WINLING REBOUNDS AFTER AERIAL DISPLAY IN UPIR FALL FINALE

Racing to Return in 2011

Full Results: www.motorstats.com/TrackResults.php?trackId=251

ESCANABA, Mich. (September 18, 2010) - Racing can be a roller coaster of emotions. It can be a physical roller coaster too. Tyler Winling experienced both in Saturday’s Upper Peninsuala International Raceway Fall Finale Small Car feature.

Winling charged to the front of the field from mid-pack, flew over a jump in the infield losing several spots and stormed to the front again. “I wanted to put on a show, and I think I did,” Winling said in victory lane.

Randy Degrave and Justin Sprins led the field to the start of the 18-lap main event. Degrave secured an early lead, pacing the first five circuits with Erik Marenger riding in the second spot. While Marenger attempted to wear down Degrave, Bret Widdis ascended into the top three by lap four.

After a lap-five restart Marenger overtook Degrave for the lead. Widdis started alongside Winling in the second row, and the duo traded spots on laps seven and eight. As Widdis went to the outside Winling inadvertently slid to the infield. With the Tough Truck/Car jumps just five feet away Wiling had a choice, slow down or storm over the jump. Winling mashed the gas and flew over the jump, keeping him in contention.

Another caution for a stalled Curt Knauf placed Widdis and Winling in second and third. On the lap-eight restart Winling stormed around Widdis and Marenger into the lead. Winling maintained the lead through another restart on lap ten and flexed his muscle over the final eight circuits. John Bordeau finished second after transferring through the last chance race, Alex Constantino was third, Matt Adams was fourth and Marenger rounded out the top five.

The Small Car division had a branch off class with the six cylinder and dual overhead cam four cylinder cars competing in a race. Rick Martin started on the front row of the 12-lap feature. Martin broke away early but was reeled in by Triple Crown Round Three winner Dan Carne. Carne challenged Martin over the final three circuits. Multiple challenges by Carne where thwarted by Martin who picked up his first victory of the season.

Steve Ives dominated the ten-lap 650 division Micro Sprint Feature event. Ives started on the front row and dashed away from Cole Possi at the drop of the green. John Mathias made a late pass on Possi to finish second.

When the 600 division Micro Sprints hit the track, Ives was looking for a repeat. He came up one spot shy, however, as Scott Degnan captured the 15-lap event. Degnan and Triple Crown champion Nick Pinar started on the front row with Pinar grabbing an early lead.

The two broke away from the pack as Degnan continued to challenge Pinar. Degnan made his pass on Pinar on lap ten. A yellow on lap three for a stalled Mike Richer bunched the field up and set up a last chance for Pinar to overtake Degnan. On the restart Degnan broke away and Pinar experienced mechanical issues. Degnan cruised to a comfortable win. Ives and Jake Relf rounded out the top three.

Crowd-pleasing Jesse James Liss won his first feature of the season in the Kids Micro Sprints. Liss passed Trent Peppin at the line on lap one of the eight-lap race and cruised to victory.

Bill Quarfoot topped the Tough Truck/Car division with a time of 12.41 seconds.

Donna Sundstrom, Sarah Johnson, and Leanne Vaughn won powder puff races. Tom Bordeau, Dan LaMarche, John Johnson, Darren Winling, Wayne Peppin and Nick Pinar Jr. were victorious in the mechanics races.

UPIR officials announced that racing will be held again in 2011 at the U.P. State Fairgrounds. Funding has yet to be completely secured for the reconstruction of UPIR into a multiple-use motorsports facility, but the possibility still exists.

All money raised in the four races in 2010 will be used to build a track. If funding is not secured UPIR’s eighth-mile will remain in action. More details will be available through the off-season at the UPIR Web site and at www.deltami.org

UPIR is an abbreviated eighth-mile multi-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 was used to gage the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility in 2011 on a full-time basis as a multi-purpose motorsport facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.

PLENTY OF FESTIVITIES INCLUDED IN UPIR FALL FINALE THIS SATURDAY

ESCANABA, Mich. (September 13, 2010) – Upper Peninsula International Raceway’s Fall Finale, beginning this Saturday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. (EST), will be much more than just a race. Fans will get the same racing excitement from the UPIR Triple Crown, with a few extra twists.

