Thursday, December 29, 2005

DERHAAG MOTORSPORTS RETURNS TO DAYTONA WITH A VENGEANCE IN GRAND AMERICAN ROLEX SPORTS CAR SERIES

Courtesy Christy Moynihan, Derhaag Motorsports

SHAKOPEE, MN (December 29, 2005) -–Derhaag Motorsports has announced its full time entry into the Daytona Prototype category of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series Association. No stranger to the series, having qualified on the GTS pole for the 2003 Rolex 24 at Daytona, the team has signed top drivers Chris Bingham and Randy Ruhlman to drive the #40 Preformed Line Products Pontiac Riley. The team has added racecar engineer Buddy Fey and has slated top Chevrolet factory driver Ron Fellows to complete the driver lineup for the longer races.

"I am thrilled to have the whole team returning this year, with some excellent additions,” says team owner Jim Derhaag. “Last year, everything jelled. The crew worked hard, Randy won races; things just clicked. My team has raced in the Trans Am Series since 1982, and obviously, we are very saddened to see that Series go away. This move to Grand American with the Daytona Prototype is a milestone for us. The series is growing rapidly, and the knowledge and experience within Grand-Am is phenomenal. These cars have state-of-the-art technology and are driven by world-class drivers. We are excited to have such a great driver lineup for this year, with Randy and Chris as our full time drivers for 2006, and Ron coming in for the longer races. We are very excited about our future here!”

“We had a great year in 2005 in Trans-Am, but we've also been looking at Grand American for a while now," said Ruhlman, driver of the 2005 #49 Preformed Line Products Corvette for Derhaag Motorsports. "We were all set to run for the Trans-Am Championship this year, but when things collapsed at the last minute with Champ Car and Trans-Am, Jim Derhaag found a great opportunity for the team to move up to the Daytona Prototypes. The Rolex Series is a series that seems to be a natural for Derhaag Motorsports. They have the teamwork, exceptional organization, and a well-deserved reputation for putting together fast, reliable cars that give their drivers every chance of winning. That's exactly what it takes to succeed at these long races. This format will be a new experience for me and I'm excited to be teamed up with a driver of Chris' caliber.”

Joining Derhaag Motorsports after several successful seasons in Grand American is Chris Bingham, the 2001 and 2002 Rolex Series GTS Champion. “Following a turbulent season both owning and driving the #15 CB Motorsports Pontiac Riley and never quite reaching the levels of performance and results I felt we were capable of, this new opportunity is a welcome relief. I am in this series to race and to win and that is all,” said Bingham. “Owning the team last year distracted me from my goals and it became apparent I needed someone to handle the car and team and let me focus on the track. Jim and Derhaag Motorsports are the perfect fit for me, as they have such a strong reputation and pedigree. I have no doubt that 2006 will prove to be far more satisfying than last year. Driving with Randy and Ron next year will be a real treat and will undoubtedly help me push my game to a new level. Working with Jim, Buddy and the entire crew will be a privilege and I look forward to a successful and enjoyable 2006 season. I’d also like to thank KeyBank, McDonald Financial Group, Centurion Financial Group, Park Place Ltd, and Gatorz eyewear for their support this coming year.”

Bingham, of Bellevue, Washington, is a professional racing driver with an impressive resume and years of experience. He has competed in the Busch Grand National Series, open wheel racing in Indy Lights as well as IRL and has extensive endurance racing experience. As a two-time Rolex Sports Car Series GTS champion, Bingham was nominated as one of the "Best Road Racers of the Year" in 2002. He made his return to full time Rolex Series racing in 2004, piloting the #15 CB Motorsports car, before joining the Derhaag Motorsports team for 2006.

Ruhlman was the 2005 Trans-Am winner of the Long Beach Grand Prix and Cleveland Grand Prix races, was named the 2005 BBS "Most Improved Driver of the Year", and was runner up for the 2005 Trans-Am Drivers' Championship. Ruhlman, hailing from Greensboro, North Carolina, has extensive racing experience, predominantly in road racing in the Trans-Am Series, as well as in IMSA, ASA and the NASCAR short track series.

Fellows, a veteran racer of many series, including NASCAR Nextel Cup, American Le Mans and Trans-Am, is a factory driver for Chevrolet and no stranger to 24-hour endurance racing. Fellows was an overall winner in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2001 with the factory Corvette team, as well as winning at Le Mans in GTS in 2001 and 2002. Fellows brings vast experience to the team for the longer venues and will be joining the effort for those races during the season, the first being the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The driver lineup will be complemented by the addition of new team engineer, Buddy Fey. Fey brings to the team a wealth of knowledge and racing experience, as well as an unsurpassed expertise in these technically demanding Daytona Prototype cars.

Competition Tire Canada posts Goodyear Racing Tire Contingency for PMRA Teams

Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations

December 27, 2005, Niagara on the Lake, ON – Competition Tire Canada will be posting Goodyear Racing Tire contingency awards at each series event for 2006, the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, is pleased to announce.

“The PMRA has proven itself to be a winner in a short time,” explained Craig Fairchild of Competition Tire. “We want to be a part of this, and we will pay a contingency award to the low qualifier and winner of each event if they are running Goodyear Racing Tires.”

Goodyear's racing heritage reaches back almost to the very first car race at the turn of the 20th century. In those early years auto makers were just beginning to see the wide-open possibilities of a sport called automobile racing. From then until now -- with one major interruption -- Goodyear's enthusiastic involvement with motorsports has grown as fast as the size of the crowds. The company produces more than one-half million tires a year for races of all kinds, all over the world.

“Goodyear has won more racing championships than any other tire company in the world,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “I have known the Fairchilds and Competition Tire for over 20 years and their company has a major history with motorsport. Having them involved in the PMRA series is very exciting news.”

Competition Tire Canada is one of Canada’s top auto racing suppliers. Based in the Niagara Peninsula, Competition Tire has been offering quality Goodyear products and service for over two decades in road course, oval track, and drag strip racing. For Information contact: 905.684.7418

At present, the PMRA has three events confirmed for the 2006 season, the KC Auto Parts Family Day Celebration at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON Saturday, June 24, and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, ON August 5 and 6 and at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

PMRA officials are in negotiations with several tracks at present for 2006, both eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, New York and Ohio with the plan of presenting a six -event drag racing series in 2006.

Ryan Litt Ready to Rumble

Courtesy Tommy Goudge, PR Manager

From Litt PR (December 27,2005) By Tommy Goudge - The 50th Annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne” indoor racing events are coming up on Thursday, December 29th and Friday December 30th, and once again Ryan Litt from Lyons, Ontario, Canada will be competing. Driving the same Eddie Griffith owned Ford Focus powered Beast chassis Midget car that he has driven in past indoor events, Ryan’s hopes are high for good finishes in each of the 2 nights.

Last year in this same event, Ryan ran very well and actually led more than 40 laps of the feature on the final night before traffic and brake problems slowed him down. NASCAR champion Tony Stewart will once again be returning to his roots and competing in this year’s edition of the historic indoor racing event, as will many other stars in the Midget racing world.

Where: Allen County Memorial Coliseum Expo Centre, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

What: Rumble Series “Rumble in Fort Wayne”, featuring the USAC National Midget Car Series.

When: Thursday December 29th and Friday December 30th.

Happy Holidays from Ryan Litt racing. Hope to see you in Fort Wayne! For more info, check out Ryan’s official website: www.RyanLitt.com.

Wednesday, December 28, 2005

World of Outlaws to Launch 2006 Season at Volusia Speedway Park's 35th Annual Winternationals

Norman, OK — Dec. 28, 2005 — By Chris Dolack, VP Public Relations Last season the World of Outlaws Sprint Series returned to Volusia Speedway Park for the first time since the early 1980s.

On Feb. 9, the Mean 15 will return to drop the green flag on the World of Outlaws 2006 race to the championship as part of the half-mile facility’s 35th Annual Winternationals.

Led by 2005 stars Craig Dollansky, Terry McCarl, Daryn Pittman, Donny Schatz and Brooke Tatnell, the Outlaws 2006 season promises to be one of the most competitive in history as it enters its 29th year of thrilling fans from coast to coast.

With Volusia only a little more than 30 minutes from Daytona Beach, Fla., and all of the racing action on Florida’s Atlantic coast, fans no doubt will be the biggest winners during Speed Weeks, especially considering the schedule of events.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Series highlights the first week of racing at the Volusia dirt track, but the action will be nearly non-stop for two weeks beginning Feb. 7 when the All Star Circuit of Champions sprint car series opens the event.

The All Stars will sanction races Feb. 7-8 and Feb. 11-12.

The World of Outlaws Sprint Series takes over Feb. 9-10 before the UMP super late models invade for races Feb. 13-15 and again on Feb. 17.

The UMP modifieds will be the busiest during the two weeks, running events nightly from Feb. 7 through Feb. 14.

The Advance Auto Parts Modified Super DIRT Series will run Feb. 15-18 and the World of Outlaws Late Model Series will highlight the second weekend of action with events on Feb. 16 and the finale on Feb. 18.

“No matter what type of cars you like to watch race, you’ll probably see them compete at Volusia in February,” said DIRT MotorSports Vice President and CFO Brian Carter.

“The action seems as if it’s non-stop night after night, day after day. For some it will be the first chance to really shake down their cars for the 2006 season, but for some of the sprint car drivers it will just be a continuation of everything they’ve been doing around the world during the winter.”

Several of the Outlaws national touring drivers already are making headlines as they gear up for 2006. In the past three days alone, Brooke Tatnell, Daryn Pittman and Donny Schatz have earned victories in Australia while Craig Dollansky drove to Victory Lane on Dec. 17 in New Zealand.

