RACE TIRES FOR PENTICTON: Race Car Products will be in Penticton starting Friday,
August 1st to supply and change tires for the weekend event. To ensure that Race Car Products bring the correct tire sizes, pre-ordering is encouraged. Simply
call their office at 403-345-4726 or cell 403-315-4726. If this is your first purchase from this company, they will be more than happy to fax you a
customer application form for billing purposes.
07/22/08
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RULE CHANGE: There is no longer a weight break for a crate motor. The
next three 1/4 mile races will be monitored to see if there will be further changes to the weights and/or percentages regarding crate motors.
07/20/08
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5 STAR BODY KIT DRAW: To be eligible for the year-end 5 Star Body kit, you must have
the 5 Star decals applied to the front fenders above the headlight area on both sides for ALL races. This is a specific requirement of 5 Star and all cars
are monitored each race day.
07/13/08
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LUCKY DOG DRAW AND SHOCK REMINDER: Lucky Dog Draw - Those companies that sponsor
the Lucky Dog Draw program expect their decals, when available, to be displayed on ALL race cars. If you are the lucky winner of a Lucky Dog Draw and you
do not have that sponsor's decal on your car, your prize will be revoked and there will be a re-draw. It is your responsibility to have
the decals on your car, when available. If you require race day decals, contact this website well in advance of the next scheduled race. Lets show our
sponsors their due respect. Shock Absorbers - The rules clearly state no adjustable shock absorbers. This means no external adjustable shock
absorbers or any shock absorber that has been modified to be adjusted internally, such as rotation of the shock shaft.
Penticton is shaping up to be
a fantastic weekend. Hope to see everyone there!
07/13/08
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Crate engine special extended to September 30, 2008: $5,250 (cash & carry)
07/03/08
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KEN JORGENSEN PROVES HARD WORK, MORE HARD WORK AND MORE HARD WORK EQUALS SUCCESS:
The 2008 Katana Sportsman Tour has been a successful ride for #57 Ken Jorgensen driving the Bayfield Mortgage/Rob Angus ReMax Network/Abney Roofing/Maximum
Collision Abbotsford Monte Carlo powered by the affordable 604 crate engine. Ken has three straight wins and two track records to boast about this year.
Did these wins come easily? Not a chance! Ken had the insight to change to the affordable 604 crate engine package believing this would give him the best
opportunity to keep his car handling at its peek during the latter part of the race. Is this why Ken is up front? No! Ken is up front because of his hard
and dedicated work ethic, along with his tireless crew that are completely focused on just one thing...winning races. Ken and his crew proved their metal
this past weekend at Saratoga Speedway. Not many race fans realize that two weeks previous Ken was involved in a hard crash at Agassiz Speedway during a local
event. Many people thought Ken was down and out for the next while and may not show until the latter part of the season. Congratulations to Ken and his
pit crew for repairing the car in a short time period and then going out and setting track records and two main event wins.
07/02/08
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LUCKY DOG DRAW WINNER - SARATOGA JUNE 30: Dave Willison #17.
For additional details, check out the LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
07/01/08
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SARATOGA SPEEDWAY MONDAY, JUNE 30 - #57 JORGENSEN POWERS TO VICTOY (AGAIN): Ken
Jorgensen refuses to lose this season in the Katana Sportsman Series. After smashing another track record at Saratoga with a fast time of 15.197 (besting his
own record from Saturday) Jorgensen fought off the hard charging youngster Chris Beaulieu of Campbell River for over 70 laps to take his third consecutive
Katana feature. Local favorite Beaulieu challenged Jorgensen repeatedly but could not overcome the dominating Crate powered Chevy. Mike Haslam of Victoria
overcame a wreck, a trip to the pits, and some red flag controversy to finish a hard won third. Surrey's Dave Willison, after struggling all weekend with
mechanical problems (including a blown engine) crossed the line in a respectable fourth place. - By Steven Tuttle
06/30/08
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LUCKY DOG DRAW WINNER - SARATOGA JUNE 28: Dean Thornton #74.
