Dufault: Driving Daytona an "Amazing Feeling"

source: http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=10417 TOLEDO, Ohio - January 29, 2011) - Maryeve Dufault has already accomplished her first goal at Daytona International Speedway, and she's prepared to tackle more with the green flag dropping over the Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200 on Saturday, February 12.

 

Dufault, 28 and of Quebec, interviewed with Burning Rubber Radio's Andy Delay and Wayne Owens Thursday night, discussing her background and her plans for entry into the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards. Dufault first spoke about her experience testing the No. 12 Tony Marks Racing Dodge. "We just came back from the test in Daytona. The test went really well for me...I just wanted to have as much seat time as possible, and we did. I'm really happy with it. The team was able to gather information for the upcoming race. It was really helpful for me, because we were working with Larry Moore, who's been around in ARCA. He did a great job bringing the whole team together," Dufault said in the interview. With a father whose background is in motorcycle racing and a career of her own that she says includes driving down "a bad road at 170 mph" in a motorcycle, Dufault was impressed but not intimidated by the Daytona oval. "It's an amazing feeling to go at that speed in this kind of car," she said. Dufault talked more about her racing career and her ARCA expectations in the interview. To listen to the full interview, click here.

 

Misty Morven morning.

We awoke on a comfortable meadow of grass by the shores of Loch Drumbuie.

A light breeze meant that there was not a single midge to disturb the morning.

There are two kayaking schools. Those that carry their kayaks right up to the tent, regardless how far the tent is from the shore, and those that abandon their kayaks just above the high water mark. We are definitely in the second school.

I

FAZZT PR - Tagliani en championnat de karting ce week-end en Floride (15)

Communiqué pour diffusion immédiate     ALEX TAGLIANI PARTICIPERA CE WEEK-END À LA SÉRIE FLORIDA KARTING WINTER TOUR AVEC L'ÉQUIPE SRA KARTING   Indianapolis, 21 janvier 2011 - Au cours des semaines qui mèneront au lancement de la saison 2011 de la série IZOD IndyCar, Alex Tagliani, le pilote de l'équipe de course FAZZT, participera à certaines épreuves du Challenge FWT Rotax Max de la série Florida Karting Winter Tour en compagnie des meilleurs pilotes de karting en Amérique du Nord.

 

Ce weekend (21-23 janvier) à Orlando en Floride, Tagliani sera au volant de son kart BIREL à moteur Rotax aux couleurs de Bowers & Wilkins TorcUp de l'équipe SRA Karting International dans la catégorie DD2 Master. Le pilote québécois participera également aux épreuves du Challenge disputées du 25 au 27 février au Palm Beach International Raceway. Le Florida Winter Tour des Productions Formula Kart est l'une des séries de karting la plus ancienne et géographiquement la plus diversifiée au monde. L'édition 2010 a enregistré 482 inscriptions, et les pilotes provenaient de 23 pays différents, de 25 états américains et de cinq provinces canadiennes. « Je suis très excité d'adjoindre Alex Tagliani à la longue liste de pilotes réputés qui participent à l'édition 2011 du Florida Winter Tour, a déclaré Bill Wright, le propriétaire et promoteur du Challenge FWT Rotax Max. Son nom s'ajoute à Rubens Barrichello, pilote de Formule 1, AJ Allmendinger de la Coupe Sprint de NASCAR et Dan Wheldon, de la série IndyCar. La participation de vedettes de ce calibre est excellente pour le karting, la série et les pilotes de karting qui y prennent part. » Tagliani, qui a amorcé sa carrière de pilote en karting à l'âge de 10 ans, s'est toujours impliqué dans cette discipline, car c'est là que l'on retrouve la prochaine génération de pilotes et d'amateurs IndyCar. Tag profitera également de l'occasion pour amorcer son entraînement en piste afin d'être prêt pour la saison 2011 IndyCar qui débutera le 27 mars à St. Petersburg en Floride. « Je suis très heureux de renouer avec le karting, et je suis très reconnaissant envers Michel Boisclair, le directeur de l'équipe SRA, de l'opportunité qu'il m'offre de joindre l'équipe pour ces épreuves, a souligné Tagliani. C'est toujours un plaisir de courir en karting, et c'est également un excellent moyen de reprendre la forme pour la saison IndyCar puisque les essais dans notre championnat sont très limités, et l'entre saison trop longue. J'observe un régime de mise en forme très stricte, mais ce n'est pas la même chose que d'être au volant d'une voiture ou d'un kart afin de susciter l'éveil mes réactions en piste, et c'est exactement ce que je retrouve dans la série Florida Winter Tour. » Non seulement les autres pilotes de l'équipe SRA ont l'intention de se démarquer dans leur catégorie respective, mais ils espèrent avoir la chance de représenter leur pays lors des olympiques du karting, la Grande finale Rotax qui aura lieu à Al Ain aux Émirats arabes unis en 2011. La série Florida Winter Tour déléguera un pilote de chaque catégorie en Rotax DD2, Rotax DD2 Masters, Rotax Max senior et Rotax Max junior à ce championnat mondial. Avec cet objectif en tête, Tagliani sera en piste ce vendredi pour les deux séances de qualification, tout comme ses coéquipiers Jan Velez, l'ex-champion ICC en catégorie DD2, le multiple champion canadien Christophe Boisclair, Jean-François Lafontaine en catégorie Rotax Max et Olivier Bédard en Rotax Max junior. Les finales disputées au Orlando Kart Center auront lieu ce samedi 22 janvier et ce dimanche 23 janvier. Les amateurs peuvent suivre en direct le chronométrage avec images vidéo de chaque tour de piste des activités de la série Florida Winter Tour sur le site www.floridawintertour.com/fwtlive/2011/   - 30 -

