Archive for the 'ACT LM Tour' Category

Thunder Road Practice Cancelled

Published at May 22, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Thunder Road. Closed

An all division practice at Barre’s Thunder Road scheduled for Wednesday evening (May 22) has been canceled due to impending weather.

The practice was schedule for Wednesday in preparation for the 51st Annual Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic, which is slated to run this Sunday, May 26. The annual event will begin the title chase for the Late Model King of the Road, as well as continue the point battle for the Bond Auto Tiger Sportsmen and Allen Lumber Street Stocks. It is also the first race of the four-race Vermont State Championship Series, and will include a special first appearance from the Devil’s Bowl Dirt Modified division.

Post time for the event will be 1:30pm. Pits will open at 8am. Front gate will be open at 10am. Adult admission will be $15, children 12 and under $3, and a family of four will be $30.

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Hoar Takes Over ACT Point Lead

Published at May 20, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Airborne. Closed

Hebert Penalized for Post Race Technical Infraction

After Saturday’s ACT 100 at Airborne Speedway, eight-time American Canadian Tour Stock Car Champion Brian Hoar has moved into the championship points lead with four events complete.

Hoar took the point lead after second-place finisher Jimmy Hebert suffered a post race technical infraction on Saturday night. Repairs made to Hebert’s damaged race car after a heat-race altercation with another competitor caused the rear end to shift. This resulted in a left side weight infraction in technical inspection following the feature race. The team was issued a $500 fine and was docked 12 championship points. Hebert remains second in the overall standings, just 11 points out of the lead.

Reigning ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. continued his title defense with another podium finish at Airborne, leaving him third in points and 15 points behind Hebert. Ray Parent held on to fourth just behind Helliwell, and Brent Dragon rounds out the top five contenders.

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Veteran ACT Drivers Look for Edge at Airborne

Published at May 16, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Airborne. Closed

 This Saturday, May 18 the American Canadian Tour will head to Plattsburgh, NY’s Airborne Speedway for the ACT 100: a race that will pit an experienced veteran class against ACT’s latest youth movement.

Point leader Jimmy Hebert and fourth-place point man Ray Parent will make just their second trip to Airborne Speedway in their ACT careers, but both earned top ten finishes when they debuted at the track in last year’s season finale. They make their return in brand new cars in 2013, and look to continue the hottest start of their ACT careers.

Defending ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. has only raced with ACT twice at Airborne Speedway, claiming a fourth in his first try, and famously winning his first ACT title in last year’s finale with a victory in his second start. Airborne has been good to Helliwell, but veterans Brian Hoar and Brent Dragon will look to make use of their years of experience to dethrone the Champ. Hoar leads all ACT drivers with 7 victories at Airborne, while leading the most laps (723), and making the most money ($31,857). Dragon, on the other hand, has tamed the track for a series-leading 26 top tens in 34 starts.

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The Hot Lap – Ray Parent

Published at May 16, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Airborne. Closed

The Hot Lap – Interesting News. Short Stories. Fast Facts.

Tiverton, Rhode Island’s Ray Parent made a splash on the American Canadian Tour when he captured the 4th Annual Bond Auto ACT Invitational at New Hampshire Motor Speedway last September. The victory was his first with ACT, but that wasn’t enough for the Seekonk Speedway veteran.

During the offseason, Parent told Vermont Motorsports Magazine “I think we have more momentum going into this season than I have ever had in my whole racing career. We are at the point where we are more organized than we’ve ever been, more prepared than we’ve ever been, and in 2013, we’re hoping to give Wayne (Helliwell) a run for his money.”

On the wings of two top fives in the first three races – and zero finishes outside the top ten – Parent sits fourth in the overall standings just a few markers behind reigning ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. Parent will head into Airborne Speedway this Saturday, May 18 looking to continue his hot start to the year and remain in contention for his first ACT Championship.

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ACT Heads to Airborne Speedway

Published at May 13, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Airborne. Closed

The American Canadian Tour Stock Car Championship Series turns to Plattsburgh, NY’s Airborne Speedway for the ACT 100 this Saturday, May 18, marking the fourth point-counting event on the 14-race schedule.

2012 ACT Rookie of the Year Jimmy Hebert continues to show the way on the Tour, leading 8-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar by a slim margin, with defending Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. waiting in third. The trio has taken a win apiece in the three point-counting events thus far, and now head to Airborne to settle the score.

