Rolfsracing.com - News Blog

BOWMANVILLE, ON - Just days after the American Le Mans Series, presented by Tequila Patron cars roared into Mosport for their only Canadian stop of the season, the Series has announced that the 2011 date for the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport will be July 21-24.

This new date moves the Mosport round back one week earlier than originally announced, giving Series participants a much welcomed two week break until the next event at Mid-Ohio, August 6.

The 10-race schedule starts March 19 with the traditional season opener at Sebring, FL, and closes at Road Atlanta, October 1 with the Petit Le Mans (this is also a date change for Petit from the original release). The remaining events feature a familiar mix of North America’s best permanent road courses and high-profile street circuits, including a new race on the streets of Baltimore on Labour Day weekend.

“We’re really pleased that Mosport has again landed a coveted summer date on the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron schedule,” said Mosport’s president and general manager, Myles Brandt.

“I think the move to July will be well received because it clears up some conflicts with other automotive and motorsports events. Having the 2011 schedule announced so early is a bonus, allowing our fans and corporate partners to mark that date on their calendars now and start making plans to be at Mosport next July 24th.”

For more information about Mosport, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.

2011 AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES PRESENTED BY TEQUILA PATRON

Feb 9-10  Sebring International Raceway - Winter Test
Mar 19    Sebring International Raceway - Sebring, Fla.
Apr 16    Long Beach Street Circuit - Long Beach, Calif.
Jul 3     TBD
Jul 9     Lime Rock Park - Lakeville, Conn.
Jul 24    Mosport International Raceway - Bowmanville, Ont.
Aug 6     Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course - Lexington, Ohio
Aug 21    Road America - Elkhart Lake, Wis.
Sep 3     Baltimore Street Circuit - Baltimore, Maryland
Sep 17    Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Monterey, Calif.
Oct 1     Road Atlanta - Braselton, Ga.

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport Media

Dwight Brown Wins Late Model and Open-Wheeled Modified Features

Open wheel Modifieds feature race winner, Dwight Brown- August 28, 2010
Photo: Peter Brand - Mosport Media

BOWMANVILLE, ON - Long time Mosport Speedway supporter Roy Nichols Motors was the presenting sponsor on August 28, and following the evening’s racing activities, their used car division may be a busy place in the coming week.

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

Mosport Speedway hosted their annual Mini Stock Invitational on Saturday, with a dozen visitors joining the regular Six or Less class competitors for a 35 lap feature race. Local pilots Duane Jeffery (#26 Car-Du Camaro) and Kevin Hinds (#57 Rad Man Pontiac) each claimed one heat dash win, with visitor Doug Mold (#27X) claiming the victories in the remaining two, 8 lap heat sprints.

A total of 19 drivers were able to answer the call for the feature race, with Ken Storer in the #01 Honda grabbing the lead from the outside of the front row. Holding the point for just two laps, Storer relinquished the position to Brad Martin (#53), who also led for only two tours of the half-mile oval. On lap five, Capital City Speedway regular Doug Mold wrestled the lead away from Martin in Turn Three, and proceeded to pull away from the pack with relative ease.

Mold would maintain his position throughout the remaining race laps, and an equal number of caution period laps, the race slowed by an agonizing seven yellow flags. So heavy was the carnage, that only six of the original 19 starters were able to see the checkered flag.

“I liked having the gap on the field, but I got some pretty good restarts so the yellows didn’t hurt me too badly,” explained Mold. “To be honest, I was more worried about running out of gas.”

A five car incident on the front straight with just three laps to go eliminated, among others, Kevin Hinds and second place driver Brad Martin. Inheriting the runner up spot was the Kawartha Speedway regular Dwight Lavoie, but using a last lap drag race to the line, Peterborough’s Alex Lees edged Lavoie for the spot. Mosport drivers Heath McDonald (#69 U-Haul Dodge) and points leader Kevin Pickford (#19 Priestly Demolition Skyhawk) rounded out the top five finishers. Peterborough Speedway driver Dan Demars was the final finisher in the 35 lap wreck fest.

The Bob’s Towing Sportsman

Courtice’s Brad Stevenson continues to dominate the Sportsman class Winner’s Circle, wrapping up another three race sweep on Saturday, in every contest leading John Baker Jr. (#63 Marksmen Club Monte Carlo) to the stripe.

Starting from the inside of the third row, Stevenson leapt past early race leaders Bob Kish (#78 Buckhorn Woodworking Chevy) and Bill Northam (#85) with a diving Turn Two pass on the fourth lap. Building up a slight lead, Stevenson saw his advantage disappear on a lap seven yellow flag. After getting the green flag, there was no stopping the #77 Sanfords Racing Engines Monte Carlo as he streaked away to a 10 car length margin over Baker at the end of 20 laps.

“Of all the years I’ve been racing, I’ve never had a season like this one,” said Stevenson. “This is incredible. Tonight was the first time I’ve bought tires this year. The car is so amazing; it’s easy on the tires and the driver.”

Norm Mayhew (#60 Mayhew Graphics), making a rare Mosport appearance, edged out the #85 Five Points Mall Pontiac of defending series champion Bill Northam for the final podium position, while pole sitter Bob Kish held off a determined Chad Strawn (#77X) for a top five finish.

The R.P.Oil Ltd. Late Models

The last time that the Late Models ran at Mosport Speedway, Todd Delisle led Dwight Brown to the stripe for the hard fought, feature race victory. On Saturday night, the situation was reversed as Brown took the race lead on lap four and was never bested. Brown’s #12 Bourque Transmission Monte Carlo surviving an eight lap, bumper to bumper battle with Delisle to score the win.

“The track really changed tonight,” said Brown. “In practice this afternoon, it was greasy, probably from the rubber laid down by the Canadian Tire Series cars last weekend. As the night cooled off, the track got really racy.”

Delisle in his #22 Drake’s Auto Glass Cadillac was relentless in his pursuit, but fell a single car length shy of the victory. From his runner up position, the young Port Perry resident could watch a heated dice for third place in his rearview mirror.

On lap eight, Jim Rossiter managed to poke the nose of his #66 Roy Nichols Motors Impala underneath Shannon Kimmerly’s #01 Dom’s Auto Parts Monte Carlo to take over third place. Refusing to give up, Kimmerly stayed in line with Rossiter’s back bumper, running out the laps in lockstep. The #23 Freeman Motorsports Fusion of John Baker Jr. joined the fray, the three car train taking the checkered flag covered by the proverbial blanket.

The Open Wheeled Modifieds

The Modifieds have only been occasional visitors to Mosport Speedway in 2010, but five time division champion Dwight Brown proved that he had not lost the touch in this open wheeled class.

Sharing heat race victories with Delaware Speedway’s David McCullough (#39), Brown had his work cut out for him, taking the green flag for the 20 lap feature from deep in the field. Quickly working his way to the front, by lap five Brown’s familiar #2 Modified engaged McCullough’s #39 in a battle for the lead. Stalking the frontrunner for five full laps, Brown ducked low as the pair entered Turn Three, wrestling the point away from McCullough as they entered onto the long front straight. Gary Tryon’s Turn Four spin brought out a late race caution, the yellow regrouping the field for a three lap dash to the checkers.

Able to hold onto top spot, Brown sprinted away, taking the feature race victory by four car lengths over McCullough.

“That McCullough is really fast,” admitted Brown. “A few more laps around this place and he will be lightning quick.”

