Castrol becomes title sponsor of ACT's Quebec Late Model Series

From the American-Canadian Tour:

The American-Canadian Tour’s (ACT) 12-race Late Model series has a new name for the 2007 stock car race season. The Series ACT Castrol will make its debut on Friday, March 30 at the 10th annual Salon National Auto-Sport Motorise, in St-Hyacinthe, Qc, it was announced today (March 30). The series’ opening race will take place on Saturday, May 19 at the Autodrome Montmagny Speedway (St-Pierre-Montmagny, Qc). The 3/8ths mile high-banked paved oval will host the Montmagny 100.

Robert Huberdeau, Regional Manager – Eastern Region, Castrol Wakefield Canada Inc. remarked, “Castrol Canada is proud to join forces with Tom Curley and the ACT Castrol Series as title sponsor for 2007. After the dissolution of the Castrol LMS Series in 2006, Tom approached us with his team, experience and knowledge; we knew then that the new ACT Castrol Series would be successful. The driver’s association and the race tracks owners involved in the ACT Castrol Series are all very enthusiastic and the success of the Series is assured. Once again, congratulations Tom and a great 2007 season to all.”

- Continued at the link above.

NCATS: Doug Brown unveils his 2007 racing program

BRANTFORD, ON – Doug Brown has plenty of “news” to be excited about regarding his plans for the coming stock car racing season… and no wonder.

With a new title sponsor behind his efforts, a new series in which to compete and a new car program in the final planning stages, the veteran competitor from Brantford, Ontario can’t wait for the new season to begin.

“You can bet we are excited,” Brown responded when asked for his thoughts of competing in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series especially with Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems taking a major role in his programs.

“We are extremely pleased to be stepping up our involvement in Doug’s team and equally excited in switching our motorsports involvement to the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series”, stated Paul Reginato, General Manager of Haldex’s Canadian Operations located in Guelph, Ontario.

“Brian Bowerman (Manager of North American Sales) and I are looking forward to having Doug and his team represent Haldex in Canada’s premier motorsports series - an association that began last year and hopefully will develop into a long-term relationship.”

Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems (http://www.hbsna.com/) is a leading manufacturer and distributor of heavy-duty air brake systems and suspension control components. It operates globally with North American headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, and manufacturing and engineering facilities throughout the world.

While Haldex boasts majority market share in spring brakes, slack adjusters and ABS systems throughout Canada, they are also well known for their trusted remanufactured line and Ontario-located brake reline facilities.

Haldex Commercial Vehicle Systems is a part of Haldex Group (http://www.haldex.com/), an innovator in vehicle technology and supplier of proprietary products for trucks, cars and industrial vehicles on a global basis. Haldex Group is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, and has annual sales of $1 billion with 44,000 employees.

“We’re thrilled to have Haldex come forward as our Title Sponsorship/marketing partner and we’ll be putting forth our best efforts to deliver the positive and professional exposure they are seeking’’ Doug added in welcoming Haldex to their new role.

“We are also pleased that NAPA Autopro, our team’s Title Sponsor during our competition in the former CASCAR Super Series, are continuing to play a key role in our programs as a major associate sponsor.”

Adding to the #10 team’s news is the decision to switch car brands to Dodge and partake in the Mopar Contingency Program in 2007.

“DJ (Kennington) and I began talking about the possibility of such a switch quite a while back”, Doug disclosed in announcing the change. “Our team and DJ’s team have worked together over the past two seasons and we see a lot of pro’s to expanding that relationship especially if we’re running the same equipment. We’ll continue to operate as two separate teams but by sharing information, resources, crew members and even some of the expenses associated with the added travel, we both have a lot to gain.”

Bill Steel, Sales and Marketing Manager for Mopar in Canada is equally pleased by Doug’s decision. “I can tell you that Mopar and Dodge are most pleased to have Doug in our camp. We have watched Doug race for several years now. He is a strong competitor and a great ambassador for the sport both on and off the track. With his organization, Doug at the wheel and with NASCAR coming to Canada, it just makes good sense for current and potential sponsors to get behind the #10 team. We are looking forward to cheering for Doug and the #10 Mopar powered Dodge in 2007.”

The team is currently finalizing their move to a spacious 4,300 square foot race shop where they will have plenty of room to work on their oval track and road course cars plus a show car that is part of their marketing programs.

“To say it’s been a bit of a roller coaster ride over this past off season is putting it mildly,” the suddenly upbeat racing veteran confided when summarizing the team’s recent developments. “It’s a goal we’ve been working towards since rumours first began circulating that NASCAR was interested in purchasing CASCAR and although it was all late in coming together, we’ll be ready come that first race of the season.”

The first event of the 2007 season begins on Victoria Day weekend –and event that will mark Brown Auto Racing’s first competition in a Dodge, their first race for their new Title Sponsor and the first event under the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series banner.

Watch for news on the teams’ web site http://www.dougbrown.net/ in the weeks ahead.

Prepared By: Ken Spencer // Marketing and Media Relations Brown Auto Racing

BRIGHTON SPEEDWAY: Holiday Inn Presents Five Dollar Fridays

BRIGHTON, ON – In a continuing effort to provide the most affordable family entertainment in the Northumberland and Quinte areas, Brighton Speedway and the Holiday Inn, Trenton have teamed up to offer the all new Five Dollar Friday racing series.

The 2007 season presents a series of three Friday night events with the low price of grandstand general admission only $5.00. All three events will be action packed with new and familiar contest on the 1/3rd mile clay oval that will have fans excited and thrilled about dirt track racing.

