Podium finish for Sallenbach at Mosport in his MINI Cooper

Team Octane had another successful weekend at Mosport International Raceway during last weekend's Victoria Day Speedfest.

The first of eight Castrol Canadian Touring Car racing weekends of intense action ended-up in a beautiful podium for 2010 Championship runner-up Michel Sallenbach, at the wheel of his #46 MINI Original Accessories JCW Cooper S.

Teammate Alain Lauzière finished just behind him spending most of the race leading the Touring class pack. The skies opened-up after a lap of racing and the competitors all using Continental racing slicks had to navigate through intense water for the duration of the race.

Sallenbach qualified in fourth position with Lauzière in the #47 MINI Cooper a few hundredths of a second behind him. Lauzière managed to grab the lead in the treacherous conditions but he was passed at the restart after a lengthy full-course yellow flag by the Kwok brothers and Sallenbach with only one lap to go. A great race for Team Octane with a third and fourth place finish.

Race #2 was uneventful for both Octane drivers as Lauzière finished in fourth position while Sallenbach followed him in fifth place.

Team Octane is supported by MINI Original Parts, Castrol and revolutionmini.com.

The Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship next stop will bring competitors to the Icar circuit in Mirabel Québec on June 3-5.

Michel Sallenbach is supported by:

Carrosserie Touchette, peinture automobile et industrielle, St Valérien La Clinique du Pneu, pneus et mécanique, Granby Lettrage Raoul, Ste Cécile de Milton

ASG Accessoire de Soudure Granby Inc., Granby

Contact: Alain Lauzière – 450-455-2468 (octanepromotions@videotron.ca)

 

Mathieu Audette returns to the Canadian Touring Car Championship!

Blainville (Québec), May 25 2011.– After announcing last March the decision not to compete in the Canadian Touring Car Championship due to new series technical regulations, rule modifications convinced the Quebec driver Mathieu Audette to return to the series this season with his Dimensions Door/Novatech Acura RSX Type-S. In order to best prepare themselves for their limited race program, Mathieu and the Audette Racing Team will contest this weekend's Mont-Tremblant Spring Classic, giving them a chance to test their car during this non-championship race.

The decision to remove myself from the series due to the change in fuel regulations was firm. We recently got word from the Canadian Touring Car Championship organizers saying we can once again use the Sunoco 104 octane, the fuel necessary for our Acura's race engine, while continuing to respect the 2010 minimum weight requirement for the car. The normally aspirated engines that use super fuel (98 octane) will remain at an advantage since they will be 100 lbs lighter than us but it's an equitable rule and I am fully in agreement with it explains Mathieu.

Mathieu Audette will start the Touring Car season in July.  From the moment we decided to return, everything went very quickly. We selected four events that we will take part in, including the Toronto Indy Grand Prix in July, the GP de Trois-Rivières and the NAPA 200 at the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit in August, and the final championship weekend at Mirabel's ICAR complex in mid-September adds Mathieu. The Audette Racing Team would like to contest the ICAR Grand Prix in Mirabel this coming June 4-5, the first round of the Canadian Touring Car Championship on Quebec soil, but with such a short turnaround time, the car would not have been ready.

Mathieu Audette will contest this weekend's Spring Classic at Mont-Tremblant in the GT car class under the premise of a first test session for the 2011 season.  We will use this for development purposes. We need to test everything on the car, including the new tires and the new fuel. Of course, we'll try our best during the race but the main objective of the weekend is to prepare the car for our first official event in Toronto in July  specifies the Quebec driver.

With this return to the Canadian Touring Car Championship, the Audette Racing Team will again compete in two championship series this year because Rémy Audette, Mathieu's younger brother, currently contests the F2000 Championship Series, which he leads after four events. He will take part in the next round of the series on June 4th, at Walkins Glen in the state of New York.

The Audette Racing Team benefits form the support of Dimensions Doors, Novatech, Acura Plus Blainville, Les Extrusions du Nord, Verre Select, Jeld Wen, OPM, Amusements Spectaculaire, Les Moulures PFJV, Gulf, Mec-Inov and Omnitech.

