Inside Track Breaking News Blog

FW: WHITE WITHDRAWS FROM "PIZZA PIZZA 200"

2008-09-05T16:43:00.001-04:00

(On behalf of everyone in the racing community, we wish the White family good luck this weekend. We'll miss you at Barrie!... G.M.)

The Rz Racing Team has announced that Jason White and the A&W Monte Carlo will not compete this weekend in Barrie Ontario for the “PIZZA PIZZA 200”. Jason’s wife Melissa is having some complications with her pregnancy , she has been hospitalized for precautionary reasons and could go into labour at any time. This was not a decision that had to be made it was an obvious reality for Jason to stay with his wife in her time of need. “Obviously my wife Melissa has been very supportive of my racing ventures , and I now have to stay by her side throughout these uncertain and difficult times.”

This situation puts a spin on the chase for the 2008 NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES Rookie of the year battle that the team has been in all season long. It seemed that after the “COKE ZERO 200” last weekend that Jason had all but collected the trophy, now the team will have their work cut out for them when they visit Nova Scotia in two weeks for the “ATLANTIC DODGE DEALERS 300”. “We have been very excited to know we just had to start the last three races to win the battle , but with this situation it just makes it more challenging for us , and we have always been up for challenges”, explained White. “Whatever the outcome may be, I know as a team we have given it our best, and that is what is most important”.

A very special thanks goes out to the teams new found corporate partner A&W. A&W promotes family life and has been very understanding in this situation . “It means a lot to me to have the support of such a great organization in A&W”, remarked White. “ I will definitely be giving it my all when I get back behind the wheel , and doing what I can to carry the flag for “The Burger family”.

Who knows…..maybe the next great Canadian racer is about to be born!! See you all at the races!

St. Thomas Dragway: Friday night cancelled

2008-09-05T15:54:00.002-04:00

Sparta, Ont. - September 5, 2008

Tonight's Performance Unlimited Street Legal racing and Quick 8 Car is cancelled due to the extremely high winds and rain. The Quick 8 will be run Friday, October 3. For further information, contact the track at 519-775-2263, FAX 519-775-2593, e-mail at sttdrags@skynet.ca or visit the website at www.stthomasdragway.com.

NCATS: Jeff Lapcevich to compete in NASCAR Canadian Tire Series event at Barrie

2008-09-05T15:48:00.001-04:00

HAMILTON, ONTARIO (September 5, 2008) – When the Fastline Motorsports Team pulls into Barrie Speedway for the running of the Pizza Pizza 300 Saturday night, regular team driver Jim Lapcevich will not be behind the wheel of the Tim Hortons Chevy Monte Carlo. Jim’s brother Jeff Lapcevich will be driving in the race, the 11th in the 13-race NASCAR Canadian Tire Series for 2008.

“I’ve raced there a few times,” said Lapcevich, whose road racing background led to several road course wins in CASCAR Super Series competition. “I haven’t run on an oval since Cayuga last year.”

Lapcevich has raced twice in the series this year. He started 16th in the Mosport road course event and finished 12th and placed sixth in the road course circuit of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal.

He will be driving his brother’s car in the Barrie race, a car that is setup different from his own for his first oval track race this year.

“The cars may look similar, but are quite different,” commented Lapcevich. “And with virtually no testing time before the race, it should be interesting.”

The driver from Caistor Center added he enjoys racing on the third-mile Barrie oval, and knows what is expected to be successful at the track.

“I like going there, the place is always jammed,” he said. “It’s a small track and a lot can happen really fast. The best way to race there is to stay up on the wheel and stay clean.”

The 300-lap race is scheduled to begin at 8:00 pm Saturday evening.

For information about Barrie Speedway tickets and camping, call (705) 487-0279 or visit online at www.barriespeedway.com

Team Fastline, www.fastlinemotorsports.ca, is sponsored by Tim Hortons, Springer's Meats, Troy Cove Marine, Cathcart Trucking, Wix Filters and B & J Electric.

For more information, please contact Bruce Mehlenbacher at Bruce@JAJEntertainment.com

About Fastline Motorsports: The Fastline Motorsports, www.FastlineMotorsports.ca, team cars are based on the 2008 Chevrolet Monte Carlo body with a 107.5-inch wheelbase, which sits on top of a McColl Racing Enterprises chassis. The 355-cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine from AP Racing Engines produces over 500 horsepower, and this power is transferred to the car's rear wheels by a four-speed transmission. Headed by father Joe Lapcevich, and with an experienced and devoted crew of 12 others, this two-car team demonstrates the professionalism, ability, and confidence to represent this exciting sport both on and off the track.

About Jeff Lapcevich: Jeff Lapcevich ran a limited schedule in the 2007 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and finished with two top-ten finishes. Jeff Lapcevich began his career on road circuits, and the experience acquired in this form of motorsport has developed into a successful career on the CASCAR tour, as he has won six road course events in the past four years in CASCAR.

About Jim Lapcevich: In 2007, Jim Lapcevich captured seven top-ten finishes in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and one top-five finish, narrowly missing the winner’s podium on several occasions. With a strong background in oval track events, Jim Lapcevich has progressed from the Saturday night "bull-rings" to become one of the top drivers in CASCAR, with several victories in this national series. With a strong competitive desire, Jim will always be in the hunt vying for that checkered flag.

About NASCAR: The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) has a broad reach with 1,300 racing events at 95 tracks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in several racing series. Among major professional sports, NASCAR ranks number one in corporate involvement and per-event attendance, and number two in television viewership. This sanctioning body for stock car racing is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, with offices in New York City (Corporate Marketing), Los Angeles (Broadcasting Media and Entertainment), Charlotte, North Carolina (Licensing and Aftermarket), Concord, North Carolina (Research and Development Center), Mexico City, and Toronto, Ontario.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will be presented across Canada in a 13-race schedule for 2008.

From Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

Série ACT Castrol: Autodrome St-Eustache event to host championship on Sept. 20

2008-09-05T13:44:00.002-04:00

ST-EUSTACHE (Montréal), QC - The Série ACT Castrol stock car championship weekend at Autodrome St-Eustache near Montréal has been trimmed from a two-day affair to a one-day stand-alone race on Saturday, Sept. 20. The 14th Annual St-Eustache 300 will be the eighth and final championship event for the Série ACT Castrol Late Models, and will offer a bonus purse for any American-based teams that participate.

A 200-lap race, previously rained out on July 26, had been rescheduled for Sat., Sept. 20 with the St- Eustache 300 originally slated to be held on Sunday, Sept. 21. Series and track officials have reached an agreement that will cancel the rescheduled 200-lap race and move the St-Eustache 300 to Saturday, Sept. 20. The move trims the Série ACT Castrol championship schedule from nine races to eight.

