Helliwell’s launch of www.waynehelliwelljr.com features full coverage of both the Bruce Bernhardt owned No.27NH Late Model and [...]]]> (1/30/12 Team Report)
Dover New Hampshire’s Wayne Helliwell Jr’s off season has been anything but down time as he launched a new website, racing apparel, and plans for an upcoming season of 50 plus races in 2012.

Helliwell’s launch of www.waynehelliwelljr.com features full coverage of both the Bruce Bernhardt owned No.27NH Late Model and the Witkum Brothers racing No.21 350 Small Block Supermodified teams. Helliwell joked, “It’s time to get with the program, it’s 2012 after all. I’m a little slow with all this technology stuff. We are really excited about the new site. It’s been something in the works for a while I hope everyone enjoys it. Josh (Holt of www.driverwebsites.com) Jason (Lubin) did a great job with the site. It has a great look to it. We tried to think outside the box and do something a little edgy with it. It turned out great.” The site features weekly press releases, finishing results, a store front where the new Late Model Punisher apparel can be purchased, the upcoming 2012 schedule, and much more.

The website isn’t the only off-track project Helliwell has been working on. Also new for 2012 is the ASI Race Wear (www.asiwear.com) “Punisher” themed Late Model shirts, long sleeve and sweatshirts.”We’ve been talking about doing a ‘real’ shirt for while now. We wanted to do something that no one has around here; something that people would really want. I don’t know where the punisher theme came from but I’m glad we did it. They turned out better than I could have imagined,” said Helliwell. The new apparel features the Bruce Bernhardt Motorsports No. 27NH Late Model machine and is available for purchase on the new website and trackside from the team.

Helliwell competed in his first full season of the American Canadian Tour (ACT) series in 2011. It was with consistency and strong finishes that took the team to a second place in series points along with a second Ford Blue Oval Challenge championship; winning the program put on by Ford Racing two years in a row. Plans for 2012 so far have 52 races on the calendar. The Bruce Bernhardt owned EKeys4Cars / Unique Ford team plans to race full time with the ACT series as well as run weekly at the newly NASCAR sanctioned Canaan Fair Speedway in Canaan, NH. ACT’s early season Sunday shows will allow the team to race more than half the season with both the series and the tracks weekly program. The first overlapping event comes on August 11th when the ACT series heads north of the border to Sanair Super Speedway in St-Pie,QC. “It just comes down to wanting to race every weekend; when the time comes it will be tough decision either way. We’ll see how it plays out. Whatever makes the most sense is the direction we will go in. It sounds like a lot of races but we did 48 in 2011 and I felt like we could have raced more” Helliwell said.

Helliwell’s weekly racing won’t stop with the Late Model as he plans to defend his 2011 Lee USA Speedway track championship. “We are excited to defend our title with the super. We’ve made some changes to make the car even better and I can’t wait to get started.” He will once again pilot the Ed and Bobby Witkum owned Scherbon Consolidated Inc 350 Small Block Supermodified. Wayne will compete in his second full season in the open wheeled division.

Heading into 2012, Wayne feels the Late Model team has unfinished business at hand. Visiting victory lane with the ACT tour is number one on their hit list, “I’m looking forward to getting back to these tracks a second time.” The team visited more than half the tracks on the ACT schedule for the first time in 2011. “We were good at places I didn’t expect to be; the Canada races, Devils Bowl (before we went in the mud bogging), and Beech Ridge. At the same time there were tracks I thought we would be better at and were not. We showed we can be consistent, now it’s time close the deal. We learned so much running with the series last year; I think it showed as the season progressed.” It’s the ACT tour opening event, the Governor’s Cup 150 at Lee USA Speedway in Lee, NH they are looking forward to the most stating, “I can’t think of a better place I’d like to get my first tour win at, that’s home for us. We’re excited to get back there with the series.”

