Ignition - 19.03

:: INSIDE: CANADIAN TIRE SERIES PREVIEW :: NASCAR CAR OF TOMORROW MOTORCYCLE

EDITION ON THE

FLIP SIDE F1 :: NASCAR :: NHRA :: ALMS :: SCCA

FAMILY BUSINESS

MARCO ANDRETTI FOLLOWS THE ROAD PAVED

BY MARIO & MICHAEL

PLUS:

WHAT’S WRONG WITH RENAULT? WHEEL & TIRE BUYER’S GUIDE

WHEEL & TIRE PACKAGE SEE PAGE 109 OR VISIT WWW.PRNMAG.COM

19.03 Cover (4 Wheel).indd 1

$3.95 CDN / US

JUNE / JULY 2007 • WWW.PRNMAG.COM

VOL. 19 ISSUE 3 DISPLAY UNTIL JULY 31/07

5/23/2007 5:11:59 PM

9ddg H^aa <jVgYh

=^iX]"Bdjci 7^`Z 8Vgg^Zg

GdX` GV^ah

L^cX]$D[["GdVY 7jbeZg

IV^aaVbe <jVgYh

H`^Y EaViZ

6 8 8 : H H D G > : H ; D G 6 C N 6 9 K : C I J G :# 7aVoZ V igV^a Vaa ndjg dlcÅ6ji]Zci^X ?ZZe 6XXZhhdg^Zh Wn BdeVg# Ndjg ?ZZe kZ]^XaZ ^h V igjZ Cdgi] 6bZg^XVc dg^\^cVa# 6cY l^i] 6ji]Zci^X ?ZZe 6XXZhhdg^Zh! ndj XVc bV`Z i]Vi igjZ Cdgi] 6bZg^XVc dg^\^cVa igjan ndjg dlc# Id ZmeadgZ i]Z [jaa a^cZ d[ jc^fjZ VcY ^ccdkVi^kZ VXXZhhdg^Zh! hZZ ndjg ?ZZe YZVaZg [dg V XViVad\jZ dg k^h^i bdeVg#XV

'%%, 9V^baZg8]gnhaZg 8VcVYV >cX# ?ZZe ^h V gZ\^hiZgZY igVYZbVg` d[ 9V^baZg8]gnhaZg 8dgedgVi^dc jhZY jcYZg a^XZcXZ Wn 9V^baZg8]gnhaZg 8VcVYV >cX# BdeVg ^h V gZ\^hiZgZY igVYZbVg` d[ 9V^baZg8]gnhaZg 8dgedgVi^dc#

BBDO 19.03.indd 1

3/28/07 11:06:35 AM

COLOUR: CMYK COORDINATOR: Chris Rozak

LIVE: 7 x 10" BLEED: 8-5/8 x 11-3/8" TRIM: multiple marks PREPRESS: Ogilvy Delivery Support (416) 945-2388 JOB: PA5WASY2750P

03

THERE’S MORE TO LIFE THAN HORSEPOWER. BUT WHAT KIND OF LIFE IS IT? Air. Food. Horsepower. A man with his priorities in order needs Castrol SYNTEC. No leading motor oil provides more horsepower.* SYNTEC’s unique formula reduces power-robbing deposit formation. Have you unlocked all your car’s power? Check out SYNTEC’s superior performance at www.castrol.ca

IT’S MORE THAN JUST OIL. IT’S LIQUID ENGINEERING. *10W30 as tested vs. leading competitive 10W30.

Untitled-5 1

8/23/06 1:15:00 PM

4HE 'LOVE IN .!3#!2Â&#x161; /RIGINAL AUTHENTIC -ECHANIX GLOVES ARE USED BY MORE PROFESSIONAL RACE MECHANICS THAN ALL OTHER BRANDS COMBINED -ECHANIX 'LOVES 4HE TOOL THAT FITS LIKE A GLOVE Â&#x161; #ANADA MECHANIX COM .!3#!2Â&#x161; IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF THE .ATIONAL !SSOCIATION FOR 3TOCK #AR !UTO 2ACING )NC !LL TRADEMARKS SHOWN ARE USED WITH PERMISSION OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

Mechanix Wear 19.03.indd 2

5/22/07 3:14:38 PM

4(% 4(% 2/!$ 2/!$ 4/ 6)#4/29 4/ 6)#4/29 34!243 34!243 (%2% (%2%

/2)').!,©

Mechanix Wear 19.03.indd 3

- 0!#4Â&#x161;

- 0!#4Â&#x161;

&!34&)4©

5/22/07 3:14:56 PM

IT’S THE SUMMER OF SPEED

AT MOSPORT

Mosport has five more action-packed events this summer, including two rounds in the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, the return of the Grand-Am KONI Challenge, a doubleheader for the Parts Canada Superbike Championship, a 40th anniversary celebration of the Canadian Grand Prix and the only Canadian stop for the American Le Mans Series. Here’s a brief rundown of each event.

THE FATHER’S DAY DOUBLEHEADER WEEKEND • JUNE 15-17 This will be one of the busiest weekends of racing at Mosport. The new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will showcase Canada’s top stock car racers on the very demanding Mosport road course in The Mosport 200, presented by Canadian Shield Anti-Crime Response Corp. The second part of the twin-bill will see the U.S. based Grand-Am KONI Challenge for domestic and imported high performance sedans compete in separate races for the GS and ST classes.

Treat dad to a weekend at the races.

THE 28TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL VINTAGE RACING FESTIVAL • JUNE 22 - 24 Organized by the Vintage Automobile Racing Association of Canada, this 28th annual historic auto racing meet features open and closed wheeled cars from the last 50 years of motorsports.

The Vintage weekend will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first Canadian Grand Prix (which was held at Mosport) with an F1 reunion.

THE FULL-THROTTLE ENERGY DRINK 200 • AUGUST 11 PRESENTED BY CANADIAN SHIELD ANTI-CRIME RESPONSE CORPORATION The new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series returns for their second Mosport date, this time on the more familiar surroundings of Canada’s fastest halfmile paved oval, Mosport Speedway.

Canada’s top stock car drivers will need every bit of luck and determination to come out on top of this challenging 200lap race into the night.

PARTS CANADA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLEHEADER WEEKEND • JULY 13 – 15 Canada’s top riders compete in the only Toronto-area event for the national Parts Canada Superbike Championship. This is the most prestigious stop of the tour and includes two points races (Saturday & Sunday) for Superbike, Canadian Thunder, plus several national classes.

The weekend also features an outdoor expo & marketplace, demo rides and the new BMW Motorrad Summer Fest. This is one of the most entertaining weekends of the summer for motorcycle enthusiasts and all road racing fans.

MOBIL 1 PRESENTS THE GRAND PRIX OF MOSPORT • AUGUST 23-26 Canada’s biggest sports car racing event of the year features the American Le Mans Series for exotic prototype and GT sports cars. This world-class field of drivers and cars showcases leading edge technology from the world’s great marques, including Acura, Audi, Corvette, Ferrari, Mazda and Porsche. Add in rounds for the SPEED World Challenge GT and Touring championships, the Star Mazdas, Formula BMW, the IMSA GT3 Cup and IMSA Lites, this is major league racing at its best.

FOR TICKETS AND INFO: WWW.MOSPORT.COM OR 1-800-866-1072.

Mosport.indd 1

5/16/07 10:51:35 AM

Mosport 19.02.indd 1

4/4/07 10:46:07 AM

PRN.JUNE/JULY.07

4-WHEEL NEWS

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3

FAMILY BUSINESS

Photo by LAT Photogrpahic

Marco Andretti is the next in line to continue the legend of the Andretti name in motorsports.

Neal Jones looks at the pressure the third generation driver faces in his sophomore season in IndyCar.

THE CAR OF TOMORROW

Photo by LAT Photogrpahic

Plenty of questions still remain regarding NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow after making its debut in the Nextel Cup Series this spring. Monte Dutton examines the new car and what it will mean to NASCAR.

NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES PREVIEW

Photo by LAT Photogrpahic

The first season for the former CASCAR Super Series takes off in late May and the excitement is building for NASCAR’s first venture North of the Border.

For 14 years the Orlando World Street Car Nationals have been the mecca of events for street car racers. Bruce Biegler looks at the event’s history and the huge growth it has seen in the past decade.

8

Photo by LAT Photogrpahic

THE ORLANDO REAL WORLD STREET CAR NATIONALS

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

TOC 19.03_OL.indd 4

5/24/2007 2:43:19 PM

THERE ARE DRIVERS. THEN THERE ARE S.DRIVERS.

When most people are waiting for the road to throw them a curve, you go out looking for one. And now, the revolutionary new S.drive high performance tire puts you more firmly in control. With a breakthrough micro-flexible compound, developed using nanotechnology â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for exceptional traction. A forward-looking tread design engineered to outperform. And enough guts to satisfy any serious driver.

www.Yokohama.ca

Yokohama 9.01.indd 1

2/7/07 9:48:00 AM

PRN.JUNE/JULY.07

4-WHEEL NEWS

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3

FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK A new era begins as the next generation of the stars takes over.

INSIDE RACING Todd Lewis talks about the classy style of Jeff Gordon as he moves past the legendary Dale Earnhardt on the all-time win list.

GETTING OFF THE MARKS Dan Knutson explores the problems that have left two-time World Champion Renault scrambling for points.

WHATS WRONG WITH RENAULT ?

CAUTION PERIOD Neal Jones reports on the injuries that may have derailed Paul Tracy’s hope for another Champ Car title in 2007.

TRACKSIDE ACCESS David Hatter wonders if anyone can stop Dan Wheldon as the IndyCars prepare for the Indianapolis 500.

TITLE HOPES DERAILED

TRADING PAINT Monte Dutton looks at the declining TV ratings and race attendance in NASCAR and wonders if the series has hit a plateau.

ON THE CHROME HORN Jamie Maudsley profiles Canadian Tire driver Peter Gibbons as the 2007 season quickly approaches.

EMOTIONAL RESCUE

NHRA LAS VEGAS NHRA racers compete with heavy hearts at the SummitRacing.com Nationals.

WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP

GUNNING FOR THE CHECKERED FLAG

Thanks to some help from the Stewards, Sebastien Loeb is back on top of the world Rally Championship.

SUPERGT CHAMPIONSHIP It was payback time for Ralph Firman and Daisuke Ito at the second round of the 2007 season.

SWEET REDEMPTION

QUICK START TO ATLANTIC Canadians James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens get out of the box early and sit in the top five after three races.

CASTROL TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP Canadian Series gets boost from new title sponsor Castrol and Toyo Tires.

WHEEL & TIRE BUYER’S GUIDE The best products available give your car the right look as you cruise down the street.

2007 POINTS STANDINGS Points for the top 10 from series around the world.

10

CASTROL TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

TOC 19.03.indd 2

5/24/2007 2:42:15 PM

SPECTACULAR WHEN IT COMES TO MANUFACTURERS’

SPECS And even more spectacular for your engine. All cars do not have the same cooling systems. That’s why we created Havoline Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant, the first GM approved DEX-COOL coolant. In fact, we make coolants that are just right for almost every vehicle on the road. Choose from Havoline Extended Life Anti-Freeze/Coolant, Havoline Custom-Made Anti-Freeze/Coolant for newer Fords and Chryslers, and the traditional green Texaco Anti-Freeze/Coolant for older vehicles. For more information about Havoline coolants please call 1-800-465-2772 or visit www.havolinecoolants.com. ®

®

®

®

TM

®

A Chevron company brand © 2007 Chevron Lubricants Canada Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks are the property of Chevron Intellectual Property LLC.

Havoline 19.02.indd 1

4/3/07 5:57:15 PM

from theEDITOR’S

by NEAL JONES I EXECUTIVE EDITOR

DESK

NEXT GENERATION TAKES OVER F or several years now the talk has been about young drivers moving up the ranks to take the reins from the previous generation of stars. From 1990-2005 names like Earnhardt, Gordon, Andretti, Schumacher and Carmichael ruled their respective series with younger drivers emerging as the new millennium dawned.

Now, those up-and-coming drivers are the stars of the sport and have firmly established themselves as the drivers to beat. Over the next 10 years these emerging stars will rule their sport like the names mentioned above. In fact, of the names above two will remain at the top of the sport — Earnhardt and Andretti.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is without question the biggest name in NASCAR today. While he has only had one season where he was close to being the champion, Junior will be the face of NASCAR for the next 10 years.

But NASCAR’s stars of today aren’t limited to a driver with an iconic name. Jimmie Johnson already has a championship on his resume and is clearly a favourite to win again this year. Tony Stewart is a two-time champion and will be creating an even bigger love-hate relationship with NASCAR’s fan base in the next decade. And then there’s Matt Kenseth, another two-time champion who should contend for the Nextel Cup for the foreseeable future.

This doesn’t even get into the likes of the Busch brothers, Kurt and Kyle, Kasey Kahne, Denny Hamlin and more. In 10 years time fans of this generation will be talking about the classic title battles between these drivers as they did for the Earnhardt-GordonLabonte era.

In open wheel racing, the big names from recent

memory have all moved aside and new legends are in the making. Fernando Alonso has established himself as the top driver in Formula One with backto-back World Championships. Currently, he is the only former champion on the grid and he is a prime contender to make it three in a row this year.

Behind Alonso are several drivers who have

Now, those up-andcoming drivers are the stars of the sport and have firmly established themselves as the drivers to beat. Over the next 10 years these emerging stars will rule their sport... established themselves as drivers of the present rather than the future. Big things are still expected of Kimi Raikkonen, who many believe will be World Champion one day. And his stable mate Felipe Massa has made steady progress up the ladder should be a prime candidate to contend for the title over the next 10 years. Jenson Button is another driver who many believe will be a strong candidate for the championship moving forward, he just needs a car to get him there. Each of these drivers is established as an F1 main stay and will battle for years to come, reminding fans of great battles like Schuey-Villeneuve and Schuey-Hakkinen.

On this side of the pond for open wheel racing it’s useless to distinguish between IndyCar and

Champ Car as drivers will continue to float in and out of each series. Sam Hornish Jr. is the obvious standard bearer in IndyCar as Sebastien Bourdais is in Champ Car. Throw in Dan Wheldon and Scott Dixon and the IndyCar title fights should provide plenty of excitement.

Of course, the big problem for open wheel racing will be keeping these stars in cars without fenders.

Money issues have already seen talented drivers like AJ Allmendinger leave for the greener pastures of stock cars. It has gotten to the point for IndyCar and Champ Car officials that instead of touting the current title contenders they have already moved on to the next generation of stars. Drivers like Danica Patrick, Marco Andretti and Graham Rahal have yet to cement their status and it will take a few more seasons before they can be ranked as perennial contenders. And by that point they may opt for a change of scenery unless the two series can find a way to put open wheel racing back into the mainstream consciousness of North Americans.

The good news is that drivers like Franchitti, Tracy, Castroneves and Kanaan should stick around a few more years to give fans something to watch.

In a few years all these drivers above will be considered the old veterans and a new generation will emerge. As in all sports, racing can be measured in eras of approximately 10 years and that new era is already underway.

So sit back and enjoy what the next decade of racing will provide, and be ready to start hearing about that “next generation” in just a few seasons.

The more things change in racing the more they stay the same.

See you at the races!

Photo by LAT Photographic

“Tony, we always run counterclockwise, why do you have to be different all the time?”

12

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Editorial 19.03.indd 1

5/24/2007 5:10:47 PM

(ISSN # 0834 - 809X) is published 9 times a year by 1009678 Ontario Inc., 44 Prince Andrew Place, Toronto, ON, M3C 2H4.

Canadian Postmaster: Send address corrections to: PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS 44 Prince Andrew Place, Toronto, ON, M3C 2H4 SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $14.99 (1 Year - 9 Issues) PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS 44 Prince Andrew Place, Toronto, ON, M3C 2H4 PRINTED IN CANADA Publications Mail Registration# 8580 Canadian Publications Mail Products Sales Agreement# 40069655

www.shiftracing.ca

PUBLISHERS: Perry & Blake Breslin V.P. OF OPERATIONS: Frank Spezzano MANAGING EDITOR: Tim Rutledge EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Neal Jones DIRECTOR OF SALES & MARKETING: Charles Stancer SENIOR ART DIRECTOR: Brian Pirocchi ACCOUNTS/SYSTEMS MANAGER: Arnold Adolfo ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR: Michelle Forsyth MARKETING MANAGER: Scott Peachman ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES: Matthew Adolfo, Shane Chattergoon, Erickson Obiacoro, Andrew McEwan, Mark Perrin, JP Kongas, Paul Mason SENIOR EDITOR: George Webster DRAG RACING EDITOR: Bruce Biegler ROAD RACING EDITOR: David Hatter QUEBEC EDITOR: Eric Descarries WESTERN EDITOR: Gerry Frechette MX EDITOR: Wil de Clercq CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Mark Pereira, Paul Rachwal, Michael Semira EDITORIAL INTERN: Tilly Okon PRODUCTION COORDINATOR: John Paul Ramos PRODUCTION: Richard Robles GRAPHIC DESIGN: Queue Gonzalez, Edward Shintani, Patrick Beltijar, Patrick Dinglasan SUBSCRIPTION MANAGER: Carol Franceschinis 1.888.564.SUBS

CORRESPONDENTS:

FORMULA ONE: Dan Knutson NASCAR: Monte Dutton MOTORCYCLE: Mark Hacking CASCAR: Jamie Maudsley SENIOR WRITERS: Todd Lewis WRITERS: John Bone, Matt Polito, Tim Tuttle, Mark Triller SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER: Ramesh Bayney PHOTOGRAPHERS: Alain Assad, Dan Boyd, Muriel Brousseau, Daniel S. Carter, Michael A. Coates, Dave DeAngelis, Yves Desjardins, Steve Embling, Bryan Epps, Carlos Hatfield, Bob Hesser, Jack Heringer, Kirk Horoky, Rick Kolaczynski, John Larsen, Mike Levitt/LAT, LAT Photographic, Bill Murenbeeld, Jim & Gerry Murray, Shawna Nelles, David Oliver, Chris Payne, Sue Phypers, Rob Potter, Len Silvester, Kevin Sproule, Richard Shute Occasionally, we make our subscriber list available to carefully screened companies whose products and services might be of interest to our readers. If you prefer to have your name removed from this list, please write to us at the address above and include your mailing label.

PRN acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian Magazine Fund toward our editorial costs.

PHONE: (416) 922-7223 FAX: (416) 922-8001 TOLL FREE: 1-800-667-7223 EMAIL: editor@prnmag.com WEBSITE: www.prnmag.com PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Mastehead 19.03.indd 1

13

5/25/2007 5:38:55 PM

Photo by LAT Photographic

INSIDE RACING WITH TODD LEWIS

CLASS

JEFF GORDON’S SALUTE TO DALE EARNHARDT AFTER TYING THE LEGEND ON THE ALL-TIME WIN LIST

J

eff Gordon is a class act. When he finally picked up career Cup series win number 76 after going nearly a year between victories, he stopped to pick up a flag with the number 3 and carry it on a victory lap to pay tribute to Dale Earnhardt. For a guy who was ridiculed and slammed as an outsider when he entered NASCAR in the early ‘90s, it was a heartfelt gesture and the perfect way to salute one of the greats, and acknowledge his own personal accomplishment of tying the “Intimidator” for career wins.

Those who tossed beer cans or in other ways disparaged the act as anything else should have their head examined.

An impressive Formula One season is shaping up with a battle between Ferrari and McLaren for the championship titles. If you haven’t noticed yet, Lewis Hamilton is poised for greatness. As expected, when you score podium finishes in your first three races, there are some that say it’s all about the car and that the rookie is being coddled by Ron Dennis. What trash. Give the McLaren team principal full marks for getting young Hamilton into the car. Dennis was thinking way ahead when he signed Alonso so early, and knew that he would be the perfect teammate for Hamilton.

And just how bad is that Honda tank being driven by Rubens Barichello and Jenson Button? So awful that a new piece will be rolled out at mid-season. After so much progress last season, how does it go so wrong?

Will Paul Tracy please return to the Champ Car World Series so Sebastian Bourdais has someone with whom

14

to compete. Even though a couple of first year drivers like Graham Rahal and Robert Doornbos can drive with some proficiency, I’m sorry but eight rookie drivers in a field of 17 cars is not a ratio to get excited about.

Because I grew up with it and really developed affection for auto racing with CART (not that I ever actually grew up) I have a real special affection for the series now known as Champ Car. Turbo charged monsters’ racing through city streets is a recipe for success as far as I’m concerned. But looking ahead I have serious concerns about the future.

When, not if, Sebastian Bourdais leaves for F1 next year what happens? Tracy will still be there but who will fill the void. You can’t thrust that on Graham Rahal, he’s very promising yes but people, his dad still runs a team in that other series that owns the big trump card, the Indianapolis 500. How long do you think young Rahal will really be around?

The Champ Car series owners continue to talk about building a brand and creating a ladder system for young lions to enter the series, but you can’t keep changing half the roster every year and expect the masses to believe they are getting the best participants.

One positive, Kalkhoven and company have already thrown cold water on the merger talks so there hopefully won’t be any of the annual “what if they get back together” speculation when IndyCar teams arrive at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 500.

Tony Stewart is a talented racer. He does a good job playing the brash villain for NASCAR. However, I can’t warm up to him the same way you could when it was

AT PHOENIX SHOWED THE KIND OF CLASS THE FOURTIME CHAMPION HAS

Dale Earnhardt in a similar role. Maybe it’s that Earnhardt had a better story of growing up poor and having to bump others out of the way in races to win enough for grocery money. Perhaps it’s because Stewart drives a car that is the colour of a traffic cone. My thought is that underneath that abrasive “win-at-all-cost attitude” Dale Earnhardt was a gentleman. I don’t think the same of Tony Stewart.

In the excited and curious department, we’re only weeks away from the start of the inaugural NASCAR Canadian Tire Racing Series season. I am, of course, pleased that a new season is upon us with what appears to be some familiar teams and new sponsors.

I’m hesitant because I’m not sure how many cars will be able to make it to all or most of the races, and because there has been so little information to \ promote the start of what should be a huge boost for Canadian racing.

Message to those in charge: Use the media, they are not your enemy but your greatest potential resource.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Inside Racing 19.03.indd 2

5/24/07 11:37:54 AM

A SET OF 4 TOYO PERFORMANCE TIRES

PS FRVJWBMFOU 5PZP 1SPEVDU VQ UP SFUBJM WBMVF :06 8*-- /&&% 5)*4 $0%& 50 &/5&3 5)& $0/5&45

'PS DPNQMFUF EFUBJMT BOE UP FOUFS UIF DPOUFTU HP UP XXX UPZPUJSFT DB FOUFSUPXJO

Toyo 19.03.indd 1

T87P5M

5/22/07 5:19:36 PM

18

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Andretti CoverStory 19.03 v2.ind2 2

5/24/07 1:17:24 PM

Photos by LAT Photographic Andretti CoverStory 19.03 v2.ind3 3

5/24/07 1:18:44 PM

ALL IN THE

FAMILY “I really put my hand in the air, thinking he won the race. I couldn’t believe it. It’s like, where did Hornish get that speed? It’s like he had a button in there to push.”

-Michael Andretti

(foreground) the Mario ichael e, rid the for d and M rs considere s ready Andretti have kept a handful of drive whether Marco wa uble- among to do as a d re be ge the lin n ll on ca a close eye on t questions sti ame recogniti boys. ion , it lends instan big at nd ee er ha the thr en e th ith -g wi on W ird y. ce On th ra t Ma edged sword. ed, on the to ianapolis 500 las d into of the Andretti e person involv Then came the Ind und his father an es. aro oic e ch credibility to th ov dr er re rco ca Ma of g s eri- clan to race and un m yo Am ter , in go rth u to No yo s in e lap holes e tantly think open wheel rac ins st u other, it pigeonge yo big y unt believe that th s ed ha the nn to of Ke d the name i name came back limitles ediately the lea ett is m dr re im An tu u t fu When you hear yo tha d d ly, an an red its head ca. Unfortunate the name Ford for Marco ti Curse at Indy” rea politics. Mention rco as the “Andret eneration driver s.

Ma -g ile rd e ob thi ov the tom ab s au by nd ed sta ez ue think of me sq na e Jr. on torsports Sam Hornish 0 history.

In the world of mo e of the most common phrast finish in Indy 50 the second-closes i. On in wrong with a po ett s dr y er er An ay ev ys — lly s na er all oth hedule rco proved the uttered by virtua sc Ma en , the be So s on ha ce re ra m ltu g st gruelin es in pop cu iver streaks by the estions about m result at the mo when another dr the series. The qu c – “What’s diu in ffi rt tra driver on the road sta of t rth took ou d fou an his in just weaving in rest and the world on the highway, ranks were put to me na the his up d e ris ad to his y i?”