Gary McLean (#8), visiting from Varney Speedway was holding down third place until a lap 11 incident sent him into the back straight wall. Inheriting the position was Bill Pickford’s Techtonix #61, the Mosport veteran holding off the Warnes Racing teammates of Samantha Jansen and Rob Warnes for a well deserved third place finish.

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport

 Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport comes to downtown Toronto as fans can experience the excitement of Canada’s biggest sports car race!

Tuesday, August 24
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Yonge-Dundas Square

FEATURING:

Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport - Drivers

Simon Pagenaud  (France, Patron Highcroft Racing, ALMS)

Marino Franchitti  (Scotland, Patron Highcroft Racing, ALMS)

Tony Burgess  (Toronto, ON, Autocon Motorsports, ALMS)

Kyle Marcelli  (Barrie, ON, Intersport Racing - ALMS)

Robert Sabato  (Toronto, ON, CGI DeAngelis Racing, Cooper Prototype Lites

Jonathan Bennett  (USA, Inspire Motorsports, Cooper Prototype Lites

PLUS:

Pit Stop Demo with Green Earth Team Gunnar
#99 LMPC - Oreca FLM09 (ALMS)
Driver Autograph Sessions
American Le Mans Series and other Racing Show cars

THE LEGENDARY BOBBY UNSER NAMED AS GRAND MARSHAL FOR THE MOBIL 1 PRESENTS
THE GRAND PRIX OF MOSPORT

BOBBY UNSER
BOWMANVILLE, ON - August 19, 2010
Motorsport legend Bobby Unser has been named as Grand Marshal of Canada’s biggest sports car race of the year, the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport, August 26-29.

Bobby, the older of the two famous racing brothers (along with Al, Sr.), established the family name many years ago by winning three Indy 500 titles, in 1968, 1975 and 1981. Unser’s first career IndyCar victories came at Mosport when in 1967 he took the chequered flag in both the twin 100 mile races.

“Mosport will always have a special place in my heart. The 1967 Mosport IndyCar race became one of the most important events in my whole life because it was my first IndyCar win. So it’s a real honour to be the Grand Marshal of the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport and to help the track celebrate their 50th anniversary season,” said Unser.

Unser will be at the famed 4 km road course throughout the race weekend, meeting fans and signing autographs. He will give the famous four word command to the drivers of the American Le Mans Series on Sunday afternoon at 3 pm, just prior to the green flag drop to start the two hour, 45 minute race.

The Albuquerque, New Mexico resident has compiled a extensive list of impressive accomplishments during his long and storied racing career, including 35 IndyCar wins (4th all time), 49 IndyCar pole positions (3rd all time), eight 500 mile IndyCar wins, two International Race of Champions (IROC) wins and a record of 13 Pikes Peak Hill Climb wins, just to name a few. He has been inducted into the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

“When I was young I was best known as a midget and sprint car driver, mostly on dirt tracks all over the USA,” he recalled. “But I really loved road racing as in the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, which I won 13 times. My first big career win was at Mosport, one of the most challenging road racing circuits in the world and I’m very proud of that.”

The father of four has also served as one of the sport’s premier analysts and colour commentators. Unser worked as ABC Television’s chief analyst on the network’s Indy 500 telecasts, and partnered with Brian Williams on CBC Sports’ of the Molson Indy races in Toronto and Vancouver in the 1980s and ’90s.

Schedules for autograph sessions will be posted on Mosport’s website and at the track For more event information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 or online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com.

For further information:

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport - ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office) - (519) 981-3394 (cell)

Six Canadian Hall Of Fame Drivers To Help Celebrate Mosport’s 50th Anniversary Season And Meet Race Fans

BOWMANVILLE, ON - August 18, 2010
Their names are memorable, their accomplishments are great, their ties to Mosport are unmistakable and next weekend, six Canadian Legends of Mosport will be on hand as part of Mosport’s 50th anniversary celebration.

The circuit will pay tribute to these Canadian road racing stars from Mosport’s storied past, recognizing their achievements and providing fans with an opportunity to meet them and learn about their careers.

The Legends taking part in the festivities are all members of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame; Bill Brack, Eppie Wietzes, Ludwig Heimrath Sr., Craig Hill, Horst Kroll and Ross de St. Croix.

On Saturday, the Legends will participate in Q & A sessions with fans and will be followed by autograph sessions. On race day Sunday, the Hall of Famers will again hold an autograph session and then participate in the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport Opening Ceremonies.

There will be a wide-array of historic race cars on display including Kroll’s Can-Am Frisbee and Brack’s 59/69 Lotus.

Brack is the only Canadian driver to have won three Canadian Driving Championships and more impressive, he did it in consecutive years, 1973-1975. To accomplish this feat, Brack had to defeat future Grand Prix champions and a young up-and-coming star by the name of Gilles Villeneuve. To top it off, Brack also won championships in both Formula Atlantic and Canadian Touring Car.

Inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993, Wietzes won two Canadian Driving Championships, in 1969 and 1970. He won in everything he drove including a Sunbeam Alpine, Cornstock Mustangs, GT 40’s and later the very quick F5000.

Heimrath Sr. boasts a very impressive resume. He won the first Canadian Sports Car Racing Championship (later renamed the Canadian Driving Championship) in 1961 and again in 1964. He finished in the runner up spot in ‘62, ‘63 and ‘65. Heimrath Sr. was also the second Canadian ever to compete in Formula 1 and twice won the SCCA Trans-Am championship. An expert long distance racer is still active today, competing in endurance races.

In a driving career that spanned nearly 40 years, Hill was successful in almost every type of race car that he got behind the wheel of, from midgets to super-modifieds, sports car and open-wheeled formula cars. In 1973 and ‘74, Hill teamed up with Heimrath Sr. to win the Sundown Grand Prix.

Kroll is a decorated road-racer having won the Canadian Driving Championship in 1968 in a Kelly Porsche, the same car that he later beat the factory Porsche’s in a United States Automobile Club (USAC) race at Watkins Glen. Kroll made the move into Can-Am, winning the championship in 1986.

Having driven everything from MG’s to the ex Miss Whiz Lola, de St. Croix enjoyed great success in everything that he ever drove. He also contributed greatly to the sport as the president of the Canadian Automobile Sports Club (CASC) and the Montreal Motor Racing Club.

A full schedule of activities will be posted online at www.mosport.com and on site during race weekend.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport
ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office)
(519) 981-3394 (cell)

AUGUST 14, 2010 - BOB’S TOWING SPORTSMAN RACE WINNER BRAD STEVENSON

Photo credit: Mosport Media/ peterbrand.ca

Brad Stevenson Wins All Three Sportsman Races

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - August 16, 2010)  With Mother Nature threatening to rain on the Waste Management Services parade, Mosport Speedway was in fast forward on August 14. Fortunately, the weather was kind to the thankful crowd and competitors, and the full schedule of races were completed for the home track Six or Less and Sportsman divisions, as well as the visiting OSCAAR Super Late Models.

OSCAAR Super Late Models

First out of the gate were the ultra-fast OSCAAR Super Late Models. Gambling on beating the weather, Sevens Were Wild as the four heat races, with 7 cars in each, were run with Derrick Tiemersma in his #7 WayFreight car taking two wins, with single victories going to the #7t of Jeff Dunford, and defending series champion Glenn Watson, who won over the #77 of Sault Ste. Marie’s George Wilson.