The Série ACT Castrol is in action on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Autodrome Chaudière in Vallée-Jonction, QC as the top-11 Castrol teams from Québec and Ontario take on the top-11 teams in the U.S.-based American-Canadian Tour Championship Late Model series in the Coors Light 200 "Showdown at Chaudière," a $5,000-to-win, non-points, all- star invitational race, at 6:30pm.

For more information, call (802) 244-6963 or visit www.laserieactcastrol.com or www.acttour.com.

From Justin St. Louis / ACT

Marks Work Wearhouse Ladies Night

2008-09-05T13:42:00.002-04:00

Guys, Make a list of everything you want at Marks Work Wearhouse, then send your wife or girlfriend to buy it at 20% off!!!

TARGA NEWFOUNDLAND: New Challenger will carry Dodge colours in Targa Newfoundland

2008-09-05T10:47:00.002-04:00

ST. JOHN’S (September 5, 2008) – The eagerly awaited new Dodge Challenger will get its Canadian competition debut and enthusiastic fans will get an eye-full of ‘Snake Skin Green’ when a dazzling 2009 Challenger SRT8 carries the corporate colours for Chrysler LLC in Targa Newfoundland 2008, the company has confirmed.

Driven by two-time Targa competitor and heralded Chrysler car designer Ralph Gilles, with co-driver Karen Wagner, the new Challenger is the fifth new vehicle in four years the manufacturer has sent to test the challenging roads of Canada’s longest and toughest motorsports event.

Powered by a potent 6.1-litre Hemi V8, the Challenger is sure to be a crowd favourite in its eye-popping lime green livery.

“The car is the result of a remarkable volunteer effort from enthusiasts within the company, and was built in record time,” Gilles says. “The car is nicknamed Samantha, and is built off the new Mopar® ‘drag pak’ chassis, which is an ultra-light car built just for drag racing.”

“This car was lovingly built by a small group of enthusiast volunteers inside Product Design, SRT, Mopar® Performance and, most graciously, the UAW fabricators and mechanics from unit 10 and unit 1,” Gilles explains. “They worked around clock using a variety of off-the-shelf Mopar® performance parts to prepare the Challenger for the rigors of Targa. Some parts literally were pirated from the 2005 race car and a variety of test vehicles. The team squeezed this project in between their day jobs.”

Gilles has enormous respect for Targa, earned over two previous visits to the event. In his first attempt, Gilles’s Dodge Charger SRT8 was a victim of an off-road excursion. He rallied the following year to score a class win, with Wagner, in a colourful new Dodge Caliber SRT4.

The company has used its experience at Targa as real world testing in the process of refining and developing its vehicles and components. In addition to the Challenger, Charger and Caliber, the company has also entered a Chrysler 300C SRT8 and Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT8 in the event. But the team has a competition goal, too. “We want another class win, and get a top overall finish,” Gilles says. “But mostly we want to show the world how truly capable the Challenger is.”

The scenic roads and bays of Newfoundland are a world away from Gilles’s day job as Vice President – Design for Chrysler LLC. A highly regarded designer, he has left his mark on vehicles as diverse as the award-winning 2005 Chrysler 300C, 2005 Dodge Charger Magnum and Viper SRT10 Coupe. More recently as Vice President – Jeep / Truck, Advance Interior and Component Design, Gilles oversaw the design of the 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans and the 2009 Dodge Ram 1500. Although his home today is near Detroit, Gilles grew up with his family in Montreal.

Wagner, of San Marcos, California, is an active co-driver in the U.S. and currently leads her class in the popular Rally America national championship. The team will be keeping fans up to date with daily posts to their blog at www.firehouse.biz. Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 7thannual Targa Newfoundland will start and end in St. John’s and will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of the island of Newfoundland over six days, including up to 400 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages. Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Holland, the Bahamas and the U.K. for the first six editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily from places such as Germany and the Turks & Caicos.

-30-

From: Doug Mepham // 613-966-4969 // d.mepham@bellnet.ca
And Jack Sulymka // Chrysler Canada Inc. // 416-884-7584 // jgs1@chrysler.com

Merrittville Speedway: Tripleheader focuses on fans

2008-09-05T10:12:00.001-04:00

For Immediate Release September 5, 2008. From Jim Irvine

Thorold, Ontario (September 5) Over the course of the next three days – there will be so many stories to follow and so many point races to watch unfold on the track as Merrittville Speedway is all set to close it’s 57th Season with the J&S Heating Weekend with two nights and an afternoon event – Friday September 5- Sunday September 7th.

Originally set to highlight the annual Reunion Night back on July 12th, the Friday Night portion now includes the 50 lap Lucas Oil Shoot Out for the 358 Modifieds and with it the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame Inductions.

Before Guest Starter Roger Slack throws his first green flag of the night to start the qualifying action, everyone’s eyes will surely be on the CAA Niagara Stage for the 2008 Ceremonies hosted by the Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee.

Some of the alumni gathered for the delayed Reunion Night will be called forward out of the grandstand to honor their contributions to the racing community.

“It’s been so hard to keep it under wraps,” reveals (Merrittville Speedway Reunion Committee Chairman) Rick Kavanagh, “but as we do every year … it’s a big surprise … until (Merrittville Announcer) Erik Tomas gets into each inductee’s bio.”

Roger Slack is set to make a rare return to the Starter’s Stand – filling in for Merrittville’s Doug Leonard as previous commitments will make him unavailable for the Friday Night portion of the weekend.

“The three nights present a few staffing issues,” adds (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “we’re honored to have Roger pitch in to help get us through though.”

Slack of course is quite used to the Starter’s role – having done that and probably a host of other tasks at the formerly family-owned Cayuga Speedway growing up before joining the former ASA Series. Most recently, Slack held prominent positions at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte North Carolina in addition to the Dirt Track at Lowe’s.

Towards the end of the final Saturday Night of the season, Tomas will also be one of the first to know the name of the 2008 Merrittville Speedway Super Fan after a front-stretch draw.

A presentation of Raceline Radio and local affiliate 105.1 The River – a pair of tickets will be given away to the Bank of America 500 at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway this October.

“We’re quite honored as well to present our Super Fan with such a prize,” boasted Bicknell, “ thanks so much to Raceline, The River and Lowe’s.”

Back on August 9th the contest kicked off with free ballots handed out each event. The Ballots will still be available Friday and Saturday Nights leading up to the draw.

The lucky winner must be in attendance Saturday Night however to win and the drawing will continue until a winner in attendance is found.

