SOS: Tim Phillips retires

Forwarded by the SOS Insider,

From 21 Tim Phillips

It is with deep regret that I must announce I will no longer be racing. I wish to thank all the teams and officials that have made racing sprints such a fun and competitive sport.

I would like to thank my sponsers National Vacuum, Fronczak Racing Engines, Jocoy's Collision, Dirt Track Digest, Hyper Motorsports and Grand Island Napa for the help they have given me to make my racing career possible. I would also like to thank Dan and Craig keel for all the help they gave me setting up my new car for this season.

Last but not least I would also like to thank my crew cheif Chris Rhynold who has given me much help and support not to mention a great web site and did not get the chance to run the car at a single race this season.

Tim Phillips // SOS Sprint #21

KAWARTHA SPEEDWAY: Five-Star Contingency revamped

Kawartha Speedway: "The contingency program offered by Five Star bodies has been revamped to offer everyone a chance at the program.



The Five Star package will now be open to any Limited Late Model or Late Model driver that competes in every event at Kawartha Speedway. At the end of the season any driver who is eligible will have his/her name put in a hat, and a name for each division will be drawn randomly at the Banquet of Champions.



This spreads out the opportunity for more people to have a chance at this wonderful contingency offered by Five Star. "



... more at link above...

LEAF: New concept make E-business even easier at Leaf Racewear

May 2, 2005 - Racers become graphic artists on Leaf Racewear’s new ‘Build Your Own Suit” webpage at www.leafracewear.com . The racewear manufacturer recently launched its new page allowing customers to design their custom suits as well as select options.

“The old page required dialogue between our sales staff and the customers,” says Adam Ross, Leaf Racewear Marketing Director. “Racers want immediate results, and the new site gives it to them. “They can browse our site and create exactly the suit they want online without waiting until the next business day for a response.”

The site allows customers to see custom color schemes on nearly 30 different suit designs. Once the browsers select the options they want the site provides immediate pricing. The old site required e-mails to and from Leaf’s sales staff. “A lot of customers don’t like salespeople,” says Ross. “We’ve found the website is a great alternative to phoning. Racers take their time deciding, and they get their price right away. “We’ve always taken pride in our website. We will continue to upgrade it as long as our great customers keep coming back.”

Visit www.leafracewear.com and design your new suit today!

For more information contact:
Adam Ross // Leaf Racewear & Safety Equipment Inc.
Tel: (519) 659-1115 // Fax (519) 453-5460
adam@leafracewear.com

AIM Autosport Scores Big in California

LAGUNA SECA / MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA – The AIM Autosport Formula BMW USA team traveled to Laguna Seca Raceway in picturesque Monterey, California for the opening two rounds of the 2005 championship. Based on pre-season testing with rookie drivers Kevin Lacroix and Rob Bunker – the team had high expectations for a solid start to this year’s campaign.

In race one Kevin Lacroix executed a stellar standing start few professional racers ever master, the 16 year old rookie driver rocketed from his fourth starting position and stole the race from the 19 other Formula BMW USA competitors. With the lead firmly in hand by turn one he led the 15-lap contest flag-to-flag, finishing 1.694 seconds ahead of Reed Stevens.

Kevin jumped into the lead at the very first turn, never looked back and went on to win his very first career open-wheel race starting from fourth place, the 16-year old rookie from St-Eustache, Quebec had a perfect start and overtook pole sitter Richard Philippe and two other cars to ease his way up in the lead.

AIM teammate Rob Bunker started ninth on the grid and drove a steady race, staying out of trouble to finish seventh in race one.

In race two Kevin started third and finished third behind Philippe and Soulet as the race was marked by two full-course caution periods, but the top-three never changed. Rob had an excellent start and jumped ahead of several competitors, again driving a smooth race coming home seventh.

