Disturbed Motorsports team preparing for NHRA Gatornationals

Courtesy Bruce F. Mehlenbacher

MARIETTA, GEORGIA (March 14, 2007) – The Pro Modified drag racing team of Disturbed Motorsports is planning on a good showing at its inaugural 2007 NHRA event, the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge presented by Tindle Enterprises, this coming weekend.

“We’re looking forward to Gainesville,” said Disturbed Motorsports driver Eddie Ware, who will be piloting the Rupture Streetwear-sponsored 1967 Camaro at the ACDelco Gatornationals in northern Florida. “We enjoy running at Gainesville. There’s lots of good fans, and it’s a great track to race on.”

The team, headed by Eddie’s father Sam Ware, has already been competing this season, winning the Pro Street division at the recent US Street Nationals in Bradenton, FL. The team has also been spending time testing the newly-wrapped Camaro, courtesy of Baudier Vehicle Graphics, in Valdosta, Georgia. The team will be tweaking the Brad Anderson Hemi for the Gatornationals, although Ware mentioned they will use the set-up they finished with last year.

“We’ll be running the same tune-up with the car that we did for last year,” explained the 32-year old Ware. “The AMS will continue to allow us to use the same 4:56 gears as last year, so we’re sticking with the combination.”

Now entering the second year of AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) Pro Modified racing, Ware has raced in the Pro Modified class since 2003 in IHRA competition, capping off a successful 2006 season with a IHRA (International Hot Rod Association) Torco CompetitionPlus.com world record at Epping, NH with a 6.035-second, 235.89 mph winning pass.

Disturbed Motorsports, www.disturbedmotorsports.com, headed by Sam and Eddie Ware, is based in Marietta, GA. The team is campaigning a professional entry in the popular Pro Modified division of drag racing in selected National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Modified events featuring the AMS Staff Leasing Pro Modified Challenge, International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) eMax Nitro Jam™ Drag Racing Series, and Street Car Super National competition for 2007. Sponsored by Rupture Streetwear, Baudier Vehicle Graphics, and Mickey Thompson Performance Tires, Disturbed Motorsports plans to run the full IHRA Pro Modified tour.

Canadian Karting Star Lorenzo Mandarino Signs with Northwest Autosport for 2007

Courtesy Eric McCombs

March 8, 2007. Portland, Oregon. Northwest Autosport announced that young Canadian driver Lorenzo Mandarino will join recently signed Northwest Autosport drivers Phil Fogg Jr. and Eric Freiberg for the 2007 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and will be behind the wheel of the #38 Northwest Autosport Pro Formula Mazda for Round One at Sebring International Raceway.

Mandarino, from Vancouver, British Columbia, has been impressive wherever he has competed winning his first championship at the age of 10 in WKA karting. He has gone on to capture additional karting championships in the United States and Canada and has also found success behind the wheel of formula cars, capturing the 2003 Jim Russell Racing School Graduate Run-Offs and finishing second in the 2004 Skip Barber Run-Offs behind eventual series champion Gerardo Bonilla.

“Lorenzo participated in a test with us at Buttonwillow Raceway Park recently and we were very impressed with his speed and technical feedback,” commented Northwest Autosport team manager Mike Hernandez, “We are very pleased that we’ve been able to work out a way to get him into the third seat for our championship efforts alongside Eric Freiberg and Phil Fogg Jr. Sebring should be a very exciting race weekend for us.”

In a limited number of races in the Skip Barber National Championship Mandarino captured four victories and two second place finishes against the likes of Gerardo Bonilla and Marco Andretti before finances cut his 2004 season short. Without the budget to continue his open-wheel efforts, he focused on karting in 2005 and became the first Canadian driver to capture the SKUSA Supernational crown at Las Vegas.

In 2006, Mandarino participated in the Discovery Channel Canada Star Racer driver search program for the next fastest Canadian driver. Despite placing first in all time-trials, heat races and the main event, the scholarship to participate in the 2007 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear was awarded to another driver.

“Northwest Autosport has a history of putting fast cars onto the track and I’m excited to have the chance to test with them,” Mandarino said. “Hopefully the test will go well and I will continue to do all that I can to secure sponsorship to compete in the 2007 championship.”