For further information call the Speedway Office at 905-892-8266 or visit www.merrittvillespeedway.com .

KARTING: Vincec captures Stars West Division championship

2008-09-05T09:25:00.002-04:00

Stouffville, Ontario (September 03, 2008): In his quest for a national championship, seventeen-year-old Mike Vincec fought through some tough battles at the recent Stars of Karting West Division finals in Kent, Washington. After taking the East Division title in July, Mike would come to the temporary circuit in Kent and record two top-five results. These results created a tie in the points standings but Mike would be awarded the championship based on his win at the East / West races at Shawano.

Driving a CRG/Maxter ICC for Hamilton, Ontario-based Cameron Motorsports Vincec was in for a battle in the west as the points chase was closer. Competition was fierce through the heat races and Vincec ended more than one in the barriers. He would make it up in the finals however and fight to a fourth-place finish in race one but lose points to his main rival in the championship. The last race started in the rain and Mike put in a good run to second place where he finished. This resulted in a tie for points but based on his win at the race in July, the Stouffville, Ontario native would take the division championship.

The East-West finals for Stars of Karting and the shot at the National Championship take place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, October 12. In the meantime though, Vincec is headed to France for the final round of the FIA European Championship where he races as a member of the CRG factory team. The final event takes place at the Varennes s/Allier circuit this weekend (September 7). In the last round at Mariembourg, Belgium, Mike had a great run and after qualifying 44th out of over one-hundred entries, progressed through the heats and would earn a top-ten finish in the final race.

Mike is currently shown in 13th place in the championship and can move into the top ten with good results this weekend.

Media Contact: Chris Jameson // Level Ten Communications

David Strachan: Darlington Dream Comes True

2008-09-05T09:23:00.001-04:00

Picton, Ontario's 60 - year old David Strachan had a long awaited dream come true. Darlington International Raceway hosted the first Darlington Historic Racing Festival on Labour Day weekend, the former date of the famous Southern 500. With four classes of sprint cars, Indy cars, modifieds and stock cars, the car count was over 120 cars.

Strachan, with his 1962 Ford Galaxie Holman Moody replica, ran with stock cars which ranged from the 50's to 70's and 80's NASCAR Cup Dodges, Chevys and Fords with big engines and 12" racing slick tires. By the end of the weekend, by virtue of being the only driver to run the 30 degree banked top groove, Strachan dominated the last session with the quickest laps of the weekend of all the classes with a 39.2 second lap time, at 137 mph average speed on the 1.5 mile egg shaped speedway.

After setting the Galaxie up in his garage he said the car "felt perfect", Strachan made no adjustments all weekend. He said running the top groove was a really neat sensation and despite being much faster also felt much safer than the low and center grooves. Luckily, the only "Darlington Stripe" was a tiny little mark on the rear bumper from Strachan lightly kissing the wall on one or two of his fast laps.

Shaw Motorsports weekend update including Delaware's APC 300

2008-09-05T09:09:00.003-04:00

GUELPH, ON - A tired Shaw Motorsports crew headed west to Delaware Speedway at 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, after a long night that ended at 2:30 a.m. after changing the car's setup from Jason Shaw's win at Flamboro Speedway. After passing technical inspection, the order of business was to erect the tent to protect the crew from the heat and sunshine during the long day ahead.

The first practice session was used to scuff in four of the six new tires to be used in the 200 lap race later in the day and the second session was used to scuff in the other two. The car was a little pushy during the first practice and a little loose during the second. The crew made a shock change and minor adjustments with an older set of tires that made the car feel its best on the high banked and bumpy track.

13 of the local Delaware cars lined up for a 50 lap race that would be the final opportunity to accumulate points for their local series as well as set the starting order for the outside row for the 200 lap feature.

The Shaw crew relaxed and watched the race won by the #5 followed by the #77 and #22. The #82 Erb& Erb Insurance Ford lined up 5th in the visiting car, 50 lap heat race that would set the starting order of the inside row of the feature.

Jason started on the outside and when he was able to get down to the inside, he was 8th, behind the #44. The next move was past the #44 on lap 10 and after a caution, Jason and the #44 moved forward into 5th and 6th respectfully where they both ran until the half way mark. Jason indicated that the car was pretty good, however, Dave Meades should consider making an adjustment to fix a push condition prior to the 200 lap feature.

After a caution on lap 33, the #44 got a run on Jason and as he passed on the inside, he brought the #7 and #19 with him putting Jason 8th. Another caution, three laps later brought a restart with just 10 to go and the #37 of David Elliott moved past Jason on the outside, putting the #82 into 9th where he would run for the final laps and finish behind the #9, #4, #49, #7, #3, #19, #37 and #44.

The Shaw crew spent the 30 minute break after the 50 lap feature, changing tires, bleeding the brakes, refueling the car and checking the setup to see why the car had such a bad push. What they found was a severe toe out condition that they quickly repaired and sent the #82 Del Metals Fusion to line up 16th for the 200 lap APC special.

The #44 and #7 made unexpected pit stops as the field was heading for the green flag putting Jason up to 14th and early cautions put out even more cars moving Jason up to 11th by lap 10. During the restart, the right rear tire was going flat and fortunately a quick caution came out allowing Jason to come into the pits where the waiting crew jumped into action to replace the tire and send Jason out at the back of the field but still on the lead lap. On lap 24, Jason made his first move forward and gained two positions into 20th out of the remaining 26 cars.

On the next caution, Jason was informed by the crew that a lug nut went missing on the tire change and that he must come down pit road to get the 5th one installed. After restarting 17th, Jason made his way up to 16th by the 50 lap mark.

Three cautions came out over the next 15 laps and one unfortunately involved the #82. A minor amount of damage was sustained on the front right corner, however, the car was still running fine and looked good by the crew, so Jason stayed out at the back of the field.

It wasn’t long before the #82 was up to 13th and then up to 11th by lap 70 as Jason took the position away from fellow Flamboro regular, David Elliott in the #37. Another caution on lap 78 put Jason up to 9th and he was able to move forward to 7th before the competition yellow came out just past the half way mark for a 5 minute timed pit stop.

The Shaw crew with the help of Billy Schwartzenburg as jack-man, went to work fueling the car, replacing right side tires and repairing the damage to the right front as Jason exited the car for a nature call.

With some cars sent to the back for not observing the 5 minute maximum stop, Jason was now in 5th. After a few short cautions, the top three pulled ahead as Jason worked hard on getting past the #10 on the inside before taking him on the high side for 4th. 21 cars remained and despite the top three pulling well ahead, the rest of the field were running nose to tail.