The racing program will be shaken up with a new division. UPIR officials have split the small car class into two different divisions. The class had permitted both four cylinder and six cylinder cars to compete, but will split the two into separate divisions to encourage more competition.

“We’re going to add a six cylinder and dual overhead cam class for a couple reasons,” Boyd Widdis, volunteer coordinator said. “Those cars are a little faster and it will give us a chance to put on a few more races.”

Revised rules for the division are available at upirracing.blogspot.com or by calling Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112.

Fans will also be treated to a return of the Tough Truck/Car division. Three divisions of Micro Sprints will join in the festivities, as well.

UPIR officials have also added mechanics races and powder puff races. Mechanics races allow the crew members who work on the cars to get some time behind the wheel. Wives, girlfriends, sisters, etc. jump behind the wheel for the powder puff races.

When the racing action ends, the fun will continue at UPIR. Once the final checkered flag has fallen an awards ceremony will crown the champions and top finishers in the 2010 UPIR Triple Crown. A DJ will be on hand to play after the races from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. under the grandstand.

Other special events include a kids’ nickel drop and a food drive. The food drive is sponsored by Radio Results network and Drivers & Volunteers. Boxed, canned food items or monetary donations will be accepted. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase food items. Donors can register for prizes.

Contact Jim Baldwin with questions or for donation pick up at 906-789-1900 or 906-553-1042. Collection points will be under the grandstands and in the pit area.

The pit area opens this Saturday at 10 a.m. The grandstand opens at 1 p.m. with racing slated to begin sharply at 2 p.m. Grandstand admission is $5.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile multi-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 was used to gage the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility in 2011 on a full-time basis as a multi-purpose motorsport facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.

RULE UPDATES FOR 9/18/10

TIRES AND WHEELS
Passenger car tires only, must be '?' rated or metic equivalent No "LP'. 60,65,74,75, or 80 series tires only are allowed. No shavingo grinding, buffrng grooving siping, or profiling. Both front wheels must use stock length studs. Maximum tires size is 205x15 by 60 through 80. Magnetic steel, stocktype wheels only, no aluminum, after market or alloy wheels. Stock offset wheels only. Racing wheels may be used but must have stock offset. No studded tires or chains, no mini donut or space saver spare tires allowed. Tire sizes may be mixed but tires must be either 13",14",or 15" rim size. Additionally,rim sizes of 13", 14",and 15"cannot be mixed. No snow tires. To help deplete current tire inventories, snow tires may be used on rear of car only.
None on front. Tech inspectors will determine what constitute snow tire. Their decision will be final.

STEERING AND SUSPENSION
Stock as delivered from manufacturer. No modifrcations or after market performance parts. No tie downs or suspension limiting devices. Car must maintain stock ride attitude. 1/2" camber max. Cars should be prepared to run in either direction.

POST RACE INSPECTION
At the conclusion of a scheduled event, top 5 finishing cars will report for technical inspection. At the time necessary checks will be made to determine that cars conform to the rules. Offrcials reserve the right to interpret and enforce the rules and procedures as they see fit and that the intent of the rule is being applied. The decision of the officials shall be final, offtcial, binding and not appealable.

NEW CLASS
DOHC (Double Over Head Cam) 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder cars will be in one class. 4-cylinder Non-DOHC will be one class.

CARNE SUPER IN UPIR TRIPLE CROWN FINALE

Full results and final points available at UPIR’s Motor Stats page: http://www.motorstats.com/TrackHome.php?trackId=251

ESCANABA, Mich. (August 21, 2010) – Even kryptonite wouldn’t have been able to stop Dan Carne Saturday afternoon. With a Super Man statue attached to his roof, Carne proved to be faster than a speeding bullet in the Small Car feature at Upper Peninsula International Raceway.

UPIR also determined four champions on the evening. Steve Labre was crowned the Triple Crown champion in the Small Cars. Nick Pinar, Paul Hosking and Brooke Mathias topped their respective divisions of Micro Sprints

Carne, who also won his heat race, started 12th in the Small Car feature field and patiently picked his way through traffic. While Carne began his ascent Robbie Iverson paced the field from his pole-position starting spot. Iverson broke away from second-place Rick Martin, who tangled with Bobby Rose on the second lap. Both Rose and Martin suffered damage and retired.