For More Information : Audette Racing, www.audetteracing.com

 

Castrol Touring Car Series - Podium Finish for Windsor’s Amico Racing at Mosport Last Weekend

Windsor's Dean Fantin and the Amico Racing Team contested a doubleheader round of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship this past weekend at the Victoria Day Speed Fest held at Mosport International Raceway northeast of Toronto. Dean qualified the Labourers Union supported BMW 3rd on Saturday morning under sunny blue skies and the same conditions were expected for the race but a stray dark cloud parked itself over the 2.5 mile track just after the race started. Dean quickly took the lead but was passed by the 4wheel drive Subaru WRX of Richard Boake while struggling for traction up the wet ¾ mile straightaway. Within a few laps a full course caution due to several cars off track allowed everyone to regroup. Several teams elected to pit for rain tires, the Amico team kept Dean out on the slicks not wanting to relinquish second place. On the restart Dean was dealing with pressure from behind and once again losing site of the Subaru WRX, Arek Wojciechowski was able to slip past Dean on the second last lap of the race.

For Sunday's race the starting order was determined by Saturday's finishing positions, although overcast, rain was not a factor. Dean quickly moved the Amico Racing BMW into second position and tried to chase down Richard Boake whose Subaru's 4wheel drive was not an advantage in the dry track conditions. Within two laps heavy pressure from behind forced Dean to abandon the chase and concentrate on defending his position against two hungry competitors. An accidental power slide coming onto the front straightaway at 140 kph cost him forward motion and allowed the two cars passed, Dean was unable to retake for a podium position with the time left and finished 4th.

Amico Racing heads to the next round of the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship June 4/5 at the Grand Prix of Mirabel north of Montreal.

Vauxhall Insignia gains New 1.4-Liter Turbo Petrol and Improved EcoFlex Diesels

It’s model-year changeover over time for the Vauxhall Insignia with the British company announcing the addition of a low emissions ecoFLEX diesel model and a new-to-the-range 1.4 Turbo petrol engine. Read more »

FAST BUT FRUSTRATING NIGHT FOR JASON WHITE

May 29, 2011. (Toronto, ON) Sun Peaks, British Columbia racer Jason White open the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season in the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. White had a fast race car but due to a mechanical issue wasn’t rewarded with the finish he expected.

During the afternoon practice session on the tricky half mile oval White worked with the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team to improve the performance of the car. “We weren’t quite as fast during the practice as I’d hope” stated White. “I got a little tip from another driver about braking heading into the corners and it really helped me, it definitely made a difference in qualifying” he added.

White would start the 200 lap event from the eleventh position and quickly noticed he had a good race car. “The #21 A & W Dodge Challenger felt really fast” said an excited Jason White. “I wasn’t pushing the car at all and had no problem keeping up with the pace the leaders were setting” he added.

Fortunes quickly turned however for the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team as smoke was spotted from underneath the car. Acting quickly White headed for pit road and the attention of the crew. “It took the team a few laps to determine exactly what the problem was but it was a loose oil line fitting” explained White.

The #21 A & W Dodge Challenger Crew made repairs as quickly as possible and returned Jason to the battle. “The car was just as good as it was prior to the oil line problem” said White. “We were a bunch of laps down so I was very considerate of getting out of the way of the leaders, but I kept showing them the A & W hood of the car to let them know how fast we were and they’ll be seeing a lot of it this year” he stated.

White would take the checkered flag in the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger and claim fifteenth position. “It’s frustrating to know how good the car was a little thing set us back, but the silver lining is that we have got a great race car and really good race team and I can’t wait to get this car back out on the track in a couple weeks” said White.

Jason White and the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team will return to action this weekend, June 4 & 5 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal, Quebec. “We had some very good tests on road courses during the pre season so we’re all excited to get settled into our second home in Quebec, the “aloft” Montreal airport hotel, and to race on this new track” said White.

Race fans will have even more opportunity to follow Jason White and the #21 A & W Dodge Challenger team this season. Check out the all new team website at www.jasonwhiteracing.com and be sure to follow Jason on twitter for the latest updates @racinjasonwhite The 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will consist of twelve events from coast to coast in Canada. Al races will be broadcast once again this season on TSN. Fans should check local listings for times in their area.

Attached Photo: Jason White with the A & W Dodge Challenger at Mosport Speedway.

Photo Credit: Sue Chisolm www.racetimeradio.com

KENNINGTON OPENS YEAR WITH TOP FIVE IN THE CASTROL DODGE

May 29, 2011. DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team began their defense of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Championship this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. Kennington had a typically fast car but got tagged by other drivers on two separate occasions but still managed to bring home a top five finish.