Kevin Lacroix #22 (AIM Autosport /Auto Parts Plus-Uni-Select
/Pennzoil/CR/ SKF Motor sports/Raybestos/Tenneco Automotive/Les Pièces d'auto Lacroix)
Race One: Qualified- fourth (1:30.874) / Finished- first (+1.694 sec.)
Race Two: Qualified- third (1:29.746) / Finished- third

Quotes from Kevin:
“In race one my car was fast enough to keep me in the lead and the fight behind was furious between three or four cars. I'm very happy and my team deserves much credit. "The start was very good," said an excited Lacroix. "I don't know what I did, but I was like a rocket. Maybe it was because I went to Space Camp. The battles behind me allowed me to focus on the track ahead." I am confident looking towards Mid-Ohio and am pleased to lead the Championship.


Rob Bunker #18 (AIM Autosport /Team RennSport)
Race One: Qualified- ninth (1:31.671) / Finished- seventh
Race Two: Qualified- eleventh (1:31.225) / Finished- seventh

Quotes from Rob:
"Seven-seven is pretty solid as far as championship points are concerned. We'll hunt for a little more, but for the first weekend, it's not bad at all. Rob said he prepared for the Formula One-style starts by watching drag-racing on television. "Since I was a little kid, I sat in front of the TV and watched John Force to the starting light. Every time the light would go down, I'd slap my hand against something." Bunker was satisfied with his race finishes. "We need to work on the setup a little bit. But when it comes down to it, it's up to me to make the car work, so I'll work on that myself," he said.


Race One Results:
1 Kevin Lacroix (R) AIM Autosport
2 Reed Stevens (R)
3 Maxime Soulet
4 John Zartarian (R)
5 James Davison (R)
6 Robert Wickens (R)
7 Rob Bunker (R) AIM Autosport
8 Matthew Lee (R)
9 Tom Sutherland
10 Race Johnson (R)
11 Justin Moon (R)
12 Doug Boyer (R)
13 Ryan Phinny (R)
14 Daniel Herrington
15 Darin Marcus (R)
16 Adrien Herberts (R)
17 Derek Burseth
18 Jules Duc (R)
19 Nathan DePagter (R)
20 Richard Philippe (R)

Race Two Results:
1 Richard Philippe (R)
2 Maxime Soulet
3 Kevin Lacroix (R) AIM Autosport
4 Robert Wickens (R)
5 James Davison (R)
6 Justin Moon (R)
7 Rob Bunker (R) AIM Autosport
8 Reed Stevens (R)
9 Matthew Lee (R)
10 Race Johnson (R)
11 Darin Marcus (R)
12 Doug Boyer (R)
13 Derek Burseth
14 Tom Sutherland
15 Nathan DePagter (R)
16 John Zartarian (R)
17 Jules Duc (R)
18 Ryan Phinny (R)
19 Daniel Herrington
20 Adrien Herberts (R)

- Rounds three and four of the Formula BMW USA Championship will be held at Mid-Ohio on May 20-22.

ALSTAR: SHAW LOOKING TO TAKE BACK HIS ALSTAR CROWN

From David Spira // Media Relations Director // Shaw Motorsports

GUELPH, ON – After coming up short in his attempt to win back-to-back Shouldice Stone ALSTAR Super Series championships Jason Shaw and his Shaw Motorsports team are back and hungrier than ever.

The 2004 season saw the team finish 2nd in the ALSTAR points to Robbie Thompson despite fighting engine gremlins that had them shaking their heads for most of the season. Over the winter the crew rebuilt their Ford Mustang Late Model, resided their race hauler, and also managed to solve the engine woes that plagued them over the summer. The team is looking to build on their successful winter by bringing home another Shouldice Stone ALSTAR Super Series Championship in 2005.

Spira Fire Protection is back on board as the primary sponsor for 2005 with Del Metals also renewing their commitment by appearing on the hood as a secondary sponsor for another season.

National Fire Equipment & Wilson Enterprise Carpentry have both increased their sponsorship commitment for 2005 and will be featured prominently on the car for this upcoming season.

Wasteco continues their longstanding relationship with the #82 for 2005 and BMB Engines will also be joining the team this season.