 

A banquet in Loch Drumbuie!

We had now left the Sound of Mull and were paddling east into Loch Sunart. From a line between Ardnamurchan Point to Mull, Loch Sunart winds for 45 km, deep into the heart of the west coast of Scotland. It forms the northern boundary of the Morvern peninsula.

Mist was gathering over the Ardnamurchan hills at sunset.

We landed at several little bays on the south shore of Loch Sunart but all were

NASCAR NEWS - Toyota All-Star Showdown has wide appeal

Le Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota ratisse large De nombreux pilotes internationaux participeront à cet événement bien spécial Official Release January 11, 2011 - 1:07pm Daytona Beach, Floride. — Comme Mario Andretti, Earl Ross et David Hobbs qui se sont sentis interpellés par le Daytona 500 dans le passé, plusieurs pilotes internationaux ont maintenant dans leur mire le Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota (NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown) qui sera disputé les 28 et 29 janvier prochains au Toyota Speedway d’Irwindale en Californie. Cette course, réputée comme étant le «Daytona 500 des courtes pistes», est dorénavant considérée pour ces pilotes de partout dans le monde comme étant une chance de faire leur marque dans l’univers du NASCAR.

Toyota All-Star Showdown Has Wide Appeal Several International Drivers Taking Part In Special Event Official Release January 11, 2011 - 1:23pm DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Just as Mario Andretti, Earl Ross and David Hobbs were drawn to the Daytona 500 in years past, several international drivers are targeting the 2011 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, a race that has come to be known as the ‘Daytona 500 of short-track racing,’ on Jan. 28-29 at Toyota Speedway at Irwindale (Calif.) as an opportunity to make their mark on the world of NASCAR.

 

