TRACK CHIC's KAREN STOFFER> RECORD SETTING RUNS ON 2nd PLACE RDIER'S MIND

READING, Pa. (Sept. 29) – GEICO Suzuki rider Karen Stoffer believes national records in Pro Stock Motorcycle could come tumbling down in this weekend’s Auto-Select NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.

Usually, the cooler weather and agreeable atmospheric conditions in Reading are ideal for high speeds and quick elapsed times. Stoffer hopes the GEICO team, led by crew chief/husband Gary Stoffer, can capitalize on the good conditions to be a part of the chase for a national elapsed time record, worth 20 bonus points.

“Gainesville, Sonoma and Reading have always been the ones where people try to set records because of all the oxygen in the trees around there, and generally, there tends to be cooler temperatures,” Stoffer said. “It can be a fast track. Gary’s a good tuner, and he’s exceptional in the cool weather.”

Stoffer was pretty good in the cool weather in Charlotte two races ago, qualifying third and reaching the final round. That was her fifth final of 2011 in what has become a career season for the GEICO team.

After reaching the second round last week in Dallas, Stoffer is second in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points standings, 63 out of the lead. And her approach to the Countdown to the Championship, which reaches the halfway point in Reading, is no different than other races this season.

“Right now, I’ve just got to get confident in my Christmas Tree and not think about things like that,” Stoffer said. “That’s what it’s going to take. I know they’ll figure out what slowed down the bike in Dallas and get it to where we can have consistency again.

“It’s the whole package: It’s me being in the right mindset, it’s the bike being consistent. I can’t think about the championship and points. I’ve got to think about each individual pass and making rounds. That’s what it comes down to.”

DOMINIQUE VAN WIERINGEN ON HER ROOKIE SEASON AT SPARTAN SPEEDWAY.

DeWitt, Michigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.Prior to the start of the year, Van Wieringen joined forces with CFR and the combination was rewarded with a fifth place finish overall in the season long points chase as well as sharing the 2011 Rookie of the Year title with fellow rookie, Scott Sigman while also winning the 2011 Most Improved Driver Award at the fast ¼ (0.250) mile semi-banked paved oval of Spartan Speedway, located south of Lansing in Mason, Michigan.

Looking back on the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen has plenty to be thankful for. “The first thing I need to do is thank Durobyte.com and my Family. To get the chance to do the things I have up to now is truly amazing to me.” Remarked the Amherstburg, Ontario / Canada driver. “I’m very grateful for all the opportunities my Dad and Mom have been able to acquire for me in motorsports. Every since I was a little girl and up to now have been things I’ve dreamed about wanting to do.”

The 16-year-old continued; “I can’t thank the entire CFR crew for all of their hard work this year. They really helped me and built my confidence up and taught me a lot throughout the whole year. My achievements are a direct reflection of who they are and what they are about. Jeff and Chad Finley have been around me and my family for a while and have always been good friends and supporters. Jeff has been down all these roads before and brings so much experience to the team it is just great.” She ended.


The highlight of her rookie season was in only her sixth career start behind the wheel of a full bodied racecar and on that memorable Friday night, July 15th, she would fight off two-time track champion, Jimmy Gallagher to score her first career feature win and become just the second female in the tracks long and storied history to win a Feature in the tracks premiere division since Barb Beurmann accomplished the feat back in 1982, 29 years previous! In 10 starts, she has one Feature Win as well as three top five finishes and six top 10s.

“All of us at CFR are very proud of her accomplishments this year. Honestly we didn’t know what to expect coming into the year.” Added Car Owner and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Fame member, Jeff Finley. “I met her family through go-kart racing and have watched her for some time now. Her Dad and I got to talking one day and then here we were racing together. For her to go to victory lane this year and win these awards shows her dedication to becoming a great race car driver. We are honored to have her be a part of our development program and look forward to the future with her.” Finley ended.

Throughout the year and on off weekends from driving the Outlaw Super, Van Wieringen also raced one of her two MRP Motorsports Birel Racing Go-Karts as the 2011 season is her final year of racing the National circuit in the World Karting Association (WKA) series where she is one of the top drivers in the circuit. She began her racing career at just five years old as she started out in racing of the two-wheeled variety, in Motocross. She spent six seasons on motorcycles before moving into four-wheeled racing and went Go-Kart racing where she continues to be one of the top competitors within the WKA.

Looking ahead to the 2012 racing season, the Canadian teenager will participate in more Outlaw Super Late Model shows while also racing in 3-5 races within the JEGS/CRA All-Stars Tour Presented by GM Performance Parts with her sights set on going after the Howie Lettow Memorial Rookie of the Year Presented by Howe Racing Enterprises, which is awarded to the top freshman in the JEGS/CRA/GM series, in 2013.