For additional details, check out the LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
06/30/08
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SARATOGA SPEEDWAY SATURDAY, JUNE 28 - JORGENSEN TOPS BEAULIEU AT SARATOGA: Surrey's
Ken Jorgensen and Campbell River's Jason Beaulieu fought another classic Katana battle Saturday night at Saratoga Speedway in Campbell River. Although it was
Dave Hemrich's race early, it was Jorgensen,who broke the track record with a fast time of 15.303, and Beaulieu who stole the show running side by side for
the last 50 laps of the 100 lap main event, with Jorgensen the victor. Penticton's Steve Lengert, who needed a podium like oxygen, finished a strong third
after a lengthy duel with fourth place finisher Geoff Morris of Victoria. - By Steven Tuttle
06/28/08
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NEED TIRES?: Anyone needing tires should call Johnny at 250-809-9117 as soon as possible.
He can bring tires with him, but he needs to know how many are required.
06/25/08
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TRAVELLING TO SARATOGA - JUNE 28 & 30: Anyone taking the ferry to the island
for the Saratoga race might want to consider the Duke Point crossing from Tsawwassen as we have been told that it is less expensive than the other two routes,
by about half, although it may add a little extra driving time. IMPORTANT! In order to avoid possible disappointment,
we strongly advise that you contact B.C. Ferries well in advance of your trip for information regarding availability, oversize restrictions and discount pricing on
this route as well as all other routes - 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) or B.C. Ferries
website
06/22/08
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SARATOGA RACE SCHEDULE JUNE 28 & 30: Practice Saturday morning from
10:00 A.M. until 12:00 noon. Gates will open again at 4 PM. No practice Monday morning.
06/22/08
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2008 YEAR-END POINTS: Scoring will be based on the best 7 nights points totals per
car for year-end points. Each car can drop one night, or their worst night, and still be eligible for the year-end points awards.
06/22/08
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PENTICTON - ADDITIONAL LUCKY DOG PRIZE AUGUST 3RD: A $2,000.00 travel voucher will
be given to one of the competing teams in Penticton on August 3rd compliments of Passages Travel and Penticton Speedway. This voucher must to be used through
Passages Travel in conjuction with a package or cruise. See the Lucky Dog page for details.
06/22/08
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KATANA THEME SONG BAND STRIKES GOLD AT INFINEON RACEWAY:
It's nice to see our friends, Ron Pestana and the Pit Crew Band, recognized at Infineon Raceway in an interview with Scott Pruett now available on YouTube.
To view, click here or copy the following
link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NjqauRPRtc and paste it into your browser. For those racers and race fans going down to the Cup race at Infineon
(Sears Point), race track management have indicated they will be playing our Katana theme song, "Great White North", on their PA system. Be sure to cheer!!!
06/02/08
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AGASSIZ KATANA OPENER - A NIGHT OF FIRSTS: Ken Jorgensen #57 wins his first
Agassiz Katana race; the first win for the economical 604 crate engine; Agassiz hosts the Katana race opener; Jason Beaulieu driving the #1 car
in his first appearance at Agassiz
Speedway; and the first Lucky Dog draw took place. The opening race at Agassiz Speedway proved to be quite a different style of race. As race fans who take in
the mid-summer Katana race each year will tell you,
it generally takes the majority of the race for the fast group of cars to get to the front of the pack to battle amongst themselves for the win. This year they
blasted to the front early in the race and drivers Brent Morris #29, Ken Jorgensen #57 and Dave Hemrich #33, put on a show of shows. Ken Jorgensen left the
fans breathless when he made a spectacular three-wide pass on the front straight to take the lead. Dave
Hemrich pressured Brent Morris for the rest of the race and finally passed with a few laps to go to earn a great second place finish. Local favourite Dave
Key in his sharp looking black #5 Monte Carlo ran strongly behind this group until mechanical problems sidelined him. Everyone was anticipating an awesome run
by Jason Beaulieu, but a flat tire early in the race ruined his chances of a win. After the race Jason said, "I simply
ran out of laps to try to give these guys a good run". Not all of the action was on the race track. During hot laps Geoff Morris #52 had engine problems.
The Morris crew jumped into action like a Winston Cup team, and with precision and speed, they had the engine changed and ready for the main event. This created
quite the buzz in the pits from other drivers and crews, all giving them a big thumbs up. We had a nice mix of cars from the interior, local and Vancouver
Island for which Agassiz and Katana would like to thank them for their participation. Results
are now available. More updates to follow.
