2012 RACE 101 Awards Gala & Dinner Recorded Broadcast from 2/11/12

 

Watch the entire broadcast from the 2012 RACE 101 Gala Awards Dinner and Graduation Ceremony. Originally streamed LIVE from the LaQuinta Inn and Suites in Hickory, NC on Saturday, February 11th 2012.   The event included the Graduating Class of 2011, plus special awards being presented to students and alumni as well as the naming of the 2012 Premier Driver. Also included is the introduction of the new 2012 class.

RACE 101 Gala and Graduation ceremony just days away; Event to stream live online at www.race101.net

February 7, 2012, DENVER, NC – RACE 101’s inaugural Gala Dinner and Graduation ceremony will be streamed live Saturday night from Hickory, North Carolina. The cybercast can be seen at www.race101.net, and it will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday evening featuring the announcement of 2011’s graduating class along with special award recipients.

For the first time RACE 101 combined the graduation ceremony with the official introduction of the new class.

“It was important to us to combine a number of celebrations into the same event,” said RACE 101  co-founder and instructor Tony Blanchard. “We are honouring our graduates from last year’s class, but we also plan to introduce significant improvements to our program moving forward, and we wanted to include our new group as well.”

The program’s next Premier Driver will be introduced during Saturday’s Gala, and the faculty admits the decision was tough. One student among the graduating class will be named to compete in the RACE 101 Howe super late model for selected events in 2012.

“We learned that there’s no limit to what our students can achieve,” said co-found Anna Marie Strawhand. “They blew us away with their ambition and their ability to make great things happen. We have high expectations of all our graduates, but only one can be named Premier Driver. I’m confident that we made a great choice, and I’m excited to watch what all of our graduates achieve this year.”

Students from across North America attend RACE 101. It’s a program designed to assist young racers in their areas of need as they progress in the sport. The curriculum is balanced between technical understanding of a race car and its dynamics along with the marketing and media relations skills required to be successful.

“The Premier Driver is something every student wants to win,” said co-founder and instructor Adam Ross. “When you put a group of racers together and create a prize they’re going to compete for it. The Premier Driver is really a tool for us to promote the school, and it’s the best way for us to reward excellence. We believe every graduate should be excited for what lies ahead.”

Along with the Premier Driver title the school will name award winners in the categories of mechanical excellence and  marketing excellence along with a few categories that won’t be announced  until Saturday.

“The awards have great meaning to us,” said Blanchard. “We’re going to recognize some fantastic achievements, and we’re going to announce an initiative to keep our past graduates involved with the program. The knowledge we share is meant to help our racers throughout their careers even though the program is a one-year course.”

To stay informed on RACE 101 and its many students and graduates, visit www.race101.net. For interview requests or specific information, please email pr101@race101.net or adamrossenterprises@gmail.com .

RACE 101 kicks off third year announcing diverse group of students; New ‘Premier Driver’ to be named at inaugural Gala Awards Dinner

January 10, 2012, DENVER, NORTH CAROLINA – The inaugural RACE 101 Gala  Awards Dinner in February will feature graduation ceremonies for the class of 2011 along with the introduction of the 2012 class. Graduates are eager to learn who earned the vacant ride in the school’s Howe super late model with the title of Premier Driver.

Thirteen students completed the course in 2011, and they are being replaced by 18 eager racers from five states and two Canadian provinces.

“The selection process was harder this year than ever,” said RACE 101 co-founder and instructor Tony Blanchard. “We had more applicants than last year, and the overall quality of their resumes is impressive.”

RACE 101 welcomes its oldest student yet as 28-year-old Scott Wylie from Blasdell, New York, accepted his scholarship offer, and four female racers make this year’s group more diverse than years past.

“This will definitely be a competitive group,” said co-founder and instructor Anna Marie Strawhand. “We’ve all met online, and their enthusiasm to get started is overwhelming. I look forward to meeting them at our February class.”

The second weekend in February marks the first time two full classes converge. New students will spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday learning while graduating students will arrive Saturday for the Gala Dinner and Graduation.

“We want an event that celebrates what we are,” said co-founder and instructor Adam Ross. “Our goal is for every class to network together. The program is one year, but we have made life-long friends. We’re so proud of the racers we’ve had the opportunity to work with. We’re excited for this event.”

The Gala Dinner will showcase various award recipients, and it will also feature a surprise announcement or two.

 “We welcome anyone interested in knowing more about the program to attend the Gala Dinner,” said Blanchard. “Tickets are $25, and you can find information at race101.net. Tickets are only available in advance.”

