Race 101 - News

COMPLETE TRANSCRIPT OF RACE 101'S LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCMENT HOSTED BY ADAM ROSS, RACE 101 MEDIA DIRECTOR:

Good morning and welcome.

It's my pleasure to be here today at the Homewood Suites in Charlotte, North Carolina. I'd like to welcome our guests in attendance this morning and also our friends and supporters watching live via internet.

My name is Adam Ross, and I'm the media director with RACE 101. We're thrilled to be here to introduce the RACE 101 program, and most importantly to introduce the inaugural class of students in RACE 101.

The concept began as a vision. Tony Blanchard has spent years as a successful crew chief specializing as a mentor to young and talented race car drivers. His passion is helping young drivers get the most from their talent and giving them the tools to succeed.

While explaining in a seminar the downfalls of driver development Tony was asked how he would create a driver development program given the chance.

It was a fairly simple question, and it lead to months of brainstorming and networking, team building, and taking steps to make his vision a reality.

The result is the RACE 101 program we will introduce today. A program that focuses on education rather than development. We believe that without the right tools and knowledge and process a driver can't develop. Our goal is to share those tools and educate young racers, and that will lead to their proper development.

At this time I'd like to welcome Tony Blanchard to say a few words.

Race 101's founder and president, Tony Blanchard addresses the media and press conference attendees.

ADAM ROSS CONTINUES:

RACE 101 is an acronym. Research, Analyze, Consult, and Educate, 1 on 1.

The application process was a difficult one. Hundreds of applications arrived. The RACE 101 team examined the applications, conducted interviews, and the students were chosen based on their passion for racing, their character, and their willingness and desire to learn and better themselves as racers.

We've waited long enough. It's time to welcome the inaugural RACE 101 class. Like typical race car drivers, everyone wanted to be first. In alphabetical order let's welcome our students.

Our first student comes from Brockville, Ontario, Canada. The 16 year old recently enjoyed the biggest win of his career at the New York State Fairgrounds at Super DIRT Week in the Sportsman division. In 2010 he'll compete in a 358 modified on dirt. Matt Billings.

Windham, Maine, is home for our next driver. He started racing in karts, and moved up to legends cars with great success. In 2010 he'll make his racing home at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in a Sports Series car. Charlie Buxton.

Next up is a third generation racer from Sherrils Ford, North Carolina. Like many of our students he started in karts before moving up to late models where he races locally in North Carolina. The 18 year old and his father built their car from the ground up, and he takes great pride in continuing to learn about his race car. Travis Byrd.

From North Carolina we go to all the way to Naples, Florida. This 16 year old competes in late models at Charlotte County Motorsports Park. One of the things impressive about this driver was how he handled adversity. After crashing his car and being unable to make repairs, he decided to dust off his go kart so he could continue being racing something competitively. Michael Cenzi.

Our next driver races on both dirt and asphalt. He's 16 years old, and he comes from Canisteo, New York. He competes in the competitve BRP late model series at various speedways, and he runs his family owned dirt late model. He won two feature events in his rookie season. Bryce Davis.

Our next driver recently relocated from Shepherdsville Kentucky to Sherrils Ford, North Carolina. The 17 year old has aspirations of following in his father's footsteps to compete in one of NASCAR's touring series. In 2010 he'll compete in an asphat modified. Trevor Edwards.

Our lone female student joins us from Montverde, Florida. She races a 360 cubic inch sprint car on asphalt and dirt, and the 16 year old be leaving to compete in her season opener tomorrow in florida. Weather permitting. Her racign achievements are impressive, but so are her extra curricular activities. She's involved with the special olympics, and she also gives speeches with her race car at schools to talk about vehicle safety. Amanda Ferguson.

We head back to New York for our next driver. The 18 year old is a dirt modified driver from Altamont, New York. He races at the famed Fonda Speedway. He's moved up the ranks quickly taking rookie of the year honors two years in a row in different divisions. Howard Gage.

