April 29, 2009. The challenge of becoming a competitor in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series began this past week for 18 year old Joey Hanssen of the Netherlands as he completed his first ever laps in a stock car at Delaware Speedway just outside London, Ontario. The day began by getting comfortable with the equipment and quickly turned into an impressive start to the young mans career.
Under the watchful eye of series veteran DJ Kennington who is fielding and preparing the cars for Hanssen the first few tours of the speedway were simply easing around the ½ mile oval to give the youngster the time to get used to the racing line. In only a few short hours of on track running the speeds increased and the lap times dramatically fell to a very competitive level. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of how he did in his first time out there” said Kennington who worked the radio to help guide Hanssen around the track. “He’s used to driving Go-Karts and Formula cars which are very different from these heavy stock cars but with only a short practice he did remarkably well” he added.
Helping to make the transition to stock cars is racing veteran Kenny Forth who will be the crew chief for the team. “I remember when I did my first laps after running Formula Cars so I know what he’s feeling” said Forth. “He did a great job his first time out and with a little more experience he’ll be fine” he concluded.
Primary sponsorship for the #40 car that Hanssen will drive this season is provided by Prime Champ. Prime Champ is one of Europe’s largest environmentally friendly producers of all natural mushrooms with no pesticides used at any stage of the production process. Prime Champ supplies large retailers, discounters and industrial food services in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.
Hanssen will campaign the #40 Prime Champ Dodge Avenger for the full season of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events and compete for the rookie of the year honours. After his first experience in the cars the verdict was written all over the 18 year old Hanssen’s face “It was fun” he smiled.
The Prime Champ team will return to Delaware Speedway on Saturday May 2nd for another test day to give Hanssen as much seat time as possible in preparation for the upcoming season.
The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season begins May 23rd at the Autodrome St. Eustache, Quebec. This years schedule will consist of thirteen races on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. Races will be seen on TSN.
Under the watchful eye of series veteran DJ Kennington who is fielding and preparing the cars for Hanssen the first few tours of the speedway were simply easing around the ½ mile oval to give the youngster the time to get used to the racing line. In only a few short hours of on track running the speeds increased and the lap times dramatically fell to a very competitive level. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of how he did in his first time out there” said Kennington who worked the radio to help guide Hanssen around the track. “He’s used to driving Go-Karts and Formula cars which are very different from these heavy stock cars but with only a short practice he did remarkably well” he added.
Helping to make the transition to stock cars is racing veteran Kenny Forth who will be the crew chief for the team. “I remember when I did my first laps after running Formula Cars so I know what he’s feeling” said Forth. “He did a great job his first time out and with a little more experience he’ll be fine” he concluded.
Primary sponsorship for the #40 car that Hanssen will drive this season is provided by Prime Champ. Prime Champ is one of Europe’s largest environmentally friendly producers of all natural mushrooms with no pesticides used at any stage of the production process. Prime Champ supplies large retailers, discounters and industrial food services in the UK, Germany and Netherlands.
Hanssen will campaign the #40 Prime Champ Dodge Avenger for the full season of NASCAR Canadian Tire Series events and compete for the rookie of the year honours. After his first experience in the cars the verdict was written all over the 18 year old Hanssen’s face “It was fun” he smiled.
The Prime Champ team will return to Delaware Speedway on Saturday May 2nd for another test day to give Hanssen as much seat time as possible in preparation for the upcoming season.
The 2009 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series season begins May 23rd at the Autodrome St. Eustache, Quebec. This years schedule will consist of thirteen races on ovals, road courses and temporary street circuits from coast to coast in Canada. Races will be seen on TSN.
From Todd Lewis