Seven double file rows of Super Late Models lined up to take the green flag for the 50 lap feature, and taking advantage of his pole position, Dunford led the field into Turn One, with Bowmanville’s Michel Beyore (#54), Wilson, and Tiemersma trailing close behind. A lap nine incident on the front straight sent Drew Spicer (#89) to the pits, and Wilson to the tail end of the pack, leaving a four car train, of Dunford, Beyore, Tiemersma and Glenn Watson, battling for race supremacy.

Just before the halfway mark, Tiemersma tucked the nose of the #7 low entering Turn Three, forcing Dunford up the track and wide, giving the Newmarket based driver a clear shot at the lead. Watson mirrored the move on lap 32 to slip into second place, but although he tried to close the gap, Watson could not wrestle the point from Tiemersma’s grasp. Running out the remaining laps in order, Tiemersma scored the victory by eight car lengths from Watson, Dunford, another five car lengths in arrears.

“Starting fifth, I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me,” stated Tiemersma. “I just drove my tail off tonight.”

Watson admitted that tire wear cost him the chance for victory,

“I think I burned off the right, rear tire. The car got really free in the corners, and I couldn’t get back on the gas as quickly as I needed to.”

Seven cars finished on the lead lap, with Mike Bricknell (#69), past Mosport Late Model champion Ian Bourque (#83), George Wilson (#77) and Lloyd Ritchie (#62) completing the list of top finishers.

The Bob’s Towing Sportsman

With a little technical advice from legendary car builder and tuner Bob ‘Rip’ Rippington, Courtice’s Brad Stevenson in his #77 Sanfords Racing Engines Monte Carlo has put himself into a position to wrestle the points lead away from Mosport multi champion John Baker Jr.

Starting the night’s activities seven points behind Baker, Stevenson pulled off the three race sweep, earning victories in each of the two, eight lap heat dashes, and holding off Baker for the three car length win in the 20 lap feature.

Lined up side by side on Row Two, Baker was able to clear pole sitter Bob Kish (#78 Multi Financial Services Chevy) on lap four, Stevenson moving into second place on a lap seven caution period restart. Running nose to tail, Stevenson kept the pressure on the #63 Marksmen Club Monte Carlo, eventually using the long, outside route through the third corner to ease the lead away from Baker.

Inching away, Stevenson took the win, his fourth feature victory of the season, over Baker, and narrowed the points gap to a mere three markers.

“We missed the setup a little, but I had to be patient and just waited for the car to come in,” admitted Stevenson.

Defending series champion Bill Northam (#85 Five Points Mall Pontiac) crossed the stripe in third place, with the #14 Mayhew Auto Nova of Steve Mayhew and Kish’s #78 Monte Carlo rounding out the top five.

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

“I finally got my hat trick,” laughed Duane Jeffery following his feature win in the 20 lap evening finale. “I’ve won so many heat races, but I could never take the feature on the same night. This is so sweet!”

Sharing the heat race wins with Anthony DiBello (#27) and points leader Kevin Pickford (#19), Jeffery’s challenge for the sweep began from mid pack in the feature’s 15 car field.

Immediately on the charge, the #26 Car-Du Camaro quickly forged to the front, and following a three-wide scramble into Turn Three, Jeffery emerged at the point, wrestling the position away from early race leader Heath McDonald (#96 U-Haul Shadow). A lap six tangle between McDonald and Fedele DiBello brought out the caution flag, allowing Anthony DiBello (#27 DAK Enterprises Cavalier) and Drew Smith in the #96 Maddy’s Pub Sunbird to close onto Jeffery’s back bumper. Once again under green, Jeffery pulled away from the field, working traffic with apparent ease, and earning his third feature win of the season.

“I thought I might run into trouble with the traffic, but the guys were great in giving me room to get by,” said Jeffery.

On lap 13, Kevin Pickford’s #19 National Building Supply Skyhawk replaced DiBello for second spot, these two taking the checkers bumper to bumper, while Smith, at the controls of defending champion Jeff Scott’s #96 Pontiac edged out Chris Mulder’s (#89 Link Greenhouses Cavalier) for fourth place.

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport
ryan@mosport.com / 800-866-1072 (office)

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - August 10, 2010) After a gruelling three race swing through western Canada and a stop this weekend at Circuit de Trois Rivieres in Quebec, Canada’s top stock car championship, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1, will be back in Ontario and making their return to Mosport, this time on Canada’s fastest half mile paved oval, Mosport Speedway, for the Dickies 200, August 21.

Cambridge, ON native J.R. Fitzpatrick, who won the Vortex Brake Pads 200 on Mosport’s 4 km road course in June, will look for a Mosport sweep, a feat that 2009 series champion and rival Andrew Ranger of Roxton Pond, QC, who was able to do a season ago.

Standing in Fitzpatrick’s way will be D.J. Kennington of St. Thomas, ON. Not only is he currently leading in the points standings, but he has won three races this season, all on oval tracks. The two have had a see saw battle combining to win five of the seven rounds in 2010. The lead duo will face stiff competition from 2008 series champion Scott Steckly, Kerry Micks, winner at Mosport Speedway in 2008 and five time national champion Don Thomson Jr., who also won the NASCAR event at the Speedway in 2007.

Dickies will name their 2010 Canadian Worker of the Year (CWOTY) prior to the start of the race. The CWOTY program is now in its third year. The grand prize winner will receive a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 pick up truck, valued at just under $28,000. All regional finalists will receive a Bosch cordless drill set, a Dickies apparel prize pack, will be featured in the 2011 catalogue and will given an all-expense paid trip for two to Mosport Speedway for the grand prize drawing.

Adult tickets are just $25 until August 18 ($30 at the Gate). Youth tickets (ages 13-16) are $15. As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Each ticket includes parking, a NASCAR driver autograph session, access to the Mosport Expo and Marketplace and the NASCAR Midway.

The Grand Prix Club offers a VIP hospitality package for only $80. The GP Club Chalet tent is located at Corner One and pass holders will have access to a grandstand reserved for VIP Hospitality guests. It will open at 4:30 pm and dinner will be served from 5:30 pm until the drop of the green flag at 7 pm.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport
ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office), (519) 981-3394 (cell)

>>>>>Get all your NCATS info on our RolfsRacing.com NCATS Page.

KELLY BALSON OSS FEATURE 1 WINNER, MOSPORT - AUGUST 7, 2010
JAY DOERR OSS FEATURE 2 WINNER, MOSPORT - AUGUST 7, 2010

Todd Delisle Takes Checker Flag In R.P. Oil Ltd. Late Model Feature

For race fans that enjoy the roughhouse version of stock car competition, last Saturday proved to be the perfect fit for them. Brought to the Mosport faithful courtesy of Roka Tim-Br Mart and Evergreen Lawn and Tractor, the homegrown Six Or Less and Late Model divisions were joined by the Canadian Vintage Modifieds and a twin bill of Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup contests.

The R.P. Oil Ltd. Late Models

Scott Harrison has made tremendous gains in the development of his #68 Monte Carlo, and that extra effort was evident on Saturday night as the Scarborough resident sailed through the first 13 laps of the feature at the front of the Late Model field. With his mirrors filled with the ever charging #66 Roy Nichols Motors Impala of Jim Rossiter and the #12 Bourque Transmission Chevy of Dwight Brown, Harrison steadfastly held the point until a lap seven incident sent his two pursuers to the tail end of the pack.

