ROCKETSPORTS TRANS-AM DENVER PREVIEW

MEDIA CONTACT: Bruce Lyon
brucel@rocketsportsracing.com
(517) 337-2600

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EAST LANSING, Mich. (August 10, 2005) The Rocketsports Racing team heads to the Mile High City for the Cytomax Sport Drink 100 this weekend in Denver, Colorado as part of the CENTRIX Financial Grand Prix of Denver Presented by PacifiCare. Last year, Paul Gentilozzi won his fifth race of the season here and tied the record of most wins with the late Mark Donohue. Gentilozzi broke that record five weeks ago in Toronto after winning his 30th career event. Finishing third in San Jose, Klaus Graf looks to return the No. 7 Jaguar R Performance XKR to victory circle after two strong performances where on-track incidents eliminated his chances for victory. Rocketsports teammate, Tomy Drissi returns to the streets of Denver for his fourth visit with getting his first victory of the year and moving up in the championship point’s battle on his mind.

Currently the Rocketsports trio of Graf, Drissi and Gentilozzi sit second, fifth and seventh respectively in the championship standings. Both Graf and Gentilozzi have a victory each this season, while Drissi has two podium finishes and set the fastest race lap in Edmonton after leading 32 laps. Graf sits atop of the Rookie-of-the-Year standings with a 50 point lead over Hima Maher.

Sitting 13 points behind championship leader, Randy Ruhlman, Graf’s focus is to earn points. Knowing that every point counts, the German native will try to collect every possible one. Drivers are eligible for three bonus points for setting the fastest time in qualifying, and one bonus point each for: leading a lap, leading the most laps, and setting the fastest race lap. “I think we will do well in Denver, and make up more ground on Randy,” said the 34 year old. “Rocketsports was successful here last year with the top three qualifying spots and a first and third in the race. The crew knows how to set the cars up here and I am sure Paul and Tomy will give me tips and tricks for making it around the course.”

With his best opportunity for winning his first championship, Drissi looks to rebound from his only DNF this season. With wins, he believes the rest will fall into place. “We ran really strong in Denver last year but our seventh place finish didn’t show it,” said Drissi. “This year we better win, the guys have done a great job all year and we’ve come on strong. Right now we still have a chance at the championship, but with everyone running so well this year I have to win and take as many points as I can away from Randy, Klaus, Joey (Scarallo) and Greg (Pickett).”

The Trans-Am series’ all-time wins leader sat out the San Jose event and added the roll of coach to his already full schedule. On top of owning three Trans-Am cars, the Michigan Real Estate Developer is part owner of Champ Car, Trans-Am and fields two Champ Car World Series cars driven by American, Ryan Hunter-Reay and former Formula One driver, Timo Glock. The Rocketsports team owner worked with Drissi on the radio as he ran strong until mechanical problems sidelined the No. 5 Four Brothers the Movie Jaguar early. “When I am in that race car it is for fun, I am not racing for the Trans-Am championship this year,” said the four-time champion. “Our goals for this year are for Klaus or Tomy to win the drivers championship and to hand Jaguar their fifth manufacturer’s title. In San Jose we felt I was hindering their efforts, so I sat out. I may do it again if it is in the best interest of the teams goals.”

The Cytomax Sport Drink 100 from the 1.647-mile street circuit of Denver is schedule for Saturday August 13th at 4:30 pm Mountain time. The race will air on SPEED channel Sunday August 7th at 1:00 pm Eastern Time.

-RSR-

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