Shaw Motorsports and driver Jason Shaw run the #82 Ford Mustang out of Guelph, Ontario where they compete across Ontario in the Shouldice Stone ALSTAR Super Series. More information is available at www.spira.on.ca/shaw and www.alstarseries.com

FRENAULT UK: McIntosh holds second in championship challenge

Thruxton Circuit, England (May 1, 2005) ­ A pair of fourth place fiinishes for Sean McIntosh in the third and fourth rounds of the Formula Renault UK Championship at Thruxton this weekend ensure the Canadian charger remains firmly in the title fight as the series begins a month long hiatus. McIntosh's consistency at the Hampshire circuit allowed the Team Firstair racer to remain tied for second in the point standings with four rounds completed.

The reigning Graduate Cup Champion returned to the 2.35-mile Thruxton Circuit, scene of his 2004 series debut, confident he could continue his front-running pace from the season-opener at Donington Park earlier in the month. Sean's confidence was duly merited as his lowest placing all weekend was fifth on the grid for yesterday's race, Round 3, while he placed third on the grid for Round 4 this afternoon.

Round 3 rounded off yesterday's busy timetable, the race starting as evening approached. The 15-lap sprint proved to be somewhat processional, despite the Formula Renault cars topping close to 150mph, with Sean's progress from fifth hindered by the slower car of Stephen Simpson for the first half of the race.

With the top three of Storckenfeldt, Jarvis and Hohenthal setting a frantic pace, by the time McIntosh slipped by Simpson on lap eight to claim fourth place Hohenthal held a four second advantage over the Canadian.

Sean, now with a clear track ahead, reeled off a succession of fastest laps to close the gap to third but ultimately ran out of time to catch Hohenthal as the checkered flag fell at the end of lap 15.

Today's race, Round 4, was to prove slightly more eventful for Sean while the end result was the same. Starting from third Sean quickly gave chase to Alex Storckenfeldt and Oliver Jarvis on the front-row. The Swedish driver immediately surrendered first place to his English rival while Sean closely shadowed the pair in third.

Holding a podium placing for most of the 15-lap race, Sean was ultimately denied a top-three finish in the dying stages by a hard charging Stephen Simpson. With the Team JLR driver enjoying the faster of the two cars he finally darted past a defenseless McIntosh at Goodwood on lap 12 to claim the final podium slot. While it remained tight at the front, with the top five barely covered by two seconds, Sean held on for a successive fourth place finish and another healthy dose of championship points.

Commenting on a solid pair of performances Sean said: "It's been a pretty good weekend here at Thruxton. To come away with two fourth place finishes at a track that probably isn't one of my strongest is a good result. I had a quick car in yesterday's race and was unfortunate to get held up while today we kept pace with the leaders, our lap times were all similar but ultimately Simpson had a stronger car towards the end of the race.

"It was important to be consistent here and we were never lower than fifth in either of the qualifying sessions or the races. While it would have been nice to complete the weekend with a podium finish it's better to come away with 44 solid championship points and hold on to second in the standings." Today's race winner, Oliver Jarvis, leads the championship standings on 116 with Sean tied for second with Sebastian Hohenthal on 96 points after four rounds.

Sean's back in action a week on Monday, testing at Silverstone before heading back to Canada for a short-break, the Vancouver native taking advantage of the month long rest before the fifth and sixth rounds of the Formula Renault UK Championship at Brands Hatch, 4-5th June.

ENDS ­ www.seanmcintosh.com For further information please contact Stuart Morrison Public Relations:Tel: +1 514 683 3253 / Cell: +1 514 998 5693 / Email: stuart@sm-pr.com

SOS: JOIN THE SOS FANTASY LEAGUE

The 2005 Southern Ontario Sprints Fantasy League deadline for signups is Friday May 6th 2005.

It is 100% FREE to join this fantasy league and prizes will be awarded at the end of the season, you as a contestant do not have to do anything through the whole season after you pick your five drivers.

The rules and signup form is on the website so please visit the site at http://www.fantasysos.gq.nu/ to get yourself registered.

If you have any questions then please e-mail me all questions & concern to sosfantasy@hotmail.com. For more information visit http://www.southernontariosprints.com

-- From SOS Online