Based in Milwaukie, Oregon, Northwest Autosport is one of the top teams participating in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, which will feature twelve races across the United States and Canada supporting the American Le Mans Series, ChampCar and the GrandAm series. The team is dedicated to developing young driving talent and will award the highest finishing driver on their team a test in an Indy Pro Series car prepared by Sam Schmidt Motorsports, which is currently running a car for Northwest Autosport alumni Ryan Justice. For more information please visit www.northwestautosport.com.

Northwest Autosport enters season confident after final pre-season test

Courtesy Eric McCombs

March 5, 2007. Portland, Oregon. With the opening round of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear just a week away Northwest Autosport is excited at their prospects following a successful two day test at Buttonwillow Raceway Park that saw their young drivers Eric Freiberg and Lorenzo Mandarino, along with veterans Phil Fogg Jr. and Steve Cook, complete over 300 miles of testing and development.

“Entering this season with two rookies everyone at Northwest Autosport is looking forward to the start of the season based on their performances in testing,” Team Manager Michael Hernandez explained. “This was Lorenzo’s first time in the Pro Formula Mazda and only the second time that Eric had driven the car yet both drivers adjusted to the car and were up to speed quickly, posting the fastest times of the test. Given their raw talent and speed we were equally impressed with their ability to adapt to the changing conditions and their level of technical feedback and look forward to watching them at Sebring battling at the front of the field.”

With cold mornings and occasional showers during the test, the changing conditions were ideal for showing the drivers how the Pro Formula Mazda handles in different situations and both drivers adjusted quickly, setting fast laps in all sessions. “In addition to bringing the drivers up to speed we really wanted to help them understand the window the car likes to operate in and the weather played right into our hands,” commented team driving coach Ryan Justice, a Northwest Autosport alumni and current Indy Pro Series driver. “Lorenzo and Eric did a great job and were very impressive for their amount of experience. I have little doubt that both of these drivers will be at the front of the field.”

Freiberg and Mandarino were equally enthused by the test. “We had a great couple of days during the test and am looking forward to the start of the season,” commented the Homer Glen, Illinois native Freiberg. “I got the chance to feel the changes between the different tire compounds and log a lot of miles working with the team and my engineer. Now all I can think about is Sebring and what looks to be a great season.”

Mandarino, runner-up in the Discovery Channel Canada Star Racer driver search competition, echoed Freiberg’s thoughts. “For my first time in the car I was very pleased with my progression and getting up to speed and the team did a great job,” the Vancouver, Canada explained. “The car is really fast in some sections and I’m happy to be racing in the series. Now that I have some laps behind the wheel of this car I am excited about going to Sebring as I have some experience on that track from Skip Barber so it should be a fun weekend.”

The test was also a cause for celebration as veteran Northwest Autosport driver Steve Cook returned to the cockpit for the first time since July of 2005. It has been a long road back to the track for Cook, a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Tulane Medical School in New Orleans, who lost everything when Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana and Mississippi in August of that year. Battling back from this tragedy and unexpected health issues, Cook was able to complete the two day test in preparations for participating in the 2007 championships.

Based in Milwaukie, Oregon, Northwest Autosport is one of the top teams participating in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, which will feature twelve races across the United States and Canada supporting the American Le Mans Series, ChampCar and the GrandAm series. For more information please visit www.northwestautosport.com.

Laperriere planning for a solid PMRA season

CourtesyBruce F. Mehlenbacher

OSHAWA, ONTARIO (March 8, 2007) - With new major sponsorship, Rob Laperriere is planning on making his mark in this year’s Pro Modified Racing Association tour.

Laperriere, who operates the Oshawa-centered Professional Hotrod Development custom drag racing chassis shop, has acquired the backing of Control Panel Systems Ontario Ltd. based in Whitby, Ontario.

“This is terrific,” said Laperriere, who runs an Alan Johnson-powered 1972 Vega-bodied Pro Modified. “Now we have some funds to compete the way we want.”

The Prohotrodz Team has run a limited schedule in PMRA competition the past two years, but will be stepping up for 2007, according to Laperriere, who has been in the sport since 1978.

Laperriere added he plans no major changes to the Vega’s powerplant, and that the team will concentrate on driveline problems that have plagued them.

“We plan to leave the motor alone,” he said. “We’ll be working on some clutch and transmission issues.”

The team’s new sponsor is a supplier of power tools, fastening systems, and integrated assembly stations for automakers such as General Motors, Ford, and Honda, along with over 100 others. Stark Multi Services, a commercial and industrial mechanical contractor, is also part of CPS.

