Stevenson To Campaign GT Car in 2004
If the following text-only file is not easily readable, particularly any tables of numbers, try enlarging this window since every line has a forced end and there is no word-wrap. Otherwise, this report will look and print better from the following PDF file: http://www.sportssystems.com/applib/PDFload.cfm?file=/email/filehost/EQ723.pdf&id=BC723EQ27A499 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Press Release Grand American Road Racing Association 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 947-6681 (phone) (386) 947-6695 (fax) www.grandamerican.com Stevenson Motorsports to field a GT entry for 2004 JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (December 1, 2003) - John Stevenson, owner of Stevenson Motorsports, announced today that he intends to campaign a Porsche GT3 R prepared by Auto Assets in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series for the entire 2004 season. "This is really an extension of what we started in 2003, and I am looking forward to 2004," remarked Stevenson. Last year I got a good feel of what this level of racing is all about in the three races we ran. Chip Vance will serve as one of the drivers, sharing the driving duties with Stevenson. Vance and Stevenson teamed up in 2003 to lead the class at Watkins Glen and finish second in the Bully Hill Vineyards 250. They ran as high as second at VIR and Daytona but had mechanical problems at both venues. Vance finished the Rolex Series in sixth place in the GT driver standings. Stevenson is the owner of automobile dealerships in the Jacksonville, N.C., area and became acquainted with Auto Assets through his vintage racing efforts. Vance operates Auto Assets, which is based in Powell, Ohio, and is in the business of providing race car preparation and trackside support. Auto Assets also operates a successful European auto service center and accessories store. "Auto Assets will maintain my car and will provide the trackside assistance necessary for the 12-race Rolex Series next year," Stevenson added. "They have provided this type of service for my cars and for several other people in the past years and have done an extremely good job with the preparation and race strategy. I am excited about the prospects for next year." "This is really a great opportunity. I started professional racing at Sebring two years ago in a Porsche GT3 R and have enjoyed good success in the cars," noted Vance. I feel comfortable in this type of car, and I am excited about the opportunity that John has provided me. We can draw on our experiences from the racing that we have done at the Vintage level and apply it to this level of racing. We have won championships in production-based cars and exotic prototypes. We are looking forward to continuing the winning tradition." Information on Auto Assets is available online at www.autoassets.com. For information on Stevenson Automotive, visit www.stevensonauto.com. The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will kick off its 2004 season with the 42nd anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 29-February 1. Tickets are currently on sale for the event can be purchased online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 386-253-RACE. Information on the Rolex Series is online at www.grandamerican.com. -30- For more information contact Grand American Road Racing Association Christie Hyde (386) 681-4182; CHyde@grandamerican.com Press Release Grand American Road Racing Association 1801 W. International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach, FL 32114 (386) 947-6681 (phone) (386) 947-6695 (fax) www.grandamerican.com Michael Shank Racing to Field Toyota Doran JE-4 Daytona Prototype REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO (December 1, 2003) -- Michael Shank Racing (MSR) announced today that it will field a Toyota-powered Doran JE-4 in the Daytona Prototypes division of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series in 2004. The team is slated to begin its winter testing program Dec. 19-20 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in preparation for the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 29 - Feb. 1, at Daytona International Speedway. "We're extremely pleased to be able to make this announcement," stated MSR owner Michael Shank. "After seven years of competing for championships and winning our share of races and poles in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship, we started looking for a racing series that made more sense for us, both competitively and financially. "And once we researched all the options available, we came to the conclusion that the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series was where we wanted to be. We really believe in the Series' leadership and the concepts that they have established, and we think they are well on their way to taking sports car racing to a new level here in North America." "And what really excites us about competing in the Rolex Series is that we've been able to put together a chassis and engine combination that we're confident will allow us to challenge for poles and wins starting with our very first race at Daytona," Shank continued. We feel that the Daytona Prototype Doran JE-4 chassis built by Kevin Doran and his 2003 championship-winning organization will provide the best aero and mechanical package available, and we know from our experience with Toyota in the Atlantic series that they will do whatever it takes to be the premier manufacturer in the category while offering unparalleled support." MSR is currently in talks with several drivers about contesting the Rolex 24 At Daytona, as well as the full 12-race 2004 Rolex Series schedule. Interested parties can contact Michael Shank at the team's headquarters in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, by calling (740) 964-9998, or via e-mail at MShank007@aol.com. "Michael Shank Racing is another welcome addition to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series," said Jim France, chief executive officer of the International Speedway Corporation. "Mike Shank was voted car owner of the year twice in the Toyota Atlantic Series, and his record for finding young driving talent -- including Sam Hornish and Kenny Wilden -- speaks for itself. MSR will be a great addition to the competitiveness of the Rolex Series, joining a stellar group of teams to create a tremendous show for the fans. This is shaping up as one of the most exciting road racing seasons in years, and I can't wait for it to open with the 42nd anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona." -more- "We're thrilled to be a partner with another proven team like Michael Shank Racing, a team that we've been associated with for a number of years through our relationship in the Toyota Atlantic Series," stated Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. "Mike Shank has helped develop some top-flight young racing talent in the past few years, and we're confident that he'll continue to enjoy that type of success in Grand American Rolex Sports Car competition." "It's great to see a professional racing team coming to sports car endurance racing from the open-wheel ranks," said Grand American President Roger Edmondson. "Primarily, most of our growth has come within the sports car ranks, and hopefully this is the start of a new trend. Mike and his team have a very impressive resume, and they are a very welcome addition to our series." "We are very proud to have such a strong team join the Rolex Series with the Toyota Doran Designs JE- 4 Daytona Prototype," stated Kevin Doran, founder and president of Doran Designs. "I believe Mike Shank Racing will prove to be a leader in this sport in a very short time. With the present momentum in this series, and teams like Mike Shank Racing coming on board, the future has never looked better for sports car racing. I am looking forward to a winning relationship with the MSR team." Michael Shank Racing competed full-time in the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship between 1996 and 2002. During that time it posted 38 top-five finishes, which included four wins by drivers Kenny Wilden (2), Sam Hornish Jr. (1) and Martin Basso (1). MSR's Toyota Atlantic record also includes five pole positions and a second-place finish in the 1999 championship standings. Hornish, the 2001 and 2002 Indy Racing League driving champion, won the Toyota Atlantic Rookie of the Year Award while driving for MSR in 1999. Michael Shank was named the Toyota Atlantic Team Owner of the Year in 1999 and 2002. -30- For more information contact: Michael Shank Racing, Tel: (740) 964-9998, Fax: (740) 964-9799, E-mail: MShank007@aol.com, Website: michaelshankracing.com