Tiverton, RI’s Ray Parent is currently enjoying his best ACT season to date, sitting fourth overall after finishing in the top ten in every race thus far. Parent will be searching for his first ACT victory at Airborne. Veteran ACT drivers Brent Dragon and Joey Polewarczyk, Jr sit in a tie for fifth. Both drivers have previous victories at Airborne, and will look for their first win of the season to break their fifth-place deadlock. Rookie of the Year contender Bobby Therrien will be hoping to shock the veterans with an ACT victory after a hot start to his first year on the Tour.

Event Schedule

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ACT Point Standings Tighten

Published at May 6, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Airborne and Devil's Bowl. Closed

After 113 laps (56.5 miles) of American Canadian Tour Championship Stock Car racing at West Haven, VT’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway on Sunday, the victory in the Spring Green 113 came down to a flip of the coin: a margin that gave reigning ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. a critical early-season win, and left ACT Point Leader Jimmy Hebert’s advantage at just three points.

Helliwell’s triumph over Brian Hoar on Sunday is the closest finish in ACT’s history since the changeover to electronic scoring in 2010. A difference of just .027 of a second separated the pair at the line, and Helliwell’s victory not only pulled him back into title contention, but saved Hebert from losing the top spot to the eight-time Champion Hoar.

Hoar now sits just three points back from last year’s Rookie of the Year, with Helliwell only 18 points out of the lead. Tiverton, RI’s Ray Parent continued to prove himself as a legitimate contender with another top five at Devil’s Bowl, keeping him fourth overall and just 6 points away from Helliwell.

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Helliwell Shines in Photo Finish at Devil’s Bowl

Published at May 5, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Devil's Bowl. Closed

WEST HAVEN, VT — Reigning American Canadian Tour Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. sent the message loud and clear to his competitors on a beautiful Sunday (May 5) afternoon at West Haven’s Devil’s Bowl Speedway, taking his second victory in-a-row in the Spring Green 113 by just .02 of a second over Williston’s Brian Hoar. ACT Point Leader Jimmy Hebert continued the hot start to his season and completed the podium in third place.

Helliwell used his second-place starting position to his advantage to jump to the early race lead, bringing eight-time ACT Champion Hoar in tow. The pair ran away in the front while Hebert and Tiverton, RI’s Ray Parent began the battle with Devils Bowl Speedway Champion Craig Bushey for the top five positions. A few early cautions for single spins kept the field together early, while Helliwell showed the 31-car field the way.

By lap 50, Hebert faced off against Claremont, NH’s Luke Hinkley who ran in the top ten all day long, and Hudson, NH’s Joey Polewarczyk arrived in the top five after starting 17th. Hebert saved his car along with the two leaders, and a late-race caution on lap 93 of the event set up the show.

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Hebert Retains Point Lead, ACT Turns to Devils Bowl

Published at April 30, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Devil's Bowl. Closed

The Merchants Bank 150 at Barre’s Thunder Road cranked up the heat on the American Canadian Tour, shaking up the point standings before a key showdown takes place at the Spring Green 113 this Sunday, May 5 at Devil’s Bowl Speedway in West Haven, VT.
Sophomore sensation Jimmy Hebert, who started the year off with his first-ever ACT victory in the New Hampshire Governor’s Cup two weeks ago at Lee, backed up his opening day win with a seventh place finish at his home track, Thunder Road. ACT Rookie-of-the-Year contender Bobby Therrien was impressive in just his third ACT start with a fifth-place finish after battling up front all day, pushing forward a youth movement that continues to gain traction on the Tour. With his finish on Sunday he secured a position inside the top ten in overall points, joining young standouts Rowland Robinson, Jr. and Ben Lynch who currently sit seventh and eighth and look to ride their opening momentum into West Haven for the Spring Green 113.

Tiverton, RI’s Ray Parent brought home a tenth place finish in the Merchants Bank 150, and looks to Devil’s Bowl Speedway to continue his best start to an ACT season yet. He vowed at the beginning of the year to be a championship contender, and after two races, sits third in the overall points – just 17 markers out of the series lead -as the Tour heads into one of his favorite race tracks.

Defending ACT Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. climbed to fourth overall after the Merchants Bank 150, righting the ship after a tough start to his season at his home track Lee. It was last year at Devil’s Bowl that Helliwell took the point lead after his first ACT victory and went on to win his first American Canadian Tour Title, but Devil’s Bowl has proven to be a tricky venue on the Tour. In the two years that ACT has raced at the fast half-mile, only two drivers have finished in the top ten in both events.