Jason was running fast lap times and was gaining on the leaders as the caution came out on lap 140 bringing the field together. Jason informed the crew that the car was running pretty good despite the rising water temperature. On the restart, things changed as the #10 got a run on Jason taking over 4th, bringing with him the #37 putting the #82 into 6th.

The top three positions changed to the #52, #37 and #5 as Jason was passed by the #77 putting him into 8th with 40 laps to go. The #3 also passed Jason on the outside followed closely by the #9 and that put the #82 into 10th.

With the #3 involved in the next caution, Jason moved up to 9th , however Jason had to fall behind the #20 on the restart putting him back to 10th. The front 4 consisting of the #52, #37, #5 and #28 took off ahead of the field as Jason got past the #20 for 9th and then was able to get ahead of the #10 with just 15 laps to go.

Jason battled the #49 for position 10 car lengths behind the leader as the #37 battled for the lead with the #52. The final laps closed out with the #52 holding onto the position for the win and the #49 staying ahead of the #82, giving the Del Metal Ford a top 10 finish in 8th. Next up for the Shaw Team is a regular series night at Flamboro Speedway on Saturday September 6th. Pit gates open at 4:00pm followed by the main grandstand at 5:00pm and racing is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.

From Ken Spira

NASCAR Holdings Announces Plan to Acquire Grand-Am

2008-09-04T16:28:00.001-04:00

NASCAR Holdings today announced an agreement to acquire the Grand-American Road Racing Association (Grand-Am). The future move will allow for resource sharing between Grand-Am and NASCAR while both organizations continue to operate independently. NASCAR Holdings is the legal operating entity that includes the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and many of its subsidiaries.

Grand-Am, one of the world’s most competitive road racing organizations, and NASCAR, the No. 1 spectator sport in the U.S., will combine marketing and communications efforts to include brand management, research, marketing and public relations.

Grand-Am consists of six racing series, including the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series, which has millions of loyal fans.

“This combination of resources will benefit Grand-Am and NASCAR, their competitors and fans, as the two companies work together to enhance the two sports,” said Jim France, NASCAR Vice Chairman and Grand-Am founder.

The two racing brands will continue to independently sanction and officiate race events for their own series and there will be no change in management. Roger Edmondson will continue to serve as president of Grand-Am.

There has been a rise in crossover drivers and team owners between Grand-Am and NASCAR in recent years. NASCAR drivers such as Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kyle Petty, Bobby Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kurt Busch and Jeff Gordon have raced in the Grand-Am Rolex Series. Full time driver and 2008 Grand-Am Daytona Prototype team champion Scott Pruett has driven in many NASCAR events. Chip Ganassi and Richard Childress own teams in both sports.

The Grand-American Road Racing Association was established in 1999 and is based in Daytona Beach, Fla. The 2008 schedule includes 15 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series events and 11 Grand-Am KONI Challenge events. Other Grand-Am racing series include Ferrari Challenge; Ford Racing Mustang Challenge; Skip Barber Racing Series; and the SunTrust MOTO-ST Series.

For more information about Grand-Am please log on to: www.grand-am.com

NASCAR, celebrating 60 years of racing in 2008, holds 17 of the top 20 highest attended sporting events in the U.S., and is the No. 2 rated regular-season sport on television. NASCAR races are broadcast in more than 150 countries and in more than 30 languages. NASCAR fans are the most brand loyal in all of sports, and, as a result, more Fortune 500 companies participate in NASCAR than any other sport. For more information about NASCAR, please log on to: www.nascar.com.

- From NASCAR

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Pete Shepherd to fill in for Alex Tagliani again this weekend

2008-09-04T13:46:00.001-04:00

For the second time this season, on Saturday, September 6th, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will make as stop at the Barrie Speedway tri-oval to run its 11th round of the championship.

Currently second in the overall standings, a little over 60 points behind the leader Scott Steckly, Andrew Ranger, at the wheel of the #27 Tide / Wal-Mart car, is heading into the last races of the year ready for a tough battle. Andrew, with two wins and two podiums in the last five races, the Pizza Pizza 300 could be significant for him for the championship battle ahead. It is even more important as the Barrie Speedway seems to suit Andrew Ranger.

Having qualified in 16th place in 2007, during his first visit to this track, he managed to climb the order, by driving a brilliant race and finished in 5th position. More recently, on June 28th, during the third round of the present season, Andrew Ranger started third to cross the finish line in sixth place also having led about 30 laps. “I am really looking forward to Saturday. I really like racing on that layout as it is different to the traditional ovals. If I get here with a car that is well set-up like it was in the last few races, then I could get even closer to the championship lead and fight for the title. That is what I am aiming for anyways.”

The #7 Ubisoft / Wal-Mart car will be driven for the second time by the young Ontarian, Peter Shepherd.

With three events to go until the end of the season, everything is open for Andrew Ranger who is aiming for another championship title. Each race will be hard fought until September 27th, when the championship ends. Do not miss the Pizza Pizza 300 at Barrie Speedway on Saturday, September 6th!

From: Professional Sports Management

South Buxton Raceway: Paul DeGoey Update... good news

2008-09-04T13:43:00.001-04:00

Stock car racer Paul DeGoey of Leamington continues to make tremendous strides in his recovery from Saturday’s terrifying crash at South Buxton Raceway. DeGoey may be released from London’s Victoria Hospital later Thursday or sometime Friday, his father John DeGoey said late Thursday morning.

John said that Paul “is in great spirits” and added that his son is “already talking about building a new race car!” But, John said that Paul still has a long road to recovery from his multiple injuries incurred in the crash. DeGoey’s car was sent airborne and rolled several times in a two-car collision early in his Modified heat race on Saturday, Aug. 30. He was transferred to Chatham hospital and immediately air-lifted to London. He was moved out of intensive care late Sunday.

Fans in attendance this Saturday at South Buxton Raceway are invited to sign a giant ‘Get Well’ card for DeGoey, which will be on display at the Outhouse Image & Design souvenir trailer. Despite his accident, DeGoey still won the 2008 Schinkels Gourmet Meats Modified points championship.

For further information, please contact:
Mike Bennett, SBR Public Relations
Office Phone: 519-676-6922
Home Phone: 519-351-4765
email: mikeb@southbuxtonraceway.com

visit us on the web at: www.southbuxtonraceway.com

Auto Clearing Motor Speedway: Martinsville trip prize to be settled on Saturday

2008-09-04T09:48:00.002-04:00

Saskatoon, SK - The Playoffs, the chase for the Championships, the Super Truck Mini Series champion will be crowned this weekend at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway. The Lafarge 100 Super Truck race will be held on Saturday, September 6 at 7:00 pm. The winner will receive a trip to Martinsville, Virginia in October to attend the NASCAR race weekend.