1994, a new Andretti was read ce with Mario Andrett er sin d ing oth ce rry an ra t ca ’t tha of sn e rio ha So, the burden name notic Even though Ma went legendary racers. own up with the of he gr t as lis s s ha the he rs to as ive r the dr se ain rose from generation of et Petty, Foyt, Un Andretti name ag ve up the ladder their brains. Forg s become the ha t family name to mo tha firmly planted in his me ing na us e on kid a the m is eatest driver in i fro gr ett dr the An or Earnhardt, erica. ing of arguably om Am -c rth rd No thi in g the cin to ra etti sounds like synonymous with y. g the name Andr motorsports histor Of course, havin -year-old driver 19 a re u’ yo if at wh t a IONS a great deal. Bu d all of a sudden BIG EXPECTAT yCar Series in up the ladder an ? Since rld debut in the Ind wo e his working his way th de in s ma rie rco se st Ma be As etti became a e th dr of An e of carrying the ride opens in on r runs all of sudre he su es fat pr ur to a huge yo the m 06 the tea was either going through 20 that ride is with in the media. He m start running between int tis in po po al no ne s foc of wa s er re the den the whisp a colossal failure, or debut, it s es his cc d su de ed in 2006 ctations surroun fac i pe media circles. ex ett dr the An ke his As ma rco . ario Ma ime for him who pushed to That is the scen and grandfather him to drive full-t r d he ne fat s. sig l his er s ae oth wa ch of Mi hile the opinion when his father i-Green Racing. W als and disregard ries with Andrett he was own go t tha id in the IndyCar Se sa all n wner Kim Gree Michael and co-o

N

20

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Andretti CoverStory 19.03 v2.ind4 4

5/24/07 1:54:40 PM

NGK 19.01.indd 1

2/12/07 2:59:04 PM

ALL IN THE

FAMILY

While he didn’t get to enjoy the champagne on the podium, Marco Andretti made history by becoming the youngest winner of a major open wheel race in history when he won at Sonoma in 2006

22

“Marco has that quiet confidence, he does his thing,” Mario said. “Yeah, he has the usual pressures, but he knows what he’s doing and what he wants. He has the passion for it, and he’s just concerned about doing his own thing.

“That’s what we tell him, ‘Satisfy yourself and don’t do anything more than you need to. As fast as you are is good enough for us.”

Even Marco kept an even keel with all the talk about how good he would be. “You can mark my words,” Marco told the media. “My expectations are higher than any of you guys. I’m not worried about making anyone happy but myself.”

Such an attitude bodes well for his future, but much of that came from his early days when every time he was on the track everyone looked at him as the next in line. Even in his karting days the attention was there and that resulted in him quitting the sport before his teen years.

“It started young,” Marco said of the spotlight. “It started just having a (legendary) last name. That drew the crowds. The one thing I found out right away was when I quit because I had all this attention at nine years old, which was a lot, I thought I couldn’t deal with it but they (Mario and Michael) supported me. Now that I really love the sport, I want to do it for me. I came back for the right reasons.”

Of course, that didn’t stop the questions about nepotism coming up and that Marco only advanced so quickly because of his father. Michael addressed those comments early in 2006.

“We didn’t just basically say we’re putting Marco in the car. We sat back and thought about what is best for our team. One of the things is we wanted another

rookie. We really weren’t talking to any other rookies.

There were no others that we really felt like fit the mold.

We knew what we had with Marco. It’s a known quantity. That was a big thing.

“Yeah, he’s my son,” Michael added. “Yeah, he’s getting the opportunity because he’s my son. But he’s here in that seat because we feel that he can do a good job for AGR. That’s why he’s there.”

ROOKIE-OF-THE-YEAR In reality, when the 2006 season came to a close Marco had silenced any and all critics. His impressive runner-up finish at Indy and his first victory at Infineon Raceway left no questions about why Marco was racing at the top level of the sport at such a young age.

The Indianapolis 500 was a coming out party for the young driver, as he not only came within inches of winning, but also had the chance to race against his father.

But even Michael had to admit that Marco exceeded expectations at his first 500.

“I just knew he was going to surprise a lot of people,” Michael said. “He didn’t surprise me. I was just a little surprised by how fast he got here (Indy).”

In the closing laps of the 500 Michael became a spectator as he watched his son take the white flag with Hornish hot on his tail. At the finish, neither Andretti was sure of the final outcome.

“I really put my hand in the air, thinking he won the race,” Michael said. “I couldn’t believe it. It’s like, where did Hornish get that speed? It’s like he had a button in there to push.

“It’s a heartbreak, another one,” he continued. “But in a couple of days I’ll probably sit back and think, ‘Wow, I thought he had won. It was a fairy tale, a dream.”

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Andretti CoverStory 19.03 v2.ind6 6

5/24/07 1:45:32 PM

Delivers engine per formance f r o m Ta l l a d e g a t o t h e t u r n p i k e .

Š 2007 Exxon Mobil Corporation. Mobil 1 and Mobil SuperSyn are trademarks of Exxon Mobil Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. NASCAR is a registered trademark of The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Inc. Trademarks granted by license from Penske Racing South, Inc. Imperial Oil, licensee.

Why do over half of all NASCAR teams rely on Mobil 1 technology? Because Mobil 1 with SuperSyn delivers performance and gives advanced protection against extreme heat and stress. To learn how your car can benefit from the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading synthetic motor oil, visit www.mobil1.ca.

Ask for Mobil 1 at your next oil change.

Mobile 1 19.03.indd 1

4/18/07 10:22:33 AM

“You can mark my words. My expectations are higher than any of you guys.

I’m not worried about making anyone happy but myself.”

-Marco Andretti

But for Marco, the second step on the podium was not enough, no matter what his father, grandfather or anyone else told him. He wants to win and nothing short of a checkered flag satisfies him.

“Second-place is nothing,” Marco said. “They don’t remember people who finish second here. They really don’t. You gotta take advantage of every shot. How many times did my dad finish second? He never won it and neither did I. “For a 19-year-old, it’s good, but to lose the biggest race in the world like that was a bummer for a competitor like I am,” he said earlier this season. “It’s coming up (again) already. It’s amazing how quick because that race runs through my mind every hour of every day.”

While the 500 was a coming out party for Marco, it was his first victory at Sonoma, CA that firmly planted his name in the minds of fans as the future of the Andretti name.

The race at Sonoma showed the determination of Marco and the confidence the team itself has in him.

He gambled twice on fuel strategy and benefited from a late-race caution that allowed him to conserve fuel and then hold off teammate Dario Franchitti once the race went green. The win made him the youngest winner of a major open wheel race in history; although he had to hand the winner’s champagne to his dad and sipped cider on the podium instead.

“When Marco won his first race, for instance, it was a huge day for me,” Michael said. “It couldn’t have been any different than if I had won that one.”

ROOKIE NO MORE Once the 2006 season ended, the entire Andretti clan was able to sit back and reflect on what had been a most impressive rookie campaign. Winning at Sonoma put him in the spotlight even further and that extended across the Atlantic as Formula One started calling.

His grandfather is a former World Champion while his dad ran only a partial season for McLaren in 1993 before returning to America. But that name still resonates across the world and Honda took notice of their young driver in America and brought him to Spain for an F1 test in December. While it was a just a one day test, he performed well and adjusted to the vastly different machine quickly.

“I couldn’t have had more fun today, and it’s a shame it was only one day,” Marco said. “It took me a little while to get used to the traction control and the brakes, but once I got to grips with them the times were more and more consistent.”

His run in the 2006 Honda opened some eyes, including Honda Sporting Director Gil de Ferran. “He did a good job and acclimatized himself well to the unfamiliar surroundings in the very short time a one-day test provides. Marco looked comfortable straightaway with the car and the track, and overall it was a good first experience in a Formula One car.”

24

There were no delusions of making the jump to F1 this season, but Honda knew it should give it’s young driver from the States a chance to test at the highest level and see if the moment will soon arrive for him to jump to the premier open wheel series in the world. For now though, Marco enjoyed his first experience with an F1 car and has re-focused on the IndyCar season.

The opening races of 2007 have not gone as hoped, but every driver faces some struggles in a sophomore season and things could easily change since only four races have been run as of this writing. The questions about his talent are gone and now, he is just another driver who will contend for wins and someday championships, albeit with a more famous name than most.

“Marco is still very, very young,” said co-owner Kim

Green. “He’s matured so much in 12 months. He really did in my opinion, he learned in one year what would take three years for a normal young driver of his age.

So the help he’s getting from his teammates is unbelievable, and I think we’re going to see him continue to develop.”

The final word on this topic should go to the man the Associated Press voted as the greatest driver of the 20th Century, even if he is just a proud grandpa.

“Marco is like I was in that he has a tremendous passion for driving a race car. He loves it,” said Mario.

“He’s got that fire and that drive that it takes to succeed in this business and he’s still a teenager.”

Who are we to argue with the man whose name is synonymous with the term motorsports?

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Andretti CoverStory 19.03 v2.ind8 8

5/24/07 1:46:59 PM

Hans 19.03.indd 1

5/23/07 5:25:03 PM

COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

WHAT’S WRON G withRENAULT byDAN KNUSTON

A

The loss of Fe rnando tires has left thAlonso and the switch to B e two-time defe ridgestone nding World C hamps struggling to g year ago, afte a in points. r the first thre e races season How could this ha ppen? How could both championship a team that had won s for two consec utive years sudd struggling? enly be If the engineers and drivers at Re nault knew the pr answer to that, the ecise n they wouldn’t be where they are.

One of the keys, however, has be en adapting not the new Bridgeston only to e tires, but to this particular tire philo that is not only dif sophy ferent from the Br idgestones used but vastly differen in 2006 t from the Micheli ns that the Rena been so closely in ult had tune with.

“It is a question (th at is) difficult even chella says when for us to answer,” asked why Renault Fisiis off the pace. “W ously last year wo e obvirked with Micheli n for a long time and

Photo by Muriel Brousseau

of the , Renault drive rs Fernando Alo Giancarlo Fisichell nso and a ha d thr ee victories and of 42 points. The a total team led both the Driver’s and Cons Championships. tructor’s After the first thr ee races of 2007 , ING Renault’s dr Fisichella and He ikki Kovalainen ha ivers d a total of nine po hadn’t finished hig ints and her than fifth. The team was a distan in the Constructo t fourth r’s Championship and Fisichella a low in the Driver’s Ch ly sixth ampionship.

“Obviously, it’s no t good at all,” Fis ichella admits. “A beginning of the season, the aim wa t the s to fight for pole and win the race. position (Now) we just ho pe to score some Ouch! points.”

26

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Getting of the marks 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 3:27:59 PM

Available at:

New Eagle One NanoWax ® and Nano-Polish™. Nothing turns more heads, thanks to the nano-sized particles that fill fine scratches and swirl marks. Just spray on NanoWax and wipe it off – no worries about haze or overspray. Nano-Polish is safe for all metal surfaces a n d f i g h t s c o r r o s i o n. B ot h a r e e a sy t o a p p l y a n d remove. So you get a brilliant shine and enhanced

©, 2006, Ashland Canada

protection. And car babes get seriously dented egos.

TRADITIONAL PRODUCTS

N A N O WA X / N A N O P O L I S H

S U R FA C E

S U R FA C E

Nano-sized particles penetrate deeper to clean, shine and protect.

Valvoline Hot Legs.indd 1

“ LADIES, A LITTLE MORE TO THE RIGHT PLEASE.”

Never A D ull Moment

TM

See how nanotechnology means better results for your car at www.eagleone.com

3/26/07 10:58:46 AM

“This year, we changed to Bridgestone tires and the tires are completely different... really from the first time we went in with the Bridgestone tires, and we lost a lot of downforce.

-Giancarlo Fisichella

THE ALONSO FACTOR Is the problem at Renault really the fact that double World Champion Alonso no longer drives for the team?

Last year, Alonso had seven wins, seven seconds and 134 points while Fisichella could only muster a single victory, four thirds and 72 points.

Would Alonso make a difference given the Renault’s 2007 woes?

“Fernando is a great driver,” Fisichella says “but at the moment we need more than a second and there is no driver who can be a second quicker than everyone else.

Even with Fernando it would be exactly the same story: to score some points would be quite difficult. I don’t think because he has left that we are going down.”

Briatore admits the team misses Alonso but adds that Renault has the people and tools to be winners again.

“Anytime you are missing a good player in the company you are missing something, this is sure,” he says, “but we need to understand that the team is strong; the people are the same and they are working with Giancarlo and Heikki to be doing our best.”

Briatore claims that Renault spent much of its resources developing its car right up until the final race of 2006 as it battled with Ferrari and Michael Schumacher for the championships, and that took some of

“We need to recover quickly. We have everything to get back on top. We have the people, the finance, the drivers, everything.”

-Flavio Briatore the focus away from preparing for the 2007 season.

“We are a little bit late,” the flamboyant Italian says.

“We need to recover quickly. We have everything to get back on top. We have the people, the finance, the drivers, everything.”

Would Renault be winning races at this point of the 2007 season if Alonso were still driving for the team?

No. Would the team be a lot better off? Yes.

Photo by Charles Coates/LAT

the car handling, balance and grip was just fantastic.

We finished one-two in Malaysia, and at the beginning of the season we were very competitive compared to other people.

“This year, we changed to Bridgestone tires and the tires are completely different to last year in compound and construction. We found some problems in the wind tunnel, really from the first time we went in with the Bridgestone tires, and we lost a lot of downforce.

And we are still struggling to find it back.”

It sounds weird or maybe just like a lame excuse on Fisi’s part, but the aerodynamic profile of the Bridgestone is considerably different to that of the Michelin.

This is not only the case in a straight line, but also in cornering, as each tire brand has a different slip angle when it starts to break away, and this has a varying affect on the delicate aerodynamic balance of the car.

As most wind tunnels only test things in a straight line, it’s difficult to predict the aero consequences when the tires and the chassis aren’t directly lined up with the world.

Aerodynamics aside, there are mechanical factors in adapting the chassis to the tires.

Renault’s executive director of engineering Pat Symonds says that inconsistency is a problem.

“At Renault the drivers are complaining of a lack of grip from the car,” he explains, “but we are also seeing inconsistency in its performance. While the tire situation is stable for everybody, there are still plenty of questions to be answered in terms of achieving consistent, reliable performance.”

Fisichella certainly isn’t Alonso, but the former is a crucial factor in getting the car back up to speed. Flavio Briatore said it would be a mistake to replace both

drivers in 2007, and he was right. If the Renault had two new drivers, you would have to question if part of the problem was them getting to grips with the team and car. At least Fisi is a constant, and while he hasn’t been winning, he has been bringing the car home in the points this year.

Renault had a significant new aero package and new front suspension to try out for the Spanish Grand Prix. They had better work because one team insider told me that if Renault continues to be off the pace it will consider focusing on 2008 already.

Can Renault find the answer to what is wrong?

“I know we have the strength in depth to turn things around,” Fisichella insists. “I am confident that we will get to the bottom of our problems, and emerge even stronger. I cannot predict when. That is what we are working on right now.”

Of course, the team says it’s confident that it can work things out. But remember 2005 when no matter what parts and adjustments Ferrari threw at its car, nothing worked. So only time will tell with Renault in 2007.

Photo by Charles Coates/LAT

2nd generation drivers emerge

28

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Getting of the marks 19.03.indd 4

5/23/2007 3:28:34 PM

Gatorz ® Extreme Sunglasses are precision built from 7075 billet aircraft aluminum with TruRay Optics™ lenses and a ton of style…

Gatorz Eyewear is a must for riders, racers, and extreme sports enthusiasts who demand the best.

® P R E C I S I O N B U I LT E Y E W E A R

See the full line w w w.g ato r z .co m

New for 2007…the magnum.

This frame is all about performance with attitude.

800 · 767 · 4287

MAGNUM

Gunmetal Frame/Cabernet Lenses

Gatorz 19.02.indd 1

Blue Frame/Blue Lenses

Polished Frame/Sunburst Lenses

3/15/07 3:40:48 PM

Long Beach crash forces Tracy to the sidelines and his hope for another championship went up in smoke

DERAILED

WITH NEAL JONES

TITLE HOPES

CAUTIONPERIOD

T

he 2007 season was going to be different. Paul Tracy entered this year with a new mindset, he was no longer looking at making the transition to NASCAR. He was re-focused on Champ Car racing and he had the championship crown on his mind.

The opening event at Las Vegas, NV proved that the “Thrill From West Hill” was going to be on the gas as he led much of the race before settling for third on the podium due to some struggles in the pits. At Long Beach, CA for round two he opened up on Friday with the fastest time and woke up Saturday morning ready to go after his fifth victory on the street circuit.

Then it happened.

As Tracy took to the track for morning practice he had a great car under him. After coming into the pits to remove a cone he picked up on the track, he headed back out to get a few more laps under his belt. As he made his way around the street course he hit the gas on the exit of a turn and lost control of the car. He ran nose-first into the concrete barrier, lifting the car into the air before it slammed back down to earth.

Photo by Terri Taylor/LAT

Tracy walked away from the crash, but complained of back pain and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for tests. It was not good news Tracy walked away from the crash, but complained of back pain and was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital for tests. It was not good news. Tracy suffered a compression fracture to his first lumbar vertebrae. Later that afternoon Oriol Servia qualified Tracy’s No. 3 and did the same a few weeks later in Houston.

So, before the green flag dropped at round two, the Canadian was already looking ahead to 2008 as his championship hopes were gone in an instant.

“This is obviously a very unfortunate situation; it’s really a shame because it pretty much ruins the championship for us this year,” Tracy said. “I’m very disappointed for the whole team because we had 30

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Cation Period.indd 2

5/23/2007 3:02:27 PM

GPT 19.03.indd 1

5/22/07 11:55:57 AM

title hopes derailed

title hopes derailed Photos by LAT Photographic

CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK 18-year-old Graham Rahal showed the poise and maturity to race up front in Champ Car early in his rookie season. After a top 10 run at Long Beach, the son of former series champion Bobby Rahal became the youngest driver to reach the podium in a Champ Car event when he finished second to Sebastien Bourdais in Houston, TX. The record had previously been held by Andrew Ranger when he made it to the podium in Monterey, MEX in 2005.

gotten off to a great start in Vegas and we were pretty strong here, we were building momentum and just hoping to be fast and consistent the whole year.

“I was coming off Turn 1 and got back on the throttle pretty hard and the car just snapped around, I went head on into the wall and then the car jumped up in the air and then slammed back on the ground. I could tell something was wrong right away.”

Rumours began to circulate that Tracy would be out three months or more, but after meeting with Dr. Terry Trammell (Champ Car Medical Director), the prognosis was a lot better. Tracy fully expects to be on the grid at Portland, OR on the June 8-10 weekend, and even felt physically capable of racing at Houston before doctors convinced him to err on the side of caution.

“There’s not much to hit at Portland, no walls to speak of, so hopefully I’ll get clearance to run there.”

-Paul Tracy While he convalesced at home in Las Vegas, he was given the green light to continue his fitness program. He biked 30 miles a day around his adopted home and Dr. Trammell was impressed with his physical condition so soon after the race.

“I feel very good, I’ve been training and working out every day since I got back home and I’ve been recovering very quickly,” Tracy said prior to the Hous-

ton race. “Dr. Trammell has told me that my fracture should not limit me from doing any type of exercise.

I could drive the car now but we need to give the fracture some time to strengthen just in case I have a similar type of accident. I’m going to keep working very hard and doing everything I can to be able to be back in the car by Portland.

“I could drive but if I had a wreck and totally broke that fracture, I could be in trouble. I don’t want to miss another race but the last thing I want is back surgery so I’ll give it six weeks.

“There’s not much to hit at Portland, no walls to speak of, so hopefully I’ll get clearance to run there.”

Tracy has kept a positive face through this ordeal and the large break in the schedule after Houston is a bonus for the controversial driver. While he lost out on two events in terms of the championship, his position in the standings could have taken a much bigger hit if there were two or three races scheduled in May. Still, all the title hoopla that gave fans hope that the 2007 season would bring the competition level up has dissipated thanks to this unfortunate incident.

Tracy did not attend the Houston race as he chose to remain home and give his body the proper treatment to ensure he’s ready to go for Portland.

“I’m staying home this weekend rather than go to the Houston race,” Tracy said prior to the event. “I’ve never been much of a spectator, and if I were to go to the race I’d wind up standing around all weekend where by staying at home I can keep ice on my back and work on getting better.”

His injuries brought out some concern over the

DP01 chassis and its ability to protect the driver in the event of a crash. Initial reports said Tracy was only traveling at approximately 35 miles per hour when he hit the wall. Still, Tracy hit at an awkward angle and when you race next to big slabs of concrete these kinds of injuries can happen.

When Portland comes into view Tracy will have lots of ground to make up and will need a bevy of misfortune to hit the early season leaders if he has any hope even getting back into contention. In the interim, you can bet Tracy will have a single-minded approach to winning races. With the championship essentially out of the picture, Tracy can revert back to the man who chased checkered flags for much of his career rather than just chasing a title.

“THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION; IT’S REALLY A SHAME BECAUSE IT PRETTY MUCH RUINS THE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR US THIS YEAR… I COULD DRIVE BUT IF I HAD A WRECK AND TOTALLY BROKE THAT FRACTURE, I COULD BE IN TROUBLE. I DON’T WANT TO MISS ANOTHER RACE BUT THE LAST THING I WANT IS BACK SURGERY SO I’LL GIVE IT SIX WEEKS.” -Paul Tracy 32

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Cation Period.indd 4

5/23/2007 3:02:43 PM

Come celebrate the summerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most awaited event at Circuit Mont-Tremblant!

Experience Champ Car Racing right in the heart of the Laurentians. See your favourite drivers vie for top spot at Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Tagliani! Bourdais! Wilson! Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a heart stopping race to the finish!

Tickets on sale at 514 790-1245 or 1 800 361-4595

www.champcarmonttremblant.ca

Champ Car Tremblant 19.03.indd 1

5/23/07 4:30:58 PM

READY DAN WHELDON IS THE FAVOURITE HEADING INTO THIS YEAR’S INDY 500, BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF DRIVERS WHO HAVE THEIR SIGHTS SET ON THE PINT OF MILK. DAVID HATTER LOOKS AT WHELDON’S FAST START AND WHO TO WATCH FOR WHEN THE FLAG DROPS ON THE 91ST EDITION OF THE GREAT AMERICAN RACE.

FOR

INDY PHOTOS BY LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

D

an Wheldon looks to be a man on a mission in this year’s IRL IndyCar series. His quest for a second championship title in three years is off to a stellar start and, going into the all-important month of May, he has to be viewed as a strong favourite to add another Indy 500 trophy as well.

In the four pre-Indy events, the 28-year-old Englishman has two wins and a second-place finish to his credit. He has led 482 of 600 laps at the three oval races — that’s more than 80 percent. His only bad weekend was on the street course in St. Petersburg where he had to race a back-up car after crashing in practice. He started 14th and finished ninth.

On the ovals, he has been virtually untouchable in his Ganassi Racing Dallara-Honda. He led 179 laps from the pole in taking the season opener at Homestead, his third straight victory at that track. He was in front for 177 laps on his way to the checkered at Kansas, the 13th win of his IRL career (second only to Sam Hornish Jr.’s 18). In between, he led 126 laps at Motegi, Japan, although Andretti-Green Racing’s superior fuel strategy gave the win narrowly to Tony Kanaan.

“When you go in with the championship lead, you feel pretty good about it. I’m all about the Indianapolis 500.

Nothing else matters to me.

I want to taste the (winner’s) milk again.”

-Dan Wheldon

“Going into Indy, it just puts everyone in the right mind-set,” said Wheldon after his Kansas triumph in late April. “When you go in with the championship lead, you feel pretty good about it. I’m all about the Indianapolis 500. Nothing else matters to me. I want to taste the (winner’s) milk again.”

For open wheel fans, the downside to Wheldon’s recent success is that he may be racing his way out of the series. He has said that if he wins another Indy 500 and another championship, he will have achieved his goals in the IRL and may seek new challenges, most likely in NASCAR. Wheldon — who won at Indy in 2005 on his way to that year’s championship — now has a strong advantage in the overall chase. He leads by 27 points, 171144, over his consistent Ganassi teammate, Scott Dixon (who has two seconds and two fourths). By contrast, a mere 15 points separated the top four drivers at the end of 2006. Wheldon was actually tied with champion Sam Hornish, but the latter took the title because of more wins (four vs. two), including the 2006 Indy 500.

34

IRL 19.03.indd 2

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

5/24/07 9:12:44 AM

0 780.451.800

Grand Prix Edmonton.indd 1

5/23/07 5:51:13 PM

This year, Hornish languishes in sixth overall — 52 points behind Wheldon — with a best result of third at the Homestead opener. He has been lapped in his two most recent outings (fifth at Motegi; sixth at Kansas). His Penske teammate, Helio Castroneves, won on the streets of St. Petersburg and ranks third overall, but trails Wheldon by 35 points. The Andretti-Green Racing (AGR) duo of Dario Franchitti and Kanaan occupy the fourth and fifth spots.