During the 2011 campaign, Van Wieringen’s #95 Outlaw Super Late Model with a Chevrolet Camaro front nose, had sponsorship decals from DuroByte Inc., as well as NorthsideTowing.net, M.P.H. Promotions, and Chad Finley Racing.

To learn more about Dominic Van Wieringen and to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the 2012 racing season, go to her webpage within the Chad Finley Racing Website at: www.chadfinleyracing.comMichigan (Tuesday, September 27th, 2011): 16-year-old Dominique Van Wieringen, a Development Driver for Chad Finley Racing (CFR) and Michigan Motorsports Hall of Famer, Jeff Finley, showed the racing world that it is possible to make the huge leap from the World Karting Association (WKA) to the high-powered Outlaw Bodied Super Late Models division during the 2011 racing season.

Valerie Thompson Sets BMW Top Speed of 201.01 MPH at Bonneville BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials

(Wendover, UT) – September 21, 2011 – Valerie Thompson ran a personal best top speed of 201.01 mph with her Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team prepared BMW S1000RR Superbike at the 8th Annual BUB Speed Trials. While not a record, her top speed exceeded all other BMW’s competing at the event. Teammate Kerry Alter, co-owner of the Alter/Bivins team, set three new land speed records piloting an Aprila and BMW Superbike.

Thompson’s BMW was sponsored by CTEK, makers of the world’s smartest battery chargers, Troon Enterprises and Hawthorne CAT. Her two top runs were 199 and 201.01 mph. Her attempt for a land speed record was foiled by stiff crosswinds over the 10 mile International course which at times gusted up to 13mph. Thompson said “While we wanted to set a new record with the BMW in the FIM 1000cc class, we did reach a team goal of exceeding 200 mph. This is my fifth year competing in the BUB Speed trials and I exceeded my former best speed by more than 35 mph. Our team accomplished the majority of the goals we set for this event.”

Alter added, “Valerie did an excellent job of driving given the weather and salt conditions. We are proud of her performance considering all her competition ran her a couple of weeks ago, gaining even more course knowledge than we had.” The Alter/Bivins team has established 11 motorcycle land speed records over the last five years.

The BUB Motorcycle Speed Trials were held August 27 through September 1 at the famed Bonneville Salt Flats. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA), verifies and sanctions all US national records. All world records are verified and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motoclisme (FIM). Over 300 racers attempt establishing new motorcycle land speed records each year, yet less than 10% set records, signifying the difficulty of this endeavor.

Valerie Thompson Background

Thompson set two land speed records piloting a panhead Harley Davidson provided by Keith Ball of Bikernet.com in 2006 and 2007. She has risen from a competitor in the All Harley Drag Racing Association series, to being a team owner/licensed competitor in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Pro Stock Motorcycle Series in less than five years. The NHRA is the world’s largest drag racing association.

Thompson also serves as a motorcycle presenter for the world’s largest auto auction company, Barrett-Jackson. She is also a spokeswoman for “Val’s Pals” children charities, most notably, HopeKids.

Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing Team Background

In 2007, Phoenix Arizona resident, Kerry Alter and Julian Bivins joined forces to set a new Land Speed Record in the 1000cc Modified Class at the  Bonneville Salt Flats. In 2008, Alter formed the Alter/Bivins Land Speed Racing team. Between all team drivers, A/B LSR has accumulated 12 motorcycle land speed records.  Alter has eight records, Valerie Thompson holds two and Bivins is also a 2-time land speed record holder.

Event and Organization Information Sources

            www.speedtrialsbybub.com

            www.americanmotorcyclist.com

            www.fim-live.com

            www.ValerieThompsonRacing.com

Media Contact: 

Eric Studer, VP-Marketing

Valerie Thompson Racing

ericstuder@mac.com

CHRISSY WALLACE WINS ASA TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP

LEBANON, Missouri (September 12, 2011) – Chrissy Wallace did something no other female Late Model driver has ever done in ASA competition over the weekend.

She clinched the ASA Late Model championship at her home track of Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Saturday night. In turn, that also put her back in the lead for the West Region track championship, which consists of hundreds of drivers from multiple tracks.

Now, the 23-year old daughter of NASCAR driver Mike Wallace has another fete left to accomplish this year – the ASA Joe Gibbs Driven Racing Oil National Championship. But, she’s going to have to wait until October to find out the results for the West Region and National championship as other ASA Member track have seasons that are still in progress.

Going into her championship night at I-44 Speedway, Wallace had a solid point lead based off her six feature wins. She just needed to have respectable finishes in each of her 30-lap features on Saturday night to take the crown.

And, she came through finishing fifth in the first feature, and seventh in the second one. Making it even more special was having her entire family on hand for the crowning moment.