04/28/08
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CONGRATULATIONS #57 KEN JORGENSEN for his first Katana win of the season! Described as one
of the most exciting Katana races held at Agassiz Speedway, Ken Jorgensen battled hard to take home the Jim Darby trophy. With extended green flag racing,
the fans were entertained with superb nose to tail action. Vancouver Island visitors, Jason Beaulieu, Brent Morris and Geoff Morris, with their top notch
equipment and driving, thrilled a packed grandstand. A full race recap of last night's action will follow shortly.
04/27/08
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FIRST LUCKY DOG DRAW - AGASSIZ: Last night the Lucky Dog program introduced six
winners before the evening began: Dave Key #5, Steve Lengert #56, Len Jensen #65, Jason Beaulieu #1, Brent Morris #29 and Don Nickels #96
For additional details, check out the LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
04/27/08
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2008 RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Gates Open: 11:00 a.m.
Practice: Noon to 2:00 p.m. - Katana Sportsman cars must be safety teched before practice
Track Cleaning: The pits will be closed from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. and all participants will be cleared from the track
Tire Declaration: Tires declared for the night (4 TIRES MARKED) - car must use marked tires for the rest of the night
Hot Laps: At 4:00 p.m. there will be 2 - 10 minute sessions per class in the following order: Street Stock, Katana Sportsman
Meeting: 5:15 p.m. at the tech pad
Cars will be weighed and teched before they will be allowed to time in!
Time In: 5:30 p.m. - Street Stock, Katana Sportsman
Opening Ceremony: 7:00 p.m. National Anthem(s)
Racing Starts: 7:15 p.m.
Heat Races: 12 to 15 laps depending on the number of cars (1 session each)
No Intermission: Due to time limitations, teching on Sportsman needs to be done while the Street Stock main is taking place
Cars will be weighed and teched before going out for the main event
Main Events: Street Stock - 100 lap Main; Sportsman "A" Main - 100 laps
Trophies: Presented to top 3; top 5 cars go to the tech pad. Failing to do so will result in total loss of points
and monies for the night.
04/24/08
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HELPFUL AND USEFUL REMINDERS: The 5 Star body kit year-end prize is dependant
upon your participation. Race Car Products, weather permitting, will be at the
Agassiz April 26 race with another load of tires. You may want to pre-order your sizes and pay for them in advance by calling (403) 345-4726. We would like to remind everyone of the new regulations for shipping tires. These regulations are
going to greatly increase the cost when shipping by bus. Penticton Speedway will have a small supply of tires on hand for the season. Regarding car count
at ALL events...the series at present time has some serious corporate sponsorship interest. These sponsors are going to be evaluating the car count and
professionalism of the series during the 2008 season which will assist and influence their decision to come on board in the 2009 season. I know
you have heard the words, "we're working for the future" regularly during your entire racing career, but this series really means it. We have some great things
on the horizon. If we all pull together, the Katana Sportsman Tour will escalate in the motorsport world, which also means added-value for your sponsors. We
must remember that the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series started out as CASCAR, a small regional series, which eventually gathered major corporate sponsorship - we all know where it is today. If they can do it, so can we!
04/21/08
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THANK YOU: We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for visiting this
website since its inception just six months ago. This site averages approximately 300 hits per day and growing quickly! Visitors include a nice
percentage from Alberta, the Pacific
Northwest and Eastern Canada. We started this website to form a community feeling for the Sportsman racers in hopes that it would build racing camaraderie along
with a sense of belonging. This has certainly been accomplished! An offshoot of this new website is the Lucky Dog program which is being noticed at other race tracks
as a great tool to keep everyone involved in racing. As we all know, racing only has one winner on the track, thus the Lucky Dog program is providing the series
with an opportunity to give back to everyone on an equal basis. All that is required, is dedication to the series. From the outset, driver feedback has mostly
concerned tech and illegal cars. It appears the main issues are centered around cylinder heads, spindles, carbs, brakes and Detroit lockers. With this in mind,
the tech officials will be working diligently on these issues. The website is also proving to be an excellent venue for promoting our series to manufacturers and
other potential sponsors. The feedback is that they look at our site and see that we are a "real" race series. This website undertaking is 100% volunteer in time
and costs, by myself and my wife. No Katana Sportsman Tour money or race track money support these efforts. All prizes that the site gathers go to you, the driver.