Atchison, Kansas, is the home for our next driver. He competes in the grand national division which is similar to a limited late model. His career got off to a rocky start for the 18 year old. In his first outing he tagged the wall nearly head on and flipped causing extensive damage. That wasn't enough to keep him down. Clearly his football backgruond taught him how to take a hit and carry on. J Patrick Genail.

This driver moved across the country to Texas to Mooresville, North Carolina to advance his racing career in 2007. The 17 year old was in a go kart by the time he was five, and at 13 he raced a full sized monte carlo at his local speedway. He spends as much tiem as he can working on his race car and learning all he can. They call him John John. John Jones.

At 19 years old this is our senior member of the RACE 101 class of 2010. He comes from Port Colborne, Ontario, where he will compete in the competitive dirt sportsman division. While racing go karts to start his career he also crewed on a championship dirt modified learnign al he could about the race cars. At a young age he's done some impressive things in racing including a "salute to the troops" car he debuted with great appreciation in 2009. Adam Leslie.

Our next driver works hard to compete at his local Langley Speedway, in Langley, Virginia. He's 17 years old, and like all of our students gives his family great credit in helping him form his racing career. He hopes to race the full year in 2010 budget permitting, and he looks forward to advancing his racing career as far as it will go. Clifton Savage.

From one coast to the other this driver definitely gets the nod for traveling the furthest. Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada, is home for this second generation talent. He competes at Sun Valley Speedway, he works on his dad's NASCAR Canadian Tire Series car, and he enjoys alot of sports as well. He plans to study engineering after completing his senior year ni high school this year, and he's 17 years old. Ryley Seibert.

At 16 years old this driver has experienced alot of success in a young career. Stayner, Ontario is home for this late model talent. In fact he'll leave North Carolina after the press conference and travel to Florida where he'll compete in Speedweeks at New Smyrna, Florida. His family has a strong background in racing with his grandfather, father, and uncle involved in the sport, so it was no surprise that he would do the same. Brandon Watson.

We saved our most special announcement for last. The goal for all of our racers is to advance themselves in the motorsports industry. One driver - the driver we feel exemplifies the core values of the RACE 101 program will earn a seat in the house car and be designated our RACE 101 premier driver.

For 2010 we selected our premier driver based on work he's done in the past with Tony Blanchard as a mentor. He embodies the principles of RACE 101, and he's proven himself as a tremendous learner.

In his first outing in a super late model, he turned alot of heads by setting fast time and winning an event at Newport Speedway in Tenessee against stiff competition.

For 2010 he will drive the RACE 101 Chevrolet Super Late Model sponsored by American Mountain Rentalsin the PASS south series crew chiefed and mentored by Tony Blanchard.

He's from Sevierville, Tennessee, and he's 14 years old. Dylan Presnell.

Race 101 Premier Driver Dylan Presnell and his dad, Ken at the conference.

Click here to view the live comments from viewers.

The day is fast approaching, and you are cordially invited to attend a press conference to introduce RACE 101’s Inaugural Class of 2010 racing scholarship students. These special students were chosen from applications submitted from all over the US and Canada, from various divisions of racing. We hope the media will offer coverage to the new program designed to assist and educate aspiring race car drivers looking to reach the upper levels of our sport.

The RACE 101 press conference will be held on Friday, January 29th, at 11:00 a.m., in the dining lodge of the Homewood Suites by Hilton on 8340 North Tryon Street in Charlotte, North Carolina. For those unable to attend in person the press conference will be streamed live on on our website, www.RACE101.net.

We request that you respond by e-mail to pr101@race101.net whether you plan to attend or not, and whether your attendance will be online or live. Following the press conference there will be a Meet and Greet session with the drivers and staff of RACE 101 along with a photo opportunity.

Individual interviews will be arranged both live, online, or by phone immediately following the Meet and Greet. A light lunch will be served.

For more information on RACE 101, please contact Adam Ross at (519)212-8632 or adam@race101.net; Tony Blanchard at (704) 489-4054 or tonyb@race101.net; or Anna-Marie Strawhand at (757)689-3171 or pr101@race101.net.

