TOYOTA DEBUTS SOLARA FUNNY CAR IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KALITTA RACING
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/RI097.pdf&id=BC097RI3PE671 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19001 S. Western Ave. - A407, Torrance, CA 90509 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Mark Amstock, mark_amstock@toyota.com, Toyota Marketing, 310-468-4484 Kym Strong, kym_strong@toyota.com, Toyota Motorsports, 310-468-5017 TOYOTA PARTNERS WITH KALITTA RACING TO DEBUT SOLARA FUNNY CAR Indianapolis, IN (September 1, 2006) - Toyota Motorsports and Kalitta Racing will debut in the NHRA POWERade Series, the first Solara Funny Car at the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals, September 1, 2006, on the quarter-mile drag strip at O'Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis. Scott Kalitta, a 25 year racing veteran and two-time NHRA Top Fuel Dragster champion, will navigate the multi-colored Solara Funny Car sponsored by Kalitta Air, a Michigan-based air carrier LLC specializing in moving freight worldwide. The Kalitta Racing team is owned and operated by Connie Kalitta, who will also serve as Scott's crew chief. The graphics on Kalitta's Solara Funny Car were custom designed by Chip Foose. "Toyota is proud to partner with and support Connie, Scott and the Kalitta Racing Team, who will be competing in the Funny Car class of the NHRA POWERade series," said Les Unger, Toyota national motorsports manager. "It's a great opportunity for Toyota to showcase the sporty and stylish Solara and introduce the fans to another Toyota nameplate." In 2002, Toyota made history with the debut of a Toyota Celica Funny Car and as the first foreign manufacturer to compete in the professional ranks of the NHRA. Two years later, Toyota again made history when it became the first foreign manufacturer to win in a pro class in a Toyota Celica Funny Car at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. The Solara Funny Car will make its debut during the 52nd MAC Tools U.S. Nationals, the 18th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. Kalitta will pilot the new Solara Funny Car for the remaining races of the season. Kalitta earned his first career NHRA championship in 1994 and in the same year, became the first Top Fuel driver in NHRA history to win four consecutive races (Columbus, Topeka, Denver and Sonoma); won five events overall. In 1995, he won his second consecutive NHRA Top Fuel championship and won six events and a career-best 45 rounds of eliminations. After retiring in 1997, the Florida native made a brief comeback in 1999 and later returned as a full- time competitor in 2003. Kalitta is the first and only member of the Kalitta Racing family to compete in NHRA's Funny Car class. (more) Scott Kalitta - Career Highlights Team Owner: Connie Kalitta Sponsor/Car: Kalitta Air Toyota Solara Crew Chief: Connie Kalitta Career Wins: 18 (Top Fuel = 17, Funny Car = 1) Career Final Rounds: 35 (Top Fuel = 34, Funny Car = 1) Career Best E.T.: 4.455 (Top Fuel), 4.797 (Funny Car) Best Speed: 333.95 (Top Fuel), 321.35 (Funny Car) 2006: Switched back to Funny Car 2005: Earned two victories in two final-round appearances; Set a career best elapsed time at Pomona 1; Qualified for all 23 events and was in the top half of the field in 13 events 2004: Earned one victory in two final round appearances; Clocked career-best time; Was No. 1 qualifier at both Las Vegas events; Earned his sixth top-five points finish in POWERade Series 2003: Returned to competition after nearly three-year absence; advanced to two final rounds; clocked fastest speed in history at 333.95 mph but failed to certify mark as national record For more information, please log-on to www.toyota/motorsports.com # # # To review or change the format of emails from this group, copy the following link into your browser: http://www.sportssystems.com/emformatoptions.cfm?trackingCode=BC097RI%3B3PE671%20%3B0270&userEmail=submit%40theautochannel%2Ecom This email was individually sent to you, however if you wish to unsubscribe, copy the following link into your browser: http://www.sportssystems.com/unsubscribe.cfm?trackingCode=BC097RI%3B3PE671%20%3B0270&userEmail=submit%40theautochannel%2Ecom