Reassuming his position on the ensuing caution period restart, Harrison found himself at the head of a three car train with Todd Delisle and John Baker’s #63 Freeman Motorsports Fusion ready to pounce on any mistake. For six full tours of the Mosport half mile, Harrison fended off his challengers, but on lap 14 Delisle was able to poke the nose of his Drake’s Auto Glass Cadillac to the low side as the pair entered Turn Three, taking the lead as the two cars powered down the front straight. A half lap later, Baker mirrored the move in the second corner to grab the runner up position, the leading duo leaving Harrison to face the recovered, and agitated, Brown and Rossiter.

Making a last lap charge, Baker moved alongside of Delisle as the pair streaked to the checkered flag, but his attempt fell mere inches shy, the Port Perry driver scoring the hard fought feature win.

“I was really uncomfortable with the handling, we were in the shop until 3:30 this morning,” admitted Delisle. “The back end is still trying to come around on me, I nearly lost it right there on the last lap.”

With three laps remaining, Brown and Rossiter went side by side with Harrison’s #68, Brown emerging from the scrum with a slim advantage over his longtime rival. Running nose to tail, the trio ran out the laps with Brown claiming the final podium position.

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

Easily scoring a pair of victories in the heat race preliminaries, Duane Jeffery was looking for an evening sweep as 13 cars lined up for the 20 lap Six Or Less division feature. However, it was the #89 Link Greenhouses Cavalier of Nick Mulders who assumed the early lead with teammate Hank Mulders (#99X) and Fedele DiBello hot on his back bumper. Sitting comfortably in fourth place, Jeffery was waiting for his opportunity, but a solo spin on lap seven sent the driver of the #26 Car-Du Camaro to the back of the field, somewhat relieving the pressure on the race leading trio.

Coming to the crossed flags, DiBello made his move in Turn Three, diving his #12 Maxwell Motors Monte Carlo deep into the corner and coming away with the race lead. Carefully watching his mirrors, DiBello pulled away for the victory, his first feature win of the year.

“We finally got the setup right, the car was on rails tonight,” proclaimed DiBello.

Drama was unfolding behind the leader as the #57 PS Auto Wreckers Grand Am of Kevin Hinds and points leader Kevin Pickford (#19 Priestly Demolition Skyhawk) found each other and began a heated battle for the runner-up position. Joined in their fight by the recovered Duane Jeffery, the three drivers circulated the track in order, and despite the best attempts of his rivals, Hinds held on for second place.

Nick Mulders, who had enjoyed such a strong early race, was freight trained; his #89 Chevy dropping back to fifth spot, finishing just ahead of teammate Ryan Oosterholt.

The Canadian Vintage Modifieds

Following an early season rainout at Mosport, the Canadian Vintage Modifieds made their season debut at the half-mile oval, with 17 of the high powered Jalopies lining up for their 25 lap feature.

Starting on the pole, Adrian Donkers in his #6 1933 Chevy jumped into the early lead, with the #57 Ford of Steve Trendell, Mike Podd’s #5 1934 Ford and the #0 1928 Pontiac of two-time series champion Phil Shaw in close pursuit. Able to maintain his lead until lap 11, Donkers could only watch as Phil Shaw, running his favoured highline, swept past him in Turn Four, taking the lead that he would never relinquish. A three car incident on the last lap involving Podd, Donkers and Ron Easton set up a Green - White - Checkered finish, but Shaw would not be denied.

“I fell in love with this place years ago, I love racing here,” declared Shaw. “I didn’t want to see that last yellow, but I knew if I kept it straight, they weren’t going to get me.”

Jason Keen, in his Day-Glo Green #18 1931 Chevy, edged Trendell by inches for the runner up spot, while Jason Dinsmore held off points leader Steve Lyons (#9 1932 Frontenac) for fourth place.

The Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup

Having been rained out twice this year, the Lucas Oil Sportsman Cup series ran twin 75 lap features in an attempt to make up for the postponement.

Josh Wood was in complete control in the first race, leading through the first 60 laps. On the receiving end of a punt from Shawn McGlynn, Wood was forced into the pits for some extreme bodywork repairs, handing the lead to the black #24 of Brennan Didero. But Didero was also turned into the wall on the penultimate lap, the caution period bringing out the checkered flag due to time limitations. The fortunate, first time winner was past Mosport champion Kelly Balson, who had earlier been a victim of the Turn Two wall.

“Wow, that was unexpected,” declared Balson. “And to do it here, five minutes from home, is great!”

Former NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driver Doug Brown was second to the line, followed by the #81 of Shawn McGlynn.

The second race was equally as rough with no fewer than six caution periods slowing the procession, and only 10 of the 15 original starters making it to the checkered flag.

In the end, it was series rookie Jay Doerr (#40) going flag to flag for the victory, his second of the season, crossing the stripe 15 car lengths ahead of his nearest rival. Shawn McGlynn recorded his second podium position of the night, holding off Dan Prudhomme by inches to claim second place. Balson and Josh Wood, both driving damaged machinery, rounded out the top five.

Courtesy:
Ryan Chalmers, Mosport ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office)

BRUNO SPENGLER - WINNER AT NURBURGRING AUGUST 8, 2010 Nurburg. A dominant lights to flag victory for Mercedes-Benz driver Bruno Spengler at the Nurburgring. After 177.821 kilometres, the Canadian crossed the finish line as the winner, scoring the maximum of ten points for the second time this season already after his success at the EuroSpeedway Lausitz. Spengler’s British fellow Mercedes-Benz drivers Paul Di Resta and Gary Paffett completed the clean sweep of the podium for Mercedes-Benz. After the fifth DTM season round, the 27-year old is leading the points’ standings with a margin of 16 points over British driver Jamie Green (Mercedes-Benz). A total of 86,000 spectators attended the race weekend at the Nurburgring. Spengler commented the seventh DTM race win of his career as follows: “It was a great race. The start was absolutely awesome. I really concentrated on the starting lights. Then I just pushed and tried to keep the other guys behind me. First to third place - that is a great feeling. This is our 100th victory since we have been racing against Audi.”

Reigning DTM champion Timo Scheider was the best placed Audi driver of the day. From eighth place on the grid, he moved up to fourth after a successful start and then defended his position until the end of the race. “The race wasn’t bad: starting eighth and finishing fourth. That is okay and quite a decent result, but all in all, this certainly wasn’t satisfying. Nevertheless, I notice an upward trend”, said Scheider.

Mercedes-Benz driver Green had to withstand attacks by his fellow Mercedes-Benz driver Ralf Schumacher for several laps, but remained in front and crossed the finish line in fifth position as the best placed driver of a 2008 spec car ahead of Schumacher. The German scored his first three championship points of the season for finishing sixth. Two times’ DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom wasn’t able to turn his expectations into reality after having claimed pole position in qualifying. The Swede lost valuable places after problems at the start and he took the chequered flag in seventh place. Scot David Coulthard (Mercedes-Benz) finished tenth in his fifth DTM race. Last year’s winner Martin Tomczyk finished 13th with his Audi A4 DTM.

In the points’ standings, Spengler is leading with 42 points from Green (26 points) and Paffett and Di Resta, who are tied at 25 points each. The sixth DTM race weekend of the year will be held at Zandvoort in The Netherlands from August 20th till 22nd.

