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Holgate Motorsports Early Sale

Holgate Motorsports announced today some of their equipment and Karts from this season will be going on sale before the end of the season. Team Principal John Holgate announced today that "all of our 03 /04 /05 and 06 chassis are for sale and they are all in excellent ready to race trim." "We also have one of our Rotax engines for sale now and the other two will be on sale at the end of the season." Holgate went on to say. Holgate Motorsports has been a long time supporter of the CMP Product and it has found that there are an abundance supplies and used kart parts and chassis that have to be sold to allow for new inventory to come into the shop.

Contact John Holgate direct at 705-734-4797.

LeLiever a Family Guy in Barrie

Holgate Motorsports driver Brad LeLiever had a busy weekend at the Barrie G.P. this weekend. On Tuesday June 19, 2007 LeLiever and his soulmate Terra Lynn gave birth to a daughter Sydney LeLiever.

From the hospital he ran between the Holgate Motorsports shop and the track getting his last ride of the season ready for the Rotax Max Senior Class race at the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship round. LeLiever said "It was crazy, I was so excited about the birth of our little girl and trying to fit all of the other time from the hospital into getting prepared for the race this weekend."

I'd like to thank everybody Jarrod Whent, Roy King, and John Holgate in getting my Kart together at the last minute and having everything prepared when I got to the track." Unfortunately for LeLiever the weekend on the track did not go so well as an engine gremlin put his qualifying way behind and despite making a tremendous effort of getting into the final by passing 3 karts on the last lap to make the final grid an accident at the start of the race bent a spindle badly enough that he could not continue.

As he settles in with his new family for the rest of the season Holgate had this to say."Brad and I have raced together for ten years now. I think we have ventured into a lot of areas in both Karts and Cars and have been successful in many of these areas" Holgate went on to say that "Brad has indicated that he may not have time for any more races this year but may consider some in the future at some level."

LeLiever and Holgate would like to thank all of their sponsors both this year and in past years for their efforts and support.

Hiltz 7th at Barrie Grand Prix

June 26, 2007: With changing track and weather changes throughout the weekend Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz finished 7th in the prestige's Barrie Grand Prix in the Senior Rotax Class of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship. "It was a weekend of both weather and track conditions constantly changing and a huge amount of entries that made it difficult to get a real handle on the track set-up" Hiltz said."The track changed a number of times as did the kart set-up during the final event and considering all these factors I am pleased with the results."

Team owner John Holgate was pleased with the results too."In a field with some of the best drivers and kart products in Canada coming to this race every year the competition is fierce and it showed in the lap times as they were extremely close" Holgate went on to say "considering the weather factors and the competition I am very pleased with Ashley's results". Roy King worked very hard on both engine and kart set-up during the weekend too.

Hiltz and Team-Mate Brad LeLiever took part in the media race which saw donations of upwards of $20,000 this year again to Barrie's RoyalVictoriaHospital. Hiltz won the event along with her media partner Amanda Babineau from the Barrie Examiner. "It was great to compete in the event and to be part of this great cause." Hiltz said.

Hiltz and her Team will now have a little time off until the next round of the SRFKC slated for the end of the month at Mosport.

Hiltz Finishes 2nd at Sturgeon Falls Grand Prix

June 19, 2007: Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz in a return to the Sturgeon Falls Grand Prix scored a 2nd place finish on the newly revised street race event. "My CMP/Holgate prepared Kart ran perfect pretty much all day" Hiltz said after the race won by Michael Glaze also on a CMP Kart. "We qualified third in the 15 kart field and finished 2nd in the pre-final and the second in the final."

"The course was great and the organizers were fantastic" Hiltz went on to say" "Everyone in the community were just so receptive to the Karters and the track and the facilities were great"

Team Manager John Holgate also remarked "We have not had the Sturgeon Falls Grand Prix since 2001 so it was great to see this great event put back on the calendar for 2007".  "The track and the organizers and sponsors did a great job in such a short time and many thanks go to the volunteers who put together a remarkable weekend for the Karters that participated in the event." "I am sure that this event will be on the racing calendar for a long time"

Holgate Motorsports now looks forward to getting things ready for the Barrie Grand Prix June 21,22,23,24 in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship.

Holgate Motorsports would like to thank all of its 2007 sponsors: Mississauga Toyota, Barrie Honda Ltd., Battlefield Rentals Ltd., Cookstown KOA, R.G.Leslie Insurance Ltd. 

