There are few names in the history of Canadian motorsports that go back as far as Castrol, the oil company that has been involved with Canadian racing since the beginning. When the first Targa Newfoundland was run in 2003, Castrol was one of the main sponsors of the event. That year, Judd Buchannan finished 3rd overall in his super fast, super unique 1967 Acadian Canso. The following years have seen Targa finishes ranging from 4th to 2nd overall, but the top spot has escaped Buchannan.
For 2007, Buchannan has been joined by Castrol and is planning an all out assault on The Rock’s twisty tarmac roads. It sounds like this is going to be a win at almost all cost attempt.
Press release after the break
Castrol dispatches Buchanan to win Targa
Long time racer Jud Buchanan of Campbelville, Ontario took his restored/super-tuned 1967 Acadian Canso to Newfoundland finishing 3rd overall in the inaugural Targa Rally Race in 2003. He podiumed 3rd overall again in ’04 then down a notch to 4th in 2005. Last year in the ’06 edition of the Canada’s highest profile tarmac rally, Jud and co-driver Jim Adams, of Pickering, ON ran in the top three overall for the entire rally. Suddenly disaster struck preventing the team from top spot; leading the rally by 16 seconds a transmission failure limped them to 2nd place in the final special stage of the rally.
“This year, thanks to Castrol’s sponsorship, we’re bring home the trophy,” promises Buchanan. He certainly knows how to win with a slew of autoslalom championships dating back 25 years and 1st place in the
2002 Yokohama Winter Rally Series on his mantle.
Anthony Stadelman, Wakefield Canada’s director of marketing, notes that Castrol has been a principal Targa sponsor since the beginning and has seen Buchanan win his Classic class several times. “It’s now time for Jud to switch from being the bridesmaid! This year we want to see Jud win the whole thing,” Stadelman says in his role as chief cheerleader.
Follow the Buchanan/Adams driven Canso at Targa Newfoundland beginning September 8, 2007.
Castrol Motorsport for 2007
Castrol’s track heritage spans more than 100 years during which the company has sponsored everything from Land Speed Records to John Force’ fabled NHRA Funny Car career. In Canada, Castrol is the founding sponsor of the Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame and was a long time significant sponsor of CASCAR during that organization’s many seasons.
This year the company has helped establish one of the country’s most successful ever series racing series for touring cars titled the Castrol Canadian Touring Car Championship. Also for 2007, Castrol has expanded its participation in the Canadian Rally Championship through the creation of the Castrol Cup. The Castrol Cup will provide a major prize fund for the Canadian Rally Championship with significant cash prizes to be awarded participants in the championship.
Elsewhere, Castrol has added its sponsorship weight to an emerging series in the Alberta/B.C. region announcing the Western Canadian Drift Championship presented by Castrol. With a four-round series running in Calgary, Edmonton and Vernon, this series nicely compliments the Castrol Drift Mania Canadian Championships (DMCC) that runs in Eastern Canada.
Castrol’s long time stock car presence continues in 2007 aboard DJ Kennington’s Number 17 car in the NACAR Canadian Tire Series and Kevin Dowler’s hard driving programs. The title sponsored multi- faceted facility, Castrol Raceway in Edmonton and many other sponsoring roles with drivers and series all over Canada contribute to an unprecedented Canadian motorsport summer for the Castrol brand.
Hmmm…Lucky might be the perfect car to take to the rock. I'm sure we can sort out some crew.
The Targa is an awesome race and as close to beautiful as any race could possibly be. Two of my best friends are Bill Arnold & Tamara Hull who have won the Targa Newfoundland more than once. Tamara shares responsibilities with my son as race director for NASA (National Auto Sports Association) and we have raced together for years as well. Tamara has been very helpful in sharing and teaching my navigator and myself details that hopefully will help us in the La Carrera Panamericana. She also keeps tempting us with the thought of running the Targa as well. Hmmm.
One of the cars, a beautifly prepared 65 GT350, that ran The Rock last year had a pretty bad accident a few weeks ago during the Chihuahua which is a pre-run designed to get cars set up for this years La Carrera Panamericana. That car will never see either race again.