From Angelle Sampey
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Angelle Sampey, who is the winningest female in professional motorsports history, is hanging up her helmet and leathers as she announces her retirement as a professional drag racer.
Sampey, who totaled 41 victories during a 13-year NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle career, said she's planning to pursue other career opportunities while looking to start a family with her fiancé, Seth Drago.
"I'm ready for a new challenge, including opening Coral Fever, a store specializing in fish, coral and aquariums," said the 39-year-old. "I made the ultimate sacrifice to postpone starting a family when I began racing. Now, I'm going to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop racing to get married (in June) and then try and start a family."
The Louisiana native made her NHRA debut in 1996 at Bandimere Speedway outside of Denver and immediately raised eyebrows by advancing to the semifinals. She recorded her first win in her first final round later that season at Reading, PA in the fourth event of her career.
"I will take away so many great memories from racing," she said. "I'm certainly going to miss being around my fellow racers and, of course, the fans. I really enjoyed meeting the fans at every race. They were always there for me through the good times and the bad times."
To be sure, Sampey did not experience many bad times since '96. In fact, she captured three world championships and banked 18 wins between 2000 and 2002.
"Obviously, that was an extraordinarily exciting time period," she offered. "I never imagined I could have that kind of success. I was very fortunate to be surrounded by a lot of talented people including George Bryce (her crew chief during each championship season)."
It was in 2001 when Sampey became the winningest female in NHRA history, moving past Shirley Muldowney on the list. She went on to pocket seven wins that season which remains the most wins ever recorded in a single season by a female competitor in NHRA history.
Perhaps, the one mark Sampey wishes she could have broken before exiting the sport was the most wins in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class - 45 - as established by the late Dave Schultz.
"That's probably true," she said. "I clearly could've hung around just to try and break that record. But, as I stated, it's time for a change."
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Sampey retires from drag racing
Harley-Davidson gala in Toronto
From Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada
CONCORD, ON ─ Women who want to support a great cause and rock their glam will gather at the second annual Precious Metal Gala to raise funds for Rethink Breast Cancer.
Combining entertainment with an innovative and interactive way to learn about motorcycling, the Canadian Harley-Davidson hosted event will take place at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto's Distillery District on Tuesday, May 11, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The Precious Metal Gala marks the closing of a series of successful Garage Party events hosted by over 60 authorized Canadian Harley-Davidson retailers across Canada, designed to provide women with the confidence to get into the sport of motorcycling. Recent numbers show that 13.4 per cent of Harley-Davidson sales have been to women, supporting the idea that they are as adventurous and adrenaline-seeking as their male counterparts.
The ultimate 'girls’ night out' will see an all-female guest list walk the pink carpet, including CEOs, tastemakers, and talent.
Karen Davidson, the fashion icon and great-granddaughter of the Company’s co-founder William A. Davidson, will be in attendance at the event. Billie Holiday, morning host at Virgin Radio, will emcee the event and welcome ladies as they enter the stylishly themed venue.
This decadent Biker Chic-themed party will include hair and makeup stations to prepare babes for an action-style biker photo shoot on a new 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a chance to browse the Precious Closet featuring the new Harley-Davidson Pink Label collection, the opportunity to learn about how to get your motorcycle licence, and the very popular motorcycle lift, where women learn the technique of effortlessly picking up a bike from the ground. All of this, plus a silent auction, tasty hors d’œuvres, and drinks, will help in achieving the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada goal of raising $15,000 for Rethink Breast Cancer.
“Our inspiration for this campaign is to show women they can do anything they set their minds to. Riding a Harley motorcycle is an exhilarating activity that makes women feel strong, confident, and excited,” said Don James, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada. “Through the Precious Metal Gala, we are supporting our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who are fighting breast cancer, as well as introducing women to motorcycling – it’s the perfect combination, as each involves people with great strength and spirit.”
Women across Canada can now enter to win two VIP tickets to the Precious Metal Gala, a biker-style makeover including a shopping spree at a Harley-Davidson Retail Store, a one-on-one image consultation including full hair and makeup from Your Shop Girl, and a complementary beginner’s rider training course. For more details, go to www.garageparty.ca.
Tickets to the Precious Metal Gala will be available for purchase by the public for $75 beginning Monday, March 15, at www.garageparty.ca.