Hiltz DNS at Goodwood SRFKC #1

May 16, 2007: Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz was eliminated from the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Race # 1 by the consequences of a crash in the pre-final race Saturday May 12, 2007 at Goodwood Race Track. The Pre-Final result with 41 Karts starting eliminated Hiltz from starting the final 30 lap Feature Race as only 34 of the 41 Karts were allowed in the final. Hiltz crashed heavily in the first corner of the first lap of the pre-final. 

Team Manager John Holgate said "I was surprised at the decision of the Steward of the Event for this decision after the 41 Karts were all allowed to run in the pre-final race. "However the ruling was discussed at the drivers meeting and after qualifying 14th on the gird a mere 2/10ths of a second off the off-pole position it was a disappointment for Ashley not being able to run in the final but I understand the concern for safety first."

Holgate went on to say "We have excellent officials in this Series and seldom have they issued a ruling that effected the outcome of an event." The Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship is the premier Karting Series in Canada and it is a well organized group of officials and marshals that make it possible for competitors such as Ashley to compete at this level." I think that there could be a way of possibly reviewing this decision in the future events so as to give an opportunity to all competitors to be able to participate in the final event. Either in qualifying or splitting groups to compete.    

Hiltz was to say the least disappointed and said "I was involved in the crash and my Team worked very hard to get me back ready for the final only to not be allowed back into the race because of this ruling. It was a big disappointment." Hiltz also said "The SRFKC is the best Series to compete at in Canada and it has the best competition, officials and venues. We had some bad luck today and we will look  forward  to round # 2 in Hamilton.

Effectively not participating in the final eliminates Hiltz from any chance at winning the Series by scoring no points in this race but the participation in the event helps her qualify for the Canadian Nationals in August. 

Hiltz Wins Concord Hardware Event at Goodwood 

May 8, 2007: Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz showing both determination and old fashion grit won the Concord Hardware Invitational Race at Goodwood Kartways on Sunday May 6, 2007. It was her third race event of the 2007 Season and she has shown promise in every event this season.

Team Principal John Holgate said "This was a great race to win before the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship starts next weekend at the same course". We still have lots of work to do against some very tough competition which is promised in the SRFKC." Ashley drove a superb race today with a lot of pressure on her for the entire race and showed poise and determination in her win today."

Roy King , Holgate Motorsports new addition as engine tuner and builder was also very pleased with the win. "I am optimistic going into the first SRFKC race next weekend that we will be well prepared and our engine and chassis combination worked very well today".

Hiltz said after the race "It was great to win today and I am very happy that my sponsors have come on board with me this season and I want to thank them all and I am really looking forward to the start of the SRFKC next weekend."After qualifying 6th on the grid and working my way up to 4th in the pre-final and having a great start I got into 1st place on the on the first corner and after that my CMP Chassis along with my motor just worked perfect all day."

Holgate Motorsports would also like to thank their sponsors this year Barrie Honda Ltd., Mississauga Toyota Ltd. and Battlefield Rentals Ltd.

LeLiever 6th in Jesolo Team Canada Debut at Goodwood

May 8, 2007: New Jesolo Team Canada driver Brad LeLiever scored a strong 6th place finish in his debut with the newly formed Jesolo Team Canada at the Concord Hardware Invitational at Goodwood on Sunday May 6th.

Team Manager Kevin Barrick was pleased with his new Team effort despite some early morning glitches with handling they worked through to have some good qualifying speed and good grid positions." I thought both drivers did very well considering this is our first outing as both a Team and a new product on the market" I am very pleased with the chassis and it worked very well on the Goodwood track and we are ready for the SRFKC race here next weekend.

Team-mate Keith Barrick showed some promise in the qualifying but his clutch burned out in the final race but he continued on to a 11th place finish.

LeLiever said" I am very pleased with my new Jesolo chassis which worked very well all day,." I didn't have enough power to stay in with the guys at the front and the all important draft" he went on to say " I am very pleased with the opportunity to be here with Kevin and Keith in their debut of their new product and I am very determined to make an impact on the SRFKC Series this year."

For more information on the Jesolo Team Canada Product contact Kevin Barrick at 705-326-4104.

Hiltz Top 5 at Innisfil Opener

April 30, 2007: Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz in her 2nd race in as many weeks after being out of the seat for almost two years made another excellent drive to finish 4th in the M.A.D.D. sponsored Innisfil Race # 2 yesterday.

Photographs courtesy of Chip Young Photography. Thanks Chip.

Hiltz said, "We had a great start and I thought I could hold off Matt Abram for third place and a podium finish but his kart had a little more straight line speed and he finished 1/100th of a second in front of me."

