HALIFAX, NS (2004 July 30) - Yesterday marked the beginning of a new era for a Shubenacadie race team as the first laps were turned in the late Scott Fraser's super pro stock racecar. But this time it was Shawn Turple behind the wheel. Fraser, 33, one of the Maritimes most popular stock car drivers, died in a snowmobile accident in March.

Many of Fraser's crew members, his father Frank, and brother Frank Jr., looked on as young Turple (Enfield) climbed behind the wheel and made the first laps in the car the team has prepared for Turple to make his debut in pro stock racing on August 14 in The Atlantic Cat 250 at Scotia Speedworld.

Turple is a successful racer in the hobby stock and sportsman divisions at Scotia Speedworld and was picked by the Fraser crew to pilot the car Scott had already started to prepare for the '04 season.

"Scott was impressed with Shawn," said Frank Fraser. "He liked his style and had mentioned last year that he would like to see him in a pro stock."

At the time of Scott's death, the Fraser family was overwhelmed with support from hundreds of family, friends and fans all wanting to do something to perpetuate Scott's racing legacy and making donations to the Scott Fraser Racing Memorial Fund. Since Scott was well known for being one of the first drivers to help another in time of need, Scott's race team, spearheaded by his dad, collectively decided that helping a young up and coming driver pursue his racing dream was the best way to honour Scott's memory. On April 26 the announcement was made that Turple would be in the car for two races this year.

"Since we asked Shawn to do this in he has been at the shop a lot helping us prepare the car," said Frank Fraser. "He's a good kid."

Turple practiced the racecar through the evening and was coached by Frank Fraser, himself a veteran racer. After his first shakedown session Turple wore a smile from ear to ear, overwhelmed by the power of his new ride - and the honour of being in Scott Fraser's racecar.

"I've had a while to get ready for this mentally," said Turple, "but being here today with Scott's family and crew brings this all into perspective again. This is a huge opportunity - and responsibility - for me."

Turple will be the busiest driver at Scotia Speedworld August 13-14 as he will run his own No. 72 sportsman racecar in The Lockhart Truck Centre 100 on Friday night and then the Fraser entry in The Atlantic Cat 250 on Saturday night. Currently, with one Super Series race before August 13, Turple leads the Dominion Auto Auctions Sportsman Super Series point standings by just four markers over James Graves.

The black racecar (photo attached) was unlettered for the practice session. For The Atlantic Cat 250 it will bear the number SFR (Scott Fraser Racing) on the doors and will be adorned by the familiar yellow checkerboard rocker panel carried to many a checkered flag by Scott Fraser.

The Atlantic Cat 250 weekend kicks off Friday, August 13 at Scotia Speedworld with The Lockhart Truck Centre 100 for the Dominion Auto Auctions Sportsman Super Series. They will be accompanied by the Miller Tire/BFGoodrich Thunder & Lightning Cars and two rounds of qualifying for pro stock racers entered in The Atlantic Cat 250. Grandstand gates open at 5 p.m. and racing starts at 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 14 will be headlined by The Atlantic Cat 250, sanctioned by New England's Pro All Stars Series (PASS). The Nova Automotive Hobby Stock division and Maritimes Legends cars will also be on hand. The Pepsi Pre-race show gets underway at 5 p.m. and will feature musical entertainment and a 30-minute autograph session. Racing starts at 6 p.m. The grandstand gates will open at 3 p.m.

Donations to the Scott Fraser Racing Memorial Fund can be made at any branch of the Royal Bank of Canada or by mail to P.O. Box 105, Shubenacadie, NS, B0P 1L0. The Fund is being administered by a committee comprised of Frank Fraser, Dan MacLeod and Jim Hall. MacLeod and Hall were both friends and supporters of Scott Fraser. No decision has been made on the second race date for Turple or on future plans for the Fund. Details will be posted at www.ScottFraserOnline.com when available.

Budweiser, the world's best-selling beer brand and a long-time supporter of motorsports, is a proud sponsor of Scotia Speedworld. Besides their support of Scotia Speedworld, the 2004 Budweiser Racing program also features NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein.

Scotia Speedworld is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval stock car racing track featuring Budweiser Weekly Racing for four divisions and several special events during the race season, which runs from May to September. Scotia Speedworld is located at Exit 6, Hwy. 102, across from the Halifax International Airport. For more information on Scotia Speedworld please visit ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277.

# # #