Graduating students include: Daniel Alvarez - Chappells, South Carolina; Brandon Atkinson – Statesville, North Carolina; Sulo Burbank – Gorham, Maine; Sarah Cornett-Ching – Summerland, British Columbia; Mike Mahaney – King Ferry, New York; Bryce Malcolm – Simpsonville, South Carolina; Anthony Perez – Suffolk, Virginia; Shayne Pierce – Welland, Ontario; Derek Robbie – Bellingham, Massachusetts; Trevor Sanborn - Limerick, ME; Tommy Stilphen- Kennebunk, ME; Jerry Tunney – Clark’s Summit, Pennsylvania; and Luke Whitteker – Iroquois, Ontario.

The new class features: Shane Billings – Carleton Place, Ontario; Jordan Gahan – Fredericton, New Brunswick; Ian Isringhausen – Mooresville, North Carolina; Trey Jarrell – Martinsville, Virginia; Kase Kallenbach – Charlotte, North Carolina; Katelyn Kane – Syracuse, New York; Zach Knowles -  Mooresville, North Carolina; Kameron Kocarik – Fonthill, Ontario; Austin Kochenash – Danielsville, Pennsylvania; John Lowinski – Milford, Massachusetts; Garrett Marchant – Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; Ryan Morris – Honeybrook, Pennsylvania; Tabatha Murphy – Prescott, Ontario; Casey Pierce – Lenoir, North Carolina; Steven Shaw – Merlin, Ontario; Caley Weese – Carrying Place, Ontario; April Wilson – Joyceville, Ontario; and Scott Wylie – Blasdell, New York.

The Gala Dinner and Graduation will be streamed live online at www.race101.net , and the ceremony will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 11th.

For more information on RACE 101 or Gala tickets visit www.race101.net . Information on our students can be found on the website. For interview or ticket requests, or for any information not found on the website please send inquiries to pr101@race101.net .

Photo: The Class of 2011 poses in front of the RACE 101 Shop/School during classes held last November, in Denver ,NC. This class will be graduating on February 11^th 2012 at The RACE 101 Gala Awards Dinner. The event will be streamed live via Race101.net  that evening and showcase various award recipients, including the naming of the Premier Driver, as well as introduce the new students. (Photo By Pam Russ)

Mike Mahaney - Perseverance

In November, we held our last class for the 2011 students, and one of the things we did was hold 'mock' sponsorship interviews. When I asked the question from each student to say one word that describes them at the end of the interview, student Mike Mahaney said 'Perseverance'.

I asked him to elaborate a bit on that and later I thought it would be good for him to put this in writing and send it to me. I was very impressed, I think you will be too, so I will share it with you here---

FROM MIKE MAHANEY:

"More than half my life has been devoted to fulfilling my dream: to race for a living. I grew up helping my Dad, the "Workshoe," with his dirt modified, learning everything I could. For years I was his only pit crew while really wanting to get behind the wheel myself. At age 14 I started driving everything I could get into - sometimes three days a week in four different classes! I have raced over twelve diffent types of cars: sprint cars, late models, modifieds, you name it. I went to college for a degree in Motorsports just to get the advantage of knowing every aspect of the cars. I'm currently enrolled in RACE101 to learn all I can improve that edge. I am constantly thinking about ways to go faster in a race car. I have worked in race-related jobs - sometimes three at a time - on top of maintaining my own cars, to keep learning while earning money to race. I then even quit a job building race engines that I enjoyed, to work closer to my shop and make more money to keep racing.

Many have told me there is nothing wrong with getting a good job and racing for fun. They could be right but I want to give 100% focus on winning races. All I want to do is race; it's what I love. Now at 22 years old I have 8 years behind the wheel with tremendous improvement and much success, but still no full time ride. My parents have been fully supportive of my goal but they can't afford to fund my racing forever, and they can't sell their farm when Marcos Ambrose offers a ride saying I have heaps of talent...just bring heaps of money. I was praised throughout Richard Petty's Driver Search but came in second to a driver with more pavement experience. I could have given up right there and said maybe I'm just a weekend hobby racer, but I just can't let it go. I will never give up my dream. I will earn a living racing cars someday. That's Perseverance." 

Mike Mahaney is currently in the RACE 101 class of 2011 and will graduate from our program in February, when we hold our Graduation and Awards Ceremony.  Learn more about Mike Mahaney and all our students on our Class Roster: http://www.race101.net/roster2011.html

VIDEO - RACE 101 DOCUMENTARY - BUILDING A BETTER DRIVER

Documentary video about the RACE 101 Program. Learn more about our current class of up and coming race drivers, what they have learned to better their own racing programs this year on both the mechanical and marketing side. Meet the faculty and see our alumni racing student success stories. Now accepting applications for our 2012 racing scholarship program - apply online: www.race101.net

Take our online POLL: Who do you predict will be named the 2012 RACE 101 Premier Driver?