Your support with pictures, profiles and videos will ensure the continued building of this website. Remember, this site is ALL ABOUT YOU! - Adrien & Gary Amadeo
04/16/08
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VOLUNTEERS: Don't have a race car, but want to be part of the Katana Sportsman
Tour? Join our many valued volunteers and come racing with us! Race day positions now available. No experience necessary;
training provided. Email this website for details!
04/14/08
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2008 MEMBERSHIP: Downloadable membership form now available on this website.
Please see the Membership page.
04/14/08
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LUCKY DOG DRAW UPDATES: The following items have been added to the
Lucky Dog Draw prize list: Agassiz, April 26 - Penticton Speedway is sponsoring
a set of four American Racer Tires ($600.00 value) to a secret pre-determined finishing position; Penticton, August 2 -
Aero Wheels is sponsoring a set of four 10" Aero Wheels ($500.00 value); Penticton, August 3 -
Race Car Products is sponsoring $500.00 cash, not gift certificate, and
American Racer Tires is sponsoring a set of four tires ($600.00 value). Visit the
LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
04/13/08
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TIRES: For information regarding American Racer tires, contact
Race Car Products (403)345-4726 directly.
04/06/08
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RACE DAY SERVICE: R&D Race Products will be bringing their parts
supply trailer to every Katana race in 2008.
04/06/08
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LUCKY DOG DRAW PROGRAM: "I am very pleased to announce that my Lucky Dog Draw program
is on the verge of exceeding $8,000 in prizes that will go directly to the racers. I would appreciate all those who need parts, supplies or services, to
please give our Lucky Dog sponsors consideration. Many thanks."
Gary Amadeo
04/04/08
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Crate engine special extended to June 30, 2008: $5,250 (cash & carry)
04/04/08
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5 STAR RACE CAR BODIES JOIN KATANA:The Katana Sportsman Tour is very
pleased to announce their affiliation with 5 Star Race Car Bodies 2008 Contingency Sponsor Awards Program. This program has been developed for
the continued growth of stock car racing by rewarding individual racers who have helped promote the importance of stock appearing, template-style
oval track race cars. 5 Star will be awarding a body re-skin kit at the tour's year-end championship banquet. Special thanks goes out to Rob at R&D
Race Products for making this happen.
5 Star ABC Monte Carlo - Geordie Glenn
04/01/08
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NEWS FLASH: LUCKY DOG DRAW - AGASSIZ - April 26, 2008 -
Rob Angus of ReMax Network,
Bayfield Mortgage and
PGS Construction will award one Lucky Dog Draw winner four race tires. We are very excited that
these sponsors are teaming up with Westar Trailers
(see below) for the April 26 Lucky Dog Draw. Visit the LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
03/26/08
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NEWS FLASH: LUCKY DOG DRAW - AGASSIZ - April 26, 2008 -
Westar Trailers will award five Lucky Dog winners one of the
following prizes; 1 aluminum pit jack, l pair of Erickson tie down ratchet straps, 1 Longacre stagger gauge, 1 Longacre tire pressure gauge and 1 pair of
Mechanix Wear gloves. To all competitors: a contingency of $100.00 will be given to the winner of a Katana main event for every race of the 2008 season.
The requirements to be eligible for the contingency award is that the competitor carries the Westar Trailers logo on their car and trailer and that
their trailer is used to get to and from the races and was purchased (past or present) from Westar Trailers.
Visit the LUCKY DOG DRAW page.
03/24/08
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(UPDATE) I would like to remind all drivers,
car owners and parts suppliers that the Katana Sportsman Tour is a travelling series for Sportsman cars - Sportsman cars are not Super Late Models
. The sportsman
car started with a Camaro clip, square tube chassis, OEM lower control arms, spindles and hubs, stock style OEM steering, mid-price shock absorbers, factory OEM
style transmission (standard or automatic), OEM style in size and weight steel driveshaft, a 9 inch Ford floater rear-end and a nice after-market fibreglass body.
