EDMONTON, AB – After taking the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series for a ‘test drive’ in 2013, Marc Hobe’ and Jay Carr will be full-time competitors this season. Both drivers retain their rookie status from last season and will campaign for NPP Series Rookie of the Year honors in 2014.
“It’s a big step up from Street Stock [which I ran 2009 & 2010],” says Devon, Alberta’s Jay Carr, “my goal is to be competitive this year and be able to stick with the pack. Getting the rookie of the year would be nice. ” Carr, a senior technician at Devon Chrysler Dodge Jeep, competed in just two NPP Series points races in 2013. He wrapped up the NPP season with a strong fifth place Feature finish at Sangudo Speedway. “I was told that you need deep pockets to run in this Series. That’s not necessarily true. It’s a good group of guys to run with. At the races I was at [last season], they really helped me out with some set up advice. I appreciate that.”
Despite looking forward to the 2014 race season, Carr enters the upcoming season with a heavy heart. Jack Lund, his former car owner and sponsor, passed away on May 5th at the age of 62. “I’ll definitely be racing for Jack and his family this year,” says Carr, “he was a huge supporter of racing, he was my major sponsor and I want to do him proud this season.” Carr is making up a special roof decal for his #33 Chevrolet in memory of his friend and sponsor.
When Marc Hobe’ loaded his race trailer in Safford, Arizona in the spring of 2013 and headed to Canada, little did he know how much he would enjoy moving back to the Great White North. “I was done living in the States. I lived in Arizona for forty years. It was time for a change.” Hobe’, was born in Wetaskawin, Alberta in 1959 but grew up in the Red Deer area. “We lived in Canada for ten years but in 1970 moved down to Arizona.” Hobe’s father was a real estate executive. “My dad was never into cars at all,” explains Hobe’, “I started racing in the High School Drag racing program when we lived in California. I did the straight line for about 12 years.”
In the early 1990’s Hobe’ got involved at the local dirt track in Mesa, Arizona. “I started out as a crew chief [on a dirt late model] and then in 1995 got behind the wheel of a street stock.” Hobe’ finished second in points three straight seasons at Tri-State Speedway in Safford Arizona. “I ran one of my last races in the US [at Tuscon Speedway] in 2008.” With his move back to Canada, Hobe’ originally planned on settling down in Red Deer but an unexpected but rewarding job offer fell into his lap. “I’m working in the maintenance department at the Brightwood Ranch youth camp.”
The Hope Mission’s Brightwood Ranch, located near Evansburg, Alberta, is a Christian camp for orphans, inner city and foster children. The Hope Mission logo will be on Hobe’s #2 Ford this season. “I want to give Hope Mission and Brightwood Ranch some exposure at the tracks we run at this season. There are a lot of kids being raised by grandparents today because their parents aren’t there for them for one reason or another.” Hobe says many of the camps staff and volunteers will be at the NPP Series event at Sangudo Speedway on the Canada Day long weekend. “I really enjoyed running at Sangudo last year. I’m glad we’re going back this year.” Marc Hobe’ competed in only two NPP Series points events last season. In his NPP Series debut last July, Hobe finished 10th in the Feature.
The NPP Late Model Series kicks off its 14th consecutive season at Central Alberta Raceways on Saturday, May 30th. This is the first time since 2006 that the Rimbey, Alberta racetrack has hosted the season opener of the NPP Late Model Series. Gates open at 5:00pm. Racing at 6:00pm.
From Gord Craig
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