Update following Frank Marratta’s Car Show
Renee signs autographs along with several other area drivers. Howie Hodge Photo.
Over the weekend (February 5-7, 2010), NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and UNION Insurance Grouped backed driver Renee Dupuis participated in several different activities at the 51st annual Frank Maratta’s Auto & Cycle Show.
First, Renee’s car (the team’s 2009 New Hampshire car) spent the weekend in the Lime Rock Park display – alongside Mario Andretti’s famous F1 Lotus 79 championship car.
After spending some time with the folks from Lime Rock, Renee next participated in the ‘Meet the Drivers’ Autograph session.
Later in the evening, Renee went on to compete in the NHMS-sponsored ‘Pit Crew Challenge’ competition. Renee was part of an all female crew – dubbed ‘Five Women Wrenching.’ The team consisted of Renea Topp (Lime Rock Park PR), Heather DesRochers (winning Stafford SK Light driver), Deb Cooper (mother of Stafford SK Light driver) and Erica Santos (NEMA Midget standout and Stafford SK Light Driver).
When the weekend wrapped, both car and driver returned home – with the display car immediately undergoing the process of being stripped of its red sheet metal. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as the team looks to unveil a new paint scheme for the rapidly-approaching 2010 season.
Renee poses with her UNION Insurance Group car - from the 2009 season - on display in the Lime Rock Park booth. Victor Moreno Photo.
As part of an all-female pit crew, Renee works the air gun on the left front. Also pictured (from left to right) are: Renea Topp; Deb Cooper; Heather DesRochers and Erica Santos. Howie Hodge Photo.
Team Partners with Lime Rock Park
When the 51st annual Frank Maratta’s Auto & Cycle Show opens on Friday, February 5 the UNION Insurance Group Chevrolet will be found on display in the Lime Rock Park booth – notably alongside a title-winning ALMS Patrón Highcroft Acura.
Renee will team with Lime Rock (Lakeville, CT) to promote the facility’s inaugural NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event. The 1.53-mile road course will play host to the WMT for the first time on July 3 as part of a holiday-weekend doubleheader with NASCAR’s Camping World Series East. It will mark the first time the Tour has competed on a road course since 2000.
“We’re looking forward to running Lime Rock,” offered Renee. “The show provides us with a great opportunity to promote our race – as well as our many sponsors.”
During the show Renee will participate in the ‘Meet the Drivers” autograph session on Saturday, February 6 from 6-7 PM.
Following the autograph session, she’s scheduled to compete in the NHMS-sponsored ‘Pit Crew Challenge’ competition. Renee will be part of an all-female team, including: Renea Topp (Lime Rock Park), Heather DesRochers (winning Stafford SK Light driver), Lauren Cooper (Stafford SK Light driver) and Erica Santos (NEMA Midget standout and Stafford SK Light Driver).
Renee’s car will be on display throughout the show – which runs from Friday thru Sunday (February 5-7) at the Connecticut Expo Center in Hartford. For more information, please visit the show’s website.
Renee Volunteers with ‘Women in the Winner’s Circle Driver Academy’
The 2010 Phase I Academy students pose for their class picture.
As in past years, on November 20-22 Renee traveled to Phoenix (AZ) to volunteer her time with the ‘Women in the Winner’s Circle Driver Academy.’
Established in 1994 through Lyn St. James’ ‘Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation,’ the Academy is the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind for talented women race drivers who aspire to the professional levels of motorsports. The 2010 edition of the Academy marks the 15th anniversary of the training program.
While in Phoenix, a group of 14 promising young women focused on the physical and mental preparation that is required of a champion driver. Hosted by Athletes’ Performance – literally a world-class training facility for elite-level athletes – the group worked to develop an effective fitness plan, learned proper guidelines for nutritional training and underwent baseline physical testing.
Lyn tests Zoe Mattis' (Pottstown, PA Micro Sprint driver) grip strength.
The group was also offered several workshops with Performance Prime’s Dr. Jacques Dallaire. During the seminars, the students were offered tools for gaining knowledge in preparing the mind for competition. Each participant also received Dr. Jacques’ MindShaper™ Software – a groundbreaking tool for improving mental skills such as focus, concentration, and reaction time.
“As a graduate of the Academy, I know how invaluable this Program can be in developing a skill set to help young women drivers,” explained Renee. Lyn works tirelessly in her pursuit of finding – then developing – these promising drivers. With the support of Dr. Jacques, a truly amazing man with even more amazing insight; and Athletes’ Performance, an absolutely astounding training facility – she’s able to continue her search. I’m just glad to be a part of it all.”
For more information about the Academy, please visit Lyn’s website.