As Iverson started to put real estate between him and the rest of the 18-car pack, Jim Beauchamp slid to the inside of Chris Dupuis on the third lap. Beauchamp began the task of reeling in Iverson and caught the leader on lap nine. One lap later Beauchamp muscled his way past Iverson into the lead.

A caution on lap 11 erased Beauchamp’s lead over Iverson and the remaining field. Luke Sanville had worked his way to the third spot bringing Bret Widdis and Carne along into the top five.

On the restart Beauchamp, Sanville and Carne started on the inside line of a double-file format. After the green Sanville rocketed to the inside of Beauchamp, causing a three-wide situation with Iverson stuck on the high side. Sanville made contact with Beauchamp sending him out of the lead spot. Track officials penalized Sanville for rough driving.

Carne was able to capitalize on the penalty as he had followed Sanville into the second spot after the restart. Over the final seven laps Carne held off several challenges from Beauchamp, who was forced to settle for second. Ron Sanville and Matt Adams finished third and fourth after transferring from the last chance race and Iverson rounded out the top five.

Labre led Fran Berube by 13 points entering the event. Berube secured a sixth-place finish, but didn’t provide himself enough of a cushion with Labre’s eighth-place finish.

In the Micro Sprints both Nick Pinar and Paul Hosking were denied third consecutive feature wins.

Pinar did register a second place finish to wrap up the title in the 600 Micro Sprints, but couldn’t challenge Scott Degnan in the final laps.

The 600 Micro Sprint feature got off to a rocky start with a wild accident exiting turn two. Entering the first turn on lap one Ben Ives swung to the inside to make a three-wide pass. Ives could not hold his momentum and spun in the second turn. Mike Dolezal clipped the left front of Ives’ machine and flipped twice down the back stretch. He was unharmed. Neither car was able to continue.

Robbie Resch led the field off the restart, which was short-lived due to a stalled machine on lap three. Another caution fell on lap four when Mike Richer spun exiting turn two and collected Jay Baumler Jr.

With the 14-car field down to seven machines, Resch led Pinar and Degnan back to green. Degnan and Pinar swapped the second spot several times over the next three laps until Degnan secured the spot and set his sights on Resch.

Degnan did not need to provide Resch with a challenge to capture the lead. Resch spun exiting turn four on lap six, handing the lead to Degnan. Pinar came close to challenging, but was unable to close up on Degnan in the final laps. Steve Ives finished third, Jason Kressin fourth and Jordan Ives rounded out the top five.

A potential Triple Crown sweep was also in place for the 650 Micro Sprints. However, Paul Hosking, who was looking to complete the task, struggled early in the day with an ill-running machine in the heat race. Hosking was able to start the feature event on the outside of Karen Degnan.

Degnan secured the lead at the drop of the green with John Mathias swiping second from Hosking on the second lap. Mathias jumped away from the battle from second, leaving Degnan and Hosking locked in battle. The two exchanged the runner-up spot several times early in the race, but Degnan broke away in the latter stages.

Mathias was second in standings entering the afternoon, but Hosking’s third-place finish proved to be enough to wrap up the title.

Tanner Resch won his second consecutive Kids Micro Sprint feature. Crowd-favorite Jesse James Liss finished second. Brooke Mathias secured the championship.

Due to the success of the three-race Triple Crown, UPIR has added a fourth date to the 2010 schedule. The UPIR Fall Finale will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18. The Tough Trucks/Cars are scheduled to rejoin the Small Cars and Micro Sprints. A fourth division may be added, as well. More information about the event, including starting times, will be available shortly through the UPIR Web site.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile multi-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 was used to gage the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility in 2011 on a full-time basis as a multi-purpose motorsport facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.

UPIR TRIPLE CROWN FINAL ROUND SATURDAY, FOURTH DATE ADDED

ESCANABA, Mich. (August 17, 2010) – Fans will have more than one chance to keep filling the grandstand at Upper Peninsula International Raceway this season. With the final round of the Triple Crown scheduled for this week, officials have added a fourth date at UPIR for Saturday, Sept. 18.