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Hoar Steals Second Merchants Bank 150

Published at April 28, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Thunder Road. Closed

The sun shined on eight-time American Canadian Tour Champion Brian Hoar, as his trademark patience brought him his second Merchants Bank 150 in as many years on a beautiful afternoon at Barre, VT’s Thunder Road on Sunday, April 28. Middlesex, VT’s Dave Pembroke came home a stout second, and 7-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr brought home a third place finish.

The race began with pole sitter Jay Laquerre running to a large lead in the early going, but it wasn’t long before Pembroke and Hoar muscled their way to the front in the outside lane, with Pembroke snatching the lead on lap 36. From there Pembroke surged, making short work of lap traffic and building his lead during a long 82-lap green flag run. ACT Rookie of the Year competitor Bobby Therrien impressed early, working his way towards the front of the pack as high as third in his third career ACT event before the caution.

When the race restarted, Pembroke was away again while young Therrien battled the veteran Hoar for second place. Meanwhile, Cyr, 2012 King of the Road Nick Sweet, and New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 Champion Jimmy Hebert crept through the field on their way to the leaders. When lap 100 struck, the veterans knew it was time to show their hand.

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Bobby Pelland III Adds Super Late Models to Busy 2013 Slate

Published at April 10, 2013 in ACT LM Tour, Granite State Pro-Stock Series, Lee USA, Oxford Plains, PASS, PASS North, Seekonk and Thompson. Closed
2012 Late Model Runner-up Pursuing Full-Time Efforts in Seekonk Pro Stocks & Late Models

Bobby Pelland, III of Cranston, RI experienced the best season of his young racing career, earning a career best 2nd in Seekonk Late Model point standings and 3 wins. Pelland called last season, “Definitely an improvement, I think myself as a driver had more experience and confidence going into the year as well as finding some stuff in the car to wake it up,” Pelland said. “Overall, it was a great season and great points battle. Unfortunately, we had some bad luck due to wrecks and parts failures, but I can’t thank my team enough for never giving up.”

After race 10 of 17, Pelland faced a 37-point deficit to Gerry DeGasparre, Jr. Within three races, Pelland had reduced the margin to six. As DeGasparre and Pelland swapped the points lead, 2nd place remained within six markers for the rest of the year. Pelland led the points standings for three of the last 4 weeks before DeGasparre regained the points lead by six on the final points night for his sixth Late Model crown. “I think that says something about Team V and the guys”

“The 71 team has been a staple in the Late Models at Seekonk for years,” Pelland said. “I remember watching him when I was maybe as young as 10 when I was at the track watching my father. They clearly have their stuff in order and the team is run great by Gerry Sr. As far as Gerry, the accolades speak for themselves. He is clearly a great driver. It’s no secret he will be in contention for the title and I hope it’s a great battle between Gerry and I again this year, with a little different results of course.“

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ACT Makes Key Staff Changes

Published at March 27, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Série ACT Castrol and Thunder Road. Closed

Lynch Joins Série ACT Castrol as Chief Steward

American Canadian Tour officials have announced the hiring of several new officials across the Série ACT Castrol, Thunder Road, and the American Canadian Tour for the 2013 season.

The overhaul is headlined by the hiring of former Kawartha Speedway (ON) manager Derek Lynch as the Chief Steward of the Série ACT Castrol. Lynch started racing with ACT at just 17 years old in the late 1980s, and had won the Oxford 250 before heading to the NASCAR Busch North Series. His career eventually led him to Charlotte, NC, where he worked in fabrication for Darrell Waltrip racing. In 2000, he married Cait Curley, daughter of long-time Thunder Road promoter Tom Curley, and took over management at Kawartha Speedway. He left Kawartha at the end of last season.

“I think the Castrol series is much like Kawartha. These teams are professional operations, and it’s going to be fun to work with guys doing this at such a high level,” said Lynch. “There are a lot of guys leading the charge that I’ve had the pleasure of racing with over the last few years, but what really stands out for me is the young talent on this tour. There is a great veteran presence, but there is also a talented group of young guys starting to make a name for themselves. I think that’s critical. I can’t wait to get started,” he finished.

