May 20, 2012 – Bowmanville, Ontario – Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge took to the renovated 2.5 mile road course at the newly named Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for the Vortex Brake Pads 200 this weekend. With the Teams’ primary sponsor on board as the title sponsor of the race, Hathaway and his E.H R. Team 3 Red machine came well prepared from the Team shop in Stouffville and were looking forward to a great race day.

The weekend brought with it some great racing weather with temperatures in the mid 20’s, unlike last season’s race when rain dampened the on track activities.  It was at this race in 2011 that Hathaway had a rear brake line sliced during the event and crashed hard into the corner 2 tire wall at high speed.  Hathaway suffered a broken wrist and thumb that hurt his driving abilities for most of the season.

“It was good to get back here and test during the off season. It helped to work through that 2nd corner and shake the car down.  We are looking forward to a great weekend, with Vortex Brake Pads here as the title sponsor and starting the 2012 race season off at a road course it should be exciting.” Said Hathaway when the team arrived to check out the renovated facility.

The car practiced well and Hathaway was comfortable with his car. Practice Saturday morning put Hathaway 7^th on the speed charts overall and landed him in the fast group of cars for the 30 minute qualifying session later that day.

Hathaway put in a great qualifying effort and recorded the team’s best qualifying effort amongst some of the country’s best road race talent, qualifying 6^th.

The 27 car field took the green flag Sunday afternoon and the action got started early.  Hathaway wrangled through the road course and was sitting in the 2^nd spot when caution came out on lap 18 of the 51 lap event.  Under the direction of Crew Chief Craig Masters and Car Chief Gary Mead, the E.H.R/T3R  pit crew went to work fuelling the car and doing an awesome 4 tire stop.  Hathaway headed back out onto the track in the 12^th spot, but had no problem making way back towards the front.  By lap 30, he was 9^th and by lap 38 had made some awesome passes through corners 5a and 5b to make his way into the 7^th spot.

Hathaway earned his 6^th place making a great move on road course veteran Robin Buck on lap 47 coming onto the front straight away.  Hathaway held onto the spot to cross the finish line with a great 6^th place finish.

“This was a great way to start the season off.” said Hathaway after climbing out of his car.  The facility looks great and the crowd was like nothing we have seen at this track before! We want to thank our sponsor Vortex Brake Pads for sponsoring the race today and it was great to see all of our customers and VIPS in the suite today! The fans got to see a great race and we are pretty excited about our 2012 season.”

Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drink, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon BBQs & Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.

For additional Information please contact:

Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red
905-642-1010
[email protected]

On May 14, 2012, Racetime Radio visited the Ed Hakonson Racing/Team3Red race shop. The broadcast featured driver Jason Hathaway, as well as Team Manager Jamie Hakonson and her father Ed Hakonson. As an added feature, crew chief Craig Masters called in to field some questions.

If you missed it, you can hear the broadcast by clicking on the following link: Listen Now

 2012 Series Opener at the new Canadian Tire Motorsport Park headlines a long weekend packed with live music, fireworks and more…

BOWMANVILLE, Ontario – (May 8, 2012) – On Sunday, May 20 the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series (NCATS) kicks-off the race season at the new Canadian Tire Motorsport Park as part of the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend presented by Castrol Edge. In addition to world class auto racing, the weekend program has something for everyone including camping, fireworks, live bands and so much more.

“We’re thrilled to be marking yet another milestone in our long history of supporting auto racing in Canada this year,” said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice-President, Automotive. “Canadian Tire is excited to host the opening race of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at the newly renamed Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. We are pleased to bring Canadians the best in Canadian auto racing as well as a great entertainment experience for the whole family this Victoria Day weekend.”