Parmi les participants prévus à l’épreuve se retrouvent le champion de la série NASCAR Canadian Tire présentée par Mobil 1 DJ Kennington et le champion de la série NASCAR Mexico Germán Quiroga. Kennington sera accompagné par un autre Canadien avec le champion 2007 et 2009 de la série NASCAR Canadian Tire Andrew Ranger qui sera à la ligne de départ. Pour Quiroga, ce seront ses compatriotes Rubén Rovelo et Daniel Suarez qui se joindront à lui pour défendre les couleurs du Mexique. De l’extérieur de la bannière NASCAR, le Français Lucas Lasserre, champion 2010 de la RACECAR Euro Series, se dirige aussi vers la Californie. «Cette épreuve est tellement prestigieuse que si tu obtiens une occasion d’y courir, tu dois y être, explique Kennington. Le niveau et la profondeur de la compétition sont impressionnants. Chaque pilote à la ligne de départ a sa part de victoires.» En tant que champions des séries internationales de NASCAR, Kennington et Quiroga ont des places garanties sur la grille de départ de l’épreuve principale. Ils seront aussi coéquipiers, en quelque sorte, en se retrouvant au volant de voitures préparées spécialement pour cette course par le Bill McAnally Racing. BMR est une des écuries de pointe dans la série NASCAR K&N Pro Ouest et le domicile du champion 2010 Eric Holmes. Le Québécois Ranger obtient aussi une place garantie au départ avec ses victoires dans les séries NASCAR K&N Pro en 2010 à Infineon Raceway (Californie) dans l’Ouest et Lime Rock Park (Connecticut) dans l’Est. Le pilote, qui a partagé sa saison entre le Canada et les Etats-Unis en 2010, a participé aux éditions 2007 et 2010 du Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota après ses deux titres en série NASCAR Canadian Tire. Les Mexicains Rovelo et Suárez débarquent aussi à Irwindale après des campagnes fructueuses en 2010. Rovelo a terminé sixième au classement et a remporté la course du 22 août à l’Autódromo de Monterrey. Suárez, de son côté, a engrangé le titre de recrue de l,année en vertu de sa 13e place au classement. Le Français Lasserre sera aussi de la partie en tant que champion mais il devra se tailler une place sur la grille en qualifications s’il veut être de l’épreuve principale. La série française ne roule que sur des circuits routiers dans des bolides basés sur des voitures de stock car de NASCAR. En 2010, Lasserre a gagné trois fois, obtenu trois top-5 et 11 top-10. «Le (Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota) est un endroit de choix pour se faire remarquer et ouvrir des portes si vous y avez du succès, ajoute Kennington. Vous n’avez qu’à regarder la liste des ex-gagnants.» David Gilliland a remporté le Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota en 2005 avant de débuter a carrière en coupe Sprint de NASCAR en 2007. Le double-vainqueur et champion en titre de l’épreuve Joey Logano a remporté son premier Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota en 2007, juste avant de passer aux séries NASCAR Nationwide et coupe Sprint de NASCAR avec le Joe Gibbs Racing. Des 199 pilotes qui ont pris le départ d’un Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota, 68 ont disputé des épreuves dans la coupe Sprint de NASCAR, dans la série NASCAR Nationwide ou dans la série de camionnettes NASCAR Camping World. Le Défi des étoiles NASCAR/Toyota est divisé en trois étapes — deux segments de 100 tours suivis d’un sprint de 25 tours vers le drapeau à damier. Les champions 2010 des séries de développement de NASCAR ainsi que les gagnants de courses dans les séries NASCAR K&N Pro en 2010 ont des places assurées sur la grille de départ. L’horaire inclut aussi une course de 75 tours de la série de Super-Récents-Modèles NASCAR Whelen All-American et une épreuve de 50 tours. de la série de Récents-Modèles NASCAR Whelen All-American. Les deux soirées de courses seront diffusées en direct sur SPEED à partir de 22h HNE chaque soir. Rick Allen et Phil Parsons seront à l’animation et à l’analyse tandis que Dick Berggren et Jim Tretow arpenteront la ligne des puits.