It all kicks off on Friday, July 20th when Holiday Inn presents Offroad Cycle and ATV Four Wheeler Racing, Quinte Towing Stingers, Mister Signz Pure Stocks, a 30 lap Endurance Race and the debut of Mini Van racing to Brighton Speedway. “We are excited to kick off Mini Van racing and from what I have heard from other tracks it can be some of the most entertaining racing to be had and it is always a fan pleaser!” said track promoter Mark Rinaldi

Round two of Five Dollar Fridays will kick off the 5th Annual Labour Day Weekend making the biggest event of the Brighton Speedway schedule a 3 day event for 2007. “We wanted to diversify the weekend even more than it already is to bring more people to the Speedway” said Rinaldi. This famed weekend will see everything from Lawn Mowers to Sprint cars compete over 3 days as more than 250 competitors and over 4000 fans will visit Brighton Speedway from Friday, August 31st through Sunday, September 2nd. The Holiday Inn Five Dollar Friday events for this weekend will include OORA (Ontario Offroad Racing Association) Tough Truck Competition, Offroad Cycle and ATV Four Wheeler Racing, Bill’s John’s Comp 4’s and Mini Vans.

The third and final Holiday Inn Five Dollar Friday will take place on Brighton’s Applefest weekend. A weekend that has hosted the popular 358 DIRT Modified’s the past two years has evolved into a two day event beginning on Friday, September 21st. This Five Dollar Friday event will feature the Lucas Oil Dirt Sportsman Cup along with the Qualifying heats for all of the speedway’s four weekly classes and the finale of the Quinte Towing Stingers. The Lucas Oil Cup is a unique race that will see the top 20 positions be locked in from the Lucas Oil Sportsman Shootout points standings between the following five tracks from Western Ontario and Upstate New York; Merrittville Speedway, Ohsweken Speedway, Humberstone Speedway, Ransomville Speedway and Genesee Speedway. The real battle will be for the remaining six positions for the cars that are not locked in and who will be trying to make the show that will see the winner take home a cool $1,500.00. This night will also play host to novelty events for Brighton classes including the Pro Stock/Canadian Modified Show Down. This event will turn the spot light on the top four drivers in points from the two classes as they dash for a $250 to win event. There will also be a $50.00 bonus for the top Pro Stock in the event so if one of Brighton’s Pro Stock drivers can beat the Canadian Modifieds he or she will take home $300.00.

Be sure to pick up a copy of the 2007 schedule and get a sneak preview of some of the 2007 cars as drivers and their cars make an at the Northumberland Mall in Cobourg, April 2nd to April 7th.

For more information on the Holiday Inn Five Dollar Fridays, the 40th Anniversary schedule or to participate in the 2007 Trivia Contest visit www.brightonspeedway.com. The first race event of the year is scheduled for May 5th, 2007 when the complete race program hits the track for opening night. Admission is only $2.00 with a non-perishable food donation that will support local food banks. Green flag flies at 7:00pm. For more information, contact Brighton Speedway by email info@brightonspeedway.com or by phone at (613)475-1102.

For more information contact Angela Rinaldi at 613-475-1102 or angie@brightonspeedway.com

OSS: Steve and Matt Robblee join the fray

In recent days, 2006 CASCAR Super Series champion J.R. Fitzpatrick and series front-runner DJ Kennington announced that they would be participating in the new Ontario Sportsman Series when their NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedules permit.

Today came news that Steve Robblee and his son Matt will both be full-time competitors in the OSS in 2007. This series has gone from nowhere to 'must see' racing in a month. Wow.

The OSS will host a drivers' meeting this Saturday (March 31) at 11 .m. at Hot Rods Restaurant in Milton, Ontario (120 Chisholm Drive, just south of the 401. Exit at KM marker 320). For more info, contact Ron Lethbridge at (705) 739-4686 or e-mail him at: jarracing0950@sympatico.ca

Here is the full text of today's release, as forwarded by Dave Alexander.

Gerry Findlay’s ABBY Motorsports Team to run the OSS

March 29, 2007 – Gerry Findlay announced today that he will be running a two car team in the newly formed Ontario Sportsman Series. Thirteen time CASCAR champion Steve Robblee will return as driver of the familiar # 28 Grogan Ford sponsored Taurus.
Multi-time feature winner in the truck division at Delaware Speedway, Matt Robblee will pilot a similar car numbered # 27.
Both father and son are looking forward to running the series and competing against each on the track for the first time.

Wal-Mart and P&G sign on with Tagliani and Ranger to support sick kids

EDITOR'S NOTE: I assume the reference to the "NASCAR Canada Series" is a reference to the "NASCAR Canadian Tire Series". Don't know if that's a french/english thing, or if Wal-Mart has an aversion to saying "NASCAR Canadian Tire Series" in its press release, because it views it as a competitor. Too funny. Either way, this is a big shot in the arm for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series to announce that a young Canadian racing star will be a full-time rookie in 2007.

Here is the release:

MONTREAL, March 29 /CNW Telbec/ - Enhancing their commitment to sick kids as part of a joint national fund-raising program for the Children's Miracle Network, Procter & Gamble and Wal-Mart Canada announced today their association with Canadian racers Alex Tagliani and Andrew Ranger for the 2007 season.

Along with partners Tide, Folgers, Kellogg's, Duracell, Gillette, Pringles, Old Spice, Jig-A-Loo, George(TM) and Fido, P&G and Wal-Mart Canada have joined forces to support the championship aspirations of Tagliani in the Champ Car World Series. They have also extended full-season backing to Ranger, who has decided to pursue his promising career in the NASCAR Canada Series
after two years in Champ Car.

Both drivers will be spokespersons for the Victory Lap Charity Program, a cross-Canada fund-raising effort on behalf of the Children's Miracle Network, an instrumental force in providing medical care and preventative education to help millions of youngsters overcome disease and injuries of all types. Now in its fifth year, the Victory Lap tour, which in 2006 included a special ticket-sales campaign for the Champ Car race in Montreal, raised some $209,000 last year.

