MONTREAL, QC - Thirty or so of the open wheel cars that made history in the Formula 1 World Championship from the late sixties through the mid-eighties period, will be competing next June 11-13 at the Grand Prix of Canada, at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Octane Racing Group, promoter of the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix, is please to announce the return of Historic Grand Prix racing for the Montreal race weekend, round 8 of the 2010 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Back in 2004, Historic Grand Prix brought an impressive field of 30 authentic Formula One cars to Montreal where the owners/drivers thrilled the crowd at the Grand Prix du Canada. Not only does this group race the legendary cars, but the owners/drivers also showcase their cars in a tent that is accessible to the general spectators in the support race paddocks.

"We are pleased to bring back to the Grand Prix du Canada, a group of passionate aficionados that offers a spectacular show and also enjoys taking the time to talk with fans that visit with them in the paddocks," said François Dumontier, president of Octane Racing Group and promoter of the event. "Each time they go on track, it is one of the most popular moments of the weekend. The list of cars entered is impressive. It is a true reflection of the history of the first decades of the Canadian Grand Prix. They include cars that our loyal fans can relate to and cars that were successful on Canadian soil."

"We have fond memories from our last visit to Montréal in 2004, and that is why we, at Historic Grand Prix, are thrilled to be invited to the 2010 Grand Prix du Canada," said James King, co-director of HGP. "Our owners/drivers are as enthusiastic about the sport as the fans attending the race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. We are quite accessible to the public and willing to share stories about our cars and the men who drove them in the day."

Historic Grand Prix intends to bring to Montreal on the weekend of June 11-13 close to 30 iconic makes, some of which are still competing in Formula One: Ferrari, McLaren, Williams and Lotus which is back in the fold this year. Fans will also be able to see Brabhams, Tyrrells, Marchs, Shadows and other makes of a bygone era. Some of these F1 cars have actually been driven by World Champions Jack Brabham, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, Mario Andretti, Jody Scheckter et Alan Jones.

"We plan on bringing two Gilles Villeneuve Ferraris to Montréal, his 1978 312 T-4 and the 1979 312 T-5. Both these cars were at the 2004 event and the reception from the Montreal fans was something none of us will forget. Several of us in HGP raced with and knew Gilles in his Formula Atlantic days and we hold him in very special esteem. He was a talent and a character second to none and we are honored to be able to bring some of his history back to Montreal," also added James King.

Historic Grand Prix includes several Canadian owner-drivers who plan to participate in the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada. Brothers Brad and Dean Baker from Oshawa respectively drive a 1973 BRM P-160 and a 1973 Brabham BT-42. Keith Frieser from Edmonton has a 1973 Shadow DN-1, and Ottawa resident Hamish Somerville drives a Williams FW-07B, the same model that enabled Alan Jones to win the 1980 Grand Prix of Canada and to be crowned that year's Formula 1 World Champion.

Those wishing to obtain grandstand tickets and general admission can contact the Canadian Grand Prix box office at 514 350-0000 which is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. They can also visit www.circuitgillesvilleneuve.ca, at any time to order online.

Organizers are also offering a variety of corporate packages for both small and large companies and other groups who wish to attend the 2010 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Canada. To make a reservation or to obtain further information, those interested should contact Julie Rioux-Paquette and Marie-Claude Boucher at 514 350-4731. Always popular, corporate packages for the Canadian Grand Prix, sell out quickly.

A Canadian company established in Montreal, Octane Racing Group Inc. is the promoter of the FORMULA 1 CANADIAN GRAND PRIX by virtue of an agreement made with Formula One Administration Limited and Formula 1 World Championship Limited (together the holder of commercialization rights to F1).

From Celina Machado // National Press Officer // Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada
The attached photo is copyright-free for the media: Historic Grand Prix in action: As if Alan Jones' #27 Williams was being challenged by Gilles Villeneuve's #12 Ferrari.

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

TORONTO, ON - With the 58th running of the Mobile 1 12-Hours of Sebring just around the corner, driver Kyle Marcelli recognizes the importance and value of his sponsor partners. Announced today, simplefueltax.com has joined forces to power Marcelli throughout his 2010 campaign in the American LeMans Series driving for Primetime Race Group in the #11 entry.

“I’m very enthusiastic to be representing simplefueltax.com throughout 2010. I’ve enjoyed a wonderful relationship with co-owner Ken Kim over the past three years; he has always been a strong supporter and fan. Ken is an entrepreneur and a triumphant one at that, I know he recognizes that success never comes easy, yet it’s the persistence and hard work that make dreams come true,” said Kyle Marcelli.

“We continue to be amazed but not at all surprised by the successes achieved by Kyle on the race track. His unwavering discipline and unparalleled dedication to his sport is exemplary and we are proud to be associated and in partnership with him for the 2010 American LeMans Series,” said Ken Kim of SimpleFuelTax.com.

You can look forward to seeing the simplefueltax.com on the visor of Kyle Marcelli’s race helmet throughout 2010.

About SimpleFuelTax.com: SimpleFuelTax.com is a web based IFTA Fuel Tax Reporting Solution for North America. It takes the headache out of fuel tax reporting and routing by eliminating the need to manually log miles and record fuel purchases. Integrated GPS data is seamlessly uploaded to produce IFTA Fuel Tax, mile tax, IRP tax and other state taxes.

For more information visit: www.kylemarcelli.com // For more information visit: www.SimpleFuelTax.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

AUBURN HILLS, MI - Fresh off his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series win last weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Kurt Busch will swap his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge Charger for a Mopar®-powered 1970 Dodge Challenger Super Gas car. The 2004 NASCAR Sprint Cup champ is set to do battle on the drag strip in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series at the 41st Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals. The event is scheduled for March 11–14 at Gainesville (Fla.) Raceway.

Busch banked his 21st career NASCAR Sprint Cup win at the Kobalt Tools 500. He’ll celebrate his victory and a rare break in the hectic NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule to race his rebuilt Dodge Challenger, powered by a stroked Mopar 6.1L HEMI® engine, in NHRA competition. The Sportsman car pumps out 1,167 horsepower. Qualifying for Super Gas will take place on Thursday, March 11, with eliminations beginning on Friday, March 12.

“Gainesville is one of the marquee events on the NHRA calendar, and it’s a privilege to compete against the best Sportsman racers out there,” said Busch. “I spent over 30 hours at Roy Hill’s drag racing school, and have had two tests in my own Dodge Challenger, but that’s nothing compared to the seat time many of these guys have in their own cars. We are going to go out there and do our best competing against these talented Sportsman racers.”

Busch will take part in a Team Mopar autograph session at the Mopar Image Center, located in the manufacturer’s midway at Gainesville Raceway. Busch is scheduled to appear on Saturday, March 13, with the time of his appearance to be announced at the track.

Mopar racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits will also make an appearance at the Mopar Image Center at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 12. Mopar HEMI-powered Pro Stock drivers Allen Johnson, V. Gaines and Vinnie Deceglie will appear from 10:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 13. NHRA Funny Car racers Ron Capps, Jack Beckman, Matt Hagan and Melanie Troxel will visit for a signing session following the first round of qualifying on Saturday.

41st Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals: The 41st Annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals is scheduled to take place March 11–14 at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Fla. Two hours of qualifying coverage will air on Sunday, March 14, beginning at 12 a.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. Three hours of eliminations coverage will air on Sunday beginning at 6 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. For more information on the NHRA, log on to www.nhra.com.

Mopar Brand: Mopar is Chrysler Group LLC’s service, parts and customer-care brand.

Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more than 90 countries and is the source for all original-equipment parts for Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram vehicles.  Mopar parts are unique in that they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles—a direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide.

When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts maker, supplier and distribution system to support the growing enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (CMPC) in 1929.

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words MOtor and PARts) was trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937.  It also was widely used as a moniker for the CMPC.  The Mopar brand made its mark in the 1960s – the muscle-car era.  The former Chrysler Corporation built race-ready Dodge and Plymouth “package cars” equipped with special high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of “special parts” for super-stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division, called Mopar Performance Parts, in order to enhance speed and handling for vehicles both on the road or at the track.