In addition to the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series opener, the Vortex Brake Pads 200, and other races taking place during the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend presented by Castrol Edge, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park will have something for the whole family this year:

• Camping: Create a memorable long weekend experience with friends and family in the family camping area or on the general campgrounds at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
• Canadian Tire Fan Zone: Fans will have the chance to gain access to the Canadian Tire Fan Zone where guests can watch the race and receive free snacks and exclusive Canadian Tire swag. A wristband policy is in effect but guests can obtain one by presenting Canadian Tire Money, a Canadian Tire Options Mastercard or a Canadian Tire receipt at the Canadian Tire Hauler in the Paddock area.
• Fireworks Display: When the sun goes down on Saturday, May 19 the sky will be lit by a long weekend fireworks display.
• Live Music: Live bands will be performing Saturday evening leading up to the fireworks and on Saturday and Sunday during the lunch hour.
• Carnival Games: From 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, carnival games for the family will be taking place in the Paddock Area.
• Street Performers: Throughout the weekend street performers will entertain guests in the Paddock Area.
• Win a chance to meet Ron Fellows: Guests can win a chance to meet Ron Fellows and a ‘hot lap’ with the racing legend in his Camaro ZL1

“Whether you’re a racing fan or just looking for a great place to celebrate the unofficial start to summer, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park has something for everyone this May long weekend” said Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. “The Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend kicks off a season full of events featuring some of the biggest names in racing and the entertainment industry.”

As part of further establishing itself as Canada’s automotive authority, Canadian Tire continues to foster the growth of motorsports in Canada. Entering its sixth season, the NCATS will host 12 races from Antigonish, NS, to Vernon, BC. In addition, earlier this year, Canadian Tire announced that 2011 NCATS Champion Scott Steckly will once again be sporting the iconic triangle on the race track.

For more information on the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series please visit
www.nascarlocalracing.com.

For more information on the 2012 Canadian Tire Motorsport Park calendar of events please visit
www.canadiantiremotorsportpark.com.

About Canadian Tire

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a) (TSX: CTC) is one of Canada’s most-shopped general retailers and the country’s largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast. Our primary retail business categories – Automotive, Living, Fixing, Sports, Playing and Apparel – are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as Canadian Tire Home Services, credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance. Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada’s most recognized and trusted brands.

For more information, please contact:

Stephanie Bonk, Canadian Tire
[email protected]
416-480-3649 (office)
416-434-0345 (mobile)

Ryan Chalmers, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
[email protected]
800-866-1072 (office)
905-260-1711 (mobile)

May 3, 2012 – Stouffville, Ontario – As a pre-race event leading up to the season opening NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Jason Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be on display at the Oshawa Centre at 419 King Street in Oshawa starting Thursday May 3, 2012 until Sunday May 6, 2012.

Jason will be on hand Saturday afternoon from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm in the Centre Court at the mall to sign autographs and meet the fans. He will be joined by other drivers from the NCTS as well as the other Series participating in the Victoria Day weekend event on May 18th- 20th.

The Victoria Day race weekend will be topped off for Hathaway as Vortex Brake Pads will be the race sponsor for the Sunday main event- the Vortex Brake Pads 200 at the 3.9 kms road course north of Bowmanville, Ontario.

For the complete schedule and updates visit the team website at www.team3red.com or like us on www.facebook.com/team3red.edhakonsonracing

You can also follow Jason Hathaway and the team on Twitter @JasonHathaway3 and @ehrt3r

Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drink, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon BBQs & Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.

For additional Information please contact:

Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red
905-642-1010
[email protected]

May 2, 2012-Stouffville, Ontario- Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing announced this week that Vortex Brake Pads has extended their long standing agreement with NASCAR Canadian Tire Series team, Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing for a fourth season on the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge driven by Jason Hathaway.

“Vortex Brake Pads had enjoyed a great relationship with Team 3 Red/Ed Hakonson Racing over the past 3 years. They have really helped to launch our brand in Canada and are great marketing partners.” Said Gonzalo Reyes, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Vortex Brake Pads. “We are proud to be once again supporting the team and our own Jason Hathaway for the 2012 season.”

Team owner Ed Hakonson is happy to welcome Vortex Brake Pads back. “We are appreciative of all of the support that Vortex has offered us and we are looking forward to a great season with Jason back behind the wheel healthy after his injury last year.”

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series schedule will take the Team from Vernon, British Columbia to Antigonish, Nova Scotia with 12 stops including 7 oval track races and 5 road course events.

The season will get under way May 18-20, 2012 with the Vortex Brake Pads 200 at the newly named Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. Vortex will host guests from both Canada and the United States to watch the action on the 3.9 km road course north of Bowmanville, Ontario.

For the complete schedule and updates visit the team website at www.team3red.com or Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/team3red.edhakonsonracing

You can also follow Jason Hathaway and the team on Twitter @JasonHathaway3 and @ehrt3r.