DIRT MotorSports and the World of Outlaws Sprint Series continue to shape the 2006 schedule and look forward to the series’ 29th year of bringing the best collection of sprint car racers from coast to coast for what will no doubt be one of the most competitive seasons in series history.

CAPITAL CITY SPEEDWAY: New website


Arnie Malcolm, the new (and past) promoter of Capital City Speedway (formerly Ottodrome), sent us a link to the track's new website.

The site contains news and information regarding the Ottawa-area oval, including a note that 'Motor Mouth' Brian Goudge is returning as the announcer.

"ANOTHER PIECE TO THE PUZZLE, BRIAN GOUDGE WILL RETURN AS TRACK ANNOUNCER IN 2006: Well there doesn't seem to be a day that goes by that another piece to the puzzle doesn't fall into place, and another big piece did just that this past week. A person who for years was considered the voice of Capital City Speedway, Brian Goudge will return in 2006 as the track's official announcer. Brian worked as the announcer for many years, while Dave Booth ran the track and all through the time that Penny Bell was involved. Brian was not at the track for the last four years, but is very excited about coming back to the track he calls home. Brian who lives in Kanata, has kept busy announcing though as he is the track announcer at Brockville Speedway, a dirt track just outside Brockville, Ontario. He has also for the past 8-10 years been the official announcer for the Great American Race, which is owned by stock car icon Jack Roush. "Motor "Mouth which is his signature, spend most of his life as a school teacher, but is now retired or at least that's what he says, although you would never know that if you where to check his calendar. We believe that Brian will play an important role in helping us rebuild this famous Ottawa land mark, and yes I'm sure we will get a mention or two at Brockville Speedway every Saturday night, plus many other functions that Goudge is involved in. Our main goal right now is to get the word out, that Capital City Speedway is open for business and ready to rock and we believe that besides being a great announcer, Brian is also a great communicator and promoter of the sport of stock car racing. There is no question that right now everyone is looking forward to opening night 2006, and none more than the tracks "new" old" announcer."

New England NASCAR drivers Lepage and LaJoie to pilot bobsleds in Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, N.Y. – Northeast NASCAR fans will be especially happy to know that two native sons will join the action Jan. 5-7 when the Chevrolet Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge hits the ice at the Verizon Sports Complex in Lake Placid, N.Y.

     Kevin Lepage of Shelburne, Vt. and Randy LaJoie of Norwalk, Conn. have both committed to participating in the competition among 10 drivers that will raise money for the Bo-Dyn Bobsled Project. This research and development initiative, started in 1992 by Bodine, is striving to raise needed funds to keep the United States Men’s and Women’s Bobsled Teams at the forefront of international racing. And that includes the Winter Olympics.

      Lepage won over $1 million in 12 Cup starts in 2005. His top results were ninth in Daytona and 12th in Charlotte coming from start 43.

      LaJoie, two-time NASCAR Busch Series champion, was sixth at Talladega, seventh in Milwaukee and eighth in Las Vegas.

      Lepage is hoping that many of his Vermont fans will make the journey to Lake Placid. He was in his home state recently for the holidays and made several local appearances.

      “It will be a great experience in the sense that I have never been to Lake Placid,” said Lepage. “But growing up in Vermont, I was always intrigued by the sport of bobsledding. Most importantly though, I’m looking forward to supporting Geoff and his design project for the U.S. team.”

       In 1997, LaJoie rode in a bobsled with 2002 Salt Lake City bronze medalist Brian Shimer. He recently recalled that ride in Utah with the five-time Olympian.

       “I wanted to get out halfway down,” admitted LaJoie. “It was a different speed than I had ever experienced. I’m really looking forward to driving the sleds and support Geoff and the whole American team. What Geoff has done is great.”

       One needs to look no further than the current World Cup results in the men’s and women’s divisions. Approximately one-third of the medals awarded to date have gone to Uncle Sam’s racers in the Bo-Dyn craft. These sleek, aerodynamic sleds are born at Chassis Dynamics in Connecticut under the watchful eye of Bob Cuneo.

       After a day of training on Jan. 6, the green light will be flashed on Jan. 7 as Lepage and LaJoie will go up against Geoff and Todd Bodine as well as Johnny Sauter, Boris Said, Steve Park, Dick Trickle, Joel Kauffmann and Stanton Barrett.

       Other drivers, such as Cup winner Tony Stewart and Dale Earnhardt, Jr., are hopeful their schedules will enable them to attend.

       The pilots will race twice on Jan. 7 – at 10 am and 2 pm – after qualification on the afternoon of Jan. 6.

        ESPN will televise a one-hour program on Jan. 29 at 5 pm (Eastern), while Speed Channel will provide two hours of coverage on Feb. 4 at 2 pm (Eastern).

        In addition to the on-ice action, the festivities will include a $100 a plate fundraiser at Nicola’s on Main in Lake Placid. Call 518-523-5853. There will be a silent auction featuring NASCAR memorabilia and Bodine bobsled event-related merchandise.

       While Chevrolet is the title sponsor, Whelen Engineering is the presenting sponsor and Columbia Sportswear is the Official Clothing Supplier for the Lake Placid event.

       For more information on this event including ticket purchases, please log on to www.bodinebobsled.com.

Competition Tire Canada posts Goodyear Racing Tire Contingency for PMRA Teams


Niagara on the Lake, ON – Competition Tire Canada will be posting Goodyear Racing Tire contingency awards at each series event for 2006, the Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, is pleased to announce.

“The PMRA has proven itself to be a winner in a short time,” explained Craig Fairchild of Competition Tire. “We want to be a part of this, and we will pay a contingency award to the low qualifier and winner of each event if they are running Goodyear Racing Tires.”

Goodyear's racing heritage reaches back almost to the very first car race at the turn of the 20th century. In those early years auto makers were just beginning to see the wide-open possibilities of a sport called automobile racing. From then until now -- with one major interruption -- Goodyear's enthusiastic involvement with motorsports has grown as fast as the size of the crowds. The company produces more than one-half million tires a year for races of all kinds, all over the world.

“Goodyear has won more racing championships than any other tire company in the world,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “I have known the Fairchilds and Competition Tire for over 20 years and their company has a major history with motorsport. Having them involved in the PMRA series is very exciting news.”

Competition Tire Canada is one of Canada’s top auto racing suppliers. Based in the Niagara Peninsula, Competition Tire has been offering quality Goodyear products and service for over two decades in road course, oval track, and drag strip racing.

For Information contact: 905.684.7418

At present, the PMRA has three events confirmed for the 2006 season, the KC Auto Parts Family Day Celebration at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON Saturday, June 24, and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running inaugural events at St. Thomas Dragway in Sparta, ON August 5 and 6 and at the Grand Bend Motorplex, over the Labor Day weekend.

PMRA officials are in negotiations with several tracks at present for 2006, both eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, New York and Ohio with the plan of presenting a six -event drag racing series in 2006.

Started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the PMRA ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest door slammers.”

The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely diverse group of racecars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.

For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

Sunday, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Happy Holidays





























I want to wish everyone in the racing community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Happy Holidays.

Be Happy, be healthy, be safe. Enjoy this time with family and friends.

Greasemonkey.

Wednesday, December 21, 2005

SAUBLE SPEEDWAY: ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series heading to The Beach in 2006


SAUBLE BEACH, ON – Although it is the first day of winter, the summer of 2006 is heating up at Steelback Sauble Speedway, today’s announcement is exciting news for truck race fans.

On June 24th 2006 the ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series from the United States will invade Sauble Speedway for a 100-lap national truck series race.

ARCA (The Automobile Racing Club of America) for more than 50 years has presented championship stock car racing, founded in 1953 as a Midwestern based stock car auto racing sanctioning body.

The ARCA Lincoln Welders Truck Series will make its first Canadian stop of 2006 at Steelback Sauble Speedway, the sponsor of this special event will be released in the coming days.

Be sure to mark June 24th/06 on your calendar to see this exciting US Series go door handle to door handle at one of Ontario’s finest two-groove ¼ mile racetrack.

Steelback Sauble Speedway your 2006 Ultimate Entertainment Facility.

- From Sauble Speedway.

PMRA and St. Thomas Dragway link up for inaugural race in 2006

SPARTA, ON – The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com will be racing at St. Thomas Dragway as part of its 2006 tour.
 
This will be the PMRA’s inaugural event at the storied Sparta facility.
 
“We are very pleased and excited to include the PMRA on our 2006 schedule of special events,” said St. Thomas Dragway Track Owner and General Manager Dave Mathers. “This series will be a very important part of our Hot Rod Reunion Weekend.”
 
The popular PMRA Pro Modifieds are scheduled to race at the NHRA-sanctioned eighth-mile strip in Sparta, ON Saturday and Sunday, August 5 and 6, 2006.
 
At present, the PMRA has three events confirmed for the 2006 season, at Toronto Motorsports Park in Cayuga, ON Saturday, June 24 and the Pro Modified Racing Association is pleased to be running its first event at the Grand Bend Motorplex, to be held over the Labor Day weekend.
 
"St. Thomas Dragway has been operating since 1962 and is a landmark drag racing facility in Canada,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “Some of the biggest legends of our sport have raced there and it will be a very important stop for the PMRA series.”
 
For information about the PMRA event at St. Thomas Dragway call 1.519.775.2263 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET) or visit online at www.StThomasDragway.com.
 
PMRA officials are in negotiations with several tracks at present for 2006, both eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan, New York and Ohio with the plan of presenting a six -event drag racing series in 2006.
 
Started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the PMRA ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA provides drag race fans the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest door slammers.”
 
The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely diverse group of racecars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.
 
For more information contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com
 
For more information contact: Bruce F. Mehlenbacher
Director of Operations // Telephone: 905.772.1800 Ext. #22 // Fax: 905.772-1799 // Cellular: 905.517.5345 // E-mail: mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

Tim Miller // Media Director // Telephone: 905.870.1456 // E-mail: tmiller@promodifiedracing.com
 
Dave Mathers  // St. Thomas Dragway // Telephone: 519.775.2263 // Fax: 519.775.2593 // E-mail: sttdrags@skynet.ca

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Sunoco Fuels Up DIRT Modifieds For 2006 Advance Auto Parts Florida Tour DIRT MotorSports PR

WEEDSPORT, N.Y. (December 20) – Top drivers will once again share thousands of dollars during the upcoming race season as Sunoco Race Fuels continues to carry out it's long-standing role as a major point fund contributor in DIRT MotorSports NorthEast's premier touring divisions.

The chase for the overall Hoosier Tire-Sunoco Race Fuels Mr. DIRT Modified crown begins in less than two months when Volusia Speedway Park hosts the 2006 Advance Auto Parts Florida Tour scheduled February 15-18. The traditional schedule once again includes three 30-lap main events with a $5,000-to-win 50-lap finale closing out the '06 trip. An optional practice day has been set for Wed., Feb. 14.

"We're proud to continue our association with DIRT," stated Rob Marro, General Manager, Sunoco Performance Products and Automotive Events. "Sunoco has been involved from the beginning of DIRT and we're happy to continue our support of all the drivers in this popular Northeast motorsports series. Sunoco Race Fuels has had a long and beneficial relationship with DIRT over the years and we expect that to continue."

Sunoco recently extended a quarter-century of commitment to DIRT MotorSports by retaining its status as the "Official Fuel" at all events sanctioned by DMS NorthEast. 2005 marked the first in the latest three-year agreement reached between Sunoco Performance Products and DIRT MotorSports officials, which upholds Sunoco as the exclusive fuel supplier on the entire DIRT NE circuit.

Sunoco will supply all racing fuel required for use by DIRT MotorSports and used exclusively by the teams in competition at all DMS NorthEast sanctioned events. Throughout the racing season random fuel checks will take place while Sunoco decals will be seen prominently displayed on every car's side panels and a Sunoco patch will be worn on each driver's fire suit.

"We're obviously pleased to have Sunoco back with our organization as a corporate partner," commented DIRT MotorSports NorthEast General Manager Tonya Moschell, as she prepared for her first full year of tenure in DIRT NorthEast's 31st successive season of promotion. "The return of Sunoco is a major show of support and we're proud to have our teams faithfully using the product as Sunoco brand fuel continues to be recognized among the best performance products available in racing anywhere today."

Advance Auto Parts Modified teams competing in the 35th Annual Winter Nationals at Volusia in February will be running both Sunoco high-performance Standard (110 octane) and Supreme (112) fuel mixtures; both supplied by Bearden Oil with its tanker truck located on-site throughout the week.

Once the nation's most recognized regional short-track sanctioning body, DIRT MotorSports has now assumed a national identity all its own and Sunoco Race Fuels has continued to strengthen an enduring affiliation that began in 1978. A point fund was ultimately established in 1983 when the first official "Mr. DIRT" Championship Trail was sponsored by CAM2 Racing Gasoline. Sunoco has also offered sponsorship of select events at Super DIRT Week in Syracuse and served as a Sportsman Super DIRT Series namesake. 2005 marked the company's first support of the coveted DIRT NorthEast Driver of the Year award garnered by Mr. DIRT champ Tim Fuller.

Teams can direct further questions regarding fuel, tires or general race day rules to Bob Dini at his shop (845/358-5049) or by cell phone (405/623-1803). For those drivers wishing to add team information for the Advance Auto Parts Florida Tour pre-race roster, please contact DIRT NE Media Manager Tom Skibinski at the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) or through e-mail media@dirtmotorsports.com correspondence.

Fans and race teams already planning to attend Volusia (386/985-4402) are encouraged to contact the track public relations offices for area hotel/motel accomodations. Overnight camping is also available at the track for self-contained units. Volusia Speedway Park www.volusiaspeedwaypark.com is located 15 miles west of Daytona Beach on State Road 40 in Barberville, Fla. Mail is received at: 1500 E. Highway 40, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130.

The DIRT MotorSports™ Advance Auto Parts Modified Series is brought to fans across the Northeast by several sponsors and partners, including series sponsors Advance Auto Parts, Dynomax Performance Exhaust, Hoosier Racing Tire and Sunoco Race Fuels. Promotional Partners include Stacker 2®, AMB i.t. and F.X. Caprara Car Companies and the contingency sponsors are DART Machinery, Bicknell Racing Products, Bilstein Shocks, MSD Ignitions and Wrisco Industries.

Andretti Green Racing to Field Pro Series Entries for Klein and Camara in 2006

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Dec. 20, 2005) – Andretti Green Racing announced today it will field Indy Racing League Pro Series entries in 2006 for drivers Jonathan Klein and Jaime Camara. The cars will be Andretti Green Racing entries, and will be prepared and maintained by Sam Schmidt Motorsports.

Klein, the 18-year-old son of Klein Tools chairman and chief executive officer Richard T. Klein Jr., spent the 2005 season in the Star Mazda Championship racing for Andersen Walko Racing. Klein posted two top fives and six top-10 finishes during the season, including a runner-up finish in the season finale at Mazda Raceway.

Camara, who hails from Goiana, Goias, Brazil, ran the full Pro Series slate in 2005 behind the wheel of the CELG-Sam Schmidt Motorsports entry. Camara posted two wins, three poles, five top fives and 11 top 10s on the way to a fifth-place finish in the series standings.

2006 will mark Andretti Green's second year of competition in the Pro Series. Working in conjunction with Keith Duesenberg Racing this past season, Andretti Green Racing entered Marco Andretti in six Pro Series events, earning three wins, three poles and five top-five finishes.

By running two full-time entries in the Pro Series, Andretti Green will earn six additional testing days for its IndyCar Series program with Klein and Camara each gaining an opportunity to test the first half of each day.

Klein, Camara and the rest of the Pro Series field will open the 2006 season on March 26 at Homestead-Miami Speedway with the Homestead-Miami 100.

Jonathan Klein:
"I just found out this was going to happen on Friday, so I'm not sure it has really even set in yet. This opportunity is overwhelming and exciting all at the same time. I'm just really excited to get the chance to run with Sam and Andretti Green in the Pro Series. Sam has quite a record in this series, but he has also done so many great things with his foundation. I've already started to think about ways I can help out and try to make an impact to help people who are dealing with paralysis."

Jaime Camara:
"I'm really looking forward to next season because now I know the tracks that the Pro Series runs on and I have a year's experience on ovals. 2006 is going to be much better than this season and I think we have a good shot at winning the championship. If we can be consistent from the beginning until the end of the season, I don't think we'll have any problems."

Sam Schmidt, Owner, Sam Schmidt Motorsports:
"I am clearly very excited to be working with everybody at Andretti Green, especially Michael, Kim and Kevin. My relationship with Michael has increased a lot over the last 12 months because of his willingness to become involved with my foundation and that means a tremendous amount to me personally. So, when this opportunity came up, I thought it was an honor and a compliment to Sam Schmidt Motorsports that, if AGR were going to run anyone in the Pro Series, that they would utilize our services.
"On the driver side, I think Jonathan and Rick Klein are just superb people. I'm really going to enjoy working with Jonathan because he brings a fresh mind and a 'sponge-type attitude' with him. As far as Jaime goes, we have year's worth of experience and I know we can build on that. He's already proven to be a winner and I think we can look to improve on what we achieved last year and move up a few spots on the points ladder."

Kim Green, President, Andretti Green Racing:
"Andretti Green is excited about the opportunity we have in front of us for the 2006 IRL Pro Series. We always welcome the opportunity to help develop young talent and we're very excited about the prospect of working with both Jonathan and Jaime. The rules package and the prize money package that the league has created for the Pro Series provides real incentive for teams like Andretti Green to participate. It's also special for us to continue our relationship with Sam. We had a great association with Sam off the racetrack last year, and it's great to be able to strengthen that tie by working together on and off the track in 2006."

Contact: Al Larsen, (317) 872-2700 ext 239, alan.larsen@andrettigreenracing.com

Brighton Speedway Park: Gift Ideas

Brighton Speedway Park: Gift ideas

Season Passes and Mini Passes are great last minute gifts for Brighton Speedway Park (www.brightonspeedway.com) Fans and Drivers....

Rule Books make a great quick gift for the avid driver or the driveway junkie...

Why not stuff their stockings with Brighton Speedway Bucks.  These BSB's can be used anywhere on the property, from admission, to the canteens, the fuel truck or the souvenir booth.

A great gift idea for as little as $10.00!  Show your appreciation to your sponsor with a personalized full colour 8 x 10 plaque. You can customize the information and choose your own picture.

Visit the website at www.brightonspeedway.com or call the office 10am to 2pm daily at 613.475. 1102

Monday, December 19, 2005

Corner Gas: Our favourite show!

Last week's episode of Corner Gas had the phone lines ringing at our office the next day! Thanks to the people at Corner Gas for promoting all things Canadian.

2006 starts with a bang at Brockville Ontario Speedway

BROCKVILLE - The countdown is on to the beginning of the 2006 racing season at Brockville Ontario Speedway.

It's just 14 days to the first green flag of the season as the banging and crashing gets an early start with the premiere of the Hangover Enduro at the quarter mile snow oval just north of Brockville on New Year's Day, Sunday, January 1st.

The track was hoping to have the first annual event last New Years however the weatherman foiled that plan with warmer than usual temperatures that turned the snowoval into a mudbowl. Promoter Paul Kirkland is hoping for a better conditions this time around. Rules that include the ever popular mini van are available at the speedway website at www.brockvillespeedway.com.

Racing is scheduled to get underway at 2pm on New Year's Day.

RACELINE RADIO NETWORK GROWS A NICKEL’S WORTH!

Burlington Ontario: RACELINE RADIO, Canada’s only nationally syndicated motorsport magazine radio show is delighted to welcome AM 790 CIGM Sudbury
to The Raceline Radio Network family!


RACELINE RADIO steps up to provide award-winning auto racing coverage for CIGM’s new “All Sports All Night” programming for The City of Greater Sudbury, and surrounding regions of Northern Ontario, Monday nights at 7 PM Eastern.

“We’ve been working on adding RACELINE RADIO for quite a while, and we’re pumped to have the show as part of our new “All Sports All Night” programming. Racing is big with our sports audience, especially NASCAR Nextel Cup, and
RACELINE’S NASCAR content and getting the star drivers as guests is outstanding. And come the summer, the motorsport fans who cottage in our coverage won’t miss a thing! RACELINE RADIO will definitely create major impact for AM 790!”, stated CIGM Program Director Chris Johnson.

“ In my junior hockey travels to The Nickel City, I know first hand the sports fans in the Sudbury market are loyal, loud and proud!”, commented RACELINE RADIO Anchor, Writer and Producer Erik Tomas. “CIGM’s plans for focused sports content for these fans is brilliant, and making sure motorsport is part of that content makes so much sense. We’ve wanted to expand the Network into this region of the country for a long time. We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome AM 790 CIGM to The RACELINE RADIO NETWORK!”, Tomas added.

“ This is excellent news and a terrific add for the Network! It’s obvious Chris Johnson, Al Campagnola and the folks at CIGM understand the motorsport fan base in Canada is growing beyond large, and out of site when it comes to NASCAR!” , offered RACELINE RADIO NETWORK Executive Producer John Massingberd. “CIGM’s latest BBM ratings were tremendous! That’s good news for AM 790, for The RACELINE RADIO NETWORK, and the motorsport fans in the market!”, Massingberd continued.

The addition of AM 790 CIGM Sudbury runs The RACELINE RADIO NETWORK to 17 stations coast-to-coast in Canada. Flagshipped out of AM 900 CHML Hamilton, RACELINE RADIO is also heard via live and delayed feeds in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Fredericton, Windsor, London, Kitchener, Niagara Falls, Peterborough, Truro, New Maryland and Oromocto.

A consistent winner of major international broadcast journalism awards,
Raceline Radio’s broadcast partners include: Subaru Canada, Texaco-Havoline, Globalstar Satellite Telephones and Inside Track Motorsport News.

For more information: Erik Tomas: 905-332-7223 Ext 3. erik@raceline.ca Chris Johnson: 519 - ? Chris.Johnson@sudburyradio.rogers.com (705) 566-4480

Raceline Radio Network
www.raceline.ca

Interesting....


It's been interesting to watch the growth of the NASCAR presence in the Canadian Tire flyers in recent months.

When it started, there was a small corner of a page dedicated to selling a few racing-related items.

These ads would include the generic "NASCAR" name in regular font. The latest version of the Canadian Tire flyer, however, included almost a full page of racing items and a prominent "NASCAR" wordmark logo.

The Canadian Tire location on Shepherd Ave. in Toronto is chock full of NASCAR displays and material. Nice to see. And interesting.

PAUL TRACY: Some Busch in '06

From Jayski... (h/t to Joel Robinson)

Paul Tracy to race in Busch Series in 2006: Paul Tracy will make the jump to the NASCAR Busch Series in selected races in 2006. Tracy, who was in Daytona testing an ARCA car for Andy HIllenburg, told MRN Radio's "NASCAR Today" that he will run a second Busch car for Biagi Brothers [#4 team with Mark Green driving] racing next year.

"I will be doing the 24 hours again and trying to get some experience in stock cars and make the transition into stock cars in the future. Andy Hillenburg, who I am driving for here, has been really helpful with trying to help me out make the transition. We've got a deal 99% done to run 4 or 5 Busch Series racing for Fred Biagi.

We've got a sponsor package put together to run a second car. Really my timetable is to be up and running by 2007... maybe run 10 or 11 races and a Cup race or 2 next year."

MRN Radio's "NASCAR Today" can be heard on 505 radio stations and XM Satellite Radio.(MRN's NASCAR Today)(12-17-2005)

Thursday, December 15, 2005

CSC Racing Products


CSC Racing Products Inc. is in its 33rd year of serving the North American Motorsport community. With a 10,000 sq.ft. facility located just off the 404 highway in Newmarket they are a one stop shop for all your racing needs.

CSC Racing has been a corporate sponsor of CASC for more than a decade and has been sponsoring SOLO I for longer as a weekend sponsor and now as the sponsor of the SOLO Registration Day in the spring.

Products/Focus:
CSC Racing Products is Canada’s only “Master Warehouse” of BELL racing helmets. They have in stock all of the SA’05 styles in a variety of sizes. They are experts in helmet fitting – an important detail if you want a helmet to do what it was designed to do!

They stock the HANS device – sanctioned by CASCAR and ASN-FIA Canada and are authorized to do the installations.

They have designed a double layer European styled firesuit that meets the SFI 3.2A/5 requirement with radial knit inset sleeves, Euro epaulets, piping and quilting throughout for $550.00. This suit is in stock in red, blue or black in a variety of sizes. It is an extremely sharp looking suit that meets the CASC requirements.

CSC stock product from Wilwood, BELL Helmets, HANS, LEAF, Bicknell, Steve Smith Publications, IO Port Camera mounts, Ringer Mechanics gloves, stop watches, Pyrometers, helmet bags, safety harnesses, boots and gloves, balaclavas & sox and even underwear!

Marquee Items:
CSC Racing is world renowned for their roll cage kits, chassis’ and roll bars for every application of oval and road course racing. They are North America’s single largest manufacturers of roll cage kits for Stock Car application. They manufacture a Cobra Kit Chassis that is a leader in the industry. They are the exclusive roll cage manufacturers for the HONDA Michelin Challenge Series and the ECHO Coupe Series in Quebec.

Christmas Specials:
CSC Racing Products “builds” custom gift certificates for any amount – for any application! Give them the details of what you want and they will create it for you – these certificates don’t expire and can be redeemed for product any time after the Christmas rush. If you’re not sure what your racer needs or you want to put a contribution towards a major purchase they can customize a gift certificate to meet your specific needs.

Notes of Interest: SA 2005 helmets are instock. CSC carries everything that isn’t fuel or tire related.

Showroom hours:

Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Thursday 8:00 am to 7:00 pm

Saturday 9:00 am – noon

They are closed between Christmas and New Years

ADDRESS: 125 A Harry Walker Parkway North // Newmarket, Ontario // L3Y 7B3

Toll free telephone: 1-866-954-0517 // Toll free Fax: 1-800-519-RACE

web: www.cscracing.com // email: public@cscracing.com

Raceline: Newsletter

Raceline Radio Network: Tomas Tales (December 15th, 2005)

Our Christmas list we’ve already forwarded to Master Crew Chief S. Claus, North Pole Racing!

For:

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr.: A full year with one crew chief and 2 stockings full of consistency!
  • Jacques Villeneuve: At least one more Formula One win!
  • NASCAR Busch Series: Confirmation of a date for Montreal in ’07!
  • Local Speedways: Better, drier weather for 2006!
  • Formula One: That the new engine/tech package means better racing with plenty of overtaking!
  • Bobby Labonte: Some wins again for that famous Petty # 43!
  • ChampCar: That they actually hang on to the talent they develop in the Atlantic Series!
  • CASCAR: The long rumoured sale to NASCAR!
  • Katherine Legge: PKV Racing gives her a shot in ChampCar!
  • Sean McIntosh: A shot at Formula One!
  • Petie Shepperd: A signature from Jack Roush for a ride in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series!
  • DIRT Motorsports: More drivers to understand cost-cutting rule changes are a good thing!

Keep those E-Mails coming for The Raceline E-Mail Bag! erik@raceline.ca .

From all of us to all of you: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Until next time, talk to ya on Raceline Radio, back LIVE January 15th!

Sunday December 18th, 2005: BEST-OF Raceline Radio Special #1 featuring star replays with Jimmie Johnson, Elliott Sadler, Katherine Legge and Colin Fraser.

STATION LIST AND TIMES:

Toronto ON FAN 590 Monday 7 :06 PM (EASTERN)

Montreal PQ TEAM 990 Monday 7:06 PM (EASTERN)

Vancouver BC MOJO Sports AM 730 LIVE Sunday 5:06 PM (PACIFIC)

Calgary AB CHQR 770 AM LIVE Sunday 6:06 PM MOUNTAIN)

Edmonton AB TEAM 1260 Tuesday 7:06 PM (MOUNTAIN)

Winnipeg MB CJOB 68 LIVE Sunday 7:06 PM (CENTRAL)

Windsor ON AM 800 CKLW LIVE Sunday 8:06 PM (EASTERN)

London ON AM 980 CFPL Monday 10:06 PM (EASTERN)

Kitchener ON AM 570 NEWS Monday 7:06 PM (EASTERN)

Hamilton ON AM 900 CHML LIVE Sunday 8:06 PM (EASTERN)

Niagara Falls ON RIVER 105.1 FM LIVE Sunday 8:06 PM (EASTERN)

Peterborough ON Country 105 FM Monday 10:06 PM (EASTERN)

Fredericton NB AM1260 KHJ Tuesday 9:06 PM (ATLANTIC)

Oromocto NB KHJ 103.5 FM Tuesday 9:06 PM (ATLANTIC)

New Maryland NB KHJ 95.1 FM Tuesday 9:06 PM (ATLANTIC)

Truro NS Cat Country 99.5 FM Tuesday 9:06 PM (ATLANTIC)

Back to the Future


Ottodrome is no more.... the facility will once again be known as Capital City Speedway. And Arnie Malcolm has returned as promoter. A drivers' meeting took place last night. More to follow.

