Shortly after it wad announced Sprint wad pulling out from sponsoring NASCAR. Many speculate, his soccer background (he owns a professional team and he is a member of the FIFA board) will see Sprint "send" its advertizing dollars that way.
In January, world renown Banana and salad producer, Chiquita, announced it would relicate from the NASCAR Hall of fame building, after moving in only in 2011. The Brazillian company wants to move its headquarters closer to his source and to consumers.
Adios NASCAR
Brandt Graham is Ready to Blaze New Racing Trails for 2015
By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications/First Draft Media
Young people have the world figured out. They influence the latest trends, understand technology that completely confuses most adults and throw around terms like snap-chat, selfie, hash-tag and tumbler with ease in part of their everyday conversation.
When it comes to his racing career, Brandt Graham has proven that he's not only a quick racer but also a fast learner. After 3 seasons at the controls of a Mini Stock at Peterborough and Kawartha Speedways, the talented teenager from Orono, Ontario will take his first green flag of the 2015 season behind the wheel of a Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup Series ride. The second generation speedster – who attends grade 11 at Clarke High School – says when the chance to move into a new division came along, he jumped at the opportunity.
"I wanted to move into a different class, but also continue to learn and develop as a racer," said the youngster during a break at the team's shop. "The Sportsman Cup Series has a schedule that will let me see some diverse tracks and compete in a bigger, heavier and faster car against some more experienced drivers. That can only serve to sharpen my skills and further my racing education."
For his maiden voyage in the travelling series, Brandt Graham will strap-in behind the controls of a car that was campaigned in 2014 by Jake Ott. The ride is currently being prepped by the Graham Racing crew, in anticipation of the opening show of the 7 event calendar – Saturday, May 9th – at Full Throttle Motor Speedway at Durham, Ontario. One of the biggest adjustments on the horizon for Graham will be the races themselves. LOSC shows consist of on-track practice, timed qualifying and a 100 lap main event. That's 4 times longer than any feature tilt he's ever logged before. The 16 year old runner says he's counting down the days until his debut with a high level of nervous anticipation.
"Right now, there's a lot the team doesn't know but I'm confident that things will quickly fall into place," said Graham. "The car is a proven piece and we've stripped-off the body panels and checked over the chassis since it arrived here about a month before Christmas. Our new marketing package will be ready shortly and we'll announce some new sponsorship partners, paint scheme and the number we'll be running in a month or so. Then, it'll only be a matter of time 'til the first green flag of the season."
With a bright future ahead of him and a lifetime of choices to consider, Brandt Graham is still contemplating his long-term career path. He's taking each event as it comes along through the new campaign and looks forward to building the Graham Racing brand throughout the year.
Fans, family and friends can follow the team throughout the 2015 season by visiting www.facebook.com/Graham-98-Racing. For a copy of Brandt Graham's 2015 marketing prospectus, contact graham.98@hotmail.com .
Stone, Pierson top honorees at Banquet of Champions
For Immediate Release DBS-011615-1
WEST HAVEN, VT – Champion stock car drivers and top performers will be honored in Rutland, VT on Saturday, January 31, as Devil's Bowl Speedway officially wraps its 2014 season at the Banquet of Champions at the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington. Nine drivers will collect championship hardware as many others are recognized for their achievements.
Todd Stone of Middlebury, VT will be presented with awards for his second straight track championship in the Bond Auto Parts Modified division. Stone's four-win season topped all others in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series program at the facility's asphalt half-mile oval. Sportsman Modified racer Adam Pierson of Bradford, VT will be crowned the inaugural champion of the new Dirt Track at Devil's Bowl, a one-third-mile clay oval located in the infield of the asphalt track.
Other champions in NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action include Late Model ace Jamie Fisher of Shelburne, VT, Robert Gordon of Milton, VT in the Renegade class, and Addison, VT's Chuck Bradford in the Central Vermont Motorcycles Mini Stock division. Fisher and Bradford are first-time champions at Devil's Bowl, while Gordon backs up his first title from 2012.
Bill Duprey of Hydeville, VT will take top honors in the Renegade division for The Dirt Track as Rob Gioia of East Thetford, VT grabs the brass ring for the Mini Stock group.
In other series sanctioned by Devil's Bowl Speedway, Jessey Mueller of Olmstedville, NY will be recognized as the champion of the Northern Modified Challenge Series after a three-win run, and Eric Messier of Hinesburg, VT will make it two in a row as champion of the entry-level Enduro Series.
Several special awards will be given including Devil's Bowl Speedway's top honor, the John Bruno Award, for a person or group who has made a significant contribution to short track racing during their lifetime while maintaining high standards of conduct and respect. Other awards include Rookie of the Year, Sportsmanship, and Most Improved Driver trophies in each of the four NASCAR Whelen All-American Series divisions, the annual Award of Excellence, and the annual Dedication Award. Sponsor awards will also be presented on behalf of Five Star Race Car Bodies, Bond Auto Parts, and Shiley Fabrication.
Tickets for the Devil's Bowl Speedway the Banquet of Champions are available until Friday, January 23 by calling (802) 265-3112 or visiting www.DevilsBowlSpeedwayVT.com. For hotel information including room reservations, contact the Holiday Inn Rutland/Killington toll-free at 1-800-462-4810 or visit www.hivermont.com.
Devil's Bowl Speedway is on Facebook at facebook.com/DevilsBowlSpeedway and on Twitter and Instagram at @DevilsBowlSpeed; follow the action using the #DevilsBowl hashtag.
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