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Lee USA Speedway Opens 28th ACT Season

Published at March 22, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Lee USA. Closed

As the American Canadian Tour’s 28th season shifts into full gear, teams prepare for the opening race on April 13/14 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH. After one of the closest point battles in ACT history in 2012, eventual Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. edged out 8-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar with a victory in the season finale, and will look to continue his momentum at the Lee opener in 2013.

Helliwell will be challenged by ACT star Joey Polewarczyk, Jr., who got his start in full-bodied stock cars at Lee USA Speedway. While Helliwell has amassed 8 track championships at Lee USA, he remains in search of his first ACT victory at his home track. Polewarczyk won the opener at Lee in 2008.

“I’m excited just to get started,” said Polewarczyk. “We’re focused, the car is ready, and the team and I are ready to go. We should have won at Lee in last year’s race. We can’t wait for the opener to get the championship chase underway,” he finished.

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Unbuckled: Getting To Know Wayne Helliwell, Jr.

Published at March 21, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Canaan Fair, Lee USA, Série ACT Castrol and Thompson. Closed

Driver of the #27 E-Keys 4 Cars Ford

Hometown: Dover, NH

2012: Earned his first American Canadian Tour Championship

What are your favorite hobbies in the off-season?

I’m not sure I have any real hobbies; it’s a full-time job working in the garage. As a big family thing, we like to go out and try new random places to eat; stuff that’s way off the mark and just pretty different throughout New England. My job and racing bring me to a lot of different places, and many times we’ll just take off and try new stuff. I think you can find a lot of good places like that.

What do you do for work?

I am a fire-sprinkler system installer for Mammoth Fire Protection. This is the only job I’ve ever had. I’ve been working here since 1993, so about 20 years.

What is your biggest life accomplishment?

The things I’m most proud of are my three daughters. I was extremely young when I had my first daughter, I think I was 15 when the girl was pregnant, so that was a real life lesson. My daughter and I practically grew up together. There were a lot of things to learn as she grew and now that my daughters are almost adults, they are not only my children but really good friends as well. I never understood when my parents said the same thing about me, but now I do. They were young parents, too.

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Thunder Road 2013 Schedule Announced

Published at March 19, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, NEAR and Thunder Road. Closed

Devil’s Bowl Dirt Modifieds to Run Memorial Day Classic

Thunder Road officials have put the final touches on the schedule for the Nation’s Site of Excitement for the 2013 season, kicking off the year with the Merchants Bank 150 on April 27th and 28th and closing out with the 51st running of the Vermont Milk Bowl on October 5/6.

The schedule will include 18 overall events at the Barre highbanks, with 14 of them counting towards the Late Model Track Title. The stars of the American Canadian Tour will start the year at the Merchants Bank 150 on April 27/28, and the chase to become the next King of the Road will begin with the 51st Mekkelsen RV Memorial Day Classic on Sunday, May 26. The Devil’s Bowl Bond Auto Parts Dirt Modifieds will make their first Thunder Road appearance to run a 50-lap feature before the Late Model’s 100-lap classic.

Three-time Late Model King of the Road Phil Scott is excited to get the year started.

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Unbuckled: Getting to Know Brian Hoar

Published at March 7, 2013 in ACT and ACT LM Tour. Closed

Driver of the #37 RPM Racing Engines Dodge

Hometown: Williston, VT

2012: Second place overall on the American Canadian Tour

What are your favorite hobbies in the off-season?

I’ve been running a lot the last few years; I’m training to run VT city marathon again. That’s what takes up a lot of my free time if I’m not chasing my daughters at gymnastics meets and snowmobiling. I usually get a little hunting in during the fall.

What do you do for work?

I am the dealer principle of Goss Dodge. It’s the family business. My Dad worked here for years and years, purchased the company back in the 70s, and I’ve worked here all my life on and off, mostly on. I run the company now. I’m the Dealer Principle and General Manager and get all the fun that goes with it.

What is your biggest life accomplishment?

My championships and racing accomplishments, I think. Family is very important to me, but can I really say it’s my great accomplishment to have raised my kids to this point? I feel like that’s my duty as a father. Racing has done a lot for me personally, and especially as far as self esteem goes and what not because I wasn’t successful at a lot of other sports. I was naturally successful in snowmobiling, and once I hopped in a racecar, I never looked back. I have a lot of pride in the things I’ve accomplished behind the wheel, and I think they’ve defined me as a person.

