Sibbitt Motorsports Confirms Entry at Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto

[thekid]

For Immediate Release

Toronto, ON - June 28, 2007

Sibbitt Motorsports is please to announce that it has confirmed its entry in the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship event at the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto on July 6-8, 2007.

This will be the second ever event for Sibbitt Motorsports in Touring Car Racing. In there first ever event in early June 2007 at Shannonville Motorsports Park, Sibbitt Motorsports qualified 8th of 17 in class and 38th of 55 overall (classes include Touring, Super Touring, and Grand Touring). The team was extremely happy with this performance for there first outing. Unfortunately during Sunday's 40 minute race after making a good start and climbing up several positions, the car began to experience problems at the half way mark losing power steering, but driver Brian Sibbitt held his ground until nearly the 30 minute mark when the problems began to worsen, and eventually had to retire at the 34 minute mark.

In addition to the regular maintenance that take place between events (including changing transmissions), the team has spent time since the last event tuning the car, removing weight, and tweaking the suspension in preparation for SGPT. The team made up of driver Brian Sibbitt, Crew Chief Doug Logan, Mechanics Mike Moschella and Dave Sibbitt, and Photographer Simon Sherman are very enthusiastic about the upcoming SGPT entry.

Sibbitt Motorsports campaigns a turbocharged 2002 Mazda Protege 5 that has been race prepared including a Mazdaspeed Protege drivetrain and Dynamic Suspension by Multimatic.

The series website is www.touringcar.ca

Brian Sibbitt - Sibbitt Motorsports - brian 'at' sibbittmotorsports 'dot' com

[thekid]

Some more details about the event:

The event takes place on July 6/7/8 at the CNE grounds, with practice taking place on the Friday, Qualifying and a race on Saturday, and a practice and a final race on Sunday. During the course of the weekend when we’re not on the track we’ll likely be in and around the CCTCC paddock area in the Direct Energy Building – North Extension, Hall D.

The exact schedule is to be released this weekend which I can forward at that time. I expect our races to take place in the late afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday, but I’ll keep you posted once the official schedule is released.

For information on the different ticket areas and a map of the grounds, please visit: http://www.grandprixtoronto.com/tickets.asp

I have attached a PDF for detailed info on pricing for each of the different sections.

To order, please call 416-588-7223 and press 1 to order tickets.

When ordering please let them know that you’re going to watch the Canadian Touring Car Championship (it just helps them realize what kind of draw our series is as they keep records of this that will help out our series in the future).

As for what kind of tickets to get, that’s completely up to you. All tickets to the Indy provide access to the Support Race paddocks (including ours). Access to the Champ Car paddock is extra.

General Admission is as little as $49 for a 3-day pass, and reserved seating starts at $75 for a 3-day pass in the bronze sections.

For the section closest to our paddock, you’d be looking at $99 for a 3-day pass at the Turn 9/10 grandstand.

I think that’s all for now, we hope to see you at the track.

[tekkie]

wicked Brian I wish I could come watch

I hope you guys have a problem free day and place well :)

[cruisinblackp5]

Wishing you luck for the day or days Im not there but I'll be sure to stop by when I am there. Any idea which manufacturer is the major supporter of the whole weekend? Last two years I think have been ford. Theres so much to see and do down there.

[thekid]

Thanks Guys!

Mark, I'm not too sure which manufacturer it is. If I hear any details I'll let you know!

[Sky_high]

I want to wish the Sibbitt Motorsport team the best of luck. I'm sure you guys will do well next weekend.

[7plymaple]

Got the friday off! Cant wait!

[dead_cactus]

Who is going to be there this weekend?

I picked up my ticket package today at the Grand Prix office.



Two 3 day reserved Thunder Alley Grandstand tickets (value: $118.00)
Thunder Alley is located along the fastest part of the track where cars reach speeds up to 300 km/hour and just steps to the Thunder Alley beer garden and Thunder Stage!

Two Champ Car Paddock passes (value: $50.00)
This is the ‘garage’ area for the Champ Car teams. Get up close to the new Panoz DP01 race cars and the drivers and teams.

Two tickets to the Steelback “Qualifying After Party” (value: $40.00)
Happening Friday and Saturday in Thunder Alley! The Steelback Beer Garden and Thunder Stage in Thunder Alley is staying open after the gates close and you can only get in with these tickets!