From the website:

Well, if the turnout is any indication for what lies ahead, then look out next season, as a unreal turnout of drivers, crews, advertisers and interested parties showed up for what is really a new beginning for this area's stock car crowd. The Carleton Room at the Talisman Travel Lodge was busting at the seams with not only lots of drivers, but a large amount of enthusiasm for the track that we all have come to know as Capital City Speedway. With only a couple of weeks behind them since taking over, The Malcolm Family who where all present, laid out what they hoped would be seen next year and for many years to come. Indicating that they where in this for the long haul, and there record shows that (25 years of operating Luskville Dragway, and still going). Spokesman Arnie Malcolm made it clear to everyone present that there was a lot of work ahead for all involved, but that anything and everything was possible if everyone works hard at making it happen. Malcolm made it clear that "late models" would play a large part in the rebuilding of the track, and the entertainment package that paying spectators demand to see. That a marriage of class's would take place in an effort to make sure that no one was left out of the new beginning. It was also decided that the track would concentrate its efforts in also trying to align its class's to fit in with what is happening at other speedways in the area. It has been made clear that some forms of Stock Car Racing have just gotten to expensive for the local racer to compete in (Cascar Super Series for example). This is not a new thing for Motorsports, as almost every form of racing has undergone some sort of evolution over the years in order to survive. Smaller class meetings will take place over the month of January in order to tighten up the class rules and problems that might come out of them. The late model meeting will take place at Kenyons Race Shop In Kemptville on January 4th. at 7:30 pm. where all late model drivers and potential drivers are invited as well as current Pro Truck Drivers....

TALLADEGA: New surface

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Talladega Superspeedway officials announced today that the legendary Alabama racetrack is set to be repaved for the first time since 1979, and the project is scheduled to be completed in time for the 2006 UAW-Ford 500, race four in next year’s Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. The project will include complete asphalt repaving of the 2.66-mile tri-oval track, apron and pit road.

A portable asphalt plant will be mobilized to the site in December of this year, and on-site work will begin in February, when trial batches of the asphalt pavement will be produced and asphalt test strips will be constructed on superspeedway property. Engineers are expected to begin formulation of asphalt mix designs and designing the required equipment modifications in December. The repaving project will begin immediately following the April 28-30, 2006 Aaron’s Dream Weekend at Talladega.

“Twenty-six years has certainly been a long time to go without necessitating a project this extensive, so there is no question that the time has come for us to repave. It will ensure that Talladega Superspeedway continues to uphold its reputation for the most exciting, most competitive racing throughout the entire NASCAR circuit for years to come,” said Talladega Superspeedway President Grant Lynch. “If our track history is any indication, it will increase the level of competitiveness. The first race held here after our last repaving project was one of the most exciting on the record books.”

This will be the fourth paving project for Talladega Superspeedway, with the first being the actual construction of the track for its opening in September 1969, which was followed by a repaving project completed in time for the 1970 season. The third and most recent paving was completed at the conclusion of the 1979 racing season. When drivers tested and practiced on the new surface prior to the May 4, 1980 race, they gave it rave reviews - - pointing out how the new, smooth surface greatly enhanced drafting and overall handling ability. The result was one of the most exciting races and dramatic finishes yet at the still-young superspeedway. A dozen drivers swapped the lead 40 times, and Buddy Baker took his fourth Talladega Superspeedway victory in that event, winning by just three feet after crossing the line side-by-side with Dale Earnhardt.

In the quarter of a century of racing that has since passed, the track has firmly established itself as the most competitive track on the circuit, holding both the record for most lead changes in a race (75, May 6,1984) and the record for most leaders in a race (26, most recently April 22, 2001).

Several top NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series drivers said the project comes as no surprise considering the age of the existing surface, and that the new surface will likely make the racing even more exciting at the legendary superspeedway.

Tony Stewart, two-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion (2002, 2005):

“Everyone should be able to hold it wide-open all the way around the whole day. The fastest car will rise to the top.”

“Repaving is something you’ve got to do every now and then. It’s part of what racing is all about. And in Talladega’s case, to go that many years without having to repave a race track is pretty impressive. It shows how good a job Talladega Superspeedway has done of maintaining their facility and their race track. I’m pretty impressed with what they’ve been able to do. Hopefully this new surface will last them another 30 or 40 years.”

Dale Jarrett, 1999 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion and two-time Talladega Superspeedway winner:
“Talladega’s surface is one that the weather and other things have taken a toll on over the years. Putting a new surface down should make the racing even more exciting.”

“We won’t be dealing with a single-groove track that some other resurfacing projects have presented at other tracks because it is a different type of racing. If anything, where the present surface limits us on what we can run as far as springs we run because of the bumps and dips, this should allow us more options and to really get the cars down which will make for some good side-by-side racing, or I should say side-by-side-by-side racing.”

Dale Earnhardt, Jr., five-time Talladega Superspeedway winner:

“The track hasn’t been paved since 1979, which was when my dad won Rookie of the Year. So, the new asphalt will definitely make for much smoother and more competitive racing. The current surface has provided a lot of great races at Talladega over the years, and I’m looking forward to many more exciting races and wins there.”

Jeff Gordon, four-time NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Champion (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001)
and four-time Talladega Superspeedway winner:

“Racing at Talladega Superspeedway is spectacular. Repaving it is only going to make it better.”

From : Kristi R. King

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

SPEEDWORLD LEGENDS CHAMP EARNS CANADIAN TITLE

HALIFAX, NS (2005 December 14) - January 2006 will be a big month for 17-year-old Justin MacNeill: on January 14 he will be officially crowned the Scotia Speedworld RV Contacts Legends division champion; just one week later in Charlotte, North Carolina he will be crowned the INEX Legends Canadian Semi-Pro Champion.

MacNeill (Bedford), a grade 12 student at C.P. Allen High School, earned the national honour by accumulating more points than any other Canadian Semi-Pro driver registered with the INEX Legends, sanctioned by 600 Racing out of Charlotte. MacNeill's points were accumulated in Budweiser Weekly Racing events at Scotia Speedworld and in Legends Tour races.

Fellow Nova Scotia driver Chris Johnson, who finished sixth in the RV Contacts Legends division at Speedworld, was second behind MacNeill in the national ranking, and Ontario driver Rob Degeer was third. The INEX season ran from March 18 through September 25.

Besides the Canadian and track titles, MacNeill's strong stats for 05 also earned him the overall East Coast (Canada) regional title with INEX.

MacNeill's previous racing accomplishments include five years go-kart racing where he was a three-time Maritime champion (1999, 2000, 2001), the 2001 CKRA champion and 2001 Atlantic Cup champion.

MacNeill has been racing Legends for four years with a 2002 Maritime Legends Rookie of the Year title and the 2003 Maritime Legends Semi Pro championship precluding his three 05 titles.

Scott MacLean (Pictou, NS), who finished seventh in Scotia Speedworld's RV Contacts Legends division, claimed the 2005 Legends Canadian Pro championship.

Budweiser, the world's best-selling beer brand and a long-time supporter of motorsports, is a proud sponsor of Scotia Speedworld. Besides their support of Scotia Speedworld, the 2005 Budweiser Racing program also features NASCAR Nextel Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.Scotia Speedworld is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval stock car racing track featuring Budweiser Weekly Racing for five divisions and several special events during the race season, which runs from May to September. Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6, Hwy. 102, across from the Halifax International Airport. For more information on Scotia Speedworld please visit ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277.

By Joan Roué

Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc.: INAUGURAL INDUCTION CEREMONY SET FOR NOVEMBER 2006

ELGIN, NB (2005 December 13) - The wheels are in motion to select the inaugural inductees to the Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame (MMHOF). The organization's Nomination Committee has released the Nomination Form for 2006 considerations as inaugural members to the hallowed hall.

Ten inductees will be selected from the nominations by the Committee and the black tie ceremony will happen next November.

Members of the public are encouraged to complete the form to nominate those they feel are worthy for consideration. Four categories pertaining to all types of motorsports are included: Competitor, Recreational, Restoration & Specialties and Team. The deadline for nomination submission is 2006 April 1 and selections will be made by 2006 September 15.

The inductees will be chosen based on outstanding contribution to Maritime motorsports.

The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc. was founded in 2005 by Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame member and former River Glade Speedway (Petiticodiac) owner Ernie McLean and his wife Winona. A Board of Directors including representatives from all types of motorsports is in place as are several committees.

The most daunting task the organization faces post haste is to raise their contribution of $100,000 toward the building of their future permanent home in Petitcodiac. Temporary facilities for the MMHOF will be established in the interim both in Dartmouth (NS) and Moncton.

Ground floor sponsorship opportunities are available and contributions are welcome. MMHOF memberships are also available, starting at just $15. Tax receipts will be issued for all contributions $200 or over.

The nomination form, the membership form and much more information about MMHOF is available online at www.MaritimeMotorsportHallOfFame.com.

Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Ernie or Winona McLean at 1-866-355-8206.

The Maritime Motorsports Hall of Fame Inc. (MMHOF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting all types of motorsports in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Founded in 2005 by Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame member and former River Glade Speedway owner Ernie McLean and his wife Winona, the MMHOF will eventually have a permanent home in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick. Until then, temporary facilities will house the collection in both Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick. For more information please visit www.MaritimeMotorsportHallOfFame.com or call 1-866-355-8206.

By Joan Roué

Audi's set for diesel assault of LeMans


REUTERS:

Audi Le Mans Diesel


Audi has won Le Mans five times in the last six years and the new racer is intended to continue the winning streak. The engine is a 5.5-litre, 12-cylinder twin-turbo TDI engine, which is said to be extremely quiet and economical. It produces over 650 bhp and a colossal 1,100 Newton metres of torque. It even has two particulate filters to reduce emissions, not traditionally a concern of racing cars.