The Pelham, NH based Late Model team will start their season at Waterford Speedbowl in Waterford, CT during the multi day Budweiser Blastoff event. Helliwell took home a victory in 2011 at the Speedbowl during a test session of a brand new car. “It’s a good way to start the session for us; we are looking forward to going back.” said Wayne.

After a successful 2011 campaign Helliwell is quick to point out both teams have high expectations for the 2012. “You always strive to be better; sure last year was great but the past is the past. Both teams are more prepared than we’ve ever been. The season can’t start soon enough.”

Judge Richard McNamara has thrown out a verdict that would have required New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) to pay almost a million to cancel its contract with Motor Racing Network (MRN). McNamara ruling was because the jury based its award on MRN’s projected lost profits. Project lost profits can not be a basis for [...]]]>

Judge Richard McNamara has thrown out a verdict that would have required New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) to pay almost a million to cancel its contract with Motor Racing Network (MRN). McNamara ruling was because the jury based its award on MRN’s projected lost profits. Project lost profits can not be a basis for damages. The case start due to NHMS canceling it contract with MRN without giving the necessary termination notice. NHMS owned by SMI wanted “The performance Racing Network” to cover it’s events instead of MRN. SMI also owns the “The performance Racing Network”. MRN plans to appeal the ruling.

“We haven’t seen [...]]]> LOUDON, N.H. (January 23, 2012) – The new year is off to a fast start at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. As the deadline for season ticket renewals closed, “The Magic Mile” has seen a spike in sales from 2011 for both the July and September NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in 2012.

“We haven’t seen this level of sales activity this early in quite some time. We are up an average of double digits between the two races,” explains Jerry Gappens, executive vice president and general manager of the speedway. “Our fans and our families have been struggling for quite a while in this economy. I take this as a sign that the recovery is underway.”

According to Susan Colby, the vice president of guest services at NHMS, ticket sales for the LENOX Industrial Tools 301 for July are up 4% from last year. Sales for the SYLVANIA 300 in September are up 19%.

“When times are tight for fans, one of the first things people cut from their budget is vacations and summertime extras. We are thrilled to see them coming back in big numbers,” said Colby.

Colby noted sales for camping spaces and pre-race pit passes are a good sign that fans have more discretionary funds this year than in the previous few seasons.

The encouraging stats are also a result of the harder work being done at venues like NHMS to attract fans back through the gates. Speedway management ran off-season ticket sales a lot like a campaign, with mailers and email reminders to regular customers, as well as aggressive public relations efforts to keep Loudon in the spotlight for locals and fans.

“Strong sales don’t just happen,” explains Gappens. “In this environment, you have to work that much harder to bring fans to the speedway. We use every tool at our disposal, from traditional media and mailers to social media. We are thrilled with the results and hopeful the trend continues. I believe we are a barometer for economic activity and this is certainly a hopeful sign of recovery.”

While NHMS is pleased with the spike in sales, there are still plenty of tickets for both NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events. If you have a favorite seat, please call the tracks ticket hotline at (603) 783-4931 by Feb. 1 to ensure your spot. After Feb. 1 all seats will be released to the public. Guests can also visit www.nhms.com for tickets and more information.

Moultonboro, NH – The club’s 2012 plans are in place, the plow trucks are fueled, the race cars are tuned, the chains are prepared, the drivers and crews are eager [...]]]>

Moultonboro, NH – The club’s 2012 plans are in place, the plow trucks are fueled, the race cars are tuned, the chains are prepared, the drivers and crews are eager to race, and the dedicated fans are ready. So what’s the hold up?? Just the thickness of the ice on Berry and Lee Ponds off Rt 25 in Moultonboro. As soon as we have safe ice, the racing begins. Historically, the ice racing season starts in mid-January and runs into the beginning of March.

The Lakes Region Ice Racing Club brings 5 classes of cars to either Berry or Lee pond each week: Juniors (13-15), 4 cylinder rear-wheel drive, 4 cylinder front-wheel drive, V8 stock, and modified. From the fearless juniors to the wicked fast modifieds, there is lots of close competition and action on the 1/3 mile oval track.