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Aston Martin Racing knows the difference, as does Adrian Fernandez.  So, when Fernandez, the 2009 Twelve Hours of Sebring LMP2 class winner and American Le Mans Series Champion, decided to team with Aston Martin Racing, one decision was easy.  “We both wanted to choose Michelin,” said Fernandez.  Both Aston Martin Racing and Fernandez have separately enjoyed considerable success with Michelin.

Since entering the ALMS Series in 2007, all eight of Fernandez’s ALMS wins and his 2009 championship have come with Michelin. “Michelin was a key part of our success,” said Fernandez. “We were frequently able to double-stint our MICHELIN® tires because they were so consistent that we could run the same lap times for two full stints.”

Aston Martin Racing last claimed victory at Sebring in 2005 with the GT1 classed DBR9, the car went on to win several ALMS races in both the 2005 and 2006 seasons. To accompany its winning run, the GT1 then claimed a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 before the team moved into the Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) category for 2009, where Aston Martin Racing finished the European-based Le Mans series as champions.

“Michelin is very pleased to continue our long technical partnership with Aston Martin Racing and our championship winning relationship with Adrian Fernandez,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin Motorsports manager.

“Aston Martin Racing is one of the world’s most prestigious brands and Adrian is a great ambassador for Michelin. ALMS fans will love seeing the beautiful Aston Martin Racing prototypes and Adrian’s fans will look forward to his continued success,” said Mammone.

Preliminary plans call for Fernandez and the Aston Martin Racing prototype to compete in the ALMS events at Sebring and Long Beach before heading to Europe for the 2010 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 21,500 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

For more information, visit www.michelinmedia.com 

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

GAINESVILLE, FLA - Canadian racer Raymond Commisso is a veteran of Pro Mod competition, and as he enters this weekend's 41st annual Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals as part of the inaugural class of the NHRA Get Screened America Pro Mod Drag Racing Series he will carry the mantle of a class favourite.

Since joining R2B2 Racing full-time, Commisso has gone from a freewheeling and mostly underfunded independent to a well-supported professional driver and his performances on the racetrack have taken a noticeable upturn. He currently holds the national elapsed time record of 5.881 seconds and has recorded the quickest run in history at 5.817 seconds. People are starting to take notice.

"Always before I have been the underdog when I’ve been drag racing," Commisso said. "I’ve always had a low budget and never had the best of everything, but I loved to race – that’s why I kept doing it.

"Now it’s the other way around. I pull into the park and I know I’m one of the top cars around. I know I can go out there and qualify No. 1 and win races. Being connected with Roger has been the greatest thing in my career."

A restaurateur in his native Toronto, Commisso is relishing his new frontrunner status.

"I want everybody to bring their A-game to every race because I always being mine," he said. "I like the pressure; it makes me perform better.

"This weekend will be the toughest competition of my racing career. The best of the best are going to show up for this one. Whoever wins will deserve it because there will be no slouches out there with all the heavy-hitting teams on the entry list."

An exhibition category for the past decade, NHRA now officially recognizes Pro Mod as a competition class. As such, racers will be vying for Wally trophies, the longtime symbol of drag racing excellence.

"It’s like when you dreamed of that special bike as a kid," Commisso said. "When you finally got it, it was so special. Running for a Wally is like a dream come true. Everybody wants to be a pro NHRA drag racer and run for that trophy and now here we are doing it. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life.

"We have the car to get it done. We're testing right now and we just completed the fastest run ever for a blower car -- 5.800 seconds at 251.50 mph. It gives you confidence when you have a car working this good. It was a brand-new racecar when we got her and our first full run with it was off the charts. I can't wait to get to Gainesville and start racing for real."

Contact: Geiger Media at 281-354-5769 or rob@go2geiger.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

DUBLIN, OH - The Mid-Ohio School, owned and operated by TrueSports, Inc., will host the first class of its 18th season on Saturday, March 13 with the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program. The school, located at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, will offer almost 150 driving days and 25 Performance Track Riding programs for sportbikes in 2010.  Since the last class of 2009, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. has provided The Mid-Ohio School with three dozen new 2010 Acura TSXs.  These sporty, luxury sedans are driven by school participants in the on-track driving programs.

The driving programs at The Mid-Ohio School are contributing to safer roadways across the country.  On the local level, through the Knox County Juvenile Court’s partnership with the school, over 1,000 juvenile offenders have been sent through the Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program since the two entities began collaborating in 2003.  Over the last six years, the County’s Juvenile Court System has reported a 75% reduction in second time offenses since the inception of the partnership.

Also new to the school in 2010, Open Track Time now stands alone as its own class under the High Performance umbrella.  Formerly a subset of the Open Testing & Tuning course, this new stand-alone format allows anyone to drive their car on track in a limited speed lead/follow format.  Veteran drivers of The Mid-Ohio School can also take this course to push their street-legal rides to speeds over 100 mph, in the max speed lead/follow or open lapping formats.  Open Track Time is the most cost effective way for drivers to get on the racetrack at Mid-Ohio.

In the motorcycling arena, Performance Track Riding is in its fifth year of operation and will be run exclusively by The Mid-Ohio School staff for the first time in the history of the program.  After moving the instruction of these classes in-house late last summer, the school decided to make that move a permanent one.  The first Performance Track Riding programs are slated for the weekend of April 24-25.

“With Performance Track Riding program complementing our driving courses, we are truly one of the most diverse schools.  The Mid-Ohio School was the first organization in the country to offer both two- and four-wheel courses all at one site,” said The Mid-Ohio School Director Steve Bidlack. “Through our 18-year history, we’ve had a great partner in American Honda for 17 of those seasons providing a great fleet of vehicles and making the continued success and ongoing growth of the school possible.”

Additionally, the KTM Race_Orange Track Day Experience, as a part of the Performance Track Riding offerings, has been expanded from two to four dates in the 2010 season (April 26 and 27, July 7 and 19).  This group of track days affords riders the opportunity to try a KTM in session for a full day, and lets curious enthusiasts without a bike of their own to get a taste of track riding.

The 2009 season was one of the most successful in the history of the school.  It boasted over 2,600 driving program graduates, more than 900 of which were teens.  The almost 1,700 motorcyclists that participated in Performance Track Riding set a new record figure for total enrollments. 

“We had a strong year in 2009 in a very tough economic climate, so our entire team knows we need to work just as hard, if not more, this season to match that,” Bidlack added.

The Mid-Ohio School is supported by its official partners and suppliers: Acura, Comfort Inn & Suites Honda, JEGS, KTM, Kumho Tires, Performance Friction Brakes, Presta, Quality Inn & Suites, Sunoco, and Westfield Insurance.

The Mid-Ohio School provides professional driving and riding instruction to drivers and motorcyclists of all skill levels.  The school’s 16 automobile courses include Defensive Driving, High Performance and Racing programs.  The motorcycle side features three Performance Track Riding formats.  Students enjoy classroom sessions, skill drills, expert private instruction and lapping on the same track that challenges the world’s top racers.  In 17 seasons, The Mid-Ohio School has 34,000 graduates, including 11,400 teenagers.  For more information, visit www.midohioschool.com.

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

WEEDSPORT, NY - By Tom Skibinski, DIRTcar Racing Northeast PR Director - Southern Tier standout Lin Hough, popular Pennsylvania pilot Ralph Quarterson and north country favorite Gary Reddick will be inducted into the Northeast Modified Hall of Fame on Memorial Day Weekend ‘10. These three driving greats add their names to a stellar list of Modified legends that was started in 1992 when the Hall of Fame was officially christened on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds in Weedsport, New York.

The 2010 Induction Ceremonies will take place Sunday, May 30 at 2 p.m. in the NE Hall of Fame & Classic Car Museum. The evening race program at Cayuga County Fair Speedway will be highlighted by the Hall of Fame 100, the third scheduled points event in the Super DIRTcar Series for Big-Block Modifieds.

Launching his career in the Big-Block ranks in 1977, Hough became a household name among the Small-Block racing fraternity in the mid-1980s steering his familiar red #117 Modified mounts. Scoring 60 DIRTcar victories from 1983-88, the Bath, N.Y. speedster also racked up a half-dozen track point titles at Dundee Raceway Park and Woodhull Raceway, capturing the coveted overall Mr. DIRT 320-Modified Championship in 1985. Along with his wife Cindy, Hough took over ownership of Dundee in 1995, renaming the Yates County oval to Black Rock Speedway while providing a complete facility upgrade that included new grandstand bleachers, VIP Tower suites, lighting and lap counter as the track was lengthened to a 4/10-miler.

