RACE 101 and Premier Driver Whitteker establish surprising schedule; Canadian dirt modified racer to compete at SNMP in RACE 101 house car
March 2, 2012, DENVER, NC – When Canadian racer Luke Whitteker was named RACE 101’s Premier Driver last month many questions remained unanswered. For the first time in the program’s brief history a dirt racer was given the school’s top honor.
In past years the Premier Driver competed in the house super late model, but the primary goal is to providehim opportunity to gain experience and notoriety while remaining competitive. After contemplating the notion of racing a dirt modified under RACE 101, everyone agreed on the same plan.
“We discussed the potential of putting together a dirt car to race up north with Luke,” said RACE 101 Founder Tony Blanchard. “Instead we’re going to bring him to North Carolina and try to win at Southern National. We believe we have a solid plan worked out.”
“I’m excited for the opportunity to race with Tony,” said Whitteker. “The super late model is a big change from what I’m used to, but I know I have the right team. I plan on showing how versatile I am as a driver.”
The group will tentatively test when Whitteker finishes his semester of university in Ottawa, Ontario. Fellow RACE 101 graduate and now employee of the school Trevor Sanborn will serve as coach and crew member for the team.
“Trevor knows these cars as well as anyone,” said Whitteker. “He’s going to be a great asset to helping me race for wins at Kenly.”
Sanborn will tentatively race the house car in the first three SNMP Super Series races, and Whitteker will get behind the wheel for the final three events.
“I’m confident that Trevor and I can dial the car in while we get Luke comfortable in his test sessions,” said Blanchard. “We have no intentions of putting a race car on the track unless we’re there to challenge for the win. Luke is capable of doing it.”
While Whitteker may be capable behind the wheel it is a gruelling schedule. The Ontario teenager will race in Granby, Quebec, on Friday and then travel to North Carolina to compete at SNMP on Saturday before returning to Ontario to race Sunday at Cornwall Speedway. The travel is approximately 1,000 miles each way.
“I’m not concerned about the travel,” said Whitteker. “This is the opportunity I worked for, and I plan on making my fellow RACE 101 graduates proud. I’m more concerned about what Tony is going to think when I find a place on the race car for the Canadian flag and say ‘eh’ on the radio too much. I’m not sure if he speaks Canadian.”
For more information on RACE 101 visit www.race101.net. For interview requests, or for any information not found on the website please send inquiries to adamrossenterprises@gmail.com.
- 30 -
Contact: Adam Ross
Media Relations, RACE 101
519-212-8632
Follow and connect with us!