"I am extremely fortunate to have P&G and its partners behind me as I take on this new challenge," remarked Ranger, of Roxton Pond, Quebec, whose 12-race season begins on May 26 at Cayuga Speedway Park near Hamilton. "I believe it's the right opportunity at the right time for my career. I enjoyed my two years in Champ Car, but I'm also looking forward to showing my skills behind the wheel of a stock car. If all goes well, it could lead to competing in the Busch Series race in Montreal this summer."

Tagliani, of Lachenaie, Quebec, was equally upbeat about his prospects in the Champ Car season, which starts in Las Vegas the weekend of April 6-8. "I really believe we can contend for the championship this year, and the support and confidence that Procter & Gamble, Wal-Mart Canada and their partners have expressed makes me even more motivated to succeed," he said. "Especially if my success on the track helps to raise more funds for the children."

Ranger, 20, has been associated with Procter & Gamble Canada since 2003, a span during which he won the Fran-Am Championship, captured top-rookie honours in the Atlantic series and posted consecutive 10th-place rankings in the Champ Car drivers' standings. Tagliani, 34, a seven-year Champ Car veteran who is one of the series' top contenders, is a first-time recipient of sponsorship support by P&G and its partners.

Tagliani, a driver for Rocketsports Racing, will be sporting the logos of the major partners throughout the season on his driver's suit and helmet, and his car will bear their branding for the series' three Canadian races - in Mont Tremblant, Toronto and Edmonton. Ranger will be adorned in the sponsors' colours while driving for the Mount Hope, Ontario-based Jacombs Racing Team in the NASCAR Canada Series.

Being able to support another talented Canadian driver and raising more funds for the Children's Miracle Network is a win-win situation in the view of Mark Pawliw, Senior Account Executive at Procter & Gamble Canada. "Andrew and Alex are both outstanding ambassadors for the program, not only from a visibility standpoint for its in-store charity component, but also from spending time with kids and their families at the track at selected events, helping to give them a day they will always remember," he stated.

Chantal Glenisson, Vice-President of Operations for Eastern Canada at Wal-Mart, said the company is delighted to provide its support to "an initiative that assists a pair of Canadian drivers in pursuit of lofty goals and strives to help fulfill some of the fondest dreams of youngsters waging a courageous battle in the face of serious illness."

Click here for the full release.

From Torchia Communications / via CNW

'Doc' MacDonald passed away on Monday

Someone just alerted me to this, on Jayski:

"Sad News: 'Doc' MacDonald, father of Randy and Teri MacDonald, passed away Monday evening. Doc was a long time NASCAR owner, fielding cars in the CTS and Busch Series'. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 29 at 6:30 pm at Cumby Funeral home in High Point, NC.(3-28-2007) "

The last few times I saw Doc, it was in Randy's pit during Busch and Truck races at Daytona. He fought his cancer for a long time, but he always had a positive spirit and a smile on his face. My heart goes out to Randy, Teri and their whole family, who draw stregth from each other and their faith. Inside Track offers condolences to the MacDonald family and their friends.

SRC: Ranger set to announce NASCAR Canadian Tire Series intentions for '07?

My french isn't very good.... but it looks like Andrew Ranger is planning to announce (on Thursday) that he is going to drive in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series in 2007.

The story appears on a french language CBC site.

Ranger, who has raced in the Champ Car Series, took part in one CASCAR Super Series race in 2006, driving for veteran driver/team owner Dave Jacombs at Montreal's Autodrome St-Eustache.

UPDATE (3 p.m.): The plot thickens. Andrew Ranger and Alex Tagliani will be at a press conference tomorrow in Montreal - along with officials from Wal-Mart Canada and Procter & Gamble - to "discuss their plans for the upcoming racing season and unveil the colours of their 2007 cars." (h/t Roman)

(Photos by Greg MacPherson / Inside Track. Taken last summer at Autodrome St-Eustache where Andrew Ranger drove Dave Jacombs' #88 Super Series car. h/t Roman / Joel R.)

The joke's on him... and the guy who loaned him the Enzo

From the Voice of America

"Comedian Eddie Griffin crashed a Ferrari Enzo sportscar worth an estimated $1.5 million.
The March 26 accident occurred at Irwindale Speedway in California, when the movie comic drove too fast around a curve. He was practicing for a charity race to promote his upcoming movie Redline.
Eddie Griffin, whose film credits include Undercover Brother and two Deuce Bigalow movies, walked away unhurt from the crash.
The car belonged to Redline executive producer Daniel Sadek, whose exotic car collection is featured in the movie.
Ferrari produced a total of 400 Enzos between 2002 and 2004." (END)

If you think your stomach can take it, you can watch the video here.

OSCAAR: John Fletcher And JNE Consulting Returning to Defend OSCAAR Title

MILTON, ON - John Fletcher and Team JNE Consulting are very proud to announce the return on JNE Consulting as primary sponsor for 2007. The announcement comes as the 2007 OSCAAR Outlaw Super Late Model season is less then two months away.

This will mark the forth year that JNE Consulting is the primary sponsor of John Fletcher's #61 Chevrolet, contending for the OSCAAR title each year before capturing it in 2006. John is coming off a year in which he dominated every aspect of OSCAAR with the most wins and most laps led.

2007 may present several new challenges for the team and John as OSCAAR expects its greatest growth ever due to part with addition of great race teams and solid leadership.

John hopes to defend his title again in 2007 but knows he will have his hands full, "With Rob Clarke, Glenn Watson, Drew Spicer, all the good new rookies and the return of Jeff Hanley we will have to work harder then ever to run up front and win." John added, "JNE Consulting coming back is great for us, they have been very good to us and they bring the professionalism and support we need to win."