CONCORD, ON ─ Women who want to support a great cause and rock their glam will gather at the second annual Precious Metal Gala to raise funds for Rethink Breast Cancer.
Combining entertainment with an innovative and interactive way to learn about motorcycling, the Canadian Harley-Davidson hosted event will take place at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto's Distillery District on Tuesday, May 11, from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The Precious Metal Gala marks the closing of a series of successful Garage Party events hosted by over 60 authorized Canadian Harley-Davidson retailers across Canada, designed to provide women with the confidence to get into the sport of motorcycling. Recent numbers show that 13.4 per cent of Harley-Davidson sales have been to women, supporting the idea that they are as adventurous and adrenaline-seeking as their male counterparts.
The ultimate 'girls’ night out' will see an all-female guest list walk the pink carpet, including CEOs, tastemakers, and talent.
Karen Davidson, the fashion icon and great-granddaughter of the Company’s co-founder William A. Davidson, will be in attendance at the event. Billie Holiday, morning host at Virgin Radio, will emcee the event and welcome ladies as they enter the stylishly themed venue.
This decadent Biker Chic-themed party will include hair and makeup stations to prepare babes for an action-style biker photo shoot on a new 2010 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a chance to browse the Precious Closet featuring the new Harley-Davidson Pink Label collection, the opportunity to learn about how to get your motorcycle licence, and the very popular motorcycle lift, where women learn the technique of effortlessly picking up a bike from the ground. All of this, plus a silent auction, tasty hors d’œuvres, and drinks, will help in achieving the Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada goal of raising $15,000 for Rethink Breast Cancer.
“Our inspiration for this campaign is to show women they can do anything they set their minds to. Riding a Harley motorcycle is an exhilarating activity that makes women feel strong, confident, and excited,” said Don James, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada. “Through the Precious Metal Gala, we are supporting our mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who are fighting breast cancer, as well as introducing women to motorcycling – it’s the perfect combination, as each involves people with great strength and spirit.”
Women across Canada can now enter to win two VIP tickets to the Precious Metal Gala, a biker-style makeover including a shopping spree at a Harley-Davidson Retail Store, a one-on-one image consultation including full hair and makeup from Your Shop Girl, and a complementary beginner’s rider training course. For more details, go to www.garageparty.ca.
Tickets to the Precious Metal Gala will be available for purchase by the public for $75 beginning Monday, March 15, at www.garageparty.ca.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Husqvarna Canada expands race team
From Husqvarna Canada
SAINT JOHN, NB – After the successful launch of its race program at the Toronto Motorcycle Show in December, Feeding Performance Inc. and Husqvarna Canada have announced the addition of two up and coming racers to the FP Husqvarna / Zip-Ty Racing Canada team.
Canadian off-road warriors Guy Giroux from Quebec and Marty Halmazna from Alberta will now be joined by young guns Nick and Ryan Graffunder from British Columbia to compete at select events in 2010 including the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) rounds and various regional events across Canada.
As indicated in December, Halmazna also has his sights set on some of the world's most extreme races including a return to the infamous Erzberg Hare Scramble in Austria.
"I am really happy to have brothers Nick and Ryan Graffunder as part of this program," said Marc Coffin, Director of Racing for the FP Husqvarna / Zip-Ty Racing Canada Team. "We felt that it was important to support some young, rising stars that represent the future of this sport and I really wanted to reward riders who have proven that they have the skills and desire to compete at a top level."
Both Ryan and Nick have won regional championships in Western Canada and they contested the new CEC series in 2009 and turned heads with their impressive rides. The brothers both earned top 10 results, with Ryan finishing top five overall in the E2 class and also earning the Inside Motorcycles Top Pro Junior Award for riders under 20 years old.
Team sponsors include Motovan, Rekluse, Ogio, Dragon, Throttle Entertainment, Lime Nine and Zip Ty Racing.
SAINT JOHN, NB – After the successful launch of its race program at the Toronto Motorcycle Show in December, Feeding Performance Inc. and Husqvarna Canada have announced the addition of two up and coming racers to the FP Husqvarna / Zip-Ty Racing Canada team.