Born on Canadian soil in Ottawa, Reddick relocated to the states in 1955 and soonafter emerged as a rising star throughout the stock car ranks contending on both dirt and asphalt surfaces. Charging from last to second in his first-ever qualifying race in 1960, checkered flags would become the norm in main events for the #V3 Modified machines on both sides of the border for two decades. Can-Am Motorsports Park’s inaugural champion in 1975, he also garnered a pair of point crowns each at Evans Mills and Watertown speedways in New York adding another at Kingston (Ont.) Speedway, while scoring feature wins in Canada at Brockville, Cornwall and Ottawa, and at DIRTcar charter member Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Brewerton and Fulton speedway in the Empire State.

A familiar figure in victory lane piloting his #66 entries in both open-wheel Modified and open-cockpit sprint cars, Quarterson piled up numerous track titles and feature wins during the late 1960s and early 70s. When the new millennium arrived, the recently honored Lernerville Speedway Hall of Fame racer was still recognized as the winningest Modified driver at Mercer (Pa.) Raceway Park, also racking up Keystone State victories at Tri-City, Butler and Motordrome speedways, along with Sharon and Expo in Ohio. Quarterson took advantage of his guaranteed starter status earned at Mercer to make his only Super DIRT Week start, finishing 26th in the 1974 ‘Schaefer 100’ finale on the famed Syracuse Mile.

Also receiving recognition during the induction ceremonies will be very active individuals Brian Mulligan, Jeff Brownell and Andrew Phillips.

Mulligan enters the Hall of Fame earning the Leonard J. Sammons, Jr. Award for Outstanding Contributions to Auto Racing. For the past 43 years Cornwall, Ontario resident Mulligan has served as Public Address Announcer for a number of Canadian tracks, and emerged as a motorsports promotions and marketing specialist in the north country during the last quarter-century. Officially moving into the position of DIRTcar Pro Stock Series Competition Director at the end of the 2007 season, he had previously provided operational assistance for Pro Stock Series events staged in the Eastern U.S. and Canada. Mulligan has been a familiar voice heard during Super DIRT Week for the past three decades, calling events at both the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse and Rolling Wheels Raceway Park in nearby Elbridge.

The first involvement in motorsports by Central New York car owner Brownell was in the Late Model ranks with the late Jeff Kappesser beginning in 1973. ‘Kappy’ earned full-fender crowns at founding DIRTcar tracks Canandaigua (1974), Cayuga County (1975) and Rolling Wheels (1977) prior to making his Big-Block debut in 1978, eventually sharing the 1982 Florida DIRTcar Nationals title. Recognized nationally in the oil business and becoming familiar closer to home through his Junell Corp. and Advanced Lubrication Specialties monikers, Brownell joined forces with fellow Waterloo, New Yorker Steve Paine, who went on to win the overall Mr. DIRTcar Big-Block Championship as the new millennium arrived. Super DIRTcar Series standout Matt Sheppard (#9s) and teammate Jeff Brownell Jr. (#29) brought further accolades for his XTreme Lubricants squad in 2009, with ‘Super Matt’ clinching Canandaigua and Brewerton season titles while winning the prestigious Rite Aid 200 at Syracuse, and his son claiming the Glen Ridge Motorsports Park points championship.

Phillips will receive the Mechanic of the Year Award after serving as crew chief for Brett Hearn as the New Jersey ace captured his 2nd Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship in the past three years. Attending weekly shows at the now defunct Flemington (NJ) Fair Speedway “since I could walk,” with family Drew also worked alongside his “uncle” Jerry Brophy Jr. at Flemington en route to the 1991 Small-Block title and Bud Christmann when he won the Super DIRT Week 358-Modified Championship at Syracuse in 2001. Phillips joined Hearn full-time right out of high school in 2002 and last season marked his fourth year heading race day operations for DIRTcar Northeast’s winningest Modified driver.

Co-recipients of the ninth annual Gater Racing Photo News "Outstanding Woman in Racing" award are track officials and public relations personnel Tana Robinson from Western New York, Pennsylvanian Judy Snyderman and Buffy Swanson.

Granddaughter to former owners of the old Fort Covington (NY) Speedway in its formative years Robinson never strayed from her roots as she and her family have been trackside fixtures further west for the past three decades. Returning to the north country during childhood, as a teenager she sandwiched weekend visits to Can-Am Speedway in LaFargeville between trips to current hometown oval Ransomville Speedway, where she first began penning Friday night race reports in 1989. Today, continuing to supply releases from the ‘Big R’ as its PR Director, she also wrote for Gater Racing Photo News and provided result stories to DIRT Trackin’ Magazine in the 1990s. Joining the speedway staff full-time in 2000, with sons Dan (chief starter), Mike (head scorer) and Jeff (handicapper) following her lead, Robinson also carries out accounting duties in the Weedsport, N.Y.-based DIRTcar Northeast office where she has been employed since 2007.

Snyderman has been involved in several aspects of Modified racing for more than 20 years. Initially entering the sport managing her husband Hugh’s photo stand at Bridgeport (N.J.) Speedway, she also became an accomplished racing photographer as time passed. Never one to turn down an interesting opportunity, when the chance came to get involved with the operations of the speedway, she became an Assistant Starter and Corner Flagger, undertaking a variety of other positions during her trackside tenure. Popular and well-liked, Judy has also worked in the organization and presentation of several mall shows and special racing programs in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey region, while her husband is currently Bridgeport Speedway’s Race Director.

Earning a paid position managing layout with Lenny Sammons’ Area Auto Racing News in 1979, Swanson quickly emerged as a successful staff writer for the popular Northeast motorsports publication. She gained instant notoriety providing the only presence of dirt car racing in Speedway Scene, authoring her column ‘Down’N Dirty’ in the New England-based tradepaper from 1982 to 1990. Eventually serving as a contributing editor for such nationally acclaimed magazines as Stock Car Racing, Circle Track, Trackside and Dick Berggren’s Speedway Illustrated, in 1998 the New Jersey native was named by the Grosso Family ownership as Public Relations Director at New Egypt Speedway, where she maintained her prominent post for nine years.

DIRTcar Racing Northeast main office is located in Weedsport, New York on the Cayuga County Fairgrounds, home of DIRTcar All-Star Weekend in July. DIRTcar Northeast’s crown jewel event ---Super DIRT Week at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse runs annually in October featuring Hoosier Tire-VP Racing Fuels Mr. DIRTcar Championship Series events for Big-Block Modified, 358-Modified, Sportsman and Pro Stock divisions. Ticket and schedule information is available by contacting the Weedsport office (315/834-6606) during the day or logging into www.allstar100weekend.com and www.superdirtweekonline.com anytime.

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

Thorold, Ontario (March 5) – Since last November … Merrittville Speedway Race Fans and Race Teams alike have known of at least one event on the 2010 Schedule with the announcement of the first ever visit of the World of Outlaws Late Models on Thursday June 17th. With the release today of the complete schedule - more than ever … Saturday Night is Speedway Night as the Thorold Ontario DIRTcar-sanctioned race track prepares for it’s 59th consecutive season.

“The Extreme Thursday definitely will be a highlight of our season and perhaps our involvement” boasts (Merrittville GM) Erica Bicknell, “but right from the Spring Sizzler through to our Motorized Mayhem Finale … our fans can look forward to enjoying every lap of the action … there’s something different happening week in and week out with enough must see events to overflow your race chasin!.”

The Bicknell and Williamson-owned show place has created quite an initial event when Baron Roofing and Siding presents the April 24th Annual Spring Sizzler that features 50 lap events for the L. St. Amand Enterprises 358 Modifieds, Original Pizza Logs Sportsman and Hoosier Stocks.

For the second straight season – one of the first to greet Merrittville Fans of every age is Crash Cougar. “There’s no bones about him,” relates (Merrittville co-owner) Nancy Bicknell, “Crash has become of one the best around … race track or stick and ball sport combined.”

