Toronto, Ontario – Although there may be three feet of snow on the ground and negative thirty degree temperatures, there is no time to rest for Mantella Autosport drivers Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey, racers in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

While the duo have a short break from their #80 @TeamChevy @MBRP Camaro Z28.R, they have accepted the opportunity to enter this weekend’s B.A.R.C round of the Magnum Ice Race Series in Minden, Ontario.

This will mark Marcelli’s second appearance in the series, while it will be a first for Barkey.

“Here in Ontario, Canada we spend almost six months in the cold and snow, which means a lot less opportunity for track time.” Said Kyle Marcelli. “Ice racing is much like racing in the rain, but ten times less grip and ten times colder! It’s not only a lot of fun, but also a great opportunity to improve car control, awareness and hand-eye coordination. I’m looking forward to learning a few things from the regular weekend ice racers.”

“I’m so excited to be racing with BARC this weekend. I have spent countless hours at many different race tracks over the past few years, but I’ve never raced on ice!" Commented Martin Barkey. “It should be a blast learning the ropes and competing with guys that do this on a regular basis.”

B.A.R.C – OC known as the British Automobile Racing Club - Ontario Centre is a volunteer organization that organizes and participates in motorsports activities. BARC and its members organize or participate in a wide variety of motorsports events every season across Ontario including; Canadian Automobile Sport Club – Ontario Region road races at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formally Mosport), Canadian Automobile Sport Club – Ontario Region ice racing at Minden Fairgrounds as well as the IndyCar Honda Indy Toronto.

“BARC is pleased to have Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey join us on the weekend of Feb 21 and 22 to do battle with the regular weekend warriors of the Magnum Ice Race Series in Minden, Ontario.” Commented Wayne Wannamaker, Ice Race Director. “We're excited to see how these professional drivers will do on the Minden oval after racing the banks of Daytona!”

The Magnum Ice Race Series is a regular winter series that has run for over 40 years and is sanctioned by the Canadian Automobile Sports Clubs- Ontario Region. Each weekend is run by volunteers from different race clubs and points are awarded to the drivers in the different classes. Cars are classed by rear wheel drive, front wheel drive, all wheel drive and by either rubber to ice or street stud. Spectators are welcome to come and enjoy the racing that takes place on the Minden Fairgrounds.

Following this weekend’s ice racing activities, Mantella Autosport drivers Kyle Marcelli and Martin Barkey travel to Sebring, Florida for round two of the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge on March 17-21, 2015. You can follow live updates of the team and drivers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also watch the race live online at www.IMSA.com or on television on April 5th, 2015 at 9;00am EST on Fox Sports 1

For more information on Kyle Marcelli, visit: www.KyleMarcelli.com

For more information on Martin Barkey, visit: www.MartinBarkeyRacing.com