Mercedes-Benz motorsport director Norbert Haug: “I just don’t know where to start. That was really good. Today, we really will have a ball. The team has deserved it. I am speechless when I see how quick Mattias was yesterday and what happened today. I thought that he would pull away from us. Apparently, something has changed dramatically overnight. Surely, that was one of our best races ever.”

>>>>>Read more in out RolfsRacing.com DTM Page.

Defending Series Champion Dan Kimmerly Takes R.P. Oils Ltd. Late Models Feature Victory.

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - August 3, 2010)  It was rather ironic that on a night when the THORSONS Enclosed Vehicle Transport company was the presenting sponsor at Mosport Speedway, that the race winner’s were really Haulin’ while some of the less fortunate teams were sent home truckin’ the trash.

The R.P.Oil Ltd. Late Models

The busiest people in the evening’s opening Late Model heat dash were undoubtedly the Bob’s Towing drivers.

Coming to the green flag, Scott Harrison’s #68 Monte Carlo suddenly slowed and swerved to the left, the car reacting to a master brake cylinder failure which locked up the front calipers.

Under full acceleration, many of the trailing drivers were unable to avoid Harrison’s stricken car, among them Dwight Brown’s #12 Bourque Transmission Chevy, whose car needed only bodywork repairs, and Terry Betts and Shannon Kimmerly, who sustained much more damage to their race cars.

The latter two cars locked together and slammed heavily into the front straight wall. According to car chief Tyler Betts, his father’s #86 Pingles Farm Monte Carlo had the front clip and frame “shoved sideways a foot and a half”. Shannon’s #01S Dom’s Auto Wreckers Impala required a complete rebuild of the left front suspension, a new clutch cylinder and brake lines. The 01 Racing Team, with the assistance of OSCAAR driver Michel Beyore, made makeshift repairs in order to get Shannon into the feature race, although in the impact, the 20 year old sheared off the clutch pedal, forcing her to simply jam the transmission into gear and match shift in order to drive.

When the racing activities finally resumed, Jim Rossiter in his #66 Impala SS held off the #23 Freeman Motorsports Ford of John Baker Jr. by inches to claim the first heat race, while Todd Delisle and the repaired #12 Monte Carlo of Dwight Brown finished one two in the second of the 10 lap heats.

To a hearty round of applause, Shannon Kimmerly’s half dressed #01S Late Model rolled onto the half mile Mosport oval, joining nine other cars preparing for the 20 lap feature.

At the drop of the green flag, pole sitter John Baker Jr. sprinted off into the lead, his #23 Fotheringham Bookkeeping Fusion nosing ahead of the #16 Love’s Tire Sales Monte Carlo of Amanda Connolly.  Stuck on the outside line, Connolly found herself freight trained, as Dan Kimmerly in his #01 Pontiac, Todd Delisle (#22), Jim Rossiter (#66) and Dwight Brown all moved by, relegating the Aurora based driver to sixth place.

Taking the low line through Turn Three on lap seven, Dan Kimmerly passed Baker to take the lead, his #01 Graphic Lettering Grand Prix opening a hole that would allow the #66 Roy Nichols Motors Impala of Jim Rossiter to follow through into second place.

Running Clean and Green to the checkered flag, Kimmerly secured the victory by three car lengths over Rossiter.

“This win is a good thing,” said Kimmerly.  “The winner’s cheque will help pay for the damage on Shannon’s car.”

An intense three way battle wore on for third place with Baker’s #23 Ford ultimately holding off Dwight Brown and the ever present #22 Control Panels Cadillac of Todd Delisle for the position.

The Bob’s Towing Sportsman

It was a virtual three-way tie at the top of the Bob’s Towing Sportsman points leader board among John Baker Jr., Brad Stevenson and defending series champion Bill Northam

Following Saturday’s racing action in which Baker and Stevenson swapped heat race wins, the gap narrowed between the two by a single point, due to Stevenson’s three car length margin of victory over his points rival in the 20 lap feature sprint.

Starting from the outside of the front row, Stevenson in his #77 Sanford’s Racing Engines Chevrolet got the better launch, powering past pole sitter Steve Mayhew (#14 Peterborough Transmission Nova) for the lead. Opening up an impressive advantage, Stevenson saw his gap disappear twice on caution periods.  The final yellow, brought out by a last lap spin by Donevan Price (#09), set up a Green/ White/ Checkered dash to the line.

Able to keep Baker’s #63 Marksmen Club Monte Carlo at bay, Stevenson earned the flag to flag victory.

“We blew a motor a couple of weeks ago, and the one we borrowed didn’t work out so well,” said Stevenson.  “The Sanford’s guys got us this new motor really quickly, and it’s working really well now that we’ve ironed out a few bugs in practice.”

Ken Downer in his #73 Chevy crossed the stripe in a solid third spot, with Steve Mayhew and the #78 Multi Financial Services Monte Carlo of Bob Kish rounding out the top five.

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

There has been a head-to-head-to-head battle brewing for top honours in the THORSONS EVT Six Or Less class, and again this week, the three top drivers found themselves dicing at the front of the pack.

Kevin Hinds in his #57 Rad Man Grand Am added to his totals with a pair of heat race victories, while points leader Kevin Pickford (#19) reclaimed one point with a heat dash win of his own. With Fedele DiBello capturing the checkers in the remaining heat contest, it was left to points challenger Duane Jeffery in the #26 Car-Du Camaro to make his mark in the 20 lap feature.

The 20 year old driver did just that, working the outside line around race leader Kyle Hope (#03 Sensational Signs Cavalier) on lap four to take the point.  With Pickford’s #19 Priestly Demolition Skyhawk filling his mirrors, Jeffery had little time to relax, working traffic and piloting his #26 Camaro to the checkered flag for his second feature win of the season.

“I split a couple of slower cars with about two to go,” laughed Jeffery.  “I wasn’t exactly comfortable doing that, but I was watching Kevin and I knew I had to go flat out.”

The other Kevin, the #57 Hinds kind, started in the middle of the 15 car field, and worked towards the front, claiming a respectable, and closing, third place result, with Kyle Hope crossing the stripe in fourth.

Last lap contact between Nick Mulders and Anthony DiBello relegated Mulders to an eighth place finish and DiBello out of contention, handing a fifth place result to father Fedele DiBello (#12).

Ryan Chalmers- ryan@mosport.com
Mosport 800-866-1072 (office)

American Le Mans Series, Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, Playboy MX-5 Cup and Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship Highlight The Mobil 1 Presents The 2010 Grand Prix of Mosport, August 26-29.

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - July 29, 2010)  The top sports car racing teams and an international field of drivers from 13 countries will arrive at Mosport International Raceway in one month’s time as Mosport’s 50th anniversary season culminates with the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport featuring the American Le Mans Series, August 26-29.

The highlight of the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport will be the prestigious American Le Mans Series, now with Tequila Patron as a presenting sponsor, making their only stop north of the border in 2010. It will be the eighth of nine rounds, making this race critical in the chase for the championships in the Prototype and GT classes.

The world leader in green racing boasts more top manufacturers than Formula 1, NASCAR and IndyCar combined.  The elite marques that run in the series include Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Mazda, Panoz and Porsche.

2010 marks the second year for the Michelin Green X Challenge, a revolutionary competition that rewards Series teams (one prototype and one GT) for their overall performance and environmental impact at each event. The Michelin Green X Challenge is also a season long points championship for both race teams and manufacturers.