Ganassi, Penske and AGR are the three teams that swept every race of 2006 and look poised to do the same again this year. Indeed, only two other teams have even cracked the top five so far.

Panther Racing with Vitor Meira’s fourth place at Homestead and Vision Racing with Tomas Scheckter’s fifth at Kansas. Scheckter ranks seventh overall, while Meira is ninth, sandwiching AGR’s glamour gal, Danica Patrick (who has a best finish of seventh at Kansas).

AGR’s other driver, team-owner’s son Marco Andretti, is having a wretched season. The 20-year-old, who came so close to winning the last Indy 500, has finished only one race (fourth at St. Petersburg). He crashed out in Japan and quit at both Homestead and Kansas because his car was handling so badly.

Danica, meanwhile, is now one of three female IndyCar drivers. IRL veteran Sarah Fisher is back this year with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, while Milka Duno made her series debut at Kansas, finishing 14th for Samax Motorsport, and she has already passed her Indy 500 rookie test.

The 35-year-old Venezuelan is the only woman to have won in the Daytona Prototype class of the Grand-Am Sports Car Series, where she was most recently partnered with Patrick Carpentier.

Duno’s arrival brought the car count at Kansas to 21, but there should be no difficulty in finding 33 starters for Indy. As usual, a number of drivers and teams will make one-off appearances, most notably AGR team-owner Michael Andretti, who came out of retirement last year to finish third. He has led 430 laps at Indy, but has never won there in 15 attempts.

Two-time 500 winner Al Unser Jr. will try to put aside his personal demons, including a recent drunk-driving charge, and make another comeback with Foyt Enterprises. Other confirmed drivers include Jaques Lazier and Phil Giebler with Playa Del Racing; Jimmy Kite with PDM Racing; and Davey Hamilton with Vision Racing.

Hamilton, who made 48 IRL starts between 1996 and 2001, was runner-up to Kenny Brack in the 1998 standings and fourth overall the following year. But his career seemingly ended with a huge crash at Texas Motor Speedway in June, 2001. Indy will be his comeback after almost six years away and 25 separate operations to rebuild his feet and ankles.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a couple of years, but when you are out for as long as I’ve been, it’s hard to get interest from the owners or sponsors,” said Hamilton. “I’ve been a race car driver since I was a young kid and I didn’t want to end my career with what happened at Texas. At the end of the month, we’ll see where I’m at.”

Vision, the team co-owned by IRL founder Tony George and TV star Patrick Dempsey, will field a total of four cars at Indy — second only to AGR’s five — with Scheckter, Anthony Foyt IV and Ed Carpenter occupying the other seats.

Milka Duno has passed all her rookie tests and had her first taste of IndyCar racing at Kansas and is now set for her Indy debut in May 36

IRL 19.03.indd 4

The Penske duo of defending champ Sam Hornish Jr. (#6) and Helio Castroneves (#3) will try to turn things around on AGR at Indianapolis

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

5/24/07 9:12:58 AM

E R U

R

LE BIEG

STRAIGHTTALK E

RUC

TALK IGHT A WITH BRUCE BIEGLER R T S

B WITH

T U F

P

by hotos

gler

e Bie

Bruc

ENT M E PL O IM EPAVING T D A R IO LS H N A I O C T FI NT K OF T SAN A HE EVEN C A D TR B” A NG T N I N A R A U D PL IHRA half. e GHT US “ I back /8th mil .

O R e I h t R E 1 s t n E o n N m a fro s up ticip AS T LA thing ial bonus eam par r racing H e k G a I a R to m otent new t uel c r yone d car he real p tial for d IHRA f and eve halfTHE t n unde n t

f a k or ote ven I thin is the p at NHRA in our sp to be e ctioning ay to t d h e n n t s a u n g s n entr y .A eny ctio th n S acin xpe ile o ound me not r ew will d est attra naway e sses. Bo waning enue h w g a v r F a ru cl ig are out r a the b bout the in those cern ab /8th mile ould be s fo to those e cones s could d s i n a a t n l c i 1 e s at co s iv e s sten /8th m nds, fan re the know competit ngoing fordable w team ng fan th y in th and li 1 fo ta ay ve o more af n of ne rag raci nd Funn I sat things ause the ectator s race be were far w a h a g each , bec he sp and ipatio gle d odies ser ve here ers a e rac i n l y o b n A n t o n i o e n d o f t h o w o n s t h a t ? T h t i g h t e r e r y b s t s . W i t h i a l p a r t i c o w a s i n e l d r a g s t g i a n V u t i w c r or th r e l a “ u l k n t e d t the life S past th and tell ow nove as a mu even a this ds f gone pote I do not re Top F a h t o e r h r s u t t y in ing abo ed the ot fa ily see e on. H result w mpting And ge as cros red. eady s, t mo end. bod h im d e ). ro nurtu not wan they att be at a has alr he track A as el am t very still re s that cla again a “ too e in light c ys and th ram – p ll maybe lly ende n will A s R s t l R e l e H n p H e o e I N u d e ith unity w r dela ry w The at ev prog th actua RA fa rten d to. lf (w tance , once come Cars may ve racing. to sho e allude blow wi y comm circums recently has be te would fewe n packed rat himse inations as any IH e v e g h e r a c i an s a a h m g i n s o W r r t h s m a d e I h o d g f t s trag c Medle g racin ies. As f lopment actio from B final eli f a rarity g kin on its er y e o i a ” racin e can futur c about the reas dealt a v busy see of Er that dr its facilit ing deve nt at San Nice unday’s ewhat o n f drag k anyon ases li e s o t m s r “ e S i b a s f o v a y u e s o r w e ” n r p olutio , d o e c — uled topi confines ome inte opening its f on’t thin ort incr ould ble s d right g ma e racing gedy an nts. f d a n e i n i n e t v n o i o h i t e c p b I d the s ss it w d ess p sc you. but or the were s season Rad dlen tra roveme olid and lande r f e s an p OWE able. ng s u e -term l fast it, there A’s 2007 alifyi t clean- to tel he long consider factor fo ure a gu ess dem atly P e Eric M afety im t a real s blems ha u q l a s t T y a h e o o h l t t n n r r e r r h t a r e t e a g a P p f f a v n e g have g the IHR ay. a hile es r’s uld ditio to m ond ’s e be is a n is ing’s hth” durin io Racew ay’s sec n, but w k surfac ay night n eig e that th — I wo r. There s attritio n a drive arp ad It seems drag rac i u c n d o y t d i e f l w h r g i a o f l r s t t r r o r o s a a a F t e i h n a F d l p s A il g any ing on, the % d . A otlig nent us, Durin as an o ceeding eliberati tring of s for San expo least 75 and th io the sp nounced er-funde e to m ur laps. t d w o d s r t o t n r y o r n n e a e r o e p a l e p o u h e n r t t m i e m s h n a i s b An more or cause hly the ss wa fter so ed wit arras d by mach San w rful e proc apart. A conclud itial emb tempere ving cre 0 on ced. At e much ss powe purely be erful/hig u s n a e i e 0 n m n a d l com ction w nly. The was the as a p ately 8 d re ls beca ake a ore ofte ore pow m ed Pro a ft lane o owners rmination approxim n repave t skil er can t r y lane m e for a odifi n e e e v c l o i k t e t h d n r t v c e c e n a i d e a d tly m s t h a v d r t s p t t i n d o t u h a t d r n h o g i i t b a g p r i n as a ng resul team uch less Anto rd work in overn as dug u trous out er w i open interest is m some of ha brought ht lane w lly disas n o d s h n a t d i a a e i e g t s w i s n r n 07 te wa f the rns nve ile race ’s 20 n po o once in co IHRA /8th mile feet voiding a ty c ials aga 1/8th m r y. e f a 1 s a ffic nt as a A histo to a — ellation. e of RA o e R s nt canc t becau owns, IH e the ev n day IH onal eve (I r d Bu l unkn onclu ode ile nati g 1995 tia in m oc m in poten ecided t irst time a 1/8th AL dur ro cars. y d f , it e y n l e d l rda e an Satu m for th evious n Ste nclude affair was pr circuit, i did not i gain on ding fro s e Ther on the at event going a m (inclu result wa h held ve), but t s got pessimis the end re belie ce thing y initial rated and rtaining. far mo .

On on, an evapo rn ente oduced hinking pr o et da on no after truly) so d pretty 8th race ally got m indset s lf n m s / a e r a r 1 r h u “ t e u i o yo uniqu t, the s and d at e ing y both retrospec negative t, adjust recorde take som k s s l i in l n d n r i I h a e u t w h e p t y p l d s s an ard d ive cing posit drag ra times an ing does public, I h For a elapsed me mean g racing that ” have so ovice dra track For the n ce. i time. even not they

W

38

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Straight Talk.indd 2

5/24/07 11:36:27 AM

AT AUTODENT MAGICIANS WE SPECIALIZE IN PAINT-LESS DENT REPAIR, MINOR SCRATCH REPAIR, BUMPER SCUFFS AND PROFESSIONAL DETAILING Our technical ‘magicians’ will access the dented panels with specially designed tools which are used to gently massage the metal, bringing that original pristine showroom look back to the vehicle without, body fills, suction cups or the hassle of colour-matching and repainting the damaged panel Whether it is a new or used vehicle, lease return or a classic, dents and scratches take away from their look. The Autodent Magicians’ goal is to bring back that look saving you time and money providing you with great service and a 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE. We fix it or its FREE!!!

Throughout the Greater Toronto Area we work with various dealerships, Canadian Tire stores, Krown Rust Control Centres, auto spas, body shops, car clubs and car rental agencies and are pleased to offer free estimates and mobile repairs. .

Most of our business has been built on referral, People such as yourself who want honest answers, quick and efficient service and peace of mind.

WWW.AUTODENTMAGICIANS.CA 416-434-DENT (3368) INFO@AUTODENTMAGICIANS.CA 1310 DUNDAS ST. E UNIT 15 IN MISSISSAUGA ON

ASK US ABOUT OUR FRANCHISE OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

AFTER

SEEING IS BELIEVING! YOU WILL BE AMAZED WHEN YOU SEE THE RESULTS ON YOUR VEHICLE

autodent 19.03.indd 1

5/25/07 5:07:30 PM

IHRA Edmonton 19.03.indd 1

5/29/07 3:23:06 PM

DaSilva 19.03.indd 1

5/25/07 9:18:00 AM

Story and photos by Bruce Biegler

2007 IHRA Spring Nationals at Rockingham a showcase for the next generation of stars

DRIVERS EMERGE I

HRA’s “next generation” stars are seriously beginning to show their stuff. Strong evidence of exactly that came during some impressive winning performances by rising stars Scott Cannon and T.J. Zizzo during the Spring Nationals at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina.

Cannon, son of the legendary Scotty Cannon, ran roughshod over the Pro Modified program. Driving his spectacular new Torco-sponsored ’68 Firebird, Cannon was the clear performance star from start-to-finish using a wicked string of consistently quick and fast times while claiming his second career national event title.

Cannon’s victory included low ET at 5.992 secs (which earned him the pole) and he was the only racer to dip sub 6.0 secs. He also recorded top speed — 237.63 mph — and during the race his team survived a surprise IHRA tech teardown unscathed. Cannon beat the nitrous-cars of Harold Martin, Jim Halsey and Steve Vick to make the final where he faced another fast-improving racer, Canadian Kenny Lang. But when Lang’s car shook the tires, Cannon roared to a winning 6.020 secs at 236.17 mph.

Also claiming a second career title was Illinoisbased Top Fuel driver Zizzo, another second generation racer. Driving the Race News-sponsored Top Fuel dragster, Zizzo ambushed the field from the #3 position, defeating Scotty Cannon, Scott Weis and Bobby Lagana Jr. to take the title.

TF was paced by Doug Foley who drove the Torco/ Mach Series Accelerator car to both low ET and top speed at 4.552 secs and 320.74 mph. Foley, however, was upset in round one by Weis.

Jack Wyatt scored a “natural hat trick” when he won for the third straight time at IHRA Rockingham

Second generation driver Scott Cannon clobbered the Pro Modified field during IHRA’s Spring Nationals

“Nitro Funny Car title went to Iowa’s Jack Wyatt. Driving a Dodge Avenger paying special tribute to the recent victims at Virginia Tech” For the third straight event at Rockingham, a Nitro Funny Car title went to Iowa’s Jack Wyatt. Driving a Dodge Avenger paying special tribute to the recent victims at Virginia Tech, Wyatt qualified fourth and then mowed down Andy Kelly and Bob Gilbertson to make the final against Jon Capps (younger brother of Ron Capps).

Wyatt prevailed in a close final round battle, winning over Capps’ Chevy Monte Carlo; 5.188/250.69 to 5.229/290.76.

42

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

IHRA Rockingham 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 3:20:45 PM

Bell 19.02.indd 1

3/28/07 10:37:22 AM

2nd generation drivers emerge

T.J. Zizzo, one of IHRA’s fastest rising stars, won Top Fuel for the second time in his career

Capps, making only his third start in Nitro FC, managed to earn his first pole when he shot to a 4.974 secs at 289.94 mph driving the Paul Smithowned and VegasFuel Energy Drink-sponsored car during qualifying.

New York’s John Montecalvo won over a spirited Pro Stock program driving his Citgo-sponsored Chevy Cavalier. Montecalvo turned back defending World Champion Pete Berner in the final, winning a nip-and-tuck 6.388/218.83 to 6.398/218.65 decision. His victory included an important semi-final win over Robert Patrick’s Ford Cobra, allowing Montecalvo to claim the points lead.

Despite rather hot atmospheric conditions, Pro Stock produced the third quickest 16-car field in history with a bump spot of 6.435 secs and 11 of 16 cars ran in the 6.3 secs zone.

Rob Mansfield earned the pole with a 6.333 secs run (low ET) in his Chevy Colbalt and collected the “Last Man Standing” prize during both Friday and Saturday’s qualifying sessions.

Driving his Citgo-sponsored Chevy, John Montecalvo won over a very spirited and quick Pro Stock field

Dobbs and Neal Parker in earlier competition.

Low ET went to Canada’s Robbie Atchison, who got his car settled down temporarily in round one to run a winning 5.797 secs over Rocky Hummel.

Atchison however, had the tire shake blues again in round two and fell to Monroe.

AFC highlights included a return to action for popular lady driver Carl “Bunny” Burkett, who is from Virginia. Burkett, who has battled recent medical problems, was driving a spectacular looking new Dodge Avenger and she qualified fifth at 5.910 secs.

Sportsman titles went to Marco Abruzzi (Top Dragster), Terry Teets (Top Sportsman), Steve McCreary (Super Stock), W.G. Lankas (Stock), Gary Williams (Quick Rod), Jason Ayers (Super Rod) and Scott Morgan (Hot Rod).

In only his third start in the Funny Car class, Jon Capps earned the pole

Despite rather hot atmospheric conditions, Pro Stock produced the third quickest 16-car field in history with a bump spot of 6.435 secs and 11 of 16 cars ran in the 6.3 secs zone.

Alcohol Funny Car saw defending World Champion Mark Thomas pick up where he left off last year with another big win. Thomas fended off a bid by Pennsylvania’s Terry Monroe to win his second race in a row, 5.798/246.39 to 5.852/239.06. Thomas qualified #2 with a 5.813 secs effort and beat Larry 44

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

IHRA Rockingham 19.03.indd 4

5/23/2007 3:19:51 PM

CRC 18.03.indd 1

6/22/06 6:38:20 PM

COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

BMW 335i

Mike Ashley made history in Funny Car at Las Vegas, recording the fastest speed ever in the class at an unreal 334.32 mph!

EMOTIONAL

BY BRUCE BIEGLER | DRAG RACING EDITOR

Photos by Bruce Biegler & Kevin Sproule

RESCUE

It was a weekend of emotion for NHRA racers as they descended upon Las Vegas for the SummitRacing.com Nationals

T

wo “Next Generation” NHRA drivers, Robert Hight and Brandon Bernstein, aided drag racing’s healing process during NHRA’s SummitRacing.com Nationals. The duo, who were both close friends of Eric Medlen who succumbed to injures after a testing accident on March 19, scored highly emotional victories during the event held at “The Strip” at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Hight’s victory in Funny Car was about as timely as any victory in history for John Force Racing and for Eric’s father John Medlen (who was participating at the event). Driving his Auto Club of California Ford Mustang, Hight topped a quick field. In the final he faced current points leader Ron Capps.

Both drivers had tire spin issues but it was Hight who recovered first to win at 5.126 secs/282.90 mph compared to Capps’ 5.592/178.57. The dramatic victory, which also included round wins over Tommy Johnson Jr., Del Worsham and Jim Head, was Hight’s first of’07 and was dedicated to the memory of his fallen teammate.

FC racing was paced by Mike Ashley, who whipped up a sensational speed when he drove the Evan Knoll Torco-sponsored Dodge Charger to low ET at 4.725 secs. On that run Ashley recorded a fantastic 334.32 mph – the fastest speed in FC racing history. However, Ashley was unable to back up that mark for an official NHRA speed record and the outstanding qualifying effort was tempered on Sunday when he was upset by #16 qualifier Jack Beckman.

One of the biggest stories was the shocking DNQ

by John Force, whose best effort of 4.852 secs was 46

Greg Anderson unloaded low ET and top speed in the Pro Stock final round to defeat pole qualifier Jeg Coughlin Robert Hight came the rescue of an emotionally shaken John Force Racing team with a timely victory in Funny Car

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NHRA Las Vegas 19.03 V3.indd 2

5/25/2007 5:01:48 PM

bumped to 17th during Saturday’s final session. That marked the end of an incredible qualifying streak for Force that dated back to 1987 (385 races).

Bernstein scored over a quick Top Fuel field that featured a bump spot of 4.618 secs. Driving his Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster, Bernstein ended a determined bid by Georgia’s Bob Vandergriff, driver of the UPS-sponsored dragster, when his 4.512/330.07 prevailed in the final.

One of the biggest stories was the shocking DNQ by John Force, whose best effort of 4.852 secs was bumped to 17th during Saturday’s final session Bernstein also dedicated his victory to Medlen in a moving post-race gesture. His 13th career NHRA national event included round wins over Clay Millican, Cory McClenathan and Morgan Lucas.

Top Fuel featured a remarkable non-qualifying development when normal class stalwart Doug Kalitta missed the field driving a specially-painted Chip Foose/Mac Tools dragster. Kalitta’s best run was 4.641 secs, which missed the swift 4.618 secs bump.

Low ET was set by Tony Schumacher at 4.479 secs but for the second year in a row he was upset in round one. He lost out to J.R. Todd when his powerful U.S. Army sponsored dragster smoked its tires.

Pro Stock saw Greg Anderson increase his points lead with his third victory of the season. Anderson thrilled the event sponsor with a very timely win in the Summit Racing Equipment-sponsored Pontiac GTO. In the final Anderson saved his best effort of the weekend when he unloaded both low ET and top speed at 6.724 secs at 205.29 mph to turn

A shocking development in Top Fuel included a DNQ for usual class powerhouse Doug Kalitta

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NHRA Las Vegas 19.03 V3.indd 3

47

5/25/2007 5:02:12 PM

emotional rescue

New Jersey’s Frank Aragona Jr., was one of the Sportsman class winners at Las Vegas, taking Competition eliminator Eric Medlen’s father John attended the event at Las Vegas and helped his teammate Robert Hight to victory

Jerry Toliver returned to FC with an all new car and sponsor; he ran well but just missed the program

back the low qualifier Jeg Coughlin, who ran 6.758 secs driving the Slammer-sponsored Chevy Colbalt.

In qualifying, Coughlin and teammate Dave Connolly finished 1-2 in the class, recording identical 6.733 secs runs.

Northwest “hitter” Joey Severance prevailed over a competitive Top Alcohol Dragster program that featured a final round confrontation between the #1 and #2 qualified cars. Polesitter Severance (5.341 secs) wheeled his supercharged alcohol car to victory when Morgan Lucas’s injected nitro car went into instant tire smoke as he hit the throttle. Low ET went to Las Vegas-area racer Duane Shields, who hit 5.335 secs during eliminations before losing to Severance in the semi-finals.

TAFC racing drew a strong entry list of 26 cars and was paced by recent Brian Hough at 5.630 secs.

That championship round featured two Californiabased drivers with Jay Payne scoring over fast rising class star Sean Bellemeur in a battle of Chevy Camaro-bodied machines. Payne, driving his Valvolinesponsored machine, overcame a great .010 RT by Bellemeur to win 5.716/255.05 to 5.815/252.85.

The top performance in TAFC came from another California-based team with Doug Gordon’s potent Chevy Monte Carlo hitting a 5.615 secs at 259.01 mph in round one –low ET/top speed.

Sportsman went to Frank Aragona (Competition), Jody Lang (Stock), Matt Constant (Super Comp) and Rodney Lee (Super Gas).

Photo by Bruce Biegler

WITH HEAVY HEARTS… A

JR Todd, a close personal friend of Eric Medlen, won at NHRA Houston for his fallen comrade 48

t Houston Raceway Park, NHRA racers returned to competition for the first time after learning about the passing of Funny Car driver Eric Medlen. The emotional version of the O’Reilly Spring Nationals was also severely weather plagued and because of rain storms the Pro fields were set on only two qualifiers and Sportsman action was deferred until a later date.

As cosmic as it seems, J.R. Todd, a close friend of Eric Medlen, won huge in Top Fuel driving Dexter Tuttle’s Skull Shine-sponsored dragster. Todd won for the second time this season when he outdistanced surprise first time Top Fuel finalist Joe Hartley in the final. Todd, who had also recently overcome some internal team turmoil following the unexpected departure of his crew chiefs, dedicated the victory to Medlen’s memory in an emotional victory lane celebration.

Ron Capps vaulted to the top of FC points with another dominating run in the Ed McCulloch-tuned Brut Revolution Dodge Charger. Capps dedicated his 24th career win to the memory of fallen classmate Medlen.

FC did not include the John Force Racing team, as the group elected not to compete following the Medlen tragedy. That marked the first time since

1985 that John Force did not competed at a NHRA national event.

In Pro Stock, Jason Line won his first race of the season when he stopped a determined bid by Mopar driver Allen Johnson in the final. “AJ” delivered a superior RT but his run of 6.712/206.26 mph in the Mopar-sponsored Dodge Stratus was run down by Line’s powerful Summit Racing Equipment GTO which won at the stripe at 6.661/207.75.

The Pro Stock Motorcycle title went to Angelle Sampey (for the fifth straight year) who rode her U.S. Armysponsored machine past Craig Treble in an all-Suzuki final round.

AMS Pro Mod was weather affected and that 16-car field was set on a single qualifying round. Home state racer Josh Hernandez prevailed for the third straight year driving the Dr. Moon’s Rage Camaro to victory over Scott Cannon.

Top Alcohol Dragster featured a remarkable performance by defending World Champion Bill Reichert, who set both ends of the NHRA record to an astounding 5.103 secs and 284.75 mph. Reichert topped off his record setting weekend with a final round win over Spencer Massey.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NHRA Las Vegas 19.03 V3.indd 4

5/25/2007 5:02:29 PM

On the Flip Side 19.03-v3.indd 3

6/1/2007 4:52:50 PM

adINDEX:

onthe

4-WHEEL NEWS

FLIPSIDE

BELL MOBILITY..........................................................................................41 www.bell.ca BMW MOTORAD........................................................................................15 www.bmw-motorrad.ca GP BIKES ........................................................................................................29 www.gpbikes.com HONDA DEALER TAG ............................................................................35 www.honda.ca JARDINE ...........................................................................................................39 www.jardineproducts.com KAWASAKI .........................................................................................................5 www.jardineproducts.com KAWASAKI DEALER TAG ....................................................................49 www.kawasaki.ca KYMCO .............................................................................................................19 www.kymco.ca LEGENDS MOTORSPORTS .................................................................34 www.legendsmotorsports.ca LUCAS OIL 3 www.lucasoil.ca NEXO SPORT................................................................................................33 www.nexosports.com RED LINE SYNTHETIC OIL ...................................................................47 www.redlineoil.com RIDE FOR SIGHT ........................................................................................35 www.rideforsight.com SIRIUS SATELLITE.........................................................................................2 www.siriuscanada.ca ST. ONGE RECREATION.........................................................................42 www.stongerecreation.com SUZUKI DEALER TAG 31 www.suzuki.ca SUZUKI OF NEW MARKET .................................................................27 www.suzukiofnewmarket.com TREV DEELEY MOTORCYCLES ......................................................49 www.trevdeeley.com VP FUELS .......................................................................................................23 www.vpracingfuels.com YAMAHA .............................................................................................................6 www.yamaha-motor.ca YAMAHA DEALER TAG ........................................................................43 www.yamaha.ca

GForce Racing Gear 19.02.indd 1

3/30/07 6:30:58 PM

word on the street

The event attracts some of the best and certainly the most unique Fast Street car racers in the world. While participants are for the most part from all over North America, on occasion racers from England, Europe and even Australia have attended.