May Day – May 1st - launches the 5 Division Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series when the J&S Heating & Air Conditioning Modified Lites and Hoosier Stocks join the Championship Chase hosted by 105.1 The River.

Merrittville Speedway’s Kids Club is getting a new lease on life the season as the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Registration Night is also part of the Niagara IceDogs Fan Appreciation Night.

Two Monday events will showcase Super DIRTcar Series Events with May 24th’s putting the 358 Modifieds to the test right away in a 100 lap special presented by Zavitz Financial Strategies and Employee Benefits.

Since 1972 – the first Monday in August has been a racing tradition on everyone’s summer schedule and this year’s edition will once again feature the DIRTcar Stars in a 100 lap Classic.

In the 17th and final Trevor Wilkens Memorial last season, ‘Super’ Matt Sheppard put on a clinic after Justin Haers shattered the track record in time trials.

Monday August 2nd – when L. St. Amand Enterprises proudly presents the 1st Annual Bob St. Amand Senior Memorial – it’s another must see event. Just ask anyone how cool last year’s was!

Race fans can get involved in the excitement as Merrittville Speedway will be looking for a Grand Marshall for the event in a contest that will launch as part of Semenuk’s Esso June 5th Event with the drawing to take place during July 24th’s Hingston Metal Fabricators’ festivities.

“While that event will bring DIRTcar’s finest,” remembers (Merrittville’s) Jim Irvine,  “former Champion Ron Smoker pulled off a last lap … last corner pass to steal the win from current Mr. DIRTcar Champ Brett Hearn back in the day … and for Bob Sr. – I wouldn’t count our guys out!”

59 years of memories will be celebrated in Lucas Oil’s Nostalgia Night Saturday July 17th. Hosted by the Speedway’s Reunion Committee - the running of the 358 Modified Jerry Winger Memorial will also include Vintage Race Cars and the pre-race Reunion Night.

“It’s time to begin planning our inductions into the L. St. Amand Enterprises Wall of Fame,” prided (Committee Chairman) Rick Kavanagh, “as we race towards the 60th next season … anyone wishing to nominate former drivers … crew  or builders … or if you would like to volunteer – contact the Office at any time.”

When Brian’s Tire Night concludes the 2010 Championship Chase September 4th – here’s hoping that for each division – the points races will go right down to the final lap. For the 358 Modifieds – 50 laps will again the distance for the John Spencer Memorial.

Brian’s Tire along with Turn 4 Collision and Pineview Drywall are presenters of the World of Outlaws Late Models on Thursday June 17th in addition to Giant FM 91.7, TV Cogeco, Modern Corporation, Cotton Inc. and IBEW Local 303 Niagara.

An early season special finds the BRP Can Am Late Models providing a preview of the Extreme Thursday when they join the Seaway Mall Rankin Cancer Run Night to kick off the Victoria Day Doubleheader – Saturday May 22nd.

Sprint Car Fans can mark two events at Merrittville on their schedules when the Lucas Oil ASCS Patriot Sprint Group visits Saturday August 21st as the featured event of Pen Centre Night.

As fast as the winged alcohol belching speedsters themselves – Sprint Cars return for a second time helping to kick off our lone Friday Night Show – Saturday September 10th and in celebration of the Ontario based group’s 15th season.

Merrittville Speedway’s Original Pizza Logs Sportsman Division will be looking to crown the King of the Crates powered by Niagara Motors Champ in 2010.

Three 40 lap events kick off April 24th with the mini-series continuing when Lococo Wholesale delivers June 19th’s Saturday Night Special.

Cotton Inc. will pour the foundation for a thrilling July 31st when the new Mini-Series Champ is crowned after the finale.

Full fendered fans have to love Merrittville’s Hoosier Stock Division and the fact that against the Brighton Speedway Pro Stocks – Team Merrittville is set to take a 6th straight title in the popular series that connects the two Saturday Night tracks.

New for 2010 is the Duel on the Dirt Big 6 – featuring 6 events at each track that will combine in this year’s challenge for overall and individual honors.

The newly retrofitted J&S Heating and Air Conditioning Modified Lites will prepare for their two day International Championship that closes the season September 10th and 11th with two Modified Lite Championship Events as part of June 12th’s SMS Machine Tool Ltd Saturday Night in addition to Monday August 2nd’s Civic Holiday Tradition.

Merrittville’s 4 Cylinder Division provides race fans with the greatest mix of makes and models of race cars and with the Turn 4 Collision Triple Crown – three special events will also crown a champion in the race within the overall season chase.

CAA Niagara will play host to the Series Opener on May 29th followed by Round Two during the July 17th Lucas Oil Nostalgia Night.

On August 14th – Avondale Food Store’s Saturday Night at the Races will not only crown the 2010 Triple Crown Champ – the Best Appearing Dog Contest will showcase our 4 legged friends.

If you are a long time Merrittville fan – you may be thinking – I think I would like to get on track myself … or if you are a new fan and like what you see – the Grantham Lions Ironman Enduro Series accelerated by Niagara College – is just the thing for you!

Three times during the season – May 24th, as part of Boltworks July 3rd Canada Day Clash and concluding with Cotton Inc.’s Summer Slam July 31st – there will be three ‘Qualifier’ Events.

It all leads up to Sunday September 12th and ‘Merrittville Motorized Mayhem’ which will drop the curtain on the 2010 Season in a way never witnessed in the 59 year history of the d-shaped oval.

Enduro Racing is pretty basic – it’s a car that races not a race car. Get yourself a $100 Car from the Smart Shopper and with some safety modifications …. get some nerve and you’re in!

For more info on Merrittville newest sensation – and all the news -  visit merrittvillespeedway.com as details are still crashing in.

One event that Merrittville’s younger race fans look forward to as a highlight of the Aaron’s Lucky Dog Kid’s Club is the Meridian Credit Union Box Car Races.

2010’s front-stretch favorite set for the August 7th’ CMH Sales and Leasing ‘Help a Child Smile’ Night will also have adults smiling too. Parents will also be part of the action on track this season!

Mom and Dad can also look forward to Mother’s Day (May 8th) and Father’s Day (June 19th) at Merrittville with $2 savings on Grandstand Admissions.

Heroes of the Highway can also take part in the excitement when Modern Corporation stages it’s annual Truck Show ‘n Shine Night July 10th.

Drivers can save $2 upon proof of their license and it you would like to display your Big Rig – watch for details.

Motorcycle Enthusiasts can also join in July 24th on Hingston Metal Fabricators Night with a Two-nie off Grandstand Admission for all riders with proof of your M License. For the Biker in all of us – did you know that our J&S Heating Modified Lite ‘Race Cars’ are powered by ‘Bike’ Engines?

Season Ticket Holders even have a chance on spreading the word that Saturday Night is Speedway Night. Plan on bringing someone with you July 31st – someone that may have just moved into your neighborhood … someone at work … church or school or even a complete stranger!

The only catch – July 31st must be their first time ever to Merrittville - the challenge is on to find someone!

Modified Lite driver turned Sportsman rookie Adam Leslie reminded us all of the sacrifices of our Armed Forces last season. So much so that May 15th’s Meridian Credit Union Salute to the Troops Event will take to time to say THANKS!

Meridian Credit Union will also present the extremely popular Family Autograph Nights when the front stretch is overtaken by a sea of race cars for your chance to meet the drivers and see their race cars up close.

June 5th is the first chance while September 4th is the last. Both Nights are just as good as Halloween!

If you have been a long-time fan – you may have heard that your favorite driver got their start in Karts!

Every Tuesday Night – the stars of tomorrow take to the infield track and Stock Car fans are encouraged to check out a Lucas Oil Weekly Karting Series Event.

June 26th’s Student Night Summer Blast Off is the Night when Students under 18 with a Student Card can save $2 off Grandstand Admission. It’s also the night when the Merrittville Speedway Kart Club will be on display in preparation for their biggest event of the season.

Lucas Oil and a family of supporters will present the Burris Tire 50 Twenty Five – Sunday July 4th and that is one Karting Event to see with top drivers from across Canada and the Northeast US from 6 years old and up in action.