The top 8 drivers have all got a shot at winning this year’s series. It is going to be very exciting. Get your tickets early from your local Macs Convenience Stores in Saskatoon or Prince Albert.

#24 Larry Cramer, Calgary, AB - is in the slight lead. Larry loves Auto Clearing Speedway and has his best results in Saskatoon compared to the other racetracks the series visits. He seems to have the track dialed in on every race night and holds the current track time trial record.

#48 Dan Saunders, Edmonton, AB - is just 10 points behind Larry and is really hoping to win the Martinsville Mini Series and take his crew chief Dale Bettcher to Martinsville with him. Dan is leading the total points standings for the series and would like to win this series as well.

#35 Keray Myer, Camrose, AB - has a good shot at champion of the mini series as well as the series champion. Keray has paid his dues in this series having joined it in 2002 and every year improving his standings. Keray would love to go home as the Auto Clearing Speedway Martinsville Mini Series Champion.

#74 Wade Lee, Calgary, AB - is new to the Super Truck coming to us with vast racing experience including CASCAR. Wade is having a great year battling with #48 Dan Saunders and would love to have a great final race at Auto Clearing Speedway.

#33 Jamie McClennon, Wainwright, AB - would love to win the Sept 6th race and miniseries. That would be his first feature win in the Series. He has come close many times but has yet to take a first.

#8 Grant Mills is having a great season with his brand new Ford. He just may be the long shot in all of this to take the miniseries. We can't count out Rookie #84 Sheldon Bain who had a serious wreck in Vernon Aug 23/08 totally destroying his truck and his racing in a loaner truck from #8 Grant Mills.

- From ACMS

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series: Gaunt set to turn corner

2008-09-04T09:41:00.003-04:00

NASCAR's Shon Sbarra did a nice piece on short track veteran John Gaunt, who will be racing in front of his hometrack fans this Saturday night in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race at Barrie Speedway. Gaunt and the #12 Centennial Dodge team are running well of late and are motivated to do well at Barrie.

Photo by Perry Nelson for NASCAR

Shaw Motorsports: August update

2008-09-04T09:33:00.000-04:00

The Shaw Team were invited by Nancy Hoffman to help celebrate the half century mark birthday for Paul Dudnick, owner of, Roof Trusses and Components in Rockwood and long time supporter of Shaw Motorsports. The team were invited to the home of Paul and Nancy for a BBQ and after a delicious meal cooked on the BBQ and fresh local corn on the cob, the team enjoyed the country setting around the fire where they spent time bench racing until the early hours of the morning.

The Shaw team have been having more than their share of tire problems in 2008 with holes in new tires, the cost of racing goes up tremendously. This year to date, there have been 10 American Racer tires that have gone flat, costing the team precious positions and prize money as was the case with the last segment of the Grisdale Triple Crown where a right rear started going down with just 3 laps to go, allowing the #86 to get past to take the win and an extra $800.00. Some tires have gotten holes in them by running over something sharp in the pits and with the Shaw Teams luck with tires this year, it is usually a new tire that receives the puncture. The Shaw team have asked other teams if they have had more than their usual share of tire problems and it looks like it is just a string of bad luck for the Shaw Team. Tires work out to be 20% of the operating budget annually and the frequency of failures only amplifies the negative effect on the bottom line

During the week prior to the final leg of the Grisdale Triple Crown, the Shaw crew and a few of their children enjoyed a sunny day of testing at Flamboro Speedway. The goal was to fine tune the car with some shock changes and to get a handle on how much the car would change with minor adjustments to the compression and rebound. Overall, the day was a success as chassis expert Dave Meades did find some shock combinations that made the car roll through the corners better. Ken Spira also brought his #88 mini-stock along and after getting it dialed in with stagger and tire pressure adjustments, had a few of the kids take it out for some experience behind the wheel. Samantha Shaw, Randy Shaw’s daughter, ran some good lap times for only her second time out at 13 years old and David Spira made his maiden voyage around a race track. Both kids had a great time and enjoyed the experience tremendously. Ken may have to add more cars in his fleet to satisfy the need for speed of the next generation of drivers.

The month of August was filled with several different activities, with baseball games being played on the same day as race events. Unfortunately, some games were missed but due to the help of Ken Spira, Dale Shaw, Samantha Shaw, Paul Dudnick, Carol Spira along with the co-operation from the wives and children, the members of the Shaw Motorsports crew were able to attend most of the contests. Thanks to all who have helped out when the workload was increased.

From Ken Spira

OHSWEKEN: Just 6 points separate the top 3 heading into championship night

2008-09-04T09:21:00.000-04:00

By Tommy Goudge (September 3, 2008) - The final edition of Ohsweken Speedway Friday Night Thunder for 2008 hits the track this Friday, September 5th as Iroquois Poker presents Season Championship night, and the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division could not get any closer. Heading into the night, the top 3 drivers are separated by just 6 points, while the top 6 drivers in the standings still have a shot at the championship, making for a battle that is sure to go down to the very last lap on Friday night. The Corr/Pak Sprints, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks will all be in competition on Friday, and each division will be running special extra distance feature races for Championship night, and receiving extra prize money.

After a spin in the feature last Friday night, Keith Dempster was in danger of losing his points lead in the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Car division, but the Alton resident fought back to salvage an 8th place finish and stay out front in the title chase. Despite the fact he has not won a feature race this year, Dempster's consistency has kept him at the top of the standings for much of the season, as he is the only driver who has competed in all the Corr/Pak points races run thus far without finishing outside the top 10. Just 3 markers behind Dempster in the standings is Jared Zimbardi of Salamanca, NY, who claimed a feature victory on June 6, while Brantford's Ryan Hunsinger, who has 2 Corr/Pak feature wins to his credit this season, is just 6 points out of the lead.

Besides Dempster, Zimbardi, and Hunsinger, 3 other drivers are also still in the championship hunt, including Kevin Job of Campbellville, who is currently 17 points out of the lead, followed by Ohsweken's Glenn Styres just 6 points behind Job, and Port Colborne driver Rob Pietz, another 5 markers behind Styres and just 28 points out of the lead. Styres claimed the most recent sprint car feature run at Ohsweken this past Friday, his 2nd overall Corr/Pak win this season after winning on opening night back in May. The top 10 finishers in the Corr/Pak standings will receive a percentage of the lucrative points fund that has been established for the new division in it's first year at Ohsweken, and the battle for the 10th spot in the standings is also very close, as John Riegling of Chatham holds down the spot, but Sutton driver Bob Crawford and Wainfleet's Jim Price are tied for 11th, just 2 points behind Riegling. The points chase will not be completely official until September 12 and 13, however, as 50 show-up points will be awarded (one time) to any registered Corr/Pak driver who attempts to compete on either Friday or Saturday of the Canadian Sprint Car Nationals weekend.

