Tuesday, April 4, 2006

NASCAR ROAD TRIP!!!!!

This past weekend, a few members of the Inside Track staff headed to Martinsville Speedway for the NASCAR weekend as part of a tour group offered by Great Canadian Holidays & Coaches.

The guys had a blast. The next outing is the upcoming NASCAR Pocono event, featuring the Cup race on June 11.

Here's the release....

KITCHENER, ON – On Friday, June 9, a group of Ontario race fans will travel to Pocono, PA for a 3-Day race getaway like no other. This tour is organized by Great Canadian Holidays Inc. from Kitchener, and has been designed to bring NASCAR fans together from all across Southwestern Ontario.

For a NASCAR fan, this is the most hassle free way to get to a race and to really enjoy the festivities. With Great Canadian Holidays, race fans get to forget about the mess of traffic and truly relax.

While your driver and NASCAR-knowledgeable Tour Director do all the work for you, you can kick back in the comfort of a luxurious motorcoach, talk the talk with fellow NASCAR fans, partake in onboard racing fun, and enjoy a cold beverage. Great Canadian has everything taken care of.

Pocono Raceway is a unique, 3 cornered speedway and has always been a supreme test for drivers and crews.

From seats up high on the longest front stretch in NASCAR, fans will be able to see the top drivers in the world reach speeds of 200mph as they approach the first turn, 5 wide at times!! Great seats will also provide passengers with an excellent view of the action that occurs on pit road, and the race to get back in the battle first!

Prior to the race, Pocono offers many opportunities for memorable experiences. Between the most fan-friendly garages in NASCAR to the included pre-race pit pass, there will be several chances to get an autograph from your favourite driver!! In addition, Great Canadian has an exclusive, patron-only tent in the hospitality area, giving fans a chance to get out of the sun, enjoy a delicious BBQ Lunch, plus hang out with the “Bud Girls”.

Great Canadian Holidays and Pocono Raceway have teamed up to provide race fans with the most complete, affordable NASCAR race experience there is. It really is “The Only Way to Go”! Passengers enjoy transportation, 2 nights accommodation, Saturday’s ARCA Race (seating in the Terrace), Sunday’s NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race (seating in the Terrace Vista), access to Great Canadian’s hospitality tent, PIT road access, a BBQ lunch, plus a free gift from NASCAR Canada.

True NASCAR fans would fall to their knees at the thought of winning Great Canadian Holidays’ exclusive bonus offer. On top of all the great included features listed above, passengers onboard this action-packed race getaway will also have a chance to win a priceless “Greeters Pass”! The lucky winner will get to shake the hands of all 43 race drivers during onstage introductions, prior to the June 11th, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Race. This is a one-time opportunity, and the chance of a lifetime.

For more information, contact Great Canadian Holidays at 1-800-461-8687, or via email at Racing@BigBlueCoach.com. Full details can be found online at www.GreatCanadianHolidays.com. Space still available on this, and other NASCAR racing getaways.

SUPER CHARGER NAT'LS: Arnie Malcolm announces the details...


TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CARS ADDED TO JULY 1-2 EVENT

If you thought last year's July 1-2 Pro Mod Shootout was incredible then hold on to your hat, as it's official now Top Alcohol Funny Cars have been added to this year's event.

Whether anyone noticed or not to the name change back in the fall of last year "Super Charger Nationals" but plans where in the works at that time, and now we can officially announce the fact.

The event which will take place over three days, June 30th and July 1-2 will mirror last years event with bracket racing all three days, karaoke Friday night, live bands Saturday night and Pro MOD'S, the only change will be the addition of Top Alcohol Funny Cars to this years program making this event with out a question one of the premier independent events of all times.

There is no dought that people are still talking about last years event, the cars, the crowd the racing and the fun that was had by all, and we just want to make it even bigger and better this year. This is of course not or first attempt at Top Alcohol Funny's as they always played a part in the events we put on at Sanair and Cayuga in the mid 90's peaking when 15 cars showed up to qualify for an 8 car show one year at Sanair including Melanie Troxel who drove the Ed Parker owned Cape Coder Funny Car.

Luskville Dragway was not left out of the big Funny Car Shows either as back in 1988 11 Funny Cars showed up to do battle including the Late Herbie Rogers, Barry Paton, Vince Rasetelli, Paul Zsgoda, Adam Zseller, Larry Dobbs and more with the Kardiac Kids team of Dobbs beating Paton in the Finals.

Back then it was the biggest thing to ever happen at Luskville Dragway, and remember we where running everything on quarter mile back then. Well today we run the big stuff on eight mile and its allowed us to bring back the big shows like last years Pro Mod Challenge, and this year the Big One is going to be even BIGGER.

Some of the names from back in the eighties are still doing it and will be part of the show once again including the team who won it all back in 1988. Gates will open for parking on Thursday with a plenty of action beginning right away on Friday and continuing right into the night with a cruise night Karaoke in the bar.

Another full day of racing and qualifying on Saturday will once again be capped with a cruise night and Live Band. Sunday will be the climax of the weekend with Final Round eliminations in Funny car and Pro Mod as well as another full day of Brackets. There is no doubt that this is going to be a must see event so plan now, and plan to camp all weekend as camping is free as are kids under 13 years of age.

Barrie Mall Show Continues....


From BarrieSpeedway.com

Bayfield Mall Show on until April 9

Our second mall show of the season is now underway at Barrie's Bayfield Mall. We have plenty of hardware on display with cars from all three divisions on available for viewing until Sunday April 9th. Al McLean was on hand to provide with more photos of the 2006 collection of stock cars from Barrie Speedway --- click HERE to check them out.

