Calgary racer Jarrad Whissell read

Jul 15, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ honda indy toronto, jarrad whissell, nascar, nascar canada, ncts ⋅ No comments

Team press release

July 14, 2010. It’s been one month since Calgary’s Jarrad Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team last competed in the 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. But since then the excitement has been building for their debut on the streets of Exhibition Place this Saturday afternoon during the Toronto Indy weekend.

This is the first time the NASCAR Canadian Tire series has been part of the schedule at the Toronto Indy and Whissell is excited to participate in the inaugural event. “This race weekend has a great history and the track layout should make for very exciting racing” said the driver. “The long Lakeshore straightaway leading into the tight right hand turn three will be especially interesting to watch” he added.

The month long layoff has allowed the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team the opportunity to repair their damaged race car from the last event. “We had some trouble at the last event” explained Whissell. “I got the car out of shape, we went off course and touched the wall, but the real problem was a small fire that occurred. Not only did we have to replace parts but all of the wires along with all the plastic and rubber pieces have been replaced as a precaution” he concluded.

Despite the setback Whissell is optimistic about this weekend. “Bill Burns did a great job putting the car back together and before we had our troubles the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford was fast and very well balanced. We’ll definitely be good right from the start this weekend” said the enthusiastic driver.

Though it will be his first time on the eleven turn temporary street circuit in Toronto that is surrounded by concrete barriers Whissell looks forward to the challenge. “I’ve raced at Trois Rivieres so I understand the walls around you” said the driver. “I’ve also watched some video of old CASCAR series races to help get a feel of what to expect” he added.

This weekend’s race will also be broadcast live on TSN and TSN HD, a first for the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. “I think everyone is very excited about this event being live from coast to coast” said Whissell. “It really shows that NASCAR has grown this series very quickly and the demand is there to see the races live” he added.

The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team is raising funds for research into a cure for Multiple Sclerosis this season. Support of that cause also goes beyond the race team explained the driver. “Each year Whissell Contracting holds a BBQ for employees and their families. This year we set up a dunk tank and the proceeds raised are also going to help MS research” explained Jarred Whissell.

Whissell not only set up the dunk tank, but participated. “Yes I got dunked a few times and even though the temperature was about 17C it was worth it” smiled Whissell. “I also have to thank the three companies that matched all the money we raised for MS, Lafarge, Renfrew Insurance and Mike Vail Trucking. It helped bring our total to $900 and of course half of our winnings this weekend also go to the cause. Fans can go to our website www.jarradwhissell.com to help out too” he added.

The five NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road course events are a part of some of the largest race weekends in Canada and also include the Toronto & Edmonton Indy’s and Montreal Nationwide race weekend. Follow the progress of the team and help support Multiple Sclerosis research through the soon to be launched website www.jarradwhissell.com You can watch all of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races again this year on TSN. This weekend’s race on Saturday July 17th can be seen live on TSN and TSN HD beginning at 2:30PM Eastern.

Pjoto by Gary Grant. Whissell turns in to Mosport’s infamous turn 2.

Jarrad Whissell a victim of contact at Mosport

Jun 14, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ jarrad whissell, mosport, nascar canada, ncats, vortex brake pads 200 ⋅ No comments

Team press release

June 13, 2010. Jarrad Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team looked to begin their 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series race schedule during round number two of the series at Mosport International Raceway this past weekend with a solid outing at Mosport to set the team in the right direction for the year, and to raise as much money as possible in their support of the MS Society. Sadly they were victims in an early incident and their day ended much sooner than expected.

The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu team had to battle through several difficulties right from the beginning of practice on Saturday. “During practice we had some brake bias issues and the car was quite loose” said Whissell. “Then in qualifying the rear end let go and we didn’t have our locker” he added.

In spite of the obstacles Whissell would qualify the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford in seventeenth position and begin the race with a much improved racecar. “Once we had our issues sorted out and got into the race the car was quite fast and we picked up a few positions in the first few laps” said the driver.