The Holgate Motorsports driver was competing in her second race in as many weeks at Innisfil in preparation for the Rotax Max Championship starting at Goodwood on May 11 in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship.

Team Principal John Holgate was again pleased with the progress of Hiltz and said "We are very comfortable with the progress we have made as a Team in this short time leading up to our participation in the SRFKC". "I hope that our progress to date will help us compete at the top level that is found in the SRFKC and that we will have some competitive drives and finishes in the Series."

Holgate Motorsports will be back at Goodwood next weekend for the Goodwood Challenge race in preparation for the opening round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship which will start the weekend following.

Hiltz Scores a 6th Place at Goodwood Opener

April 24, 2007: Ashley Hiltz driving in her first race for the Holgate Motorsports Team in two years came from a last place start to a 6th place finish in the Jim Arnold Memorial Race at Goodwood Race Track Saturday April 21/2007.

Hiltz had to start from the back of the pack as a wild pre-final with one collision after another resulted in debris breaking her chain and her last place start. Hiltz said "it felt really good in the final to be able to make up for some real setbacks in qualifying and the pre-final."My CMP Rotax Chassis handled an performed really well all day and but for the problems in the pre-final I think if I had started further up the field I could have had the opportunity to do better."

Hiltz went on to say... "We are now in very good shape as the Team looks forward to the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship on May 11/2007 at this same facility.

Team Manager John Holgate was equally pleased with Hiltz performance on the day."We came here to take in the race on the same track that we start the SRFKC" Holgate said "Ashley has been preparing all winter for this Series and I was very pleased with the result we got so early in the season." Holgate went on to say "The Team worked well together and the CMP chassis and engine by Holgate Motorsports prepared by Roy King did all that we expected".

Brad LeLiever joins "Jesolo Team Canada"
Brad LeLiever joins Jesolo for 2007

Holgate Motorsports adds CMP dealership

Ashley Hiltz returns to Holgate Motorsports for 2007

January 13, 2007: GILFORD, ONTARIO - Holgate Motorsports is proud to announce that former Holgate Motorsports driver Ashley Hiltz will be returning to the team after taking a one year sabbatical to complete her college studies.

Barrie Rent All joins Holgate Motorsports for 2006
Rookie of the Year, Brad LeLiever, happy with new sponsorship package

October 11, 2005: GILFORD, ONTARIO - Holgate Motorsports announced today that they have signed a new primary sponsor for the 2006 Ontario Pro Challenge Series. "We are really happy to announce that Barrie Rent All will be the primary sponsor on our Holgate Motorsports #81 Monte Carlo for 2006," said Holgate Motorsports owner, John Holgate.

Barrie Rent All had previously been a sponsor of Holgate Motorsports, when the team fielded karts for LeLiever a few years ago. The visibility of the stock car program currently run by Holgate Motorsports was the perfect opportunity for Barrie Rent All to get back involved with the team. "It is a great opportunity for us," said Andy Houghton President for Barrie Rental. "We have worked with Holgate Motorsports in the past, and the opportunity to be the primary sponsor for Holgate and driver Brad LeLiever was an excellent fit to reach new clients in the Barrie area."

Barrie Rental Ltd. supplies equipment and supplies for construction, home, and cottage as well as industrial supplies and equipment. Their company moto is 'Service, Product , Price'. Barrie Rental Ltd. is located at 134 Tiffin Street, Barrie, Ontario. They can be reached at 705-728-8585.

Driver Brad LeLiever is happy to be back with Barrie Rent All. "It is great to have Mr. Houghton and Barrie Rent All support us in the Ontario Pro Challenge Series for 2006. I think we will be able to build on our Rookie of the Year run we had this year."

Holgate Motorsports Announces Kart Clearance

Rookie of the Year award to Holgate Motorsports Brad LeLiever in Ontario Pro Challenge
Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo finishes a strong seventh in final points.

LeLiever fourth at Peterborough
Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac//Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo scores second top five of the year

Two top fives for LeLiever at Peterborough
Early night success for Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo at Peterborough

July 17, 2005: PETERBOROUGH, ONTARIO - Brad LeLiever had good reason to be wearing an ear-to-ear smile after the heat races at Peterborough Speedway on Saturday night. "Our Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo has been the best it's been all year. The Holgate Motorsports crew has given me a car that I can compete for wins with."

LeLiever finished a strong third in the first heat, and then backed that up with another strong finish in the second heat race in fourth. "We have been good tonight, but I am worried about the inversion. While I am happy to start on the front row, the outside is not the place to be here."