"The R10 project is the biggest challenge ever to have been handed to Audi Sport," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "TDI technology has not been pushed to its limits in motorsport yet. We are the first to confront the challenge. The demands of such a project are accordingly high. Long-term technology partners such as Bosch, Michelin and Shell support us in our quest. Together we have the chance to write new chapters in the history books of motorsport and diesel technology."

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Race City to host a pair of CASCAR Western Series races in 2006

CASCAR West's Bob Ennis is reporting that Race City Motorsport Park owner Art MacKenzie has agreed to host a pair of CASCAR Western Series dates next season. This is good news given that many feared the Calgary racing facility would be closed altogether. Hopefully, this is a positive sign.

Monday, December 12, 2005

KATHERINE LEGGE TO TEST ROCKETSPORTS RACING CHAMP CAR IN SEBRING

EAST LANSING, Mich. (December 12, 2005) – Rocketsports Racing will begin testing at Florida’s Sebring International Raceway today and following the announcement that they will be running Richard Lyons during the two-day test came the announcement that Katherine Legge will also have the chance to run in one of the team’s Champ Cars.

The 25-year-old Briton has a bright future ahead of her in the wide world of auto racing. One of Europe’s top female race car drivers, Legge was the first woman to win a pole position in the British Formula Ford Zetec series in 2000. She competed in the British Formula Renault and British Formula 3 championships in 2002-2003. She furthered her racing resume in 2004 by racing for parts of both the British Formula Renault and North American Formula Renault series before getting her break in Atlantics.

Turning many heads during an off-season test for Toyota Atlantic team Polestar Racing Group, she was given the opportunity to run in the Champ Car feeder series backed by PKV Racing. In her first full season of racing professionally, she took the series by storm. Earning her first win in her debut race at Long Beach, Legge became the first woman to win a major open-wheel race in North American. She continued a strong run throughout the season to finish third in the championship standings with ten top-ten finishes, eight top-five, five podiums including two additional wins in Edmonton and San Jose.

The Northampton, England resident enriched her racing experience most recently by climbing into the cockpit of a Formula One car testing for Minardi, followed by a test with A1 Team GBR last weekend at Dubai Autodrome in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Legge became the first female to test a Formula One car in over a decade and the first female to step foot in to an A1 Grand Prix series car.

As Rocketsports begins to prepare for the 2006 Bridgestone Presents The Champ Car World Series Powered by Ford, the team will be running Richard Lyons during the first day of the test, with Legge expected to make her first run in a Champ Car tomorrow on the 1.72-mile permanent road course in Sebring.

PMRA: Gulfway Insurers sponsors PMRA Best Reaction Time in 2006


BAYONET POINT, FL – The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, is pleased to announce that Gulfway Insurers will sponsor the Best Reaction Time at each series event in 2006.

“A race operation is so specialized that insuring them takes expert knowledge,” explained Mel Eaves, Gulfway Insurers owner. “What better way to say that than to sponsor a group of Pro Modified Teams that have worked hard to develop a series of their own. I know because I have been competing in various motorsports since 1960, and have the expert knowledge to properly insure a racing operation at affordable prices.”

Gulfway Insurers, http://www.racensur.com/, a leader in specialty insurance, Gulfway Insurers sets the standard of excellence for the Motorsports Industry. Gulfway believes the owners of motorsports operations take considerable pride and care in maintaining their race team, including the team’s transporter, race cars and support equipment.

“Gulfway Insurance is the standard of excellence in motorsports insurance,” stated Bruce F. Mehlenbacher, Director of Operations of the PMRA. “We think it’s great to have Mel and his company on board with the PMRA.”

Gulfway offers the most extensive coverage available. At Gulfway, you are insured by a nationally licensed US-based insurance company and have a specific policy for your operation. This means you are not part of a master policy and do not have to join a group for coverage.
Gulfway is licensed in each state by the Insurance Commissioner and must meet all legal requirements of each state. Claims are handled by local claim representatives of your insurance company. And, most importantly, we have a staff which understands racing and a racer's needs.

Started late in 2004 and entering its second year of operation, the PMRA ran five events in 2005 at four Ontario, Quebec, and New York locations, with a different winner at each track. The PMRA will provide drag race fans the opportunity to see and hear popular Pro Modified racing in the class known as “the world’s fastest door slammers.”

At present, PMRA officials are negotiating with several eighth and quarter-mile tracks in Ontario, Quebec, Michigan and New York with the plan of presenting a six -event drag racing series in 2006.

The PMRA is a self-governing organization with its own set of technical and safety rules based on the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Pro Modified division. Cars in the PMRA capture the true spirit of hot rodding, and the class offers a widely diverse group of racecars with different types of 2000-horsepower engines propelling the cars down the quarter-mile in the 6.20-second range at 230 mph.

CASCAR: RON VAN ES HAS STELLAR SOPHOMORE SEASON

Patience A Big Factor In Sophomore’s Impressive Results...

In only his second season of competition in Canada’s premier stock car racing series, Ron Van Es is proving patients is on his side

In the early season going, disappointing finishes destroyed his chances for being among the top ten in the seasonal point’s race but there were definitely signs the future will be bright for this talented youngster as the season progressed.

The road to better things began with a successful trip west for the Stoney Creek-based team where Ron ran to an impressive ninth-place finish in the MOPAR 300 at Calgary and an eighth place run in his 100-lap qualifier.

It continued as the team headed further west into the BC interior for event #7 where the sophomore driver of the Star Van Systems/All Cover Portable Systems Monte Carlo finished sixth in the Friday 100-lap qualifier then worked his way into the top-ten in Saturday’s 300-lap feature by maintaining a steady pace throughout the marathon event.

Those results shot the youngster into 14th spot in the points’ standings. He was 21st in the points’ race when the Super Series headed west on July 10th.

On the Series’ return to Ontario, Ron moved into thirteenth spot with a two 13th place finish -at Mosport and Peterborough -but was forced to park his Monte Carlo early in the Great Canadian race at Delaware when engine problems befell the team.

Despite the disappointing finish, Van Es remained moored in thirteen spot in the standings heading to Cayuga Speedway where he had one of his strongest races of the season running as high as second midway through the contest by using pit strategy to his advantage. He had started 14th in the 27-car field and eventually ended up eleven when a refuelling miscue during a pit stop later in the event forced a another stop.

At the season ending finale at Kawartha, ignition problems ended his efforts early and he was credited with a 23rd-place finish, completing 175 of the scheduled 250 laps.

Although the team had some additional sponsor names on their race car late in the season with Winona's historic Innsville Bar and Grille and Marshall Truck and Trailer Repair logos adorning the #11 Monte Carlo they will need further support in their drive for 2006.

“We truly feel that with the current state of CASCAR racing and its strategic alliance with NASCAR, along with our improving performance, we have a lot to offer businesses in the way of unique, exciting and powerful marketing features,” Ron stated confidently in addressing his team’s needs for 2006. “We operate on a pretty slim budget yet feel we can run with the perennial leaders provided we can gain the added funding required to raise the level of our programs.”

To help with their marketing, Van Es Racing has recently hired an Advertising and Sponsorship Consultant. All inquires should be addressed to Sandy Nagy at 519-752-1298.

By conservative estimates, the cost of competing in the full Super Series schedule, under the same format as in 2005, teams require an operating budget in the $150,000 -$250,000 range when travel cost are factored into the budget.

The final results will show Ron Van Es finished 13th in the 2005 final standings but with a better start to next season, look for him among the top-ten when the 2006 season ends.

With 2005 rapidly drawing to a close and the New Year just around the corner, the Van Es family wish to pass along their Best Wishes For A Safe And Happy Holiday Season to all their team members, fans, staff and fellow competitors of CASCAR racing.

Prepared for Van Es Racing by Ken Spencer

A1GP: McIntosh takes Team Canada double score in Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (December 11, 2005) – A pair of top-six points scoring finishes by Sean McIntosh promoted Team Canada back into the top-ten of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations today as Round 6 of ‘The World Cup of Motorsport’ played out at the Dubai Autodrome in the United Arab Emirates.

Sean followed up his fifth place effort in the opening Sprint race with sixth overall at the end of the Feature race on the 5.39km desert track. Team Canada, sitting just outside the top-ten in the A1GP points standings heading into this weekend’s double-header in Dubai now depart back up in tenth with 31 points.

The weekend began with Sean getting to grips with another new track while battling a lingering head cold. Friday’s practice sessions proved frustrating with Team Canada languishing uncharacteristically in the lower half of the timesheets. Saturday’s qualifying runs bought a healthy dose of optimism however as Sean put together two solid laps to place ninth overall on aggregate time.

Taking the rolling start for today’s 15-lap Sprint race Sean was immediately squeezed wide sprinting towards the first turn by the Czech Republic’s Tomas Enge. McIntosh, finger firmly on his PowerBoost button for some extra horsepower, held his ground despite the frantic 24-car dash to the corner and ultimately gained a place to move up to eighth by the end of the first tour.

A lap later and the 20-year-old Canadian picked up another position courtesy of Team Brazil retiring from proceedings. Problems on lap six for Robbie Kerr in the Team Great Britain entry bumped Sean into the top-six for the first time this weekend, his pace in sixth now closely matching that of the race leaders just a handful of seconds ahead.

Team France’s eight-race winning streak came to an abrupt end as a brief off with two laps remaining ensured Team Switzerland’s pole-sitter and race leader, Neel Jani, enjoyed a clear run to the checkered flag and a maiden A1GP victory. McIntosh, a beneficiary of Team France’s misfortune, crossed the finish line fifth overall for Team Canada’s second highest A1GP finish and a welcome fifth place grid slot, their highest of the season, for the hour-long, 30-lap Feature race.