About Vortex Brake Pads:  Vortex Brake Pads is a proud Canadian company, manufacturing the highest quality aftermarket brake pads for all automotive segments. Our products are well researched, proven in on track and off track testing and are produced in a high quality manufacturing environment. For more information visit www.vortexbrakes.com

Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drink, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon BBQs & Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking. 

For additional Information please contact:

Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]

     (Bowmanville, ON – March 22, 2012) Canadian Tire Motorsport Park announced today that Vortex® Brake Pads will return as the title sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Series opening round, headlining the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend, May 18-20.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Vortex® Brake Pads as the title sponsor of the exciting NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race on the historic 3.957 km road course on May 20,” said Myles Brandt, President and General Manager of Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.

“This will mark the third consecutive year that the race will be called the Vortex® Brake Pads 200. Having such a reputable auto parts manufacturer return shows their commitment to the track, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the sport as a whole.”

Gonzalo Reyes, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for OE Quality Friction Inc., parent company of Vortex® Brake Pads, agrees.

“The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series is the country’s top stock car championship and features some of the best Canadian racers anywhere including our own Jason Hathaway,” said Reyes.  “We at Vortex® Brake Pads are thrilled to continue sponsoring and be affiliated with the Series and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, one of the crown jewels of racing circuits in North America.”

The NASCAR Canadian Tire Series opening round will see defending Series champion Scott Steckly challenged by last year’s Vortex® Brake Pads 200 winner D.J. Kennington, familiar foes, J.R. Fitzpatrick and Andrew Ranger and many others.

Also in action during the Victoria Day SpeedFest Weekend will be the thundering muscle cars of the Trans-Am Series, the Canadian Touring Car Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Canada, making their first of two trips to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in 2012 and the F1000 Championship Series will make its debut.

The three-day weekend SuperTicket is just $50 until May 16 ($60 at the Gate). Single-day tickets are also available. Each ticket includes parking, access to the race team paddock, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Expo and Marketplace and admission to the Speedway’s Saturday Night Stock Car Racing at the half-mile paved oval located on the grounds. As with all events, children 12 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by a paid adult admission.

 

Camping is a popular part of the experience, with advanced general camping passes just $35 for the weekend when purchased before May 16 (tents or pop-up trailers). Advance RV passes are $55.

For those who would like to get closer to the action, the Grand Prix Club offers a VIP hospitality package which includes a fully catered BBQ lunch, beverages and bar service (beer and wine) on Race Day. The GP Club Chalet tent is located trackside, overlooking the start/finish straight and corner one. Passes are just $100 and are also good for admission to the event on Friday and Saturday.

For more information and to purchase tickets call the Canadian Tire Motorsport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm ET), visit online at www.mosport.com, or email [email protected]

About Vortex® Brake Pads

Vortex® is a leading premium brand of high quality disc brake pads designed specifically for the Canadian automotive, medium and heavy duty truck aftermarket. Proudly built in Canada, by Canadians for Canadians. For more information, please visit, www.vortexbrakes.com

For Immediate Release

NASCARHomeTracks.com Link

Tweet This Release: http://t.co/YIzhOC8F

NASCAR Canadian Tire Series 2012 Schedule Announced

12-Race Slate Includes Return To Edmonton

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 24, 2011) – NASCAR announced today the 2012 schedule for the sixth season of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, which includes many of the top racing facilities throughout Canada.

Next season’s schedule features 12 dates at 12 different tracks across six provinces. The slate includes tracks and events familiar to the series, with Edmonton returning to the schedule after a one-year hiatus.

“The 2012 schedule has a great mix of tracks that will deliver the exciting racing that our Canadian fans have become accustomed,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president, regional and touring series. “Each year with the help from our friends at Canadian Tire, this series continues to grow and evolve. This upcoming season should be the best yet.”

For the first time in series history, on May 20, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series opens its season at the 2.459-mile Mosport International Raceway road course near Bowmanville, Ont.

For the sixth consecutive year, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series will share Montreal’s legendary Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on IÎe Notre Dame with the NASCAR Nationwide Series on Saturday, Aug. 18.

Additionally, in a pairing with the IZOD IndyCar Series, the series returns to Edmonton on the new 2.256-mile Edmonton (Alberta) City Centre Airport course that debuted last year.