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS A POLL ONLY - NOT A CONTEST. WE ARE ONLY USING THIS TO SEE WHAT FANS HAVE BEEN KEEPING TRACK OF EACH STUDENT/DRIVER'S PROGRESS IN OUR PROGRAM. IT HAS NO BEARING ON WHO WILL BE CHOSEN AS PREMIER DRIVER.  SCROLL OVER TO THE SIDEBAR ON THIS PAGE TO TAKE POLL.  ONE VOTE PER PERSON. POLL OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 1ST.

To learn more about each driver currently in our program please see the 2011 class roster:


http://www.race101.net/roster2011.html

The RACE 101 Premier Driver is a student chosen from each yearly graduating class by the RACE 101 faculty. This student must have fully completed the program and worked hard to complete all assignments and attend all classes throughout the year. This student must show improvement in a variety of skills and have implemented these skills on all levels of our curriculum. He or she must be a leader, mentor and positive representative for the program and fellow students. The Premier Driver will be named at the Official Graduation and Award Ceremony in January. The Premier Driver is awarded the opportunity to drive in selected events in the RACE 101/Howe Super Late Model House Car, and officially represent and make appearances on behalf of RACE 101, and our program sponsors and partners.

Please feel free to comment below on any student/driver in our program and why you feel that they would make a good candidate for the 2012 RACE 101 Premier Driver.

Our Students are down to the final homestretch - who will earn the Premier Driver Title and Drive the RACE 101 House Car in 2012?

School is out for RACE 101 Class of 2011;
Final project will determine RACE 101’s next Premier Driver

November 10, 2011, DENVER, NC - RACE 101 held its final classroom sessions of 2011 last weekend in Denver, North Carolina. The battle to earn Premier Driver for 2012 is intense with just weeks until graduation.
“In racing you’re generally measured by your results on the race track,” said program founder Tony Blanchard. “We look for much more from our Premier Driver. We will choose a driver who is balanced with technical, marketing, and media skills, but most importantly we will choose a driver who exemplifies the core values of RACE 101.”
The students were overwhelmed with studies of chassis dynamics, geometry, and impromptu interviews at RACE 101 headquarters. The group also enjoyed a review of goals surpassed during the year.
“The upcoming Premier Driver is going to have a great deal of responsibility,” said instructor Anna Marie Strawhand. “We’ve discovered that our students learn a lot from each other, and it has been exciting to see relationships develop.
“Our Premier Driver will need to manage his or her own career while serving as a role model for current, former, and future students.”
The Premier Driver will also have the opportunity to test and race the RACE 101 Howe house car with McGunegill horsepower in 2012.

RACE 101 Ambassador program introduced
Faculty also introduced the RACE 101 Ambassador program which will keep graduated students actively involved for years to come.
 “We have been honored by our students from 2010 who want to stay involved with the program mentoring current students and speaking to current and potential students,” said instructor Adam Ross. “We’re proud of every graduate of the program, but we’ve recognized an opportunity for certain graduates to stay involved. There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that we’ve touched lives.”
RACE 101’s Premier Driver will be introduced during the graduation ceremony in January of 2012, but not before students complete their final assignment which embodies all of what they have learned during the program.
For more information on RACE 101, visit www.race101.net . Each student has a blog along with their own profile page. For interview requests, please contact pr101@race101.net .

RACE 101 students nearing the finish line; House car competes at Hickory and 2012 Premier Driver announcement around the corner

October 26^th, 2011, DENVER, NC - Success is measured in various ways. With 2011 coming to an end RACE 101 students past and present have surpassed many goals. 

While on-track results speak volumes RACE 101’s curriculum involves much more than competitiveness.

“Every one of our students comes with a different goal,” said RACE 101 Founder and head instructor Tony Blanchard. “We work with them to relate what we teach with how it can help them in the present.

“In many cases our students need sponsorship to continue racing at their current level, and in other cases they’re trying to advance through the ranks. Some of our students are happy where they are, and they want to learn everything they can to improve their situation. We pride ourselves in catering to each student’s individual needs.”

At the end of the program each year a Premier Driver is chosen to compete in the RACE 101 presented by Howe Racing Products super late model with McGunegill horsepower under the hood.

This weekend at Hickory Motor Speedway RACE 101’s premier driver from the class of 2010 Trevor Edwards will compete. Program founder Tony Blanchard spent a couple days last week testing. The first day was with current student from Maine Trevor Sanborn. The second day was with less-experienced Edwards.

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2011 RACE 101 Premier Driver, Trevor Edwards with the RACE 101/Howe Super Late Model

“The test day was amazing,” said Edwards. “The car feels awesome. I needed more work than the car, but I think we’ll be in great shape for the Hickory race.”

Edwards was chosen as premier driver for his outstanding efforts while in the RACE 101 program both on track and off track. He balanced competitiveness on the track with the necessary time focusing on sponsorship and promotional work to impress RACE 101 faculty. His reward is the opportunity to race the RACE 101 super late model with Tony Blanchard as crew chief. 