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International 500 Reaches Record $140,000 Purse

Published at March 6, 2013 in ACT LM Tour and Airborne. Closed

American Canadian Tour officials have announced that the Inaugural ACT International 500 to be held at Airborne Speedway on the weekend of July 20/21 will exceed a total purse of $140,000, making it the richest event in ACT’s 28-year history.

Airborne Speedway Promoter Mike Perrotte can’t wait to get the weekend started.

“I’m extremely excited to have a race of this magnitude here. It will be without a doubt the biggest event ever held at Airborne Speedway,” said Perrotte. “It’s a big boost to our community. Fans from all over will get to watch more than 500 laps of exciting short track racing from teams all over New England, New York, Rhode Island, Quebec and Ontario. It’s going to be a huge event.”

[ACT Late Model Entry Form]
[Modifieds Entry Form]
[Plattsburgh Motel Info] Make Your Hotel Reservations Today!

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Tracks by the Facts – Autodrome St-Eustache

Published at March 5, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Autodrome St. Eustache and Série ACT Castrol. Closed

Autodrome St-Eustache in St-Eustache, Quebec will host three (3) Serie ACT Castrol events in 2013 including the annual St-Eustache 300 to close out the season in September.

· St-Eustache has hosted 16 Serie ACT Castrol events from 2007 to 2012, including one combination event with the ACT US series.
· Normand Lavigueur won the first ever ACT Late Model event held at St-Eustache on May 26, 2007.
· Patrick Laperle has dominated at his hometrack, holding the records for wins (8), top fives (14), top tens (16) and money earned ($40,425).
· Laperle also holds the record for most laps led (1,373) and most laps led in an event (231) on September 26, 2010, and most events led (14).
· Laperle has also won four (4) of the last five (5) ACT events held at St-Eustache including the two most recent, July 28, 2012 and September 16, 2012.

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Unbuckled: Jimmy Linardy

Published at February 28, 2013 in ACT and ACT LM Tour. Closed

Jimmy Linardy

What are your favorite hobbies in the off-season?

I work a lot of hours in the off season, about 18-20 hours a day in my business. That doesn’t leave me much time for hobbies, unfortunately!

What do you do for work?

I am a heavy duty truck and diesel mechanic and a tow truck driver. I own a truck garage called Jim’s Heavy Duty Service. We aren’t the biggest shop in Boston but we are the busiest.

What is your biggest life accomplishment?

Being the owner/operator of my own business. I’ve been self employed since 1987 and I’m still doing it. Been doing the same work I do now since 1979, so I’m pretty proud of that.

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Tracks by the Facts – Montmagny

Published at February 26, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Autodrome Montmagny and Série ACT Castrol. Closed

Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, Quebec will host the 2013 Série ACT Castrol season opener as well as two more events later in the season. Montmagny has hosted 14 Série ACT Castrol events to date including the first ever Série ACT Castrol event on May 19, 2007. Montmagny has also held one ACT US event back on August 29, 1999.

· Karl Allard has started all 15 ACT events at Autodrome Montmagny (14 Serie ACT Castrol, 1 ACT US). Jonathan Desbiens, Claude Leclerc and Jacques Poulin have all started all 14 Serie ACT Castrol events.

· Patrick Laperle holds the record for most Montmagny wins with 4. Other winners include Karl Allard (2), Jean-François Déry (2), Mario Gosselin (2), Donald Theetge (2), Brian Hoar (US), Alex Labbe and Sylvain Lacombe.

· Mario Gosselin’s two wins came in his only two career ACT starts at Montmagny.

· Donald Theetge holds the record for the most top fives with 9.

· Jean-François Déry holds the record for the most top tens with 12.

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ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – Circuit Riverside Speedway

Published at February 19, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Circuit Riverside and Série ACT Castrol. Closed

Tracks by the Facts – Circuit Riverside Speedway (QC)