Joining the Edmonton event, the annual swing through Western Canada includes two other stops: At Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, B.C., and Auto Clearing Motor Speedway in Saskatoon, Sask.

In what has become a tradition, the season will close with a new champion crowned at Kawartha Speedway, the .375-mile oval near Peterborough, Ont., on Saturday, Sept. 22.

“Canadian Tire has been a proud sponsor of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series since 2006,” said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice-President of Automotive for Canadian Tire. “It’s thrilling to see how the sport of racing has continued to grow over the years alongside the enthusiasm of Canadian racing fans. We’re looking forward to yet another exciting season on the track in 2012.”

Other 2012 highlights include:

·         The 2012 schedule includes races on seven ovals: Auto Clearing, Barrie Speedway, Delaware Speedway, Kawartha, Mosport Speedway, Motoplex and Riverside International Speedway; and five road courses: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Circuit ICAR, Circuit de Trois-Rivieres, Edmonton, and Mosport.

·         On June 2-3, the series returns to Circuit ICAR in Mirabel, Que., for the second straight season.

·         June 16 will be the series’ sixth consecutive year of competing at Mosport Speedway.

·         June 23 will mark the fourth consecutive visit to Delaware (Ont.) Speedway.

·         The wildly popular Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres in Quebec is on tap for Aug. 4-5.

·         The Barrie (Ont.) Speedway date is set for Saturday, Sept. 8. Each of the past five trips to Barrie on this weekend has resulted in overflow crowds.

·         Riverside International Speedway, in Antigonish, hosts the series on Sept. 15. Riverside, with its high-banked turns, is a .333-mile scale version of the legendary Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.

2012 NASCAR CANADIAN TIRE SERIES SCHEDULE

Date	Track (Length)	Location
May 20	Mosport Int’l Raceway (2.459-Mile road course)	Bowmanville, Ont.
June 3	Circuit ICAR (2.113-Mile road course)	Mirabel, Que.
June 16	Mosport Speedway (.5-Mile)	Bowmanville, Ont.
June 23	Delaware Speedway (.5-Mile)	Delaware, Ont.
July 14	Motoplex Speedway (.5-Mile)	Vernon, B. C.
July 22	Edmonton City Centre Airport (2.256-Mile road course)	Edmonton, Alberta
July 25	Auto Clearing Motor Speedway (.333-Mile)	Saskatoon, Sask.
Aug. 5	Circuit de Trois-Rivieres (1.53-Mile road course)	Trois-Rivieres, Que.
Aug. 18	Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (2.71-Mile road course)	Montreal, Que.
Sept. 8	Barrie Speedway (.333-Mile)	Barrie, Ont.
Sept. 15	Riverside Int’l Speedway (.333-Mile)	Antigonish, N. S.
Sept. 22	Kawartha Speedway (.375-Mile)	Fraserville, Ont.

Tentative – Subject to Change

An article was done last week in the Toronto Star by Norris McDonald and it featured the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Year in Review wrap up . The video along with the full wrap up was on TSN this past weekend and is on again today at 8 :30 pm on TSN 2! Check it out!

http://thestar.blogs.com/autoracing/2011/11/best-kept-secret-in-canadian-sports.html

September 24,
2011-Fraserville, Ontario– Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge had high hopes of finishing up the 2011 NASCAR Canadian Tires Series schedule at Kawartha Speedway with a strong showing and capture the highly contested 8^th place in the Driver Points Championship.

The car practiced well and Hathaway was comfortable with his race machine heading into the 250 lap event.  “We like this track and it has been good to us in past years. We are starting from a good spot in the field tonight and we are looking forward to the race tonight!” Said Hathaway during the fan favourite autograph session trackside.

Starting 9^th in the deep 26 car field, in true Hathaway form, Hathaway got to work right away with the drop of
the green flag. By lap 10 Hathaway was already on the move.  On lap 90 Crew Chief Craig Masters brought Hathaway’s race machine to the attention of his over the wall crew; changing left side tires and filling it with race fuel.
Hathaway went back out 15^th on the grid and put the hammer down working his way up the running order and by lap 100 was up to 11^th place.  Hathaway’s car was working well and the Team was looking for a solid finish.