DENVER, NORTH CAROLINA, January 13, 2010 –Veteran crew chief and RACE 101 founder Tony Blanchard will conduct the Tony Blanchard RACE 101 New England Chassis Seminar on March 6, 2010, in Auburn, New Hampshire.
The chassis expert is best known for helping launch the career of Joey Logano as crew chief with Joe Gibbs USAR Pro Cup series team. Blanchard’s seminar will focus on front end geometry, chassis set-up, springs, shocks, bump steer, bump stop and race car balance.
“We’re going to squeeze a great deal of information into one day of learning,” says Blanchard. “Anyone who attends will be able to take some piece of knowledge that will help them with their racing program.”
Blanchard recently launched a year-long educational program for aspiring racers called RACE 101. An acronym meaning “Research, Analyze, Consult, Educate, 1 On 1” RACE 101 is focused on educating racers in their area of need.
The series of seminars and webinars is geared at educating teams and racers in a more feasible one-day setting with opportunities for questions and answers. Blanchard will demonstrate his shock dyno and spring rater, and the curriculum will be focused on the needs of the attendees. A common theme of all of Blanchard’s seminars is getting the most out of a racing budget.
The seminar will start at 9 a.m. on March 6 in Auburn New Hampshire. For more information, contact Tom Netishen at (603) 203-0945, thomasjnetishen@yahoo.com or go to www.race101.net.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Adam Ross
RACE 101 Canada
Tel: 519-212-8632
adam@race101.net

DENVER, NORTH CAROLINA, January 13, 2010 – RACE 101 announced today that DIRT sportsman racer Matt Billings is its first Canadian scholarship winner.
An acronym for Research, Analyze, Consult, Educate 1 on 1 – RACE 101 was founded by successful crew chief Tony Blanchard. The one-year program is designed for short track racers looking to further their careers in motorsports through education.
“I can’t wait to start the program,” said Billings. “I look forward to learning more about the industry when I go to North Carolina. This is a big opportunity for me to reach the next level.”
The classes focus on the mechanics of a race car, communication with the crew chief, and public relations and image as core areas. Seat time in one of RACE 101’s house cars will accompany the classroom education. Blanchard – best known for his work with NASCAR Sprint Cup racer Joey Logano as crew chief for Joe Gibbs Racing in the USAR Pro Cup Series – focuses on quality rather than quantity.
“We carefully selected the scholarship winners based on their passion for racing and their desire to learn,” says Blanchard. “We plan to provide a quality education for these talented drivers. Our mission is to improve the sport of auto racing by educating drivers in their areas of need.”
The entire 2010 class will be announced on January 29th, with an 11 a.m. press conference from Charlotte, North Carolina. The conference will be streamed live at Race101.net along with various media outlets carrying the presentation.
“Matt Billings represents everything we’re looking for in a driver,” says RACE 101 Canadian representative Adam Ross. “At just 16 years old he has a great deal of maturity combined with youthful enthusiasm. He is an ideal match for RACE 101.”
Five Canadians will be introduced on January 29th in the inaugural class of 20 students.
“There’s a great deal of talent north of the border,” says Blanchard. “Canada has produced great racers, and we will help our students achieve their goals in motorsports.”
For more information on RACE 101, contact Adam Ross at (519) 212-8632 or visit Race101.net.

Dylan Presnell Scores Win in Race 101 Super Late Model Program Car at Newport, TN

Denver, NC - Fourteen year old Dylan Presnell of Sevierville, TN set fast time at Newport Speedway Saturday night and won the 75 lap feature event in the Race 101 program car led by crew-chief and driving coach Tony Blanchard, owner of RACE 101. This would mark the first time Dylan was ever in a super late model race car. Dylan was looking to make a successful transition from his own late model stock car into the ultra-fast super late model, and he did just that.

