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February 25, 2023
Third generation racer Braydon Arthur of Mission B.C. will be competing in the 2023 Formula Pro USA F4 Winter Series in California with the Doran Motorsports Group with support and sponsorship from Speed-Fanatics Motorsports and IWE/Rear Ends Only (www.speedfanatics.ca www.iwerearendsonly.com)
Ian Wood owner of IWE/Rear Ends Only is delighted for the opportunity to support Braydon in his California racing endeavours in the name of this grandfather “Al Ores.” Al gave Ian the opportunity to learn his trade as his mentor back in the 70’s. Ian himself has raced every year since 1972 when he first met Al, who has encouraged and supported him every year since they met. “If there is one person that I owe for the success of my business it’s Al.”
Braydon is following his family’s path with grandfather, uncle, dad and brother all heavily involved in local motorsports in B.C. and the Pacific Northwest. Braydon is also involved in local karting, formula vee and sedan racing.
Speed-Fanatics Motorsports is a major player in the B.C. motorsports scene with a race team consisting of race cars running in numerous categories from Spec Miata, Improved Production, Grand Touring to F3 and F4 racers on the team. They also operate an arrive and drive program with track support for those licensed racers that just want to show up with their race gear and drive competitive race cars prepared by the Speed-Fanatics crew. They also have race car rentals available to any CACC licensed racers.
Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Club was also started to help promote young drivers work their way up the motorsport ladder.
Club member Jack Zheng was the 2022 Pro U.S. F4 winter series champion, he started racing indoor karts then progressed to local club racing and has now moved up to racing in Pro U.S. Formula 4 series as well as the Ferrari Challenge series in Canada and the U.S.
Club member Jason Leung has raced karts locally as well as all over the world since the age of nine and just recently signed a contract to compete in the French Formula 4 Championship this year.
Club member Marco Kacic from Kelowna also started in karting locally, he is also a former F3 & F4 race winner. Marco has also joined the Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Club as a racing instructor and will be coaching at the upcoming Speed-Fanatics race driver training program in March.
All in all the 2023 season is going to be busy one with seven race weekends and numerous track day events at Speed-Fanatics Motorsport Circuit at Mission Raceway Park, Mission B.C., the beautiful Area 27 track in Oliver B.C. and the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit in Cowichan B.C. on Vancouver Island.
If you want to get involved in local motorsport from track days to local club racing you cant go wrong with checking out all of the Speed-Fanatics programs at www.speedfanatics.ca
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February 22, 2023
Vancouver, BC - The Pacific Challenge Cup is pleased to announce that Hoosier Racing Tire are throwing their support behind the Canadian American series for the 2023 season. The Pacific Challenge Cup runs six races featuring Formula Vee open-wheeled race cars competing at premier road courses within western Canada and the United States.
Formula Vee is a grassroots racing class based on the pre-1964 Volkswagen Beetle. The engine, transmission, suspension, and breaks are stock or modified parts. It has been the starting point for many famous Formula One drivers and remains one of the most popular classes in racing worldwide.
“Hoosier Racing Tire and Hoosier Tire West are excited to support the Pacific Challenge Cup by extending a contingency program that will cover all six races in the 2023 season” said Adam Batton, Business Unit Manager of Circuit Racing at Hoosier Racing Tire. “Grassroots motorsports is an integral part of our business and continues to serve as a platform for us to develop innovative products that meet the growing demands of our customers and their race vehicles. We’re looking forward to large fields and a competitive, action-packed Pacific Challenge Cup season!””
About Hoosier Racing Tire
Hoosier Racing Tire is the largest race tire manufacturer in the world. Hoosier has grown to produce over 1,000 different types of race tires. The company has its own 300-mph test wheel; a technology centre; state-of-the-art, fully integrated production facilities recently adding a high-tech mixing plant, with enough capacity to produce not only for Hoosier Racing Tire, but to have the ability to produce rubber for additional entities as well as a model sales and distribution network. Hoosier Racing Tire is a 100% subsidiary of Continental AG. Visit www.hoosiertire.com for more information about the company's products.
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent, and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic, and transportation. In 2020, Continental generated sales of €37.7 billion and currently employs more than 192,000 people in 58 countries and markets. On October 8, 2021, the company celebrated its 150th anniversary.
About the Pacific Challenge Cup
Established in 2021, the Pacific Challenge Cup is a North American Formula Vee racing series. Drivers compete in seven races at premier road courses along with West Coast. Races are at Mission Raceway (Mission, BC), Portland International Raceway (Portland OR), Pacific Raceways (Kent, WA), Ridge Motorsports Park (Shelton, WA), Thunderhill Raceway Park (Willows, CA). Find out more about the series at www.pacificchallengecup.com.
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February 17, 2023
St. Catharines, Ontario – FEL Motorsports is excited to announce the 2023 schedule for the Radical Cup Canada (RCC) presented by Michelin. The 2023 RCC schedule will follow the format change of sister-series, Sports Car Championship Canada presented by Michelin.
Both will run as a 12-race championship, now condensed into four weekends, each featuring three races. The new format is designed to save all teams money and allow for personal time and travel, while delivering the same great competition experience.
“The new format was designed based on feedback from the existing teams of the RCC,” said Series Manager, Jessica Benevides of this year’s Radical Cup Canada event schedule. “The RCC teams and drivers are comprised of a mix of upcoming talent and gentlemen drivers. A condensed hybrid schedule of main-stream and regional events will allow drivers to showcase their talents in front of the biggest crowds in Canadian motorsport.”
Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin 2023 Schedule
Rounds 1, 2, 3 - May 19, 20, 21 @ Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Victoria Day Speedfest Rounds 4, 5, 6 - July 14, 15, 16 @ Honda Indy Toronto
Rounds 7, 8, 9 - August 19, 20 @ Calabogie Motorsports Park
Rounds 10, 11, 12 - September 1, 2, 3 @ Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Labour Day Sprints
“We are definitely gaining traction going into the 2023 season. We have previously announced the prize package for the Radical Cup Canada, as well as the addition of Honda Indy Toronto to the schedule,” said FEL Motorsports President, Chris Bye. “I think the Radicals put on some of the best road racing in Canada and we will do our best to keep the momentum going,” Bye continued.
Registration is now open. Visit www.felmotorsports.com for more details about the series.
About FEL Motorsports
FEL Motorsports grew out of a deep base of automotive roots from FEL Automotive Learning and Promotion. FEL Motorsports is focused on growth and sustainability in the Canadian Motorsports landscape by giving back to its teams through prizing and prize money.
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February 17, 2023
Oka, Quebec - Canadian driver Thomas Nepveu is gearing up for a busy season as he prepares to take the next important step in his career. The 18-year-old will compete in two major programs in 2023, with the likes of the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America (PCNNA) and NASCAR Pinty's on Canadian soil.
These two highly competitive, yet fundamentally different series will serve as important additions to Thomas' already impressive resume, which includes two seasons in USF2000, as well as campaigns in Formula 4. Further proving his versatility, the 18-year-old will run the full season in the highly regarded Porsche Carrera Cup series with Australian team McElrea Racing.
"It's an honour to be competing in the Porsche Cup, one of the most successful series in the United States," said Thomas, who will be driving the #24 Evirum | Richelieu | Cromwell | All Rem car. "Making the jump from single-seaters to the Porsche Cup was a difficult but necessary decision, as I feel the opportunities in endurance racing are greater than in the Road to Indy program. Additionally, my hopes are to get noticed by Porsche and their Junior program. The goal would eventually be to move up through their ranks and become a factory driver."
“I have been watching Thomas over the last few years as he raced in the Road to Indy series and I have been very impressed with his results,” added Andy McElrea. “McElrea Racing is extremely proud to welcome Thomas in his transition from single seater racing to GT cars. We tested in New Orleans earlier this week and were very happy with his pace and consistency. He has a very bright future!”
The first two rounds will be held at Sebring International Raceway from March 15-18, where the Porsche Cup will run during the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring.
Over on the Canadian side, Thomas Nepveu will become one of the youngest drivers to complete a full season in NASCAR Pinty's, the country's most renowned racing series. He joins the ranks of Jacombs Racing, a reputable Ontario team, which will run the #24 Evirum | Home Hardware | Pétrole Bélanger | PL-100 machine.
"I had the chance to test a car last fall at Autodrome Vallée-Jonction, and I was hooked right away," said Thomas. "It’s a vastly different experience from single-seaters, which are inherently lighter, so I'll have to adapt my driving style when I get behind the wheel in NASCAR, but I'm really looking forward to the season ahead."
