Posted: 27 Jan 2010 08:30 AM PST

Ocala Speedway
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sprint Car Teams Arriving in Ocala

by BJ Cavin

OCALA, Fla. -- Many of the nation's top sprint car teams have begun arriving in Ocala to prepare for this weekend's running of the 2010 Ocala Speedway Winternationals. This year's event features the O'Reilly Auto Parts All Star Circuit of Champions, plus the popular Florida Mini Sprint Association, with racing on this coming Friday and Saturday night, and is attracting a virtual "who's who" of names to Florida's oldest speedway.

As the teams begin arriving many fans have reported seeing team haulers parked at local hotels, or exiting the freeway to come to Ocala. As was the case last year, some fans have made it a point to see which team haulers that they can spot and report it to their friends, and this year the Ocala Speedway Facebook group has provided a space of fans to post those reports. In addition, internet postings indicate that many teams are already on the road and heading south toward the area, and should be arriving soon.

Some teams made plans to be at the practice session scheduled for this afternoon at the speedway at 4PM, while others are content to get in their practice laps at the Thursday practice. Both practices are open to the public, and the $15 admission is also a pit pass giving fans full access. Children 12 and under will be admitted free to the practice sessions, and everyone must sign a pit waiver in order to enter.

Reports also indicate that many fans from across America have traveled to Ocala in order to watch their favorite sprint car teams compete, or are in route. While some have chosen to camp in RV's at the speedway, many have reservations in local hotels and motels, thus bringing a significant amount of money into the local economy. Those numbers will increase dramatically through Wednesday and Thursday as the bulk of the fans begin arriving.

As of Tuesday evening the final preparations were being applied to the facilities at Ocala Speedway ahead of the arrival of the fans and race teams. Final coats of paint were being applied to everything, and crews were busy stocking the concessions stands. In addition, the track crew was working the clay surface on the speedway, getting it into shape for Wednesday practice. New top quality Florida gumbo clay was brought in during the down time after Christmas, again originating from the same "secret" clay pits as previous applications.

Fans that need more information about the schedule of events or admission prices for this week should call the speedway at 352-622-9400, or visit www.OcalaSpeedway.com and click on the 2010 schedule icon. Plenty of camping space is available at the speedway on the famous "south 40" area for $10 per night.

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Bowling scores - Mining Journal

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 04:26 AM PST

Bowling scores

COUNTRY LANES

Sun. Tri-City Co-ed - Joleen North 246-596, Doug Kytola 253-633, Alley Gators 790-2056.

Mon. Industrial - Scott Gustafson 268-751, Anttila's Towing 1103, Country Village RV Park 3104.

Mon. Men & Women Seniors - Eloise Aho 167-436, Bob Aho 241, Cliff Mattson 628.

Tues. Youth Doubles - Kaytlynne Carlson 159, Austin Wilkins 202.

Tues. T&T Ladies League - Rhonda Bennett 224-562, Northern Electric Auto 759-2213.

Tues. Major - Mike Kulju 289-757, Jasper Ridge Brewery 1232-3579.

Wed. Superior Iron Range C.U. - Jessica Ayotte 212, Brenda Carlson 577, Clay Sandberg 276-759, Christine Garceau Photography 874, Cinema 2402.

Wed. Country Trio - Sarah Waters 180, Karen Auston 473, Steve Windahl 279-714, Country Lanes 713-1985.

Thurs. Coors Light Ladies - Diana Waters 235-576, Country Lanes 679-1955.

Fri. Men's Senior All-Timers - Jim Guthrie 217-519, Don Salo 226-622, Jim Bauer 221, Bruce Greenwood 247-632, Bill Holm 589.

Fri. Night Mixed -

Sat. Youth - Kaylee O'Connor 145, Kirk Guckenberg 179.

SUPERIOR LANES

Sun. Ball & Chain - Hope Virch 215-587, Jim Penhale 266-717, Pinfall Wizards 976, Slackers 2735.

