Tuesday, June 19, 2007

NCATS: FUEL STARVATION PROBLEM ROBS BROWN OF TOP-TEN FINISH


Doug Brown, driving his Haldex-sponsored Dodge Charger, made his first road course start of the 2007 schedule at the 2.459-mile Mosport International Speedway this past Sunday and motored to a satisfying 14th-place finish over the 51-lap long event despite some minor issues during the two-day event.

Brown, who readily admits his road course racing skills are not up to par with some the series leaders, was behind the wheel of the unfamiliar DJ Kennington-prepared Dodge for the first time in the early season.

The racing veteran was among the field of 29 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series starters for the Fathers’ Day “Dickies 200” special at the legendary road course and he was looking to improve upon his 10th-place finish of a year ago while competing in the CASCAR Super Series.

Despite a disappointing qualifying time that saw him line-up 18th for the 400 kilometre chase through the rolling course north of Bowmanville, the Brantford driver was comfortable at the drop of the green flag and quickly settled into a steady pace through the first dozen laps around the 10-turn track. By lap 18th he had moved to 12th place and was chasing down fellow Dodge Charger competitor Brad Graham for another spot. But as he swung through the sweeping turn three on lap 20, he felt a sudden drop in fuel pressure taking away much of his momentum and forcing him to drop off the pace.

“It appears there is a problem in the fuel pickup”, Doug reported as his crew prepared for a fast pit stop for two tires and fuel. Once he got back into the chase the car felt fine but the problem redeveloped again around lap 40. He retreated to the pits for another splash of fuel but failed to regain the speed needed to improve his 14th-place position.

“I’m confident we could have gained a top ten finish or even better had that fuel problem not developed,” he added. “The two tires we changed were like new and the car felt comfortable with lots of power before and after the problems”.

The event was the first of four road course/street circuit events Doug will be running in the Kennington-prepared machine.

Like many of their fellow competitors, Doug and his teammates had some anxious moments during the events’ pre-race inspections in order to correct and resolve some issues required to comply with the tough NASCAR mandated specifications.

“Having gone through that inspection process, there is little doubt, all teams are playing from the same sheet of music now that NASCAR is in charge of our series,’’ remarked crew chief Kelly Hallett when the final NASCAR official’s initials were placed on his inspection sheet. “That in itself is a sure sign the competition in this series can only get better”.

The team is now making the final preparations to their primary Haldex-sponsored oval track Mopar-powered Dodge Charger for the Canada Day race weekend at Barrie Speedway.

Heading to that July 1st event Doug finds himself 13th in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series points’ standings and just eight points out of 10th place occupied by Grimsby, Ontario’s Jeff Lapcevich –a position the Brantford driver would like to be in before the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series teams head out on their mid-July swing to Western Canada for an oval track race at Sun Valley Speedway near Vernon, BC and a road course event as part of the CHAMP Car Series weekend in Edmonton.

During pre-race autograph sessions, Doug had an opportunity to renew acquaintance with Miguel Duhamel, the legendary Honda motorcycle racer, winningest AMA road racer and 5-time Daytona 200 Superbike champion, who making his debut on four wheels at the wheel of the #8 – Bitumar – Jacombs Racing entry in the “Dickies 200” presented by Canadian Shield.

The two had competed in Super Cross racing back in the 1980’s before breaking away to other motorsports programs – Duhamel to motorcycle racing and Doug into stock cars.

HB Motorsports is pleased to have Haldex Limited as its Title Sponsor with NAPA Autopro supporting team programs through its role of Major Associate Sponsor role. Bicknell Racing Products; World of Graphics; HurryPrint Imaging Centre; WIX Filters; KWIC Internet; Gates Canada; BOC Gases; Brochures etc; Leitch Performance Engines; Strodes BBQ & Deli; and BrentZone Graphics are also valued members of our Associate Sponsorship Marketing team.

Prepared by: Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations // HB Motorsports

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