The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge was near the top of the time sheets all during afternoon practice and Kennington would claim the fourth starting spot. “All the guys did a great job preparing the car and we were good right away” said Kennington. “We were able to try a couple of changes during practice and see how they might work during the race” he added.

As the 200 lap feature event began Kennington took the initial laps cautiously and settle into a comfortable pace. The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge got stronger as the race proceeded to the quarter mark and Kennington would take his first race lead of the season on lap 47 an claim the bonus points for leading a lap. “Everything was going according to plan early on” said the driver. “We got out front to get some bonus points and didn’t want to do anything too aggressive that early so I gave up the lead to a faster car” he explained.

After a green flag run of more than 100 laps the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge finally was able to stop for fuel and tires and once all stops cycled through Kennington found himself near the front of the field and late in the race was in position to claim if not the win then a top result. “Things got pretty aggressive at the end” said Kennington. “We got bumped by the #7 car and that set us back a bit” he stated.

As a result of losing several positions from the first incident, Kennington found himself back in more traffic and was again the victim. “That first knock put us back in tighter traffic and I got hit again, this time by the #19 car said Kennington.

The second bump while frustrating only fueled Kennington to push in the final few laps to gain as many positions back as he could. The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge would cross the finish line and claim a fifth place finish, a great accomplishment with so few laps remaining to make up spots. “We didn’t have the fastest car tonight and that’s why I let the #22 go earlier” stated Kennington. “It’s unfortunate we got bumped around a bit, but we did finish fifth which is one place better than we did last year at this race, and we lead some laps for bonus points. All in all things worked out okay” he summarized.

DJ Kennington and the #17 Castrol Edge Dodge team return to action this coming weekend, June 4 & 5 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal, Quebec. Once again this year fans will be able to watch all twelve races on TSN. Check local listings for times.

Race fans are encouraged to keep up to date with the latest team news in several ways. Race fans should bookmark the team website www.djkracing.ca and follow them on twitter, www.twitter.com/djkracing Fans are also suggested to join the Facebook Group DJK Racing.

Photo: The #17 Castrol Edge Dodge Challenger at Mosport Speedway.

Photo Credit: Sue Chisholm http://www.racetimeradio.com/

RON BEAUCHAMP SCORES TOP TEN AT MOSPORT

May 29, 2011. Ron Beauchamp Jr and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team began the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tire series this past weekend at Mosport Speedway near Bowmanville, Ontario. Sporting the sleek new Dodge Challenger body on their race car the team battled for 200 grueling laps and claimed a top-ten finish to open the racing year.

Beauchamp and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team struggled a bit during the afternoon practice session and they worked hard to improve the cars performance. “We were surprised the car wasn’t quite as good as it was during the testing session here” explained Beauchamp. “We tried some different things prior to qualifying hoping it would improve” he added.

Beauchamp would qualify the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge tenth and begin the race from the outside of row five. Early on the changes appeared to be helping the car. “The car felt good at the beginning of the run but then it started to tighten up” said Beauchamp. “We had that long green flag run of more than 100 laps and that hurt us” he explained.

When a caution period allowed the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge team to make a pit stop for fuel and tires the team again adjusted the car looking for better performance. “The changes helped a little bit” said Beauchamp. “But again the longer the race stayed green the car would tighten up, if we had some shorter runs it would have helped us” he added.

Beauchamp would continue to push the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge to the checkered flag and claim a ninth place finish in the race. “We really thought our car should have finished higher” said the driver. “But it got a little wild near the end of the race with guys pushing, we came out of here with a top-ten and now we’ll make some adjustments and be better as the season moves on” he added.

Ron Beauchamp Jr. and the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Team will compete in all twelve races on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. The next event takes place June 4 & 5 at Circuit ICAR near Montreal, Quebec. Once again this year all events will be broadcast on TSN. Fans should check their local listings for times. For more information about the #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries team log on to www.beauchampmotorsports.com and www.mopar.ca For series information check out http://www.nascar.ca/.

Attached photo: The #60 Mopar Parts/Mobil 1/Exide Batteries Dodge Challenger at Mosport Speedway.

Photo Credit: Sue Chisholm www.racetimeradio.com