Race fans also have a chance for quite an experience as the Big Block Grand Marshall Search for Monday August 2nd will run from June 5th to July 24th. You could win tickets to the event … the chance to meet the starting field and be the one that gets to say ‘Gentleman … Start your engines!’

Tickets to the pre-race Club Castropignano Pasta Dinner – one of the best deals on DIRTcar are also included. During the contest period – don’t forget to get your fill of Piller’s Hot Dogs – on July 3rd – they’re just a buck!

As Merrittville Speedway’s 59th season begins to wind down – the Niagara IceDogs will be about to start up. Minor Sport Players in Team Sweaters will be admitted free on Ball Hockey International Night – Saturday August 28th.

The Aaron’s Lucky Dog Kids Club will also wind down with it’s Back to School Pizza Party and Awards Night for another season.

Following the Championship Chase Finale September 4th – the 59th Season will conclude with the International Championship Triple Header Finale Weekend with racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday – September 10th to 12th.

Joining Friday Night’s kickoff are the 4 Cylinder Trucks … the Southern Ontario Sprints while Saturday Night features the Sportsman Super DIRTcar Series.

Both nights feature the best Modified Lite and Classic Dwarf Cars from across Canada and the US for the event that has developed into one of the finest of its kind for the division.

The Hoosier Stocks’ season also concludes with a 25 lap event leading up to the invasion from the Brighton Speedway for the $1,000 to win 50 lap winner take all final Saturday Night event.

The 59th season comes to a grinding end – Sunday September 12 with what is being billed in 2010 as Merrittville Motorized Mayhem!

As the count down to green continues and the anticipation builds up to April 24th Spring Sizzler – visit the Merrittville Speedway Race Car Shows at the Seaway Mall (the week of March 15th) and the Pen Centre (the week of March 22nd) to see some of the new race cars up close and to get your 2010 Merrittville Speedway Lucas Oil Weekly Racing Series Schedule Card!

For further information on the 59th Season – race fans can also friend Merrittville Speedway on Face Book or follow at www.twitter.com/merrittville.

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) will celebrate 25 years of Championship Stock Car Racing with one of its largest number of pre-season full season entered teams. The balance of veteran champions and new teams joining the US touring division represents five New England states and two provinces of Canada. ACT statistician Nick Bigelow said, "I have reviewed past seasons and this looks like the most diverse and best count ACT has had in the past half dozen seasons."

A fourteen race schedule will carry teams from the shores of Connecticut at the historic Waterford Speedbowl to new tracks located as far north as Quebec City, (the newly renovated 5/8th mile Riverside Speedway in Ste-Croix), and west to the newly paved 4/10th mile Albany Saratoga Speedway in Malta, NY, just outside the New York capital city.

Veteran title chaser Brent Dragon from Milton, VT said, "This is a great schedule for those of us that like touring. New tracks are always interesting and with two new tracks on the schedule just undergoing renovations and paving (Albany-Saratoga and Riverside-Ste Croix), along with my favorite recently renovated half mile Airborne Speedway in Plattsburgh, NY, I hope this is the year I can finally win an ACT Championship."

"Dragon has been a perennial top three finisher on the tour for many years, and feels with the longer tracks on the 2010 schedule, he has just gotten the edge he might need to finally win the title. Brent Dragon has completed the most races of any driver in the 18 year history of the ACT Late Model division," continued Bigelow.

Joining the list of likely contenders is defending Champion Brian Hoar from Williston, VT. Hoar found his magic championship form when he joined Rick Paya's RPM Engines team in 2009. Strong performances to end the season brought Hoar his 6th ACT Championship title. Hoar clearly is the favorite to beat in 2010.

Other strong teams who have full season entries are Scott Payea, led by co-owner and veteran crew chief, Chris Companion. Joey Polewarczyk ('Pole') from Hudson, NH is primed and eager to take a run for the ACT title. Now a seasoned competitor of ACT touring and the youngest of the new breed of racers, Joey 'Pole' has switched to Ford power plants for the 2010 campaign. Turner, Maine veteran Glen Luce, beginning his third year of ACT Tour racing, will join 'Pole' on the Blue Oval Ford team. Brian Craig will crew chief the Luce effort. "Now that we have been around the ACT circuit for a couple years, I think we have a pretty good chance to contend for the title. It was a challenging learning curve for our team getting used to the different tracks, and it sure was a lot different than running sprint races on Saturday night at our home track Oxford Plains Speedway, but I am hoping that with our new Ford program we will have some success," said Luce.

One of the early favorites to challenge for the 2010 ACT title is Graniteville, Vermont's John Donahue. Donahue was the most successful racer during the last third of the 2009 season, winning races at White Mountain Motorsport Park, and realizing a lifelong dream of winning the Chittenden Milk Bowl at Barre, Vermont's Thunder Road. That momentum certainly makes the Kendall Roberts-Dale Shaw led team a threat to win the 2010 title.

Joining the list of filed entries includes top veteran runners such as New Hampshire's Randy Potter, Vermonters Jamie Fisher and Eric Chase, and Maine's Ricky Rolfe. Tyler Cahoon and Pete Potvin round out some returning young stars that completed the entire 2009 season.

Other veterans and former champions: legendary and ageless Joey Laquerre, from Barre, VT will drive a Seth Holbrook prepared car. Former White Mountain Motorsport Park Champion Quinney Welch, from Lancaster, NH has also entered the full schedule of events for the 2010 season.

The highly anticipated season will also see the return of seven-time ACT Champion JP Cyr of Milton, VT in the father/son team race car of Gary and Kyle Caron. Richard Green will be fielding two cars with veterans Joey Becker and former Airborne Champion Mark Lamberton behind the wheels.

Two teams will travel from Canada to tackle the 2010 ACT US season. 2009 Série ACT Castrol Champion Donald Theetge has submitted his full season entry to run on the American-based Tour. Also making a return is former ACT Pro Stock Tour competitor Derek Lynch. Lynch, the winner of the Oxford 250 in 1994 has decades of experience. He has competed previously in the NASCAR North/Busch East Series and for the past two years has raced in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series throughout Canada. He also is the track manager of the Kawartha Speedway outside Peterborough, ON, Canada.

Some new faces running their first full ACT Tour seasons are multi-time Oxford Plains Speedway Champion Travis Adams, Jeff Zuidema with Thompson Int'l Speedway Championships in his portfolio, and Thunder Road regular and former Sportsman Champion at both Thunder Road and Airborne Speedway, Craig Bushey.

Massachusetts racers Jimmy 'Scruffy' Linardy and Mark Hudson; along with Vermonter David Paya have sent in full season entries. Over 30 teams are expected to start the season as full time entrants, a record number of teams to begin the new campaign.

The Rookie of the Year battle has two of the most talented young Late Model stars in the region with 17 year-old Beech Ridge racer Bradley Babb from Maine driving the Sallie Bolduc machine. Babb will have former ACT Pro Stock driver and father, Bobby Babb, crew chief the car. Another young star of the Twin State Speedway battles, from the Granite State, Chris Riendeau, is going to compete for the ACT Rookie of the Year honors on a full time basis as well.

The 2010 ACT Tour season kicks off on Sunday, April 18 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH with the NH Governor's Cup 150. The winner will be the first to receive an invitation for the second annual ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to be held on Saturday, September 18th during the first weekend of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship.

For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963 or media@acttour.com  

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

Homestead, Fla. (March 8, 2010) - Following a tough debut at Daytona in January, the Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang Boss 302R team came back with a strong performance in Round 2 of the 2010 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Homestead-Miami Speedway. However, although both cars were extremely competitive, not everything went the team's way as #15 posted a sixth place finish after dominating large sections of the race, while #16 failed to see the checkered flag due to a brake problem after an extremely strong run in the first half of the event.

Joe Foster once again proved that his nickname, "Front Row Joe", is well deserved by putting the #15 Multimatic entry on the pole, while newcomer Frankie Montecalvo continued impressing the team with his speed, qualifying the #16 on the outside of the second row. However, despite Maxwell and Foster starting from the front, leading the most race laps (40) and registering the fastest race lap the experienced duo were unable 15 car pit stop to capitalize on the car's speed due to a two stop strategy that ultimately resulted in a sixth place finish. The all new 5.0 litre V8 in the Boss 302R requires more fuel than its competition at this early stage of its development and was therefore disadvantaged by not being able to complete the race on a single stop like the top finishers.