Laperriere is confident that with this new backing he will be able to get some good laps with the car.

“We’re planning to do well,” he said. “Instead of placing seventh in the PMRA, we want to go to the top.”

In Other PMRA News custom embroidery and digitizing firm Needles At Work will be posting event awards at each Pro Modified Racing Association event for 2007.

“We are very excited to be involved with the PMRA series again this year,” said Kelly Edgar, owner of Needles At Work. “We will present a special award at each race of the series special events this year which will have the winning teams standout from the competition.”

Needles At Work provides custom embroidery and special digital transformations of logos and other artwork which can then be stitched into a variety of apparel from corporate to casual wear. Team and company logo transformations are a large part of John and Kelly Edgar’s business.

CDN. MOTORSPORTS EXPO: Invitation to launch your season and marketing campaigns

If you are looking for a place to show off your ride for the season look no further. Canadian Motorsports Expo has the Racer’s Corral especially for you.

Join us April 6, 7 & 8, 2007 at the Toronto Congress Centre for the hottest happening in motorsports promotion for your team. Place yourself in front of thousands of spectators, potential sponsors and media.

Marketing and promoting your race program is as, if not more, important than your results in competition. Representing your sponsors, promoting yourself and team requires more than just spending your budget on racing. You need to be seen and you need to do some PR.

The Racer’s Corral allows you the opportunity to be a part of this exciting new show. And by being a participant you will be able to take advantage of attending the seminars and forums.

Only a limited number of spots are available in the Racer’s Corral. If you want to be in the Expo, email us at info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com or call the Canadian Motorsports Expo office (905) 721-1762 for further information and entry fee details.

Don’t miss the motorsports happening of the year!

Covering all aspects and disciplines, Canadian Motorsports Expo has something for everyone. It is a one-stop shopping experience. Parts and accessories, safety equipment, collectibles, free ‘how to’ seminars, racing history, fan forums, celebrity appearances, autograph sessions and more await all at Canadian Motorsports Expo.

Canadian Motorsports Expo runs April 6, 7 & 8 at the Toronto Congress Centre from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday; 10:00 am to 9:00 pm Saturday; and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday. Admission is only $15. For Seniors and Youth (10 to 15 years old) $10 and free for Children under 10 years old. Three-day passes are also available. More information can be found by visiting the show website www.canadianmotorsportsexpo.com. For exhibit space enquiries, logon to the website or call the show office at (905) 721-1762. You can also send an email to info@canadianmotorsportsexpo.com

- From Glenn Butt / Canadian Motorsports Expo

Steelback Brewery Becomes New Title Sponsor for Grand Prix of Toronto

Here is the press release from the GP of Toronto....

TORONTO, ON - After 21 years, history was made today for Toronto's premier sporting event of the summer when the Grand Prix of Toronto announced that Steelback Brewery has signed a multi-year agreement to become the event's title sponsor. The 21-year old racing event will return July 6, 7 and 8th to Exhibition Place as the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto.

This is a momentous occasion and we re proud to have Steelback Brewery as our new title sponsor, said Charlie Johnstone, President and CEO, Grand Prix Association of Toronto. In Steelback, we've secured a dedicated, enthusiastic title sponsor who shares our vision of what this event can be and who will work hand-in-hand with us to make the vision come to life.

The combination of a new title sponsor and some of the best on-track action to ever race on the streets of Toronto, will make this a truly great year to attend the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto.

The Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto agreement will see Steelback implementing significant marketing support into this new partnership. Program elements include a large media buy during prime television programs such as Hockey Night In Canada and on-pack promotions on Steelback and other D'Angelo products at retail level that will offer consumers a chance to win 1 of 20,000 Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto Grounds Admission Tickets. There will also be a large bar and restaurant program in several hundred Southern Ontario locations.

This event is Ontario's largest annual sporting event of the summer and it was a natural fit for Steelback Brewery, says Frank D'Angelo, President and CEO, Steelback Brewery. D'Angelo brands joined the event last year as a sponsor. What we saw was a landmark Toronto event that delivers an amazing weekend for visitors while putting Toronto on the international sports stage. We want to work with the best and with a partner who is as ambitious and eager to do and try new things as we are. We feel we ve found that partner in the Grand Prix Association of Toronto.

... the release is continued at this link....

Ontario Sportsman Series launches website

The newly-formed Ontario Sportsman Series (OSS) recently unveiled its new website, featuring series news, schedules, classifieds and other info.