Among the entrants expected are 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series presented by Mobil 1 champion DJ Kennington and 2010 NASCAR Mexico Series champion Germán Quiroga. Kennington will be joined in the field by fellow Canadian Andrew Ranger, the 2007 and 2009 Canadian Tire Series champion, while Quiroga will be joined by compatriots Rubén Rovelo and Daniel Suárez. Outside the NASCAR umbrella heading to California is 2010 RACECAR Euro Series champion Lucas Lasserre of France. “The event is so prestigious that if you get an opportunity to race in it, you have to take it,” said Kennington. “The level and depth of the competition is amazing. Every driver there has had his share of wins.” As NASCAR touring series champions Kennington and Quiroga have a secured starting spot for the main event. They also will be teammates, of sorts, by driving for Bill McAnally Racing for this special event. BMR is one of the top stables in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West and is home to 2010 champion Eric Holmes. Ranger, a Quebec native, also enters the event with a secure starting spot as a 2010 K&N Pro Series event winner having won at California’s Infineon Raceway in the West and Connecticut’s Lime Rock Park in the East after splitting his season between the U.S. and Canada. He competed in the 2007 and 2010 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdowns after each of his two Canadian Tire Series titles. Mexican drivers Rovelo and Suárez come into the event with successful 2010 seasons, as well. Rovelo finished sixth in points and won the Aug. 22 race at Autódromo de Monterrey. Suárez, meanwhile, collected rookie of the year honors and finished 13th in the point standings. France’s Lasserre comes to the event with a championship in hand, but he will have to earn his spot on the starting grid for the main event. The French series competes exclusively on road courses in a car based on a NASCAR stock car. In 2010, Lasserre won three times and notched 10 top fives and 11 top 10s. “The (NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown) is a great place to get noticed and open some doors if you have some success,” said Kennington. “Just look at the list of past winners.” David Gilliland won the 2005 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown before embarking on his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career in 2007. Two-time and defending race winner Joey Logano won his first NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown in 2007 that preceded his move to the NASCAR Nationwide Series and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series with Joe Gibbs Racing. Of the 119 drivers to have started a NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, 68 have made a start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series or NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown main event is broken up into three sections – two 100-lap segments preceding a 25-lap dash to the finish. The race features secured starting spots for the 2010 champions of NASCAR’s developmental series and race winners of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series from the 2010 season. The schedule also includes a 75-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Super Late Model race and a 50-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Late Model race. Both nights of racing will air live on SPEED, beginning each night at 10 p.m. ET. The coverage will be anchored by Rick Allen and Phil Parsons in the booth, with Dick Berggren and Jim Tretow covering action in the pits.

 

A barren point and fateful decision.

We set off from Tobermory, past the RNLI Severn class lifeboat Elizabeth Fairlie Ramsay, to cross the Sound of Mull for the second time that day. We were bound for Auliston Point, the NW tip of Morvern.

Rubha nan Gall lighthouse stands at the  NW entrance to the Sound of Mull with the Ardnamurchan peninsula behind.The lighthouse was built in 1857 by David and Thomas Stevenson. It flashes once

NASCAR News - NASCAR Names Kristi King Director of Communications, Competition; Steve Pegram Director of Stakeholder Communications

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Jan. 27, 2011) – The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) today announced two key additions to the Integrated Marketing Communications team.

 

Kristi King, who has 17 years of public relations and marketing experience in NASCAR racing, has been named director of communications, competition and joins the sanctioning body’s Integrated Marketing Communications team. Steve Pegram brings more than 15 years of experience working with high-profile brands, sports and entertainment properties across multiple marketing and promotional platforms and has been appointed director of stakeholder communications. Most recently, he has worked with Motorsports Management International, the leading driver management firm, and Red Bull Energy Drink, where he oversaw motorsports communications and played an instrumental role in launching the start-up Red Bull Racing NASCAR team. Pegram’s first involvement with NASCAR was more than a decade ago in servicing the Miller Brewing sports marketing account for Wunderman, a Young & Rubicam-owned integrated marketing agency. King, who will be based at the NASCAR Research and Development Center in Concord, N.C., has worked at Talladega Superspeedway for the past 6½ years. She was the track’s director of public relations from 2004-08 before being promoted to senior director of communications and consumer marketing in 2008. King was public relations director at North Carolina Speedway in Rockingham, N.C., from 1994 to 2004. In her new role, King will assist in providing strategic leadership for all competition-related public relations efforts with specific responsibilities geared towards the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. "Kristi brings a solid background in our sport along with a high level of energy and creativity,” said Kerry Tharp, NASCAR senior director of communications, competition. “We’re excited about her joining our team.” Pegram will play a critical role in leading NASCAR’s collaboration with the marketing and communications teams at various entities throughout the industry, especially race teams and track operators. Pegram will be responsible for working collaboratively with the IMC leadership team and across all NASCAR departments – most notably Industry Relations – to identify and then strategically mobilize NASCAR resources to support key promotional initiatives. NASCAR veteran Jennifer Powell has been promoted to senior manager, stakeholder communications and will report to Pegram as they collaborate on establishing the department. “Steve’s relationships and strategic experience will be vital to extending NASCAR’s communications efforts with key stakeholders in the sport,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR chief marketing officer. Pegram will be located at the NASCAR Plaza in Charlotte, N.C., and will report directly to the chief communications officer.   For more information contact: Kerry Tharp, NASCAR Integrated Marketing Communications

