Dav Weekend at seekonk speedway

This past weekend I raced at Seekonk Speedway for the DAV weekend. The plan of the night was to re-learn the car with the new clip and stay out of trouble. We went into the first practice going to feel the car out and making sure nothing would fall off. As i got more into the run I kept picking it up to full power. Right before the end I got on the throttle hard. Car was tight out due to lack of stagger but it felt awesome to go hard after not racing for 5 weeks.



We made changes to grow the stagger in the rear and went to get ready for the 2nd practice. Due to time constraints we would only get one practice which was upsetting but we moved on and got ready for the heat race.



In the heat race I started 6th. On the start I fell back to 7th and gave myself some room away from the field to feel out my car. I passed the 86 car and started to bring the field back in. With 4 to go we would have a caution for the 86 stopping on the track with engine problems. On the start I missed up the shift but regained myself and caught up to the field again. I wasn't pushing the car hard so i stayed in 6th place to keep my nose clean.



For the feature I would start last, in 14th place. On the start I once again kept a little distance from the field. After an easy lap 1 I started to pick it up. I got by the 32 car and started to go for the 75 car and my first limited win. On lap 5 we would see our first caution for a spin. I restarted 11th. This time I stayed up close to the field but kept an eye out just in case a wreck started. I would get passed by the 5 car but fell into line and started running laps.



Around lap 6 would see a battle between me and the 75 car starting. Gaining every bit I could I got by the 75 car at lap 12 to claim the 10th position. From there, I started to run down more and more cars. 2 cars would drop off the pace and leave the track.



At lap 17 we would have our second and final caution for a broken car on the front stretch. I would restart in the 7th position. On the start I spun the tires but didn't lose any ground. It would take me a lap and half to clear the 75 again but after that I had no troubles and brought the car home in one piece and in 7th position.



With that finish I would get my first pro 4 mod limited division win and grab 2nd in the limited points. I would also move to 9th in the overall points standings. With my first limited win I have to thank my dad for all he did to get my car back on track from the last time we were at Seekonk and wrecked. Next week we will be at Thompson. Stay tuned for more exciting news.

Cold Hard Facts Of "Driver Development": It Takes MONEY to MAKE IT

As a motorsports marketing professional and instructor, I know that finding funding is the biggest issue at hand for young and up and coming racing talent today. I experience this daily. I firmly believe, and it has been proven time and time again, that if a driver is as good at marketing and getting his own backing as he is driving he or she will succeed. Young drivers must educate themselves on how to go out and raise the money and get the backing. It can be done. Many racers hire sales/marketing people to find sponsors for them, but few find success that way. Ultimately DRIVERS need to know how to sell themselves or they will not be able to advance their careers. ALL RACE DRIVERS need to invest the time into making the calls and sending out the emails just as much as they do driving. I have drivers/students signing sponsors as we speak, even in this economy. You are your best salesperson. Sponsors want to meet the driver, they want the driver to be their celebrity spokesperson. They want a return on their investment too, once they spend the money. Drivers must learn how to attract, land, and manage sponsors. It is more of a necessity today more than ever.

The RACE 101 program offers one-on-one marketing, sponsorship and PR consulting with our experienced instructors. We work with our students individually to make sure they are properly selling themselves and their racing programs, We teach them the basics to the advanced as needed - give them the tools and confidence to go out and sign their own sponsors.

Are you an up and coming talented race driver hoping and dreaming to get noticed by a big team or a NASCAR driver development program? Well you can get noticed but the bottom line is this - bring a BIG CHECK or you are back to the weekly home track racing off your own paycheck or mom and dad's. Do you know how to go out and get financial backing and make the proper connections to advance your career? Our RACE 101 students and alumni do. Don't get left behind. Educate yourself.  Sales and Marketing - it's a skill all race drivers must learn and apply to succeed. We spend equal time on our marketing curriculum as we do the mechanical and driving side of our program. That is how important it is.

We are very proud of our RACE 101 2010 Student Alumni Driver, Michael Cenzi. He was able to take what he learned at RACE 101 regarding marketing, sales and PR and landed a solid multi-year sponsorship program with Triple A (AAA). Michael serves as AAA's  spokesman and even filmed a PSA (public service announcement) for a Don't Text and Drive Campaign. Michael races late models in Florida, and is planning a move to NC with his 2012 program.

Check out this recent article on NASCAR.com "Finances change the focus of driver development -Future may have more to do with what's in the wallet than who's behind the wheel" http://www.nascar.com/news/110929/inside-nascar-driver-development/index.html - I speak the truth here and NASCAR confirms what I have have been trying to tell racers for years.