As he continued to look for opportunities to pass and improve his position in the running order Whissell would encounter serious trouble in the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford. “We were running with the #3, the #69 and the #56 car” he stated. “We ended up passing the #3, got by the #69 and I was battling with the #56 and I wasn’t getting a lot of room to pass. Down in corner five he got a little loose and I made a move inside and he just came straight across into me. I guess he must not have seen me coming up the inside” Whissell concluded.

The damage incurred by the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford was significant. “I ended up spinning and hitting the wall hard in Corner Five” said Whissell. “Then it appears the brake cooling ducts caught fire and that did a lot of damage” said the disappointed driver. The damage would prove too severe to continue and Whissell was classified twenty third in the results.

The #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team will have several weeks to make repairs and be ready for their next scheduled event. “The damage was quite significant” stated the driver. “Bill Burns has been working here and preparing the cars and we’ll have to do a lot of work to do. I think we’ve pretty much got to tear it right down and replace all of the wiring and just about everything else at the front of the car to get ready for the Toronto Indy” he concluded.

The five NASCAR Canadian Tire Series road course events are a part of some of the largest race weekends in Canada and also include the Toronto & Edmonton Indy’s and Montreal Nationwide race weekend. Follow the progress of the team and help support Multiple Sclerosis research through the soon to be launched website www.jarradwhissell.com You can watch all of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series races again this year on TSN. The Mosport event will air June 20th at Noon Eastern.

Photo by Gary Grant

Jarrad Whissell ready for 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series

Jun 8, 2010

Gary Grant ⋅ Motorsport News ⋅ ford, jarrad whissell, mosport, nascar, ncats ⋅ No comments

Team press release

June 8, 2010 Jarrad Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team are set to begin his 2010 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series Road Course campaign this coming weekend, June 12th & 13th at Mosport International Raceway. Following a strong final outing last season the entire team is expecting it to be a busy a productive summer on the track and for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

During the off season the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team has been working diligently to prepare for this years race activity. “We finished top-ten at our last event of 2009 in Montreal and while it left everybody wishing we had another race on the schedule, it’s had my Crew Chief Brent Hougestol and the rest of the team excited about preparing for this season” said Whissell. “We stripped the car completely down, sand blasted it and rebuilt everything” he added.

After completing the rebuild the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team have been testing at Mosport with some positive results. “It was a good session” said the driver. “We were faster than last year which is positive and I think we’re capable of even more and that’s what we’re striving for. Our goal this year after achieving the top-ten finish in Montreal is to finish in the top-seven. The closer you get to the front of the field the tougher it gets, but we’re excited about the challenge”.

Jarrad Whissell and the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team are also racing for an important cause this season. Whissell is “Racing for MS” and is seeking to raise $10.044.00 to help fund important research to this far reaching disease. Whissell is also donating half of his race winning to the MS Society. Race fans will be able to support the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team in their efforts and donate through the soon to be launched website, www.jarradwhissell.com “It’s our way of giving back and supporting a worthwhile charity and encouraging others to help out as well” said Whissell.

Last season the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team participated in four road course events and are pleased that another race during the Toronto Indy has been added to the 2010 schedule. “It’s a positive for everyone to be part of that weekend” said the Calgary driver. “There is such a great opportunity for teams, for sponsors and most importantly race fans to enjoy this weekend. I’ve never raced on the Toronto street course but I’m really looking forward to it” he added.

Jarrad Whissell will pilot the #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford team and contest the five road course events of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series beginning this weekend at Mosport International Raceway near Bowmanville, ON. “The whole team is really focused for this weekend at Mosport” said Whissell. “We’ve had some trouble with pit stops there the last two years and we know if we can fix that, our chances for a great finish should be very good” he said confidently.

Photo: #44 SMS Equipment/Komatsu Ford on track last season at Trois Rivieres.