Cody McPherson put an exclamation point on his championship season in the ESSO Thunder Stocks division by claiming his 8th feature win of the season last Friday night. The St. Catharines driver is currently 196 points ahead of 2nd place Ryan Dinning, while Glen Leinen, Rob Disher, and 2007 Thunder Stock champ Brad Bacher round out the top 5. After claiming multiple victories in 2007, Bacher and Leinen are both winless in 2008 and will be looking to finish the season off on a high note with a feature win this Friday night, while rookie Jamie Cox has been in contention for the win in each of the last few weeks and would like nothing more than to cap off his first season at Ohsweken with a feature win. Cox is currently 11th in the points, just 5 points behind Brian Pescetti heading into Friday night.

While not officially the champion of the ESSO Mini-Stocks division yet, Abel Castelein of Cayuga is currently 70 points ahead of young Brantford driver Mitchell Brown in the points chase, and stands a good chance to take the Ohsweken track championship for the 2nd year in a row this Friday night. Brown, meanwhile, is not assured of 2nd yet as Rick Emberson of Paris is just 6 points behind, followed by Kevin Hilborn and Brent Hill. Despite many good runs this season, both Emberson and Hilborn have yet to win a feature in 2008 and will be looking to visit the Engine Pro Racing Winner's Circle on Friday night. With a feature win last Friday, Rick Robinson of Brantford moved his 05 Racing team which he shares with David Goodacre into 10th in the standings, 26 markers ahead of the team of Kelly and Marc Hallett.

The Friday Night Fun Stocks have been an entertaining addition to the Friday Night Thunder action this season, and will put the wraps on their inaugural season this Friday night. Lee Hils took yet another feature win last Friday night and holds a commanding 66 point lead over son Chris heading into the event, while Karl Sault is 3rd, just 2 points behind. An extra distance race with a few surprises in store could make things interesting this Friday, while the feature winner will take home an increased cheque of $250.

One more event remains on the Ohsweken schedule after this Friday's Season Championship, and it is a huge one - The 4th annual Canadian Sprint Car Nationals presented by Arrow Express. Scheduled for Friday, September 12th and Saturday, September 13th, the Nationals promise once again to be a spectacular event this season, and reserved seats are available for purchase for both nights this year. Last season, 76 of the best 360 sprint cars in the Northeast came together at Ohsweken for the 3rd annual edition of the event, with Quebec driver Steve Poirier taking the feature win for the 2nd year in a row. This year, the huge field of competitors - 58 have already pre-entered - will be looking to end Poirier's streak and take home the $8,000 winner's cheque, as well as the bragging rights that go along with winning this great event. Don't miss any of the exciting Nationals action: Visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com now for details on how to reserve your seats!

Ohsweken Speedway's Friday Night Thunder series concludes this Friday, September 5th when Iroquois Poker presents the Corr/Pak Merchandising Sprint Cars, ESSO Thunder Stocks, ESSO Mini-Stocks, and Friday Night Fun Stocks, all running special extra-distance championship feature races! Friday Night Thunder at Ohsweken offers affordable exciting family entertainment just a short drive away from most Mid-Western Ontario locations. Friday Night Thunder Adult General Admission is $10, while Seniors and Students are $8, and Kids age 12 and under are FREE! Please visit www.OhswekenSpeedway.com for more information. Spectator gates open @ 6:00p.m., with the first race taking the green flag at 7:45p.m. this Friday, September 5!

ISMA: All-Star Classic at All-Star Speedway postponed a week due to hurricane(s)

2008-09-04T09:19:00.002-04:00

EPPING, NH - It has just been announced by ISMA president Howie Lane and All-Star Speedway management that the 43rd annual All-Star Classic will not be held this weekend due to the predicted arrival of the remnants of the hurricanes moving up the coast. It is for the convenience and safety of the competitors and fans alike that the race be postponed until the next week Saturday, Sept. 13th. The same schedule will be followed.

The All-Star Modifieds, Super Late Models, Super Streets, Strictly Stocks, Fast 4s and Fast 8s will join the ISMA supermodifieds as scheduled.

On Friday, Sept. 12th, there will be rig parking but no practice for the supers. Pit gates open at 10 am and grandstands at 1 pm on Saturday. Pit admission is $45, grandstands $30, Seniors $25 (62 and over), reserved seating in the SkyView area $40, Chairs $40 and Luxury Box $60.

CENTRE FOR SPEED: The heat is on this weekend

2008-09-04T09:13:00.001-04:00

SHEDIAC, NB (September 4, 2008) - The cars and stars of the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour will be at Centre for Speed this Saturday to pick up where they left off August 3 when rain halted the Lucas Oil 150. The only difference between then and now is what was a then hotly contested series with four races to go - is now a pressure cooker with just two races remaining to decide the 2008 championship, rookie of the year and numerous other bonus programs.

Series point leader Wayne Smith. the inaugural series champ, is hot-to-trot to claim his second series title and second-place point runner Lonnie Sommerville, the '07 series EIT Race Radio Rookie of the Year is just as eager to claim his first title. Only 23 points separate the top two now; only 24 points separated the top two August 3.

Third-place Shawn Turple, the '05 series top rookie, was runner-up to '07 champ Shawn Tucker - and if the saying "you have to lose one to make you want one enough to win it" holds true then Turple could end up at the top of the standings before all is said and done in the last two races of the '08 season. Turple is just 24 markers behind Sommerville.

Tucker and Kent Vincent round out the top five in the series standings with both having mathematical chances to move to the top spot - but would need the top three to have difficulties in order to get there - not out of the question especially considering both of the last two events are extended length features where strategy, reliability and luck play an even bigger role.

Sixth-place Craig Slaunwhite is the top contender for the '08 rookie title, holding a 42-point lead over Jonathan Hicken.

When rain halted the August 3 event the series had already completed its time trials and three of four heat races. When the green flag falls Saturday they will run the last heat race and the Lucas Oil 150 - for which Turple will start from the pole, flanked by Tucker, and followed by Hicken - all winners of qualifying heat races run August 3.

Sportsman division heats and a 50-lap feature will also be on the race card. The Lucas Oil 150 will be run in two segments with a 10-minute break on or about the midway point of the race.

Rain-out tickets from August 3 will be exchanged for free admission to this event. Fans are asked to present their ticket stubs from the rained out date to the Ticket Booth for an exchange ticket for the day. Those wishing to purchase tickets for the Lucas Oil 150 can do so in advance at Race Time in Moncton's Champlain Mall, and at the gate on race day.