Unfortunately, in this day and age of the sport of auto racing it takes alot more than talent to make it to the top as a driver. Sad, but true. The cold hard facts are that you also need money (lots of it) and connections to get there. Our students learn how to properly make those connections and effectively raise funds and sponsorship for their own racing programs and beyond. At Race 101 we believe if you have both the driving skills and the marketing skills to get your own backing you can create your own success as a driver. The proof is in our students, and alumni who have already been successful at this. If you want to learn how to better your career, apply for a RACE 101 scholarship. Only YOU can change your future. To apply for a RACE 101 scholarship or to schedule an online marketing class - go to www.race101.net

I feel confident that when each of our students graduates from our program each year, we have taught and guided them based on our years of experience to go out on their own and land sponsorship. This is something that each one of our students must apply and work hard at. Nobody said it was easy - but if you have the knowledge, tools, you are open to learning, changing with the times and willing to step away from the car and pick up the phone you can make your own dreams a reality.

Questions? I am here to help. Email me at: race101pr@gmail.com

- Annamarie (Annamarie Malfitana-Strawhand, RACE 101 Co-Founder and Director of Marketing/PR/Web and Instructor)

Another Strong Podium Finish for Cornett-Ching

West Coast Sportsman Series Finale

Sarah went into the night sitting fourth in points unable to gain any positions due to the mathematical possibility, but had high hopes to come home with a strong finish. She did just that at Motoplex Speedway after getting out front early and pulling out to a straightaway lead.

"Our car started out really fast and I wasn't pushing it very hard to stay out front, I was thinking we would be able to save the car and pick it up towards the end. Unfortunately after a competitor blew a motor the track was covered in speedy dry and I had three consecutive outside row starts, we roasted the RR tire off the car trying to keep up and then had to battle to our 3rd place finish."

Sarah and her family celebrating in Victory Lane

The #99 team couldn't be more pleased with the season they had in 2011, racing at 5 new tracks and trying new setups in the race car they still proved to be a strong competitor. With the last three races at their home track in Vernon, BC they were able to put an exclamation point on the season with a win and strong podium runs. Going into next year Sarah has big plans and hopes to win over the fans wherever she races.

Suiting up for the ride-along

"I grew so much as a driver this year with a car that was able to run up front it gave me the opportunity to push myself and get the finishes we were looking for. Going into next year, I hope to secure a marketing partner for the Nascar Canadian Tire Series but if we race in the Arca Series again I know we will be a threat for the Championship." Said the ambitious driver.

At intermission Sarah took a lucky fan for a ride-along

Sarah is looking forward to her next trip down to North Carolina in November where the Race 101 class will clip and setup the front end of a Howe chassis.








Follow the team at www.SCCracing.com

and on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sccracing
Or Follow on Twitter:
@scornettching

Cornett-Ching Claims Top Five

2011 Arca Ok Tire Championship Night
Sarah went into the night 11th in the points standings and knew a strong finish would be necessary to close out the season on a high note. She would leave no doubt in anyone's minds running in the top 3 all night and finishing 4th. This would push Cornett-Ching up to 8th overall in the Arca Series standings for 2011.

In afternoon practice the #99 Snap-on Tools car would post the 3rd quickest time and move from the back of the heat race up to 5th. Cornett-Ching knew she had a car to beat in the main event and planned to keep it up front.

Sarah would run the majority of the race in 2nd position but lose some ground on a restart, despite her efforts to clinch the 3rd position at the checkers she would bring the car home in fourth.

"Right from the start of the day I was confident and I knew we had a car to beat for the feature race. I'm glad we were able to have such a strong run to finish the season off strong."

There is one race left on the schedule for the #99 team in the West Coast Sportsman Series were Sarah sits 4th in points and has one win. On September 24 at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, BC Sarah will have her sights set on her second victory of the season.

Follow what the team is up to on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sccracing
Or on her website: www.SCCracing.com

Cornett-Ching has Dominating Run Dashed

The second day of the Hot August Nights mini series at Motoplex Speedway in Vernon, BC started well for the #99 of Sarah Cornett-Ching posting the fastest speed in first practice and qualifying 4th. The team worked hard all day dialing in the car with a few struggles in the heat race the but car came to life in the main event.

Sarah worked through traffic quickly and was leading by lap 4, from there the #99 Snap-On Tools car stretched it's lead over the field until the mandatory pit stop on lap 25. With one of the quickest stops Sarah regained the lead after the field cycled through.

