South Buxton Raceway Set to Celebrate Their 35th Anniversary

As we struggle with the last of old man winter, South Buxton Raceway hopes to change those cold thoughts with the release of their 2006 race schedule. The 2006 schedule features five special events for a total of 20 race dates starting May 6th. Once again, the track will feature the return of the Sprints on Dirt series May 27th.

The Empire Super Sprints will make their first appearance at the speedway July 15th. The Southern Ontario Sprints will make 2 stops at the 3/8 mile “D” shaped oval July 15th & Aug. 26th. The Canadian Late Model Shootout will close the season September 30th. The 2005 Shootout winner Jayme Zidar from Greenfield, Wisconsin, has already stated that he will be back to defend his title.

Work on the race facility has continued since the checkered flag flew on Oct.1st. A new concrete wall complete with new catchfence will be completed from the flagstand through to turn one. A new pedestrian fence will also be built in conjunction with the new catchfence. Other construction planned for the start of the season will see the removal of the pit admissions trailer and replaced with a permanent building. Other changes this year will be the debut of a new program for the kids. Three nights will be devoted just for the kids. These nights will consist of games, giveaways and a special on-track autograph session. The primary benefit for all parents is that there will be no registration fees required for participation.

UMP Modified Triple Crown - UMP Modified drivers can look forward to the UMP Modified Triple Crown sponsored by Misselbrook Racing Engines. On three race nights throughout the year, a separate points total will be tabulated to determine the winner of the U.M.P. Triple Crown. The selected nights are, May 6th, July 1st and September 9th. The winner of this event will pocket $1000 with 2nd place receiving $500.

The next event at the track will be our practice day. Practice is open to our four race divisions plus sprint cars. Race teams are encouraged to have their cars decaled and ready for photographs. Pit gates will open at 1:30 with a driver’s meeting set for 3pm. The first round of practice will start at 3:30. For further information about South Buxton Raceway log onto, www.southbuxtonraceway.com

Flamboro Speedway Newsletter

Hello Race Fans

A quick update.

The Lucas Oil Flamboro Speedway website is now mostly up to date. I will slowly start to change the site appearance over the next few months. If you have any design ideas feel free to let me know.

The website now has two URL’s.

www.flamborospeedway.itgo.com and also www.flamborospeedway.com . Both URL’s will take you to the website until the end of 2006 when the itgo site will be dropped.

The Performance World Car Show was a huge success topped by two Flamboro Race Teams winning top honours in their respective categories. Congratulations to the Thunder Car teams of #5 Ken Stenhouse and Linda Dean Best Appearing Stock Car Mid 1980’s and # 72 Randy Russnell, Best Appearing Stock Car pre 1980.

The first ever WWS drivers meeting will be held this Sunday March 19th at 11:30 am at Hot Rods Restaurant in Milton. Check out the 2006 Headlines Section.

Grisdale Racing is holding a Shock Seminar on Saturday March 25. For further details check out the 2006 Headlines Section.

Parts Peddler is holding their 11th Annual Racing Swap Meet in Syracuse N.Y. also on March 25. For further info check out their site at www.partspeddlernews.net .

I again remind you all to continue to stuff the ballot box at the Inside Track Peoples Choice Awards. www.insidetrackpublications.com/readerschoice Lets win one for our local drivers!


Revd up as always!

Dave……………..

DODGE CHARGER SET TO LIGHT UP THE STRIP IN 2006 NHRA POWERADE FUNNY CAR SERIES DEBUT

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – When it comes to racing, nobody exhibits modern-era muscle more than the Dodge drag race teams competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). So, after celebrating a 1-2 championship finish in 2005, Dodge has announced it will introduce the Dodge Charger to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition in 2006, with its debut in the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 16-19.

The announcement comes a little more than one year following the public reveal of the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and the introduction of the Dodge Charger race car to NASCAR Nextel Cup Series competition.

“The Dodge Charger is a perfect fit for the next generation of NHRA Funny Cars,” said John Fernandez, Director – Dodge Motorsports Operations. “Dodge has an incredible heritage in racing and the Charger name is synonymous with power and performance – two key ingredients to winning in any form of racing.

“We want to build on the winning tradition that our NHRA teams established in 2005 and pave a way to even more success in 2006. With the amount of research and testing that went into developing the Dodge Charger production model – the ultimate American muscle sedan – as well as the Charger Funny Car, Dodge will continue to win both on the track and on the showroom floor this year.”

The newly designed Dodge Charger Funny Car combines the latest in Dodge engineering advancements with an added boost of Dodge DNA. The race car features the same bold styling, signature grille and powerful performance found throughout the Dodge lineup, and it takes design cues directly from the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle.

Don Schumacher Racing’s stable of drivers expect to be as competitive as ever in the new Dodge Charger, which could mean a shot for returning champion Gary Scelzi to become the first driver in NHRA history to win back-to-back titles in both the Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions.

Scelzi will pilot the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger in 2006, with runner-up championship teammate Ron Capps in the Brut Dodge Charger, and NHRA veteran Whit Bazemore in the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger.