The racing starts Saturday at 4 p.m.

The CARQUEST Tour season finale - the Parts for Trucks 200 - is next Saturday September 13 at Scotia Speedworld, near Halifax, NS.

About the CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour

The CARQUEST Pro Stock Tour is owned and operated by Maritime Pro Stock Tour Limited and features an annual series at five venues in the three Maritime Provinces of Canada. Former champions include John Flemming (2002, 2003, 2006), Shawn Tucker (2004, 2007), Wayne Smith (2001) and Rollie MacDonald (2005). For more information, call 902.481.2531 or click www.maritimeprostocktour.com.

# # #

From Joan Roue

CENTRE FOR SPEED: CARQUEST Maritime Pro Stock Tour returns this Saturday

2008-09-04T09:10:00.000-04:00

This Saturday the Centre For Speed will host the continuation of the previously rained out CarQuest Maritime Pro Stock Tour Lucas Oil 150 and Maritime Super Series for Sportsman 50 lap events. Thirty one Pro Stocks qualified to race and are expected to return to the CENTRE on Saturday. Fourteen Sportsman were at the original event and additional cars have expressed their intent to attend this weekend. Fans who were in attendance are remined that all tickets or pit passes purchased on the original date for the event (Aug 3) will be exchanged at the speedways ticket windows for free entry, on Saturday. Fan can save on advanced tickets by calling or dropping in to Race Time in the Champlain Mall in Dieppe. Pit Gates open at 11 AM and the front gate and grandstand concessions open, just in time for practice, at 1.

From Tim Wile, Centre for Speed

IndyCar: Alex Tagliani to race in final two races of the season for Conquest Racing

2008-09-04T09:05:00.001-04:00

INDIANAPOLIS (September 4, 2008) – Conquest Racing announced today that Alex Tagliani will be returning to the cockpit of the Conquest Racing machine as a replacement for the injured Enrique Bernoldi for this weekend’s upcoming race at Chicagoland Speedway. In addition, Conquest has elected to sign Tagliani for the final event of the season at Surfers Paradise due to his vast experience at the Gold Coast street circuit.

While Bernoldi was hoping to be back behind the wheel of the Conquest car for this weekend’s PEAK Antifreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300, the ligaments in his left hand, injured at Sonoma two weeks ago, are not healing properly and rest seems to be the best medication.

“Unfortunately Enrique’s injury is not healing as fast as we thought and would’ve liked, and with Alex doing such a great job last weekend it was an easy decision to keep him in the car for Joliet,” explained Conquest team owner Eric Bachelart.

“We also elected to keep Alex for Australia since he has so much experience at that track. We’ve been looking for strong results all year and we saw what he was able to do in Detroit. Bringing Alex to a track he knows at Surfers and with more time behind the wheel, I think we will be able to fight for a win and end the season on a high note.”

Tagliani, the 35 year-old driver from Lachenaie, Quebec who now resides in Las Vegas, has 29 oval starts under his belt from when he was racing in the Champ Car World Series. However, this will be Tagliani’s first start at Chicagoland Speedway. His best oval performances include three pole positions (Milwaukee 2003, Fontana 2001 and Rio de Janeiro 2000), one second place finish in Japan in 2002 and a third place at Fontana in 2001. It will also be his first oval start since 2005.

“I’m honored that Conquest has called on me again this weekend to drive for them,” expressed Tagliani. “It was such a satisfying feeling to be working with such a professional group of guys last weekend. We came in at the last minute and made so much progress in so little time. We had a top five car on race day and that is proof just how good these guys are. As for this weekend, it’s been a while since I have done ovals but I’m not worried about getting back into it. Once again I want to help the team as much as possible. I can’t wait.”

Tagliani and teammate Camara will be on track Saturday, September 6 at 10:15 a.m. eastern time for a first practice session. The PEAK Anitfreeze and Motor Oil Indy 300 takes place Sunday at 3:30 p.m. eastern time and will be broadcast live on ABC.

Rick Young's 'Rick at the Races for Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, 2008

2008-09-04T09:01:00.001-04:00

PHOTO 1 The F1 stock car of Dutchman Pablo Brandenburg # 51
PHOTO 2   The F1 stock car of Dutchman Ron Kroonder # 217
PHOTO 3   The BriSCA F1of Mark Elsden # 401
PHOTO 4   The Legend Car of Erin Joyce at the Capital City Speedway
PHOTO 5   Trophy girls Kayla and Vicky at the Capital City Speedway
PHOTO 6   Kevin Foisy after winning the Legend Feature at the Capital City Speedway
PHOTO 7 The Late Model of Tim Dorning who won the Capital City Speedway Feature
PHOTO 8 Pete Bicknell # 42 and and John Lazore # 19 at the start of Cornwalls SDS race.
PHOTO 9 Michel Chicoine # 97 rolls on his side at Cornwalls SDS show
PHOTO 10 Danny O'Brien winner of the Cornwall 358 SDS race
PHOTO 11 Pro Stock carnage in their Series race at Cornwall
PHOTO 12 Pete Stefanski winner of the Cornwall ProStock series race.
PHOTO 13 Carla and me in Combermere (Ont) on Labour Day 2008

WEBSITE UPDATE: www.rickattheraces.com

Once again we have a fresh batch of photos in the various sections. There are new 'Pretty Faces' and in 'Ricks Cars' you'll find more photos from the early 1980's . In 'Ricks Favorites' we've added a selection of pictures from the Thunder Hill Raceway at Kyle in Texas , where I visited last year. You'll see why I chose this particular track when you read this weeks report.

The 'Retro' reports have been put on the 'back burner' for a while , during this realy busy time for me. Once I've settled in to my new home, it will be a winter project. Those of you that received these reports by e-mail over the past couple of years will know that I've now reached the latter part of 1986. With things being so hectic, I've only had time to edit and correct my first edition, but hope to have all of them up loaded on the website before too long.

During the week I got a message from Robert Wilms from Baarlo in the Netherlands. I've been corresponding with Robert for quite a while in connection with the gatherings he's organized in memory of his local, and now defunct track ( The Baarlo Auto Speedway) . I used to visit there at least once a year between 1976 and 1993 and have a lot of fond memories of the place. Robert sent me some photos of some of the Dutch contestants in the forthcoming BriSCA F1 World Final at the Foxhall Stadium (Ipswich UK) on Sept 22. I will include a couple of his pictures in this weeks report.

I also had another message from Phil Elsden (ex 401) a BriSCA F1 driver during the 1980's . He told me his son Mark is now racing and sent me some photos.