Cornett-Ching was leading by half a lap and feeling good about the car when it started smoking which would eventually lead to a mechanical black flag on lap 45. Sarah had to relinquish her lead and head behind the wall for repairs.

Emerging from pit road after replacing the tail shaft seal on the transmission 10 laps down didn't slow down the talented young driver as she worked her way back through the field to the 2nd spot. With a restart within 10 laps to the end she was put behind the lead lap cars although she felt she had a car to beat the eventual winner to the checkers.
With such a strong car going into the final Arca race of the year the #99 team is confident and ready to put the #99 Snap-On Tools Aarons car on the podium.

Leading the race with some fans cheering us on

Check out what the team is up to at www.SCCracing.com or on facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/sccracing

My second start at Monadnock Speedway.

Going in to my second Monadnock Speedway start luck was not on my side. Having 3 dnfs in the last 3 races was not what i wanted in my rookie season.

In the first practice i used it as a shack down since we had the car apart from the last race where we were in a wreck. After the first practice we checked the car over and sow nothing was wrong with the car. I got the okay to go out in the second and third practice hard. We fiured out the car was very loose on the exit, so we added some wedge across the back of the car. I procuded to use the 3rd and final practice as a scuff session for my new tires. The car was fast on new tires.

In the heat race i started 4th. On the start i slide the nose alittle but got control and didnt loose any positions. I stayed there for the next 8 laps still learning the track. I was pressured alittle from the 75 but never got passed. The was a touch tight but we decided to keep the car the same as it will be good for the feature.

In the feature I started 11th out of 14 cars. As the green flag came out i settled in to 11th place and stayed there for the first 6 laps till the caution came out. I restarted 10th. I didnt stay there long as i got passed and settled into 11th place. I gained a position under green as the 16 went off the track. with 10 to go i got passed for 11th where i stayed for the rest of the race. I tried to chase the 75 down for 10 but was not able to catch him. The car was very loose off the corner, which made me learn throttle control. Later to be found out the loose off the corner was a bent rear end we suffered from the wreck 2 weeks ago. Ill be back under way in 2 weeks at seekonk speedway.

Cornett-Ching wins with last lap pass;

Penticton racer scores impressive career-first at Motoplex Speedway

17^th, 2011, PENTICTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA - Sarah Cornett-Ching earned her first career late model victory in dramatic fashion on Saturday at Motoplex Speedway near Vernon, British Columbia. The 20-year-old Penticton racer edged her #99 Snap-On Tools-sponsored car past race leader Mark Berrieau on the final turn of the final lap to steal the win.

“I don’t think I could have imagined a finish much more exciting than that,” said an exuberant Cornett-Ching after the race. “The crew worked hard all day long to get the car faster, and it felt great for the feature. This is awesome.”

Cornett-Ching was among the fastest throughout the day’s practice and qualifying, but the team spent plenty of time chasing mechanical issues. The Snap-on Tools crew fixed a vibration in the car and also addressed vapour locking in the fuel system caused by extreme heat during qualifying. Added to her mechanical issues was a neck injury suffered at work during the week. Despite the issues she still qualified fourth fastest.

“With the neck injury and our challenges through the day I hardly had victory lane in my sights,” said Cornett-Ching. “I actually had my dad bring his driving suit in case I didn’t feel well enough to race. I’m glad I stayed in the car

With the 100 lap Hot August Nights feature race underway each car was required to make a pit stop for a right rear tire. Sarah entered the pits for service in fourth place on lap 27 and rejoined the race as the leader with a 13 second lead. Her lead evaporated when the caution flew and the field bunched up for the restart.

“My crew on pit road was outstanding,” she recalled. “They made no mistakes and we gained valuable track position. The caution came out taking away our 13 second lead, but we made the right changes on pit road and were able to keep my car in the top 3 all night.”

A late-race caution set the stage for an exciting finish. With five laps left on the restart Cornett-Ching lined up on the outside of race leader Berrieau. When the green flag flew she battled door to door with the veteran for the top spot. On the final lap she seized opportunity.

“I could see that Mark was sliding up the track,” said Cornett Ching. “I rolled out of the throttle a little early heading into turn three, and I was able to drive under Mark and beat him to the finish.

“It was an amazing feeling to race with one of the best drivers in the province to the checkered flag, and to beat him at the line was icing on the cake. This win is important to give my crew and myself the extra confidence we need going into the second Hot August Nights race on August 27^th.”

Cornett-Ching sits second in points just 12 points behind points leader Berrieau. The race on the 27th will decide who takes home the Hot August Nights title. For more information on Sarah Cornett-Ching and her racing team, visit www.SCCRacing.com.