“When I first took over this event from Bill Herndon he gave me some advice which I will always adhere to,” said Weisinger. “That was to pick a single event each season and promote the heck out of it and do it again and again each year. He also told me to keep the rules both simple and the same. That is some-

The event is almost always unpredictable, with dark horse entries challenging and often upsetting seasoned veterans. thing we work very hard at. We have made very few adjustments to our rules over all the years we have been running our event here. Our philosophy is that when a guy with a fast Street Car comes here we are looking for a way to let him race — never keep him from racing.”

The crowd attending the Real World Street Car Nationals is always amazing and easily surpasses even some national event level events for the major sanctioning bodies — much to their chagrin. When they say “standing room only,” they mean exactly that. The capacity crowd is always totally into what is happening on the track and that enthusiasm is a constant.

“We feel blessed with the great group of drivers that come here each year as well as our fan base,” Weisinger added. “Because of that great following we are always trying to make improvements. We had to add another 2,000 seats for this year (2006) and as time goes on we will keep on adding.”

At the 2006 event the rumour mill did circulate that the Real Street Car Nationals event was about to run its course due to an imminent expiry of the track

52

lease. Weisenger was quick to squelch that notion.

“I hold the lease on the track and that is good until December 2015,” he clarified. “We have at least nine years left.”

Each year I am privileged to attend approximately 20 national event level races (NHRA & IHRA). I can honestly say, however that when I do have the opportunity to attend the Orlando Real World Street Car Nationals it is a very refreshing and totally enjoyable experience and change of pace. It is truly a different breed of drag racing with outstanding participants, ultra cool machinery and a terrific environment.

For any true and well rounded fan of drag racing – at least one trip to the Real World Street Car Nationals should be a top priority. My advice is to mark your calendars now – the 2007 Real World Street Car Nationals will go down on Oct. 25-28.

I hold the lease on the track and that is good until December 2015, we have at least nine years left -Carl Weisinger

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Orlando 19.03.indd 4

5/23/2007 6:37:34 PM

JVC has everything you need while on the road with our KD-NX5000 — 40GB HDD navigaƟon with 3D map viewing, DVD playback, Bluetooth® and iPod® adapters, and much more! Load all of your favourite music onto the massive 24GB HDD music server.

Using the JVC original Lossless Encoder the sound will maintain its original CD quality.

You can also use a compressed format to store more files — the equivalent of 6000 songs.* Visit www.jvc.ca for more details.

Also available are JVC 2007 DVD/CD receivers, improved for USB connecƟvity, DivX® Ultra playback, and iPod® -like operaƟon.

KD-AVX33

DVD/CD Receiver with 3.5” Wide Monitor

Bluetooth® Built-In, USB Port, 5V Line Outputs, Time Alignment, Dual Zone Surround, 5.1 Channel DTS/Dolby Digital

KD-AVX11

DVD/CD Receiver with 2.7” Wide Monitor Ready for iPod®, SAT Radio Ready, AV Input Terminals, Motorized/Detachable Face, DivX® Ultra CerƟfied

* Based on 4 minutes per song encoded at 128 Kbps in MP3, WMA files.

JVC.indd 1

4/9/2007 5:51:37 PM

SOUTHERN

SUMMITthunder!

R

epeat winners highlighted action during NHRA’s Southern Nationals near Atlanta when recent Las Vegas event champions Brandon Bernstein, Robert Hight and Greg Anderson all scored second consecutive circuit victories. The event also marked the second straight POWERade event hosted by innovative performance parts mail order giant Summit Racing.

Bernstein assumed the overall points lead when he used a final round 4.662 secs at 305.01 mph driving the Budweiser/Lucas Oil dragster to turn back a strong event bid from North Carolina’s Doug Herbert in the Snap-On Tools sponsored machine.

Bernstein, who qualified #8, bested the second quickest Top Fuel field in history (4.579 secs bump) by beating David Grubnic, Doug Kalitta and Doug Foley in earlier competition.

Hight closed the gap behind Funny Car points leader Ron Capps to 49 points with his victory. Hight rode his Jimmy Prock-tuned AAA Auto Club Ford Mustang to a winning 4.882/314.61 to end the quest of New York’s Mike Ashley for his first NHRA FC event win. Ashley, who entered the final as a slight favourite after running both low ET and top speed (4.704 secs & 331.04 mph) while taking the pole, slowed from the pace to a losing 5.167 secs in the final.

Hight beat Capps in a crucial third round headto-head showdown, winning a 4.906 secs to 4.989 secs decision.

After sitting out Houston and being a DNQ at Las Vegas, John Force did qualify at Atlanta. But he surprisingly still remains winless this season after he lost a high profile first round match to his daughter Ashley Force — the first ever match-up between a Father and Daughter in FC class history. Ashley won convincingly at 4.779/317.05 while John went up in tire smoke.

Greg Anderson strengthened his lead in Pro Stock by winning for the fourth time in four final round appearances this season. Anderson defeated sentimental crowd favourite Warren Johnson (from nearby Sugar Hill, GA) in the final, winning rather handily; 6.671/207.62 to 6.719/205.79.

Anderson’s victory also included low ET and top speed – new Atlanta Dragway track record marks of 6.627 secs and 208.71 mph driving the rampaging Summit Racing Pontiac GTO. His victory came over a swift and competitive Pro Stock affair that saw all

Greg Anderson strengthened his lead in Pro Stock by winning for the fourth time in four final round appearances this season.

Story and photos by Bruce Biegler

“Hot-lanta” plays host to back-to-back national event winners

Greg Anderson continued his domination in Pro Stock, winning for the fourth time in four final rounds this season

fer rode to her second win of the season aboard the Geico-sponsored Suzuki, defeating the Buell of Matt Smith which broke on the starting line in the final.

Stoffer’s fifth career NHRA title also included round wins over Steve Johnson, Andrew Hines and Geno Scali. The victory has moved the likeable rider into first place in PSM points.

Texan Josh Hernandez claimed his third straight AMS Pro Mod Challenge title of the season driving the powerful Dr. Moon’s Rage ’68 Camaro. The PM final was rather anti-climatic as Hernandez’s opponent Doug Palmer shut off on the starting line because of a fuel leak. Prior to that, Hernandez was impressive, qualifying on the pole with a 5.974 secs, and topping Quain Stott, Matt Hagan and Jay Payne with consecutive quick runs.

Top Alcohol racing featured a first time winner with Texan Spencer Massey scoring in TAD, following a final round battle of injected nitro cars – winning over Quebec’s Daniel Mercier. The TAFC crown went

to New Jersey’s Frank Manzo who dominated action driving the Lucas Oil-sponsored Chevy Monte Carlo. Manzo ran a final round 5.577/262.18 to easily handle opponent Marc White and notch his 68th career win.

Female racers continued their season long domination in Pro Stock Motorcycle, winning for the third time Sportsman titles went to Glen Treadwell (Competition), Michael Iacono (Stock), Edmond Richardson (Super Comp), Dan Fletcher (Super Gas) and Lamar Stevenson (Super Street). Home state driver Jeff Barker won the event’s specially added “Dart Dash” for Top Sportsman cars.

John and Ashley Force made Funny Car history when they met in the first round at Atlanta; Ashley won convincingly

16-qualified cars bunched between 6.627 secs and 6.696 secs.

Female racers continued their season long domination in Pro Stock Motorcycle, winning for the third time in three races so far this year. Nevada’s Karen Stof54

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NHRA Atlanta 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 6:33:06 PM

“#1 In Innovation!”

NEW FOR 2007!

SUITS

NOMEX

X LIGHT 290

“STORM” GLOVES

SEATING

SAFETY

SPRINT V 5PT

JRP, Inc. Toronto West 905-822-7223

HANS BELTS

Camo Tuning Montreal 514-637-6677

Speed Factor Winnipeg 204-261-3003

HELMETS SPY05 SA2005

FOOTWEAR RACE PRO • RACE

SPORTSWEAR ACCESSORIES ZIP-UP HOODIE

JRP Est Quebec City 418-681-6294

“CHAMPION” STEERING WHEEL

Speedtech Calgary 403-250-7751

Revolution Barrie 866-856-4500

DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME www.jrponline.com 905-822-7223

JRP-Sparco 9.03.indd 1

5/8/07 1:25:08 PM

56

issue over the past few years for the existing cars, the basic design of which is still being used in 20 races and all events in the Busch Series.

In terms of competition, early indications were good news and bad.

The good news was that the first three races — at Bristol, TN, Martinsville, VA, and Phoenix, AZ – were all decided by a margin of less than a second. Kyle Busch’s victory over Jeff Burton at Bristol, and Jimmie Johnson’s victory over Gordon at Martinsville, were both decided by less than 1/10th of a second.

The bad news was that the COT, at least in the short run, affected the balance of competition. As Mark Martin had predicted prior to the season, the teams with the most resources were the ones who excelled. Each of the first three COT races was won by the same team, Hendrick Motorsports. Obviously, they were all won by Chevrolet drivers, which, in itself, was hardly a surprise since Chevy went to victory lane in eight of the season’s first nine races, COT or not.

The new car, in terms of competitive technology, was both “dumbed down” and generic. Despite rather contrived claims to the contrary, practically the only differences in the COT versions of the Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Dodge Avenger and Toyota

When Jeff Gordon expresses his displeasure, he’s not exactly voting his pocketbook.

Camry were in the shape of windows and the decals applied to simulate head- and taillights.

NASCAR officials promised the teams they would eventually save money, that is, once they stopped having to prepare two entirely different sets of cars, which could be as long as two years.

Photos by LAT Photographic

O

nly NASCAR could wheel out the new race-car design that is being phased into the tracks serviced by the Nextel Cup Series and dub it the “Car of Tomorrow.”

Tomorrow? There’s a certain futuristic implication in the word. Once upon a time, a nickname with the word “tomorrow” suggested cutting-edge technology. It conjured up visions of Dad commuting to work with a rocket pack attached to his gray-flannel suit, or dropping a tablet into a kitchen pot and watching with amazement as it sprouted into a turkey dinner.

The Car of Tomorrow, circa 2007, looks like a 1984 Nova with a wing on the back. Among the men who make their livings racing in stock car racing’s most prestigious series, opinion is widely divided on the so-called COT, but almost all of them consider it ugly.

When Jeff Gordon expresses his displeasure, he’s not exactly voting his pocketbook. Gordon finished third in the first COT race, second in the second and first in the third, qualifying fastest for all three. By all rights, he should be in love with it. He isn’t.

“We ran well with it from the beginning at some of the tests,” said Gordon. “I think a lot of people thought I was complaining about it because I wasn’t going to run good in it, and that wasn’t the case at all. It was quite the opposite. We were running really strong with it right from the beginning. My concerns are mile-and-a-half race tracks, and we’ll only find out when we get to a mile-and-a-half race track.

“The aerodynamic philosophy and package that it has: not bad. The high-roll center this car has: not crazy about it. And the way it looks: not crazy about it. That might seem like a silly thing, but when you driver a race car, you want to look cool, and I feel like there’s got to be a way to get the same aerodynamics characteristics and still have it look sleek and more Car of the Tomorrow.”

Almost everyone praises the new design for its safety innovation, but safety hasn’t been a major

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 2:42:41 PM

theFUTURE the FUTURE Oddly, NASCAR’s new Car of Tomorrow is really turning back the clock for the top series in North America. After three races, Monte Dutton examines the good and bad news that accompanied the debut of the COT.

Kyle Busch hoped to win the debut race for the COT in Bristol and he did just that; but then he trashed the new car in his postrace comments

Eventually, of course, these cars will be cheaper.

Generics always are.

“It used to be so much more fun,” said Martin.

“You used to be able to be creative and bring things to table if you were smart and creative. There are just hardly any areas to work anymore. For me, I’m not even smart, and I used to be able to bring things to the table.

“Man, you could put the world on pause and 10 years later, I still wouldn’t come up with anything.

The box is really tight today. It’s a different world.”

Though Martin deems it coincidence, he didn’t compete in the first two COT races.

Then there’s the strange saga of the first COT winner, Kyle Busch. Busch hates the car and didn’t change his mind even when he won by slightly less than a car length over Burton at Bristol. After the race, he revealed that he had fantasized about winning the first race ever since he tested the car for the first time. He had told his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, that he wanted to win the first race, then trash the car in the post-race press conference.

That’s exactly what Busch did. He had called his

shot in a way Babe Ruth never dreamed about. In Busch’s view, it wasn’t the COT (Car of Tomorrow); it was the CTS (Car That Stinks). To hear Busch tell it, he’d won a race of Conestoga wagons across the nearby Holston Mountains.

“I still am not a very big fan of these things,” he

“Man, you could put the world on pause and 10 years later, I still wouldn’t come up with anything. The box is really tight today. It’s a different world.”

Mark Martin said. “I can’t stand to drive them. They (stink).”

Six weeks later, Busch was still holding his ground.

Asked to assess the competitive prospects before a COT race in Richmond, VA, Busch said, “Oh, yeah, follow the leader, single file. It’s going to be great.”

Busch’s position was extreme. Most drivers PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR 19.03.indd 3

57

5/23/2007 2:45:02 PM

back to the future

“…And the way it looks: not crazy about it. That might seem like a silly thing, but when you drive a race car, you want to look cool, and I feel like there’s got to be a way to get the same aerodynamics characteristics and still have it look sleek and more Car of the Tomorrow.”

-Jeff Gordon

There isn’t a whit of difference between the bodies and chassis components...

NASCAR wants its drivers and teams, not its manufacturers, to make the difference. If the cost, however, is the complete collapse of any vestige of brand identity, what has the sport really gained?

DODGEavenger

FORDfusion

58

CHEVROLETimpalla ss

TOYOTAcamry

recognized the inevitability. Many owners, fretting over the financial demands of a schedule split between two kinds of cars, are calling for full-scale implementation of the COT next year. Some resistance can be attributed to the natural discomfort of adapting to a different style of car and the accompanying changes in driving style it requires.

Even its partisans — oddly enough, Kyle Busch’s older brother Kurt is one, along with Dale Earnhardt Jr. — concede that the COT is difficult to turn in the apex of corners, which brings us to the most common cliché associated with the car: “It’s the same for everybody.”

Some drivers, most notably the embattled Tony Stewart, said basically they didn’t care what kind of care NASCAR required them to drive. “Don’t care” could be seen as a synonym for “what I think doesn’t matter.”

“Nothing really changes,” Stewart said. “It doesn’t matter to me the whether it’s a Car of Tomorrow race or not. Whatever I can get into, it’s about how fast we can get it to go and trying to be faster than everyone else is.”

In short, the Car of Tomorrow has been a mixed bag. The early races were marked by close finishes, but also by a week-after-week recurrence of the same names and the same team.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR 19.03.indd 4

5/23/2007 2:43:16 PM

Tissot 19.03.indd 1

5/23/07 4:19:52 PM

In short, the Car of Tomorrow has been a mixed bag. The early races were marked by close finishes, but also by a week-afterweek recurrence of the same names and the same team

The COT’s implementation marks almost the piece de resistance in a gradual trend toward uniformity that began in the early 1990s. Where once NASCAR officials wanted the various competing manufacturers to field entries of equivalent strength, now the competition can accurately be described as almost equal in the sense of sameness. There isn’t a whit of difference between the bodies and chassis components, and the standardization of the power plants is almost as complete.

All the competitive teams were comprised of Chevrolets. A design intended to make the manufacturers less crucial somehow seemed to have contributed to one, Chevrolet, becoming the only one that mattered.

NASCAR wants its drivers and teams, not its manufacturers, to make the difference. If the cost, however, is the complete collapse of any vestige of brand identity, what has the sport really gained?

The next logical step — perhaps the only one remaining — would be an end to use of the brand names altogether. Perhaps one day soon, the Daytona 500 will take the green flag with 43 identically 60

prepared, uh, Nascars.

Though the competition may eventually normalize, the birth of the COT resulted in a narrowing of competition. It was almost like a return to the 1970s, when many races came down to a battle between the titans of the era: Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison. In general, the Hendrick cars dominated. Two of Joe Gibbs Racing’s entries, Stewart and Denny Hamlin, were usually fast if faulty. Richard Childress’ three cars showed flashes of speed but were notably inconsistent.

All the competitive teams were comprised of Chevrolets. A design intended to make the manufacturers less crucial somehow seemed to have contributed to one, Chevrolet, becoming the only one that mattered. In fact, Hendrick seemed to have become the only Chevrolet team that really mattered.

“We hope to keep it going,” insisted Johnson, “but we know the competition’s right there and sooner or later someone else is going to win one of these races.”

For everyone not wheeling a Hendrick-owned Impala, the only possible reply seemed to be “hope springs eternal.”

NASCAR has spent too much money to back off its Car of Tomorrow, regardless of how inappropriate the designation.

“I’m not really paying much attention to what car I’m driving,” said Burton. “I’m just trying to make it go around the track as fast as I can.

“And I think that’s probably what everybody’s doing.”

Resistance is futile.

“We hope to keep it going...but we know the competition’s right there and sooner or later someone else is going to win one of these races.”

-Jimmie Johnson

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR 19.03.indd 6

5/23/2007 2:47:54 PM

4 4+/

L=D L6CIH ID <D ;6HI4 #ANADA 7IDE 0ARTS $ISTRIBUTORS CAN SUPPLY YOU WITH THE 4REMEC TRANSMISSION DESIGNED TO HELP YOU REALIZE YOUR PERFORMANCE GOALS 7HATEVER 4REMEC UNIT YOU REQUIRE WE HAVE THE UNITS AND PARTS TO GET YOU GOING AND KEEP YOU GOING #ALL US AND SPEAK TO ONE OF OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERTS TODAY

%DMONTON

3URREY

-ISSISSAUGA

!VENUE

5NIT !VENUE

5NIT 3HAWSON $RIVE

Canada Wide Parts 9.02.indd 1

3/23/07 1:58:43 PM

Photo by Jaime Maudsley

DJ Kennington had some struggles in 2006, but he should rebound in 2007 and challenge for the title again

O

n May 26, a new chapter will be written in both the history of Canadian stock car racing and the history of NASCAR. At Cayuga Speedway, most of the former cars and stars of the CASCAR Super Series will kick off the inaugural campaign of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, a 12-race series that will take the top drivers in Canada from British Columbia to Nova Scotia.

While a lot of things will stay the same, such as the core of the teams, the tracks, and the equipment – there have been a number of additions, including new teams, a couple of new events, and some advances in safety.

NEW BEGINNING The 2007 cars will have different tires and wheels from their predecessors, which also required body changes to accommodate for the new rubber. Performance Fibreglass, owned by former CASCAR founder Tony Novotny will continue to supply bodies to the series.

Other than some minor upgrades on parts, all the other changes have been in the name of safety — items like placement of the fire system, some of the bars in the drivers cocoon being replaced with stronger material, and holes for the ‘Jaws of Life’ to hook up to.

Teams have also discovered that NASCAR rule changes come down in a little different fashion. They have to keep the fax machines plugged in and be ready to make changes on the fly.

NASCAR also informed teams that they would not be able to purchase tires at the track. Like the sanctioning bodies’ other traveling series, teams will have to give NASCAR their rims and NASCAR will return them with the tires mounted.

NASCAR and Canadian Tire have also taken a number of steps to support the series off the track, with a marketing plan designed to take the group of teams to what has often been referred to as “the next level.”

These steps have already included a sweepstakes 62

prize and an increase in awareness campaigns at Canadian Tire stores. The contests, promotions and exposure will increase not only as the season approaches, but also in the future, as the pair uses all their arms, branches, and means to propel the series to new heights.

THE TEAM TO BEAT Two of the early favourites for the 2007 championship will again be driving out of the Fitzpatrick Motorsports stable — teammates JR Fitzpatrick and Don Thomson Jr. will again be in their familiar black Chevrolet Monte Carlos.

Fitzpatrick, the 18-year-old champion of the final CASCAR Super Series championship last season, showed ability far beyond his years. He won his first feature race at Barrie and laid down some tremendous performances on road courses to wrestle the championship away from his teammate.

For Thomson, it was the end of a five-year title run the Home Hardware team had ripped off. According to Thomson, finishing second to JR was as good as

NASCAR and Canadian Tire have also taken a number of steps to support the series... a marketing plan designed to take the group of teams to what has often been referred to as “the next level.” a win. “We finished one-two in the championship and that was pretty awesome. Losing to JR wasn’t a really big deal. Now, if we had of finished second to another driver, it would have been a big deal.”

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR CDN.indd 2

5/23/2007 4:40:50 PM

Thomson will be looking for another championship performance. “We don’t have a lot of time to sit around here and list goals of what we have to accomplish. We know what we have to do. We’d rather spend our time getting ready to go to the track, so we can have a shot at running well every time out.”

Thomson’s teammate did stress that he has a game plan. “I think we can be in the top-five and win a few races,” Fitzpatrick explained. “There were a bunch of times last year that we could have won, and didn’t and I want to turn those into wins this year. We had ignition problems at Edmonton, dropped a cylinder at Cayuga,” Fitzpatrick then joked, “and were probably too generous at Trois-Rivieres (when he had a couple of opportunities to pass teammate Thomson and didn’t risk it). I’ve also got a new road course car, and I’m ready to get that out.”

READY TO POUNCE

SAME OLD

EXCITEMENT After years of waiting, NASCAR is finally making its presence felt north of the border as the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series prepares for its debut at Cayuga Speedway. Jamie Maudsley examines the changes the former CASCAR Super Series has seen and what fans can expect on the track this year.

photo by Ramesh Bayney

With two National titles, and second place finishes in 2004 and 2006 as well as the most wins in the history of the Super Series, Peter Gibbons would have to rank close to Thomson as the best in the history of the tour. Gibbons thinks he has the brake problems that plagued him last season sorted out and is ready to take home some more checkered flags.

NEW NAME

“I think we can be in the top-five and win a few races, there were a bunch of times last year that we could have won, and didn’t and I want to turn those into wins this year” PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR CDN.indd 3

63

5/23/2007 4:41:12 PM

photo by Ramesh Bayney

photo by Ramesh Bayney

Don Thomson Jr. (l.) had his five-year title run halted in 2006, but it was just fine with him as it was his protégé and teammate JR Fitzpatrick (r.) who took the crown; the Fitzpatrick Motorsports boys will still be the cars to beat in the new Canadian Tire Series

IF THINGS GO THEIR WAY… Mark Dilley made himself the answer to a CASCAR trivia question somewhere down the line by winning the final event of 2006 at Kawartha to cement a fifth in the standings. The former National champion will be

Ron Beauchamp Jr. has a new oval car for 2007 and hopes matching it with his one-year-old road course car will put the Team Mopar leader into title contention been a great relationship since day one,” Dilley said.

“We recently signed a multi-year extension with them that will see us working together well into the future.

Dodge’s commitment to my team and to Canadian motorsports is second to none.”

Another hot Dodge this season should be the Mopar Performance Dodge Charger of Ron Beauchamp Jr. The Windsor, ON driver took delivery of a brand new Hess chassis for his oval track car this year to go with the one-year old road course machine that took him to three top-10 starts and three top-10 finishes, including a third-place finish at Trois-Rivieres. Beauchamp also found his way back to victory lane last year, winning at Ste. Eustache and placing seventh in points.

Kerry Micks should be tough to start the season, but a three-race commitment was all he could offer at

press time. “We’ve got a deal with Beyond Digital Imaging for a few races,” Dilley said. “I’m hoping we can get past that.” The Mt. Albert, ON driver is long removed from his 1993 CASCAR title, but he’s been a model of consistency, getting as close as you can, finishing second in 2001 and 2003, and finishing third last year.

STILL NOT THERE YET… Scott Steckley and Brad Graham both took the next step in 2006 as the duo claimed their first CASCAR wins. Steckley turned the trick at the season opener at Barrie Speedway. The Milverton, ON driver made a major change to his Erb Group sponsored racing program, climbing into the seat of a Dodge for the first time. The change worked for him as he put up a career-best finish of sixth in the standings.

photo byJaime Maudsley

The first three-time National champion in CASCAR history will be looking to be the first champion of the new Canadian Tire Series in 2007. David Whitlock, owner of Whitlock Motorsports, is also bringing a new sponsor to the party, recently announcing Dickie’s clothing will be featured on the side of his Dodge. This is one of the first examples of a NASCAR sponsor being brought into the series. Whitlock finished fourth in points last year, capturing a victory on the half-mile oval at Mosport.

DJ Kennington is also a championship contender, despite finishing eighth in points last season. But that finish was in no way an indication of the way he ran. His performance will probably be closer to 2005 when he finished third in points and ripped off a streak of three feature wins in a row. The pilot of the Castrol Dodge Charger has also been busy south of the border, qualifying for a number of NASCAR Busch Series events and finishing 27th at Phoenix Speedway.