LeLiever had more problems to contend with than just being on the outside during the feature. Just a few laps in the exhaust started to leak, then break, which robbed his engine of power. "This is really tough, all the cars are so close, if you loose just a little bit of power, you just go backwards."

LeLiever was able to keep the car running, and finish a strong seventh. The good news for the team is that they have moved up to seventh in the point standings, just 11 points out of sixth.

LeLiever close at Mosport
Late race spin costs the Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo a good finish

LeLiever in top four at Flamboro
Best result so far for Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac/Thermoseal Industries Monte Carlo

LeLiever moves forward at Peterborough
Brad LeLiever moves up to seventh in points after round two

June 14, 2005: PETERBOROUGH , ONTARIO - Ontario Pro Challenge series Rookie of the Year contender Brad LeLiever had his second strong outing in a row in his Barrie Honda/Georgian Monte Carlo on Saturday night at Peterborough Speedway.

"This is a tight, fast track," LeLiever said after the race night. "We have the car working well, and I am looking forward to starting in my regular spot next weekend at Sunset."

For the first three races, LeLiever has had to start at the back of the pack while he completes his rookie orientation. Even with that, LeLiever has managed to stay in the top 10 in points and with his eighth place finish on Saturday, he moved up to seventh in the standings.

LeLiever was also able to move his Barrie Honda/Georgian Monte Carlo forward in both heat races to gain some valuable points. He finished a very creditable sixth in both heat races after starting ninth.

"We now go back to Sunset, site of the rained out season opener," LeLiever said. "I have to start the first feature from the back, but after that I can run in my normal position. It is home race for our Holgate Motorsports team."

Holgate Motorsports Quick news - Holgate Motorsports is happy to welcome their newest sponsor Thermoseal Industries.

LeLiever strong in Pro Challenge opener
Brad LeLiever powers Barrie Honda/Georgian Pontiac Pro Challenge Monte Carlo to a solid finish in season opener

LeLiever, Stovold take top 10's at Sutton
Brad LeLiever and Matt Stovold score best finishes of the year

Stovold returns for 2005
Matt Stovold back with Holgate Motorsports for 2005 season

"It is great to be back with Holgate Motorsports," Stovold said. "This year they have stepped up the organization of the team, and I am confident of a top three in the Rotax class, and hopefully an invite to the Sunoco Ron Fellows Evaluation Day."

Holgate Motorsports' owner John Holgate is happy to have the seasoned karter back for 2005. "Matt has shown good improvement over the last couple of years. I am sure he'll have his best year yet, and that will be a huge boost for Holgate Motorsports and his career as a racing driver."

Holgate is in for a busy year with the addition of Stovold. They will field two Rotax Max entries, one for Stovold, the other for Brad LeLiever. In addition, LeLiever is expected to compete in the headline Formula Senior class as well. In addition, LeLiever will compete in the full 12 race Ontario Pro Challenge series in the #81 Barrie Honda/Georgian Bay Pontiac Monte Carlo.

Holgate Motorsports Spring Blowout Sale

LeLiever turns ‘Pro’
Innisfil karting star joins Ontario Pro Challenge Series for 2005

Holgate Motorsports Season Ending Sale

LeLiever podiums in season finale

Brad LeLiever leads Holgate Motorsports at Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels finale.

Sept 20, 2004: INNISFIL, ONTARIO – Gilford racer Brad LeLiever has been snake bit for most of the year in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship, but in the season finale at Innisfil Indy this past weekend, LeLiever had some good luck to go along with his bad luck – which was still present and accounted for at Innisfil.

“The podium in World Formula is good for our team,” LeLiever said. “But we had so much more we could have done. I am glad it is over – hopefully the bad luck will be over also.”

LeLiever led the team with a third in World Formula Senior, but his Rotax Max Senior race was short lived when his motor fouled a spark plug on the opening lap. Teammate Matt Stovold didn't fare much better as his engine met the same fate – also on the opening lap.

Ashley Hiltz amazingly had the same problem but she managed to clean her engine out and carry on. She dropped back to last, and then put on an amazing drive to move up to sixth in the final tally.

LELIEVER LEADING THE PACK FOR HOLGATE MOTORSPORTS - PHOTO BY ED GATNER

Stovold, Hiltz shine at Innisfil during Festival of Rotax

Sept 15, 2004: INNISFIL, ONTARIO – Gilford's Matt Stovold led the field from start to finish in the Rotax Max Senior finale at the Festival of Rotax, held at the new Innisfil Indy last weekend.

“This is a great result for our Holgate Motorsports team,” Stovold said after his dominant performance. “Brad was there with me for a while, and it would have been good for us to finish one-two-three.”