“I’m looking forward to working with Thomas,” stated Dave Jacombs, team owner. “I greatly enjoy mentoring young talented race car drivers. We have seen a lot of success in our programs in the past, and I am eager to renew that success this season with Thomas’ addition to the team.”
Thomas has spent several seasons competing in the United States, so he is looking forward to being back in his home country to race in front of a Canadian crowd, "I'm especially looking forward to the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières; it's a huge spectacle taking place on a difficult and technical track. It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase all the knowledge and experience I've gained over the past few seasons!”
This packed season would not be possible without the invaluable help of Evirum, Thomas' partner over the past two years; "I'm not the only one who got passionate about NASCAR. Julien Rémillard, Evirum's owner, is just as thrilled as I am! It's thanks to him that I'm racing in the Porsche Cup and NASCAR Pinty's this year. I am lucky to have a partner who is motivated and wants to get involved in this journey."
"I would also like to thank Richelieu, Cromwell, Home Hardware, Pétrole Bélanger and PL-100, who will once again be partners this season. It is an honour to have sponsors that come back to support me year after year."
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February 16, 2023
ST Racing is pleased to confirm that BMW Motorsports works driver John Edwards will compete alongside team co-owner Samantha Tan in GT World Challenge America in 2023.
A frontrunner in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, John Edwards put himself firmly on the map competing with BMW Team RLL, the eponymous BMW works outfit of IndyCar legend Bobby Rahal. John’s celebrated successes during that period includes his GTLM class win at the 2020 Rolex 24 at Daytona en-route to an incredibly close 2nd in that year’s GTLM championship.
Prior to his GT racing career, John established himself as a young gun to watch when, in 2004, he became the youngest winner in US open-wheel road racing history, in the Formula Dodge Race Series, at just 12 years old. More success followed as the young American was crowned Star Mazda Champion and Atlantic Champion in successive years in 2008 and 2009, results that led to his first Rolex Sports Car Series season – and win – in 2010.
2023 marks a decade since John first officially competed with BMW Motorsport, the then-21-year-old having been picked to join BMW Team RLL in a part-campaign in the American Le Mans Series in 2013. John’s results included a maiden ALMS win at Lime Rock Park and he was confirmed as a full-time BMW Motorsport driver in the inaugural WeatherTech SportsCar Championship for 2014. He has competed with the illustrious Bavarian brand ever since.
John will partner Samantha Tan in #38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT3. No stranger to North American GT competition, Samantha is a multi-time class podium finisher in both GT4 America and TC America. Strong drives by Samantha helped her team secure 1-2 in the SRO GT4 West Pro-Am title honors in 2019 as well as the GT4 America Silver Team championship in 2020. Samantha also secured the Overall GT Drivers’ championship in the endurance-focused 24H SERIES in 2021.
Samantha Tan, co-owner/driver: “I’m ecstatic to welcome John Edwards to the Samantha Tan Racing team! He’s an incredible and highly experienced racing driver, and I’m looking forward to working with and learning from him. For the first time in my career, I have the privilege and opportunity to work with a factory driver, and I’m confident this will bolster my own progress as a driver. Our thanks to BMW Motorsport for the support. I look forward to the start of the GT World Challenge America season!”
John Edwards, driver: “I’m thrilled to be joining STR for my first full season of SRO! I know the team has been working hard in the off season and I am looking forward to bringing home some wins with Samantha this year!”
Kenneth Tan, Team Principal: “We are pleased and excited to have John Edwards join our team and co-drive our #38 BMW M4 GT3 with Samantha. We are grateful to continue our collaboration with BMW Motorsport, utilizing their support now and looking forward to what the future may bring. 2022 was a challenging year but allowed us to learn and develop. I know we will be even more competitive this season and I can’t wait to be in Sonoma for our first race at the end of March. And of course to taste some excellent wines in the area… Cheers!”
Jon Miller, Team Manager: “The enthusiasm within the team for the upcoming season is higher than ever. We have some performance testing planned soon with our new and returning drivers in our GT3 and GT4 programs. We’re all ready to get back to work and back to racing after a busy off season.”
ST Racing’s 2023 GTWC campaign begins at the Sonoma Raceway, California, on March 30th to April 2nd. Updates on the ground will be available through ST Racing’s social media channels on Facebook, Twitter: @STRacing_Team and Instagram: @samanthantanracing and on their website: http://www.st-racing.org
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