 

 

Airborne Speedway Press Release

Airborne boosts Sportsman “4-20’s” purse and point fund   For immediate release – AS-012511 South Plattsburgh, NY – Airborne Speedway has announced that J&S Steel of Plattsburgh has renewed its sponsorship of the Sportsman division for the 2011 stock car racing season.

 

J&S Steel, Vermont Life Safety and Airborne Marketing Manager Sherm Hamel have arranged to double last year’s payout for the Sportsman headliner “4-20’s” event and create a $1,000 point fund lottery. The Vermont Life Safety 4-20’s race, set for August 13, consists of four 20-lap sprints, each now increased to pay $500 for 1st place. The line-up for successive legs of the race is set by inverting the previous order of finish. The overall event winner, determined by the lowest total of combined finishes, also earns $500. “The Sportsmen are a pretty competitive division,” Hamel said, “but if someone can win every segment, they can go home with $2,500.” J&S Steel will provide a year-end bonus to the division’s point fund. “We’ll have a drawing among the top ten drivers and the winner will walk away with a $1,000,” owner Jeff Sears pledged. “All of us at J&S Steel are looking forward to the 2011 racing season at Airborne Speedway. I think 2010 was the best year ever at the speedway. The whole Airborne staff really goes out of their way to bring quality family entertainment to the Plattsburgh area. We are very proud to represent the Sportsman division and add some extra incentive for the racers.” Bucko Branham of Plattsburgh was the overall  “4-20’s” winner in 2010, edging out track champion Robin Wood and rookie Bill Thwaits, who dropped out with electrical failure on the last lap. The Champlain Valley Motorsports Show at Plattsburgh’s Crete Civic Center is scheduled for Friday and Saturday April 14, 15. Airborne’s 59th season begins Saturday May 7.   Contact: Tom Herzig

Sardines and showers in Tobermory.

On landing in Tobermory our first priority was not the Mishnish Bar but the  Fishermans Pier Fish & Chip Van. This has a considerable reputation for a decent fish supper. It was recommended in the Independent's top 50 fish and chip shops last Saturday and even has a  "Les Routiers" award. The fish is cooked to order (as are the frozen chips) so there is a short wait, which always carries the

home decorating living room

Decorating a home in order to be in accordance with our taste, style and liking, we don't have to spend a huge investment to hire a professional interior decorator. You can make your dream house come true with a little creativity and imagination. You may consider these few cheap interior home decorating ideas. The first thing you have to do is looking around and making a list of what all items that you have at home that you would like to reuse.

How to choose home furnishings for the living room we always look good and durable, we must choice the leather sofa sets living room furniture including wooden chairs living room, because the living room furniture is importance for the guest room to offer maximum comfort and a pleasant time.

Leather living room furniture can be selected to match your home decor, and you can try to match the curtains and decorations and other accessories with the furniture too. This can help give a coordinated and designed the pattern to the living room.

home decorating christmas

Decorating your house for Christmas adds added attraction for your Christmas preparations to celebrate the occasion. Outdoor Christmas decor includes decorating a Christmas tree with colorful lighting which needs a lot of creativity. Yard decoration, besides pre-lit topiary and nativity sets, is important while you opt for decorating your house.

Here are few images for you to guide for you how to decorate your home in Christmas

home decorating 2011

Sticking to your personal favorites is not always the right decision. Balancing out the colors according to the latest trend is the key to a good home. Here are some ideas about what you should do with the color scheme for home décor in 2011.