A quick getaway from the Feature’s standing start allowed Sean to steal fourth on the first lap but he soon dropped back to sixth before the only Safety Car period of the race presented itself on lap six due to Team Indonesia’s solo crash. The team’s call to take McIntosh’s mandatory pit-stop at this stage proved crucial as the Canadian entry had suffered rear-wing damage and a puncture thanks to contact from behind by the Czech Republic just prior to the safety car’s deployment.

Stuart Morrison Public Relations

Tel: +1 514 684 3253 Email: stuart@sm-pr.com Web: www.sm-pr.com

Office: 145 de Barcelone, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, H9B 3L9, Canada

1/2

Having lost time getting round to pit-lane, swift action from the Team Canada pit crew got Sean back on-track sitting 12th overall as the safety car peeled off at the end of lap eight. Back up into the top-ten running order on the next lap and into a points paying position, Sean then spent the middle sector of the race chasing Team China.

With ten laps remaining Sean had climbed to seventh, sitting in a pack of cars headed by Team USA in fifth and Team China sixth. Lap 26 saw Phil Giebler’s American entry retire leaving Sean to push the Chinese car for a spot in the top-five. Both cars were matched evenly for pace and with no PowerBoost left to gain an advantage from which to attack Sean had to settle for sixth place and another five points at the checkered flag.

Team France bounced back in the Feature to take win number nine of the season, Nicolas Lapierre steering the French to victory over Team Great Britain, Robbie Kerr having led for the majority of the race despite earlier damage to his front-wing.

Looking back on an eventful couple of races Sean commented:

“This hasn’t been our strongest circuit as a package but to come away with a fifth and sixth place finish isn’t a bad result. The Sprint result was good for us in terms of setting us up for the Feature race where I made another good start. We were struggling a bit with pace in the early stages and then I was hit by Tomas Enge as the safety car warnings were coming out. I didn’t know what was wrong with the car initially but it was damage to the rear and a puncture.

“We had a pretty good pit-stop and after that it was really a case of damage limitation. I’m sure we could have finished a bit higher up had the race been longer but it was good to put two points scoring runs together and strengthen our position in the standings. There’s only eight points separating us from Team Portugal in sixth so things are pretty close heading into the next six events.”

The second half of the inaugural A1GP season starts after a month-long break with Indonesia hosting Round 7 of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Friday 13th – Sunday 15th January 2006.

Results – A1GP R6, Dubai Autodrome, United Arab Emirates

Team Canada, Sprint Race – Started: 9th / Finished 5th (6 Points) – Race Winner: Team Switzerland

Team Canada, Feature Race – Started: 5th / Finished 6th (5 Points) – Race Winner: Team France

Nations Points Standings after Round 6 – Team Canada, 10th ( 31 Points) – Leader: Team France (104 Points)

NEWS FROM MOTORSPORTS SPONSORSHIPMARKETING NEWS

TIME TO BE SEEKING SPONSORSHIP FOR 2006, A VERY SPECIAL DEAL ON MOST POPULAR SPONSORSHIP MARKETING KIT

LANGHORNE, PA (December 10, 2005)

For those wanting to be successful in their efforts to secure marketing partners for their auto racing efforts, Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc., publisher of the monthly newsletter on sponsorship marketing titled Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News, has come up with a special offer for their most popular sponsorship marketing kit.

"This is a package that can help a racer secure sponsorship. Racers should be working on securing serious sponsorship support for 2006 by now," said Ernie Saxton. "In fact if racers are just now getting starting on their sponsorship efforts and are looking for serious financial support they are running way behind."

The kit includes a video of a sponsorship seminar that Ernie Saxton presented recently. The two hour video covers much of the information that racers need to know in order to be successful in securing sponsorship/marketing partners.

In the video Saxton is also found answering many questions from seminar attendees. There is also a generic proposal that has been created by Saxton to give sponsorship seekers some idea of what a potential sponsor is looking for when a proposal is presented.

It is loaded with ideas that will help get the attention of potential sponsors. And there is a generic sponsorship marketing brochure included that can be used as a direct mail piece or as a handout.

WINNING SPONSORSHIPS, a great book on sponsorship marketing, written by Andrew Waite is also part of the kit as is a one year subscription to Saxton's Motorsports Sponsorship Marketing News. The monthly newsletter, now in its 22nd year of publication, has helped many with their sponsorship efforts and continues to provide tips, helps, contacts, latest sponsorship news and much more.

If purchased separately the package would cost more than $450. For a short time, at a time when race teams have completed their seasons and should anxious be started on the 2006 season plans and are looking to secure sponsorship support, the package is being offered at a very special price of $199.95 plus $15.00 for postage and handling.

More information may be found at http://www.saxtonsponsormarket.com/. The Ultimate Sponsorship Kit, a more in-depth package of sponsorship marketing materials along with telephone consultation, is also available and is described at the website.

An ESC, Inc. brochure of services and self help materials is available upon request. The sponsorship marketing kit may be ordered by telephoning Saxton at 215.752.7797 or 215.752.2392.

Email Esaxton144@aol.com. All major credit cards are accepted. Saxton is also available to present a sponsorship seminar for your speedway, organization or race team that can be used as a fund raiser.

Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc., located in Langhorne, PA, offers more than 35 years of motorsports marketing experience. Saxton offers a variety of marketing services for racer teams and event organizers seeking sponsorship and media relations.

His firm represents teams and events seeking sponsorship and works on a retainer and commission basis. Saxton also offers his expertise as a consultant to businesses looking to benefit from marketing through motorsports.

Media Contact: Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc.

Ernie or Marilyn Saxton 215.752.7797 or 215.752.2392

Email: esaxton144@aol.com

Friday, December 9, 2005

Deja vu all over again

Yesterday, we were joking in the office about putting together a map of all the tracks that were supposed to be built, but never were. The list is endless. Here is another potential addition to the list. Hot on the heels of the last proposed speedway down near Fort Erie...

Hat tip to Dana S. for the heads up on this story.


From the Buffalo News...

Canadian group plans NASCAR track on country club site
By JANICE L. HABUDA News Staff Reporter12/9/2005

With NASCAR officials talking about expanding into Canada, a group of Canadian investors and developers is looking to build a race track on what is now a Fort Erie golf course.

"We've been working at this for about 15 months," James Thibert, general manager of the Fort Erie Economic Development & Tourism Corp., said this week.

A group of investors has an option on an almost 1,000-acre site that includes the International Country Club in Stevensville, Thibert said. The proposed seven-eighths of a mile track would have seating for as many as 65,000 spectators.

"It's perfect because it's very close to the [Queen Elizabeth Way]. It's got entrance ramps to it [at Netherby Road]," Thibert said. "Not a lot of residential development around."

NASCAR ventured across the border earlier this year for a Busch Series race in Mexico City.

"I'd love to see us in Canada," driver Jeff Gordon later was quoted in an Associated Press report. "Staying in North America is extremely important. Canada seems like the next natural place."

Last year, NASCAR and TSN, a division of Bell Globalmedia, formed NASCAR Canada. A news release from TSN, which has been broadcasting NASCAR since the network was established more than 20 years ago, says NASCAR is the top-rated motor sport on Canadian television.

Businesses on both sides of the border would benefit from a track in Fort Erie, Thibert said.
Completion is projected for late 2008. "It's not that far away," Thibert said.

"We have to finalize the development of the team that puts this all together," he said. The bureaucratic process will follow designation of the principal developer.

But Thibert said he is confident the proposal will work, saying the question isn't "if" but how quickly.

Thursday, December 8, 2005

CHRA to Mosport in 2006


Tampa, FL (December 8, 2005) CHRA (Continental Historic Racing Association) is excited to announce the second event on the organizations 2006 race schedule will be at Mosport International Raceway, in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada. The dates for the new event are August 3-6, 2006.

This new event, the Mosport Historics, will be the first time a United States based historic racing organization will venture north of the border. “Mosport has more racing history than almost any other racing circuit in North America. Every major racing series has raced there, including: Can Am, F-1, Indy Cars, IMSA, ALMS, WSPC Group C, Trans Am, Formula Atlantic, F-5000, NASCAR and Super Bikes. To be included in with that group of racing series is an honor for a new organization such as ours.” said Tim Pendergast, Director of operations and Promotions for CHRA.

“Mosport oozes history. All of the greats have raced there: McLaren, Stewart, Moss, Foyt, Hulme, Holbert, Revson, Kristensen, Andretti and Unser in cars from Tyrell, Porsche, Ferrari, March, Lola, McLaren, Brabham, Lotus and Jaguar, to name but a few. Putting on an event at Mosport is a wonderful opportunity for CHRA and our competitors. We are excited at the prospect of what this event can become and look forward to bringing back a number of historic cars the Mosport fans have not had an opportunity to see since they raced here originally.” noted Pendergast.

“Next season is Mosport’s 45th anniversary, so we’re thrilled to be adding a major historic race event weekend to our schedule to help celebrate this milestone,” said Myles Brandt, Mosport’s President and General Manager. “Historic racing has a strong following at Mosport. As Canada’s Home of Motorsports, we’re looking forward to hosting the CHRA’s first-ever Canadian event and staging a memorable race weekend for our fans.”

The Mosport Historics will be a four day vintage/historic racing event. Thursday, August 3rd, will be a test day, with practice on Friday, qualifying and enduro races on Saturday and the feature trophy races will be on Sunday, August 6th. As of this writing, the feature for the weekend is still being finalized, though an announcement is expected soon. CHRA and Mosport are working together to bring a feature that will be exciting for the fans and competitors, as well as being historically significant to the track.