$107.00 (plus service charges) Retail value: $208.00
With service charges the total was $123.50

To order your Club Q Thunder Beach package, call the Steelback Grand Prix Of Toronto customer service at: 416-588-RACE (7223). Refer to promo code: Q107TB

[Mazda_rida]

im coming saturday!!:) good luck guys!

[Myk]

Wow, I just saw this thread now.

Congrats and good luck! Someone going, take a vid camera!

[Mike_Moss]

TODAY we roll in.

TOMORROW we practice.

THIS WEEKEND we RACE!

[Perma]

Good luck!

[Mike_Moss]

Here's a very basic schedule for the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship:

Friday July 6
5:15pm Pre-Gridding
5:45pm – 6:15pm Practice

Saturday July 7
8:20am Pre-Gridding
8:50am – 9:15am Qualifying
5:15pm Pre-Gridding
5:45pm – 6:15pm Race 1 (28 Min + 1 lap)

Sunday July 8
8:00am Pre-Gridding
8:30am – 8:45am Warm Up
4:15pm Pre-Gridding
4:45pm – 5:15pm Race 2 (28 Min + 1 lap)

I included when we'll be Pre-Gridding as this will be a great time to see all the cars (they're to file out of the paddock and then move onto the grid location in the pits - excellent photo/video opportunity!

[rowan]

Awesome guys .. good luck!

I seem to remember when I went with Simon years ago that the stands cleared out pretty quick after the main event. So ... maybe if I just get a general admission pass I'll be lucky and get a spot in the silver grandstands :)

[Scooter]

Good luck guys!

[Myk]

http://www.touringcar.ca/briansibbitt.htm

I guess they don't televise these events?

Good Luck Guys!!

[raghtal]

Hey, a fellow Waterloo grad too!

Best of luck guys!

[Logan]

Today was a successful and eventful day for the Sibbitt Motorsports team! With a thoroughly prepared car, we are attacking the Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto! At the conclusion of today's Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship practice, a number of teams did not fare well when faced with the challenge of racing within the tight confines of concrete barriers... however the team made the best use of the available practice time to further dial in the car and heading into tomorrow mornings 8:45 AM qualifying session, we are 2nd in class and 24th overall in a field of 50 cars!! The Protege5 is running in top form and is ready for the rest of the weekend!

We hope to see all of you that are able to come to the event. We are located in the Direct Energy Centre building, in the north east section. Head past all the ricers in the middle to see the REAL cars!

[CustomsChris]

I'm heading up there tomorrow, wont be able to make it in time for your first practice, but I'll be there for the race. I'm going to try my best to stop by your area before the race. Good luck guys.

[Logan]

Saturday update!
Sibbitt Motorsports advances 6 positions during Saturday Race!!!

Due to a few unfortuneate incidents during Saturday morning qualifying, we were unable to set a time better than the one from our Friday practice, therefore we started in 12th position, 40th overall when the race began. Some tough competition, lots of "action" between other cars, and taking advantage of yellow flags, Brian was able to advance 6 positions and finished in 6th place in touring class, and 24th overall.
Sunday race starting positions are based on Saturday finishing order, so we have a very good opportunity to move ahead even more during the action!!

We are preparing the car for the grueling heat forecast for tomorrow, which is tough on both the driver and the car. It's going to be fun fun fun!!

[Spyder01]

Awsome news! Thanks for the update!

[Sky_high]

Good luck tomorrow guys!

[Matty4u]

Niiceee work guyss

[dead_cactus]

Awesome..I was there today but didnt get a chance to stop by, I will try and stop by today.

[midnitehour]

nice. best of luck..

[Mazda_rida]

how did you guys do!!!?

[Logan]

Sunday Update!

Sibbitt Motorsports conquers The Steelback Grand Prix of Toronto!