JNE Consulting is a full-service multi-disciplinary engineering services firm based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Our experienced and specialized teams work globally with a diverse client base - from concept through to engineering and procurement, as well as construction and project management services.

The Joe Ng Group of Companies also include JNE Automation, JNE Biotech, JNE Chemical and JNE Power. Joe Ng had this to say about resigning with the team "We love being involved with John and his team. Its not only because they win but what they do for us off the track as well." Joe added "We wish them great success".

For more information on JNE Consulting please visit www.jne.ca.
For More Information on John Fletcher, OSCAAR or sponsor the team contact Scott FletcherBallistic Motorsports Marketing

Happy Birthday Jeeem Robinsonnnnnn!

Bet you thought we forgot.... no such luck.

From everyone at Inside Track........

Happy Birthday Jim Robinson!!!

p.s. - Morty will be over to sing to you shortly.

p.p.s. - Here's your gift. Might be a little out of date, but I'm sure they'll let it slide.

MERRITTVILLE: Pen Centre show a success for drivers and cars

Thorold, Ontario (March 26) – Merrittville Speedway’s recent Pen Centre Race Car Show wrapped up Sunday March 25th and throughout the entire week there was tremendous interest in the upcoming season at the Thorold facility.

(Mall show photos are posted here)

“Saturday’s Autograph session was a huge success,” relates Merrittville Speedway’s Nancy Bicknell, “many of the shoppers thought it was a novel idea – not only seeing the cars up close but getting to meet the drivers as well.”

On the local short track scene in addition to the higher levels of the sport, drivers are very approachable and are willing to interact with the fans. The Saturday Session featured many of Merrittville Speedway’s local heroes and upcoming new stars – Adam Murphy, Shawn Sliter, Rob Disher, Kellie Mason, Adam Ferri, Dave Small, Darren Zumpe, Peter Reid, Travis Braun, Kevin Knapp, Roger Shenstone and Charlie Lynch in addition to kart racers Greg Kohut and Jordan Barnes.

Joining the meet and greet was Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite veteran Mark Brighton – even though his car was not on display. Brighton was alongside Adam Murphy and the Niagara Falls driver’s Solaris Tint Niagara Tools Five Star Racing Products #27 that has already seen action in 2007. Murphy and Brighton were among a number of Lucas Open Wheel Lite Division Teams that made the long haul to the East Bay Raceway in late February,

Another driver that had a guest in their Pen Centre ‘Pit Stall’ was L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modified driver Adam Ferri, “the kids just loved meeting ‘Rocky’ … I’ve never signed so many cards and it’s not even race season yet.”

The Lafarge Mascot joins Ferri at appearances which will include the two Family Autograph Nights scheduled during racing season this summer.

With Rocky creating all the buzz around Ferri’s Lafarge Thruway Muffler #1F, the Sliter Family were not to be outdone around Shawn Sliter’s Modern Corporation #71s Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite.

Sliter’s wife Lenie celebrated her birthday while Sliter was signing autographs and answering questions.

Parked next to Kellie Mason’s J&S Heating Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lite #14 H&E Chassis were two of the Pedal Cars that select drivers from the popular division will be giving away throughout the 2007 Season.

“It’s something that we wanted to do to give back to the fans,” relates NYDCA President Bruce Mason, “ we’re grateful of all their support and interest all season … especially the kids … it’s a unique way welcome Lucas Oil to the Open Wheel Lites as well.”

Merrittville Speedway Junior Race Fans can visit any NYDCA member driver in the pit area following the races for to receive a ballot to win one of the 14 specialty vehicles that will be given away every other week during the season.

While there will be two ‘Merrittville’ Pedal Cars, drivers Kellie Mason, the Can-On Race Team of Rick Brubacher and Scott and Wally Billing, Adam Murphy, Roger Shenstone, Andy Tallman, Shawn Sliter and K&C Racing’s Lorne Collings as well as Todd and Wayne Kendrick have all been working on their own versions.

In focus in Merrittville Speedway’s Information Center that was located in the Sears Court area was the Tony Stewart- autographed Bike that will kick off the Meridian Credit Union Kids Club Bike Draws.

“All week long, Tony Stewart fans wanted the bike for their own collection,” relates Erica Bicknell, “it will be quite a prize for whoever wins it May 21st … it will be the first of 15 that we give away this year.”

Also based in the Merrittville Display throughout the week were volunteers representing the 2nd Annual Rankin Cancer Run.

“We’re so proud of the racing community,” relates Holly Mauro, “more than $350 was donated … and it will all stay in Niagara … it’s a great start to the $230,000 that was raised last year … we can’t thank everyone enough.”

The Rankin Cancer Run returns to benefit Niagara Saturday May 26th. For further information visit www.rankincancerrun.com. Volunteers will also have a display at the track in May.

Merrittville Speedway Alumni Driver Kurt Heidebrecht was seen in the crowd admiring just how far the sport has come technologically.

While the former driver took an extended look at Mike Bowman’s Seaway Hose & Hydraulics #71 Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen Car, many might remember the St. Catharines native racing as ‘Kurt Douglas’ – revealed that he is almost finished his Davey Moore Gremlin Vintage Modified.

“It’s the original chassis and body,” adds Heidebrecht, “all I need is a big block engine … I’m hoping to display it this summer.”

Heidebrecht is hoping to join Lucas Oil when Merrittville Speedway’s Reunion Committee presents Nostalgia Night 2007 that will feature the 56 lap Jerry Winger Memorial – which will also be Merrittville’s 358 Modified Lucas Oil Shoot Out presented by DirtTrackDigest.com – Saturday July 14th.

Merrittville Speedway would like to thank all the race teams and race fans that visited the Pen Centre through out the week.

