PLAYERS/TOYOTA ATLANTIC SERIES SUPPORTS GRAND PRIX

Saturday 3:45pm

The popular Players/Toyota Atlantic series goes into its 23rd year when the sleek 1800cc "indy-look-alike" single seaters take to the streets of Long Beach for a 38 lap race at 3:45pm Saturday following the Pro-Celebrity race.

Of the top 10 Indy car drivers in 1995,five were graduates of the Atlantic series, including 1995 Indianapolis 500 winner and PPG Indy Car World Series Champion Jacques Villenueve as well as Bobby Rahal, Michael Andretti, Paul Tracy and Jimmy Vasser. Atlantic alumnus, Parker Johnstone, former TACH Anchor joined the Indy car ranks last year after a stint in Atlantics and IMSA sports cars. Last years top finishers Richie Hearn and David Emprigham have left the series for other professional racing tours.

Drivers to watch are Patrick Carpentier, Canada, Case Montgomery, Salinas, Ca, Lee Bentham, Ontario, Canada, Bill Auberlin, Redondo Beach, Ca, Tim Hubman, Del Mar, Ca, Stan Wattles, Stuart Fla, and former Kart driver, Ross Bond, Westlake, Tx. The series total purse is over $1.25 million and the Long Beach payoff is $85,000.

Bill Maloney TACH