Toronto’s own Tony Burgess will be looking to make some noise at his home track in the Autocon Motorsports Lola, in the top-level LMP class.  Kyle Marcelli of Barrie has made a successful jump to the LMPC class this year and he will copilot the #89 Intersport Racing Oreca FLM09.  Current point’s leaders David Brabham and Simon Pagenaud will look to drive their Patron Highcroft Racing ARX-01 to yet another victory this season in the LMP ranks.  Brabham, who drove with Scott Sharp last season, were the victors in the 2009 Grand Prix of Mosport.  For Brabham, this race will mark the 100th time that he has drove under the ALMS banner.

In addition to the American Le Mans Series, four popular series, the Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, Playboy MX-5 Cup and the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship will also take to the 3.957 km Mosport circuit.

The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear continues their season with round 12 of 13.  David Ostella and Michael Furfari of Toronto will have a GTA hometown edge. Quebec City’s Mikael Grenier will also represent Canada in this open-wheel series.

Cooper Tires Prototype Lites, the developmental sports car championship, that runs a three class format race, based on driver’s skill levels. Lites 1 is for the more advanced racers, Lites 2 is a mid-level class and Lites 3 is the entry level class.  The Cooper Tires Prototype Lites will run a doubleheader at Mosport which will be rounds 12 and 13.

The U.S. based Playboy MX-5 Cup returns to Mosport and will feature Vancouver native Max Riddle.  The MX-5 Cup is an entry level production car based competition giving drivers an opportunity to race in similarly prepared, low cost cars with limited modifications.

The country’s top sedan road-racing series, the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship, will make its third and final stop of 2010 at Mosport, boasting a field of more than 30 cars, competing in two distinct classes, Touring and Super Touring. This will be a doubleheader weekend for the Championship.  In the Super Touring class, Nick Wittmer of Montreal has a sizable 147 point lead over Toronto’s Dave Ciekiewicz.  Thornhill native Anthony Rapone, winner of two Series races at Mosport earlier this year, holds a 106 point advantage in the championship standings over Markham’s Tom Kwok.

Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport features a wide-array of fun things away from the track for fans to see and do, such as Tech Talks, Driver Chats and an autograph session with American Le Mans Series drivers and teams and vendors selling authentic race-related merchandise.  The American Le Mans Series will also feature its famous Open Grid Walk on race day, giving fans an up close, interactive experience with the teams and drivers on track just minutes prior to the drop of the green flag.

The action kicks off on Thursday (August 26) with a full day of testing for all series’ except the American Le Mans Series.  Friday (August 27) will see practice sessions for all supporting series’ and the American Le Mans Series will hold their testing.  Saturday’s (August 28) schedule starts with both practice and qualifying in the morning, followed by races for Star Mazda Championship, Cooper Tires Lites and the Castrol Touring Car Championship.  Sunday (August 29) morning opens with more qualifying and then races in Playboy MX-5 Cup, Castrol Touring, Cooper Lites and the two hour, 45 minute feature American Le Mans Series race to close out the weekend.

A four day SuperTicket is just $65 until August 25 ($80 at the Gate). Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, Mosport Expo and Marketplace and admission to Mosport Speedway’s Saturday Night Stock Car racing, located on the grounds.  As with all Mosport events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Single day tickets are also available.

Family and general camping areas are available.  An advanced general camping pass is just $35 for the weekend when purchased before August 25 (tents or pop up trailers).  Advance RV passes are $55.  There are full service washrooms and located on the Mosport grounds.

For the spectators that like to get closer to the action, the Grand Prix Club offers a VIP hospitality package which includes a fully catered BBQ lunch, beverages and bar service (beer and wine) on Sunday.  The GP Club Chalet tent is located trackside overlooking the start/finish straight and corner one.  Passes are just $200 and are also good for admission to the event on Friday and Saturday.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email info@mosport.com

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport
ryan@mosport.com

Todd Delisle Wins R.P. Oil Ltd. Late Model 50 Lap Special Presented By Five Points Mall

(BOWMANVILLE, ON - July 19, 2010) Mosport Speedway was truly rocking last Saturday night, not solely due to the trio of hotly contested feature races, but also courtesy of the sounds of Oshawa’s The Rock 94.9, the evening’s presenting sponsor.

The R.P.Oil Ltd./ Five Points Mall Late Model 50 Lapper

Following the Old Dutch Snack Foods intermission, a dozen of Mosport Speedway’s top Late Model drivers lined up their cars for the Five Points Mall 50 lap feature. Exploring unknown territory, the Late Models ran twice their normal race distance.

With their fuel tanks well topped off, Todd Delisle in his #22 Drake’s Auto Glass Cadillac led the field to the green flag, with Amanda Connolly, John Baker Jr. and Dwight Brown following in close formation directly behind him. While his three primary challengers were battling among themselves, Delisle was able to stretch his advantage on a clear track. On lap seven, Brown broke clear of his running mates, and set his sights on the distant Cadillac. Ever so slightly, Brown began to close in, eventually coming within striking distance on lap 14. Running in lockstep for the next six circuits, Brown took the low line as the pair entered Turn One, forcing Delisle high, and moving into the lead.

“I saw Dwight coming, and if he was going to get by, I was going to let him go and save the car,” said Delisle.

Opening up a gap on the field, Brown saw his advantage disappear with a caution period on lap 31 for an incident involving Terry Betts and Shannon Kimmerly. Circulating behind the pace car for several laps, Brown once again got the jump at the drop of the green flag with Delisle and Connolly tucked onto his back bumper. With the laps winding down, Dan Kimmerly in his #01 Dom’s Auto Parts Pontiac replaced the #16 Love’s Tire Sales Monte Carlo of Connolly for third place, the lead foursome settling into a comfortable rhythm.

As starter Gary Downing was presenting the Two To Go flags to the Late Model pack, Brown’s #12 Bourque Transmission Chevrolet suddenly slowed as he headed onto the back straight. Making a last second, evasive maneuver to avoid contact, Delisle swung low past the stricken race leader to assume the point and watched his mirrors as Brown silently coasted into the pits, his Chevy starved for fuel.

Running out the remaining two laps in order, Delisle claimed the victory, his first of the season, by eight car lengths over Dan Kimmerly. Connolly finished in third place, three car lengths in front of Jim ‘the Professor’ Rossiter (#66 Roy Nichols Impala) at the stripe.

“With five to go I really started to push,” said Delisle. “Dwight got loose a couple of times and I had my chance. When he slowed, it startled me, but it made the pass a lot easier.”

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

Kevin Hinds and Duane Jeffery each added to their points totals on Saturday night by scoring a pair of heat wins apiece, setting up the ‘rubber match’ in the 20 lap feature race.

Jeffery worked his #26 Car Du Automotive Camaro around leader Nick Mulders for the point on lap six in a wild, three-wide scramble in Turn Three. Hinds, moving up from his mid-field starting position was chasing down Jeffery and by lap seven had moved in for the pass. One lap later the lead belonged to Hinds. With Jeffery and division points leader Kevin Pickford (#19 Vic Priestly Contracting Skyhawk) firmly affixed to his back bumper, Hinds survived a late race caution period restart, eventually taking his #57 Rad Man/ Exceltec Grand Am to the checkered flag by a single car length. Jeffery edged out Pickford by mere inches to claim second place.