Kerry Micks should be tough to start the season, but a three-race commitment was all he could offer at press time. wheeling his familiar #9 Dodge Charger in 2007. Dilley has been a model of consistency over the past eight seasons, finishing between fourth and ninth every year.

“We’re entering our third year with Dodge and it’s 64

Mark Dilley is always among the points leaders and with renewed commitment from Dodge the former CASCAR champion would love to be the first champion of the Canadian Tire Series

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR CDN.indd 4

5/23/2007 4:41:29 PM

Angel Wings 19.03.indd 1

2/12/07 10:52:51 AM

QUICK IS BETTER. JIFFY-TITE

®

WITH

QUICK-CONNECT FLUID FITTINGS “Nothing is quicker or easier to use than Jiffy-tite QuickConnect Fluid Fittings.”

Warren Johnson 6-time NHRA Pro Stock Champion

Whether it’s a fuel, oil, water, or transmission application, Jiffy-tite Quick-Connect Fluid Fittings easily connect or disconnect in seconds without tools. Unlike outdated threaded fittings, flow is shut off automatically when Jiffy-tite fittings disconnect, making this the safest plumbing solution available. Sure, you like fast… but you’re going to love Quick!

“I believe it’s the right opportunity at the right time for my career...I’m looking forward to showing my skills behind the wheel of a stock car” star Andrew Ranger announced that he has secured a deal to compete in the Canadian Tire Series. Ranger, from Roxton Pond, QC cut his teeth in open wheeled cars, with credentials including an Atlantic Rookieof-the-Year title and a ride in the Champ Car World Series, where he placed in the top-10 twice.

“I believe it’s the right opportunity at the right time for my career,” explained Ranger. “I enjoyed my two years in Champ Car, but I’m also looking forward to showing my skills behind the wheel of a stock car. If all goes well, it could lead to competing in the NASCAR Busch Series race in Montreal this summer.”

Ranger will pilot the Tide sponsored machines for Dave Jacombs’ team, with Jacombs climbing out of the seat. “I’ve been at this almost 30 years, and I felt it was time to get out. I tried the car owner thing last year with Robin Buck, Patrick Carpentier, and Andrew Ranger all getting in the car. I wanted to see if it was something I wanted to do after I quit driving and I liked it.”

With that, the debut season for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is set. The Canadian motorsports landscape is about to change and the excitement in Cayuga on May 26 will be palpable.

new name, same old excitement

Photo by Mike Levitt/LAT

FAST IS GOOD.

Graham and Steckley both started their CASCAR careers at Delaware Speedway, and like Steckley, Graham broke out with his first win last season, turning the trick at Sun Valley Speedway in Vernon.

He returns to action again in 2007 with Challenger Motor Freight on board looking to to improve on a 10th-place result last season.

The Fastline Motorsports Team, featuring drivers Jim and Jeff Lapcevich, is still finalizing plans for this season. When they do race, the brothers will be in their ultra fast Tim Horton’s and Emcea Transportation backed Chevys. Jeff was able to post another victory last season, picking up the checkered flag on the airport surface during the Grand Prix of Edmonton.

Jason Hathaway struggled like any rookie stepping up, but during the second half of the season the Snap-On Dodge caught fire. Over the final six events, Hathaway only missed finishing in the top-seven at Montreal.

The splashiest announcement from a team during the off season came down late, as Quebec road racing

Former Champ Car driver Andrew Ranger will test his mettle in stock cars this year as he takes the reins of Dave Jacombs’ Tide car

DJ Kennington had some struggles in 2006, but he should rebound in 2007 and challenge for the title again

Available in valved & non-valved flow-through designs

Kerry Micks can win on any track, but as of press time he had only secured a three-race deal with Beyond Digital for 2007

888-605-7788 www.jiffy-tite.com 66

photo byJaime Maudsley

Made in U.S.A.

“Better by Design”

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

NASCAR CDN.indd 6

5/23/2007 4:42:37 PM

Cayuga 19.03.indd 1

6/1/07 4:20:15 PM

TRADINGPAINT

Photo by LAT Photographic

WITH MONTE DUTTON

CHANGES HAVEN’T CURED

“I’m not a statistician...I just go to the race track. I don’t really know. Everybody has done a good job. I think our sport is very big...”

-Kevin Harvick 68

NASCAR…yet Fortune 500 sponsors. I don’t really know all the ins and outs of why the TV ratings are up or down, or why the tracks are or are not sold out. I still say the crowds are bigger than any other sport so I would say we’re doing OK.” Harvick is right: The sport is doing OK. The problem is that so much of what is going on is predicated on perpetual growth. Whether by coincidence or not, International Speedway Corporation has abandoned attempts to build new tracks in New York and Washington state.

Local opposition seemed to take NASCAR and ISC operatives by surprise. Government officials characterized them as arrogant and insensitive.

Toyota’s entry has been a bust. After the season’s first nine races, Brian Vickers’ 10th-place finish at California was the best finish by a Toyota driver. In fact, Vickers collected the new manufacturer’s three best finishes.

Unfortunately he had qualified for the field only one other time. Toyota’s most visible spokesman, Michael Waltrip, failed to make the field eight times in a row, and his reputation was marred by a cheating scandal at Daytona and a mysterious passenger-car accident on the night before Easter.

The other end of the spectrum was just as troubling.

Chevrolet drivers won eight of the first nine races.

For more than three decades, NASCAR officials have

Photo by Lesley Ann Miller

I

n a sense, the early returns are a bit confusing. The quality of NASCAR racing seems excellent. Jeff Gordon tracked down the late Dale Earnhardt, surpassing the seven-time champion’s victory total with back-to-back victories in Phoenix and Talladega to move into sixth place all-time. To do so, Gordon brilliantly outdueled Tony Stewart at Phoenix and beat the reigning champ, teammate Jimmie Johnson, at Talladega.

The first two races for the entirely new design, the so-called Car of Tomorrow, provided nearly side-byside finishes, with Kyle Busch winning at Bristol and Johnson at Martinsville. Kevin Harvick won an exciting, if controversial, race in the Daytona 500, the sport’s biggest event.

Yet, television ratings and attendance continue to slide. The oft-reported trend has left NASCAR’s spin doctors prickly and defensive. Their explanation is that most sports are experiencing similar trends, particularly in TV, where more and more options leave viewers dividing up a pie with smaller and smaller slices.

Still, NASCAR ratings in the States continue to decline, and that wasn’t the case until 2006. The concern was obvious, as evidenced by radical changes implemented this year.

The Chase for the Nextel Cup, a season-ending, 10race series, was amended to include two more drivers and apportion a greater value to victories. Toyota, the first foreign manufacturer, has been welcomed into the sport’s premier series. Juan Montoya, a star of international renown, joined the sport, creating hope that Montoya’s presence would draw legions of Hispanic fans.

The drivers, for the most part, seem confused and unable to offer much of an explanation for the troubling decline in exposure.

“I’m not a statistician,” said Harvick. “I just go to the race track. I don’t really know. Everybody has done a good job. I think our sport is very big; we have a lot of

“I don’t really know all the ins and outs of why the TV ratings are up or down, or why the tracks are or are not sold out. I still say the crowds are bigger than any other sport so I would say we’re doing OK.” -Kevin Harvick

standardized the cars gradually. The Car of Tomorrow seemed almost generic in appearance. With one manufacturer dominating as never before, it seemed fair to question what had been achieved by making the cars more and more alike. Brand loyalty has declined in roughly the same rate as the standardization, but it would be naïve to assume that Chevy’s success hasn’t dimmed the interest of Ford, Dodge and Toyota fans.

Perhaps a transition is taking place. Perhaps the fans need time to grow accustomed to the most radical short-term changes in NASCAR’s history.

Perhaps, for once, NASCAR’s leadership needs to be patient.

Patience, at least during the tenure of Brian France as NASCAR chairman, hasn’t been a common virtue.

The debut for Toyota has been dismal in NASCAR as Brian Vickers’ 10th-place at California is still the best finish for the Camry

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Trading Paint 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 4:03:03 PM

Lincoln Electric 19.03.indd 1

5/25/07 11:56:29 AM

Photos by Ramesh Bayney

SPECIAL FEATURE

BY JAMIE MAUDSLEY

GUNNING FOR THE

CHECKERED FLAG “THE NOT WINNING PART BOTHERS ME WAY

TWO-TIME NATIONAL CHAMPION PETER GIBBONS LOOKS TO REBOUND FROM A WINLESS 2006 SEASON AS HIS CAR SPONSOR TAKES OVER AS THE TITLE SPONSOR OF THE NEW NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES IN 2007.

MORE THAN THE POINTS. WE COME TO CAPTURE CHECKERED FLAGS, AND DON’T REALLY GET CAUGHT UP IN THE POINTS.” - Peter Gibbons

25 70

P

eter Gibbons wasn’t used to the results his team put up during the 2006 racing season, and has taken steps designed to put his familiar number 1 back in the winner’s circle in 2007 on the new NASCAR Canadian Tire Series tour.

For the first time since he stepped into the former CASCAR Super Series, Gibbons has been among the top drivers, winning a race every year except 2002 and capturing one Eastern championship and a pair of National titles before hitting a dry spell last year.

Gibbons was unable to record a single victory in 2006, as his Chevrolet slid to eighth in the championship standings.

“The not winning part bothers me way more than

the points,” the two-time champ said. “We come to capture checkered flags, and don’t really get caught up in the points.

“We’ve had a pretty busy off-season,” continued the all-time winningest driver of the former CASCAR Super Series. “Most of the changes to the cars have been safety issues, like moving pipes and things like that, and when you have a bunch of cars it takes some time. We also have a new chassis this year. Billy Hess built us a new one and we have a different person helping us with our motor program. I think it’s going to add up to a much better year.”

The Gibbons Motorsports Team has also been busy on the test track. “We had so many brake problems

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Mauldsley 19.03.indd 2

5/24/07 3:12:49 PM

THE OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE RETAILER OF NASCAR IN CANADA. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series marks are used under license by Destination Motorsports LP and Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited. NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.

“OUR TEAM HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH CANADIAN TIRE SINCE 1999, AND IT’S BEEN A TREMENDOUS RELATIONSHIP. THEY HAVE DONE SO MUCH FOR OUR TEAM... I THINK CANADIAN TIRE IS REALLY GOING TO BE A GREAT PARTNER TO HELP NASCAR WITH THE CANADIAN MARKET.” - Peter Gibbons last year; we cannot afford to have that happen again this season.”

A recent test at Caraway Speedway in North Carolina was a success. “I was so hard on the brakes. I wanted to abuse them and see how they reacted, and they held up great.”

A number of eyes will also be focused on Gibbons this year because of the company that adorns his quarter-panels – Canadian Tire – the title sponsor of the new series.

“Our team has been involved with Canadian Tire since 1999, and it’s been a tremendous relationship.

They have done so much for our team, and have a lot of things happening for the upcoming season. It’s a long-term deal, and I think Canadian Tire is really going to be a great partner to help NASCAR with the Canadian market. We couldn’t keep going in circles like we were before, and I think in time, this is going to be a much better deal for everyone.”

Gibbons is also a veteran of the NASCAR ranks, racing Busch and Sportsman cars over the years.

“They (NASCAR) run everything first class,” he said.

“There is a lot of safety stuff that they’re trying that we’ve never had before. I think over the last few years CASCAR had opened up the rules a bit — like on restarts — and weren’t staying on top of it.”

Gibbons also pointed out that it will be the little things that NASCAR also helps with. “When we got to the track before we would line up for an hour and a half just to get into the track, now we’ll be able to sign up one race ahead of time, for the next race so we can just get to the track and head right in and get to work.

That will give all the teams an extra 20 hours working on the cars at the track during the year.”

But aside from all the changes, the nose of the # 1 Monroe Brake / Canadian Tire Chevrolet will be on the hunt for checkered flags. And if a championship gets in the way — so be it!

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Mauldsley 19.03.indd 3

25

5/24/07 3:13:06 PM

QUICK START IN

ATLANTICS

Photos by Lesley Ann Miller/LAT

BY DAVID HATTER

HINCHCLIFFE AND WICKENS IN GREAT POSITION IN ATLANTIC TITLE CHASE AFTER THREE RACES

pair of young Toronto drivers, James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens, are off to a strong start in this year’s Champ Car Atlantic series. After three races, Hinchcliffe, 20, ranks third overall in the championship, while Wickens, 18, is just one point behind him in fourth place. Wickens also heads the Rookie-of-the-Year standings.

One of them has been on the podium at each event so far, although it is Raphael Matos, Hinchcliffe’s teammate at Sierra Enterprises, who has been dominating.

The 25-year-old Brazilian has won all three races (Las Vegas, Long Beach and Houston), although nobody is yet ready to concede the title.

“I’m not worried that Raph is going to run away with it. A lot of things are going his way, but it’s not going to be like that for long. He’ll get knocked off the top step,” said Hinchcliffe, who hopes to be the one to accomplish that feat in the doubleheader at Portland, a venue where he won last year during his rookie season with Forsythe Racing.

Wickens, a karting rival when the two Toronto kids were in their early teens, is one of his successors on the Forsythe team, now a two-car squad sponsored by Red Bull. Last year, Forsythe ran four cars.

“Forsythe and Sierra are both championship-calibre teams, but I think it’s easier to get two cars up front rather than four,” said Hinchcliffe, 10th overall in the 2006 standings (top Forsythe entry was Andreas Wirth in third). His new squad, Sierra, was twice runner-up in the Atlantic series, with Scotsman Ryan Dalziel, in 2003 and 2004.

It was Wickens who got off to the best start this season as he qualified on the pole for his debut at Las Vegas. This race was interrupted by several cautions and the lead changed hands on virtually every restart.

Wickens led the early laps, Hinchcliffe passed him on the first restart, Wickens got him back the next time, but eventually Matos worked his way to the front. Wickens finished second, with Jonathan Bomarito third and Hinchcliffe fourth.

The two Canadians did not fare quite as well at Long Beach. Wickens qualified seventh, but made a demon start to grab third, which is where he stayed (behind Matos and Bomarito). Hinchcliffe, plagued by brake

72

problems, started 10th and finished seventh. “Qualifying is so important. This series is so competitive, it’s tough to get by during the race,” he said.

Hinchcliffe was back on the front row at Houston, beside Matos, but lost a position to Carl Skerlong at the first turn. He ran third throughout, fending off a late challenge from Bomarito. Wickens, in his worst weekend to date, finished 10th.

So after three rounds (of 12), Matos has 99 points, followed by Bomarito (PR1 Motorsports) with 75, Hinchcliffe with 66, Wickens with 65 and the second-ranked rookie, Frenchman Franck Perera (Condor Motorsports), with 63.

JAMES HINCHCLIFFE REBOUNDED FROM A DISAPPOINTING FINISH TO THE A1GP SEASON TO SIT THIRD IN THE ATLANTIC TITLE HUNT AFTER THREE RACES

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Road Racing 19.03.indd 2

5/25/07 11:07:13 AM

A1GP DISAPPOINTMENT

ROOKIE ROBERT WICKENS HAS BEEN STRONG THUS FAR IN 2007 AS HE LEADS ALL ROOKIES AND IS FOURTH IN POINTS

For Hinchcliffe, the encouraging start to the Atlantic season is a welcome boost following a disappointing conclusion to the A1GP World Cup of Nations. Hinchcliffe and B.C.’s Sean McIntosh represented Canada in this international winter series which pits 23 different countries against one another over 22 races at 11 worldwide venues.

For Canada, the series got off to a great start last fall as Hinchcliffe finished second in the first race at Brno, in the Czech Republic, and almost won the second, longer event until late-race contact dropped him to fifth.

He was then fourth in Beijing, China, while McIntosh took a fifth place in Malaysia.

But the season fell apart for Canada after Hinchcliffe tangled with Singapore’s Christian Murchison on the opening laps in Sydney, Australia. The contact sent the Canadian car into a barrel-roll at 160 kph. Hinchcliffe emerged unscathed, but the car was destroyed and the team could not come to grips with the set-up of the replacement chassis. “No two cars are ever completely equal,” said Hinchcliffe.

Canada’s only points-paying result at the final five venues (10 races) was a sixth by McIntosh at Shanghai, China, and the team fell to 11th place overall, two spots lower than last year. The title went to Germany, led by nine-time winner Nico Hulkenberg.

1,450 Exhibitors 4,200 Booths 45,000 Buyers Over 45 Countries Represented World’s Largest Racing Trade Show!

DECEMBER 6–8, 2007

•

ORLANDO, FLORIDA

•

USA

For more information: international@performanceracing.com

www.performanceracing.com ©Laguna Coast Publishing, Inc. March 2007 TS3997-JH

20th.PRI_ad.PRN.Magazine.indd 1 Road Racing 19.03.indd 3

3/8/07 11:34:53 AM 5/25/07 11:07:35 AM

2007 WORLD RALLY EVENTS

LOEB BACK ON TOP

By David Hatter

S TO AS PENALTIE L A G TU R O P T LT A N PRESENCE FE E FRENCHMA IR TH E T TH U P E D B A E M O IN BY L STEWARDS NSHIP ED WITH A W L P U O C , LLY CHAMPIO S A D R R D L R O W THE FO F THE IVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SEAT O R D E TH IN K BAC

74

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Rally 19.03.indd 2

5/23/07 2:37:06 PM

COVERAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

S

ebastien Loeb has finally regained the lead of the 2007 World Rally Championship, although he needed some help from the Stewards in Portugal.

The 33-year-old Frenchman won both of the most recent WRC events, round five in Portugal and round six in Argentina, at the wheel of his Citroen C4, finishing ahead of the Ford duo of Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen. This has become a familiar podium.

These three guys collectively have 16 podium finishes out of a possible 18 this season, with Dani Sordo (second at Monte Carlo) and Henning Solberg (third in Norway) as the only interlopers.

But the officials in Portugal had different ideas.

They pulled out their rulers and started measuring the dimensions of the various cars, particularly the Ford Focus. To their horror, they discovered that the rear side windows on the factory Fords and some of the newer private entries were a mere three millimetres thick instead of the regulation 3.5 mms.

What conceivable performance advantage this might offer is unknown, but the Stewards were determined that such blatant disregard for the rules had to be punished and the offending cars were each penalized five minutes.

This meant that Gronholm, who had finished 37 seconds behind Loeb, and his teammate Hirvonen fell from second and third places to fourth and fifth. It also meant that Loeb, who had been playing catch-up in the points chase since failing to score in Norway, moved back atop the WRC standings, a single point ahead of Gronholm. His subsequent Argentinian win stretched his lead to three points. Had it not been for the Portugese penalties, he and Gronholm would now be tied.

To be fair, Loeb should be in front with four wins, plus a second-place finish, in six events so far. But the WRC uses the same points system as F1 — 10 for a victory, 8 for second, then 6-5-4-3-2-1 — which does not give the winner much of an edge when the same driver invariably finishes in the runner-up spot.

Gronholm has never been off the podium this year, with a win, four seconds (including Portugal, pre-penalty) and a third.

“It was difficult to make up for the loss we took in Norway and now it is hard to build our lead because, with the points system, the win is really badly rewarded,” said Loeb. “You have to be constant and avoid the slightest error. With four wins and a second place in six races, I have only a three-point lead. Consistency will be the key to the championship.”

Sebastien Loeb finally overcame his DNF in Norway to take the points lead, but needed some help from the Stewards in Portugal Photos by McKlein/LAT

Rally 19.03.indd 3

5/23/07 2:37:43 PM

Loeb Back on Top CASTROL ANNOUNCES CANADIAN PRIZE FUND Drivers in the Canadian Rally Championship, who had been promised prize money this year, now know how much they can expect to take home.

The money comes from Castrol, which said it would offer a prize fund when it signed on as a CRC sponsor just before the Perce-Neige/Maniwaki season opener. On May 3, it finally revealed the full details.

The purse will total $36,000, consisting of $24,500 — plus the Castrol Cup — for the season-long points championship and $1,750 for each of the six rounds in the series, including Perce-Neige, retroactively. There will also be a special $1,000 award at year’s end to go to a deserving driver as determined by Castrol and the Canadian Association of Rallysport.

“For the first time in many years there will be a significant financial reward to go along with the coveted title of Canadian rally champion. The creation of the Castrol Cup will be a significant factor in the chase to be Canada’s top rally driver,” said Terry Epp, CARS’ national series manager.

The overall champion will receive $10,000, while the runner-up gets $5,000, third place earns $2,500 and the remaining top-10 finishers will be given $500 each. In addition, the top two-wheeldrive competitor will receive $3,500. At individual events, the top five finishers will receive $500, $400, $300, $200 and $100, respectively, while $250 will go to the top 2WD finisher (whether from the modified Group 2 category or a production class).

“Castrol has a long history of supporting motorsports in general, and specifically rallying, in Canada and around the globe,” said company spokesman Anthony Stadelman. “We are excited to once again be involved with the Canadian Rally Championship and we think the Castrol Cup is a fitting way to give back to the sport and its participants.”

Castrol also joins Subaru as one of the two major sponsors of the TV broadcasts of the Canadian rally series. Like last year, the six national events will be shown across Canada on the CHUM network of stations, beginning in the fall.

Marcus Gronholm lost his points lead due to his windows being 0.5mm thinner than World Rally regulations at Portugal

LOEB’S ADDS TO HIS WIN TOTAL Loeb’s wins in Portugal and Argentina were the 31st and 32nd of his career. In Portugal — returning to the WRC calendar after a six-year absence — he lagged behind Gronholm early on, but moved ahead towards the end of the first day and never looked back. He was fastest on 11 of 18 special stages (vs. five stage wins for Gronholm and two for Hirvonen).

Following the Ford penalties, Subaru’s Petter Solberg moved up to second and Loeb’s Citroen teammate Sordo took third. Next in line was Jari-Matti Latvala, who fought back from early gearbox woes to close to within 40 seconds of Sordo. But his Stobart M-Sport Ford Focus had the same windows as the factory cars, so he was relegated to eighth.

The Rally Argentina offered a range of challenges — including mud and fog — but the biggest difficulty was simply getting there. Organizers wanted to launch their event with a “super-special” spectator stage in a soccer stadium in Buenos Aires on Thursday evening and then fly roughly 400 competitors and team personnel to rally headquarters at Cordoba, some 750 km away, where the real competition would get underway on Friday morning.

The Buenos Aires stage went ahead as planned

— won by Hirvonen, before a mostly empty stadium — but then the fog rolled in. It grounded all three planes chartered for the occasion and many competitors, including Loeb, spent the night in the airport, trying with difficulty to get a little sleep. As a result, all of Friday’s seven stages had to be cancelled.

When the rally resumed on Saturday, Loeb soon took command. By day’s end, he was 19 seconds ahead of Gronholm, a gap he stretched to 36 seconds by the conclusion of the final leg, aided by a brief offroad excursion by the Finn. Loeb was fastest on 10 of 16 stages, with two stage wins each for Gronholm, Hirvonen and Sordo.

Behind the factory Fords, the Stolbart M-Sport Focuses of Latvala and Henning Solberg were fourth and fifth, followed by Sordo. He lost two minutes when his Citroen’s hydraulics failed on Saturday; otherwise, he would likely have been fighting Hirvonen for third.

Citroen has now confirmed the 24-year-old Spaniard’s place on the team through 2009.

The most notable retirement from the event was Petter Solberg, whose Subaru suffered a motor failure. His Australian teammate Chris Atkinson finished seventh, while Manfred Stohl took the final point in a Kronos Racing Citroen Xsara.

Jari-Matti Latvala had his fourth-place finish at Portugal nixed for the same window problem as Gronholm, but rebounded to take the same spot in Argentina

Photo by Evan Browne

Castrol’s announcement of its prize fund breakdown came in May, but it’s retroactive to the season opener; meaning Perce-Neige Maniwaki winner Andrew Comrie-Picard won’t miss out on the new prize fund

76

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Rally 19.03.indd 4

5/23/07 2:33:41 PM

Rocket Rally 9.02.indd 1

3/29/07 6:16:32 PM

Photos by Yasushi Ishihara/LAT

sweet REDEMPTION NO. 8 CAR REBOUNDS FROM MECHANICAL WOES AT R0UND 1 TO TAKE GT500 RACE VICTORY IN ROUND 2 OF THE SUPERGT CHAMPIONSHIP. Daisuke Ito (r.) and Ralph Firman (l.) were dominant en route to the GT500 win at Round 2

T

he Okayama GT 300km, Round 2 of the 2007 Autobacs Super GT, was held at the Okayama International Circuit on April 8 with GT500 class honours going to Daisuke Ito and Ralph Firman, and Kazuya Oshima and Hiroaki Ishiura taking GT300.