“Our week at the Pen Centre is a very important part of our pre-season as we prepare for the new year,” reveals Erica Bicknell, “the opportunity to put a schedule into a shopper’s hand … to have a chance to talk with them and have them see the race cars up close and meet the drivers personally is very important to us and our race teams as well … each race team can showcase their sponsors as we continue to search for new ways to attract new fans.”

Race fans that could not make the Race Car Show can get a copy of the 2007 Stock Car and Kart Schedules by visiting www.merrittvillespeedway.com or the Speedway Office when it opens for the season the week of April 2nd.

The count down to green is starting to pick up the pace as after Saturday April 21st’s Practice – the focus turns to the 2007 Season Opener Saturday April 28th. Baron Roofing and Siding will present the Spring Sizzler 100 that will feature more than 100 laps of feature action spread through all 5 Dirt Weekly Racing Series Divisions – the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsmen, Hoosier Stocks, Lucas Oil Open Wheel Lites and the Turn 4 Collision 4 Cylinders. Gates will open for the first time at 5:30 with the first green flag at 7:15.

Merrittville Speedway Race Teams will compete for over $14,000 in weekly purses all for the best price ticket price in town at just $10.00.

Your local dirt track is where it's at – for the best family entertainment in Niagara – visit Merrittville Speedway this summer!

From Jim Irvine / Merrittville Speedway Public Relations

Kalkhoven & George... just friends... nothing more

Ever wonder what happened to the Indy Racing League / Champ Car unification talks last year about this time? It turns out that both sides feel they are doing quite well, thank you very much, and that there isn't much desire on either side's part to get back together.

Unfortunately, they seem to be the only people on the planet who see it that way. So rather than put aside their egos and work something out, they've decided to just be friends.

Having a look at the "Seven Deadly Sins", it looks like these guys are the poster kids for 'greed', 'wrath', 'envy' and 'pride'. Although not 'deadly' in this case, these sins sure are expensive. Must be nice to have that kind of money.

TSN ran the following story on the weekend.

HOMESTEAD, Florida (AP) - Don't expect America's two rival open-wheel series to unify anytime soon.
Tony George, founder and CEO of the Indianapolis Racing League and its IndyCar Series, said Saturday night at Homestead-Miami Speedway that talks with Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Champ Car World Series, have been put on the postponed for now.

Open-wheel fans, most of whom would love to see the two series running together as one, were excited a year ago when both George and Kalkhoven let it be known that they had formed a friendship and opened talks that could possibly lead to unification.
The excitement died down quickly, though, as the talks cooled.
''That was 12 months ago,'' George said before the start of the season-opening XM Satellite Radio Indy 300. ''Kevin and I had been talking for four to six weeks, I'd say, prior to that. The reasons for being optimistic were we had had some good social interaction and we'd been kind of talking around some of the bigger issues."

.... continued at the link above

NASCAR LOCAL RACING.com: NASCAR Canadian Tire Series website to go live April 1

NASCAR has a website called NASCAR Local Racing.

On its mainpage, it discusses NASCAR Mexico and NASCAR Canada. At the end of the piece on NASCAR Canada, it says the NASCAR Canada website "are planned to go live on [Sunday] April 1." That is pretty much in line with the existing 'place holder' NASCAR Canadian Tire Series' website, which says "Site under construction. Launch March 2007".

The NASCAR Local Racing site doesn't include the much-anticipated NCATS schedule, but it does say that it is "... targeting events in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec." Hopefully, the exclusion of Nova Scotia (Riverside Speedway) is an oversight as that track is running the NCATS logo on its website and clearly expects to be hosting a race in mid-September.

Here is the portion on NASCAR Canada (at www.nascarlocalracing.com):

NASCAR Canada – Officially titled the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

"The series was officially announced September 2006, following the acquisition of certain assets of the CASCAR Super Series by NASCAR. The series will stage events nationally with a schedule of 12 races throughout Canada from May to October. Many former CASCAR drivers and teams are anticipated to compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series.

Like NASCAR Mexico, NASCAR Canada also has a broadcast deal with The Sports Network (TSN) – Canada's sports leader. TSN has a multi-year agreement for exclusive broadcast rights to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, and will televise all 12 one-hour broadcasts. Each broadcast will include race coverage, driver interviews and special features.

The new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will bring together some of Canada’s best stock car drivers and teams, and NASCAR plans to build on Canada’s strong and rich motorsports heritage and position itself as one of the leading motorsports markets in the world.

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series plans to stage races on both ovals and road courses, and as a companion event to other major in-market events, targeting events in Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

Unlike providing basic information with respect to NASCAR Mexico, the NASCAR Canada website will provided in-depth news, driver stats, schedules and more – much like the coverage we offer for the other series covered on this NASCAR Local Racing.com.

Adding the new sites to our lineup is exciting, and we look forward to providing our viewers the best possible information regarding the series and, as always, in a timely manner. The sites are planned to go live April 1."

(h/t 'RACER' on canadianracingonline.com)

A1GP: Mexican Weekend Ends On Low Note For Canada

Mexico City, Sunday 25 March, 2007 - A disappointing weekend in Mexico City for A1 Team Canada concluded with a 15th place Feature race finish for James Hinchcliffe in Round 9 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday. The 20-year-old from Toronto had earlier raced his way from 19th to 13th in the Sprint race but frustratingly failed to break into the points-paying top-ten in the later Feature event.

Sunday morning's 12-lap Sprint race saw James skillfully pick his way through the main-straight carnage following contact between local hero Salvador Duran, in the Mexican entry, and Champ Car racer Bruno Junqueira. With Junqueira's Brazilian car spearing sideways across the track, by the time the Canadian entry arrived on the scene a clear path through the carnage had just emerged. Up to 14th by the third lap, Hinchcliffe found himself at the tail end of a train of six cars headed by New Zealand's Jonny Reid.

