SCCA: Huffake/Qvale and The Coffee Critic Team up for Three-Race Deal
21 May 1999
HUFFAKER/QVALE AND THE COFFEE CRITIC TEAM UP FOR THREE-RACE DEAL:Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports has signed a sponsorship package with west coast specialty coffee and tea retailer and wholesaler Linda Mountanos to put The Coffee Critic on the Huffaker/Qvale Ford Mustang Cobra for at least three races in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series, starting with Mosport Park on May 21-23, 1999.
"We're very pleased to have Linda and The Coffee Critic on board, as this will enable us to put Chris Neville back in the car for the next three races, at least," said Bruce Qvale.
For the Mosport Park (May 23), Lime Rock Park (May 31) and Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (June 6) events Neville will be in the No. 84 Coffee Critic Ford Mustang Cobra.
"Hopefully, we will be able to fulfill the promise shown by the Huffaker/Qvale chassis at the Long Beach race and put The Coffee Critic Ford Mustang Cobra in the winner's circle," said Huffaker.
"We're very happy to be associated with the Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports team," added The Coffee Critic owner Linda Mountanos, who created a special blend of coffee beans called Racers Blend, in appreciation of racers and racing fans everywhere. "We believe that this team is a very strong contender for the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Drivers' Championship in 1999."
The Coffee Critic roasts and sells specialty coffees and teas through their store located in Ukiah, Calif., and through a nationwide mail order business based out of south San Francisco. Using a toll-free number for "critics" everywhere, at 1-800-4CRITIC, or its website at www.thecoffeecritic.com, coffee lovers may order gift packages and gift boxes for any occasion, especially with racing themes.
Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports' No. 43 Mustang Cobra will be transported to the next three races, but a driver has yet to be announced.
"We haven't finalized anything yet, but we are definitely looking to put someone in the second car at those races," said Huffaker, who can be contacted at (707) 935-1102.
SAID OUT, RUHLMAN'S CAR FIXED FOR MOSPORT: Boris Said's return to the Trans-Am (PRO FAX Volumn 6, No. 8, 5/13/99) won't happen at Mosport Park, as some last-minute scheduling conflicts and NASCAR commitments will make him unavailable for this weekend's BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series race.
"I hope Boris does well in the Winston Select, but I would have liked to have seen what he could have done at Mosport," said Bruce Barkelew, RaceWerX team owner. "Don't worry, though . . . we have something else up our sleeve."
Back up to full speed, however, will be Randy Ruhlman. After a mysterious post-practice cool-down lap crash (possibly caused by a rear-end lockup) forced Ruhlman to race in his back-up car at the Long Beach opener (where he still managed a fourth-place finish), Ruhlman's No. 49 Preformed Line Products Mustang Cobra has been repaired and is "faster than ever," says Ruhlman.
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