GT500 Just after the start, Andre Lotterer in the No. 1 Houzan Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s SC430 tried to take the lead by taking the inside on the first turn. The polesitter, Ryo Michigami in the No. 18 Takata Dome NSX took an outside line through the turn but spun out and off the track. This left the No. 18 at the tail of the GT500 class. An apparent collision between two of the machines resulted in a drive-through penalty for the No. 1. That put Ralph Firman in the No. 8 Arta NSX in the lead. The fourth qualifier, the No. 32 Epson NSX driven by Loic Duval, was also able to move up as a result and the first lap ended with the No. 100 Raybrig NSX (Dominik Schwager) in second and the No. 22 Motul Autech Z (Michael

78

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

SuperGT 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 4:09:41 PM

FRESH AIR SYSTEMS TECHNOLOGIES

®

4 Warren Ave. Unit #3, Westbrook, ME 04092 info@safetyfxonline.com

Helmets - Head/Neck Restraints - Fire Suits - Undergarments - Driving Gloves Driving Shoes - Seats - Safety Belts - Radio Headsets - Cooling Systems Safety-FX-Ad-4.indd 1

2/21/07 9:56:36 AM

Sweet redemption

GT300 honours went to the team of Kazuya Oshima and Hiroaki Ishiura

Krumm) third. The No. 8 then began to pull away from the following machines.

By the time all the machines had finished their pit stops, the No. 8 was again in front with an eight-second lead over the No. 100. Close behind were No. 32 and No. 22, and as these two battled for position the gap between them and the two leaders began to widen.

It was on lap 51 that the contest between the No. 32 and the No. 22 was decided. On the Redman corner the No. 22 passed the No. 32 to reclaim third. From there, the No. 22 began to close the gap on the No. 100 and finally succeeded in passing it on the hairpin of the 57th lap to take second.

But the No. 22â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charge wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t last. On the Atwood Curve of lap 77 it ran off track and lost considerable time. During that lapse the No. 100 regained second position, but it was No. 8 that benefited the most.

Daisuke Ito and Ralph Firman are flanked by second-place finishers Dominik Schwager and Shinya Hosokawa and third-place drivers Michael Kruman and Tsugio Matsuda

The No. 100 Raybrig NSX benefited from an off by the second place car to snag the runner-up spot at Okayama

80

Taking the checkered at the end of lap 82, the No. 8 Arta NSX team redeemed itself for the tragic first-round loss at Suzuka, when machine trouble caused them to drop out on the last lap after leading the entire race.

This time they ran a perfect race with no trouble.

Finishing second was the No. 100 Raybrig NSX. The No. 22 team could not hide their disappointment despite their third place finish.

GT300 In GT300, the third qualifier, the No. 62 Willcom Advan VEMAC408R (Haruki Kurosawa) ran off the track at the first corner of lap 15. Then the fourth starter, the No. 43 Arta Garaiya (Morio Nitta), also went off the track at the Atwood Curve, as the upsets continued. In both cases the cause appeared to be contact with other machines. The result was that the polesitter, the No. 2 Priv_e Kenzo Asset Shiden (Hiroki Katoh) and the No. 101 Toy Story Racing MR-S (Kazuya Oshima) in second were able to open a big lead on the pack.

After moving up into 3rd position, the No. 13 Endless Advan Senzaikakumei Z (Masami Kageyama) was penalized and lost considerable ground after contact forced another car off the track. This put the No. 26 Yunker-Power Taisan Porsche (Shinichi Yamaji) in third.

After its pit stop and driver change, the No. 101 passed the No. 2 on their out-lap. In the last race, it had been Takahashi in the No. 2 machine who passed Ishiura in No. 101 on their out-lap, but this time it was the exact reverse. Meanwhile, the No. 26 held on to third through their pit stop as they changed drivers from Yamaji to Nobuteru Taniguchi.

From this point the lead machines went on to the finish with no change in order.

This result gave drivers Kazuya Oshima and Hiroaki Ishiura of the No. 101 their first Super GT victory. And for Oshima, who was born on April 30, 1987, this gave him the record for the youngest driver ever to win a Super GT race.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

SuperGT 19.03.indd 4

5/23/2007 4:14:13 PM

DMS 19.03.indd 1

5/22/07 9:28:39 AM

ALL GROWN

Photos by Joey Redmond

UP 82

byMICHAEL SEMIRA

Entering its fourth year of competition, the Formula D Series has made big strides and is poised to make a big impression on US soil if the Long beach season opener showed us anything.

Japan’s Mitsuru Haruguchi has moved to the Formula D Series in 2007 and promptly stole the show in winning the Long Beach opener

A

s Formula D invaded Long Beach, CA for the start of the season, there was an unmistakable sense of pride in the air. When Formula D first hatched the idea of America’s first professional drifting series, it was confronted by more than a handful of critics who predicted doom for the series.

The organization faced a number of hurdles that were almost sure to kill the series — introducing the sport to a country in love with high-speed left-hand turns and securing sponsorship dollars. But as tires started smoking for Formula D’s fourth season, it is clear that drifting is growing at a rapid rate and the series is here to stay.

One look at the starting grid for the Top 16 made it obvious that Formula D has improved in another facet essential for success – attracting world class drivers.

No longer is the field dominated by the likes of Samuel Hübinette, Rhys Millen, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr., as Japanese drivers like Kenji Yamanaka, Kazu Hayashida and Mitsuru Haruguchi have joined the fight.

Many of them are ex-D1GP (once thought to be the home of the best drifters on the planet) drivers that have made the shift to FD for a fresh start.

A major change in 2007 is the inception of the Team Drift competition. Capitalizing on its partnership with the Champ Car World Series, Formula D will be holding four rounds of competition coinciding with various

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Drifting 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 4:16:10 PM

Daijiro Yoshihara had his chase for the finals stopped in the semis, but he did leave the season opener within shouting distance of the top spot

Rhys Millen debuted his new Pontiac Solstice at Long Beach but the influx of talent showed that the American still has some work to do to get the car up to speed with the new entries

Grand Prix stops on the Champ Car schedule. Team Drift consists of teams of three cars battling on a road course, with judging only taking place at specific portions of the track. Though this particular weekend didn’t see any Team Drift action, the concept definitely has everybody talking.

The traditional format, now referred to as the Formula D Pro Championship, was the domain of Dodge / Mopar’s Samuel Hübinette and Pontiac’s Rhys Millen. Though the

Instead, it was AEM / Memphis Audio-sponsored Tanner Foust’s Nissan 350Z and Falken / Silkroad USA’s Mitsuru Haruguchi and his Nissan S13 that stole the show. Looking to improve upon his third place finish in the 2006 season, Foust qualified number one and proceeded to mow through Ross Petty, Tyler McQuarrie and Daijiro Yoshihara on his way to the Finals. Haruguchi, known more for his FC Mazda RX-7 in D1GP, qualified sixth, and bested Chris Forsberg, Kaza Hayashida and Vaughn Gittin Jr. in his S15 Silvia strawberry-faced S13 240SX before the showdown with Foust.

The bout between Foust and Haruguchi wasn’t to be, as the 350Z suffered a broken tie rod in the semi-final Unfortunately, the bout between Foust and Haruguchi wasn’t to be, as the 350Z suffered a broken tie rod in the semi-final and the crew was unable to repair it before the finals. Much to the crowd’s disappointment, Haruguchi was awarded the win and sits above Foust (second) and Yoshihara (third) in the standings.

With both Hübinette and Millen learning the nuances of their new rides and a number of high-calibre drivers in the mix, there’s no denying that Hübinette’s championship reign is in question.

Samuel Hubinette’s defense of the 2006 FD title got off to a slow start as the debut of his new Mopar Dodge Charger did not go as well as planned

With both Hübinette and Millen learning the nuances of their new rides and a number of high-calibre drivers... there’s no denying that Hübinette’s championship reign is in question.

‘Crazy Swede’ and ‘Mad Skills’ pleased the Long Beach crowd with the long-awaited FD debut of the Mopar Dodge Charger and Red Bull Pontiac Solstice respectively, the two fell short of taking the first-round win.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Drifting 19.03.indd 3

83

5/23/2007 4:16:34 PM

Photos by Travis Ogden

Photos by Juha Lievonen

OREGON RALLYCROSS

SAINI LEADING THE WAY IN MX-5 CUP JASON SAINI EXTENDED HIS POINTS LEAD IN MX-5 CUP WITH A WIN AT MAZDA RACEWAY

J

ason Saini, of Fort Worth, TX, cruised to a more than five second win over Todd Buras, of Melbourne, FL, to capture his second win of the SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, as part of the U.S. Sports Car Invitational on May 20. California’s Matt Cross finished third.

After starting third, it did not take long for the MX-5 Cup point leader Saini to grab the lead from the polesitter Cross. Driving the No. 28 Autobarn Mazda/SafeRacer.com Mazda MX-5, Saini took the lead coming out of the corkscrew on lap one and never looked back.

“This win feels good,” Saini said of his second victory. “Last year it was a little frustrating because I had some tough luck early on. But the team never gave up. Team MER is awesome. We came off the truck this weekend a little slow, but we kept making changes to the car. And, we just came up with a setup that worked.”

Buras, who started on the outside of the front row, made a consistent run in his No. 56 BSI/Team Garcia/MOMO/Joe Gibbs Mazda MX-5. In fact, his run was so consistent that he not only started and finished in second, but he also won the Hawk Hot Lap for setting the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1:42.661 (78.480 mph).

“The car got better and better,” Buras said. “During the race, it was the best handling car we had all weekend. We were running really hard and we won the (Hawk) Hot Lap. I gave it everything I had to try to catch Jason.”

84

The polesitter Cross, who had been fast all weekend in his No. 80 Jason Hoover Motorsports/Hooverspeed Mazda MX-5, lost his ABS going into the corkscrew on the first lap and immediately dropped two spots to third. He would never regain those spots and would have to settle for a solid third-place finish.

“Unfortunately for us we lost our ABS going into the corkscrew, so we were without ABS for the rest of the race,” Cross said. “These cars are real difficult to drive without ABS. So, I had to change my driving style. It was a hard drive to hold onto third-place. I am real proud of my guys.”

Cross’ Hooverspeed teammate Bob Michaelian also had a consistent race from his fourth qualifying position to bring his No. 19 Hooverspeed MX-5 home in fourth. One driver who made up quite a few positions throughout the race was Andrew Caddell . Piloting the No. 30 TeamMER/AimSport/Pinnacle Mazda MX-5, Caddell advanced seven positions throughout the race to finish fifth.

Saini increased his lead over Ara Malkhassian in the championship by 28 points (96-68). They are followed by Cross with 64 points, Jesse Combs with 52 and Caddell with 50.

The sprawling Washington County Fair Complex hosted the first SCCA RallyCross National Series event of the Western States Championship in early May. Beautiful weather, quick cars and the signature spray of dirt was all it took to distract fairgoers from the venue’s standard activities.

The Modified Two-Wheel Drive class was straight out of National Geographic as the crowd watched a Falcon hunt down a Rabbit — the Volkswagen Rabbit GTI of Chris Sample that is, and the Ford Falcon of Cody Crane. Sample’s clean and consistent runs earned him the win by more than 13 seconds over Crane.

The Subaru Imprezas of Eric Zapareski and Rob Files may have had two days of clean runs, but a handful of downed cones couldn’t stop the Subaru Forester of Paul Eklund on his romp to victory in the large Modified Four-Wheel Drive class. Eklund’s nine-run total in his Subaru Forrester was still over two seconds quicker than that of Zapareski.

Another Subaru topped the Prepared All-Wheel Drive class. The Legacy GT of Charles Morrill bested his nearest competition, Kris Lilly, in a Mazda Protege, by nearly 25 seconds.

In Stock All-Wheel Drive, Jacob Sturgeon won the battle of the WRXs over David Brunner, while April Smith’s Suzuki Swift was victorious in Stock FrontWheel Drive. The lone female entrant in Oregon beat out the Ford Escort GT of Tim Tokstad by 50 seconds.

Speaking of lone, the event’s only truck entry, the Chevy S-10 of Jason Strangland, cruised to the Stock Rear-Wheel Drive win.

The next SCCA RallyCross National Series event is part of the Eastern States Championship and is scheduled for June 17 in Oakland Acres, Va.

TODD BURAS STARTED AND FINISHED SECOND AT LAGUNA SECA, AND SET THE FASTEST LAP OF THE RACE IN THE PROCESS

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

SCCA 19.03.indd 2

5/24/07 1:31:49 PM

Photo by Mark Webber/SCCA

CHRIS SAMPLE HAD HIS RABBIT JUMPING IN MODIFIED TWO-WHEEL DRIVE ACTION DURING THE OREGON RALLYCROSS EVENT AS HE WON BY 13 SECONDS OVER CODY CRANE

REGISTRATION OPEN FOR RUNOFFS PAUL EKLUND WAS ON THE GAS IN MODIFIED FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE AS HE OVERCAME A HANDFUL OF DOWNED CONES TO WIN BY TWO SECONDS

Driver registration for the 2007 SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by AT&T is now officially open, as of May 1. The online registration system has been activated at www.scca.com, and paper entries will be accepted via mail or fax.

Information for the event, held Oct. 8-14 at Heartland Park Topeka, is available by clicking on “Club Racing” and then “Runoffs” at scca.com. To receive an entry via fax or mail, contact Wyndi McCormick at 800-770-2055, or find it in the May FasTrack.

As was the case in 2006, reserved participant parking and motor home parking will again be available for the event. Unlike 2006, the entire system will be handled by Heartland Park, and at the conclusion of your entry process, you will have the opportunity to transfer to hpt.com to reserve your spot for $100.

To minimize the amount of paddock space changes, Heartland Park will allow one change of paddock

spot per entry before incurring a change fee. Spaces can be reserved through Sept. 7.

Drivers are not required to reserve a spot, and with nearly 800 paddock spaces available, there will be room for everyone. However, the system allows individuals to view the map and select spaces with their teammates and friends at the click of a mouse, without the need to send someone out days or weeks in advance to try to save space.

As has always been the case, car numbers are issued on a first-come, first-served basis and No. 1 is always reserved for the defending Champion.

Combined groups throughout the week will share a pool of numbers.

Volunteer registration opened online on May 3.

Volunteers not wishing to utilize the online system may request a form from Andrea Cook at 800-7702055 or find it in the May FasTrack.

AN C I R E AM O L G N A ING C A R ROAD

r u o y l l a r o f one stop ng n eeds

road raci

ED NG INCORPORAT AN ROAD RACI R IC FO ER CE AM O UR GL SO AN SINGLE TO PROVIDE A CE AN M OR RF WAS CREATED PE RACE AND HIGH ALL YOUR ROAD .

REQUIREMENTS U Y THE PARTS YO ENT WAY TO BU CAR E TH E IV DR AN EASY, EFFICI U YO STER WHETHER E NEED TO GO FA D RACE IT ON TH AN K EE W E TH NG RI D DU AN K US OR TO W TIC LIKE YOU ARE A FANA WEEKENDS OR OF THE WEEK. Y DA Y ER CING EV LIVE MOTOR RA

ERS • AIR FILT TS OMPONEN C Y D O B • ES AK R B • • CHASSIS YSTEMS GS • COOLIN E • DRIVELIN ICAL • ELECTR • ENGINE TEMS • FUEL SYS • KARTING ITIVES TS & ADD • LUBRICAN ENT IPM • PIT EQU G • PLUMBIN RADIOS • RACING T EQUIPMEN • SAFETY • SEATS G WHEELS • STEERIN ERING ION & STE S • SUSPEN G IN R O C S • TIMING & • WHEELS

.COM G N I C DRAROADRACING.COM A O R A @AA 85003 SALES WWW.A TOUT • NIX, AZ E FLA T., PHO 1-877CHE S A P A .

501 W

ORE OUR RETAIL ST IN R O E ID S K TRAC BU Y ON-LINE,

AA Racing_V1.indd 1

SCCA 19.03.indd 3

5/28/07 4:04:06 PM

5/28/07 4:06:27 PM

TDDB!jt!gps!uiptf!xip!fydfm!voefs!qsfttvsf/ With over two thousand events every year, missing an opportunity to get involved is not an option.

Log on to SCCA.com today and find local events that are filled with pressure-driven people just like you.

1.800.770.2055

SCCA 19.03.indd 1

5/22/07 9:45:17 AM

Dyno Services Race Shop Parts & Services

Made-toremeasu

N EW

Authorized Service Center Drivers Wanted

TTouring ouring Turbo

2007

Racing Services Arrive & Drive

Compler’te Drive s t Equipmen

available

4815 Buchan, Montréal (Québec) H4P 1S4 • Tél.: 514.736.3404 • Fax: 514.735.7280 • For info: lpgelinas@chagautosport.com

SH Karting 19.03.indd 1

Untitled-3 1

5/22/07 9:47:15 AM

5/24/07 3:06:02 PM

Photos Courtesy NASA Pro Racing

STORY BY JEREMY CROISET

DRIVEN TO PERFORM NASA’S HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING EXPERIENCE OFFERS DRIVERS OF EVERY LEVEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS IN A CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT.

T

ired of getting speeding tickets? Are you ready for the track? The National Auto Sport Association (NASA) has the perfect solution for you.

The first step to getting on track is to become a NASA member. Log on to the NASA website at www. nasaproracing.com and click the “Join NASA Today” link. Follow the easy instructions and within five minutes, you’ll be able to register for over 120 HPDE events across the United States so there’s a good chance you’ll find an event happening soon in your local region.

Now that you’ve taken care of your membership and signed up for your first event, the next step is to find a helmet. We won’t go into recommending a specific one to you in this article, but we will tell you that you should look for the latest Snell SA2005 certification. These can be found at countless outlets online with a quick search, but be sure to try and find a local supplier that has some for you to try on as well because each helmet fits a slightly different head shape and you want to get one that fits properly. Helmets can be had for as little as $150, but how much you spend on one is entirely up to you.

NASA’s HPDE program provides a place for just about anything with 4 wheels to safely and legally participate in an on track environment but you’ll need to check to see that your ride is in good mechanical condition. You want to make sure your vehicle has tires and brakes with plenty of life left. You also want to make sure your cooling system is in good working order and your vehicle has no known mechanical issues that could sideline you for the day or potentially put you off the track in a shunt. Just about any newer vehicle in stock form is perfectly suited for the HPDE environment.

When you arrive at your first NASA HPDE event, you will receive your HPDE Passport. This is used to track your progress and experience level in the 88

NASA HPDE system. NASA’s HPDE system is very easy to understand. HPDE participants are divided into four groups based on experience level.

Group 1 has been designed for beginners that have little or no track experience. Driving instructors are required for Group 1 participants and will be assigned at the beginning of the day for no additional charge to teach you car control skills, the racing line, and flag recognition. These instructors usually have years of road racing and instructional experience and will do what they can to get you up to speed. At the end of the day, your instructor will decide whether or not you’re ready to move up the ranks. If so, your HPDE passport will get signed off for Group 1 and you’ll be able to participate in the Group 2 Sessions.

As you move up through the ranks, you’ll gain valuable on track experience and be well on your way to your future racing career.

Group 2 is for beginners who no longer require the aid of an instructor and are comfortable working on their own at becoming a faster and safer racer.

Group 3 is for intermediate drivers where the pace is much faster and the experience level much higher

than Groups 1 and 2. Group 3 drivers are comfortable with the track and are working on their experience level to prepare for the racing classes.

Group 4 is for advanced drivers and instructors that have years of track experience.

By joining the NASA HPDE community, you will be on the road to gaining valuable car control skills, a fundamental understanding of high performance driving, and you will be better prepared to deal with emergency situations that may arise on the street.

HPDE is also one of the few places you can take yourself and your vehicle to its limits in a controlled environment without the threat of getting nailed by Johnny Law as you never need to worry about getting a speeding ticket while taking part in a NASA HPDE. Driving on a racetrack is like nothing else in the world and if you have ever been interested in taking part in something like this, you owe it to yourself to check out the NASA HPDE program. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to attain your dreams of track driving without having to spend years working up the ladder of a full racing program.

BY JOINING THE NASA HPDE COMMUNITY, YOU WILL BE ON THE ROAD TO GAINING VALUABLE CAR CONTROL SKILLS, A FUNDAMENTAL UNDERSTANDING OF HIGH PERFORMANCE DRIVING, AND YOU WILL BE BETTER PREPARED TO DEAL WITH EMERGENCY SITUATIONS THAT MAY ARISE ON THE STREET.

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

19.03 Nasa.indd 2

5/24/07 2:53:08 PM

EMCEA 18.04.indd 1

8/9/06 10:03:07 AM

W

W

W

.

L

E

C

I

R

C

U

I

T

.

C

O

M

COME AND BE PART OF ALL

THE ACTION SEE WHAT AWAITS YOU AT LE CIRCUIT MONT TREMBLANT IN 2007

CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP JUNE 1-2-3, 2007

LE CIRCUIT FERRARI FESTIVAL JUNE 15-16-17, 2007

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES JUNE 29-30-JULY 1, 2007

SOMMET DES LEGENDES JULY 13-14-15, 2007

LE CIRCUIT FALL CLASSIC SEPTEMBER 21-22-23, 2007

TREMBLANT DRIVING CLUB

DRIVING DATES THROUGH THE SEASON

CONTACT US FOR RATES ON TRACK RENTAL ARRIVE & DRIVE OR OTHER PROMOTIONAL EVENTS

MONT TREMBLANT, QUEBEC 819.425.6363

Circuit Mont-Tremblant 19.03 V2.1 1

5/23/07 4:09:00 PM

Fast Eddie Racewear 19.03.indd 1

5/22/07 5:13:10 PM

CANADAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SOURCE FOR MOTORSPORT INSURANCE

Racer Protection Plan Participant Accident Competition Vehicles

Contact

KEVIN BESTA

Race Teams Race Suppliers

Telephone No.: 416.628.5320 Toll Free: 888.379.6821 Cell No.: 416.723.8779 E-mail: kbesta@jonesbrown.com

Please visit www.jonesbrown.com/motorsports for further information and applications.

Untitled-3 1

5/24/07 3:07:18 PM

PROUDLY SPONSORS

CANADIAN DRAG RACING UPDATE

CANADIAN

Southern Thunder Story and Photos by Bruce Biegler

N

HRA’s recent Summit Racing Equipment Nationals at Atlanta Dragway featured some high profile performances by Canadian drivers.

Jeff Arend, a Toronto native, who is driving for the Checker Schucks Kragen Funny Car team owned by the Worsham Family, debuted a spectacular new 2007 Chevrolet Impala. Arend promptly went for the quickest and fastest run of his career (and for a Canadian) when he qualified third with a thrilling 4.712 secs at 327.66 mph. Arend won his first round match over Gary Densham only to have his powerful machine smoke its tires while racing points leader Ron Capps in round two.

Quebec’s Daniel Mercier, driver of the Laboratoire A.B.S./NitroMoose.ca dragster came close to winning his second career NHRA national title when he placed runner-up to Spencer Massey in a hard fought Top Alcohol Dragster eliminator. Mercier went for the quickest ride of his career during qualifying, 5.294 secs, to enter eliminations third. Mercier then defeated Artie Allen, David Hirata and Dave DeAngelis to make the final. In the final Mercier had a superb .012 RT and appeared on his way to victory before the car developed problems at half track and allowed Massey to slip by for the victory.

Canada’s current pride of Pro Modified, Toronto’s Raymond Commisso, also shined at the event. Commisso, who campaigns Canada’s quickest and fastest Pro Mod along with tuner Al Billes and partner Ralph Andreacchi, went to the “final four” in the AMS Pro Mod Challenge. As Arend and Mercier, Commisso also qualified third (6.003 secs) before taking round wins over Mike Stawicki and Danny Rowe. In the semi final he lost out driving his Steelback-sponsored Chevy Camaro

when opponent Doug Palmer beat him on a razor thin holeshot: 6.082 secs to 6.079 secs.

PAONE BROTHERS RAISE THE BAR! The aspiring Toronto-area Paone Brothers notched themselves some Canadian drag racing notoriety during the IHRA Spring Nationals in North Carolina when they recorded the quickest Pro Stock time ever by a team from Canada.

After qualifying 16th in the quick Pro Stock program at 6.435 secs, driver Anthony Paone took his 2006 Pontiac GTO to a barrier breaking run of 6.398 secs at 216.06 mph in round one. That marked the very first sub 6.4 secs run in the IHRA Mountain-motored class by a Canadian racer and came during an impressive win over pre-event favourite Rickie Smith. In fact, Paone put a little icing on the performance by beating Smith on a holeshot (.069 to .114 RT), which sent Smith’s quicker and faster 6.370 secs at 218.97 mph packing.

Unfortunately, Paone could not advance past round two of eliminations when his car shook the tires hard while racing Bob Bertsch, resulting in a centerline violation.

