CASCAR: Thomson defends Eastern title after heavy fines levied
12 August 2000
LONDON, ON - After several days of deliberation, CASCAR officials announced on Friday that several significant penalties would be assessed against the drivers who were involved in unbecoming, unprofessional and potentially dangerous conduct at the conclusion of the Super Series East season finale at Autodrome St-Eustache on Sunday afternoon (Aug. 6). "We understand that these individuals were motivated to win the Super Series East Championship and the race itself," said CASCAR National Race Director Steve Mifsud. "While we applaud their determination and competitiveness, we cannot condone the unprofessional and dangerous behaviour that erupted in the final laps of the race, and at the start/finish line immediately following the event. Taking everything into consideration, we have decided to assign the following fines and penalties to the following individuals:" Don Thomson Jr.: For actions on the track after the white flag was shown, a penalty of $3,050.00 (prize winnings for the day) has been assessed. Additionally, Mr. Thomson will serve a one race driver suspension during the next Super Series East event. Mr. Thomson was fined $500.00 for unsportsmanlike conduct toward the #02 car (Kerry Micks) and has been put on probation for the remainder of the 2000 CASCAR Castrol Super Series season. Due to the severity of these offences, Mr. Thomson is required to post a $1,000.00 bond, to be returned following the 2000 season providing no further infractions occur. The fines and bond must be paid prior to Mr. Thomson's participation in the next Super Series event. Neil Fair: For unacceptable conduct (dangerous driving) following the race, Mr. Fair was assessed a fine of $1,000.00. An additional fine of $500.00 was levied for unsportsmanlike conduct directed toward the #4 car (Don Thomson Jr.). Mr. Fair has also been placed on probation for the balance of the season is also required to post a $1,000.00 performance bond, to be held for the remainder of the 2000 CASCAR schedule. This amounts must be paid prior to Mr. Fair's participation in the next Super Series event. John Gaunt: For rough driving with three laps remaining in Sunday's race at Autodrome St-Eustache, Mr. Gaunt was placed on probation for the remainder of the 2000 CASCAR season. Mr. Gaunt was also assessed a $1,000.00 fine for behaviour unbecoming a CASCAR member. This fine must be paid prior to Mr. Gaunt's participation in the next Super Series event. Others: Robin Buck has been placed on probation for the remainder of the 2000 CASCAR season for "erratic driving" at St-Eustache, in an incident involving the #74 car (Richard Beauchamp). Jacques Laperle was tagged with a $100.00 fine for twice ignoring a 'stop and go' penalty at St-Eustache. The amount has been deducted from Mr. Laperle's race winnings. The above penalties don't involve driver points and therefore, Don Thomson Jr. has won his second consecutive CASCAR Castrol Super Series East championship. Thomson completed the eight-race Eastern tour with the same number of points as Peter Gibbons, but Thomson's two Eastern victories (to Gibbons' one) earned him the title. For a listing of the final points, see the next page. For more information, contact CASCAR at (519) 641-1214 or visit www.cascar.com / Prepared by Inside Track Communications. *** CASCAR Castrol Super Series Eastern Series - Point Standings Official: As of August 6, 2000 POS CAR# DRIVER/HOMETOWN MAKE POINTS 1st 4 Don Thomson Jr. / Hamilton, ON Chevrolet 1445 1st 1 Peter Gibbons / Stouffville, ON Chevrolet 1445 3rd 88 Dave Jacombs / Mt Hope, ON Ford 1289 4th 02 Kerry Micks / Mt Albert, ON Ford 1287 5th 98 Dave Whitlock / Petrolia, ON Ford 1283 6th 64 Mark Dilley / Barrie, ON Ford 1282 7th 17 DJ Kennington / St Thomas, ON Dodge 1276 8th 22 Scott Steckly / Milverton, ON Pontiac 1243 9th 33 Neil Fair / Ancaster, ON Chevrolet 1242 10th 77 Pete Vanderwyst / St Thomas, ON Chevrolet 1192 11th 14 John Fitzpatrick / Ayr, ON Chevrolet 1184 12th 60 Ron Beauchamp Jr. / Windsor, ON Intrepid 1172 13th 99 Brad Jacques / Mt Brydges, ON Intrepid 1160 14th 04 Andy Farr / Chesterfield, MI Intrepid 1134 15th 51 Al Long / Ottawa, ON Chevrolet 1117 16th 66 Robin Buck / Oakville, ON Pontiac 1113 17th 03 Jason McLellan / Mount Forest, ON Intrepid 1034 18th 3 Chris Fowler / Stirling, ON Chevrolet 995 19th 80 Donald Theetge / Boischatel, QC Chevrolet 988 20th 27 John Restemeyer / Ottawa, ON Chevrolet 984 21st 76 Al Turner / Barrie, ON Intrepid 979 22nd 57 Joe Goncalves / Concord, ON Chevrolet 816 23rd 31 Kelly Williams / Inglewood, ON Ford 598 24th 74 Richard Beauchamp / Ormstown, QC Ford 572 25th 67 Derrick Tiemersma / Newmarket, ON Pontiac 568 26th 25 Jim Lapcevich / Hamilton, ON Chevrolet 543 27th 48 Doug Cathcart / Carp, ON Chevrolet 512 28th 5 Nik Lapcevich / Hamilton, ON Chevrolet 468 29th 19 Brad Graham / Glencoe, ON Pontiac 424 30th 23 Jeff Lapcevich / Ancaster, ON Ford 410 *** 'Racing with James Turner Fund' Golf Tournament: Prior to the second National race of the season, at Calgary's Race City Motorsport Park, James Turner, the son of CASCAR Castrol Super Series driver Al Turner, required emergency surgery in Toronto. Young James is now preparing to commence a lengthy rehabilitation program. To support James and the Turner family during this difficult time, the CASCAR community is coming together to help raise funds through a gold tournament, to be held Tuesday, October 3 at the National Pines Championship Golf Course in Barrie, ON. The "Racing with James Turner Fund Golf Tournament" will start at noon and will feature a shotgun/scramble format. The price of entry includes 18 holes of golf, range balls, golf cart and an awards dinner. A silent auction will also be held. All proceeds will go to the Racing With James Turner Fund. The cost of entering is $200 per person, and $800 per foursome. CASCAR drivers and teams will be on hand signing autographs. Space is limited. Individual 'hole' sponsors are welcome. All entry fees must be received by September 20, 2000. CASCAR driver Mark Dilley is organizing the tournament. For information on signing up, hole sponsorship or donating items for the silent auction, contact Dilley at (705) 733-8849. *** Sun Valley Debut: This weekend marks the long awaited grand opening of CASCAR's newest racetrack. Sun Valley Motor Speedway, located in Vernon, BC, is the new jewel of the CASCAR Castrol Super Series circuit. The Sun Valley 150 is the fifth Super Series West race of the season and will be a one day show. Pit Gates open at 11:00 a.m., with practice set to commence at 1:00 p.m. Time trials start at 6:00 p.m., with racing at 7:00. by Inside Track Communications.