This Saturday, Aug. 21’s race will round out the points championship in the three-race Triple Crown. The Small Cars and all three Micro Sprint divisions will battle to have the honor of being the first group of UPIR champions. Racing begins at 1 p.m. (EST).

Steve Labre leads the Small Car standings heading into the final round. He holds a 13-point advantage over Fran Berube and a 21-point advantage over Triple Crown round one winner Adam Johnson. Round two winner Tyler Winling sits fourth 25 points behind Labre.

With wins in round one and round two, Nick Pinar leads Scott Degnan by 20 markers in the 600 division Micro Sprints. Paul Hosking, who has won both features in the 650 Micro Sprints, leads standings in that division by 26 over John Mathias. Jordan Ives leads Brooke Mathias by 18 points and Holly Mathias by 19 points in the kids division.

One championship will have already been decided before Saturday. Due to a closed-off demolition derby arena being built in the infield, the Tough Trucks/Cars will not compete. Dan Arts won both events in the division and will be the 2010 UPIR Triple Crown Tough Trucks/Cars champion.

The Tough Trucks/Cars will rejoin the Small Cars and Micro Sprints, however, as part of the fourth event on Sept. 18. A fourth division may be included in the program. Officials are also working to hold an awards ceremony for the Triple Crown after the event. More details will be available at this Saturday’s race and on the UPIR Web site.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile multi-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 will be used to gage the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility in 2011 on a full-time basis as a multi-purpose motorsport facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.

WINLING STORMS TO WIN IN UPIR TRIPLE CROWN ROUND TWO

Photos Courtesy of Cathy Winling

Full Results - http://www.motorstats.com/TrackHome.php?trackId=251

ESCANABA, Mich. (July 31, 2010) – Time is of the essence in racing – ask Tyler Winling. Just as fans and competitors wasted no time packing Upper Peninsula International Raceway Saturday, Winling wasted no time securing the lead in the Small Car feature to dominate the night’s main event.

Winling charged into the lead past pole sitter Terry Royer on a lap two restart.

Outside pole sitter Matt Ison caused the first yellow as he spun in front of the 16-car field exiting turn four on the first trip around the eighth-mile. As the field jostled after the green, Winling weaved through traffic into second from his tenth-place starting spot.

Tyler Winling - Winner Small Cars

Pulling to the inside of Royer in turn two, Winling wasted no time stretching out his newly claimed lead spot. The advantage quickly was erased, however, as Matt Adams flipped his racer on the third lap. Adam’s machine came to a rest on its lid in turn two, but Adams was able to make a quick exit and was unharmed.

Following the restart on lap three, Steve Labre filed into second behind Winling. As laps continued to click off in the 18-lap main event, Winling’s lead continued to grow. Labre remained unpressured for second after he turned away Fran Berube’s attempt to take the spot on lap eight.

Winling also claimed his heat race earlier night and completed an improbable sweep in a stellar 54-car field.

The 600 and 650 Micro Sprint divisions both saw repeat winners.

In the 650 Micro Sprints, Paul Hosking was again victorious. Hosking started on the outside of heat-race winner Karen Degnan and walked away with the 18-lap event.

Paul Hosking - Winner 650 Micro Sprints

Although a victory seemed assured for Hosking in the waning portions of the event, an uneasy moment raised some question marks. Leading by more than a half of a lap, Hosking lost control of his racer exiting turn four on lap 15. Hosking pitched sideways and slid to the infield. Calmly, Hosking regained control and cruised through the final three circuits without incident.

In a field that included travelers from the southern part of Michigan and Central Wisconsin, Nick Pinar collected his second consecutive 600 Micro Sprint Feature win.

Behind pole sitter Ben Ives, Pinar dashed to the outside line. After one circuit of following the leaders, Pinar slid back to the high line to power past Ives. Behind Pinar, Scott Degnan, who flipped his racer in the heat, kept pace.


Nick Pinar - Winner 600 Micro Sprints

With Pinar pacing the field up front, Bill Dunham, who traveled from Bellevue, Mich., began sifting through traffic. Dunham moved to third on lap seven, but was unable to catch the lead duo. Degnan closed the gap on several occasions as Pinar disposed of lapped traffic, but was unable to get within striking distance.

