by | Mar 21, 2014 | ACT, Lee USA, New Hampshire, Touring Series News
Waterbury, VT –American Canadian Tour (ACT) teams look at Lee USA Speedway’s annual New Hampshire Governor’s Cup 150 to kickstart their race season on Sunday, April 13, 2014. The optimism is well-founded. ACT Late Models can boast 10 different winners in 11 events held at Lee since 2003.
The list of winners is impressive, with a huge diversity of experience. Starting the list of winners are two Canadian teams, featuring four-time ACT US and Canadian Champion Patrick Laperle from St. Denis, QC and NASCAR Canadian Champion DJ Kennington, St. Thomas, ON in 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Seven-time ACT Champion Jean-Paul Cyr, and three time Thunder Road Champion Cris Michaud, along with the 1995 ACT Pro Stock Champion from Fast One racing, Brad Leighton all went to victory lane at Lee USA Speedway. Pro All Star Series Champion Ben Rowe from Turner, Maine won the NH Governor’s Cup in 2008. Lee regular weekly racer Miles Chipman shocked the ACT regulars in 2010 with a win for long-time car owner David Storey.
Perennial front-runner Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. from Hudson, NH was a first-time winner in 2008. “I remember what a great feeling it was to win that race. I started my ACT career at Lee and to get that win really gave my career a boost. I think Brian (eight (8) time ACT Champion Brian Hoar from Williston, VT) is the only guy who has won the Lee opener twice, and that is definitely my goal this year. If we can start the season like we ended 2013, this could help us get that first ACT Championship this season. I can’t wait for the season to begin,” said Pole.
The defending New Hampshire Governor’s Cup winner, Jimmy Hebert, from Williamstown, VT stunned the veterans and the full house a year ago, with his first ever ACT win in just his second year of competition. “It was with a lot of help from my team and Dale Shaw that got me that win, but really with the number of cars and quality of race teams we raced with, it was pretty much a shock to me. I only remember coming around with the checkered flag victory lap and seeing my father jumping up and down on the track. That was pretty special. I hope to repeat this year,” said Hebert.
The ACT opening event at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH will take place with a full practice on Saturday, April 12 and a 150-lap feature event on Sunday, April 13, 2014. Qualifying will begin at 1:00 on Sunday.
by | Dec 3, 2013 | ACT, New England, Touring Series News
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) released its 2014 schedule which is highlighted by visits to nine (9) different Northeast tracks. The schedule includes a total of twelve (12) events with nine (9) Championship point counting events and three popular ‘special’ events on the calendar.
The traditional event to open the 2014 campaign on April 12-13 will once again be at the Lee USA Speedway in Lee, New Hampshire. The ACT has been visiting the 1/3 mile oval since Red and Judy MacDonald purchased the speed plant in 1987. “It is just one of those relationships that have endured throughout the past 25 years. We tried to help Red and Judy when they first started, and they have been there for us whenever we needed help over the years. This kind of relationship, in this type of business, is generally very rare, but greatly appreciated” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour, which was established in 1986.
The home of the ACT, Thunder Road International Speedbowl will host its only point counting event with the Merchants Bank 150 on opening weekend April 26-27. Next up will be the historic Spring Green 114 to be held at the Devil’s Bowl Speedway in Fair Haven, VT on Sunday, May 4. This will be the fourth opening day Spring Green event at the super fast ½ mile oval.
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by | Oct 4, 2013 | ACT, Touring Series News
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) young stars heading to the 51st Peoples United Bank Milk Bowl has a list deep in numbers and talent. Looking for first wins in what is arguably one of the most famous short track races in the country, first time winners include young local and young touring stars from throughout New England and Quebec.
Thunder Road hopefuls who have not held up the Milk Can are led by two-time ‘King of the Road’ Nick Sweet. Sweet is the home-town kid who made Thunder Road his own playground, coming up through the ranks of 4-cyl racing, then graduating to the intermediate Limited Late Model Tiger Sportsman division. He is always a favorite to win at his home track in any event. “I guess I would like to win this race as much as any I have ever been in. I almost won at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s ACT Invitational a couple years ago. I’ve done well and been in a position for a win a couple times at the Oxford 250, and have been lucky to have won a few of Thunder Road’s big ACT events, but I am still missing the biggest one!. Maybe this is my year,” said Sweet.
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by | Sep 19, 2013 | ACT, Touring Series News
Waterbury, VT – The American Canadian Tour (ACT) has announced that its tire of choice for the next six (6) years will be the American Racer brand from Race Tires America, located in Indiana, Pennsylvania. ACT and its affiliate tracks will change tire needs from Goodyear to the American Racer beginning with the 2014 season.
“We appreciate the many years of working with the Goodyear Racing Division. They have provided us with nearly a decade of service, and assisted us in the development of new products to meet our tire needs,” said Tom Curley, President of the American Canadian Tour.
American Race Tire has spent the past four months producing and testing a tire to meet the varied and heavy demand of supplying the Late Model teams in the large area which ACT covers.
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by | Aug 29, 2013 | ACT
Waterbury, VT – Defending American Canadian Tour Champion Wayne Helliwell, Jr. of Dover, NH holds a 36-point lead over Joey Polewarczyk, Jr. as the Tour returns to its home track, Thunder Road in Barre, VT this Sunday, September 1. The running of the 35th annual VT Foodbank Labor Day Classic 200 will set the stage for the ACT 2013 finale at Airborne Speedway at the end of September, just as it did one year ago.
Last year, Helliwell was on top of the standings heading into this event with a 22-point lead over eight-time ACT Champion Brian Hoar. Hoar claimed the Labor Day win to pull within eight points as they headed into the Airborne Fall Foliage finale. Helliwell ended up snagging the Fall Foliage win and the 2013 title in an epic last race battle.
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