Circuit Riverside Speedway in St-Croix, Quebec has hosted eleven (11) stand alone Serie ACT Castrol events, seven (7) stand alone ACT US events and three (3) combination Can-Am events. The 5/8ths-mile speedway was one of the original five (5) tracks to host an ACT Late Model event back in 1992. In 2013, Riverside will host two (2) Serie ACT Castrol events as well as the fourth annual Can-Am 200 combination Castrol/US event.
· Circuit Riverside Speedway hosted its first ever ACT Late Model event in the tour’s inaugural season in 1992. It was the fourth ever ACT Late Model event and Brian Hoar claimed the win on June 28, 1992.
· Brian Hoar is also the most recent ACT winner at Riverside with his Can-Am 200 victory on August 25, 2012.
· Brent Dragon became the first ever US driver to win a Serie ACT Castrol event when he won at Riverside on June 20, 2009.
· Brian Hoar has won all three (3) combination Can-Am events to date (2010-2012).
· Donald Theetge holds the record for all-time wins at Riverside with a combined total of five (5), two (2) ACT US wins and three (3) Serie ACT Castrol wins.
· The remainder of the combined winners list is Hoar (4), Karl Allard (2), Brent Dragon (2), Sylvain Lacombe (2), Mike Bruno, Jean-Paul Cyr, Jean-François Déry, Alexandre Gingras, Patrick Hamel, and Patrick Laperle.
· Donald Theetge holds the record for the most career starts at Riverside. He has started 18 events including 10 stand alone Série ACT Castrol events, 5 stand alone ACT US events and all 3 Can-Ams held there to date.
· Donald Theetge also holds the record for the most money earned with $26,475 in his 18 starts.

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ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – Beech Ridge Motor Speedway

Published at February 12, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Beech Ridge. Closed

Tracks by the Facts – Beech Ridge Motor Speedway

Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough, Maine was one of the tracks on the ACT Late Model Tour’s inaugural season in 1992. The 1/3-mile speedway was also on the 1993 schedule before a 16 season hiatus. The tour returned in 2009 and has made annual visit each season since. The 2013 event is scheduled for Saturday, August 17.

· Beech Ridge held the 7th ever ACT Late Model event. Dave Whitcomb took the win in the 50 lapper in September of 1992.

· Austin Theriault is the most recent ACT Beech Ridge winner. He claimed his first career ACT win in a rain shortened event in 2012.

· Beech Ridge has seen six different winners in its six events to date: Dave Whitcomb (1992), Pat Corbett (1993), Brian Hoar (2009), Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. (2010), Jeff Taylor (2011), and Austin Theriault (2012).

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Unbuckled: Getting To Know Jean-Paul Cyr

Published at February 7, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Airborne and Thunder Road. Closed

Unbuckled: Getting To Know Jean-Paul Cyr-Driver of the #32 Harrison Redi-Mix Chevrolet

Hometown: Milton, VT

2012: Finished 9th overall on American Canadian Tour

What are your favorite hobbies in the off-season?

Oh these days I try to snowboard, ride dirt bikes, and I’m trying to get into mountain biking.

What do you do for work?

I’m one of the owners of Cyr Lumber. It’s been the family business since 1970.

What is your biggest life accomplishment?

Probably watching my two children grow up into fine young adults.

Continue reading ‘Unbuckled: Getting To Know Jean-Paul Cyr’

Tracks by the Facts – Sanair Super Speedway

Published at February 5, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Sanair. Closed

The first ever American Canadian Tour Late Model event was held at Sanair Super Speedway in St-Pie, Quebec back in April of 1992. The 9/10ths mile speedway has hosted seven (7) ACT Late Model events since, including last year’s 100-lap event. Sanair returns to the schedule again in 2013 with the 150-lap Saturday, August 3 event. It will be the 10th of 14 ACT Late Model events scheduled in 2013.

· Norm Andrews won the first ever ACT Late Model Tour event on April 26, 1992. He claimed the 25-lap feature win, his only ACT win to date.

· ACT returned to the tri-oval in 2012 after five seasons. Wayne Helliwell, Jr. claimed the win.

Continue reading ‘Tracks by the Facts – Sanair Super Speedway’

Unbuckled: Getting to Know Claude Leclerc

Published at January 31, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Série ACT Castrol. Closed

Unbuckled: Getting To Know Claude Leclerc-Driver of the #11 Leclerc Motorsports Chevrolet

 Hometown: Lanoraie, QC

2012 : Finished 12th Overall on the Série ACT Castrol

What are your favorite hobbies in the off-season?

 Snowmobiling. I have been doing that for many years. I first started snowmobiling in 1974. I do not race them though, I just do it for fun!

 What do you do for work?

Now I am retired from my business, but I work for myself in my home garage. I’m a mechanic.

 What is your biggest life accomplishment?