Color trends change with time and every year brings a new color scheme for home décor. 2011 is bringing grays to give you walls a perfect look with grace and compliment the darker tones. Grays will be seen in color schemes for home décor 2011 with bright flashy colors like yellow, red and magentas. Purple will also be included in the “in” colors for those who love to have their rooms decorated with bright and lively colors.

home decorating tips

If you have decided to buy a new house, be sure to work closely with your architect or builder not only in devising blueprints but also as the structure takes shape. If adjustments or substitutions are in the plans, make sure you have final approval.small changes, such as an extra counter where the kids can hunker down for a snack or no shelf in the bath, will impact how each room functions. Use these decorating tips for new homes as you begin to make your plans.

Keep in mind that tract-type builders translate few­er decisions, while semicustom builders generally offer a variety of packages featuring different upgrades along with floor plan options.If you intend to enlist an interior designer for your new home, involve him or her as soon as possible to help determine color schemes and select appropriate finishes.Your designer should have a copy of the blueprints or just the room, window, and doorway dimensions to choreograph furnishings. Dimensions are also invaluable when it comes to older homes. Ask the seller if they'll allow you to take measurements.

home decorating ideas

Using laminates for household flooring allows one to have the appearance of hardwood without the costs of of material and labor for home decorating ideas. Even if you have little skills and experience, laminates are simple to install and brings a great variety to the look and feel of your home. If one has a budget that won't bear laminate flooring can use tiles. Enquire into the choices and the prospective expenses at your local hardware store. There is a good chance that you will be amazed at how far the budget could buy.

First identify the room where you will be placing your system. Once the room has been identified as an entertainment room, start with the basics like painting the walls and ceiling with black. Get hold of a dark colored carpet or an easy to clean surface. Lighting is very important here. Use simple wall sconces or recessed lighting. If you want to make ambience even more effective then go for dimmer switches. Depending upon your budget, you can also think of building stadium seating.

If you are a real movie buff and want to make your entertainment room a perfect example, then add old movie posters. You can choose them over the internet or in any video store. You can also create a red carpet path. That sounds tempting, doesn’t it? Finally, get yourself a media storage cabinet. Make sure that speakers are fitted into the walls. Now, you are all set to relish your comfortable and relaxing home theatre entertainment system.

COTE TO RACE IN THE UNITED STATES FOR RON SUTTON

MONTREAL, QUEBEC (January 25, 2011) – 2010 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Quebec champion Steve Cote, 20, will compete in the NASCAR Modifieds for Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle in 2011.

 

Cote will race a full slate of NASCAR Modified races at All American Speedway in Roseville, California. Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is a NASCAR-oriented driver development program that includes 27 young drivers from all over the world. Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle is a comprehensive driver development program based in Sacramento, Calif that fields drivers in USAC Midget and Sprint Car Series along with NASCAR Modifieds, Late Models and K&N Pro Series West, as well as road racing & dirt series. Cote drove impressively in the driver talent shoot-out in October to earn a spot in the program. More than 900 drivers applied for a position with the program and only a fraction were awarded the chance to try out. RSWC’s NASCAR Modified team enjoyed great success in 2010 achieving four victories and winning the All American Speedway Rookie of the Year award with driver Nik Romano. The Modifieds at All American Speedway average over 18 cars per night, competing on the paved one-third mile asphalt oval. Cote’s schedule is set to begin on April 30 with a 40 lap main event on tap. Race fans can follow Steve Cote on his all-new website at www.stevecoteracing.com The website was designed by Blakesley Sports Media for Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle. Steve Cote Racing and Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle thanks partners: K&N Filters, Scribner Plastics, Allstar Performance, Sunoco Race Fuels and Star Racing Supply. For more information on Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle, log on to www.winners-circle-racing.com About Ron Sutton’s Winner’s Circle: Ron Sutton's Winner's Circle is an established talent scout and development program, providing long term, comprehensive racing and career development for up and coming drivers focused on NASCAR careers. RSWC drivers are raced, coached, groomed, trained and molded, within a professional racing environment, into what top NASCAR teams look for when hiring drivers. Drivers involved in the program race in a variety of cars, including USAC Young Guns Focus Midgets, USAC Ford Focus Midgets, NASCAR Grand American Modifieds, NASCAR Late Model stock cars and NASCAR Grand National stock cars.

Tobermory, what's the story?

