ACT LATE MODEL TOUR LOSES RE/MAX ALLIANCE 100 TO RAIN

Courtesy Marjorie Mulligan Fay

Lee, NH -- The American-Canadian Tour’s (ACT) Late Models lost part of Sunday’s Re/Max Alliance 100 at Lee USA Speedway (Lee, NH). The Tour’s first round qualifying, which consisted of four heat races, were contested in and around several brief showers. A steady rain moved into the area as the second of three qualifiers for the accompanying True Value Modifieds took to the 3/8ths mile oval. Forty Late Models had attempted to qualify for the 30-car Re/Max Alliance 100 starting field.

When ACT returns to the seacoast speedplant on Sunday, September 17 to contest the Re/Max Alliance 100, drivers representing four different states will occupy the first two rows of the starting grid. Ben Rowe of Turner, ME will be on the pole in his first ACT Tour event, while Mooers Forks, NY veteran, Mark Lamberton will sit along side. Rowe, a second-generation racer, earned the coveted front row starting spot by passing the most cars in his qualifying heat race. ACT utilizes a unique “Plus/Minus” handicap system to determine main event starting spots. Lamberton, a former Airborne Speedway Late Model Champion, was among the fastest cars during his qualifier, “Like everyone else, I’m disappointed that most of today’s race rained out. But we’ll be back in September with hopefully as strong a car as we had today.”

Seventeen year-old Mark Anzalone of Malden, MA, an ACT Rookie of the Year candidate, and multi-time Series Champion, Jean-Paul Cyr will occupy the second row.

There were several surprises among the 16 drivers who’ve already qualified. Two of Lee USA’s weekly Late Model competitors, Jeremy Harclerode of New Market, NH and Bryan Kruczek from Avon, MA earned transfer spots with strong heat runs. Former PASS Champion, Maine’s Johnny Clark, was an unexpected entrant in the Chad Sullivan owned Chevrolet. Clark, making his first appearance in an ACT Late Model utilized the outside groove and qualified the unfamiliar car.

Other drivers already in the field also include Joey Laquerre (E Montpelier, VT), AJ Begin (Merrimac, MA), Scott Payea (Milton, VT), and Roger Brown (Lancaster, NH). Also, Joey Polewarczyk (Hudson, NH), Doug Coombs (Livermore, ME), Steve Reny (Boothbay, ME), Fred LaGoy (Morrisonville, NY) and Dan Colby (Lynam, NH).

Among the notable drivers who will race in one of two consi rounds when the event resumes, is young gun, Dave Pembroke from Montpelier, VT, former ACT Tour Champions Dave Whitcomb and Phil Scott as well as former Thunder Road Late Model Champion, Jamie Fisher. Mike Collins, winner of a 100-lap race at Lee USA a few weeks ago, has also been relegated to a consolation round. Four drivers from each consi, will transfer to the Re/Max Alliance 100. The remaining 15 drivers will move to the Second Storey Homes Last Chance “B” Feature where three additional drivers will earn a spot in the feature field.

The ACT Tour continues its 2006 schedule on Saturday, June 10 at New Hampshire’s White Mountain Motorsports Park with the Country Pools & Spas 100. Post time will be 5:00 pm.

A make-up date of Tuesday, July 18 has been announced.

The Re/Max Alliance 100 events will pick up where the event was halted, with the third of three modified heats on the track. Nearly a full card of racing action remains including feature races for the Lee USA Speedway weekly competitors, ACT’s consi and Last Chance “B” Feature rounds as well as additional modified qualifying.

Pit gates will open for race teams at 2:00 pm. Practice is slated to begin at 4:00 pm, with post time for the Re/Max Alliance event slated for 6:00 pm.