“The car was really hooked up tonight,” explained Hinds. “We’ve done some work on it and I can pull a lot more cornering speed now.”

Nick Mulders (#89 Link Greenhouses Cavalier) faded slightly, finishing the 20 laps in fourth place and Anthony DiBello (#27) claiming a top five result.

The Bob’s Towing Sportsman

With many of his Five Points Mall sponsors in attendance, defending Sportsman series champion Bill Northam was determined to make them proud.

Starting the feature from the outside of the second row, Northam moved into the lead following a caution period on lap five, the yellow brought out when long time rivals and front runners Steve Mayhew (#14) and John Baker Jr. tangled in Turn One.

Getting the jump on Terry Shaw’s #27 Thunderbird, Northam powered his #85 Bill Shackleton Re/Max Pontiac into the lead, a position that he would never surrender.

“I was watching Terry (Shaw) and Bob (Kish) fighting behind me,” laughed Northam. “I loved to see that because it gave me the chance to pull away while they’re concerned with each other.”

Kish, in his #78 Buckhorn Woodworking Monte Carlo, has quickly removed any existing rust from his driving skills and had moved into second place by the contest’s halfway mark. He would finish the race in fourth position but was relegated to fourth spot at the checkers when he was freight trained with Two To Go by Ken Downer (#73) finished in the runner-up position, John Baker Jr. (#63 Marksmen Club Chevy) took third and Kish (#78 Buckhorn Woodworking Monte Carlo) finished fourth. With the hard charging Chad Strawn (#77) filling his mirrors, Shaw held on to score a top five finish.

Ryan Chalmers ryan@mosport.com
Mosport 800-866-1072 (office)
Photo Credit - Peter Brand

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Anthony DiBello Wins First Career Feature in THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

BOWMANVILLE, ON - July 12, 2010 - Redbeard’s Sports was on hand last Saturday night at Mosport Speedway, and in their role as the evening’s title sponsor, they presented the trophies to their deserving recipients. Possibly due to his presence, several of the drivers made out like bandits, while others simply went home seeing red.

The THORSONS EVT Six Or Less

Heading into Saturday’s Six Or Less races, Kevin Pickford enjoyed a 25 point advantage over his nearest rival Nick Mulders, a relatively comfortable gap for Pickford.  In the battle for the runner up spot, there were six drivers separated by a mere 14 points and following Saturday’s four heat races and the 20 lap feature, the standings would shift dramatically.

Kevin Hinds in his #57 Exeltec Auto Pontiac grabbed two heat race victories while single wins went to Duane Jeffrey (#26 Car-Du Camaro) and Mulders (#89 Link Greenhouses Cavalier).

Lining up on the inside of the third row for the feature contest, Anthony DiBello made a lightning start, powering up the middle and moving his #27 DiBello Towing Chevy into the race lead by the end of the first lap.  With his father Fedele (#12 Maxwell Motors Monte Carlo) in hot pursuit, Anthony began to gap the field, and behind the family duo, a frantic, four car scramble was developing.

With positions continually changing places, Kevin Hinds moved into third spot with Pickford’s #19 National Building Supply Skyhawk and Jeffery’s Camaro firmly affixed to his back bumper.

The elder DiBello unfortunately cut down a tire, bringing out the yellow and setting up a dramatic Green/ White/ Checkered finish.

But the order would remain static, as Anthony DiBello held off Hinds to score his first career feature victory.

“You have no idea what this means to me and the team,” expressed the race winner.  “All I thought about was this was just like practice, keep going and try to catch the next car.”

In a side by side sprint to the finish, Pickford managed to edge out Jeffery by mere inches for a third place result while Ryan Oosterholt (#79) rounded out the top five.

The Bob’s Towing Sportsman

‘Big John’ Baker Jr. went virtually flag to flag to take home the victory in the Sportsman Class feature race, but he was forced to watch his mirrors and hold his breath for most of the hard fought 20 lap dash.

Battling side by side with pole sitter Bill Northam (#85 Bill Shackleton Re/Max Pontiac) on the first lap, Baker eventually slid his #63 Marksman Club Chevy onto the point, leading Northam, Brad Stevenson and Bob Kish in a tightly knit, four car pack.  By lap six, series points leader Stevenson had worked his #77 Sanfords Racing Engines Monte Carlo into second place and was using every move in his repertoire to try to get past Baker.

The intense battle was resolved on the white flag lap when Stevenson suddenly slowed in Turn Four due to a blown head gasket in his powerplant. The ensuing caution flag set up another Green/ White/ Checkered finish, but Baker was able to hold on for the win, while Bob Kish in his #78 Multi Financial Services Monte Carlo passed Northam on the final lap for the runner up spot.

“I don’t know what happened to Brad,” Baker said.  “It was too bad he was gone, I wanted to beat him head to head tonight.”

At the line, Northam was able to fend off a late race charge from Terry Shaw (#27 Ford Thunderbird) and Mike Poulton (#53) for a third place result.

The OSCAAR Super Late Models

The OSCAAR Super Late Models made their first of two Mosport appearances this year with a strong and fast 17 car field challenging Canada’s fastest half mile paved oval.  The race also marked the return of a trio of Mosport alumni, as Jeff Hanley, Mark Gordon and Ian Bourque, all former multi time track champions prepared their OSCAAR mounts for action.

Bourque started the proceedings with a victory over Hanley in the first of the ten lap heat dashes.  Gordon was up next in Race Two, and became the Star of the Show as he survived a spectacular rollover on the front straight on the race’s opening lap.  After being clipped in the back quarter panel while heading to the line, Gordon rode up over the tail end of Rudy Oppersma’s car, climbed the wall and flipped over, sliding for nearly 100 yards on its roof.  Coming to rest near ‘Pit out’, Gordon was able to scramble unscathed from his inverted ride, but the car was not nearly as fortunate.

Derrick Tiemersma went on to take the win in that race, a feat he duplicated in Round Four, while series rookie George Wilson, from Sault Ste. Marie claimed the checkered flag in the third heat dash.

The 50-lap feature showcased a five-car train, headed by front row starter Lloyd Ritchie. Throughout the first 26 laps, Ritchie was in the firing line of Jeff Hanley and past champions Glenn Watson and Derrick Tiemersma, with Wilson bringing up the rear.

On lap 27, Hanley used the long outside line around Turn Three to assume the overall race lead with Watson and Wilson following suit.

Running out the laps in order, Hanley took the checkered flag by three car lengths from Watson, with Wilson’s #77 a single car length further back in third place.

“It wasn’t as easy as it looked,” said Hanley.  “I don’t run with mirrors and I thought those guys were right with me.  I ran flat out from lap one.”

Watson’s result helps him maintain his series points lead, but admits that he had nothing for Hanley.

“I burned off the right rear tire trying to catch up to Jeff,” he said. “I backed out a bit, I wasn’t about to throw away second place points by pushing too hard for a race win.”

Ritchie and Ian Bourque rounded out the top five with Bowmanville resident Michel Beyore holding off a hard charging Derrick Tiemersma (recovered from a late race spin) for sixth place.

credit: Mosport Media

DENNIS THOMPSON STILL ON TOP

July 3, 2010 - PRO CHALLENGE FEATURE RACE WINNER DENNIS THOMPSON
Photo credit: Mosport Media/ peterbrand.ca

Dwight Brown Wins R.P. Oils Ltd. Late Model Feature

BOWMANVILLE, ON - The summer celebrations that started with the Canada Day festivities, continued last Saturday as Mosport Speedway, with the assistance of Rental City, presented the first Fan Appreciation Night of the season. On board for the evening were all three of the home divisions as well as the Ontario Pro Challenge series making their annual appearance.