We followed the Morven coast for a further 1.5km north of Caisteal nan Con before we crossed the Sound of Mull to the Mull coast. The Sound carries a lot of shipping traffic so we chose to cross at its narrowest point in these parts. It was a relief to get out of the main shipping channel marked by the buoys. Several cruise ships had made their way up and down the channel just before we crossed.

A series of juxtapositions in the Sound of Mull.

North of Lochaline, the coastline of Morvern becomes much gentler  and is backed by large forestry plantations. It was to here the the last few St Kildans were evacuated in 1930. Those that were able worked in the forests. what a juxtaposition a St Kildan in a forest in Morvern! They had come from an island with no trees!

We found Fiunary boathouse in a little inlet beside Rhubha na h-Airde

SQUIER AND MOODY TO CALL NEW SMYRNA ACT WORLD SERIES EVENTS

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For Immediate Release                                        ACT – 012511-09           Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) announced today that Motorsports Hall of Famer and former CBS Senior Motorsports Editor Ken Squier will join Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Sirius Radio host Dave Moody at the ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup events in Florida next month.

 

Squier, founder and co-owner of Thunder Road Speedbowl in Barre, VT has been synonymous with Daytona Speedweeks since the 1960’s. He was the public address announcer for many years, beginning in 1965, co-founded the Motor Racing Network, and he may be most recognized as the person most responsible in brokering the 1979 CBS television network first ever live four-hour broadcast of the Daytona 500 between the network, the Daytona Int’l Speedway and NASCAR. Squier still is active in short track racing and many nights will be behind the microphone at the Thursday night weekly races at Thunder Road. He shared the radio broadcast duties with Dave Moody at the first ACT Invitational held at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in 2009. Squier will continue his work with Speed Channel next month, bringing historic insights to viewers throughout the 2011 Speedweek events at Daytona. He will also call the first-ever ACT event at the New Smyrna Speedway on Sunday night, February 13, 2011.   Dave Moody was the voice of the ACT and Thunder Road for over 25 years. Moody started his announcing career while still in college and set a standard around the country for both weekly announcing and touring contests. He was responsible in large part for helping both the old NASCAR North and the ACT Touring series become two of the premier touring series in both the United States and Canada. Moody is now a senior member of the Motor Racing Network and has become one of the most familiar voices in motorsports, with his hosting of a live daily racing show on Sirius Satellite radio. He will take over the New Smyrna Speedway announcing duties for the Monday night 100-lap feature event on February 14, 2011.   “This certainly adds another dimension to our first-ever Florida visit. Being able to have Ken and Dave leave their duties at Daytona and join us in New Smyrna is really special for our organization”, said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour. “Both Ken and Dave have been essential ingredients to whatever success we have enjoyed at both Thunder Road and on our various tours over the past three plus decades. I know our teams will appreciate their participation at New Smyrna Speedway, and the real benefactors will be the fans. It should be a lot of fun both Sunday and Monday night at New Smyrna next month”, concluded Curley.   The first ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup will qualify through heats on Sunday, February 13th and then run 100 laps of green flag racing. The field will be inverted for the second 100-lap event on Monday, February 14th. The competitor with the best over-all finish in the two events will win the Cup and the lion’s share of the $36,655.00 in posted awards for the event. Post time for the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing is 7:30 each night.     For additional information contact the ACT office at 802.244.6963, www.acttour.com, or media@acttour.com .                                             -30-

 

 

Brian Hoar and Nick Sweet Take Top Honors at ACT/Thunder Road Banquet of Champions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                             ACT-012211-08 South Burlington, VT – Seven-time American Canadian Tour (ACT) Champion Brian Hoar of Williston was honored for his 2011 ACT Late Model Tour stock car championship on Saturday, January 22 at the Sheraton-Burlington Hotel and Conference Center in South Burlington. Hoar earned three wins and never finished outside the top ten in the 13 event 2011 season. The championship was his second in a row with car owner and crew chief Rick Paya, who also has seven career titles as a crew chief and owner. Over 400 team, fans and officials were in attendance to help celebrate the team’s championship, which included a $10,000 point fund check. The team earned over $30,000 for their efforts in 2010.