Tony Blanchard is known for coaching young drivers and helping them with transitions into different race cars. Blanchard had worked with Dylan before, just one time last year. Dylan liked working with Tony and the the two worked together again last weekend in Dylan's family owned #83 late model stock car at Newport, with setting fast time and nearly winning the race before getting caught up in oil on the track. Tony suggested that Dylan try racing a super late model, and get the feel and experience of that type of car. After discussing options with Dylan and his family, Blanchard would bring his RACE 101 super late model to TN for Dylan to test that next Friday; and based on his comfort level and performance they would race him in the super late model event on Saturday at Newport in the RACE 101 program car. The test went well, and the decision was made for Dylan to race the car on Saturday.

Saturday started out with good lap times in practice with Tony and Dylan making steady adjustments to the car. Dylan went out and qualified at a 12.56 second lap, setting fast time. This was impressive since the average speed for the pole at Newport is 12.8 seconds. Dylan started third in the 75 lap feature with an inverted start; racing with against dueling champions who started in front of him, for the first time ever. Blanchard was on the radio with Dylan the entire time, coaching him to save his tires and wait for the right opportunity to take the lead. When that opportunity came it was in spectacular style, with Dylan going for an opening on the bottom, when the leader tried to go high around a lap car -- making it three wide for the pass. Dylan took the lead and never looked back. The fans at Newport were on their feet as the personable and popular young driver passed and out-ran the track's super late model top championship contenders. Needless to say, Victory Lane for Dylan was quite a celebration and the Newport fans enjoyed a great show.

"I told Dylan to be patient, stay calm and save his tires, and he listened." Says Blanchard. "For only 14 years old he showed alot of maturity and you don't usually get that from a young driver. I knew we had a good car, and Dylan just had to trust me. He did a great job and I am looking forward to working with him more."

Dylan was was excited about his win, but also looked at it as a great learning experience. "I had planned on someday soon getting into a super late model, and this opportunity came up with Tony and I knew if I was going to make the transition, I would be in good hands." He continues, "Tony is very calm, patient and steady on the radio, and that really helped me. I had to get used to the difference with these cars, because you can definitely drive them into the corner harder and they respond faster off the corner. Tony coached me on my line, throttle control and saving my tires. He made the transition very easy on me and I was so glad that I could win for him in his car--especially since it's his birthday on Sunday."

Dylan will now be part of the RACE 101 program. He has been added to the roster of drivers that are currently working with Tony Blanchard and the RACE 101 program and race cars. Blanchard will be working with Dylan in all cars that he drives, as a driving coach and possibly with another run in the RACE 101 late model.

"I was a little worried about Dylan getting into a super late model," Says Ken Presnell (Dylan's father). These cars are so much faster than the late model stocks, especially at Newport. But after testing with Tony on Friday, and seeing how he and Dylan worked so well together, along with Dylan's confidence in the car and himself, I felt better about him racing the next day." He continues, "As a parent of a driver you are looking at alot of things- the safety, the speed, and the overall quality of the equipment and people that you put your trust in to work with your kids --- after this weekend with Tony and the Race 101 car, we feel we could not have picked a better person or program for Dylan."

Dylan is looking forward to working with Blanchard and Race 101 in the future. "As you move up the ranks, going from car to car there is always that transition period from small car, to big car, and then different types of late models. It's good to have an experienced coach like Tony to help you make these transitions. We communicate really good, and he keeps me calm and patient. He helps with your confidence and comfort level in the car, so this is very good for me at this point in my career. I hope to be able to drive the Race 101 super late model again really soon, it's a good race car. Even though it's Tony's car, he works side by side with your team members and crew, too. We all worked really well together. I want to thank Tony for his help and the opportunity to drive the Race 101 car, and I also want to thank my car chief 'Dinky' for being there for my first super late model win at my home track. It was awesome and I hope we can have many more wins together."

Blanchard and RACE 101 want to send out special thanks to RACE 101 partners, McGunegill Engine Performance. "The McGunegill engine was just fantastic on the Newport high banks." Says Blanchard. "I want to give them credit for this win as well for providing us with such high quality engines. We are looking forward to bringing in more wins with McGunegill".

RACE 101 is an educational, coaching and consulting program for race drivers who wish to advance their careers or become a better driver. The program offers a variety of programs and specializes in working with drivers one-on-one. RACE 101 also offers a yearly scholarship program for deserving drivers, and is currently accepting applications for 2010.