CASCAR: Hint of things to come?

Thanks to Bruce M. for forwarding this story, from today's Winston-Salem Journal.
Writer Mike Mulhern's discussion of the Car of the Future contains a comment about NASCAR's future in Canada. Interesting.

NASCAR's proposed "car of the future" remains controversial, and in its current design, even with a rear wing, is still basically undriveable, particularly in traffic, according to some drivers. And it's unclear when testing of the intermediate track version of the new car may resume. NASCAR says it plans to debut the car of tomorrow next year at Bristol, a track where aerodynamics is less significant than at most stock car tracks. And NASCAR is delaying introduction of the model at the tour's many mid-size tracks, like Las Vegas, Kansas and Texas, until 2009.

How all that may impact NASCAR's proposed new Grand National regional touring series is unclear.
Part of NASCAR's original game plan for its car of the future was to turn current Nextel Cup cars into Busch cars and, in turn, to turn current Busch cars, modified, into new Grand National touring cars.

That Grand National prototype was debuted in Orlando in December at the Performance Racing Industry trade show. Currently it is expected to run Corvette aluminum block engines, which will not be allowed to generate more than 608 horsepower, and which would cost about $15,000. And it would have a molded fiberglass body.

Engine builders would have to be licensed by NASCAR.

The new Grand National series would consist of five regional touring series: on the old Winston West tour tracks; on Canadian CASCAR tracks; in the Northeast; the Southeast; and the Midwest. At the end of the season NASCAR would hold a playoff to determine the national champion.

The next test for the car of the future is set for later this month, at Bristol, the day after that tour stop.

CASCAR ANNOUNCES NEW TITLE SPONSOR FOR THE WESTERN SERIES: THE CASCAR FLO~PRO.COM WESTERN SERIES

CALGARY, AB – CASCAR announced today that a new entitlement sponsorship agreement has been reached for the CASCAR Western Series; the tour will now be known as the “CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series”.

The CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series is Western Canada’s premier stock car racing series. It is comprised of an eight race tour that holds events in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia. The Championship includes two events that are in cooperation with the National CASCAR Super Series events; Sun Valley Speedway on July 15, 16, and Grand Prix Edmonton on July 21, 22, 23.

“We are delighted to welcome Flo~Pro as the title sponsor of our Western Series tour,” stated CASCAR president Tony Novotny. “Flo~Pro has been the Official Exhaust of CASCAR for many years, and we are very proud that they have chosen to step up and place their name on our Western Series tour. We feel that the 2006 season will be our strongest year in Western Canada yet, and I would like to sincerely thank Flo~Pro for their support in making it happen.”

The 2006 CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series promises to be the most exciting season in years, with several new teams and competitors joining the tour. Also, with the addition of Grand Prix Edmonton to the schedule the CASCAR Flo~Pro.com Western Series competitors will race in front of over 200,000 fans over the weekend. Edmonton-based Kevin Dowler will return as the defending Champion of the series in 2006.

“We are very excited about expanding our commitment with CASCAR,” stated Don Schumacher President of Red Deer Exhaust. “Being a Western Canadian based manufacture of performance exhaust we see the title sponsorship as a great fit for our organization. We look forward to furthering our identity with CASCAR and the fans who support this professional race circuit”

Red Deer Exhaust is a Canadian manufacturer of high flowing performance exhaust products that was founded in 1981 and is still located in Red Deer, Alberta today. They have grown into a 60,000 square foot facility that distributes performance exhaust products throughout North America. They manufacture a variety of high flowing performance designs with deep smooth aggressive sounds for the traditional, tuner and diesel markets. Known for quality and exceptional customer service their brand names like Flo~Pro - the official Cascar muffler, V-Force, Truck and Twister Race mufflers they are well recognized and respected within the traditional market. While the tuner enthusiasts enjoy their high polished stainless steel mufflers and tips the diesel enthusiast is satisfied with complete 4” and 5” mandrel bent performance exhaust conversion systems for Powerstroke, Duramax and Cummins trucks. A complete listing of all Red Deer Exhaust products and approved dealers is available at www.flopro.com

2006 CASCAR FLO~PRO WESTERN SERIES SCHEDULE
Date Track Location

May 20, 21 Sun Valley Speedway Vernon, BC
June 10 Sun Valley Speedway Vernon, BC
July 15, 16 Sun Valley Speedway *National Event* Vernon, BC
July 21, 22, 23 Grand Prix Edmonton *National Event* Edmonton, AB
August 5 Bridge City Speedway Saskatoon, SK
August 19 Edmonton International Raceway Wetaskiwin, AB
September 2, 3 Sun Valley Speedway Vernon, BC
September 23 Bridge City Speedway Saskatoon, SK

* Please note that National Events count for Western Series points.

The CASCAR Super Series is Canada’s top level of stock car racing, with events held in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. Over 150 race teams across the country compete in CASCAR’s three series’: the CASCAR Flo~Pro Western Series, Sportsman Series, and the Super Series.

