Patrick Laperle Looks to Defend ACT Serie Castrol Title

by | Apr 21, 2012 | ACT, Canada, New England, Touring Series News

ACT American Canadian TourWaterbury, VT — In 2011, Patrick Laperle of St-Denis, QC dominated the field on his way to his second Serie ACT Castrol Championship. After a historic season in which he posted 11 top fives in 12 starts with an average finish of 3.66, he will look to make an attempt at back-to-back championships in 2012, a feat that has never been done in the series.

The road to the championship will not be easy, however, due to challenges from two other former champs. Karl Allard of St-Félicien, QC will be hungry for a championship after finishing second to Laperle in 2011. Allard has already had a taste of the top, when he won the Serie ACT Castrol Championship in 2010. Allard will look to return the championship trophy to the Larue Industrial Snowblower/Gayor Construction mantle in 2012.

Donald Theetge of Boischatel, QC is the only driver, other than Laperle, who has earned more than one championship in the series. Theetge finished third overall in 2011 with 2 feature wins, but in 2012 will bring a brand new RPM racing car to competition.

Other Serie Castrol drivers in contention for the title in 2012 are former Rookie of the Year and 2011 feature winner Patrick Hamel from St. Croix, QC along with top-five points finisher David Michaud, Dany Trepanier, Patrick Cliche and Jean-François Déry. All are expected to be contenders for the 2012 Serie ACT Castrol Title.

Laperle, known for his “no holds barred – full throttle” style knows that the competition on the ACT Castrol Series has gotten better and better over the past few years. Winning a title will not come easily.

“We didn’t race this winter, so we are extra excited to go racing. This year will be tough, I know Theetge has a new car, Allard has a great car, and there are many new drivers on the tour. I am most worried about Theetge, Allard and David Michaud for sure,” Laperle commented. “You need a lot of good luck in this series and there are a lot of new guys now. We will see how our chances look after the first race,” Laperle finished.

The season begins Saturday, May 26 at Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, QC.

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Orange County Speedway’s Progressive Banking Produces Unique Challenges for PASS South Series Drivers

by | Apr 19, 2012 | PASS, Touring Series News

PASS RacingThere’s a reason the PASS South Series has scheduled two races a year at the Orange County Speedway every year since 2008. The racing the 3/8th mile facility located in Rougemont, North Carolina has been unmatched compared to other facilities that the series has raced at over the years. This has lead to competitive car counts and stellar crowds, and the 2012 edition of the Orange Blossom Special looks to be no different.

One of the main reasons for the quality racing is the unique banking that not only occurs through the turns but down the straight-aways as well. This allows for side by side racing with cars fanning out from high to low through the corners before being forced to work it all out without and drag race their way down the straight-aways. More often than not a mental breakdown by a driver who has had to race two and three wide for a long period of time is what breeds trouble on the racetrack.
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Seventh Place Run for Eddie MacDonald in Governors Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway

by | Apr 18, 2012 | ACT, Lee USA, New England, New Hampshire, Touring Series News

ACT American Canadian TourThe 2012 ACT Tour season opened with its traditional Governors Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway with hometown driver Eddie MacDonald surviving a spin while leading to finish seventh.

The Hancock Electric/Grimm Construction Chevy started twelfth in the 27 car field by virtue of winning the heat race from the outside pole to post a +1. Cars are placed on the grid using the plus/minus system used in the ACT Tour.

The Rowley, Mass. driver was at the wheel of a brand new car and was pleased with the results saying, “The car was very fast and drove great. It had a few quirks to it but that is to be expected with a new car. Overall though, we are really happy with the way it drove. Even after the spin, the car was still fast and we were able to make it back through the field twice.”
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PASS Sportsman race report: Baril wires PASS Sportsman lid lifter

by | Apr 18, 2012 | Lee USA, New England, New Hampshire, PASS, Touring Series News

PASS RacingLee NH (4/16) J.R. Baril powered past pole sitter Carey Martin on the initial green flag and led all 75 laps to capture Sunday’s PASS Sportsman season opener at Lee (NH) USA Speedway. Martin chased Baril to the checkers with Joe Pastore Jr., Crag Smith and Rusty Poland third through fifth.

Baril was out front all the way but the win was by no means a runaway. Martin pressured Baril for all but the final five stanzas, trying every move and trick in the book to wrestle the lead away as the pair of veterans battled for the lead. Martin got to Baril’s left rear on several occasions and drew even with ten to go, but the defending PASS Sportsman champ had to back out for a spinning car in the low groove, ending his best shot at the win.

Baril was up to Martin’s challenge as the Lee veteran handled all the pressure Martin could muster as the pair worked lapped traffic. All eyes in the the full house at Lee USA glued on the battle up front, as well as a nose to tail war for third through fifth between Pastore, Smith and Poland.
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