Battling gear selection problems and over-steer, Hinchcliffe gained another spot to 13th following a puncture for Reid and remained there through to the checkered. Malaysia's Alex Yoong converted pole position into his third win of the season, beating Great Britain's Oliver Jarvis by two seconds with Australia's Ian Dyk enjoying a successful rookie debut wrapping up the podium celebrations.

Starting from Row 7 for the scheduled 45-lap Feature race, Canada dropped a spot on the opening lap and unfortunately for the team things failed to improve through what was a caution-free race at the 4.42km track. Opting to take their mandatory stop later in the allotted window, Canada climbed as high as first on track but dropped back to 16th on lap 19 following their trip down pit-lane. From there Hinchcliffe held position through to lap 36 when he climbed one place to 15th. The slower, lapped car of Pakistan, then hindered the Champ Car Atlantic racer's hopes of closing the gap to the Czech Republic and Hinchcliffe had to settle for 15th at the checkered.

A1 Team Great Britain capitalized on a flying start from Oliver Jarvis over Sprint race winner Alex Yoong in the Malaysian entry to dominate proceedings, the British racer taking his team's first ever A1GP victory in only his second start in the series. Jarvis led home Jonathan Summerton for the USA with Adrian Zaugg taking third for South Africa.

"We tried a slightly different strategy today but things just didn't go our way," reflected Hinchcliffe after the Feature. "It's been a frustrating weekend for the team, not least as we've all worked really hard to put something together that would get us further up the order. I was hoping to make more of an impact in the Feature and was catching a train of cars before the Pakistani entry really blocked me for the best part of a lap. After that I might have cooked the tires a little too much trying to make up for lost time. It would be a bit of a stretch to find some positives from the weekend at this stage."

SPEED will air all the action from Round 9 of the A1GP Series as a tape-delayed broadcast on Wednesday 28th March starting at 4pm EST - www.speedtv.com / Round 10 of the 2006-07 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport sees a return to China and the Shanghai International Circuit, Friday 13th - Sunday 15th April - www.a1gp.com

Top-Ten Standings after Round 9/11: 1st Germany (101), 2nd New Zealand (74), 3rd Great Britain (61), 4th France (57), 5th Malaysia (50), 6th Switzerland (45), 7th Netherlands (43), 8th Italy (36), 9th Mexico (35), 10th USA (35), *11th CANADA (28)

Photo Credit - 'A1 Team Canada's James Hinchcliffe racing in Mexico' - Jakob Ebrey Photography

A1 Team Canada Media Relations: Stuart Morrison - PR & Media Manager
Cell: +1 514 945 3253 / Email: stuart@a1teamcan.com

IHRA: San Antonio Race Report

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (March 25, 2007) – Over the years Bruce Litton has grown accustomed to the bridesmaid role, but he has never liked it. While Clay Millican was reeling off six consecutive Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Top Fuel world championships Litton was always right there in his rear view mirror. The Indianapolis-native finished second three times (’02, ’03 and ’04) and third the three other years Millican was dominating the class.

Now he is ready for his time in the sun.

Litton knocked off T.J. Zizzo in the final round of the season-opening Amalie Oil Texas Nationals presented by NAPA Auto Parts to claim the early points lead and prove he is ready to go after the championship…a statement he made with the off-season hiring of tuner Nicky Boninfante. Boninfante was with Litton for most of his competitive Top Fuel seasons before leaving to pursue other opportunities while Litton slipped to fifth in the final 2006 championship points standings. Now, with Boninfante back, Litton is looking for big things this season.

“This team has really come together this year around Nicky Boninfante and (crew chief) Richard Hartman,” said Litton. “We’ve worked so hard over the years and especially over the winter. I’m looking forward to this season.”

After knocking off Scott Weis in the first round, Litton had to deal with No. 1 qualifier Doug Foley in the semifinals. Foley shook his tires hard at the hit of the throttle early and clicked it off, leaving Litton to wait to see who he would race for the Ironman. He did not have to wait long as Scotty Cannon could not answer the semifinal bell and Zizzo soloed into the final round.

Litton had lane choice in the final and selected the right lane. Two years ago Litton suffered a horrific crash in that same right lane at the Texas Nationals, but has since put those demons behind him.

“We try to run our own race every time,” added Litton. “I knew he ran well all weekend. He was No. 2 qualifier, we were three. I felt like I needed to be on my game and leave on time. And we had some pretty good power all day. It all worked out for us.“

Dale Creasy Jr., Beecher, Ill., began the defense of his 2006 Knoll Gas-Torco Racing Fuels Pro Nitro Funny Car world championship in grand style by knocking off the defending Texas Nationals champion, No. 1 qualifier Gary Densham. Creasy almost was not around to race Sunday as he needed the final qualifying shot Saturday night to bump into the field. He took advantage, knocking off Del Worsham in the first round and Jack Wyatt, who finished a mere five points behind him in the points chase last year, in the semifinals.

Creasy then carded a 3.407 in the final round against a lifting Densham.

“We had the new car and we were struggling with it,” said Creasy Jr. “I almost brought out the old car because I knew it could go down the race track. But we have so much invested in it, time and money, and if we want to step forward we have to have this car so we stuck with it and it worked.”

“This is my first win (in the U.S.), so I finally have a trophy that doesn’t need a passport to go home,” added Creasy.

Ed Hoover, Gilbert, S.C., had a successful return to San Antonio Raceway, the site of his 2005 victory over Shannon Jenkins at the Texas Nationals. Hoover finished outside the top ten in IHRA points standings last season, but an early win has him thinking things have turned around a bit. Hoover stopped Danny Rowe in the final with a 4.031 ET.