RACE 101 is now taking applications from race drivers for our 2012 Racing Scholarship Program. Learn more and apply at www.race101.net

Scholarship applications are open for the RACE 101 class of 2012, and the battle is on with this year’s group to be named premier driver for the current class. The program has seen great success in its second year. The proof is evident scanning through the current RACE 101 roster.

 Brandon Atkinson recently made his asphalt stock car debut. The impressive 15-year-old relocated from Virginia to Statesville, North Carolina, where he could chase his racing dream. Atkinson has seen success racing dirt cars, but the choice to launch a pavement career in one of Hickory Motor Speedway’s toughest classes was a difficult one. Atkinson had a great fourth place result in the prestigious Dwight Huffman Memorial 100-lap event for limited late models at Hickory recently.

Brandon Atkinson prepares to make his late model and pavement racing debut at Hickory Motor Speedway. The 15 year old impressed with a 4th place finish the first time out.

“I was confident we could have a strong finish if I kept my nose clean and stayed patient,” said Atkinson. “We only qualified 13^th, but I knew the car was better than that. I’m excited about the strong run.”

On the same weekend thousands of miles away Sarah Cornett-Ching attended the ARCA OK Tire Sportsman Series banquet. The charismatic British Columbia racer was awarded Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Driver Awards to go with her eighth place in the points standings. The stellar ARCA result was accompanied by her debut in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series driving the ‘Cruisin for a Cause’-sponsored Jason White entry.

 Canadian racer Sarah Cornett -Ching with her awards from the 2011 ARCA OK Tire Sportsman Series Banquet. Sarah was able to use many facets from the RACE 101 program to advance different areas of her career.

“This was a great way to end our season,” said  Cornett-Ching. “If you told me last winter I would have raced in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series this year and won all these awards I’m not sure I would have believed it. I’m already overwhelmed making plans for 2012.”

One of RACE 101’s youngest students is Derek Robbie from Bellingham, Massachusetts. Robbie’s two open-wheel modified wins are impressive this season, but even more impressive is the extensive promotional schedule run by the 13-year-old. Robbie contacted his local Chamber of Commerce and opened numerous doors through charitable appearances and promotional events. The youngster plans to expand on that in 2012.

Derek Robbie combined his cross country running skills with a charity promotion that included appearing with his race car.  Derek has also been able to improve his press release writing skills working with RACE 101 instructors and has created a solid media and blog following for his racing.

“I can’t believe how much I learned this year,” said Robbie. “RACE 101 has shown me that there’s opportunities available to all of us. We just need to open the right doors.”

New England provided a great deal of talented young racers to RACE 101. Veteran Super Late Model racer Trevor Sanborn came to increase his understanding of the race cars he’s seen great success with while teenagers Tommy Stilphen and Sulo Burbank are newcomers to full-sized race cars in the northeast.

Sanborn recently enjoyed his test day with Blanchard in the RACE 101 house car.

“The goal was to get a good feel for the race car,” said Sanborn. “Every time Tony touched the car we got faster.

“At the start of the day we were hitting the rev limiter going into the corner. By the end of the day I was on the rev limiter at the start finish line. We did that just by adjusting shocks.”

Sanborn is among RACE 101’s more decorated drivers, but he fits right in with the rest of the class.

Trevor Sanborn in victory lane with his own Howe 101 chassis this spring at Beech Ridge Speedway. Trevor used what he learned about race car set-ups and applied it to his own program. He also wanted to better on his in-car communication skills and was able to do that working one on one with RACE 101's Tony Blanchard.

“The way we’ve developed our program it applies to an experienced racer as much as it does a rookie,” said Blanchard. “We teach theories and principles of racing that are relevant on dirt or asphalt and regardless of the division.

“The public relations and media relations side of the course is applicable to all forms of racing of any type. We’re confident that our curriculum stacks up to any in the market.”

Burbank’s season went better than he anticipated. The Maine teenager won Rookie of the Year in his family’s Super Late Model at Canaan Fair Speedway, and in the ‘Six Pack Series’ he is third in standing just 5 points out of first. 

Sulo Burbank worked hard on the track this year and also worked on promoting his team sponsors, seen here in his hometown Memorial Day Parade. Sulo is one of our younger students, but presents himself in a very professional manner.

“I came into this season hoping to win Rookie of the Year,” said Burbank. “We did that, and I was a competitive top five car every week. I have a full season under my belt now, and I’m looking forward to next year.”

While New England provided strong students, South Carolina also had its share. Daniel Alvarez, Amanda Lynch and Bryce Malcolm all attended RACE 101 this year from South Carolina.

Lynch suffered problems early in the season, and her race team is regrouping and looking towards the future.