The engine will be limited in modifications in order to keep cost and horsepower to a specific range. The stock carburetor would be closely monitored for cost
reasons. As the series grew, some racers argued that since we are travelling to various tracks, a quick change rear-end is a necessity. This was not in my original
plan, but as we investigated the pros and cons of a conventional straight tube quick change and a 9 inch Ford straight tube floater rear-end, we found the
horsepower drag on the quick change equalled out the advantages of easy gear changes and this became allowable in the series. The carburetors we use are strictly
checked and I would consider to be basically stock. I understand some high dollar racing carburetors are in the series as these may be nearly impossible to tech,
all carburetors will be subject to a claim and exchange for a stock carburetor by the series. The after-market replacement front clip came into the series with
a weight penalty and that works for everyone. I would like EVERYONE to know as of this date, performance enhancing versions of any parts may not be legal. If you
are purchasing items such as carburetors, transmissions, driveshafts and rear-ends, check with the series director first. I think it is great that there are people
spending hours and hours a day inventing new and fancy racing parts and they can sell them to whomever they wish, but these parts may not be welcome in this series.
Our Sportsman rules are deliberate in their intention to keep the cost down. Performance enhancing parts that are expensive are not the direction this series needs
to go. Tracks across Western Canada are consistant that once the rules are allowed to open up then car count begins to fall off. We have a great set of rules, if
the intent is considered, a Katana Sportsman car will be the same from Victoria to Winnipeg in the forseeable future. All of the tracks we talk to indicate they had
a great car count a few years ago, but as they allowed the rules to open up the car count quickly dropped. They have a portion of the original cars on the track
and the balance sitting at home. The 604 crate engine is a great racing engine at a great price and it has allowed track promoters to re-evaluate what was going
on in the racing world. Now promoters realize strict tech and a car built for the masses, not for the few, will keep auto racing alive and well in Canada.
Please help to ensure the financial viability of the Katana Sportsman car and do not be one of the teams that pushes our series towards extinction.
If teams show up with parts that are considered not the intent of the Sportsman rules, there will be adjustments made.
03/08/08
|
SARATOGA FAMILY RACE WEEKEND JUNE 2008: The speedway is pleased to announce a family
racing weekend with a 100 lap race taking place Saturday night, a giant salmon BBQ and other family events courtesy of Saratoga Speedway Management and Staff on
Sunday, followed by a 100 lap race on Monday night culminating with a Canada Day fireworks display sponsored by Thrifty Foods. This schedule of events
gives drivers, their families and crew a chance to race as well as enjoy the fine hospitality, sights and sounds of the mid-island area. See
schedule for dates.
03/07/08
|
ATTENTION DRIVERS: Race track and print media are gearing up for the 2008 season. If you
would like to be included in a race track program and/or other print
media, please send us your driver bio and picture of your race car immediately. I'm sure your sponsors would appreciate the exposure.
03/06/08
|
NEWS FLASH: LUCKY DOG DRAW - VERNON - September 13, 2008 -
Finish Line Racing Products will award the Lucky Dog winner a $500 gift certificate
for any Five Star product. Visit the LUCKY DOG
DRAW page.
02/21/08
|
KATANA WEBSITE'S NEW THEME SONG: Sit back, relax and listen to our new
theme song, "Great White North", playing on this page. A HUGE thank you to Ron Pestana and the Pit Crew
for writing and performing this very special piece of music.
02/19/08
|
MESSAGES FROM JOHNNY AANTJES, SERIES OWNER: (read more)
02/03/08
|
RULES UPDATE: Factory front clips with fab chassis should read 3100 lbs. not 3150 lbs.
02/03/08
|
TIRE UPDATE: The series will continue to use American Racers. There will be three sizes
available; 27.0/10-15, 26.5/10-15, 26.0/10-15. The cost of the tire will be $125.00 each plus taxes plus freight. There will be two dates that the tires will be
delivered to Penticton and the lower mainland for a chance to purchase the tires without a freight charge. These two dates will be; April 4 in Penticton, April 5
in the lower mainland, and August 2 and 3 in Penticton. Please note that the August dates will be in Penticton only! Other than these two dates, tires can be
purchased through Race Car Products directly in Coaldale, Alberta with a freight
charge of approximately $10.00 per tire.
02/03/08
|