Monday, April 3, 2006

Yokohama's 18th consecutive season sponsoring the Atlantic Championship kicks off with a roar

Courtesy Michael F. Hollander

FULLERTON, Calif. (April 3, 2006) -- New, new, new. When everything else in the 32-year-old Atlantic series is new (including the official name: Yokohama Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship, Powered by Mazda), it's nice to know there's one important component that continues its traditional role. For the 18th consecutive year, Yokohama Tire Corporation is providing high-performance ADVAN racing slicks to the series.

The season-opening Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach this weekend, April 7th-9th, will see the debut of the new Swift 016.a chassis; the new Mazda MZR 2.3-liter, 300-hp engine prepared by Cosworth Engineering; and a plethora of new teams and drivers, but the ADVAN racing slicks remain constant.

"There's a new excitement about this series," said Robert Dole, Yokohama product promotion manager, "and we're proud to be supplying the proven ADVAN tires that allow the stars of tomorrow to show their talent today."

The Atlantic series is a driver development program that has sent drivers to Formula One, Champ Car, IRL and sports car racing. Multiple Formula One World Championships, Indy 500 victories and series championships have been won by its graduates.

Former Atlantic drivers who have raced on Yokohama and advanced their careers include Jacques Villeneuve, Jimmy Vasser, Paul Tracy and Katherine Legge. Now the new class of the "stars of tomorrow" includes former series champion Alex Barron, Alan Sciuto, Graham Rahal, Jonathan Bomarito, Robbie Percorari, Stephen Simpson, Andreas Wirth, James Hinchcliffe, Richard Philippe, Leonardo Maia and Ryan Spencer-Smith.

Yokohama Tire Corporation is the North American manufacturing and marketing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Yokohama Rubber Company, a global producer and distributor of premium tires since 1917. Servicing a network of more than 4,500 points of sale in the U.S., Yokohama Tire Corporation offers a complete line of tires, including high-performance, light truck, passenger car, commercial truck and bus, as well as off-the-road mining and construction applications. For more information on Yokohama's extensive product line, visit www.yokohamatire.com.

Yokohama is a strong supporter of the tire care and safety guidelines established by the Rubber Manufacturers Association and the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration. Details can be found at the "Taking Care of Your Tires" section at www.yokohamatire.com.

2006 SSC Ultimate Aero

Built by Shelby Super Cars, the Ultimate Aero is projected from wind tunnel testing to be capable of speeds up to 273 mph.

2006 SSC Ultimate Aero Specifications :

Price : $654,500
Engine : 387.2 cu. in. V8
Weight : 2640 lbs
Aspiration : supercharger
Torque :821 lb-ft @ 6200 rpm
HP :1046 hp @ 6950 rpm
HP/Weight : 2.5 lbs per hp
HP/Liter : 164.9 hp per liter

© Source: original article on seriouswheels.com

SX4 prices announced

Suzuki has revealed prices for the first versions of its new compact SUV, the SX4.

suzuki SX4suzuki SX4 2
Two models are now available from dealers, starting at £9,999 for the 1.6 GL manual, rising to £10,999 for the GLX. You can add metallic/pearlescent paint for an extra £300.

Prices for automatic and four-wheel-drive models are yet to be announced, and a 1.9-litre diesel version is also on its way. Expect another announcement before launch in the summer.

© Source: original article on topgear.com

NEWS: Goodyear bends rule for Auto Heater Hose


April 1, 2006 – Goodyear Engineered Products is breaking the automotive heater hose mold.

The company has introduced a universal heater hose system to help auto parts retailers and installers eliminate thousands of inventoried parts, while improving service, according to a company spokesperson for Goodyear automotive replacement products.

Goodyear E-Z Coil eliminates the need for carrying more than 200 molded heater hose SKUs, yet ensures solutions to customer needs every time.

“Auto parts outlets are selective in stocking parts to avoid slow inventory turns while generating strong cash flow,” said a company spokesperson. “Sales are sacrificed, since less popular hoses with few vehicle applications are avoided.”

At the same time, a company spokesperson said staff productivity is sacrificed as time is spent searching for the correct molded hose through storerooms and endless catalogues or by calling around. “E-Z Coil eliminates most hassles including slow moving inventory, delayed parts deliveries, lost sales, staff distractions and dissatisfied customers. At the same time, it expands hose applications with less inventory.”

“Just as important, any worn hose found during routine service and inspection can be replaced immediately, increasing profit opportunities for the installer, while saving the car owner from a potential vehicle breakdown.”

Engineered Products has introduced E-Z Coil, a metal coil that bends Goodyear straight heater hose to create configurations that meet more than 26,000 part applications. E-Z Coil allows auto part retailers to reduce their stock and provide customers with more service options.

Bendable metal coils are combined with straight heater hose to create hose configurations that meet more than 26,000 part applications. The coil slips over the straight hose, maintains up to a 90-degreee bend and prevents the hose from kinking, allowing coolant fluids to flow as required. The coil can be straightened and re-bent multiple times.

“Automotive technicians and do-it-yourself repairers will find E-Z Coil very convenient and easy to install,” said a company spokesperson, “and they’ll save time in locating the shaped hose they need. It’s truly a universal product.”

The award winning, patented stainless-steel coil is available in three traditional heater hose sizes – ½”, 5/8” and ¾” – and packaged in three ways:

• A boxed counter display with 12 individually packaged coils.

• Individually packaged coils for retail merchandising.

• E-Z Shape hose assembly packs with 2 coils and a 36-inch straight Goodyear heater hose

Mainstream magazine Popular Mechanics chose the product for its prestigious “Editor’s Choice Award” from hundreds of other new products on display at the recent 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX).

For additional information on Goodyear’s complete line of automotive belts and hoses, visit www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com.