The Rockingham event performance was however a very rewarding experience for the hard-working independent team from Canada, which manages to compete in the demanding an enormously expensive category without sponsorship. The

Anthony Paone took his 2006 Pontiac GTO to a barrier breaking run of 6.398 secs at 216.06 mph in round one. That marked the very first sub 6.4 secs run in the IHRA Mountain-motored class by a Canadian racer” 92

Canadian drivers Daniel Mercier (l.) and Jeff Arend (r.) both made some big noise at NHRA Atlanta Spring Nationals marked the first event of the ‘07 season for the team that has a new motor program for the 2007 season.

“We have a new Hemi-Chevy engine in our GTO which we purchased from Steve Spiess,” Anthony revealed. “Steve has also stepped up to help us with the tune-up and we really appreciate that – he is a down to earth guy.

“In testing before this race we went 6.44 and 6.45 secs at over 217 mph so we think we are on the right track. We debuted this car last year but only made limited appearances. We are looking to run 7 or 8 IHRA events this season.”

Anthony owns the GTO and his brother Amo owns the team’s second car, a 2002 Chevy Cavalier driven by Ron Miller. That car currently runs a unique Chevrolet Wedgehead motor, however it is possible that a Hemi-Chevy will be installed within that car in the near future.

“We will continue to experiment and test both cars,” added Anthony. “Ultimately we will run the engine configuration that works best. We’d like to make the cars identical at some point so that we can gather more information. Currently the Cavalier is a much different animal as far as gearing and clutch set-up.”

Ontario’s Paone Brothers recently claimed the title as Canada’s fastest Pro Stock team

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

CDRU 19.03.indd 2

5/23/07 3:59:09 PM

POWER IN THE HANDS OF A FEW. UNPARALLELED PERFORMANCE.

S331 SUPERCHARGED

S281 SUPERCHARGED

450 HP | 500 TORQUE

465 HP | 420 TORQUE

www.SALEENCANADA.com 1-877-SALEEN-7

Sallen 19.03.indd 1

5/25/2007 5:56:13 PM

Photos by Eric Descarries

Sprint cars are becoming more and more popular in Quebec

DIRT Modified cars, ready to race!

Andre Coursol got permission from Hendrick Motorsport to use the Kyle Busch car colours on his number 5 ACT-LMS racer.

byERIC DESCARRIES It is always the same story every spring. Quebec competitors are ready to hit the track, but Mother Nature usually sees it differently. After a harsh winter, spring showed up… in a few hours! It snowed two days earlier and then, on a nice Thursday, after a cold night, we were barbecuing during the evening.

But, as we were getting ready to give the green flag at many oval tracks and drag strips, Mother Nature sent in its showers and ruined everybody’s grand opening. Fortunately, early in April, the annual Salon de l’Auto Sport held in St-Hyacinthe, close to the Sanair Super Speedway, gave a preview of things to come.

L’Autodrome St-Eustache will use this Tundra Pro-Truck racer for guest drivers including Andrew Ranger

94

Compact cars are getting more serious than ever in drag racing

to

Eric Chase’s ACT race car also demonstrated some racing alignment tools

RACE SPECIALFEATURE

DIRT Sportsman cars will be appearing on Quebec tracks this year

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Quebec Report 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 2:38:48 PM

CANADA’S

FORD RACING

PARTSRS

K&N FILTE INGS

H SPRREXHAUST EIBAC MASTE

FLOWANTEED 1 YEAR • HIGHLY QUALIFIEPADRTPESRS• ORONIGINENAL •L

AR ED OEM PARTS - GU NT • REFURBISH • ELVED EQUIPME ANTEED REPAIRS DELIVERY ON SH • LARGE INVENTORY • GUAR CHELIN, IES GOODYEAR, MI OR N: SS TIO CE • AC E SELEC TIR • NE IES STO RE OR /FI ACCESS L, BRIDGESTONE PERFORMANCE RAL, CONTINENTA UNIROYAL, GENE

RE...

AND MUCH MO

meadowvale 19.03.indd 1

1 # R E B NRUOUM SH DEALER PARTS 905-542-3711 SALES 905-542-3673 SALES@MEADOWVALEFORD.COM MEADOWVALE FORD 2230 BATTLEFORD RD, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, L5N 3K6

WWW.MEADOWVALEFORD.COM WWW.ROUSHDEALER.CA 5/4/07 10:29:04 AM

THE RETURN of the SERIES CFDA The return of the CFDA Series was great for Michael Lensen as he took the pole and then captured the win in the opening race at Mission

WESTERN REPORT

BY GERRY FRECHETTE PRESENTEDBY

Photos by Gerry Frechette

RACETIMERADIO.COM

T

he Sports Car Club of BC began its 15th year of racing at River’s Edge Roadcourse in Mission, BC wondering just how close that edge was going to get this season.

The threat of the mighty Fraser River reaching its highest level ever due to the record snowpacks in the mountains that feed streams into it had everyone on edge. With no dike around the track property, a worst-case scenario could see the entire Mission Raceway Park under a few feet of fast-flowing water. The month of May will tell the tale; so far, the weather has been cool, so the melt hasn’t been fast and the water level is normal.

It was, however, sunny and warm the last weekend of April, and that attracted a relatively large field of cars, including several open-wheelers, to race in a new-old series. The Canadian Formula Drivers Association series for Formula 1600s was last seen in 1999, but then faded out. In the off-season, enough F1600 drivers expressed interest in its revival, and when an

In past years, the Westcoast Sportscar Championship would run the first six race weekends, and then the last weekend would see the Dash for Cash with more prize money anonymous enthusiast put up $3,000 for a prize fund, the SCCBC put CFDA back on the schedule for the five CACC events this season.

The first race saw seven F1600s entered, more than showed up for most or all of last year’s CACC events, and series organizer Felim Power expects even more cars for the remaining races. Michael Lensen put his well-sorted Van Diemen FF on pole, but everyone knew Rick Payne would have challenged him if he hadn’t missed qualifying. Which, indeed, he did in the race, 96

passing five cars by the first corner and then Lensen

by Turn 3. But, by the fourth lap, Lensen was back past Payne in Turn 1, and that is the way it ended, with Kyle Oberndorf completing the podium.

In past years, the Westcoast Sportscar Championship would run the first six race weekends, and then the last weekend would see the Dash for Cash with more prize money under the same format – one-hour race, mandatory one-minute pit stop for driver change, break-out rules in effect. This year, SCCBC ran the Dash on the first weekend to get more racers in the mood for entering the WSC series, and we’ll see at the first WSC race on June 2-3 if the strategy worked, given that it has been a bit “under-subscribed” the past couple of years.

In any case, the Dash had 17 cars entered and 15 started the race, led by Ian Wood in his Rawlson V8 sports racer and the familiar Porsche 911 Turbo of Steve Paquette and guest driver Tony Morris Jr. Wood led the first couple of laps, but Morris got by him on lap 3 and stretched the lead a bit after the first round of lapped traffic. Both made their pit stops, and neither got out of their car, Wood having no plans to, and Morris being told by Paquette he could finish the race. But heading down pit lane, Wood exceeded the speed limit and was black-flagged.

So, the gap was over 20 seconds and Morris looked home-free, except the 911 was starting to overheat ne-

cessitating some easier laps, and Wood was running track records trying to catch him. The gap dropped by over 3 seconds on a couple of laps, and it looked like the battle would be on again when Morris pulled into cool the car off with only eight minutes left. That was a lucky thing for Wood, because he had to pit as well to remove the piece of racer’s tape that his crew had not taken off as necessary when he made his one-minute pit stop, to indicate to all he had made it. Hey, it’s in the rules!

In the end, Wood won the race and $200, and Morris got back on track to take the checkered flag, slowly, for second overall. The Sports Racer of Gerald Paetz and Bob Styan won P2 and $120 (despite breaking out three times!), Larry Bell and Brian Taylor won P3 and $350 (more because it was a bigger class), and Jordan Isaak won $200 for P4.

In regular CACC action, Paetz and Styan debuted their latest toy, the ex-Cormier Pontiac stock car in GT1, and each drove it to an overall Closed Wheel 1 victory.

Steve Paquette won his usual CW2 race in the GTO 911, but with the car broken for Sunday’s race after the Dash, Richard Eagan drove his Pontiac stock car to its maiden victory at Mission, after bending up its front end in a minor shunt on Saturday.

And in Open Wheel, the wins went to Ian Wood took the weekend sweep. The sports racers race in OW in CACC, and it’s hard to beat a V8...

Gerald Paetz and Bob Styan were double winners on the opening weekend, winning P2 in WSC and then swept the GT1 races in CACC Closed Wheel 1 action

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

West Report 19.03.indd 2

5/23/2007 6:39:46 PM

S K R O W t a h t e n o Y L N O e h T PERFORMANCE CLUTCH

www.bullyclutch.com

NEW EXCLUSIVE PRESSURE PLATE DESIGN FOR CHEVY COBALT SS AUDI 1.8 T 6 SPEED VW 1.8 T 6 SPEED VR6 6 SPEED 1171 Newmarket Ottawa, Ontario K1B 3V1 For more details call 1.800.661.9700

RALLY

Bully 19.02.indd 1

DRAG

RACE

STREET

DRIFT

PULL

4/10/07 11:19:12 AM

WHEEL&TIRE buyersguide07 BFGoodrich

TIRE NAME: g-Force Sport CATEGORY: Ultra High-Performance Summer SIZE RANGE: 195/55-15 to 275/35-18 SPEED RATING(S): V, W SERIES: 35-60 US: (877) 788-8899 BFGOODRICHTIRES.COM CANADA: (888) 871-6666 BFGOODRICHTIRES.CA

Continental Tire

TIRE NAME: ContiSportContact 3 CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 215/45-17 to 325/24-20 and 295/30-21 SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y, Z SERIES: 25-45 US: CONTINENTALTIRE.COM CANADA: CONTINENTALTIRE.CA

TIRE NAME: Potenza RE-01R CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 16 to19-inch SPEED RATING(S): V & W SERIES: 30 TO 55 US: (800) 807-9555 BRIDGESTONE-FIRESTONE.COM

Cooper Tire

TIRE NAME: Zeon Sport A/S CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 205/55-16 to 275/40-18 SPEED RATING(S): W SERIES: 40-55 US: (419) 423-1321 COOPERTIRE.COM

Sumo Tires

Firestone

US/CANADA: SUMOTIRE.COM

US: (800) 807-9555 BRIDGESTONETIRE.COM

Goodyear

Hankook Tire

TIRE NAME: Firenza ST-08 CATEGORY: Performance SIZE RANGE: 185/55 - 15 to 235/40 - 18 SPEED RATING(S): V, W SERIES: 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60

TIRE NAME: Eagle Response Edge CATEGORY: High Performance SIZE RANGE: 195/60-15 to 255/55-18 SPEED RATING(S): H, V SERIES: 45-65 US: (330) 796-2121 GOODYEARTIRES.COM

98

Bridgestone

TIRE NAME: Firehawk GT CATEGORY: High Performance SIZE RANGE: 22 sizes; 14 -18-inch SPEED RATING(S): W SERIES: 40-55

TIRE NAME: Ventus ST RH06 CATEGORY: High Performance SIZE RANGE: 255/50R17 to 315/30R30 SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y SERIES: 30-60 US: (800) HANKOOK HANKOOKTIREUSA.COM CANADA: (800) 843-7709 HANKOOKTIRE.CA

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Wheel Buyers Guide 19.03.indd 2

5/25/2007 10:32:14 AM

WHEEL & TIRE BUYERS GUIDE 2007

Kumho Tires

Marangoni

TIRE NAME: Ecsta SPT CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 185/55-14 to 295/25-22 SPEED RATING(S): H, V, W, Y SERIES: 25-55

TIRE NAME: Zeta CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 22 sizes; 14”-18”-inch SPEED RATING(S): W SERIES: 40-55

US: (800) HI-KUMHO WWW.KUMHOTIREUSA.COM CANADA: KUMHOTIRE.CA

CANADA: (514) 328-2300 MARANGONICANADA.COM

Maxxis

Michelin

TIRE NAME: MA-S2 Marauder II CATEGORY: Performance SUV / LT SIZE RANGE: 255/55-18 to 305/40-22 SPEED RATING(S): V SERIES: 40-55 US: MAXXIS.COM

TIRE NAME: Exalto A/S CATEGORY: Ultra High-Performance All-Season SIZE RANGE: 185/60-14 to 235/45-17 SPEED RATING(S): H, V SERIES: 45-60 US: (866) 866-6605 MICHELIN-US.COM CANADA: (888) 871-4444 MICHELIN.CA

Pirelli

Pirelli

TIRE NAME: P Zero Nero CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE:195/45-16 TO 325/25-20 AND 275/25-24 (ALL SEASON) SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y, Z SERIES: 25-55

TIRE NAME: Scorpion ATR CATEGORY: All-terrain Performance SUV SIZE RANGE: 205/65-15– LT325/45-24 SPEED RATING(S): S, T, H SERIES: 25 - 85

US: (800) PIRELLI US.PIRELLI.COM CANADA: (800) 663-0148 WWW.CA.PIRELLI.COM

US: (800) PIRELLI US.PIRELLI.COM CANADA: (800) 663-0148 WWW.CA.PIRELLI.COM

Toyo Tires

Toyo Tires

TIRE NAME: Proxes S/T CATEGORY: High Performance Street, Sport Truck and SUV SIZE RANGE: 275/60-15, 305/35-24 SPEED RATING(S): H, V, W, Y SERIES: 30-70

TIRE NAME: Proxes T1R CATEGORY: Ultra-High Performance SIZE RANGE: 195/45-14 to 295/25-21 SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y SERIES: 25-55

US: (800) 678-3250 TOYO.COM CANADA: (800) 678-3250 TOYOTIRES.CA

US: (800) 678-3250 TOYO.COM CANADA: (800) 678-3250 TOYOTIRES.CA

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Wheel Buyers Guide 19.03.indd 3

99

5/25/2007 10:32:50 AM

WHEEL&TIRE buyersguide07 Marangoni

NITTO

TIRE NAME: Mythos CATEGORY: Ultra High-Performance SIZE RANGE: 215/45-17 TO 275/30-19 SPEED RATING(S): Y SERIES: 30 - 45

TIRE NAME: Invo CATEGORY: High Performance SIZE RANGE: 225/45-17 to 295/25-22 SPEED RATING(S): W, Y SERIES: 25-45

CANADA: (514) 328-2300 MARANGONICANADA.COM

US: (800) 678-3250 NITTOTIRE.COM

BFGoodrich

Lexani

TIRE NAME: G-Force T/A KDW CATEGORY: Ultra High-Performance SIZE RANGE: 205/55-15 TO 305/35-24 AND 325/55-22 SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y SERIES: 30 - 60

TIRE NAME: Lexani N3000 CATEGORY: Ultra-High Performance SIZE RANGE: 205/40-17 to 255/35-20 SPEED RATING(S): W, Y SERIES: 25-45

CANADA: (877) 788-8899 BFGOODRICHTIRES.CA

US: (314) 867-6561 LEXANITIRES.COM CANADA: (604) 946-8014 LEXANITIRES.COM

Falken Tire

Falken Tire

TIRE NAME: Azenis RT-615 CATEGORY: Ultra High Performance SIZE RANGE: 195/60-14 TO 315/30-18 SPEED RATING(S): H, W SERIES: 30 - 60

TIRE NAME: FK-452 CATEGORY: Ultra-High Performance SIZE RANGE: 205/60-16 to 315/25-22 SPEED RATING(S): W, Y, Z SERIES: 25-60

US: (800) 723-2553 FALKENTIRE.COM

US: (800) 723-2553 FALKENTIRE.COM

Yokohama

Yokohama

TIRE NAME: ADVAN A048 CATEGORY: DOT-legal recreational race SIZE RANGE: 205/50-15 TO 235/45-17 (M-COMPOUND).

195/50-16 to 315/30-18 (MH-COMPOUND) SPEED RATING(S): H, V, W, Y SERIES: 30, 40, 45, 50 US: (800) 722-9888 YOKOHAMATIRE.COM

TIRE NAME: Advan S4 CATEGORY: Ultra-High Performance SIZE RANGE: 205/50-17 to 295/25-22 SPEED RATING(S): V, W, Y SERIES: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55 US: (800) 722-9888 YOKOHAMATIRE.COM

100 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Wheel Buyers Guide 19.03.indd 4

5/25/2007 10:34:30 AM

RACE

PROVEN

Sponsors of

Robby Unser and Casper Canul in

Copper Tire 19.03 V2.indd 1

ZEON ZPT

ZEON 2X5

www.coopertire.com

5/25/07 9:21:31 AM

WHEEL&TIRE buyersguide 07 Enkei

Replika

WHEEL NAME: WDM SIZE(S): 15-18 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4 X 100, 4 X 114.3, 5 X 100, 5 X 110, 5 X 114.3, 5 X 120 OFFSET(S): 35, 38, 42 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): GUNMETAL

WHEEL NAME: SRT8 SIZE(S): 20x9, 22x9 BOLT PATTERN(S): 5X115 OFFSET(S): +25, +18 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): CHROME US/CANADA: REPLIKA.CA

US/CANADA: ENKEI.COM

G-games WHEEL NAME: 99B Barracuda SIZE(S): 18 x 7.5, 19 x 10.5 BOLT PATTERN(S): 5 X 100, 5 X 112, 5 X 114.3, 5 X 120 OFFSET(S): Japanese/European WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): GUNMETAL W/ DIAMOND-CUT LIP, SHINING SILVER W/ DIAMOND CUT LIP US/CANADA: (562) 946-6820 MACKININDUSTRIES.COM

Konig Wheels WHEEL NAME: HotSwap SIZE(S): 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4 X 100, 4 X 108, 4 X 110, 4 X 114.3, 5 X 100, 5 X 110, 5 X 112, 5 X 114.3, 5 X 115, 5 X 120 OFFSET(S): 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 49 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): MIRROR PAINT WITH CARBON FIBRE SPOKES US/CANADA: (800) 501-5567 KONIGWHEELS.COM

Ikon Wheels WHEEL NAME: IKON 26 - FLUX SIZE(S): 18 x 8.0 BOLT PATTERN(S): N/A OFFSET(S): 37, 40 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): BLACK MACHINE LIP, HYPER BLACK MACHINE LIP US/CANADA: (866) 824-9233 WDWHEELS.COM

Momo

WHEEL NAME: RPM SIZE(S): 17 x 7.0, 17 x 8.0, 18 x 7.5, 18 x 8.0 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4-, 5-LUG OFFSET(S): 35-50 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): HYPER SILVER WITH MACHINED LIP US/CANADA: (514) 328-2300 MOMOCANADA.COM

Sevas Wheels

TSW

WHEEL NAME: S-15 SIZE(S): 19 x 8.5 BOLT PATTERN(S): 5 X 114.3, 5 X 112, 5 X 120, 5 x 100 OFFSET(S): 20, 35, 40 WEIGHT(S): 25LBS (19 X 8.5) FINISH/COLOUR(S): CHARCOAL CHROME LIP, BLACK CHROME LIP, SILVER CHROME LIP

WHEEL NAME: ESTORIL SIZE(S): 17, 20 BOLT PATTERN(S): 5 X 114.3, 5 X 112 OFFSET(S): 20, 32, 35, 40 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): HYPER SILVER, CHROME MACHINE LIP

US/CANADA: (305) 971-6517 SEVASWHEELS.COM

US/CANADA: TSW.COM

102 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Wheel Buyers Guide 19.03.indd 6

5/25/2007 10:35:06 AM

Fastco 19.03.indd 1

5/24/07 1:59:08 PM

BDI 19.02.indd 1

4/9/07 4:00:07 PM

WHEEL&TIRE buyersguide 07 Motegi Racing

Gramlights

WHEEL NAME: DV5 SIZE(S): 17 x 7-19 x 8 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4 X 100, 4 X 4.25, 4 X 114.3, 5 X 100, 5 X 110, 5 X 114.3, 5 X 120 OFFSET(S): 30-50 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): CHROME, GUNMETAL, , SILVER, SILVER CHROME LIP

WHEEL NAME: 57 MAXIMUM SIZE(S): 15 x 6.5-18 x 9.5 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4 X 100, 5 X 100, 5 X 114.3 OFFSET(S): Late-model Japanese vehicles WEIGHT(S): 15-20LBS FINISH/COLOUR(S): GUN BLUE, SHINING SILVER MACHINE LIP

US/CANADA: (800) 959-1969 MOTEGIRACING.COM

US/CANADA: (562) 946-6820 MACKININDUSTRIES.COM

Spyn WHEEL NAME: SPYDER EVO SIZE(S): 17 x 7.0, 18 x 7.5, 18 x 8.0 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4-, 5-LUG OFFSET(S): 40-50 WEIGHT(S): N/A FINISH/COLOUR(S): TITANIUM FACE / STAINLESS STEEL LIP US/CANADA: (514) 328-2300 SPYNCANADA.COM

Volk Racing WHEEL NAME: RE30 SIZE(S): 15 x 5.5–18 x 10.5 BOLT PATTERN(S): 4 X 100, 4 X 114.3, 5 X 100, 5 X 112, 5 X 114.3, 5 X 120 OFFSET(S): N/A WEIGHT(S): 8LBS+ FINISH/COLOUR(S): BRONZE, SILVER US/CANADA: (562) 946-6820 MACKININDUSTRIES.COM

STEWART BROWNE

1997 GOLDWING MOTORCYCLE

Step

STRENGTHENS YOUR OIL

o Reduces engine friction, noise, heat and vibration o Increases compression and horsepower o Improves film strength up to 5 times o Removes sludge and varnish from engine parts

2

Step

ENHANCES YOUR FUEL

o Reduced your harmful emissions o Promotes a more complete combustion o Lubricates your fuel pump o Enhances your fuel injector’s performance and reduces premature wear

Pathfingers Lubricants.indd 1

Wheel Buyers Guide 19.03.indd 8

We did a Dyno Test with this motorcycle and the horsepower improved from 104 HP to 112 HP (8 HP INCREASE) with the use of Pathfinder products.

FUEL ECONOMY increased from 43 MPG to 51 MPG or 18 œ%.

All in all we are very pleased and impressed with your products.

Saving money on fuel and improving horsepower is truly remarkable. We also noticed that the oil at oil drain intervals remains very clear and clean.

PATHFINDERLUBRICANTS.COM/FLOW Tel: 613-337-5376 - Fax. 613-337-8772 Toll Free: 1-800-363-6457 E-mail: pathfinderlubricants@hotmail.com

FREE SHIPPING ANYWHERE IN NORTH AMERICA

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

105

5/28/07 5:17:50 PM

5/28/2007 5:32:07 PM

Gearing

UP

JOE ROCKET SUZUKI BUSA JACKET

Joe Rocket’s Men’s Suzuki Busa Jacket comes with a wind and water resistant Hi-Tena nylon shell with CE rated protectors in shoulders and elbows. There is a removable spine pad with a pocket for an optional CE spine protector. This Officially Licensed Suzuki product includes a variable flow ventilation system and a removable insulated vest liner. Has a sure-fit adjustable waistband and snap loop for attaching the jacket to your belt. For more contact Outer Space Sports at 519-737-7288 or visit www.joerocket.com.

AMSOIL 0W-20 MOTOR OIL

Amsoil’s new energy saving, fuel efficient synthetic oil 100% Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil is recommended by several vehicle manufacturers, including Ford, Honda, DaimlerChrylser and Toyota. Provides maximum protection in a light viscosity for up to 25,000 miles or one year. Formulated with the industry’s premier synthetic technology and additives in a light viscosity formulation, it withstands high temperatures and delivers outstanding fuel economy and cold temperature performance. Its light viscosity properties reduce drag, while its uniform molecular structure helps it flow more freely to reduce friction between metal surfaces. For more visit www.amsoil.com.

BELL BR 1 SIDE FORCED AIR BELL M-4

New for 2007, the M-4 is an aggressively styled, multi-featured, full-ventilation helmet with an extra large eyeport. The M-4 can be used in all forms of racing. It is available in white, black or flat black and sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL & XXXL. For more visit www.Bellracing.com or call 800-237-2700.

New for 2007, Bell has added a side air version of the BR-1 helmet. Made of the same high quality construction as the Bell Ultra Series, leading-edge styling, composite laminated shell technology, highperformance features at an economical price! Racer Series helmets feature the E-max plus energy system and Carbon-x interior. The helmet features a futuristic design, extra large eyeport and utilizes Bell’s air chamber technology to accelerate airflow to the front of the face for improved ventilation and comfort. For more visit www.Bellracing.com or call 800-237-2700.

106 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

GearingUp 19.03.indd 2

5/25/07 9:52:08 AM

Toronto motorsports 19.03.indd 1

5/22/07 5:16:55 PM

Toruing Car competition in Canada is ready to explode as the series hopes to take advantage of new sponsors to make the series truly national in the future

C

anadian touring car drivers got a major shot in the arm early in 2007 as major new sponsors were added to the series. It all got started when Castrol Canada stepped up in early March to announce a title sponsorship agreement through the 2009 season. Just over a month later, Toyo Tires also stepped into the picture as the presenting sponsor. Thus, the series will now be known as the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship presented by Toyo Tires.

