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SCCA: Speedvision World Challenge gets new look for 2000; Bigger wheels, Spec wings among changes

24 November 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--Keeping with the automotive aftermarket craze, the Speedvision World Challenge Championships will debut a more aggressive look in 2000, adding bigger wheels, spec rear wings and more aerodynamic bodywork.

With many of the Speedvision GT Championship cars already sporting rear wings and more aggressive bodywork than their production brethren, the Speedvision Touring Car Championship will feature the biggest changes, with the cars each wearing a functional, low rear wing, approved aftermarket racing wheels (up to 18" in GT and 17" in Touring Car) and approved, readily-available bodywork kits.

The changes bring the Speedvision Touring Car class even closer to their European Touring Car siblings, and further solidify the series' position as "The Official Racing Series of the Sports Compact Revolution."

"The appearance of the Speedvision World Challenge cars in 2000 will more closely mimic that of the aftermarket performance and aesthetic craze which has swept across North America," said Mitch Wright, Speedvision World Challenge General Manager. "The cars will be more recognizable to the fan, symbolizing not only the cars they want to own, but the wheels, body kits and performance parts as well.

"The rules changes fit with some of our new programs to get fans and enthusiasts to the race track, including car club meets, street tours, show and shines and tech talks."

While the new changes will make the cars look more aggressive, the series intends to keep manufacturers and models recognizable.

"The Touring Car BMWs won't put bodywork on to look like its GT sibling, the M3," said Wright. "There will still be a distinction between the look of the Touring and GT cars, and fans will have no trouble recognizing their favorite cars."

The announcement comes along with the release of the 2000 Speedvision World Challenge Championship technical regulations, which includes new eligibility for both the Speedvision GT and Touring Car.

Models permitted for 2000 in GT include: the Acura NSX; Audi S 4 Quattro and TT Quattro Turbo; BMW M3, M Coupe, 540M and Z8; Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette C5; Dodge Viper and Stealth RT AWD; Eagle Talon Turbo; Ford Mustang GT SVT; Ferrari 355 and 360 Challenge cars; Honda S 2000; Lexus GS 400; Lotus Esprit Turbo V-8; Mazda RX-7 Turbo; Mecerdes-Benz C 43; Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo and 3000 GT VR4; Nissan Skyline GT R and 300 ZX Turbo; Pontiac Firebird; Porsche 911 RSR, 993 RSR, 996 Supercup/GT3; Saleen Mustang; Steeda Mustang; Stradale SSZ; Subaru SVX Turbo AWD; Toyota Supra Turbo; and the Volvo C70 Turbo.

Eligible Touring Car models in 2000 include: Acura Integra Type R; Audi A4; BMW 323, 325 and 328; Chevrolet Cavalier; Dodge Neon and Stratus; Ford Contour, Escort ZX2 and Focus; Eagle Talon; Honda Accord, Civic Si and Prelude Si; Hundai Tiburon; Infiniti G20; Mazda 626, MX-6 and Protege; Mercury Cougar; Mercedes 190 and 230; Mitsubishi Eclipse; Nissan 200/240 SX and Sentra SE-R; Oldsmobile Achieva; Pontiac Sunfire; Saturn SC; Subaru Impreza and Legacy; Toyota Celica GTS; Volkswagon Bug, Corrado, GTI and Jetta; and the Volvo 850 and S 70.

Artist Frank Killam, of Racepaint, has created several renderings of what the 2000 Speedvision Touring Cars will look like. To view these renderings, visit http://www.sccapro.com/news/press/99press18a.html.

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.