“This is great. We struggled all year last year, and now we’ve got a new car and this win is really big for us,” said Hoover. “We’re leaving here with a lot of momentum and we’re going to work real hard the rest of the season.

“This winter Al (Billes) spent 300 hours R&D and dyno time working on the car. He helped make the difference today. This is a professional class. If you’re not working, you’re not going to win.”
Robert Patrick, Fredericksburg, Va., drove his ’07 Shelby Cobra to the Torco’s CompetitionPlus.com Pro Stock Ironman defeating John Montecalvo, Center Moriches, N.Y., in the final round. Patrick, one of the preseason favorites to contend for the 2007 championship, proved to be worthy of such attention by carding a 4.156 at 173.29 mph to knock off Montecalvo’s 4.171 at 172.63 mph. Both drivers had identical 0.046 reaction times.

“The biggest thing I wanted to accomplish here was coming out with a win,” said Patrick. “Last year I qualified on the pole a number of times, had the fastest car in eliminations and got beat a few times on hole-shots and that kept me out of the championship chase. So I wanted to kind of redeem myself here.

“We got the win and I just couldn’t be happier for my team,” he added.

Terry Munroe, Beaver, Pa., finally broke through in Alcohol Funny Car, stopping defending world champion Mark Thomas, Louisville, Ohio, in the final round with a 3.893 ET to claim his first-ever Ironman. Munroe finished fourth in the points standings last year, but could not get a win at either of his two finals last season.

“We’ve been doing Funny Car racing for five years. This is my fifth final round and I finally won one,” said Munroe. “This year, we put it in our minds that we are going to be serious about this. We are still looking for sponsors…we could be dangerous with the right funding.”

The Knoll-Gas Nitro Jam™ will make its second stop of the season in Rockingham Dragway April 20-22 for the IHRA Spring Nationals presented by Advance Auto Parts and Castrol.

Continued at this link.

- From IHRA

INSIDE TRACK: News & Notes for Monday

OHSWEKEN SPEEDWAY
Ohsweken Speedway is set to host a 4-Wheeler Poker Run, on Saturday, March 31. The event starts at the track. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The 4-5 hour trip starts at 11 a.m. (corrected).

There's a $25 entry fee to be eligible for the $500 prize. Or you can ride for fun (for free). Visit Ohsweken's site for information regarding this event and to purchase season tickets for the oval.



CAR OF TOMORROW REACTION
Yesterday's race at Bristol looked pretty much like every other race at Bristol, except for the shape of the cars. Therefore, NASCAR must be pretty happy with its first live racing test of the 'Car of Tomorrow.'


But you can't help but think they would rather a more friendly / corporate / politically correct person than Kyle Busch had won.


After taking the checkered flag (Jeff Burton apparently didn't get the memo that it's OK to spin the leader in NASCAR... see Montoya/Sharp), it didn't take long for Busch to emerge from the car and start slagging it.


He started off saying, "They suck." And then he got nasty.

He said NASCAR created the whole COT project because, "They just want the Michael Waltrips win races." Ouch. Kellogg's must be so proud to know they've spent millions to have such a fine young man representing their brand. Maybe they can launch a whole new cereal around him, called "Bitter Flakes" or something similarly distateful.


Stories about the reaction to the new cars can be found here, here and here.

PMRA: Wildgust to drive the Silbermann team entry

AJAX, ONTARIO (March 24, 2007) - One of the new PMRA teams is ready to make its mark on the Pro Modified Racing Association’s 2007 tour.

“All the testing is behind us,” said Pro Modified car owner Kirk Silbermann recently. “This will be our first full year with the car. We’ve only got two passes on it.”

The Silbermann car is the Ajax Engines/Mobil 1 1957 Chevy-bodied Pro Modified, running a 526-cid Brad Anderson Hemi, an SSI supercharger, and an ERD/Carl Spiering fuel system.

Last year the team, with Stratford’s Scott Wildgust at the wheel, made only a couple of runs getting the car sorted out. But this year the ’57 will be a familiar sight at the PMRA events. Wildgust, a former Alcohol Funny Car driver, will also be driving the Pro Modified this year when the team competes in two or three IHRA National events.

“We’re going to support the Pro Modified Racing Association series,” said Silbermann at his Ajax engine facility about the PMRA series. “We’re going back to having some good old fun.”

Silbermann mentioned he started racing himself in 1992, and by 1998 was running in the Top Sportsman and Pro Modified classes after purchasing a 1941 Willys-bodied car from fellow Canadian Gary Irving, one of Pro Modified’s early contenders.

As crew chief with the ’57 Chevy, Silbermann said he really has no desire to get back behind the wheel. “That’s over for now,” he said. “I enjoy the management part.”

Now in its third year of operation, The Pro Modified Racing Association (PMRA), www.ProModifiedRacing.com, has enjoyed strong fan popularity and will present some of the best in Pro Modified racing for 2007.

The PMRA will travel to several drag strips in 2007, including two dates at Toronto Motorsports Park, Lancaster Raceway Park in New York State, Sanair in Quebec, and the Southwestern Ontario track of Grand Bend Motorplex.

In 2006, the tour was a great success, and during the past two seasons of the PMRA, each event finished with a different winner. Joe Boniferro and Kasey Janzen tied in points last year and were crowned co-champions over the other Ontario, Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania teams. Wix Filtration Products, Valvoline, a division of Ashland Inc., Uni-Select, and Moen Incorporated will sponsor the PMRA points series in 2007.