 

The 42nd Annual MacTavish Award was given to two-time Série ACT Castrol Edge Champion Donald Theetge of Boischatel, Quebec for his dedication to Northeast stock car racing and ACT for over two decades. The prestigious MacTavish Award is named for legendary New England racer Don MacTavish who was killed in 1969 while racing at Daytona International Speedway. Theetge began racing with ACT in 1988 on the former Pro Stock Tour and has been one of the most skilled and respected drivers in the Northeast and Quebec ever since. He accepted the award at the 2010 Série ACT Castrol Edge Banquet of Champions in Quebec City, Quebec on Saturday, January 15. The 2010 Thunder Road International Speedbowl Late Model Championship honors went to hometown favorite Nick Sweet of Barre. Sweet earned the “King of the Road” title in just his third season of Late Model competition. The 2008 ACT Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year and former Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Champion returned to his hometrack and finished sixth in 2009. During his 2010 Championship run, he won two of the biggest events of the season in the opening day Merchants Bank 150 and the Carquest Governor’s Cup 100. In one of the closest battles in Thunder Road history, Sweet edged out runner-up Dave Pembroke and third place finisher Lt. Governor Phil Scott for the title. Multi-time Lee USA Speedway Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH and car owner Bruce Berhardt were honored as the winners of the first Ford Blue Oval Cup Challenge. The special program was designed for competitors who ran the newly designed Ford engine on the ACT Late Model Tour, Série ACT Castrol Edge or any of the nine ACT affiliated tracks. Helliwell’s nine feature wins at Lee helped him earned the 2010 Late Model Championship and the Ford Cup title. Thunder Road also crowned its 2010 Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Champion Tony Rossi of Peacham. Rossi earned two wins including his first career Tiger victory during his championship season. He beat runner-up David Finck by a mere nine points in the final standings. Jason Bonnett of St.Albans earned the 2010 Bond/Wix Tiger Tour title. The 2010 tour was increased to four events at four different tracks. Bonnett finished the season with three top fives including a win at Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, New Hampshire. The Allen Lumber Street Stock title went to three-time 2010 feature winner Mike MacAskill of Williamstown. Cabot’s Ken Christman won the Junkyard Warrior title with 12 wins during the season. The third annual ACT Crew Chief of the Year Award went to seven-time ACT Tour Champion crew chief/owner Rick Paya. Paya led the Rick Paya Motorsports team to their second straight ACT Late Model Tour Championship. The second annual Pete Hartt Memorial Media Award went to Stefan Hard of the Times Argus. The award is given in memory of former WDEV personality and Times Argus Sports Editor Pete Hartt. Hard was awarded the special honor for his coverage of regional stock car racing. The 2010 Ken Squier Award was given to WDEV Radio based in Waterbury. The station has been a long time supporter of both ACT and Thunder Road, often broadcasting events live. The Gordon R. Nielsen Rookie Achievement Award went to Danville’s Jason Corliss. The former Allen Lumber Street Stock Champion took the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen Rookie of the Year title and earned his first career Tiger win in 2010. Sportsmanship and Most Improved Driver Awards were handed out to all four Thunder Road divisions as well as the ACT Tour based on driver and official voting. ACT Late Model Tour winners were Mark Lamberton of Mooers Forks, New York for the Sportsmanship Award and Jeff Zuidema from North Brookfield, Massachusetts for the Most Improved Driver Award. Thunder Road Late Model awards went to Brooks Clark from Fayston for Sportsman and Northfield’s Matt White for Most Improved. The Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen awards were presented to Mike Ziter of Williamstown for Sportsman and Milton’s Eric Badore for Most Improved. The 2010 Ed Carroll Memorial Award for Sportsmanship in the Allen Lumber Street Stocks went to Wolcott’s Jamie Davis. The Junkyard Warrior Sportsmanship Award was given to Kevin Dodge of Barre. Teams will get the chance to break the winter off season with a trip to the first ACT Goodyear Speedweeks Cup at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, Florida on Sunday, February 13 and Monday, February 14. The 2011 ACT Late Model Tour season will kick off on Sunday, April 17 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, New Hampshire. Thunder Road will open its doors with the 13th Annual Merchants Bank 150 on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1. For complete schedules and more information visit www.acttour.com and www.thunderroadspeedbowl.com. -30-