Tues. Night Mixed - Katie Drossart 248-671, Tom Seeke 290-740, PinBusters 1076, Windahl Construction 2933.

Wed. Industrial - Katie Drossart 247-650, Steve Brownlee 259, Jeff Miller 259-700, Fleury Singler-Big Boy 1240-3568.

Thurs. Doubles - Hope Virch 231-635, Justin Stephens 279-771, Lowe's 562-1480.

Fri. 800 Mixed - Katie Salminen 221, Hope Virch 569, Justin Stephens 299-731, Pat's Bar 1227-3450.

Sat. Youth - Amber Kauppila 122-343, Robert Smedmen 155, Brandon Young 416, 3 Roses and a Thorn 612, Balls of Fury 1732.

Sat. High School - Maria Virch 200-537, Brett Dupras 200-580, The Ballin' Bowlers 612-1815.

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2011 Ford Super Duty a do-it-all mobile office - Edmonton Journal

Posted: 27 Jan 2010 12:44 AM PST

Ford's new heavy-duty work truck -- the vaunted 2011 Super Duty -- was officially unveiled at the Canadian Western Agribition in Saskatchewan, but it will no doubt feel right at home at this city's motor show.

These trucks are a standard tool in farm, ranch and oilpatch stables, and Ford recognizes that the trucks need to be an office on wheels and has added impressive interior options to accommodate the not-so nine-to-five crowd.

At the centre of Ford's offering is a new 4.2-inch LCD screen and a five-way button on the steering wheel that lets customers navigate through menu options that cover everything from fuel economy to towing convenience. Ford Works Solutions is a suite of technologies that allow a driver to run office and accounting software and use peripherals such as a keyboard and printer.

This truck also addresses another growing segment of Alberta's population: the fifth-wheel RV towers who drive to and from the U.S. and spend their summers on the road. In fact, it's this group (and the ever-increasing size of their recreational trailers) that Ford says influenced its decision to build the F-450 pickup (that tows more than 11,100 kilograms) in 2008.

For 2011, the Super Duty changes not only its tin but its engines. The new standard engine (on any of the Super Duty line) is a gasoline V-8-- the 6.2L. This motor delivers more power with better fuel economy. The engine is E85/flex fuel capable, meaning it can run on regular, partial or up to 85 per cent ethanol-mixed gasoline.

Garnering most of the attention is the all-new 6.7-litre V-8 Power Stroke turbodiesel. The exhaust manifolds reside in the valley of the V-8 rather than outboard, while the intake is outboard where the exhaust normally is. Also, the cylinder heads are flipped around in comparison with previous V-8 layouts.

Why? Ford says this unique layout -- an automotive industry first that it designed -- has several advantages. The exhaust system volume is reduced, meaning air can be fed to the single turbocharger more quickly for faster spool-up and reduced lag, resulting in improved throttle response. The single turbocharger is centre-mounted on a pedestal in the back of the valley, reducing vibration and noise.

Ford is claiming the new 6.7L diesel will have class-leading fuel economy. Horsepower should exceed the 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque of the outgoing engine, and, on a green note, the 6.7L diesel will be compatible with B20 fuel, meaning it can run on mixtures of up to 20 per cent biodiesel and 80 per cent petroleum diesel fuel.

As for getting the power to the wheels, a new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic has been designed to handle the increased torque produced by the new diesel engine and the higher r.p.m. of the new gasoline engine. The transmission will also come with Ford's SelectShift feature, which lets the driver shift manually.

For even greater trailer control, the 2011 Ford Super Duty harnesses the power of the Power Stroke diesel, which increases engine exhaust back pressure to help slow down the vehicle and trailer.

There's no button to push; the diesel powertrain calibration automatically increases the engine exhaust back pressure, making it seamless to the driver.

Another feature of this transmission is an optional Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO) for diesel-equipped trucks.

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THE SPECS

The Ford Super Duty trucks are available with Regular, Super and Crew Cabs, in F-250, F-350 and F-450 configurations. A V-10 gasoline engine option is available on the F-350, F-450 and F-550.

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