DODGE CHARGER SET TO LIGHT UP THE STRIP IN 2006 NHRA POWERADE FUNNY CAR SERIES DEBUT

Courtesy Dan Bodene

March 7, 2006, AUBURN HILLS, MI – When it comes to racing, nobody exhibits modern-era muscle more than the Dodge drag race teams competing in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA). So, after celebrating a 1-2 championship finish in 2005, Dodge has announced it will introduce the Dodge Charger to NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Funny Car competition in 2006, with its debut in the NHRA Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 16-19.

The announcement comes a little more than one year following the public reveal of the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle at the 2005 North American International Auto Show and the introduction of the Dodge Charger race car to NASCAR Nextel Cup Series competition.

“The Dodge Charger is a perfect fit for the next generation of NHRA Funny Cars,” said John Fernandez, Director – Dodge Motorsports Operations. “Dodge has an incredible heritage in racing and the Charger name is synonymous with power and performance – two key ingredients to winning in any form of racing.

“We want to build on the winning tradition that our NHRA teams established in 2005 and pave a way to even more success in 2006. With the amount of research and testing that went into developing the Dodge Charger production model – the ultimate American muscle sedan – as well as the Charger Funny Car, Dodge will continue to win both on the track and on the showroom floor this year.”

The newly designed Dodge Charger Funny Car combines the latest in Dodge engineering advancements with an added boost of Dodge DNA. The race car features the same bold styling, signature grille and powerful performance found throughout the Dodge lineup, and it takes design cues directly from the 2006 Dodge Charger passenger vehicle.

Don Schumacher Racing’s stable of drivers expect to be as competitive as ever in the new Dodge Charger, which could mean a shot for returning champion Gary Scelzi to become the first driver in NHRA history to win back-to-back titles in both the Funny Car and Top Fuel divisions.

Scelzi will pilot the Mopar/Oakley Dodge Charger in 2006, with runner-up championship teammate Ron Capps in the Brut Dodge Charger, and NHRA veteran Whit Bazemore in the Matco Tools Iron Eagle Dodge Charger.

A1 Team Canada up to 9th with Carpentier points-haul

Courtesy Stuart Morrison Public Relations

12th March 2006 / Round 10 / A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Laguna Seca, California, USA Qualified: 18th / Sprint Race: 6th / Feature Race: 5th / Series standing: 9th (55pts)

A1 Team Canada climbed to ninth in the A1GP Nations Standings today courtesy of a double points- scoring run from Patrick Carpentier in the penultimate round of the ‘World Cup of Motorsport’ at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Sixth place in the Sprint followed by fifth in the Feature rewarded the Canadian team with 11 priceless points in a day where A1 Team France clinched the inaugural A1 Grand Prix of Nations Championship while A1 Team Mexico scored back-to-back victories.

Sprint Race, 16-laps; 30-minute time limit (Winner – A1 Team Mexico, Salvador Duran)
With a sudden downpour greeting the field just minutes before the start of the race the grid became a hive of activity as slick tires were hurriedly swapped for wets. The rain failed to faze Laguna-veteran Patrick Carpentier in the A1 Team Canada car as he gingerly picked off his rivals on the opening lap to climb five places to 13th. When the safety car was summoned for a second tour of duty, this time on lap 8, the charging Carpentier was looking strong in eighth. Taking two more spots at the checkered flag, the race distance determined by the time limit, Patrick bagged a welcome five points, his sixth place effort further safe-guarding A1 Team Canada’s top-ten points standing.

Feature Race, 40-laps, 1-hour time limit (Winner – A1 Team Mexico, Salvador Duran)
In keeping with the changeable conditions the Feature race started on a predominantly dry track. Initially out on wet tires, Carpentier made his mandatory pit-stop on lap 3, switching to slicks and immediately firing himself back into the top-ten. Following a six-lap safety car period the 34-year-old set his sights on further progression, quickly passing the Czech Republic for eighth. The second-half of the Feature saw Patrick up to sixth and chasing A1 Team Portugal five seconds further up the track. A second safety period allowed the pack to close up before Patrick was elevated to fifth at the checkered flag thanks to an uncharacteristic late-race retirement from A1 Team France.

Comments from Patrick Carpentier:
“The rain actually helped me in the first race as some people made mistakes and I was able to get past them at the start. From there I just worked my way up to get a good start position for the Feature. I was fighting to catch Portugal at the end of the main race but it was still pretty slippery out there. Overall though it’s been fun and we scored points and improved our position. Today was a lot better than yesterday that’s for sure, it’s all a learning experience and I really enjoyed myself out there!"

Shanghai, China hosts Round 11 of the A1 Grand Prix of Nations, 31st March -2nd April 2006.

A1GP Standings Standings:
1st France (163), 2nd Switzerland (121), 3rd Great Britain (88), 4th Brazil (70), 5th Netherlands (69), 6th New Zealand (67), 7th Portugal (66), 8th Ireland (61), 9th CANADA (55), 10th Malaysia (54)