The starting order for Sunday's race was based on the finishing order of Saturday's race. Therefore Sibbitt Motorsports was placed 24th on the grid overall, and 6th in class.
It was a very interesting day, some work was done to the car in the morning to better prepare it for the afternoon event, and the whole team was paying very close attention to the weather and the forecast for the afternoon. As the hours and minutes rolled by, there was a lot of discussion regarding tire choice and suspension settings. The team is prepared for any weather that could be encountered, with full sets of "dry", "intermediate" and "wet" tires.
When it came time for our scheduled fueling, it was raining, but not as heavy as it had been. The car was taken outside to the fueling area and the correct amount of fuel was added to the tank.
The car was then positioned on jackstands with the wheels removed, and the full selection of tires was prepared for a last minute selection and installation on the car just before gridding.
The race was to take place after the Speed World Challenge Touring Car race, but before the Speed World Challenge GT race, at 4:45 to 5:15.
During the Speed Touring car race, it was raining but not very hard, and we made our decision to use the set of intermediate tires that were installed on the car and then we rolled to our grid position.
The race started right on time, and immediately there was an incident in corner #2 by some of the cars at the front of the pack. When Brian reached the incident the track was blocked and he picked a car to follow through the action once it cleared, only that was stayed blocked longer and cars filed through the action on the other side. Brian lost a few positions!!
There were a few other incidents on track which brought out full course yellow for approximately 10 minutes of the race. The weather had cleared up though during the race so far, and it looked like rain was not going to be a factor after all. After the green flag waved the second time, Brian fought hard to pass the slower cars that snuck by him in corner #2 and regain his position.
As the end of the race drew near, it became certain that there would be no rain. However, Brian had made up most of his lost positions even on the slower "intermediate" tires, which were getting slippery from the excess heat generated by using them instead of the shaved "dry" tires.
As the race ended, the clouds were rolling in, but not soon enough. Brian finished in 24th place overall, just where he started, and 7th in class, as there was not quite enough time to catch the last of the cars that managed to pass during the corner #2 melee.

The day ended with a VERY happy team packing up and beginning to prepare for the next race!!

Thanks to all of you that managed to drop in and visit during the weekend. It was great to see some familiar faces! We appreciate your support!

[Mazda_rida]

SWEET not bad AT ALL!!! good job guys and i know you guys will get better as the races go on! any pics?

[tiwing]

right on team!!! thanks for the update, and congrats on an accident free and full race weekend! Glad to hear no mechanical failures, and obviously some excellent driving by Brian, and some awesome car prep by the grease monkeys :p. Congratulations!!!!!

[Pro2nr]

congrats guys. even tracy couldn't hold it together for one lap.

[Scooter]

Good work guys

[Perma]

Awesome stuff, guys!

[midnitehour]

good stuff... nice to know you and your car made it to 6rh.. congrats.

[thekid]

I just wanted to pop on to the board for a few minutes (before I get swamped at work today), to say thank you to all of the folks that stopped by our paddock to say hi, and to everyone that came to watch us race.

I had an amazing time, even if it was stressful at times. We were simply elated with the results of the race, as we escaped without so much as a scratch and so many other cars can't say the same. When you're an unsponsored team this means a lot!

Now most importantly, a HUGE thanks goes out to the crew, without them this weekend and this result would not have been possible. So a big thanks to Doug Logan, Mike Moschella, Dave Sibbitt, and Simon Sherman for all there help this weekend, and the many weekends over the past 6 months leading up to this event!

[Sky_high]

Awesome news guys! I'm sure the whole TOProtege community is very proud of what Sibbitt Motorsports accomplished this weekend.

[Mike_Moss]

What an amazing weekend!

Sibbitt Motorsports is in the best shape yet and on top of their game - look out! :)

The photos and videos are still rolling in, but here's some preliminary shots I've found on PhotoBucket:
http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/EdMercer/Toronto%20Grand%20Prix%201/DSC_5211.jpg

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/aa175/EdMercer/Toronto%20Grand%20Prix%201/DSC_5175.jpg

A video of Sasha Anis; Brian was in front of him for this lap so there are a few shots of Brian as well - proof he was there!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlA1_0Ci1Uw

Of course, there will be more!

[MS MSP]

Congrats guys, keep up the good work!

[macklum]

Good to see that everything went well for the weekend

[thekid]

A few more pics from Friday's Practice (courtesy of Tanney Photography):
Corner 10 Pics:
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10007-1/IMG_2121.jpg

http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10011-1/IMG_2199.jpg

http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10027-1/IMG_2290.jpg

The Crew after Practice:
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10035-1/IMG_2379.JPG

[Myk]

^^^awesome Pics!

[midnitehour]

last pic looks like it's out of a movie..

[thekid]

A few more pics from the same photographer from before (Tanney Photography),
From Saturday's Qualifying:
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10077-1/IMG_2566.jpg
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10095-1/IMG_2727.jpg

From Saturday's Race:
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10331-1/IMG_3718.jpg
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10375-1/IMG_3809.jpg
http://www.tanneymotorsport.com/gallery2/d/10399-1/IMG_3834.jpg

[red-i]

awesome pics! so little body roll

[thekid]

^ 600lb and 800lb springs :p

[msequence]

Kool Good job Guys, i saw the P5 all over the track doing its thing. Was a fun event.

Matt