When I won the 300-lap race at Sanair, that was so great for me. But it is a tie with the time I raced at Cayuga Speedway in Ontario for a 250-lap NASCAR North race. I finished third behind Dale Earnhardt and Randy Lajoie, and on the podium Dale gave me a handshake and said I did a very good job. He is a great man. It was a great day for me; I will never forget that.

 Big Plans for 2013?

I would like to race but one of my crewmembers is sick, and two other crewmembers have quit with family problems, so right now I need to find 2-3 new guys. I would like to make all of the Série ACT Castrol season, especially the International 500. I would also like to return to Thunder Road at some point in 2013.

Continue reading ‘Unbuckled: Getting to Know Claude Leclerc’

INFO UPDATED MEMO: Regarding Tom Curley/2013 ACT & Thunder Road

Published at January 24, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, ACT Tiger Sportsman, Thompson and Thunder Road. Closed

INTRODUCTION

First, I would like to thank you for all of the well wishes I have received from so many concerned about my recent health issues. The many emails, phone calls, text messages, prayers and thoughts have been very much appreciated. I would be remiss if I did not publicly thank Darla who has been with me for every hour of the past three weeks and continues to care for me as I recover.

I wanted to take this opportunity to review for all our ACT and Thunder Road race teams exactly what has been done over the past three months since the 50th Milk Bowl finally closed our season, and to hopefully provide a positive platform for everyone to become excited, positive, and energized about the upcoming race season.

FALL OFF-SEASON

1. QUEBEC ACT CASTROL SERIES:

As some of you know, I spent nearly 6 weeks in the immediate post season negotiating with Quebec promoters after the sale of Autodrome Chaudiere. The potential of having the Quebec teams split into PASS type Late Models and an unsustainable marketing plan, particularly in the Quebec City region, would have changed ACT type Late Model racing on both sides of the border dramatically. Fortunately, the ACT promoters were very supportive, a group of ACT Castrol teams provided tremendous support, and we were able to work out compromises among all parties. We actually have developed an outstanding program for fans, teams and promoters for the coming year. When the entries begin coming out in a few weeks I think teams from both sides of the border will be very happy with 2013 plans.

Continue reading ‘INFO UPDATED MEMO: Regarding Tom Curley/2013 ACT & Thunder Road’

ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – White Mountain Motorsports Park

Published at January 22, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and White Mountain. Closed

Tracks by the Facts – White Mountain Motorsports Park

White Mountain Motorsports Park in North Woodstock, New Hampshire is ACT’s 4th most visited track since the creation of the Late Model Tour in 1992. The ¼-mile speedway, which is a favorite among ACT competitors, has hosted at least one event each season since their first in 1998. The 2013 event will be 150 laps on Saturday, June 22.

· White Mountain’s first ever ACT event was run on September 6, 1998. Brian Hoar won the event on his way to his 3rd career ACT title.

· Wayne Helliwell, Jr. is the most recent ACT winner at White Mountain. He took the win during ACT’s annual visit in 2012 on his way to his first career title.

· Since White Mountain joined the ACT schedule in 1998, nine (9) of the 15 seasons have seen the ACT Champion win at the speedway en route to their title. Brian Hoar (1998, 1999, 2010), Pete Fecteau (2001), Jean-Paul Cyr (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006) and Wayne Helliwell, Jr. (2012).

Continue reading ‘ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – White Mountain Motorsports Park’

2013 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Schedule

Published at January 18, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Bandoleros, Gifford's Bandolero Series, Granite State Karting, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, NASCAR Nationwide Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR WMT and NHMS. Closed

February 24-Sports Car Club-NH, S3 Parking Lot
March 30- FANtasy Drive Open House
April 4-NH Cycling Club, Road Course
April 5-7-Exotic Driving Experience, Road Course
New in 2013, the Exotic Driving Experience allows need-for-speed fans the opportunity to race the 1.6-mile road course in some of the world's most exotic sports cars.
April 6-BMW Club, S3 Parking Lot
April 11-NH Cycling Club, Road Course
April 12-14-Motorsports Lab, S3 Parking Lot
April 12-COM Sports Car Club-Open Test, Road Course
April 13-14-PCA North Country, Road Course
April 17-18-Rusty Wallace Driving Experience, Oval
April 18-NH Cycling Club, Oval
April 19-Open Test-Cars, Road Course
April 20-NH Karting Association, S3 Parking Lot
April 20-Renegade Playground Challenge, NHMS Obstacle Course
April 20-21-NER SCCA
April 21-Sports Car Club-NH, S1 Parking Lot

Continue reading ’2013 New Hampshire Motor Speedway Schedule’

ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – Canaan Fair Speedway

Published at January 15, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Canaan Fair. Closed

Tracks by the Facts – Canaan Fair Speedway

Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, New Hampshire is the second of three tracks returning to the ACT schedule after several years. The 1/3-mile oval will host the 6th point counting event of the 2013 ACT season on Saturday, June 15.