THIS WEEK'S REPORT

With it being the Labour Day Holiday Weekend, you'll probably be expecting plenty of coverage from a whole bunch of races. Well, that's not the case as this week I have only two events to report on.

On Wednesday (27 Aug) I was at the final mid-week show of the season at Ottawa's Capital City Speedway. To round off the year, the remaining events will be on Friday's (19/26 Sept) and on Saturday Aug 6 for a staging of the ACT LATE MODEL SERIES.

This Wednesday's show sponsored by Local Heros , a Stittsville Sports Bar and Eatery had a good turn out of cars and fans. It was good to see my friend Erin Joyce # 33 back in action with her Legend car after engine problems have kept her away for a few weeks. She led the feature for a while before succumbing to the might of regular winner Kevin Foisy.

My night at Capital City Speedway was made even more enjoyable working with 'Trophy Girls' Kayla and Vicky from 'Local Heros'. They joined me in Victory Lane and performed their duties with excellence. Thunder Car winner was Ken Fisher, Mini Stock was Doug Mold, 4 for Fun was Cody Dunham and Tim Dorning won the Late Model Feature.

I wasn't so disappointed about having to work late this past Friday (29 Aug) when I found out later that my intended destination was canceled because of rain. The final points night at Autodrome Edelweiss was 'washed out' , so Laurent Ladouceur became the 2008 track champion for the Modifieds.

On Saturday ( 30 Aug) , there were no racing plans on my agenda.

My destination was the Pierre Trudeau Airport in Dorval ( Montreal) to meet my daughter Carla. She was flying in from Austin, Texas for the Labour Day Weekend. With my forthcoming move from Maxville to Long Sault ( close to the Cornwall Motor Speedway), we thought it would be a good time for her to pay a visit. ( She still has piles of her things in the house that needed sorting ! )

Now you can see why there is a 'Texas' link in 'Ricks Favorites' on www.rickattheraces.com , and the reason why I only attended two events this week. While we were dining at East Side Marios on Cote Vertu in Montreal, my buddies were at my usual Saturday night choices of the Brockville Ontario Speedway or the Mohawk International Raceway. Early Sunday morning e-mails informed me that Bill Gill won at the BOS and John Lazore won at the MIR.

While Carla was sorting through her stuff , I spent Sunday evening at the Cornwall Motor Speedway where the 358 SUPER DIRTCAR Series was taking place. There were forty seven Modifieds in the pits and it turned out to be a cracker of a show with Danny O'Brien taking the 100 lapper. Not only was there a 358 Modified SDS race up for grabs, but the Pro Stocks were engaged in a Series race too. Long Distance traveler Pete Stefanski from the Buffalo area of New York took this one.

Instead of my normal Labour Day Weekend trip to the Rolling Wheels Raceway ( Elbridge NY) for Mondays Big Block ADVANCE AUTOPARTS SUPER DIRTCAR race , Carla and I loaded up my Chevy with her 'keepsakes' and set off for Combermere Ontario. This picturesque little town on the banks of Lake Kamaneskeg, and close to Barrys Bay was the first place we lived after moving to Canada from the UK in 1994. The reason for our trip was to meet up with Pat, ( Carla's Mum) who was up from Maryland with her partner visiting relatives. We had prearranged this, so we could trans-ship Carla's belongings into their car for the journey back to the USA.

So now you can see why I only have two race reports this week. Next week should be a lot busier with a full agenda planned for Saturday and Sunday.

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PHOTO GALLERY: ACT LABOR DAY CLASSIC 200 THUNDEROAD SPEEDBOWL Aug. 31, 2008 by M.P. Roy

2008-09-02T21:34:00.007-04:00

This is a 443-photo gallery from Thunderoad Speedbowl in Barre, VT, on Sunday, August 31, 2008, featuring the American-Canadian Tour (ACT) 'Bond Auto Labor Day Classic 200'. Thanks to M.P. Roy for the photos. You can see M.P.'s website here.

Scotia Speedworld: Two to go for weekly racers

2008-09-02T17:22:00.001-04:00

HALIFAX, NS (September 2, 2008) - If we were at the track we would see the flags the stock car racing community call "popsicle sticks" - which would indicate to both racers and fans that this Friday night's show at Scotia Speedworld marks two-to-go for the 2008 Lockhart Truck Centre Weekly Racing Series season.

With a rain-out last week cancelling their show, all six weekly racing divisions are fired up and ready to roll this week, including the C&R Auto Supply Sportsman, the Wallace Equipment Hobby Stock, the Miller Tire BFGoodrich Thunder & Lightning divisions, the Legends Cars and the Sojourn Signs Bandoleros.

With just two races remaining to determine final standings for all six classes, the pressure will be on this week as each of the over 100 drivers that compete in Scotia Speedworld's weekly racing series are chasing points that will determine championships, rookie titles, numerous other season-ending awards and ultimately the final point standings which often-times set the stage for the next years racing program.

A good race - or a bad one - could determine who clinches their respective titles next weekend in the season finales at Scotia Speedworld. Division point leaders include: Terry Roma (sportsman), Mike Alexander (hobby stock), Derek MacCallum (thunder cars), Andrew Starks (lightning cars), Ian Mollins (legends cars), Dylan Blenkhorn (bandoleros). With the exception of Roma, the other five racers are potential first-time Scotia Speedworld champions.

Due to popular demand, the Kiddies Rides that were rained out last week have been moved to this week - a chance for children to get a ride in a racecar with their favourite Lockhart Weekly Racing Series driver. This week's show is the last one for '08 where all six divisions will be on the race card. Next week (September 12 & 13) there will be two big nights of championship racing action at Scotia Speedworld.

The Kiddies Rides start this Friday night at 7 p.m. with racing at 7:30. The grandstand gates and box office will open at 5:30 p.m. Fans should note the Bandolero heat races will have a special start time of 6:30 p.m. this week in order to accommodate the Kiddies Rides at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission this Friday night is just $12 for adults and $2 for youth aged eight to 15.

Tickets are now available for the big season finale weekend at Scotia Speedworld. Special savings two-day tickets are just $30 for adults and $5 for youth aged eight to 15. Advance tickets can be purchased at Ticket Atlantic (grandstand only; two-day and/or September 13 only; adult and youth). These tickets as well as pit passes ($40/two days) will also be available at the gate on September 12 and 13. Children seven and under are admitted free at Scotia Speedworld, when accompanied by an adult.

About Scotia Speedworld : Scotia Speedworld is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval stock car racing track featuring the Lockhart Truck Center Weekly Racing Series for six divisions and several special events during the race season, which runs from May to September. Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please click on ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277 or our office at (902) 481-2514.

From Joan Roue