Motorsports Director Larry Holt commented: "We made the call not to make a stop under yellow at the 45 lap point of the race because we were only halfway through a fuel run and there would still have been 50 green flag laps left to the end. As we are only good for 43 laps on a tank this would have required a third stop had there been no more yellows. Unfortunately some of the other teams gambled on more yellow and made the stop and then got a break when it happened at lap 81. Our second pit stop occurred under green and the guys who only came in once made it to the end and Scott just didn't have enough time to get to the front despite having half a second a lap on everybody in the late stages."

Gunnar Jeannette and Montecalvo ran an alternative strategy in the #16 car choosing not to change drivers at the 20 lap first yellow flag period like their teammates, which allowed them to spend most of the first half of the race in the top five with Jeannette in contention for the lead until the brake pedal began going to the floor at every application, finally ending his race on lap 51 with a rear caliper seal failure.

Although Multimatic would have liked to finish a little higher up the order after showing such good pace and leading so much of the race, the team is encouraged by this weekend's performance and is now looking forward to its next Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race which takes place April 9 - 10, 2010 at Barber Motorsports Park.

Multimatic Motorsports Quoteboard:

Joe Foster, #15 Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"Everything we had control over as a team, we did very well. The Mustang ran well, pit stops were great, the pit strategy was correct. The Multimatic guys did a super job with the pit stops as a strategy. But in the end it just didn't go our way because we needed it to stay green and there was a yellow flag near the end so some cars in front were able to avoid pitting for fuel. We got a good start, I had a handy lead and Scott had a handy lead during his stint, we just didn't get the break we needed. It's a little disappointing after having such a good race to not finish higher but in the end it was still a good day."

Scott Maxwell, #15 Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"The car was fast and we were definitely more competitive and it was good to get a finish but I think we're all a little disappointed because we led the most laps, got the fastest lap and ended up sixth so it doesn't really make a lot of sense. We just got hit with bad timing with the yellows and that cost us track position that we couldn't make up at the end. If we had run 10th all day and ended up sixth we would have been sort of happy but when you lead and at some points have a 10 second lead, the car was really strong, you sort of have better hopes than sixth. I was hoping we would sneak out a podium, I don't think we had the speed to win, but we're getting closer."

Frankie Montecalvo, #16 Bayshore Recycling Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"The race went pretty good up until our brake problem. I didn't have a great start which is how I lost a couple of positions, but after settling in I got into a rhythm and put in consistent laps, we stayed out when some of the others pitted and moved up to second. It's too bad that we had that problem because everything was going really well up until then. It was a really encouraging race for us especially after the issues we faced in Daytona. We know we have a really good car and we can't wait until the next race."

Gunnar Jeannette, #16 Bayshore Recycling Ford Mustang Boss 302R
"Unfortunately we didn't have a very good finish but overall it was a great weekend. I think we made a lot of progress with the car. The track suited the car pretty well. Frankie did a fantastic job. He had his first ever top five starting position which is great for him and the whole team and he ran really well in the top-five for most of his stint and as high as second before coming in and handing it over to me. With a lot of people pitting before us I went back out and was fairly deep in the GS field but the car was awesome. I was able to make up a lot of positions really quickly. But then I started having a long brake pedal. We got to the other caution and the brake pedal was going to the floor which we originally thought was the brake fluid boiling but it turned out we had a problem with the left rear caliper. We tried to go back out but it was dangerous, I drove off the track a couple times. It was a completely different problem from Daytona but it was a brake problem nonetheless, unfortunately. That said it's nice to see Scott and Joe do so well so it's very encouraging for the whole team."

From Karina Redmond // Multimatic Motorsports PR

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

ST. JOHN’S March 8th, 2010 – Known as the “Hub of the Bay” one of the oldest and most historic towns in Newfoundland will join the Targa family of communities. Carbonear, a town which was founded some 400 years ago in the early 1600’s has agreed to bring what is arguably one of Newfoundland most modern and exciting events to the town.  Carbonear will work with Targa Newfoundland to create and run a competitive stage in the town during the annual September motorsport classic, event organizers have announced.

The approximately 7.00-kilometre Targa stage will run through the heart of the historic Town of Carbonear and will become one of the critical final stages of the 2010 event. Carbonear town council approved a motion to host Targa at a meeting on February 15, 2009.  The event will be coming to the town for the first time.

The new stage to be held on Friday September 17th and has been designed to be a very challenging “town” stage which will set the standard of competition for the balance of the final day of the event.  The stage will be new to all the competitors and will be a real thrill for the fans.  In previous years, the results of the stages held on the final day of competition strongly influence the outcome of the event for both the Targa and Grand Touring categories.

“We appreciate that the community is bringing Targa Newfoundland to Carbonear, and we wish to thank Mayor Slade, his council as well as their staff for the working with us to accomplish this,” said Targa organizer Robert Giannou. “We know that Targa has a positive economic impact on the province and on communities along the route, and we are pleased that Carbonear will become part of the Targa family.”

“We hope that thousands of TriCon peninsula spectators and fans will be able to travel to Carbonear to watch our Targa stage and enjoy our town’s hospitality” said Mayor Slade “We have worked closely with Targa to choose a route that will be exciting as well as challenging. We welcome Targa and look forward to assisting them in providing this world class entertainment.”

Owned and operated by Newfoundland International Motorsports Limited, Targa Newfoundland is one of three internationally recognized Targa motorsports events in the world. The 9th annual Targa Newfoundland will start in St. John’s on Saturday, September 11, 2010, and end back in the capital Saturday, September 18. The competition will cover more than 2,000 kilometres of the challenging, twisty roads of the central and eastern portion of Newfoundland, including up to 450 kilometres of closed-road, flat-out Targa stages.

Competitors have come from the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Holland, Germany, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the U.K. for the first editions of Targa Newfoundland and international interest continues to build with competitors registering daily.

-30-

Contact:

Media:             Doug Mepham 613-966-4969 // d.mepham@bellnet.ca
Competitors:     Melissa Crummey 709-722-2413 // melissa@targanewfoundland.com
Sponsors:            Scott Giannou 709-722-2413 // scott@targanewfoundland.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

On Sunday, March 21 the Kawartha Durham Kart Club will be holding its spring meeting, open house and swap meet at Kawartha Downs and Speedway under the grandstand. Enter through the main front doors. Doors open at 11:00 with meeting starting at 12:00 sharp. Meeting is mandatory for all members and family, friends and visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend. Topics for discussion will include the 2010 schedule, rules, classes, track SAFETY updates, technical updates and Q&A.

The club will be accepting membership forms at that time. Members can download and print off the forms from the website and bring them filled out.

Swap meet and open house will begin after the meeting around 2:00. Admission is FREE for attendees and vendors alike. Please contact the club if you wish to bring items to sell and they’ll send you the pertinent information - there is a separate entrance for vendors. Set up begins at 10:00. There will also be KDKC swag for sale including t-shirts, hats, crests and license plate frames.

To jump start the day, the club will be having a BBQ lunch beginning at 11:30 courtesy of KDKC and Kawartha Speedway. Be sure to bring your appetite, there will be lots to eat. Refreshments will also be provided.

If you wish to be a vendor, please send an email to admin@kawarthadurhamkartclub.com

Visit the club website for more information and directions, membership forms and additional information.

www.kawarthadurhamkartclub.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

The all-red Dodge Charger will have all three partners - Dodge, Mopar
and FLO TV - prominently featured in the paint scheme. The Dodge logo
will occupy both rear-quarter panels while the Mopar logo will be
positioned on the rear deck lid along with a FLO TV logo, which will
also be featured above the rear bumper.

"We are the first automaker in the United States to offer live, mobile
television," said Pietro Gorlier, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Mopar Service, Parts and Customer Care, Chrysler Group LLC. "We're
excited to team up with Dodge and Penske Racing to promote Mopar and FLO
TV to the NASCAR audience."