“Castrol has long supported Touring Car racing on a global scale and has a tradition of supporting Canadian motorsports,” said Anthony Stadelman, Wakefield Canada Director of Marketing. “With the quality of people and the marques involved in the Canadian Touring Car Championship it makes perfect sense to align our brand with this series and carry on that tradition.”

Toyo Tires was equally excited about its increased role in the Canadian series as the Toyo RA-1 tire will be the spec tire for all competitors.

“Toyo’s affiliation with Canadian Touring Car racing goes back five years and over that time we have always been impressed with the¬¬¬ continuous improvement in the caliber of both the competitors and the events themselves,” said Bruce Bridgman, National Manager, Marketing & Strategic Planning, Toyo Tire Canada.

The 2007 season opened at Mosport International Raceway with 65 cars and more than 80 drivers competing for the top spot in three different classes as well as for the overall championship. The season

runs over eight weekends, with two races per event, until the Sept. 29-30 finale at Mosport.

“This season is the CTCC’s first step toward expansion from an Ontario-based regional race series into a national series,” said president John Bondar.

The series is divided into these classes: - Touring, the entry-level class open to fourcylinder, 2.0-litre cars such as the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra - Super Touring, cars with up to 2.8-litre engines such as the Acura TSX and Lexus IS300 - GT, cars with high-displacement engines such as Porsche 996s, Corvettes, BMW M3s and Dodge Vipers, with no restrictions on tire size While many of the competitors are independent, the CTCC also boasts factory-supported teams from Honda, Mini and Saab.

Scott Nicol considers his modified Honda Civic a non-traditional factory effort. Supported by the Honda Canada manufacturing plant in Alliston, Ont. the car and the team are managed entirely by Honda employees. Nicol, an engineer at Honda, is also the driver, but the team is made up of multiple Honda employees from across all departments of the company — from purchasing to the paint shop.

Nicol believes the on-track competition will get more intense as the series grows in stature and adds events across the country. “The fields keep getting bigger and bigger and they’ve elevated the level of competition every couple of years,” he said.

Photos by Ramesh Bayney

TOURING CAR

ON THE UPSWING

The addition of Castrol and Toyo Tires as sponsors gives the Canadian Touring Car Championship a shot of adrenaline for 2007.

108 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Castrol Touring Car 19.03.indd 2

5/24/2007 5:07:57 PM

PRESENTS

VISIT THE “CONTEST SECTION” ON FXL ONE BLACK

WWW.PRNMAG.COM Photography by Luke Munnell

FOR A CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THREE EXCLUSIVE WHEEL & TIRE PACKAGES FROM AND CONTACT US:

FXL ONE

FOR PRODUCT INFORMATION VISIT:

www.marangonicanada.com www.momocanada.com

GRAND PRIX IMPORT INC. MOMO CANADA / MARANGONI CANADA 8275 17e Avenue, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H1Z 4J9 Tel. (514)328.2300 info@grandpriximport.com

PLACE T O P C A N A D IAMNE R P E RF O R

4900 Sheppard Avenue East, Scarborough, ON, M1S 4A7.

(416) 298-1353

5437 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON, M2N 5S1.

(416) 223-0200

www.mrtransmissiontoronto.com

u ou yo ey erre he !!!!!! wh e e sw b b IItt’’s d ulld ou ho s sh Fraserville, Ontario Corner of Hwy. 115 and City. Rd. #28

705.939.8881 ext201

www.kawarthaspeedway.com

AMERICAN MOTORCYCLE PARTS - SALES - SERVICE 29945 highway 48 Pefferlaw Ontario

705-437-2291 www.fredhalemotors.com PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Marketplace 19.03 V2.indd 1

109

5/25/07 11:03:54 AM

PLACE Phone: 250-392-6825

Fax: 250-392-4817

1-800-734-3805 www.finishline.ca

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

We know racing because we GO racing!

â&#x20AC;?

ÂŽ

FACTORY TRAINED AUTHORIZED SALES & SERVICES

TF 1-800-866-573-5003 C 1-620-767-2807 E info@garysspeedshop.com gary7s@tctelco.net WWW.GARYSSPEEDSHOP.COM

D/NECK S HANSHESATRAINTEXPERT RE

WHERE ACTION IS THE ATTRACTION!

HOME OF VARNEY TRAINS

RACING EVERYNDAY NIGHTS AND SU SATURDAY NIGLOHNTG WEEKENDS ON Located: 5km south Durham on hwy#6 Visit: www.varneymotorspeedway.com for complete schedule & information

www.geeandgeeracing.com

148 Pleasant Ridge Road Brantford, ON, Canada, N3T 5L5 Tel: 519-756-1610 fax: 519-753-7553

NEW VANTASTIC RACES!!!

Track: 519-369-3555 OfďŹ ce: 519-787-1662 Email: letsracevarney@bellnet.ca

hoosier@geeandgeeracing.com GTA: 12621 Hwy #50 Bolton, ON L7E 1M4 905-857-9920 1-866-1 TOW VIA

London Area: 8782 Longwoods Rd. RR #1 Mt. Brydges, ON N0L 1W0 1-877-879-2842

WESTERN CANADA

TIM GEE

5601 46 STREET LEDUC AB CANADA T9E 7B1

PHONE 780.986.7223 FAX 780.986.5267

Your HANS Factory Trained Dealer

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160; >Â?Â?Ă&#x160;Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x192;Ă&#x160;vÂ&#x153;Ă&#x20AC;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x152;Â&#x2026;iĂ&#x160;LiĂ&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160; Ă&#x153;Â&#x2026;Â&#x153;Â?iĂ&#x192;>Â?iĂ&#x160;ÂŤĂ&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;ViĂ&#x192;

0ROSTREETAUTOMOTIVE COM 7ENTWORTH 3T 7HITBY /. , . 2

â&#x20AC;?

Motorcycle headsets Rider to Passenger Intercoms Stereo Helmet Speakers DEALERS WANTED Torkworld Industries 2280 E.Hastings St. Vancouver, BC 1-877-801-6984 www.torkworld.com

110 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Marketplace 19.03 V2.indd 2

5/25/07 10:11:26 AM

VISIT

ADVERTISE CALL:

WWW.PRNMAG.COM

HERE

800.667.7223 EXT. 3020

NASCAR Cup Trailer 1994 excellent condition.

Features self-contained diesel generator, air compressor, heating, a/c, 2 fridge, microwave and full lounge with dinette, sofa, cabinets, work benches, and tool boxes. Full sized slide canopy, rear lift gate.

Just serviced with new tires.

905.875.4700 www.legendarymotorcar.com

Head OfďŹ ce is located in Western Canada

2244 Lefeuvre Road Abbotsford, BC V4X 1C6 Phone 604.607.7735 Fax 604.607.7785

come race with us!

1.800.567.RACE Locally 604.607.7735

www.lairdraceway.com Race Track Number (704) 248-3244 Office Number (705) 256-1652

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Marketplace 19.03 V2.indd 3

111

5/30/07 5:37:55 PM

2007 MOTORSPORTS POINTS STANDINGS THE OFFICIAL AUTOMOTIVE RETAILER OF NASCAR IN CANADA. The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series marks are used under license by Destination Motorsports LP and Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited. NASCAR® is a registered trademark of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc.

FIA FORMULA ONE AFTER 4 OF 17 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6

Lewis Hamilton ............................................ 30 Fernando Alonso .......................................... 28 Felipe Massa ................................................ 27 Kimi Raikkonen ............................................ 22 Nick Heidfeld................................................ 15 Robert Kubica ................................................ 8 Giancarlo Fisihella ......................................... 8 8 Nico Rosberg.................................................. 5 9 David Coluthard ............................................. 4 Jarno Trulli ..................................................... 4

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES AFTER 4 OF 16 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Sebastien Bourdais ...................................... 73 Will Power .................................................... 70 Robert Doornbos .......................................... 61 Alex Tagliani ................................................. 57 Bruno Junqueira .......................................... 53 Oriol Servia .................................................. 51 Graham Rahal .............................................. 46 Justin Wilson................................................ 41 Tristan Gommendy ....................................... 39 Simon Pagenaud .......................................... 38

IRL INDY CAR SERIES AFTER 4 OF 17 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Dan Wheldon .............................................. 171 Scott Dixon................................................. 144 Helio Castroneves ...................................... 136 Dario Franchitti .......................................... 131 Tony Kanaan............................................... 130 Sam Hornish Jr........................................... 119 Tomas Scheckter ....................................... 104 Danica Patrick.............................................. 85 Vitor Meira ................................................... 83 Scott Sharp .................................................. 82

CHAMP CAR ATLANTIC CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 3 OF 12 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Raphael Matos ............................................. 98 Jonathan Bomarito ...................................... 75 James Hinchcliffe ........................................ 66 Robert Wickens ............................................ 65 Franck Perera .............................................. 63 Ronnie Bremer ............................................. 43 Carl Skerlong ............................................... 41 Giacomo Ricci .............................................. 41 John Edwards .............................................. 36 Alan Sciuto ................................................... 36

IRL INDY PRO SERIES AFTER 3 OF 16 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Alex Lloyd................................................... 155 Hideki Mutoh.............................................. 107 Bobby Wilson ............................................... 91 Chris Festa ................................................... 83 Robbie Pecorari............................................ 80 CR Crews ..................................................... 70 Wade Cunningham ....................................... 68 Jaime Camara .............................................. 63 Stephen Simpson ......................................... 61 Andrew Prendeville ...................................... 60

STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 4 OF 12 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Dane Cameron ........................................... 158 James Davison........................................... 142 Marco Di Leo .............................................. 131 Lorenzo Manadarino .................................. 122 Jonathan Goring......................................... 121 Ron White................................................... 118 Nick Hayes ................................................. 117 Daniel Di Leo .............................................. 110 Alex Ardoin ................................................. 102 Charles Anti.................................................. 99

AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES AFTER 5 OF 12 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3

LMP1 R. Capello/A. McNish ................................. 102 M. Werner/E. Pirro........................................ 90 Clint Field ..................................................... 71 Jon Field ...................................................... 58 Richard Berry ............................................... 45 LMP2 R. Dumas/T. Bernhard .................................. 91 S. Maassen/R. Briscoe ................................. 78 D. Brabham/S. Johansson ............................ 55

4 A. Wallace/B. Leitzinger ............................... 54 5 Bryan Herta .................................................. 52 GT1 1 O. Gavin/O. Beretta ..................................... 102 2 J. Magnussen/J. O’Connell........................... 74 3 Max Papis .................................................... 26 4 Ron Fellows ................................................. 22 5 A. Garcia/L. Halliday/D. Turner ..................... 19 GT2 1 M. Salo/J. Melo ............................................ 86 2 J. Bergemeister/J. Van Overbeek ................. 72 3 W. Henzler/R. Lidell ...................................... 63 4 Patrick Long ................................................. 35 5 Darren Law .................................................. 34

GRAND-AM SERIES

6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10

AFTER 4 OF 15 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5

DP M. Angelelli/J. Magnussen ......................... 127 Scott Pruett ................................................ 116 C. Braun/M. Papis ...................................... 107 Memo Rojas ................................................. 91 D. Donohue/D. Law....................................... 91 GT N. Ham/S. Tremblay ................................... 128 Dick Werner ............................................... 110 P. Edwards/K. Collins ................................. 107 JF Dumoulin/C. de Quesada....................... 104 Bryce Miller.................................................. 98

NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES AFTER 11 OF 36 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jeff Gordon .............................................. 1881 Jimmie Johnson....................................... 1650 Matt Kenseth............................................ 1582 Denny Hamlin........................................... 1539 Jeff Burton ............................................... 1486 Tony Stewart ............................................ 1375 Kurt Busch ............................................... 1325 Kevin Harvick ........................................... 1315 Clint Bowyer............................................. 1302 Carl Edwards............................................ 1291

NASCAR BUSCH SERIES AFTER 12 OF 35 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Carl Edwards............................................ 1958 Kevin Harvick ........................................... 1525 David Reutimann...................................... 1359 Dave Blaney ............................................. 1353 Matt Kenseth............................................ 1280 David Ragan ............................................. 1270 Bobby Hamilton Jr. ................................... 1252 Regan Smith ............................................ 1238 Juan Montoya .......................................... 1227 Greg Biffle ................................................ 1215

NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES 2006 FINAL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

JR Fitzpatrick ........................................... 1868 Don Thomson Jr. ...................................... 1823 Kerry Micks .............................................. 1813 Dave Whitlock .......................................... 1800 Mark Dilley ............................................... 1799 Scott Steckly ............................................ 1777 Ron Beauchamp Jr. .................................. 1750 DJ Kennington.......................................... 1734 Peter Gibbons........................................... 1717 Brad Graham ............................................ 1677

FIA WORLD RALLY AFTER 7 OF 17 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5

Sebastien Loeb ............................................ 55 Marcus Gronholm......................................... 48 Mikko Hirvonen ............................................ 44 Daniel Sordo ................................................ 28 Petter Solberg .............................................. 20 Henning Solberg .......................................... 20 7 Chris Atkinson .............................................. 12 Jari-Matti Latvala......................................... 12 9 Daniel Carlsson .............................................. 9 10 Toni Gardemeister .......................................... 8

NHRA DRAG RACING SERIES AFTER 7 OF 23 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5

TOP FUEL Rod Fuller................................................... 499 Brandon Bernstein ..................................... 476 JR Todd ...................................................... 408 Larry Dixon................................................. 396 Melanie Troxel ............................................ 392

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tony Schumacher ...................................... 371 Bob Vandergriff .......................................... 351 David Grubnic............................................. 347 Whit Bazemore........................................... 340 Cory McClenathan...................................... 336 FUNNY CAR Ron Capps .................................................. 645 Robert Hight ............................................... 524 Tony Pedregon ........................................... 404 Mike Ashley................................................ 385 Gary Scelzi ................................................. 385 Jim Head .................................................... 343 Ashley Force .............................................. 322 Del Worsham .............................................. 319 Jeff Arend .................................................. 290 Cruz Pedregon ........................................... 274 PRO STOCK Greg Anderson ........................................... 680 Dave Connolly ............................................ 479 Jeg Coughlin .............................................. 466 Jason Line.................................................. 427 Warren Johnson ......................................... 351 Kurt Johnson.............................................. 345 Allen Johnson ............................................ 341 Mike Edwards ............................................ 327 V. Gaines .................................................... 306 Richie Stevens ........................................... 290

IHRA DRAG RACING SERIES AFTER 2 OF 12 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

TOP FUEL TJ Zizzo ...................................................... 214 Bruce Litton ............................................... 169 Doug Foley ................................................. 142 Bobby Lagana Jr. ....................................... 125 Scotty Cannon ............................................ 113 Scott Weis .................................................... 87 Michael Gunderson ...................................... 73 Jack King ..................................................... 65 Terry McMillen ............................................. 47 S. Palmer/L. Novelli/J. Cavalieri ................... 10 PRO MODIFIED Scotty Cannon Jr. ....................................... 161 Danny Rowe ............................................... 148 Ed Hoover................................................... 146 Kenny Lang ................................................ 119 Pat Stoken.................................................... 95 Jim Halsey ................................................... 91 Quain Stott ................................................... 90 Kirk Kuhns.................................................... 84 Mike Castellana ........................................... 81 Burton Auxier Jr. .......................................... 80 ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR Terry Munroe.............................................. 222 Mark Thomas ............................................. 215 Rob Atchison .............................................. 122 Larry Dobbs................................................ 102 Tony Bogolo.................................................. 79 NITRO FUNNY CAR Dale Creasey Jr. ......................................... 185 Jack Wyatt ................................................. 182 Jon Capps .................................................. 139 Terry Haddock ............................................ 134 Bob Gilbertson ........................................... 123 PRO STOCK John Montecalvo........................................ 201 Robert Patrick ............................................ 195 Pete Berner ................................................ 133 Robert Mansfield........................................ 120 Scott Spiess ................................................. 95 Mike Corvo Jr. .............................................. 80 Rickie Smith ................................................. 78 Frank Gugliotta ............................................ 70 Elijah Morton ................................................ 55 Jeff Dobbins ................................................. 54

FIM MOTOGP CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 5 OF 18 RACES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Casey Stoner .............................................. 102 Valentino Rossi ............................................ 81 Dani Pedrosa................................................ 62 Marco Melandri ............................................ 61 Chris Vermeulen............................................55 John Hopkins ............................................... 48 Loris Capirossi ............................................. 38 Toni Elias ...................................................... 35 Colin Edwards .............................................. 35 Alex Hofmann............................................... 30

AMA SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 4 OF 11 EVENTS

1 Ben Spies ................................................... 238 Mat Mladin ................................................. 238 3 Miguel Duhamel ......................................... 197 4 Jake Zemke ............................................... 181 5 Tommy Hayden .......................................... 180 6 Jason DiSalvo ............................................ 166 7 Eric Bostrom .............................................. 156 Aaron Yates ................................................ 156 9 Jamie Hacking ........................................... 134 10 James Ellison ............................................. 127

CANADIAN SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP 2006 FINAL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jordan szoke.............................................. 319 Kevin Lacombe .......................................... 308 Pascal Picotte ............................................ 246 Tom Kipp .................................................... 214 Francis Martin ............................................ 199 Andrew Nelson........................................... 170 Frank Trombino .......................................... 151 Clint McBain............................................... 139 Erick Beausejour ........................................ 136 Jean-Paul Tache......................................... 130

AMA SUPERSPORT SERIES AFTER 4 OF 11 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5

Josh Hayes................................................. 133 Roger Lee Hayden ...................................... 121 Steve Rapp................................................. 105 Jamie Hacking ........................................... 103 Tommy Hayden .......................................... 100

AMA SUPERSTOCK SERIES After 4 of 11 events Ben Spies ................................................... 141 Aaron Yates ................................................ 118 Ben Bostrom .............................................. 117 Geoff May................................................... 111 Danny Eslick .............................................. 104

1 2 3 4 5

AMA FORMULA XTREME SERIES AFTER 4 OF 11 EVENTS

1 2 3 4 5

Josh Hayes................................................. 139 Steve Rapp................................................. 120 Aaron Gobert ................................................ 96 Larry Pegram ............................................... 87 Bobby Fong .................................................. 76

CANADIAN PRO 600 SPORT BIKE SERIES 2006 FINAL

1 2 3 4 5

Jordan Szoke ............................................. 309 Kevin Lacombe .......................................... 291 Tom Kipp .................................................... 239 Clint McBain............................................... 234 Pascal Picotte ............................................ 229

CMRC MOTOCROSS SERIES 2006 FINAL

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MX1 Dusty Klatt ................................................. 452 Jean-Sebastien Roy ................................... 437 Blair Morgan .............................................. 320 Simon Homans........................................... 256 Marco Dube................................................ 222 Ryan Lockhart ............................................ 203 Keith Johnson ............................................ 175 Darcy Lange ............................................... 165 Chuck Mesley............................................. 163 Colton Facciotti .......................................... 148

1 2 3 4 5

MX2 WEST Jimmy Nelson ............................................ 216 Teddy Maeir ............................................... 166 Gray Davenport .......................................... 153 Michael Sleeter .......................................... 136 Jeff Northrop.............................................. 135

1 2 3 4 5

MX2 EAST Kyle Chisholm ............................................ 189 Michael Willard .......................................... 186 Matt Barnes ............................................... 150 Tyler Medaglia............................................ 119 Nick Evennou ............................................. 105

STANDINGS AS OF MAY 20, 2007

112 PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Points 19.03.indd 2

5/24/2007 2:08:06 PM

MARKETPLACE Fuel Systems

Standalone ECUs

Pistons

Fuel Cells

Gauges

Drivetrain

Lightweight Batteries

Big Brake Systems

Camshafts

Clutches & Flywheels

Gaskets

Blocks

Cooling & Cryogenic

Rods & Crankshafts

Brake Pads & Rotors

Engines

Urethane Upgrades

Clutches & Flywheels

Valvetrain

Fans & Coolers

Radiators

Turbochargers

Helmets

Fuel Systems

Pistons

Spark Plugs & Ignition

Limited Slip Differentials

Oils & Lubricants

Suspension

Gauges

Shocks & Struts

Wastegates & Blowoff Valves

Individual Throttle Bodies

Exhaust Hard Parts

Lightweight Forged Racing Wheels

Brake Systems

VISIT

WWW.JRPONLINE.COM

2344 SOUTH SHERIDAN WAY MISSISSAUGA, ON, CANADA (905) 822-7223

PERFORMANCE RACING NEWS

Marketplace-JRP 19.02 V2.indd 1

113

5/23/2007 5:03:06 PM

adINDEX:

On the Flip Side 19.03-v3.indd 2

onthe

2-WHEEL NEWS

FLIPSIDE

ANGEL WINGS TRADING INC............................................................65 www.angel-wings.ca ANGLO AMERICAN ROAD RACING .............................................85 www.aaroadracing.com AUTO DENT MAGICIANS ......................................................................39 www.autodentmagicians.ca BELL RACING ..............................................................................................43 www.bellracing.com BEYOND DIGITAL IMAGING........................................................... 104 www.bdimaging.com BULLY CLUTCH ..........................................................................................97 www.bullyclutch.com CANADA WIDE DISTRIBUTORS .......................................................53 www.canada-wide-parts.com CASTROL .............................................................................................................3 www.castrol.ca CAYUGA INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY ....................................67 www.cayugaspeedwaypark.com CHAG AUTOSPORT...................................................................................87 www.chagautosport.com CHAMP CAR - CIRCUIT MONT-TREMBLANT .........................33 www.champcarmonttremblant.ca CHEVRON/ TEXACO ..............................................................................11 www.havolinecoolants.com CIRCUIT MONT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; TREMBLANT ........................................................90 www.lecircuit.com COOPER TIRE...............................................................................................99 www.coopertire.com CRC CANADA ...............................................................................................45 www.crc-canada.ca DA SILVA LIFTS ..........................................................................................41 www.liftmycar.com DMS NORTH AMERICA.........................................................................81 www.dmsnorthamerica.com EAGLE ONE...................................................................................................27 www.eagleone.com EMCEA TRANSPORT...............................................................................89 www.emcea.ca FAST CO. .........................................................................................................03 www.fastco.ca FAST EDDIE RACEWEAR ....................................................................91 www.fasteddieracewear.com G-FORCE RACING GEAR ................................................................. 107 www.gforce.com GATORZ GLASSES ...................................................................................29 www.gatorz.com GRAND PRIX ASSOCIATION OF TORONTO .............................31 www.grandprixtoronto.com GRAND PRIX EDMONTON ..................................................................35 www.grandprixedmonton.com GRAND PRIX IMPORTS ........................................................................37 www.grandpriximport.com HANS..................................................................................................................25 www.hansdevice.com IHRA....................................................................................................................51 www.ihra.com JIFFY TITE ........................................................................................................66 www.jiffy-tite.com JONES BROWN MOTOR SPORTS ...................................................91 www.jonesbrown.com/motorsports JRP (MARKET PLACE) ....................................................................... 113 www.jrponline.com JRP (SPARCO) ..............................................................................................55 www.jrponline.com JVC .......................................................................................................................61 www.jvc.ca LINCOLN ELECTRIC .................................................................................69 www.lincolnelectric.com MEADOWVALE FORD ...........................................................................95 www.meadowvaleford.com MECHANIX WEAR........................................................................................4 www.mechanixwear.com MOPAC AUTO SUPPLY.........................................................................49 www.mopacautosupply.com MOBIL 1 ..........................................................................................................23 www.mobil1.com MOPAR.................................................................................................................2 www.mopar.ca MOSPORT ...........................................................................................................6 www.mosport.com NGK CANADA ..............................................................................................21 www.ngksparkplugs.ca NITRO MOOSE .............................................................................................47 www.nitromoose.ca PATHFINDER LUBRICANTS............................................................ 105 www.pathfinderlubricants.com PERFORMANCE RACING INDUSTRY ..........................................73 www.performanceracing.com ROCKET RALLY RACING......................................................................77 www.rocketrally.com SAFETY FX ....................................................................................................79 www.safetyfxonline.com SALEEN CANADA .....................................................................................93 www.saleencanada.com SCCA ..................................................................................................................86 www.scca.com SHIFT RACING ..............................................................................................13 www.shiftracing.ca SH KARTING ..................................................................................................87 www.shkarting.com TISSOT................................................................................................................59 www.tissot.ch TORONTO MOTORSPORTS PARK...................................................40 www.torontomotorsportspark.com TOYO TIRE ......................................................................................................15 www.toyotires.ca YOKOHAMA ......................................................................................................9 www.yokohama.ca

6/1/2007 4:50:50 PM