Firestone Indy Lights 2011 Trois Rivière Highlights

CONNOR DE PHILLIPPI WINS STAR MAZDA RACE 2

CONNOR DE PHILLIPPI WINS STAR MAZDA RACE 2 AT 42nd ANNUAL GP3R
AND BECOMES FIRST THREE-RACE WINNER SO FAR IN THE 2011 SEASON

Courtesy Star Mazda Communications Trois-Rivières, Quebec / August 7, 2011 – California racer Connor De Phillippi, who already has two wins to his credit so far this season, became the first three-race winner of the 2011 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear season with his victory in today’s Race 2 / Round 8 at the 42nd annual GP3R at Trois-Rivières.

De Phillippi, who finished 5th yesterday and started 5th on the grid for today’s race, took the lead at the 2/3rds mark in his #11 Team Pelfrey / Justice Brothers Products / Trademark Garage Floors Mazda and, by the time the checkered waved, had opened up a 3.4-second gap on his Team Pelfrey teammate Nick Andries, who finished 2nd in the #81 Team Pelfrey / Lithionics Battery / GS610 Brake Fluid / Trademark Garage Floors Mazda. Andries started 3rd and finished 3rd yesterday, and today’s results brings to five the number of times he has finished on the podium so far this season.

This also marks the second time the Team Pelfrey duo has scored a 1-2 finish (including The Night Before the 500 on the oval at Lucas Oil Raceway). De Philippi was the 2009 Skip Barber Pro Series Champion and moved up to Star Mazda in 2010 with scholarship funding from the Mazda Road to Indy. Read more of this post

Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio qualifying results

LEXINGTON, Ohio – Qualifying Saturday for the Honda Indy 200 IZOD IndyCar Series event on the 2.258-mile(s) Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:

1. (9) Scott Dixon, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.0776 (119.405)
2. (6) Ryan Briscoe, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.3359 (118.954)
3. (10) Dario Franchitti, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.4016 (118.839)
4. (12) Will Power, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.4212 (118.805)
5. (28) Ryan Hunter-Reay, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.5796 (118.531)
6. (38) Graham Rahal, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.7423 (118.250)
7. (06) James Hinchcliffe, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.7701 (118.203)
8. (77) Alex Tagliani, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8412 (118.080)
9. (5) Takuma Sato, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8653 (118.039)
10. (83) Charlie Kimball, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.8665 (118.037)
11. (19) Sebastien Bourdais, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.9115 (117.960)
12. (59) EJ Viso, Dallara-Honda, 01:08.9427 (117.907)
13. (4) JR Hildebrand, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4161 (117.103)
14. (78) Simona de Silvestro, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3009 (117.297)
15. (3) Helio Castroneves, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4369 (117.067)
16. (82) Tony Kanaan, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3013 (117.297)
17. (27) Mike Conway, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4904 (116.977)
18. (22) Simon Pagenaud, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.3851 (117.155)
19. (26) Marco Andretti, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.6059 (116.783)
20. (2) Oriol Servia, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.4935 (116.972)
21. (14) Vitor Meira, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.6061 (116.783)
22. (34) Sebastian Saavedra, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.7105 (116.608)
23. (7) Danica Patrick, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.2166 (115.767)
24. (18) James Jakes, Dallara-Honda, 01:09.8061 (116.448)
25. (24) Ana Beatriz, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.4537 (115.378)
26. (17) Martin Plowman, Dallara-Honda, 01:10.2533 (115.707)
27. (67) Ed Carpenter, Dallara-Honda, 01:12.3720 (112.320)

Grand Prix Trois-Rivieres Firestone Indy Lights qualifying

Qualifying Saturday for the Grand Prix Trois-Rivieres Firestone Indy Lights event on the 1.51 mile(s) Streets of Trois-Rivieres circuit, with starting position, car number in parentheses, driver, chassis-engine, time and speed in parentheses:

1. (7) Esteban Guerrieri, 57.4541 (94.615)
2. (77) Conor Daly, 57.4962 (94.545)
3. (26) Peter Dempsey, 57.5599 (94.441)
4. (11) Josef Newgarden, 57.6385 (94.312)
5. (2) Gustavo Yacaman, 57.8510 (93.966)
6. (5) Stefan Wilson, 58.0259 (93.682)
7. (22) Mikael Grenier, 58.3012 (93.240)
8. (3) Victor Carbone, 58.3898 (93.098)
9. (29) Bruno Andrade, 58.4417 (93.016)
10. (9) Anders Krohn, 58.5812 (92.794)
11. (4) Jorge Goncalvez, 58.6107 (92.748)
12. (16) David Ostella, 58.7465 (92.533)
13. (28) Duarte Ferreira, 58.9677 (92.186)

STAR MAZDA CHAMPIONSHIP AND GP3R ANNOUNCE CONTRACT EXTENSION

GP3R/Trois-Riviéres, Quebec (August 4, 2011) – Gary Rodrigues, founder and President of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and M. François Bordeleau, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Prix de Trois-Riviéres today announced a three-year contract extension that will see the premier open-wheel driver development series in North America competing at the famed GP3R through the 2014 season.

“The GP3R has become a favorite event among Star Mazda Championship teams and drivers and we’re delighted to extend our relationship into the future,” said Rodrigues. “Everyone likes to come here because the fans are both knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and because the entire city of Trois-Riviéres gets into the spirit of the event. But having a good time is not our sole motive; the GP3R circuit is a highly-technical challenge for our drivers, and the off-track demands on the drivers, the media, the crowds and the busy schedule are perfect training for young drivers on their way up to IndyCar. It fits perfectly with our mission to provide our drivers with the comprehensive, well-rounded education required to make a successful career at the top levels of motorsports.”

The Star Mazda Championship has been a fan favorite at the GP3R since its first appearance in 2005; a race won by Luis Schiavo. Subsequent winners have included Matt Varsha (2006), Ron White (2007), Peter Dempsey (2008) and Alex Ardoin (2009-2010). It has also served as a training ground for the next generation of Canadian open-wheel racers such as Mikael Grenier, the Stoneham, Quebec native who competed in Star Mazda at the GP3R in 2009 and 2010, and will be driving the #22 Moore Racing / Xtreme Coil Drilling car in the first-ever Firestone Indy Lights race at Trois-Riviéres on Sunday. Other Canadian racers who competed in the Star Mazda Championship race at GP3R include Stephane Roy, Mark Wilkins, Kevin Lacrox and Chris Cumming.

“The Star Mazda Championship race is always intensely competitive and is one of the highlights of the GP3R weekend, even more so this year because there is a race on both Saturday and Sunday,” says Bordeleau. “The Trois-Riviéres fans feel a special connection with open-wheel racing because they have seen so many top young drivers race here on their way to IndyCar and Formula One, and the Star Mazda Championship has proved over its twenty-one year history that the young drivers you see here this year you’ll see racing at Indy and Daytona in a few years. We are proud to be part of that history and look forward to seeing the next generation of stars racing in Star Mazda at the GP3R.”

The Grand Prix began in 1967 when members of the Club Autosport Mauricien (CAM), decided to organize a race in the streets of the city. Inspired by the famed Monaco Grand Prix, Mr. Jean E. Ryan, Leon Dufour and Yves Girard, plus a committee of about thirty people, organized and that has now become one of the most unique motorsports events in North America. The GP3R, as it has come to be known, is the site for Rounds 7 & 8 of the 11-race Star Mazda Championship schedule for 2011; it is one of three street circuits on the schedule, and the only weekend to host a double-header.

About Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear

For 2011, the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear will be a major part of the Mazda Road to Indy and will feature a 10-weekend, 11-race schedule, all on major race weekends and most with IndyCar. Two weekends are with the American Le Mans series, and one – the GP3R at Trois-Riviéres, Quebec — is a double-header with Indy Lights. Rising stars from around the world will be watched by more than a million fans as they compete for prizes valued at $1.5 million, including a scholarship to move up and race in the 2012 Firestone Indy Lights series. Drivers 16 and older are welcome to compete and the Star Mazda Championship also features the Expert Series for drivers 30 and older. The Star Mazda Championship features standing starts, wheel-to-wheel racing at 160 mph and budgets a fraction of other top open-wheel ladder series. For more information on the Star Mazda Championship please visit www.starmazda.com.

TRIMFIT JOINS RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS PARTNER LINEUP

TRIMFIT JOINS RICHARD PETTY MOTORSPORTS PARTNER LINEUP

Patented New Weight Loss Water Will Have Presence on No. 43 Ford

CONCORD, N.C. (August 2, 2011) – Roger J. Catarino, President and CEO of First Fruits Beverage Company, LLC, and Richard Petty Motorsports (RPM) officials have announced a partnership centered around the new patented weight loss water beverage TrimFit. The associate sponsorship will showcase the brand on uniforms as well as on the Richard Petty Motorsports No. 43 Ford.

“We’re happy to have TrimFit on board,” stated team Co-Owner Richard Petty. “TrimFit is an innovative and exciting new beverage and we’re looking forward to introducing it to the legions of faithful NASCAR fans. This is a great opportunity to introduce a new product to our sport and we’re looking forward to working together with the folks from TrimFit to showcase their great, new product.”

TrimFit will have a presence with both of the RPM NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams for the remainder of the 2011 season. In addition to a logo on the sleeve of the firesuit of Marcos Ambrose, driver of the No. 9 Stanley Ford Fusion, the company will be featured on the deck lid of the No. 43 Ford machine.

Roger Catarino added, “RPM represents the highest quality image in integrity and reputation and we are delighted to be partnering with them and to have Richard “The King” Petty as our spokesperson. He and his team provide the perfect vehicle for our product to be introduced to the consumer and receive instant credibility because of his unprecedented accomplishments and reputation. TrimFit is a patented weight loss water and has created a new beverage category for functional beverages. Check www.TrimFitWater.com to find a TrimFit retailer closest to you”

About TrimFit:

Lose Weight, Lower Body Fat, Reduce Your Waistline, and Stay Hydrated with TrimFit ™ All Natural Weight Loss Water! While results may vary, TrimFit, with a balanced diet and exercise program can help you achieve and maintain healthy weight levels and a toned body shape. TrimFit’s patented ingredient, Trisynex®, targets reduction of body fat helping you achieve a healthy lifestyle by balancing the key hormones Leptin and Adiponectin. Ten years of university research and development, including an eight-week clinical study, substantiate that TrimFit works. Each eight-ounce serving is all natural, has 0 grams of sugar, five calories, and provides hydration. TrimFit comes in three great tasting flavors – Pink Lemonade, Mixed Berry, and Lemon Lime. TrimFit is produced exclusively by First Fruits Beverage Company in Marion, VA. The state-of-the-art facility is organic certified, kosher approved, and is dedicated to “green” initiatives. For more information about TrimFit, please visit our website at www.TrimFitWater.com.

About Richard Petty Motorsports:

Known to many simply as “The King,” Richard Petty is the most decorated driver in the history of NASCAR racing, winning a record 200 races and seven NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships during his illustrious career. In late 2010, Petty partnered with Medallion Financial and Douglas Bergeron to purchase the assets of Richard Petty Motorsports. Richard Petty Motorsports fields two teams in competition in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. AJ Allmendinger wheels the famous No. 43 Ford Fusion and Marcos Ambrose drives the No. 9 machine with sponsorship from Stanley and DEWALT. For more information about the Concord, N.C.-based race team, please visit www.richardpettymotorsports.com.