Dodge swept both Sprint Cup races last year at the 1.54-mile AMS.
Keselowski's teammate, Kurt Busch, is the defending Kobalt Tools 500
champion. In three Nationwide Series starts at AMS, Keselowski has one
top-five and two top-10 finishes.

When Dodge returned to NASCAR's premier series in 2001, the program
included the sponsorship of two cars. That sponsorship continued through
the 2007 season. This weekend will mark the first time the Dodge logo
has held a primary sponsorship position on a Sprint Cup car since the
end of the 2007 season.

Sprint Cup teams will have a 90-minute practice session at 2:30 p.m. on
Friday. Qualifying gets underway at 6:10 p.m.

How FLO TV Works
Television signals are delivered through a dedicated multicast network
built by San Diego-based FLO(tm) TV Inc., a live, mobile TV service
provider, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Inc. FLO TV offers
live and time-shifted programming from top entertainment brands.

Content includes programming from ABC, ABC Entertainment, ABC Family,
ABC News, Adult Swim Mobile, CBS, CBS College Sports, CBS News, CNBC,
CNN Mobile, COMEDY CENTRAL, Disney Channel, Disney Channel Original
Movies, ESPN, ESPNEWS, ESPN 2, FOX, FOX News Channel, FOX Sports, Fuel
TV, MSNBC, MTV, NBC, NBC2Go, NBC News, NBC Sports, Nickelodeon,
Playhouse Disney, SOAPNet and Speed.

The service is available in more than 100 major markets and many
interstate driving corridors, however it is not available in some rural
areas.

Audiovox Corp., of Hauppauge, NY, supplies FLO TV Auto Entertainment
hardware that integrates with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles'
existing entertainment systems and new Mopar 7-inch DVD screen systems.
A small antenna, similar in size to a laptop mouse, is mounted on a
vehicle's roof to deliver the digital TV signal. Inside the vehicle, the
receiver and wiring are installed under the interior trim of the vehicle
and are not visible to occupants.

User-friendly wired and wireless remote controls allow viewers to easily
surf channels, similar to TV systems at home.

Mopar's live, mobile TV option includes a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty on
new vehicles or a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty on used vehicles for
hardware and installation. The suggested retail price is $629, plus
installation. A one-year pre-paid subscription is included with
installation.

About Mopar
Mopar distributes approximately 280,000 parts and accessories in more
than 90 countries and is the source for all original equipment parts for
Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles. Mopar parts are unique in that
they are engineered with the same teams that create factory-authorized
vehicle specifications for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram vehicles - a
direct connection that no other aftermarket parts company can provide.

More than 70 Years of Mopar
When Chrysler bought Dodge in 1928, the need for a dedicated parts
manufacturer, supplier and distribution system to support the growing
enterprise led to the formation of the Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation
(CMPC) in 1929. A complete list of parts is available at www.mopar.com.

Mopar (a simple contraction of the words Motor and PARts) was
trademarked for a line of antifreeze products in 1937. It also was
widely used as a moniker for the CMPC. The Mopar brand made its mark in
the 1960's - the muscle-car era. The former Chrysler Corporation built
race-ready Dodge and Plymouth "package cars" equipped with special
high-performance parts. Mopar carried a line of "special parts" for
super stock drag racers and developed its racing parts division, called
Mopar Performance Parts, in order to enhance speed and handling for both
road and racing use.

About Chrysler Group LLC

Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with
Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and Mopar brand vehicles
and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution
network required to compete effectively on a global scale; the alliance
builds on Chrysler's culture of innovation -first established by Walter
P. Chrysler in 1925 - and Fiat's complementary technology.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC's product
lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles,
including the Chrysler Town & Country, Jeep Wrangler, Dodge Challenger
and Ram 1500. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and
powertrains for small and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group LLC
to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly
vehicles.

From Denny Darnell

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 5, 2010) – Corvette Racing made a big move in the second half of the 2009 American Le Mans Series, leaving behind the GT1 category where they had dominated the competition. They will not have that problem joining the uber-competitive ALMS GT category where they face factory-supported teams from Porsche, Ferrari, BMW and Jaguar.

Developing the new GT Corvette, the Corvette Racing team has made a number of changes. The new GT Corvette has new production-style bodywork, a new aero package based on the Corvette ZR1 supercar, a smaller 5.5-liter GM smallblock V8 engine and steel disc brakes in place of the carbon brakes used previously in the GT1 class.

One decision was easy, continuing the successful technical partnership with Michelin that began in 2004 and combined for 52 GT1 wins, five GT1 class championships and four victories in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“We work very closely with Michelin and in fact, the Michelin engineer who led their tire development for the Corvette ZR1 is our Michelin tire engineer at the race track. You cannot have a closer feedback loop than that,” said Doug Fehan, program manager of Corvette Racing.

The new GT class Corvette C6.R finished second in its debut last August at Mid-Ohio and scored five podium finishes, including Corvette Racing’s first GT class win at Mosport International Raceway.

“Since Corvette Racing chose Michelin as its technical partner in 2004, the Corvette-Michelin relationship has grown beyond the track to include the Corvette ZR1; the Corvette C6.RS and an impressive new MICHELIN® Pilot® Sport PS2TM ZP tire replacement option for Corvette C5 and C6 owners,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin Motorpsorts manager.

As Michelin’s first-ever original equipment fitment for Corvette, the Pilot® Sport PS2TM ZP tire is the result of years of research and development. With competition at its core and race tracks as its proving ground, the MICHELIN Pilot® Sport PS2TM ZP tire bears many of the same performance characteristics of its family of Pilot Sport tires, but adds an entirely new level of refinement based on the specific needs of the Corvette ZR1.

Corvette Racing’s 2010 driver line-up includes the #3 Corvette C6.R piloted by 2008 ALMS GT1 champions Johnny O’Connell and Jan Magnussen and the #4 Corvette C6.R driven by three-time ALMS series champions Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta. Antonio Garcia and Emmanuel Collard will join the team for the endurance races: Twelve Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin (www.michelin.com) designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy duty trucks, motorcycles and the space shuttle. The company also publishes travel guides, maps and atlases covering Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs approximately 21,500 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.

From www.michelinmedia.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (March 4, 2010) – Experience or the new kid in the spotlight? That was the question posed to the panel of auto racing writers and NASCAR representatives tasked with compiling the inaugural Hunter Index – a brand new feature on NASCARHomeTracks.com that will spotlight the top 10 drivers in the NASCAR Developmental Series in a monthly power poll. The first edition boiled down to a simple question: Which driver enters the 2010 season with the most momentum?

In the end, it was three-time NASCAR Whelen All-American Series champion Philip Morris who got the nod over Sergio Pena, who was impressive in his NASCAR K&N Pro Series debut with a runner-up finish in January's NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

Defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series East champion Ryan Truex was a close third.

"As far as momentum goes, Philip Morris sure has it after getting a third NASCAR Whelen All-American Series title," said Adam Fenwick of National Speed Sport News. "Morris finished his season with two wins, two second-place finishes and a third-place finish en route to his championship.

"Pena had a great race. But it was only one race. His overall resume is more or less unproven, while Morris has all the experience and momentum on his side."

Shawn Courchesne of the Hartford (Conn.) Courant was one of the panelists who disagreed.

While Pena's resume is much shorter, he left an indelible impression with his standpoint performance at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, NASCAR's signature short-track showcase.

"Based on the competition faced and the singular importance of the event, I have to put Sergio Pena at the top of my list," said Courchesne. "His body of work is one race, but it was one simply amazing race. Against some of the toughest competition out there the kid didn't flinch. If Pena shows even half the poise, ability and talent he showed that night, there's little doubt he'll be a force to reckoned with on the East series this year."

Nick Joanides and Paulie Harraka rounded out the top five. Joanides was third in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national championship last year, was third in the Late Model race and 14th in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series race at the Toyota All-Star Showdown. Harraka closed out 2009 with two wins in the final three NASCAR K&N Pro Series West races.

The Hunter Index is named for Jim Hunter, NASCAR's vice president of corporate communications and a long-time supporter of the weekly and touring series that make up the NASCAR Developmental Series.

The Index was designed in the off season as an opportunity to compare the top drivers from the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series all the way up to the NASCAR K&N Pro Series. It will also encompass drivers from the NASCAR Mexico Series, NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour.