Brad LeLiever was running a strong second until his chain parted company with his CMP chassis. “I just can't buy a break this year. It would have been a good fight, but still a one-two for our team is a good result.”

Benefiting from LeLiever's misfortune was the third Holgate Motorsports team driver, Ashley Hiltz. Hiltz finished a strong second. “This is a great result for our team,” Hiltz said. “Hopefully the results will be much the same next weekend also.”

This coming weekend, all three Holgate drivers will be back in action as they will contest the season finale of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship presented by Toronto Star Wheels at the Innisfil track. “I am hoping for a strong finish from all our drivers,” Holgate team Principal John Holgate said. “We just need a bit of good luck for a change.”

LELIEVERS LUCK - IT HAS RAINED ON BRAD LELIEVER PRETTY MUCH ALL YEAR - PHOTO BY ED GATNER

MATT STOVOLD - STOVOLD WON ROTAX MAX AT INNISFIL - PHOTO BY ED GATNER

Holgate Motorsports Driver Killed at Shannonville

Hiltz gains more points for Holgate Motorsports at Sutton

ASHLEY HILTZ AT SUTTON - PHOTO BY ED GATNER

Hiltz Finishes 5th at Barrie G.P.

June 27, 2004: Ashley Hiltz finished 5th in the Rotax Max Final at the Barrie Grand Prix on Sunday June 27, 2004.

Starting from 14th on the starting grid she took her time through the traffic and drove a steady consistent race to the finish. “My CMP Kart had some handling and electric problems during the weekend at different practice sessions but my crew was able to sort them out when the final race started” Hiltz said after the race was completed. “I want to thank Holgate Motorsports, Barrie Honda Ltd. R.G.Leslie Insurance, Cookstown KOA and the RV.Warehouse for their support.”

Teammate Brad LeLiever starting from 11th position was punted off the course on the first lap but after the red flag was allowed to start back into the race despite a heavily damaged Kart. He moved through the field passing teammate Hiltz for fourth place and then on the final corner of the last lap the Kart “gave up”. “It was bent so bad in the suspension after the initial hit on the opening lap that I could not drive the distance“ a disappointed LeLiever said despite being as high as 4th place in the race.

Matt Stovold had another disappointing race in Barrie G.P. by not finishing the Rotax Max Final or the F-125 shifter Final. “My CMP Rotax Max engine quit on the opening lap due to battery failure and my F-125 had handling difficulties throughout the final” Stovold went on the say.

“The Ron Fellows Sunoco Karting Championship has been great so far this year,“ Team principal John Holgate said. “The level of competition has improved in every class and the professionalism of the Series has brought both the competition and the level of interest to even greater heights and will continue to improve“ Holgate went on to say.

A crowd of almost 30,000 people came to the event this year for it's 5th anniversary of the Barrie Grand Prix and organizers were very happy at the results.

The next event in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Series will be at Sutton on July 14, 15, 16.

Innisfil Kart Club Championship, sponsored by Roxon Construction

June 20, 2004: After coming back from an injury Matt Stovold finished in third place at the Innisfil Kart Club Championship in Rotax Max today. Teammate Ashley Hiltz finished 5th in the final. Being injured in a non racing mishap Stovold after missing last Sunday's race was very pleased with his performance today. "After having some initial pain in my leg at the start of the race I was able to get in a groove and continue on and finish the race and score some much needed points" Stovold said after not being able to race last weekend. Hiltz too was pleased with her 5th place finish that still leaves her in contention with Adriano Billotta amongst the Championship leaders. "I had some initial jetting problems coupled with a handling problem that kept me from running directly with the leaders but we kept them in sight all day but there was no mistakes made in the final 20 lap final." Hiltz went on to say. This was final tune-up before the SRFKC Race in Barrie on June 24, 25, 26 and 27.

Innisfil Kart Club Season Opener

June 6, 2004: After almost 1 year of non-operation the new Innisfil Indy Track opened today to a resounding success. Ashley Hiltz today won her first race of the 2004 Season in great style in the Rotax Max final. She powered her way through the tight twisty track to take the win after an incredible amount of pressure was put on her by IKC's Adriano Billotta throughout the entire 20 lap feature. " It feels real good to win my first race with the Holgate Motorsport's Team and my first win in a Rotax Max Kart" After a qualifying heat that left her on the outside front row for the final at the start of the race she powered by Billotta on the first corner and never lost the lead for the entire race distance. Billotta attempted to pass her on a number of occasions but came up short on all the attempts as Hiltz drove a flawless race. The next race at Innisfil is June 20, 2004 in the Innisfil Kart Club Rotax Max Championship.