Tanner Resch made his family’s trek from Antigo, Wis., worth while by capturing the Kid’s Micro Sprint six-lap feature. Resch swiped the lead from Triple Crown Round One winner Jordan Ives exiting turn two on the second lap.

Tanner Resch - Winner Kid's Micro Sprints

As Resch pulled away, the capacity crowd was electrified by the run of Jesse James Liss. Liss’ machine appeared to be half the size of the other Micro Sprinters, but was just as fast. A last lap pass by Liss to secure second, garnered a loud cheer from the grandstand.

Dan Arts was credited with his second win in the Tough Truck/Car division. The division could have been renamed on the evening as Jerry Hansen participated in a modified school bus, much to the delight of spectators. Arts’ time of 11.13 seconds on his second run bested the first run of Bill Quarfoot at 12.06 seconds

The third and final round of the UPIR Triple Crown is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 21 during the UP State Fair. Only the Small Car and Micro Sprint divisions will compete. Racing begins at 1 p.m.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile clay-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 will be used to gauge the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval in 2011.


The UPIR Triple Crown will take place on three Saturday evenings in 2010. The dates are June 12, July 31 and Aug. 21. Racing is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on June 12 and July 31 and at 1 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.

UPIR PREPARES FOR TRIPLE CROWN ROUND TWO

ESCANABA, Mich. (July 21, 2010) – The stands and pit area were full and a great amount of racing action was on display in Escanaba – finally. The first round of the Upper Peninsula Triple Crown on June 12 was a wild success.

Officials and volunteers could have rested on their laurels, but decided to make several improvements to the program to make it even better than the first. With the improvements, round two promises to provide just as much excitement in a streamlined program.

“We learned a lot,” said UPIR volunteer coordinator Boyd Widdis. He said many suggestions were made to speed up the show, and he was willing to listen.

One of the setbacks was the amount of time to re-align cars after a caution, Widdis said. Other volunteers agreed.

“Boyd and I sat down with some people after the race on June 12 and put some policies in place right there,” said volunteer consultant Doug Strasburg. “These policies will speed up the show.”

Cars will be stopped on the track, realigned and sent back to the green flag. Lineups will be handled by Lonny Dalgord, who raced at tracks in Northeastern Wisconsin notorious for fast programs.

“Lonny had some really good suggestions,” Widdis said. “He did a great job of lining up cars before the race. The problem was getting them back in line after the cautions. With Lonny’s suggestions, we’ll move the show through much faster.”

Widdis said time may be of a factor because he expects more racer entries due to the interest generated on June 12.

Improvements to the track may help expedite the program, as well. With a smoother surface and more room to race, Widdis expects fewer cautions to interrupt the racing action. Ed Brunette of Brunette and Son Construction was once again responsible for improvements to the track.

“Ed prepared the track for the monster truck show and put it back to how it was afterward,” Widdis said. “He reworked the track, made it wider, put more fill in and more clay on and added a couple degrees of banking.”

Widdis said the extra banking should help drain the track if an excessive amount of rain is received before the race, as was the case on June 12. He also said it should provide another groove of racing and more action. The track also added traffic lights to help alert the drivers when a caution is out.

Fans can anticipate the same three divisions on Saturday July 31. Three divisions of Micro Sprints, the Small Cars and the wild and crazy Tough Trucks will be back. Racing begins at 7 p.m.

UPIR is an abbreviated 1/8-mile clay-surfaced course carved out of the existing course at the Delta Co. Fairgrounds. A Triple Crown in 2010 will be used to gauge the interest of race fans in the area and to fund the efforts of reopening the facility featuring a 3/8-mile asphalt oval in 2011.

The UPIR Triple Crown will take place on three Saturday evenings in 2010. The dates are June 12, July 31 and Aug. 21. Racing is slated to begin at 7 p.m. on June 12 and July 31 and at 1 p.m. on Aug. 21.

Rules and registration are available by contacting Boyd Widdis at 906-450-5112. For more information visit upirracing.blogspot.com or www.deltami.org.