"The great thing about this new feature is it gives us a chance to highlight the drivers that are making an impact in our developmental series," said Brett Bodine, who is the chairman of the NASCAR resumé committee and represented the NASCAR competition side on the panel. "Every series has a strong, passionate fan base that loves to get behind their favorite driver. With the Hunter Index, we've opened the forum for the fans to debate about who the hottest drivers are across the board."

Bodine started in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and made it up the NASCAR ladder to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. As chairman of the resume committee, he helps drivers map out their path.

The panel also included media members Courchesne representing the Northeast, Fenwick from the Southeast, Tim Haddock of HaddockInThePaddock.com from the West Coast, and Greg MacPherson from the Canadian publication Inside Track Motorsports News. They were joined by Bodine and NASCAR public relations representative Jason Christley.

Once the top two were determined, the panel weighed a number of factors to come up with an initial top 10 for the first Hunter Index.

Andrew Ranger checked in at No. 7. The two-time NASCAR Canadian Tire Series champion's plans for 2010 are currently still being determined, which likely cost him a couple spots. Defending NASCAR K&N Pro Series West champion Jason Bowles won't be running a full West schedule in 2010 while focusing on progressing to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. And George Brunnhoelzl III closed out the 2009 NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour with a win in the season finale and the championship, but his move to running the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour full time this year left most of the voters with a wait-and-see approach.

Ted Christopher didn't have the end to last season on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour he had hoped – finishing third in points – but a strong finish in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, where he won the track championship at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway and a fifth-place finish in the national standings, helped land him in the No. 6 spot.

Keith Rocco (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series), Eddie MacDonald (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) and Brett Moffitt (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East) rounded out the top 10.

The panel will conference on the first Wednesday of each month, and the Hunter Index will be released the following day.

NASCAR fans are encouraged to weigh in with their own opinions through the NASCAR Home Tracks Community page on www.NASCAR.com at community.nascar.com/nascarhometracks or on Facebook at facebook.com/nascarhometracks

PRESEASON HUNTER INDEX

1.     PHILIP MORRIS (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series)

Why he's here: Veteran Late Model driver scored two wins, two seconds and a third over his final six races at Motor Mile Speedway in Radford (Va.) to win his third national championship in the last four years.

2.     SERGIO PENA (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East)

Why he's here: Made a memorable series debut at Toyota All-Star Showdown by winning the pole, leading 54 laps and finishing second to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Joey Logano.

3.     RYAN TRUEX (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East)

Why he's here: Ended 2009 with seven top three finishes in the final eight races to claim the series championship.

4.     NICK JOANIDES (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series)

Why he's here: Had five wins, three seconds and a fifth in final nine races in Super Late Model season at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) and finished third in the national standings. Also won the Late Model title at Toyota Speedway.

5.     PAULIE HARRAKA (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West)

Why he's here: Had two wins in the final three races of the West to win the Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors and finish fourth in points. He was ninth in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

6.     TED CHRISTOPHER (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour / NASCAR Whelen All-American Series)

Why he's here: Won the Whelen Modified season finale at Thompson (Conn.) International Speedway. He had three wins and two seconds in last six Whelen All-American Series races in winning track title at Stafford (Conn.) Motor Speedway and finishing fifth in national standings.

7.     ANDREW RANGER (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1)

Why he's here: Closed out his second championship with three top 10s, including a win in the second-to-last race of the season. Also finished 15th in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

8.     KEITH ROCCO (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series)

Why he's here: Record nine top five finishes, including three wins, in final 10 races running asphalt Modified at three Connecticut tracks to finish second by Morris in the national standings.

9.     EDDIE MACDONALD (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East)

Why he's here: A win (New Hampshire), a second (Lime Rock) and ninth (Dover) to wind up second in series points. Finished eighth in NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

10.  BRETT MOFFITT (NASCAR K&N Pro Series East)

Why he's here: Was second behind MacDonald at New Hampshire, and then won at Dover to end the season. He was also fourth in the West race at Iowa.

HONORABLE MENTION: Ryan Preece (NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour), David Mayhew (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), Eric Holmes (NASCAR K&N Pro Series West), D.J. Kennington (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1), George Brunnhoelzl III (NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour).

For more information, contact: Jason Cunningham, NASCAR Public Relations, (704) 201-6658 or jcunningham@nascar.com

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'

BURLINGTON, ON - The owners of TLM Racing are extremely pleased to announce that TLM Racing has been sold to AVR Motorsports. At the end of the 2009 F1200 Championship Series season all 3 partners in TLM Racing had agreed, due to increasing personal and business commitments they were unable to continue managing the front running F1200 team.

It was with a heavy heart that all three owners, Chris Tanser, Dave Matkovich, and Gerry Merz feared that the work and effort that was put into building TLM Racing may fade away.

"After 4 seasons, winning over 40 podiums, 2 Rookie of the Year, and 2 Vallis Cups...to see the name TLM Racing just disappear, would have been sad", commented Gerry Merz. "We worked so hard to develop a winning system for up and coming open wheel racers, but now, to find a really top notch, young, up and coming group of guys  to take all our work to another level....Chris, Dave, and I couldn't have hoped for a better future and home for TLM Racing than AVR Motorsports.

AVRmotorsports.com principals are Sam Ashtiani, Shane Viccary, and Jonathon Rolstin, all 3 graduating "Honors" with Bachelor of Engineering degrees from UOIT in April of 2010 and all 3 project leaders in the UOIT Formula SAE program.

Both Ashtiani and Viccary bring a veteran's perspective as drivers in F1200 Championship Series, as well, Rolstin brings ALMS and GT mechanical experience to round out AVR's leadership and management team!

You could make a leap that AVR Motorsports, in some ways, looks very similar to a young Autotechnica, who enjoyed tremendous success developing their Formula BMW team and who's principals were also graduates of the same programs at UofT

"The team at AVR is very solid", commented Chris Tanser. 'I can see that they will be able to take the raw experience we gained with TLM Racing in the F1200 series and now add an entirely new "higher tech" component in both racing strategy and engineering"

TLM principals Matkovich and Merz, as per the alliance created between TLM and BGR, (Brian Graham Racing), in 2009, are moving onwards and upwards into BGR's camp to focus on business and driver development, after forming BGR Sports & Entertainment with BGR principle Brian Graham.

"Gerry and I will stay close to Sam and his team at AVR throughout their inaugural season in F1200", commented Matkovich. "Although these young AVR lads are coming to the table with serious technical and engineering CV's, make no mistake, we have a vested interest in ensuring that the new TLM of AVR-TLM maintains its winning ways.

TLM Racing would like to send a HUGE thank-you out to all those who helped make our F1200 team a success from 2006-2009. Team Sponsors, such as Paul Leggat of Roseland VW in Burlington, Brad Morris and Mark Paul of Grote Manufacturing, and Dale Cox of Amsoil. Also our  crew members: Teresa Matkovich, Aaron Lang, Devan Matkovich, and Paul Gibson. Last but not least all the great coverage and support we got from the media...Rob/Al/Kim at eformulacarnews.com, Tony/Jeff at ekartingnews.ca, Russ/Jim at Canadianracers.com & Canadiankarters.com, David, Greg, James and the lads at insidetracknews.com and Mike at racecanada.com Thanks so much for supporting us and the FTDA!

But most of all....the lads who made it all worthwhile, although at times, had us pulling out our hair, but most of the time, just blew us away at what they did on the track and caused our arms to go up in the air 40+ times!. Devan Matkovich, (2006), Greg "The Stig"  Brenzil, Aaron Lang + Matkovich (2007), Alex Ellis, Dylan Gibson + Brenzil (2008), and Taylor Near, Carlo & Aryton Triolo, and Keenan Harris (2009)

AVR Motorsports now has 3 seats in F1200 available for 2010. AVR plans to host a driver recruitment go-kart day at Formula Kartways on March 20th. For more information about the new AVR-TLM Racing, please contact Sam Ashtiani at sashtiani@avrmotorsports.com or direct at 416-854-1818

Also:  www.tlmracing.com  & www.avrmotorsports.com

From Gerry Merz

Inside Track Motorsport News // www.insidetracknews.com // 'Canada's Source for Motorsports'