For more information, contact Bruce F. Mehlenbacher: Mehlenbacher@ProModifiedRacing.com

From the PMRA

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Aalto Alvar (3.2.1898, Kuortane - 11.5.1976,Helsinki). Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto established an architectural office in Jyväskylä in 1923. The office moved to Turku in 1927 and to Helsinki in 1933. In 1955 he was granted membership in the Finnish Academy and held its presidency in 1963 – 1968. From 1946 to 1948 he was visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was awarded a considerable amount of honours and prizes around the world. Aalto made numerous journeys to Europe and beyond. His best loved destination was Italy. He had a remarkable contribution in the design of modern pieces of furniture, light fixtures and interiors, channeled through the Artek company established in 1935. The entire career of Alvar Aalto reflects his zeal to perform each task with an open mind, always creating something new. Aalto gained growing international fame with his functionalist designs, and he moved to Helsinki with his family in 1933. Aalto designed remarkable private houses – his own home in Helsinki (1936) and te Villa Mairea in Noormarkku (1939). These buildings reveal his desire to break the strict rules of modernist architecture and realise his own vision of harmony between man, nature and architecture. Alvar Aalto's architecture has been characterized as both Finnish and international. His large production can be seen to reflect inspiration from domestic nature and tradition but also from the long history of architecture. What this great creative talent did was combine these into a highly original synthesis.

- schlafsofa

- armchairs

- armchairs

- lounge chair

- armchairs

- stool

- chairs

- glass table

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Aalto Alvar (3.2.1898, Kuortane - 11.5.1976,Helsinki). Hugo Alvar Henrik Aalto established an architectural office in Jyväskylä in 1923. The office moved to Turku in 1927 and to Helsinki in 1933. In 1955 he was granted membership in the Finnish Academy and held its presidency in 1963 – 1968. From 1946 to 1948 he was visiting professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was awarded a considerable amount of honours and prizes around the world. Aalto made numerous journeys to Europe and beyond. His best loved destination was Italy. He had a remarkable contribution in the design of modern pieces of furniture, light fixtures and interiors, channeled through the Artek company established in 1935. The entire career of Alvar Aalto reflects his zeal to perform each task with an open mind, always creating something new. Aalto gained growing international fame with his functionalist designs, and he moved to Helsinki with his family in 1933. Aalto designed remarkable private houses – his own home in Helsinki (1936) and te Villa Mairea in Noormarkku (1939). These buildings reveal his desire to break the strict rules of modernist architecture and realise his own vision of harmony between man, nature and architecture. Alvar Aalto's architecture has been characterized as both Finnish and international. His large production can be seen to reflect inspiration from domestic nature and tradition but also from the long history of architecture. What this great creative talent did was combine these into a highly original synthesis.

- schlafsofa

- armchairs

- armchairs

- lounge chair

- armchairs

- stool

- chairs

- glass table

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Josef Hoffmann (December 15, 1870 Pirnitz, Moravia, now Brtnice, Czech Republic – May 7, 1956), was an Austrian architect and designer of consumer goods. He played a major part in the shaping of the aesthetic perception and aesthetic understanding of the 20th century. From 1887, Hoffmann attended the technical college in Brno, where he studied the methods of classical architecture. After his practical year in Würzburg as a student of architecture, Hoffmann studied from 1892 at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, built by Theophil Freiherr von Hansen. In 1899 Hoffmann was appointed as a professor at the Viennese School of Applied Arts(Kunstgewerbeschule) and commissioned for the interior-design at the World Fair in Paris in 1900. Starting from the beginning of the 20th century a basic change in his style can be noticed. With the fortune of the young and art loving industrialist Fritz Wärndorfer and with the enthusiasm and creative power of Kolo Moser and Josef Hoffmann the Wiener Werkstätte was founded in May 1903 — the productive community of artists and craftsmen who was meant to impress the life of Hoffmann deeply as well as that of the whole Viennese art scene. The Wiener Werkstätte created pieces of arts, in a very distinctive style: the Wiener Werkstätte Style. The first big order for Josef Hoffmann and the Wiener Werkstätte, the building of the Sanatorium Purkersdorf (1904) including its interior design, came about by the acquaintance of the building contractor with the art critic Berta Zuckerkandl. The Sanatorium was designed for a circle of well-off patients. Dedicated to the highest levels of comfort and luxury, in its construction Hoffmann made use of the most modern available techniques — reinforced concrete. His original plan showed that he was inclined to take even more radical advantage of new construction techniques than in practice were actually possible. Decoration on the building was used sparingly. Before World War I the works of Josef Hoffmann shortly reveal an individual approach to classicism and ideally reflect the need of representation of a social class, whose days were already counted due to political circumstances. The Villa Skywa-Primavesi was Hoffmann's last great performance before the war, whose outbreak put an end to private enterprises for a number of years After 1919, Josef Hoffmann was very ill for many years. He even had to pass on the management of his studio to Oswald Haertl for some time. But Hoffmann applied himself to the creation of new forms till his death.

A perfectly coherent composition. A brilliant combination of practicality, productive economy and elegance. The famous Siebenkugelstuhl is a true symbol of modern furniture. The curved beech technique means that the chair back and back legs are formed from a single piece of wood. The spheres serve two purposes: they represent a pure, formal, decorative symbol and, at the same time, a structural union between the elements, making for an innovative assembly. This is a timeless design that was originally presented in 1908 at the Wiener Kunstschau by the Viennese master and reintroduced in a prestigious new edition by Gebrüder Thonet Vienna. A part from the classic natural and whitened beech wood, light and dark walnut, light and dark cherry wood, wengé and anthracite finishes, the Siebenkugelstuhl is also available in yellow, red, blue and orange painted versions.

- Hoffmann armchair & table

- Kunstschau

- salon

- alleegasse sofa & armchair

- Haus Koller sofa & armchair

- Fledermaus - chair, sofa, stool & side table

- Club sofa & armchair

- Kubus sofa & armchair

- Villa Gallia sofa & armchair

- Cabinet sofa, armchairs & table

- Palais Stoclet sofa & armchair