ATLANTIC CAT RETURNS AS TITLE SPONSOR OF ATLANTIC CAT 250

(Halifax, NS. April 23, 2012) The longest race and sponsor relationship in Atlantic Canada continues through the 2012 season as Atlantic Cat will present the 13th Annual Atlantic Cat 250 on Saturday, August 11th at Scotia Speedworld. The Atlantic Cat 250 is a marquee event on the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour and one of only two 250 lap events on the 2012 schedule.

"We are very proud of our longtime association with Atlantic Cat, the Atlantic Cat 250 is our signature race at Scotia Speedworld." said Ken Cunning, General Manager of Scotia Speedworld. "This race has long been one of the premiere racing events in our region in the eyes of both competitors and fans. It's a destination event that everyone marks on their calendar."

“Atlantic Cat’s relationship with Scotia Speedworld dates back to the late 1980’s when we initially became involved in motorsport sponsorship.” Said Dan McLeod, Atlantic Cat Regional Manager, Used Equipment & Rentals. “Since 2000 we have proudly sponsored the annual Atlantic Cat 250, for many years touted as some of the best short track racing around. The Atlantic Cat 250 presents itself as the ideal venue for supporting the many teams, drivers and crews that bring an unparalleled level of racing excitement to fans from throughout the region. Atlantic Cat is extremely proud of our near quarter century relationship with the management and staff of Scotia Speedworld.”

The Atlantic Cat began in 2000 under the now defunct International Pro Stock Challenge sanctioning. John Flemming (Halifax, NS) became the winner of the inaugural event and was the only Canadian winner of the event until 2009 when Saint John, New Brunswick’s Lonnie Sommerville pulled into victory lane in the first Atlantic CAT 250 held under Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour sanctioning. For eight years (2001-08) the race was a major event on the Pro All Stars Series (PASS) North schedule and saw a who’s who of racers contend for the crown. Names like Louie Mechalides (Tyngsboro, MA, 2001), Ben Rowe (Turner, Maine, 2002, 2003), Johnny Clark (2004, 2006), Mike Rowe (Turner, ME, 2005, 2007) and Travis Benjamin (Morrill, ME, 2008) won the CAT 250 while it was sanctioned by the Maine based series while Cassius Clark (Farmington, Maine) and won the event in 2010 under Tour sanctioning.

The 2011 event was described by some as one of the best stock car races ever held in the 12 year history of the event. Broadcast to an international audience via Sirius Satellite Radio on Race Time Radio/The Score, the fans were treated to 125-laps of caution free racing leading to the halfway mark. Ben Rowe and Maritime Legend Wayne Smith (Timberlea, Nova Scotia) swapped paint for the first half of the race before Flemming made his charge to the front. When the checkers flew, it was Rowe taking his record setting third win in the Atlantic CAT 250 over Flemming, Smith, Darren MacKinnon (Charlottetown, PE) and veteran Mike MacKenzie (Dartmouth, NS). The race would play a pivotal role in the championship picture as Smith would take the point lead exiting the event and would hold it to take his record setting sixth career Maritime Touring championship.

The Atlantic CAT 250 will go green at Scotia Speedworld with qualifying beginning at 5pm on Saturday, August 11th with the 250-lap feature to follow. The Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour will be joined on Saturday by the Maritime League of Legends Tour and the Scotia Speedworld Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros, making the evening a not miss event full of fantastic short track racing. The action will kick off Friday night at 7pm with the Dartmouth Dodge Sportsman 100 and the Scotia Speedworld Truck class. For ticket information or a complete schedule for the upcoming season of stock car racing, visit www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca