IPSC: Records Will Fall at Scotia Speedworld This Weekend

(May 3) - When the pit gates open this Saturday morning at Scotia Speedworld, the stage will be set for a record-breaking day in the history of motorsports in Atlantic Canada. With the 2000 season- opener for the International Pro Stock Challenge (IPSC) on the docket, the race card will feature a record field of stock car racers for t the 3/10-mile oval as well as for the series, entering its third year in 2000. Total posted awards for The Daily News 150 exceed $32,000 U.S. and the winner can take home over $8,500 - more records.

A total of 13 series championships (another record) among six different drivers will be represented in The Daily News 150, including defending IPSC champion Scott Fraser from Shubenacadie, NS; MASCAR champions Dave Gorveatt (1997) - Charlottetown, PEI, Rollie MacDonald (1984) - Pictou, NS, Greg Sewart (1983, '87, '92,'93,'95) - Halifax, NS and Fraser (1996 and '98); and NEPSA champions Ralph Nason (1996 & '97) - Unity, Maine, and Kenny Wright (1998) - Woolwich, Maine. MASCAR is a regional touring series in Eastern Canada and NEPSA is a regional touring series in New England.

With such a strong field of competitors on hand, there is no doubt the track record will fall. Set at 14.020-seconds (77.032 mph AVG.) by Ben Rowe on July 24th of last year, expectations are that fast time in the Snap-on Tools Time Trials will be in the high 13-second bracket.

"The bar was raised last year," said Randy Black, IPSC Competition Director. "With the fierce level of competition we saw, all the teams worked really hard over the winter. Practice sessions have shown they've picked up two or three tenths - that's a lot on these short tracks."

Other accolades among entries include past IPSC race winners Gorveatt (Sept. '98), Fraser (May '99 and Aug. '99), Bobby White (June '99) - Kennetcook, NS, Nason (July '99) and Ben Rowe (July '99 and Sept. '99); and Oxford 250 winners Larry Gelinas (1996) - Scarborough, Maine, and Nason (1997 and '98).

The Daily News 150 is the first race of the new-for-2000 IPSC/NEPSA alliance which will see a total of six combination events for the two series over the 2000 racing season. Other combination dates are: June 4th and July 29th at Autodrome Montmagny in Montmagny, Quebec; June 24th at Unity Raceway in Maine; and July 16th and Sept. 3rd at White Mountain Motorsports Park in New Hampshire.

As many as 35 teams (would be a record) are expected to vie for a starting spot in The Daily News 150. Entries expected in addition to those already mentioned include: Dan Eddy, Dartmouth, NS; John Flemming, Halifax, NS; Tom Mayberry, Naples, Maine; Mike MacKenzie, Dartmouth, NS; Steve Henderson, Truro, NS; Mike Riley, Halifax, NS; Leo Cochrane, Halifax, NS; Marty Prevost, Fall River, NS; Kirk Thibeau, Fort Fairfield, Maine; Scott Alexander, Dartmouth, NS; Gary Bellefleur, Litchfield, Maine; Adam Friend, Pittsfield, Maine; Sam Sessions, South Paris, Maine; Donald Chisholm, Antigonish, NS; Tim MacKay, Sackville, NS; Gary Smith, Bangor, Maine; Andy Shaw, North Conway, NH; and Vance Hanes, Kennetcook, NS. Others may show on race day...

The Scotia Speedworld Weekly Racing Series featuring the C & R Auto Supply Sportsman, the Miller Tire Street Stock and Nova Automotive Hobby Stock divisions will also kick off their season this Saturday.

A number of IPSC competitors are expected to be on hand at Scotia Speedworld Friday afternoon participating in a practice session between 2 and 5. Spectators are invited to watch with FREE admission to the grandstand.

The Saturday schedule will see Snap-on Tools Time Trials at 1:30 followed by Motor Mart Heat Races at 3. The grandstand gates open at Noon.

Advance tickets for The Daily News 150 are now available at the following metro Halifax/Dartmouth (Nova Scotia) locations: Amber Contracting; Forbes Chev Olds; Parts For Trucks; Racing Around (Chain Lake Drive); D & D Racing (Penhorn Mall); Scotia Speedworld. Tickets are also available in Elmsdale, NS at the Elmsdale Superstore and in Yarmouth, NS at Motor Mart. Call Scotia Speedworld at (902) 481-2514 for more ticket information.

Scotia Speedworld is located across from the Halifax International Airport at Exit 6 on Highway 102.

For more information on the IPSC, check our Internet site at www.ipschallenge.com.