World Challenge - Stu Hayner Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Thawley 248.227.0110 johnt@c2group.com Autosport Development Announces Driver Stu Hayner Will Campaign Entry for 2004 SPEED World Challenge GT Hayner upbeat about new team and new car Detroit – Feb. 10, 2004 Road racing specialist Stu Hayner will drive for the newly formed Autosport Development team to campaign for the 2004 SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. Hayner, after a fourteen-year hiatus from the SPEED World Challenge Series where he previously had two wins, is excited about getting back to the competitiveness of the Series. “I’m really looking forward to running the SPEED World Challenge Series this year,” said Hayner. “The World Challenge Series is without a doubt the best road racing competition in the US. Considering all the options, we felt that this is a great series to grow our new program. The rules appear structured to provide parity and close racing. While I’m confident we will be very competitive, I know we have a lot of work and development to do before we see that first win.” “I’m also very encouraged with the Series’ schedule and its recent alignment with the American LeMans Series,” Hayner added. “I think they’ve selected excellent venues in strong motorsports markets.” Hayner, the Inaugural Corvette Challenge Champion, and Escort Endurance GT Champion with five victories, finished fifth in his first Trans-Am race at the Long Beach Grand Prix, and claimed “Star of the Race.” Two years later, he scored three top-five finishes in only four Trans-Am starts and won the Portland Rose Cup trophy. Seven years later, Hayner competed in six Trans-Am races, posting strong efforts at each event. That year at Road America he had his first career Trans-Am win a second at the Long Beach Grand Prix and a charge from 42nd to third at Watkins Glen. Stuart finished the season with three podium finishes, three fastest race laps, two Fast Five appearances and earned the “Turn On the Power” Award at Long Beach, Watkins Glen and Road America. Hayner was team-driver of the Morrison Corvette ZR1 Program, setting three World and 12 International Land Speed records. He has the distinction of winning two races (1 hour sprint & 12 hour endurance) - in two different series (Corvette Challenge & SCCA Endurance Championship) - in two different countries (U.S. & Canada) - in two different type racecars, all within a single 24-hour period. Regarding the Autosport Development entry, Hayner was a bit more candid. “We’re taking our long standing relationship with Trenton Forging and creating a whole new program. We’re building brand new equipment and developing a car that has not raced in North America in at least two decades… I assure you, fans will be delighted when they see what we put on the track.” “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Trenton Forging again,” Hayner continued. “My relationship with David Moxlow [President of Trenton Forging] goes back a long way. His company’s reputation for quality is extra motivation for the team. We’re really striving for a world-class program.” The SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT season will make its first standing start of 2004 at Sebring International Raceway for the fourth-consecutive year as part of the 52nd Mobil1 Twelve Hours of Sebring week March 17-20. In 2004, the series will visit Lime Rock Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Infineon Raceway, Portland International Raceway, Mosport International Raceway, Road America, Road Atlanta Motorsports Center and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. For more information about SCCA SPEED World Challenge, visit www.speedvisionwc.com. High resolution car rendering available at http://www.johnthawley.com/gto_rendering.jpg