· Canaan has hosted 6 ACT events to date.
· The first ACT event at Canaan was won by Phil Scott on September 6, 1997.
· The most recent event was won by A.J. Begin on June 26, 2005.
· Joey Laquerre and Phil Scott have both started all six ACT events held at Canaan to date.
· Scott holds the record for top 10s with four and is tied with Brian Hoar for most top 5s with 3 at Canaan.
· Scott also has the highest career earnings from Canaan with $,4755.
· There have been six different winners in those six events: Scott (1997), Chris Fisher (1998), Brian Hoar (2000), Dave Pembroke (2001), Ken Dufour (2002), Begin (2005).

Continue reading ‘ACT “Tracks by the Facts” – Canaan Fair Speedway’

Helliwell, Laperle Take Top Honors at ACT Banquet; Richard Green Wins Prestigious MacTavish Award

Published at January 13, 2013 in ACT, ACT LM Tour and Série ACT Castrol. Closed

2012 American Canadian Tour Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr., and 2012 Série ACT Castrol Champion Patrick Laperle were the stars of the ACT Banquet at the Doubletree Inn in Burlington, VT on Saturday, January 12th, earning the highest awards for their respective titles. ACT awarded over $700,000 in point funds and event purses to teams in 2012.

Helliwell was honored after one of the most entertaining point-battles of ACT’s history, beating out eight-time Tour Champion Brian Hoar in an epic battle for his first-ever ACT Championship. He won four races in 2012, including his first-career ACT victory, and only finished worse than seventh once. He won $10,000 for his ACT Championship, but also picked up an additional $5,000 from the Ford point fund for winning the Ford Blue Oval Challenge for a record third time in a row.

Laperle enjoyed a comeback year on the Série ACT Castrol. After falling as low as sixth in the beginning of the season, Laperle surged for four wins and nine top-fives to claim an unprecedented third Castrol Series Championship, along with a $10,000 check. Laperle, now with 17 feature victories, sits just one win away from having the most in Series history.

The prestigious MacTavish Award was given to car owner Richard Green of Enosburg Falls, VT. Green, who in 2012 owned the 16VT of Joey Becker and the 16NY car on the ACT Tour, was given the award for the first time for his dedication and loyalty to ACT, and his contributions to the sport of auto racing.

Continue reading ‘Helliwell, Laperle Take Top Honors at ACT Banquet; Richard Green Wins Prestigious MacTavish Award’

2013 ACT Schedule Announced

Published at November 15, 2012 in ACT, ACT LM Tour, Airborne, Beech Ridge, Canaan Fair, Devil's Bowl, Lee USA, NHMS, Riverside, Sanair, Star, Thunder Road and White Mountain. Closed

Three New Tracks Slated for 2013

ACT officials have announced a 14-race schedule for the 2013 American Canadian Tour season at eleven different Northeast short tracks. The schedule will include three new additions to the Tour schedule. There will also be three more non-point counting special events during the 2013 campaign.

The Tour will return to 2012 tracks Lee USA Speedway, Thunder Road, Devil’s Bowl Speedway, Airborne Speedway, White Mountain Motorsports Park, and Beech Ridge Speedway in 2013. A visit to Riverside Speedway in Groveton, NH is planned for a 150-lap event on Sunday, June 2nd and will mark the first time ACT has raced there since 2004. The American Canadian Tour will also head to Canaan Fair Speedway on Saturday, June 15th for the first time since 2005, and has set a date for Star Speedway on Saturday, July 6, last visited in 2003.

The American Canadian Tour schedule will include two point-counting combo events with the Canadian Série ACT Castrol at Sanair Super Speedway, which will be increased to a 150-lap event from 100, and at St-Croix, QC’s Circuit Riverside Speedway for the 4th Annual Can-Am 200.

Continue reading ’2013 ACT Schedule Announced’

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