Three top 10's at Hamilton
LeLiever, Hiltz and Stovold score valuable Rotax Max points in Hamilton

May 31, 2004: "It wasn't the easiest weekend on record," Holgate Motorsports driver Brad LeLiever said of his weekend contesting the first two Rounds of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship Presented by Toronto Star Wheels at Cameron Motorsports Park in Hamilton.

LeLiever, along with team drivers Matt Stovold, Ashley Hiltz and Paul Gubasta all competed in the hugely competitive RotaxMax Senior class, which drew 73 entries for the 34 slots available in the final.

In Round 1, Stovold let the team by qualifying 10th, Hiltz was 19th, LeLiever 29th after suffering a flat tire during the session. Gubasta was 48th. LeLiever started his long day of work in the last chance race, where he finished fifth, and advanced to the final. Gubasta wasn't as lucky. Stovold led the team in Round 1 with a seventh place finish, while Hiltz was right on his bumper in ninth. "It is good to have a good finish in the first round," Stovold said. Hiltz agreed, "I am still learning this CMP chassis, so right now, I am happy with ninth in the first round." LeLiever was trying to get to the front, and an amazing drive saw him move all the way up to 12th when the checkered flag fell.

For Round two the team's fortunes looked better. LeLiever would start sixth, Hiltz eighth and Stovold 11th.  LeLiever came home fifth, but he felt he needed just a few more laps. "I got a little tangled up, but my Holgate Motorsports CMP got better each lap," LeLiever said. "At the end, I was on the tail of the lead pack, but I could see they were having problems, while my CMP was getting better each lap. A few more laps and the results would have been different." Stovold was 10th, and Hiltz 11th, both scoring more valuable points.

"This has been a very good weekend for us," Team Principal, John Holgate said of the weekend. "This class is the toughest out there, you have to be good each session or you get left behind. I am happy with the team's performance and now we will look forward to our 'home race' at Barrie in a few weeks."

HOLGATE MOTORSPORTS DRIVER BRAD LELIEVER #81 WAS IN THE THICK OF THE ROTAX MAX ACTION AT HAMILTON - PHOTO BY ED GATNER

Holgate Motorsports Announces Drivers for 2004

May 12, 2004: Holgate Motorsports Inc. has today announced their drivers for the 2004 Racing Season. Brad LeLiever from Gilford Ontario, Matt Stovold from Barrie Ontario, Ashley Hiltz from Scarborough and Paul Gubasta from Mississauga Ontario will all compete in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship in the Rotax Max Class for 2004.

Team Principal John Holgate made the final announcements today. "We are very pleased with having these four drivers represent our Sponsors and Team this season". said Holgate. "New Sponsorship came from Mississauga Toyota, and Northern Heating and Ventilation, KOA Cookstown and that coupled with our repeat sponsors Barrie Honda Ltd., R.G.Leslie Insurance Ltd., The Producers Group, The R.V.Warehouse, The Plan Group, Lapierre Structures and Morden Construction Ltd. have all contributed to making Our Team very competitive." Holgate went on to say.

Paul Gubasta will compete this year in the SRFKC Championship as well as the Kumho Tire Issaeco F-1200 Series. "I am very pleased to be back with a competitive Team this year and the preparation that Holgate Motorsports puts into my chassis and engines are excellent" "I am looking forward to the competition in the Rotax Max Class which has grown very large in the past year." Gubasta said.

Brad LeLiever (2nd Place F-1200 2003 Issaeco Series), Matt Stovold (Innisfil Kart Club Rotax-Max Champion) and Ashley Hiltz (2003 Grand National F-125 Champion) will all attend the next round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship in Hamilton on May 28-29/04 in the Rotax Max Class.

Holgate Motorsports will again for 2004 be using the 2004 CMP Chassis for all of their driver which have improved greatly from last years F-A Chassis for the Rotax Max Class.

Ashley Hiltz Joins Holgate Motorsports for 2004

January 15, 2004: 17 year old Ashley Hiltz from Scarborough Ontario has joined Holgate Motorsports Inc for the 2004 Racing Season. Team Manager John Holgate made the announcement today following a meeting last week to discuss the arrangements for the young driver to join the Team. " I am delighted as are the other drivers and Team personel on the Holgate Motorsports Team that arrangements have been made for Ashley to join us."..... "Ashley brings a new dimension to our Team and will compliment Brad LeLiever and Matt Stovold this year." Holgate went on to say.