Versus to become NBC Sports Network

Versus will officially become NBC Sports Network on Jan. 2, and the name change is “timed to coincide with NBC’s broadcast of the NHL Winter Classic and the run-up to NBC’s February telecast of Super Bowl XLVI.” NBC’s other sports channels, such as Golf Channel, “will not be part of this rebranding.” Also Comcast’s RSNs “will keep their Comcast SportsNet names” SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL

Samantha’s Hope Keeps Making Progress

Samantha’s Hope Keeps Making Progress

http://www.Samanthashope.com

1 August, 2011— Young Samantha Ashabranner has showed a survivors spirit that has inspired countless others, having survived a horrific car crash that cost her mother’s life, and very nearly cut short her own.

The 13-year old was left with serious facial scarring, and despite a family that rallied to support her, she didn’t have the adequate coverage to gain the various surgeries needed. Fortunately, the racing world has been quick to help, forming samathashope.com to generate the awareness and funding needed to get Samantha back to being as much of her old self as is possible.

It has been just nine months since ‘Samantha’s Hope’ began, and Samantha and her family have received a tremendous outpouring of support from all of the Samantha’s Hope Supporters. Read more of this post

Tanner Foust drives ROCKSTAR Ford Fiesta to inaugural Global RallyCross Championship SuperRally title

DEARBORN, Mich., July 30, 2011 – Over the last two years there hasn’t been much that Tanner Foust hasn’t won when he is in the ROCKSTAR Fiesta. Although Foust didn’t win a medal during the Rally Racing (aka: SuperRally) competition at X Games he did clinch the inaugural Global RallyCross Championship SuperRally title. Foust edged his Fiesta teammate Marcus Gronholm for the championship even though Gronholm captured a silver medal at X Games 17.

“It wasn’t until recently that I was event aware that there was a separate SuperRally championship within Global RallyCross, but I am happy to win it,” said Foust.” “Ultimately the goal this week is X Games and blowing the rear diff of the Fiesta versus [David] Higgins was disappointing, I had the same problem in the semi-final vs. Liam [Doran] and I would have liked to give him the full fight with the Fiesta. The mechanics are cranking to get the Fiesta back together and tomorrow will be a big day. We will have more people watching RallyCross than ever in the history of the sport and we want to make sure that everything is perfect and that the Ford Fiesta is back on top.”

For Foust winning the SuperRally title against Gronholm, a driver he has long admired, is a career milestone he will long remember.

“Unlike RallyCross where chaos rules, SuperRally is a head-to-head competition between drivers where speed and strategy are crucial,” said Foust. “To be able to say I beat Marcus Gronholm, who I consider one of the top five drivers in the world, is something I will remember for a long time.”

Foust and the ROCKSTAR Fiesta will attempt to clinch the Global RallyCross Championship RallyCross title tomorrow during the X Games RallyCross competition which will air live on ESPN (5-7 pm EDT).

BurHop Programming Reminder–TODAY–

Programming Reminder: Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge on SPEED – 3:00 PM (ET) Saturday, July 30

29 July, 201– Be sure to tune into the B+ Foundation Heroes 200 on SPEED, Saturday, July 30 at 3:00 PM (ET). After starting ninth on the grid, Adam Burrows and Trevor Hopwood would fight the extreme heat and humidity that enveloped New Jersey Motorsports Park as the duo looked to take their No. 12 Kia to the front.

Burrows and Hopwood will finish out the 2011 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course September 16-17.

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Matt Cleary
Sunday Group Management
media
http://www.sundaymanagement.com
317.908.2975 (m)


Based in Indianapolis, Sunday Group Management is a leading motorsports management and communications consulting firm.

Sunday Group Management works with clients in a variety of motorsports categories, including NASCAR Sprint Cup driver AJ Allmendinger, Riley Technologies, GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series organization Michael Shank Racing, Continental Tire, and several teams and drivers in Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge competition.

For additional information: www.sundaymanagement.com, http://sundaygroupblog.com, www.facebook.com/sundaygroup, or twitter.com/Sundaygroup