The Teams’ luck took a drastic turn on lap 142 when an accident in corner 2 collected the #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge and forced Hathaway behind the wall for front end repairs. The Team worked feverishly on the car replacing the radiator and the braking system on the car. The Team caught a break when the caution flag flew on the on track activity.  This gave the team some more time to get their job complete. Hathaway rolled back out on the track in only 22 laps and went to task to earn driver points.  Hathaway ran quick laps and made up some
positions, finishing 21^st in the field.  Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/ Rockstar
Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge finished 9^th in the Driver Points Standings.

Hathaway summed up the Team’s night and year. “This is a hard way to finish off this season. The boys really worked
well together tonight and got our repairs done pretty fast.  Their hard work really showed what kind of team we have! This season we have had great cars each and every week and our cars looked great on the track and on the TSN TV coverage. The cars handled well, the crew worked on them to fine tune them and my Crew Chief Craig ran a great box during the race. We ran into some bad racing luck, like everyone has had every once and a while.  After I got my cast off from my hand and wrist injury, our luck turned and Barrie was really a great race to show what we were capable of a team.  Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support this season. It really meant a lot to us.”

The Kawartha 250 will air in a 90-minute special season finale on Saturday October 15 on TSN at 12:30 pm.

  Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.

Photo: Jason Hathaway and his crew
Left to Right & Hometown 
Jason Hathaway ( Driver)- Appin, Ontario
Don Brock (Tire Carrier)-Oshawa, Ontario
Craig Masters (Crew Chief- Tire Changer)-Ingersoll, Ontario
Derek Stone-( Tire Carrier) Buckhorn, Ontario
Phil Arnold( Spotter)- Oshawa, Ontario
Bryan Watts ( Jackman)- Uxbridge, Ontario
Ed Hakonson (Owner)- Stouffville, Ontario
Missing:
Josh Arnold (Tire Changer)- Oshawa, Ontario
Jamie Hakonson (Team Manager)- Uxbridge, Ontario
Rich Hischer (Fuel ) Havelock, Ontario

For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 red
905-642-1010
[email protected]

September 17, 2011 – Antigonish, Nova Scotia – Jason Hathaway, in this #3 Snap on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge took his race machine to the fast high banked 1/3 mile oval at Riverside Speedway hoping to continue the team’s momentum after his 2nd place finish at Barrie Speedway the weekend before.

Hathaway’s car practiced well. The cool weather however played havoc with his qualifying effort posting an 11th place starting spot for the 300 lap race.
“Our car is good and I’m pretty confident about our chances to rally towards the front later today.” said Hathaway during the autograph session trackside before the race.

When the green flag dropped once again Hathaway wasted no time taking his car toward the front. The Team took on fuel on lap 108 and turned Hathaway loose on the field in the 3rd spot. A miscue on pit road pit put Hathaway a lap down to the leaders on the Team’s tire stop on lap 144 As the race unfolded, the field saw long green flag runs without cautions. This prevented Hathaway from getting the lucky dog award and denied him the opportunity to get back on the lead lap. That didn’t deter Hathaway as he raced hard with the cars vying for every position on the track and earned a hard fought 7th place finish in the field. This finish tightened the point’s battle that has ensued between him and Jason White for the 8th spot in the Drivers Points Championship.

“Our car was great tonight, but with the green flags run and being down a lap it was hard to get a run at the leaders. Our car was strong and we could have tangled up at the very fornt for sure if we had been able to catch a caution. The fans here are great every year and the exposure out here is amazing.” Said Hathaway after the grueling 300 lap race.

Jason Hathaway and his #3 Snap-on Tools/Rockstar Energy Drink/Vortex Brake Pads Dodge will be back on track for the season finale on Saturday, September 24th for the Kawartha 250 at the always exciting Kawartha Downs Speedway. The Komatsu 300 will air on TSN on Saturday September 24th at 2:30 pm.

Ed Hakonson Racing is proud to be partnered with Snap-on Tools, Rockstar Energy Drinks, Vortex Brake Pads, Napoleon Grills, Castrol, Fast Eddie Racewear, Choko Motorsports, Praxair and Cathcart Trucking.

For additional Information please contact:
Jamie Hakonson
Ed Hakonson Racing/Team 3 Red
905-642-1010
[email protected]