Ms. Hiltz accomplishments are many particularly in F-125 ICC competition where she was 2003 F-125 Champion winning the coveted "Bear Trophy" to add to a "Bear" also won in 2001. She also won the 2002 Valleyfield Grand Prix in Quebec in 2002 and was a creditable 4th place finisher in the Norway Illinois Grand Prix for SKUSA F-125 in 2002.

Ashley, will compete in the Ron Fellows Sunoco Karting Championship in the Rotax Max Championship with Holgate Motorsport this year on a CMP chassis. Along with Teammates Brad LeLiever who finished 2nd in the F-1200 Issaco/ Kumho tires Series and Matt Stovold who was The Innisfil Kart Club Rotax Max Champion .Ms. Hiltz will be an important part to a strong Team effort this year.

Ashley will also compete in the Issaco/Kumho F-1200 Series in an arrangement reached also through Holgate Motorsports Inc. Ashley will test the car in the early spring with the hope that everything will be put into place for her by the time the first race of the Issaco/ Kumho Series is started.

Holgate Motorsport Drivers Complete Season

January 6, 2004: Holgate Motorsport drivers Brad LeLiever and Matt Stovold completed their 2003 Season with some strong finishes and a Championship.

Brad LeLiever driving his BRD F-1200 car finished 2nd in the Ontario Regional F-1200 Series and complemented that with a 2nd place finish in the Kumho Tire / Isseco F-1200 Pro Series. LeLiever finished with more wins than the Champion but came up short with the points. LeLiever said" It was disappointment not to win the Championship after so many 1st place finishes in the 16 race Series but that's what racing is all about". Plans for next year are to seek sponsorship to place LeLiever in the Ontario Pro Challenge Cup for stock cars. LeLiever went on to say " we are actively seeking sponsors at the present time and hope to have the funding in place for a ride in the Ontario Pro Challenge Cup". LeLiever had a test session in September /03 with one the new cars and did extremely well on the oval at Peterborough.

Matt Stovold competed all season in the Ron Fellows Sunoco Karting Series and had a strong finish in Round # 1 at Mosport to finish in 4th place. He completed all of the races and in a dramatic turnaround at the last race of the season he won the Innisfil Kart Club Rotax Max Championship. Stovold said" To win my first Championship at the last race of the year was a highlight of the entire season." There were times when we had some difficulty in working through both technical problems and on track incidents but we stayed focused and my CMP Kart got me through to win the Championship." Stovold also commented on the fact that he " would like to thank teammates Brad LeLiever and Jim Flewwelling for the on track and off track help in both of the Series. For 2004 Stovold hopes to return to the Rotax Max Ron Fellows Sunoco Series and do some F-1200 testing later in the 2004 season.

Jim Flewwelling completed his first season with Holgate Motorsport and had a great year competing in all of the races in the Sunoco Ron Fellows Series and the Innisfil Kart Club Series in which he finished in a strong 3rd Place in the IKC Rotax Max Championship. " My CMP Rotax Max Kart was in contention all year at nearly all of the events and we had a great season." Flewwelling commented Next season Jim will complete in selected races and specials and will spend most of his time with his son Logan as he starts this year as a novice Karter.

Holgate Motorsports would like to take this opportunity to thank ALL of the sponsors for their efforts in 2003. John Holgate Team Manager said " We would not have been able to even contemplate the season that we have had this year without the dedication we received from our sponsors. " The highlight for us as a "Team " was winning the " Team Spirit " Award presented by Pratt and Miller at the Barrie Grand Prix in June of 2003 " Holgate remarked. " I am looking forward to the Team returning to the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship next year".

LeLiever Comes Up Sevens in Barrie

June 24, 2003: The Holgate Motorsports team competed in the Grand Prix of Barrie on Sunday, racing on a street circuit near the shore of Lake Simcoe. While Brad LeLiever kept coming up sevens, the usually lucky digit did little for the team overall. Running in both Formula 125 and Rotax Max, LeLiever qualified seventh for both classes, finished seventh in both prefinals and finished seventh in the Formula 125 final, but his luck ran out for the Rotax Max final which he failed to finish.

Matt Stovold managed to keep his chin up and a smile on his face despite being disappointed with qualifying eighteenth in the Rotax Max class. A mechanical failure took him out of the prefinal relegating him to the back of the pack to start the final. Matt was on a tear in the final, showing great speed and pulling off several tidy passing manoeuvres He had climbed all the way to seventh when a collision ended his day.

Arrive & Drive team member Paul Gubasta suffered a rib injury during practice sessions on Friday and had to withdraw from further participation at the Barrie event. Jim Flewwelling, meanwhile, qualified thirteenth in Rotax Max, and finished fifteenth in both the prefinal and final.