The Lakes Region Ice Racing Club races weekly on Sundays as long as ice conditions permit. A double-header weekend is scheduled for the last weekend in January when the annual Latchkey Cup is run. The Latchkey Cup is a benefit race for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and raises several thousand dollars each year. This race draws cars from around New England and always enjoys great fan support. The Latchkey is on January 28th this year followed by a regular weekly race on Sunday the 29th.

The hearty fans enjoy the races from their vehicles or from one of the several spectator areas. You can bring a lunch or enjoy the hot food served at the on-ice concession, and spectator fees are still only $10 a carload ($20 for the Latchkey benefit race). Come early, catch all the practice, qualifying, and feature races.

Jack Cook of Moultonboro, the 2011 Modified Champion, and Ray Johnson of Thornton return to the ice this year to continue their weekly duels along with Ossipee’s young Jake Williams in his sprinter. Some of the 2011 juniors, including last year’s Junior Champion Alicia Taylor, are moving up into the 4-cylinder classes. After a rookie season full of learning, the Jeanson brothers of Sandwich return this year with their Toyota pickups. Most of last year’s drivers and cars are back along with a couple of new stockers that are in the works. Lots of cars means lots of good racing.

If you are a racer and would like to try racing on the ice in 2012, check the Club website for rules and contact one of the listed club members to learn how to get involved. If you are a race fan that has never been to an oval track ice race, come join us when the racing starts. The club website at www.LakesRegionIceRacingClub.com has the latest information about the racing schedule, tons of photos and video links, and club information.

Parks and Bateman are bringing their town hall-type sessions [...]]]> Canaan, NH. — With the 2012 race season four months away, officials of
the newly formed Granite State Pro Stock Series are preparing for their
inaugural season. Series co-founders, Mike Parks and Jack Bateman, have
scheduled informational meetings the first week of January.

Parks and Bateman are bringing their town hall-type sessions to the
competitor to discuss their plans for the first year series, give competitors
the opportunity to discuss rules, race procedures, and the recently
announced schedule.

The three meetings, all in New Hampshire, were planned to encourage
race teams to attend and not have to travel long distance. Said Parks, “We
decided to do three separate meetings to help all interested race teams to
be able to attend and have a voice in what we are putting together.”

On Tuesday, January 2, GSPSS officials will be at the Best Western Hotel,
Keene, NH.,Wednesday, January 3, the VFW, Rte 125, Kingston NH., and
Thursday, January 4, at JRB Transportation, Canaan, NH. The meetings
will start promptly at 7:30 PM to allow those attending time to arrive from
work.

The GSPPS will kick of its 2012 season at Monadnock Speedway,
Winchester, NH., Saturday, May 26. The race, the “David’s House 106”
will be run in honor of the late Ricky Miller.
”We decided we wanted to do things a little different,” said Parks. “Most
series have their premier events in mid summer or fall. We wanted to kick
off our season with our premier event.” Parks added, “Don Miller from
Ricky’s Race for Kids approached us late fall wanting to help raise money
for David’s House and help us get our series of the ground. With support

from both Larry Cirillo and Michelle Cloutier of Monadnock Speedway,
we were able to secure, Saturday, May 26, to host our 2012 debut race.

The purse structure for the season opener will be announced soon but
to date, close to $15,000.00 in prize money is expected with a goal of
$20,000.00, by race date. Further announcements will be forthcoming.
Last week a second race at the famed speedway was announced.The
GSPSS will return to Monadnock on Sat, Aug 4 .

Other events are planned at LEE USA Speedway (2) as well as single
events at Twin State Speedway, Star Speedway and a tentative date for the
return of Pro Stocks to Hudson, NH Speedway. Series operatives continue
to negotiate for additional events.

Series information is available at www.granitestateprostocks.com.