RACE 101 Announces Canadian Partnership
Scholarship program to include aspiring Canadian race drivers

Denver, NC…... RACE 101(Research, Analyze, Consult, Educate 1 on 1) is expanding north of the border. The educational program for race drivers, teams, and mechanics has partnered with Canadian motorsports media personality and businessman Adam Ross to create Race 101 Canada. The program offers racing scholarships for aspiring race drivers that wish to advance their careers.
Tony Blanchard is the Owner and President of RACE 101. He is especially well known for his work with Joey Logano as crew chief for Joe Gibbs Development in the USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series. Blanchard’s principle for Race 101 is quality, not quantity. He plans to work yearly with selected drivers, and give them each 'one on one' attention.

Blanchard's mission is to improve the sport of auto racing across the board by educating drivers in their area of need. Blanchard wants to make it clear that this scholarship program is not based on a driver’s financial status, and it is not a ‘driver development’ program.

“We do not promise any stardom in racing,” Says Blanchard. “We are here to educate, plain and simple. You cannot build a driver by renting a car a showing up at the track. One on one mentoring is crucial to a driver’s success. With this program the drivers will get that mentoring.” He continues, “We also work with the parents of the younger drivers so they fully understand what to realistically expect for their kids from the sport.”

Race 101 management recognizes a great deal of talent in Canada. The partnership with Ross will help introduce the program to deserving Canadian drivers creating opportunities that previously did not exist. Adam Ross is the voice of the Nascar Canadian Tire Series, and he is co-owner of motorsports businesses Dirt Track Digest and Stealth Racewear.

“It’s exciting to introduce this program to Canadians,” says Ross. “I have never seen anyone with Tony’s passion for discovering talent and developing their ability to advance. The program makes sense, and any young aspiring driver will benefit from Race 101.”

Drivers can apply online, and ten final scholarship recipients will be awarded a full year with the educational program in 2010, which will include seat time in RACE 101’s super late model program race cars. Out of those ten drivers, one will earn a full season ride in the RACE 101 program car for the 2011 ASA and PASS Series in the US, and at this time RACE 101 is looking at Canadian touring series for a program car.

There is no cost to apply. A total of 20 drivers will be accepted into the program, 10 drivers will be awarded a scholarship that will cover a major portion of the yearly tuition cost. The remaining 10 drivers will have the option to attend the program through paid tuition. Drivers must be between the ages of 12-28, and currently/actively racing for the evaluation process. The scholarship is open to drivers from the Continental U.S. and Canada.

The RACE 101 Driver Scholarship Program currently also has opportunities for Canadian sponsors, partners, and scholarship donors. Current RACE 101 partners include; McGunegill Engine Performance, Stealth Racewear, Dirt Track Digest, SponsorEdge.com, Drive-In Webdesign and Marketing, Innovative Safety Products, Victory Circle Communications, Performance Analysis, Race City Race Cars, and Volusia County Race Cars. Affiliations Include; Hickory Motor Speedway, ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour, PASS North and South Tour, the Annual Driver Advancement Marketing Summit, and the North Carolina Motorsports Association.

The RACE 101 Late model program cars will be utilized as a teaching tool for these students, as well as a venue to represent RACE 101's sponsors and partners. Students will also be learning how to properly represent these sponsors and interact with the media and fans, as well as learning the mechanical and driving side of the program.

“I am really looking forward to finding driving talent in Canada through our scholarship program,” says Blanchard. “I feel RACE 101 can be a groundbreaking program in Canada to mentor and build Canadian drivers who are looking to advance into top US and Canadian racing series. I have raced with the ACT Tour and I know there are some great drivers in Canada that are deserving of bigger opportunities, and we want to help them. I also feel very fortunate to have Adam Ross on board with us. I have my passport, and I am ready to go.”

The RACE 101 Driver Scholarship Program is currently accepting driver applications online through the RACE 101 website. Canadian drivers are encouraged to apply, and the deadline to submit applications is Nov. 1st, 2009.
For more information please visit: race101.net