Scott Pruett Wins Third Trans-Am Drivers' Title With Jaguar R-Performance XKR As New Jaguar Engine Makes Successful Debut

MIAMI, Sept. 28 -- Scott Pruett, driver of the number 7 Jaguar R-Performance XKR, secured his third Trans-Am drivers' championship with a 1st place finish at the Motorock Trans-Am Tour for the BF Goodrich Tires Cup in Miami, Florida.

Meanwhile, Pruett's teamowner, Paul Gentilozzi, ushered in a new era for the Trans-Am Tour, debuting a new, production-based, four-valve, overhead-cam Jaguar engine during Sunday morning's warm-up session. Gentilozzi turned eight laps in an XKR powered by Jaguar's new AJ-V8 racing engine, posting a best time of 55.166 seconds, which would have been quick enough for a top-ten starting position. The engine is expected to make its competition debut at the Trans-Am season finale in San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 24-26.

  Jaguar and Trans-Am Racing - Fast Facts:

   * With his victory here in Miami, Pruett's career Trans-Am win total
     moves to 22, breaking a tie for fourth place on the all-time win list
     with legendary Jaguar racer Bob Tullius.
   * During the 2003 season, Jaguar as taken the checkered flag in 9 of the
     10 rounds.
   * On the strength of Pruett's efforts (six wins, seven podium finishes)
     and Rocketsports Racing teammate Johnny Miller's efforts (one win, five
     podium finishes), Jaguar clinched the 2003 Trans-Am Manufacturer's
     Championship after round eight of the series at Road America, Aug. 24.

  Jaguar and Trans-Am - Racing Highlights:

   * 1977 -- Group 44 wins SCCA Trans-Am Drivers' Title in Jaguar XJS;
     factory backed team.  Driver: Bob Tullius
   * 1978 -- Group 44 wins SCCA Trans-Am Drivers' and Manufacturers' titles
     with six wins.  Driver: Bob Tullius
   * 2000 -- First XKR SCCA Trans-Am win at Detroit.  Independent entry
     built and fielded by Rocketsports Racing.  Driver: Paul Gentilozzi.
     Additional XKR Trans-Am victories for Paul Gentilozzi: Cleveland,
     Elkhart Lake.
   * 2001 -- 5 XKR SCCA Trans-Am victories -- 4 by Paul Gentilozzi and 1 by
     Mike Lewis.  Paul Gentilozzi won Drivers' Championship and contributed
     the lion's share of points toward Jaguar winning the Manufacturers'
     Championship.
   * 2002 -- 1 XKR SCCA Trans-Am victory by Paul Gentilozzi.