Canadian off-road warriors Guy Giroux from Quebec and Marty Halmazna from Alberta will now be joined by young guns Nick and Ryan Graffunder from British Columbia to compete at select events in 2010 including the Canadian Enduro Championship (CEC) rounds and various regional events across Canada.
As indicated in December, Halmazna also has his sights set on some of the world's most extreme races including a return to the infamous Erzberg Hare Scramble in Austria.
"I am really happy to have brothers Nick and Ryan Graffunder as part of this program," said Marc Coffin, Director of Racing for the FP Husqvarna / Zip-Ty Racing Canada Team. "We felt that it was important to support some young, rising stars that represent the future of this sport and I really wanted to reward riders who have proven that they have the skills and desire to compete at a top level."
Both Ryan and Nick have won regional championships in Western Canada and they contested the new CEC series in 2009 and turned heads with their impressive rides. The brothers both earned top 10 results, with Ryan finishing top five overall in the E2 class and also earning the Inside Motorcycles Top Pro Junior Award for riders under 20 years old.
Team sponsors include Motovan, Rekluse, Ogio, Dragon, Throttle Entertainment, Lime Nine and Zip Ty Racing.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Szoke partners with Sunstar
From Sunstar
FRANKLIN, OH -- Sunstar has announced the addition of four-time defending Canadian Superbike and Pro Sport Bike class champion Jordan Szoke to its 2010 race team line up.
Szoke will compete this year aboard the Honda CBR1000RR in the Superbike division and 600RR in the Pro Sport Bike class on the Waznie Racing Honda team. Jordan will be riding alongside his teammate and wife, Amy Szoke, who has racing experience in both Canada and the United States.
“In a time of struggle for companies around the world, it is great to see Sunstar committed to the future and support of the sport. I know we will continue on our winning ways together,” said Jordan.
Waznie Racing Honda will use Sunstar Works Triplestar 520 conversion road race rear sprockets and Powerdrive countershaft sprockets throughout the season.
For more information on Sunstar, please visit www.sunstar-mc.com.
Parts Canada backs Welsh and Schouten
From Parts Canada
LONDON, ON - Parts Canada has announced its support of Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team's Alex Welsh and Kawasaki-sponsored rider Vicki Schouten for the upcoming season of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
Welsh, a promising talent in Canadian road racing, is not unfamiliar with taking the podium after receiving the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award and having several top three finishes in 2009 in the Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes.
Riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Welsh will be a tough competitor in Canadian Superbike racing in 2010 and Parts Canada is proud to be involved with such a talented force.
“Alex has shown great talent and exemplary sportsmanship in previous years and we’re happy to be supporting his efforts this season," said Parts Canada CEO James Danyluk.
In addition to receiving the #1 plate in the Women’s Cup Challenge in 2009 Schouten, with only four seasons of road racing behind her, raced to a respectful third place finish in the Armour Bodies Amateur Sport Bike Championship.
Schouten is an excellent role model off the track and has proven herself to be a serious competitor on the bike. She brings tremendous spirit and professionalism to the sport and Parts Canada is excited to be part of her 2010 season of the Pro Sportbike and Superbike National Championships.
LONDON, ON - Parts Canada has announced its support of Competition Systems Kawasaki Race Team's Alex Welsh and Kawasaki-sponsored rider Vicki Schouten for the upcoming season of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.
Welsh, a promising talent in Canadian road racing, is not unfamiliar with taking the podium after receiving the 2008 HJC Pro Rookie of the Year award and having several top three finishes in 2009 in the Superbike and Pro Sport Bike classes.
Riding the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Welsh will be a tough competitor in Canadian Superbike racing in 2010 and Parts Canada is proud to be involved with such a talented force.
“Alex has shown great talent and exemplary sportsmanship in previous years and we’re happy to be supporting his efforts this season," said Parts Canada CEO James Danyluk.
In addition to receiving the #1 plate in the Women’s Cup Challenge in 2009 Schouten, with only four seasons of road racing behind her, raced to a respectful third place finish in the Armour Bodies Amateur Sport Bike Championship.
Schouten is an excellent role model off the track and has proven herself to be a serious competitor on the bike. She brings tremendous spirit and professionalism to the sport and Parts Canada is excited to be part of her 2010 season of the Pro Sportbike and Superbike National Championships.
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