CHRA (Continental Historic Racing Association) is a new historic race sanctioning body. The focus is to professionally manage and promote safe and competitive historic racing events at historically significant racing circuits in the eastern United States and Canada. The cars that compete with CHRA include those that competed in both amateur and professional races prior to January 1, 2000 and include cars from: IMSA GTP and WSC, Trans Am, CART, IMSA GT, Group C, FIA, Can Am, NASCAR, F-1, F-5000 and Formula Atlantic, as well as many forms of amateur racing in the 1950’s and 1960’s

ALSTAR: Schedule and News released


SAUBLE BEACH, ON - President of the ALSTAR Series Joe Chisholm is extremely pleased to release the 2006 SHOULDICE STONE ALSTAR Racing Series Schedule and Format for this exciting upcoming season.

SHOULDICE ALSTAR Series Competitors will compete for over $100,000.00 dollars in 3 super weekend events, as well as a $10,000.00 Points Fund.

The new format for 2006 will kick off at Steelback Sauble Speedway on Saturday May 20th, for the "MacDonnell Fuels Twin 50 Qualifiers", Cars that qualify through these races will advance to Sunday May 21st/06 for the "SHOULDICE Q Stone 100"

The Series 2nd Visit to Steelback Sauble Speedway will be on Sat. Aug. 5th/06 to compete in the "TIM-BR Mart Wiarton Twin 50 Qualifiers" advancing to Sunday Aug 6th/06 for the "Quaker State 100."

SHOULDICE ALSTAR Series Championship Weekend will start on Saturday Sept 2nd/06 with the "STEELBACK Twin 50 Qualifiers", and advancing drivers will compete in the "STEELBACK 100" on Sunday September 3rd/06 to decide the "2006 SHOULDICE ALSTAR SUPER SERIES CHAMPION"

While drivers in the SHOULDICE ALSTAR Racing Series will be competing for unprecedented pay outs, the chase for the SHOULDICE ALSTAR Championship will be the competitors ultimate goal.

The Awards Presentation to honor the Series Top 15 drivers in points will be held at Steelback Sauble Speedway on Monday Sept 5th/06, all are welcome to attend.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank SHOULDICE Designer Stone for their outstanding continued support, and also thank MacDonnell Fuels, TIM-BR Mart Wiarton, Quaker State Canada, and Steelback Brewery for their sponsorship as well as all contingency sponsors, and special award sponsors.

2006 promises to be an an edge of your seat race season for all of the SHOULDICE ALSTAR Race Fans, Series Competitors, and Sponsors.

- From the Shouldice Stone ALSTAR Series

Wednesday, December 7, 2005

NASCAR: New TV deal

NASCAR Completes Eight Year Television Deals with FOX, Turner Broadcasting, ABC/ESPN

Daytona Beach, Fla. (Dec. 7, 2005) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced the completion of comprehensive broadcast agreements that will benefit the industry and its fans for years to come. Under the new eight year agreements NASCAR races will be broadcast on a combination of networks that includes FOX, SPEED, Turner’s TNT and ABC/ESPN beginning in 2007.

“NASCAR’s new network agreements mark a historic moment for the entire NASCAR community,” said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “This is a major accomplishment for the NASCAR drivers, teams and track operators that have made this sport what it is today. It represents a significant reward for the competitive side-by-side racing our fans have come to expect. It also validates the marketing and production enhancements our current media partners have brought to the sport.

“The new broadcast partnership is also good for the fans because they will have so much more NASCAR content from a variety of media and new media sources,” said France.

“NASCAR is proud to continue its relationship with FOX, SPEED and TNT, while welcoming back ABC/ESPN into the family of broadcasters,” said NASCAR Vice President Dick Glover. “By signing deals with three of the largest and best media companies in the world, NASCAR will meet the growing nationwide fan demand for more NASCAR content into the next decade,” Glover said.

NASCAR expands its relationship with News Corp as FOX becomes the official home of the Daytona 500. FOX’s broadcast agreements for the NFL Playoffs, the Super Bowl, the Bowl Championship Series and American Idol provide an excellent opportunity for cross promotion around the Daytona 500 held each year in mid-February. The deal also includes a brand-new comprehensive multi-media distribution program which includes Internet, wireless and broadband platforms.

“FOX is extremely excited to extend its relationship with NASCAR for another eight years, and come 2007 be known as the official television home of the Daytona 500, by far the most watched auto race in this country,” said FOX Sports President Ed Goren. “Our production team has done an amazing job over the last five years to put NASCAR broadcasts on par with America's most popular sports, and we look forward to pushing the production envelope further as we move forward.”

SPEED will increase NASCAR programming as the continuing exclusive home for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as well as the new home for the Gatorade Duels, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pit Crew Challenge and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series All-Star Challenge.

“This new television package solidifies the evolution of NASCAR TV on SPEED,” said Hunter Nickell, SPEED executive vice president and general manager. “Building on our signature Daytona Speedweeks coverage, the viewership growth of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series since moving to SPEED and the success of popular SPEED programs like NASCAR This Morning, Trackside and Inside NEXTEL Cup, the network is excited to have the opportunity to elevate fan-favorite events, including the Gatorade Duels, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pit Crew Challenge and the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star Challenge.”

NASCAR looks forward to continued great exposure and coverage of the sport from TNT, which will be entering its 22nd year with NASCAR, the longest continuous relationship of any media company with the sport. TNT will broadcast six consecutive races in the middle of the season including the July 4th weekend extravaganza, the Pepsi 400 from Daytona.

“Extending our 20 plus year partnership with NASCAR has been a priority for our company for a long time, and we’re looking forward to airing NEXTEL Cup races on TNT well into the next decade,” said David Levy, president of Turner Sports. “Our expertise in marketing, promotion and production combined with our new schedule will provide benefits to viewers, cable operators and to the entire sport of NASCAR.”

ABC and ESPN will provide comprehensive coverage of NASCAR on their numerous outlets. The final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events will be broadcast on ABC or ESPN with the last 10, the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, on ABC. All NASCAR Busch Series races will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN or ESPN 2. In addition, ESPN will bring NASCAR coverage to its full suite of media including its cable TV networks, ESPN360, Mobile ESPN, ESPN.com and affiliated international networks throughout the world.

“This agreement totally embraces NASCAR’s multimedia future,” said George Bodenheimer, ESPN Inc. and ABC Sports president and co-chairman of Disney Media Networks. “NASCAR is a strong and growing property, and the ESPN of the 21st century – an array of new media platforms and content outlets reaching fans wherever and however they consume sports – will take the sport to even higher levels of exposure and growth.

“ABC Sports first exposed sports fans to the racing excitement of NASCAR in the 1960s, and ESPN and the sport grew up together in the 1980s and ‘90s. Our tradition is rich, and our future is bright. To NASCAR, its drivers and fans we say, ‘Welcome back.”
“NASCAR thanks NBC for its stellar coverage and commitment to the sport for the past five years and looks forward to another great year in 2006,” Glover concluded.

About the agreements:

  • Beginning in 2007, each NASCAR season will be launched on FOX with the telecast of the Daytona 500. FOX will also carry NASCAR “Speedweeks” events including the Budweiser Shootout and Daytona Pole Qualifying. FOX will also broadcast the 12 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup races following the Daytona 500.
  • TNT will broadcast six consecutive NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series races (races 14 through 19).
  • The final 17 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series points races will be broadcast on ABC or ESPN. The final 10 races, the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, will be broadcast on ABC. The NASCAR Busch Series will be broadcast on ABC, ESPN or ESPN 2, with no less than four events on ABC.
  • SPEED will be home to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the exception of two events, which will be broadcast by FOX.
  • NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series qualifying practice and “happy hours” will be broadcast on a combination of SPEED Channel, ESPN and ESPN2.
  • SPEED will broadcast the Gatorade Duels held each year during “Speedweeks” to determine part of the Daytona 500 starting order.
  • SPEED will also broadcast the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series All-Star Challenge and its companion all-star event, the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pit Crew Challenge.
  • ESPN will launch specially NASCAR-branded news and information programming.
  • All broadcast partners will have new interactive rights, special “season preview” and “season end review” programming rights and other ancillary content.
  • NASCAR fans will be able to receive NASCAR coverage from an expanded range of outlets including highlights and live streaming, content from and on each network’s Web pages, datacasts and newly-developed multimedia programming.

Ottodrome Ottawa to reopen as Capital City Speedway in 2006

As of 6:30 pm. Monday, December 5th, a deal has been finalized between the Drummond group of companies and Mr. Arnie Malcolm. "Capital City Speedway" will be tentatively reopening May 10th, 2006 at 7:30 pm. for it's first race night with many to follow. We're having a driver's meeting Wednesday, December 14th at 7:30 pm. at the Talisman on Carling Ave. This is a must-meeting for all to review classes, exchange ideas and suggestions.
So please, get the word out... your input is as important as ours is.

From Arnie Malcolm:

Hey Guys: We are all pretty exited about the agreement that was reached this week for the rental of the property formerly known as Ottodrome. First of all we would like to thank the Drummond group of companies for making this possible, and in particular Scott Drummond who worked very hard to put this deal together. We believe it is very important to be up front with everyone and to let you know that at this time all of our efforts at Capital City Speedway will be concentrated on stock car racing. We will continue with the ongoing improvements at Luskville Dragway in an effort to make it a better place for everyone each and every year. We are currently working on a new web site for the speedway, www.capitalcityspeedway.ca and should have it up and running very soon. We are also holding a meeting for all those intereseted in the future of stock car racing in the Ottawa-Gatineau area. We realize that this may not be what everyone wants to hear, but we also realize no matter what the decision is, there would still be people that disagree with it.
And Buzz you can call me anything you want, as long as you're calling me it at the race track. By the way Buzz, want to take some Pics on Wednesday nights?

Arnie Malcolm, Family and all of team ADM Motorsports
_________________________________________

Lets hope he can pull this Ottawa track out of the beating it has taken over the past few years.

Greasemonkey.