Rental City held a raffle to help raise funds for the local food bank. They were able to raise approximately $1000. The fantastic prizes that were up for grabs was a 32″ television and an Xbox 360 gaming system.

THE THORSONS EVT SIX OR LESS

Saturday night did not start well for points challenger Duane Jeffery as contact between the #26 Can-Du Camaro and Ryan DiBello in the first heat race, ended their night early.

With the two contenders knocked from competition, it left the remaining 15 cars a wide open shot for the feature victory. Kevin Hinds took his #57 PS Auto Wreckers Pontiac to the win in the night’s first heat sprint, and by the luck of the draw, also started the 20 lap feature from the pole position.

Taking advantage of his front row placing, Hinds immediately launched into the lead, leaving the #69 U-Haul Dodge Shadow of Heath McDonald to fend off the hard charging Fedele DiBello (#12 Maxwell Motors Chevy). Clearing McDonald on lap five, DiBello set off in pursuit of the rapidly disappearing back bumper of Hinds.

Behind the lead trio, a four car battle was brewing between Anthony DiBello (#27), past champion Ryan Oosterholt, current points leader Kevin Pickford and Chris Mulder.

At the front of the field, despite his best efforts, Fedele DiBello could not track down Hinds. The #57 Grand Am crossed the stripe with a four car length advantage, giving Hinds his first feature win of the season.

“I was pushing really hard, probably way too hard, and brushed the wall in (turn) Two,” explained Hinds. “I backed off a bit and just tried to keep running a smooth line.”

Anthony DiBello (#27 DAK Enterprises Cavalier) managed to grab the third spot on the next to last lap, with Pickford (#19 Priestly Demolition Skyhawk) edging McDonald to claim a hard fought fourth place.

THE BOB’S TOWING SPORTSMAN

Courtice’s Brad Stevenson has been on a hot streak lately, and last Saturday the pilot of the #77 Sanfords Racing Engines Monte Carlo made it three feature wins on the season. He added to his points total with a victory in the evening’s sole heat race.

Taking the green flag from third position, Stevenson slotted in behind pole sitter Bill Northam (#85 Five Points Mall Pontiac) and the #63 Marksman Club Monte Carlo of John Baker Jr. Working past ‘Big John’ on the second lap, Stevenson moved onto the point one tour later when Northam slid high as the pair exited the first corner.

With a clear track in front of him, Stevenson ran uncontested to the checkered flag, stretching out his advantage over the 15 lap race distance.

“Bob (Rip) Rippington has been helping us,” said Stevenson. “My car is working great, it runs like it’s on rails.”

Baker was able to squeeze past Northam on lap five to earn the runner-up spot, and with the handling on the #85 Grand Prix deteriorating; Northam also surrendered positions to Ken Downer (#73) and long time Mosport competitor Bob Kish (#78).

THE R.P.OIL LTD. LATE MODELS

The last thing that Late Model feature race leader Terry Betts wanted to see was a fast-closing Dwight Brown filling his mirrors. And his fears proved justified as Brown used the outside line to power past the #86 Pingle’s Farm Monte Carlo to claim the victory in the 20 lap dash.

Surging past early race leader John Baker Jr. (#23 Freeman Motorsports Fusion) on lap two, Betts, with a clear track, opened up a considerable, 10 car length gap on the rest of the field. Brown, starting from the inside of Row Four, found himself boxed in amongst a six car pack. He eventually was able to get by each car, one at a time until he found himself in second position by the race’s halfway point. Going into full pursuit mode, Brown edged his #12 Bourque Transmission Chevrolet ever closer to the race leader, finally moving into the lead as the front running duo powered down the front straight.

Picking up one car length per lap, Brown took the checkers with Betts following in a well-deserved second place. Jim ‘the Professor’ Rossiter survived a race long duel with Baker to carry his #66 Roy Nichols Motors Impala to a third place finish, with Baker holding off Amanda Connolly (#16) and Todd Delisle (#22) for fourth.

“A lot of guys don’t like racing on these hot, sticky nights,” said the race winner. “it makes the car harder to drive. But I had fun, it was great racing with Terry, we never seem to find each other when we on the track.”

THE ONTARIO PRO CHALLENGE

From rather humble beginnings, the Ontario Pro Challenge Series has grown into a well represented and highly competitive division.

On Saturday night, 16 of these miniature (5/8 scale) NASCAR look alikes took to Mosport Speedway for their annual appearance.

Following two, 10 lap heat races, claimed by the Fords of Tim Norris (#88) and Dennis Thomson (#02), Norris led the field to the green flag to begin the 25 lap feature. With Thomson’s Taurus filling his mirrors, Norris led the opening handful of laps before a major, five car incident on lap five slowed the proceedings.

Once the track was clear, Thomson used his experience to take the low line through Turn Two, edging past Norris for the lead. Once clear of traffic, Thomson never looked back, taking the checkered flag for his fourth feature win of the season.

“This is a quirky track,” said Thomson. “You have to have a car that you can work around the bumps to be successful. This is a new car this year, but it feels just as good as the old one. It seems to work really well here.”

Norris was hard pressed to maintain his runner up position, as he led a four car procession to the stripe, followed to the line by the son and father tandem of Josh (#66) and Ken (#99) Nicholson with Dario Valente (#71) rounding out the top five.

Ryan Chalmers, Mosport ryan@mosport.com
800-866-1072 (office)

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Nuremberg, Gremany

During the annual season highlight of the DTM at the Norisring in Nuremberg, the focus is not only on the current racing action at the track. At the same time, all parties involved are also working hard on the future of the most popular international touring car series. Behind the scenes, those who are responsible are actively setting the course for the future of the DTM.

BMW INTENSIFIES CONTACT WITH THE DTM
At the Norisring, BMW motorsport director Dr. Mario Theissen took part in a meeting of the board of directors and the advisory board of the DTM’s rights holder and marketing organisation ITR e.V. for the first time. At the end of April, BMW had already officially announced its interest in entering the DTM from 2012. This was met with a very positive echo by motorsport fans and media alike.

CO OPERATION WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND SERIES
In order to further strengthen the position of the DTM in the international motor racing scene, the ITR e.V., the manufacturers represented in the DTM and the German motorsport federation (DMSB), together with BMW, are working on the international distribution of the planned new technical regulations for the DTM from 2012. Thus, a delegation of the Japanese motorsport federation JAF and representatives from manufacturers is present at the Norisring to intensify talks about a possible adoption of the new DTM regulations for the Japanese GT championship. At an earlier stage, the organisers of the American GrandAm sports car series also had expressed their interest in a co-operation. This would mean an additional international opportunity for running race cars to DTM regulations.

“Currently, a lot of things are going on into a direction that seems to be very positive for the future of the DTM”, says Hans Werner Aufrecht, chairman of the board of the ITR e.V. “Co operation with Audi and Mercedes Benz, the DMSB and BMW, but also the talks with our international colleagues are very constructive and for us at the ITR, they are a great motivation to keep doing our very best for the future of this great series. We are convinced that our joint efforts are contributing to the ongoing success of the series.”

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