Issue 63

PIERCE CAPTURES iRACING TITLE

Those in racing know how tough it can be to win a race. An even tougher feat can be capturing a season long championship against your peers. When those peers come by the hundreds from across the globe it presents an even bigger challenge for those looking to call themselves the king of the mountain.

That is exactly what happens every season at iRacing.com. The realistic racing simulation has thousands of “sim racers” attack the track every day and many of those names you’ll see online are familiar to Maritime race fans. With another twelve week season just wrapping up on the service, one of the Maritime drivers can call themselves a champion as Blockhouse, Nova Scotia’s Shawn Pierce raced his way to the top of his skill matched division on the iRacing Late Model Tour.


Pierce recorded two wins over thirty-five starts in the twelve week season. His first win came all the way back in Week One on February 4th when he mastered a sixteen car field at Thompson by leading one lap – the final one. The second triumph came at the midway point of the season as he took a win at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on March 13th in the same fashion – by leading only the final lap! In total, Pierce led sixty-two circuits throughout the season.

When it comes to the overall standings, which combine the ten skill matched divisions in the series, Pierce finished 48th overall and first among drivers in the Eastern Canada Club – a region made up of the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Ontario. Considering there are 3184 drivers who raced this season, the 48th place number is quite an accomplishment for Pierce.

“I’ve done a lot of online racing but this was my first full season on the iRacing platform,” said Pierce. “I was able to win the championship by running up front each week and getting top five finishes. Overall it was a great season and it’s even better to come out as a champion.”

“It keeps your skills sharp for the season,” said Pierce of the simulation. The team is looking for sponsors for the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour season – something he believes could get the #21 car contending for top finishes on the competitive series. “I think if we had half the budget that the top teams on the Tour have we could be running up front each week. We don’t have a big budget and right now we have enough to get us to the first race. After that, it will be a week by week deal.”

Pierce, along with his peers on the Tour will kick off their season with the CARQUEST 100 at Scotia Speedworld on Sunday, May 22nd.

MAY ALREADY?

It really does seem like this off-season has flown by quicker than others. The season is quickly approaching and fans, drivers and crews alike have lots to be excited for. From the re-opening of Petty International Raceway to the IWK 250 Presented by Steve Lewis Auto Body at Riverside (which will feature Marcos Ambrose) to a full compliment of twelve races, this season is set to be one of the best the Maritimes has seen in recent years. What are you excited about? Who do you think will come out on top of the Tour in 2011? Let me know by sending your thoughts on the season to timscorner@timterry.ca or checking out the Tim’s Corner Facebook Page.

Until next time, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!