In 1990, Mike Wallace won the same track championship and went on to launch his NASCAR career the following year. Now, 21 years later, Chrissy is hoping the same comes true for her.

“This is just great,” Wallace said. “We worked real hard all year to achieve this goal and to have the season over and be the ASA Late Model champion at the same track my dad was, it’s just a very special thing for all of us.

“The toughest part of the year was coming back from being 12^th in points at one time. The level of competition here is incredible, and I enjoyed racing everyone here at I-44 Speedway.

“When we were able to take the points lead here, that put us to the top of the ASA West Division, too. I can’t believe it, we still have two titles to compete for and our season is over. Now, we just have to sit and wait to see how the National and West Region ones work out. That would be the perfect ending to a great season.”

Wallace has made no secret of her desire to return to the NASCAR ranks in either the Camping World Truck Series, or the Nationwide Series. Utilizing her ASA Championships at a catalyst makes perfect sense.

The National and West Region championships will be decided after the final ASA events take place on September 25 at various member speedways. Currently, Wallace and Barry Beggarly of Ace (NC) Speedway are battling it out for the National title.

Wallace is leading the West Region standings, with Beggarly doing so in the East Region. Either way, the Wallace name is still prominent in racing circles around the country.

More info: ChrissyWallace.com

LEAH PRUETT MOVES TO PRO MOD CAR THAT WON U.S. NATIONALS

CHARLOTTE (Sept. 14) – Another race, another challenge for R2B2 Racing’s Leah Pruett in the Get Screened America Pro Mod Series.

At this weekend’s O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMax Dragway, Pruett will be driving a new style of race car. She is moving from a supercharged car to the twin turbo R2B2 Race Cars Mustang that won the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago.

“When you first get into a new car, all you think about is doing the right thing,” she said. “You try so hard to not miss a step and do everything on time. I’ve got to give a lot of thanks to Justin Belfance, Melanie Troxel and tuner Steve Petty. They really coached me through the staging process.”

This whole season has been a challenge for Pruett, and she looks forward to getting behind the wheel of one of the quickest Pro Mods on the property.

“We did some testing in Commerce (Ga.) on Monday,” Pruett said. “The starting line procedure in the turbo car is way different than any car I’ve driven before. We made the launches we needed to. I had a blast learning the car. There’s an art to staging this car, but I’ve had some fantastic teachers.”

Pruett added that it’s exciting and a little intimidating to get behind the wheel of a car with such an impressive pedigree.

“Eric Dillard set the bar pretty high by winning in this car its first time out,” Pruett said. “He proved it’s a great car and got all the little bugs out of it. There’s no reason why this car can’t qualify and be capable of winning Charlotte this weekend.”

Get Screened America Pro Mod qualifying gets under way at 2:30 p.m. EDT Friday at zMax Dragway with a second session scheduled at 5:30 p.m. Qualifying resumes at 1 p.m. Saturday with the first round of eliminations starting at 3:30 p.m. and continuing on Sunday afternoon.

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Contact: Geiger Media at 832-971-9345 or rob@go2geiger.com.
Please visit www.R2B2Racing.com for more information.

MELANIE SNOW and ANDREA ROBERTSON > DOUBLE-DOSE OF GIRL POWER AT ROAD AMERICA

A DOUBLE-DOSE OF GIRL POWER AT ROAD AMERICA
Snow, Robertson partnering again in the ALMS' GT class

Andrea Robertson and Melanie Snow had so much fun driving together for the first time in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón that they’re making it two in a row. Robertson Racing has again paired the ladies together for the Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase this weekend at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wis.


Robertson and Snow will drive Robertson Racing’s No. 40 Doran-Ford GT in Saturday’s four-hour enduro around the famed 4-mile venue. They teamed two weeks ago at Mid-Ohio in a race cut short by rain late in the event. The fact that they are driving in the Series’ deepest and most competitive class makes the task that much more daunting.

“I really don’t have anything to prove to the men,” says Snow, the 2009 ALMS Challenge co-champion and four-time ALMS race-winner. When you’re on the track, everyone is the same. No one goes by you and says, ‘Oh, that’s a female in the car.’ But it’s always in the back of your head. You want to do a good job and show them that you can do it just as good as they do.”

“We go back a ways,” added Robertson, who became the first woman since 1931 to finish on the class podium at the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. “It was refreshing to find someone who is as passionate about it as I am. I don’t know that we want to say that we’ll be better than the boys because there are a lot of great drivers out there. But we do want to show them that girls can have fun, too.”

Snow and Robertson are set for an appearance Tuesday on "The Morning Blend", Milwaukee's TMJ4 morning show between 9 and 10 a.m. CT.

This weekend’s Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday, August 20 with ABC airing the race at 4:30 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT) on Sunday, August 21. Live video coverage on race day will be available at 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com in the US, and americanlemans.com for international viewers. Canadian fans may also watch live coverage on Rogers Sportsnet, as can European audiences on MotorsTV. Worldwide radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio at americanlemans.com. For more information on the broadcasts, go to americanlemans.com/tv.

Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for information on tickets and area accommodations. You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes), on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrόn team Wins Seattle National Championship

Alexis DeJoria Racing > 2011 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series 24th Annual O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Northwest Nationals August 5th-7th, 2011

Venice, CA (August 8, 2011) - As her Top Alcohol Funny Car career winds down and her transition into the Fuel Funny Car category continues, driver Alexis DeJoria and the Tequila Patrόn team have worked countless hours to achieve their goal of visiting the winner's circle at least once this season.  Sunday afternoon in Seattle they did it.  In a history-making moment, Alexis, who is only the second woman to ever win a Top Alcohol Funny Car National event, and the Patrόn team achieved their goal at the NHRA Northwest Nationals

            "It's been five years in the making!" says Alexis. " Everything just came together for us this weekend! Every round was so crucial, and we were running so consistently. To go from not qualifying at our last race, to qualifying in the 3rd spot, and to have a consistent car in every round is just unheard of. And to do it in the second to last race [as a TAFC driver] was huge! Even though I felt confident about my car, you just never know; it's a 50/50 chance. It's so sentimental to me to have this win, especially as I'm wrapping up my Alcohol career. It feels so great to wind things down on such a positive note!"

Having almost a month off from their last race, the Patrόn crew had a chance to make some adjustments to the car, which proved to be extremely valuable. The team ran consistently quick and fast throughout qualifying, ending up number three with an elapsed time of 5.63 at 256.89 mph respectively.

 

During the first round of eliminations, Alexis made a clean, straight 5.65 at 260.11 mph pass and swept the win, advancing her to Sunday's eliminations. On Sunday morning, Alexis was up against driver and long-time friend Sean Bellemeur. "I have a ton of respect for Sean and was nervous about going up against him. It's always tough to go up against your friends" says Alexis. Although it was his best run of the weekend, he was no match for Alexis and her award-winning Tequila Patrόn car. Alexis not only won the round, but had the fastest speed of the event at 261.02 mph.

With only one other woman (Bunny Burkett) ever to have won a TAFC final round, and the fact that this was her second to last chance to ever win a National event before she moves to the Nitro Funny Car class, the pressure was on for Alexis as she made her way to the starting line. Alexis had lane choice against opponent and previous Seattle National winner, Brian Hough. With an elapsed time of 5.611 and with a speed of 260.26, Alexis was able to take the win!

 

"The feeling of winning is unreal! I was so calm going to the starting line but at the end of the race, when I realized I had won, I was overcome with emotion. I couldn't even get out of the car! I had to sit there for a second and just collect myself. Our Tequila Patrόn team has had many ups and downs throughout our three years of competing together in the Top Alcohol Funny Car class and to have an opportunity for the team to visit the winner's circle in Seattle is very gratifying for everyone who has worked so hard to achieve this NHRA Lucas Oil championship trophy" said Alexis. "To work this hard, and get through these rounds and beat these other teams that are so good and that we have so much respect for is just so humbling. It took my breath away."

About Alexis DeJoria

Alexis DeJoria, daughter of the famed John Paul DeJoria, of Paul Mitchell Systems and Patrόn Spirits is currently the Top Female Top Alcohol Funny Car Racer. Her team, Stealth Motorsports, co-operated by Alexis, is one of the few female-owned and operated teams in the industry. Alexis made racing history when she competed in the first ever 'woman vs. woman' race in her class in 2010, and she is the 2nd woman ever to win a Top Alcohol Funny Car race. Alexis is the female world record holder for the fastest and quickest speeds, and her car is currently the second fastest car in the world in the TAFC category. Alexis is also well-known for her infamous 2009 Englishtown, NJ crash.

Alexis, who had all the opportunity in the world to pursue any type of career, felt strongly about doing something she is passionate about, and she is proud to encourage and inspire young women to go after their dreams. Alexis' need for adrenaline drove her to pursue the unlikely profession of auto-racing. The determination to 'blaze her own trail' continues to drive her and push her to higher levels in the dangerous, male dominated sport of drag racing. Alexis will transition into the Nitro Funny Car category in the Fall of 2011. She will be the fourth member, and second Funny Car driver for the infamous Kalitta Motorsports team.

Alexis is originally from Los Angeles, CA and currently resides in Venice, CA.  Read Alexis' Woman Behind the Wheels feature interview on Track Chic.

Media Contact info:

Alexis DeJoria and members of Alexis DeJoria Racing are available for interview. Hi-res images available upon request. Please contact Allison McCormick at (561) 279-7827 x306 or allison@alexisdejoria.com>