Hogate Motorsports will be in action next weekend at the Mosport Kart Club.

LeLeviever Wins but DNFs Rule the Day at Sutton

June 2, 2003: The Holgate Motorsports team was at Sutton for the second round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Championship yesterday with drivers Brad LeLiever, Matt Stovold, Jim Flewwelling and Paul Gubasta. All our drivers had good pace and were competitive, but despite a win from LeLiever results weren't what the team had been hoping for.

All four drivers ran in the Rotax-Max class while Stovold and LeLiever also competed in Formula 125. LeLiever qualified sixth and Stovold lined up a few rows back after setting the fourteenth best time. Stovold did very well in the races, finishing seventh in both the prefinal and final. LeLiever, on the other hand, was run off the track in the prefinal, then was not able to compete in the final.

In Rotax-Max, LeLiever appeared to have the field covered, qualifying sixth and finishing first in the prefinal. Unfortunately, a first-lap collision in the final ended his day on a sour note. Stovold shared a similar fate, crashing out of the final on lap six. Customer drivers Flewwelling and Gubasta qualified eighteenth and 35th, respectively, and their days went in opposite directions. While Flewwelling finished twentieth in the prefinal and improved to and excellent seventh-place finish in the final, Gubasta crashed out of the prefinal, then did the same in the prefinal after climbing all the way to fourth place.

The team is in action again in two weeks at the Mosport Kart Club.

'Character Builder' for Holgate Team

May 20, 2003: The most positive thing that can be said about last weekend is that is was a character builder. Overall, it was pretty disappointing, but these things happen sometimes.

Brad LeLiever's weekend ended in disappointment on Sunday with his Formula 1200 car flattened against a concrete wall at Mosport after he was punted off the track (check Brad's news page for details).

A holiday-Monday kart race at the Mosport Kart Track didn't yield much joy either. Matt Stovold did well, qualifying seventh, finishing fifth in the prefinal and fifth again in the final. Brad qualified eighth, but was less competitive in the races finishing thirteenth in both the prefinal and final. Jim Flewwelling had to start at the back of the field as he did not set a time in qualifying, but rallied to finish sixteenth in the prefinal. He was very impressive in the final, running seventh when his brake pedal broke and ended his race.

The Holgate Motorsports kart team will be in action again May 31-June 1 at Innisfil for the second round of the Sunoco Ron Fellows Karting Championship.

A Soggy Day at Mosport

May 12, 2003: The Holgate Motorsports team was in action at the Mosport Kart Track again this weekend competing in the first event of the 2003 Sunoco Ron Fellows Championship. Weather played a big role throughout the day with a wide assortment of conditions thrown in. The poor weather disrupted the day's schedule and each class ran only one race instead of the scheduled two.

Team principal John Holgate reported that Matt Stovold was awesome qualifying fourth in a field of 76 Rotax Max entries. He did very well in the race and was running second when a red flag brought things to a halt. Unfortunately, a red flag causes the results to be reverted to the previous lap and at that time Matt was fourth. Still, an excellent performance against a lot of competition.

Jim Flewwelling, also running Rotax Max, struggled in the lousy weather, qualifying 42nd. That knocked him out of the main race and into a consolation heat, which he won.

Brad LeLiever qualified fourth in a large Formula 125 field. He held his own for the first few laps of the race, but was battling handling problems which saw him gradually fall back. Official results were not posted due to the length of the event which was delayed many times due to the terrible weather conditions.

Holgate Drivers Finish 2-3-4 at Mosport

May 5, 2003: Holgate Motorsports drivers Matt Stovold, Brad LeLiever and Jim Flewwelling were a force to be reckoned with at the Mosport Kart Club yesterday as they finished second, third and fourth in the Rotax Max class. After battling with Brad in the early laps of the final, Matt went on to finish second, chased home by Brad and Jim. Matt also competed in the Formula 125 class, finishing fourth.

Holgate Motorsports will be karting again next weekend as the 2003 Sunoco Ron Fellows Championship kicks off at Mosport.

News Update

Holgate Motorsports has now completed rebuilding all of last years inventory of their Rotax Max chassis and CMP shifter chassis (including one 2004 chassis) and engines. These chassis and engines will be offered for sale at very competitive prices.  Holgate Motorsports will also stock many CMP parts and new CMP Karts will be available through arrive and drive programs and sales directly in 2004.. All inquiries can be directed by telephone at 705-456-0911 or fax at 705-458-2939. More information will be posted as it becomes available.