New IMSA Slick 50 Pro Series To Debut In 1996

February 2, 1996

IMSA Press Release from imsaracing.com

TAMPA, Fla -- The International Motor Sports Association, Inc. (IMSA¨) today announced the addition of a new series to the sanctioning bodyÕs roster of professional championships. The new Slick 50 Pro Series is an eight-race championship competing on race weekends with the Exxon World SportsCarSM Championship, Exxon Supreme GT Series and IMSA Endurance Championship. Eligible cars in the series include the Toyota-powered World Sports Racer and 1.9 liter Ford-engined Sports 2000 cars.

The Slick 50 Pro Series makes its debut at next monthÕs EXXON SUPERFLO 12 Hours of Sebring race weekend. Among the drivers expected is Mike Davies of Houston, Texas, the defending Shelby Can Am series champion, who will pilot a World Sports Racer.

After Sebring, the series travels to Road Atlanta, Texas World Speedway, Watkins Glen, Mosport Park (with the IMSA Endurance Championship), Sears Point, Mosport Park (with the Exxon World SportsCarSM Championship and Supreme GT Series) and New Orleans. A ninth race may be added at a later date. Each event will post a $16,000 race purse, plus contingency awards.

"Slick 50 Products is proud to be involved with the new Slick 50 Pro Series, with IMSA and with all the millions of fans who love professional sports car racing," said Jim Scott, Senior, Vice President Marketing and Sales for Slick 50 Products. "Over the years, we at Slick 50 have been involved with many winning promotions that not only promote the cars and drivers but also provide great entertainment for the fans who are our customers. This is a unique opportunity for Slick 50 and our retail partners and we anticipate great success both on and off the track."

"The Slick 50 Pro Series fills an important niche in the overall IMSA package, providing cost-effective racing in a scaled-down version of an IMSA World SportsCarSM," said George Silbermann, IMSA president. "The attractive new series should prove exciting for competitors and fans alike. "

The Toyota-powered World Sports Racer is a specified design car designed and engineered by Kevin Singleton, a former IMSA GTP engine builder for Toyota Racing Developments (TRD) and Nissan Performance Technology, Inc. (NPTI). The car is manufactured by World Sports Racer, Inc. of Vista, California, and employs special computer-aided design components coupled with production automotive parts.

The chassis is constructed of fixture-welded tube frame mild steel and chromoly tubing built around a blend of hand crafted wishbones and Toyota suspension components and drive train of the 1.6 liter Toyota MR2. All World Sports Racers feature a Toyota five-speed transverse gearbox and four-wheel disc brakes. The engine is ToyotaÕs 1.6 liter DOHC 16 valve, in-line four cylinder producing 145 horsepower at 7800 rpms.

Also eligible in the series for 1996 are 1.9 liter Ford-engined Sports 2000 race cars, a long-standing international formula that is very popular across North America.

Official sponsors of the Slick 50 Pro Series include Toyota, Racing Electronics and Yokohama Tire, the specified tire for the series. All cars competing in the Slick 50 Pro Series will use Exxon Supreme unleaded racing fuel, the same fuel used by teams competing in all of IMSAÕs professional series.