ACT TOUR DRIVERS SWITCH GEARS FOR RE/MAX 100

Courtesy Marjorie Mulligan Fay

LEE, NH -- The ACT Tour’s Late Model teams head to New Hampshire’s 3/8ths mile Lee USA Speedway Sunday (post time 2:00 pm) for the Re/Max 100. For the competitors who traveled to the 5/8ths mile Circuit Ste-Croix for last Saturday’s Banlien Ford 100 in Quebec, there will be some adjustments necessary to find the handle at the smaller track.

The Ste-Croix speedplant is one of the more challenging on the 2006 12-race schedule. The speed coming off both straight-aways and into the first and third corners required a tremendous amount of brake. The speeds reached at the Lee oval, due to its size, are considerably less, although stout brakes are a benefit through the track’s tight corners.

The Granite State track’s corners are more symmetrical when compared to those at the Canadian race track, which are drastically different. The fourth turn even does up hell before turning on to the front stretch! The talk in the pits among the drivers competing at Ste-Croix for the first time centered on how to successfully negotiate both ends of the track.

Most were able to get one end figured out while the other caused a lot of head scratching. Additionally, Lee USA features a retaining wall all the way around the perimeter of the track whereas Ste-Croix allows for a car to scrub-off speed before coming into contact with a concrete barrier.

Who are among the favorites to win the Tour’s Re/Max 100? In addition to the usual cast of characters including multi-time champion, Jean-Paul Cyr, Brent Dragon and Dave Pembroke, there are a host of young guns hoping to make their mark.

Leading the way is the “Rocketman” Roger Brown from Lancaster, NH. Brown has turned in some impressive runs at Lee USA since his 2003 rookie season with ACT including several podium finished, but he’s yet to carry the checkers. Sunday could be his breakthrough day. Mike Collins of Strafford, NH, who plans to run the Tour in 2006, cut his racing teeth at the seacoast speedplant. Just a few short weeks ago, Collins edged Brown out for a 100 lap win at the track. There’s a grudge match in the making.

Other up and comers to watch out for include AJ Begin, Joey Polewarczyk, Bobby Baillargeon, Ryan Vanasse, Marc Curtis, Scott Payea and Ryan Nolin, among others. Coupled with veterans Phil Scott, Joey Laquerre, Dave Whitcomb, Patrick Laperle, and Ben Rowe, the stage is set for a showdown on Sunday.