Northern Force Racing Introduces Driver Mentoring Program

Prominent Canadian Team Seeks New Driver for 2011 Season……

Wingham, ON – Renowned Canadian drag racer Bob Elliott, who will be inducted into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame April 23^rd, announced today that for the 2011 season his team, Northern Force Racing, will offer a driver mentoring program targeted at developing an aspiring drag racing talent.

Getting behind the wheel of the teams 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, which runs in NHRA legal Super Stock A Modified trim, the aspiring race driver will be guided through every step of the process, from licensing to national event competition, by Elliott himself. “This idea has been in the back of my mind for some time and I feel that now is the right moment to put the wheels in motion.” stated Elliott. “The car runs mid 8 second times at more than 160 miles per hour, which is a pretty potent ride for someone looking to make the step up to the next level in their racing career.”

You can drive the Northern Force Racing Sunfire

The idea behind the program is to offer an affordable alternative to an aspiring driver who may not have the opportunity to race at this level otherwise. “We’d really like to get a fresh graduate from the Junior Dragster program into this car and help them to develop winning habits in a new driving environment.” Elliott said. “That doesn’t by any stretch mean we aren’t open to considering other candidates for the position; we’re really just looking for someone who’s got the passion and natural instincts to be successful.”

The car will be tuned, transported and maintained by Elliott, who competed in a series of Funny Cars throughout his career, including a 15^th place qualifying effort  at the 1993 NHRA U.S. Nationals behind the wheel of his Northern Force Nitro Funny Car .

The mentoring program will offer a flexible schedule to the up and coming driver, allowing them to choose the level of competition they wish to engage in. “We’ve got a great regional series here in Ontario with the CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series that features a ton of national record holders, class, divisional and national event winners, making that a great proving ground for a young driver.” said Elliott. “The opportunity also exists for the driver to participate in a more aggressive event schedule by including NHRA and IHRA divisional and national events, which will put them in the spotlight on the international stage.”

Regardless of the level of competition chosen by the aspiring driver, the mentoring program also offers great value for an individual wanting to develop a better understanding of the importance of marketing and sponsorship in the sport. “Our operation is first class and we take a lot of pride in the quality of our equipment and our appearance at the track making this a great fit for a sponsor.” mentioned Elliott. “My son Jory has experience helping teams put sponsorship together and will provide essential tools to a driver who already brings sponsorship with them, as well as further mentor them on the marketing and sponsorship side of things.”

The fee structure for the mentoring program is as follows:

CAN-AM Stock/Super Stock Series

• $1,400/race event (transportation, accommodation and crew entry fees included)
• 75% of event earnings go to driver (includes event purse, contingency and point’s fund)
• Driver is responsible for entry fee(s)

NHRA/IHRA divisional or national events

• $1,600/race event
• 75% of event earnings go to driver (includes event purse, contingency and point’s fund)
• $0.50/kilometre transportation fee
• Accommodation fee(s) for crew
• Entry fee(s) for crew
• *Driver is responsible for entry fee(s)

Once a pool of candidates has been selected, interviews will take place at the Northern Force Racing facility where the aspiring drivers will have an opportunity to get acquainted with the team and race car, before the final selection is made.

For more information please contact Bob Elliott at 519.357.3737 or email any questions you may have to northern_force_racing@hotmail.com.

About Northern Force Racing

Northern Force Racing is a motorsports team steeped in history which celebrated its 30^th anniversary in 2010 with the introduction of the teams brand new 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, Super Stock A Modified.

Having driven in several classes throughout his career, Team Owner Bob Elliott is best known for his prowess behind the wheel of Top Alcohol, Jet Turbine powered and Nitro Methane burning Funny Cars throughout the 80’s and early 90’s. For his accomplishments Elliott has been selected as a 2011 Inductee into the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame.

For 2011 the team has introduced an exciting new Driver Mentoring Program which will offer an aspiring race driver the opportunity to get behind the controls of the teams entry at both regional and international events, while learning the trade from one of the most respected drivers in Canadian drag racing history.

Media/Marketing Contact:

Jory Elliott

T: 519.852.5679 E-mail: jory_elliott@hotmail.com