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GT: Team Seattle Completes Successful Daytona Test

25 January 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Text Provided by The Race Net

Seattle, WA.--All four Team Seattle drivers, Don Kitch, Dave Gaylord, Steve Miller, Wade Gaughran attended the January 5-8 Daytona test. The #66 car was prepared and managed by The Racer's Group based out of Sonoma, California.

"The test encountered the full gamut of weather from warm/dry to cold/wet. Excluding a few minor electrical glitches the new GT3R ran flawless. Objectives in early sessions are to get comfortable in the new car, learn the cockpit, what does what and establish a driving relationship with the car, what does it do and why. The driving team is constantly debriefing and making decisions so that we are all driving off the same page, essentially making one driver out of four. In the later sessions we are looking for a quicker lap time and trying to establish our race pace. All drivers agreed the car is wonderful." Stated Don Kitch, Lead Driver and President of Team Seattle.

"The team uses the last three weeks before the race to really push for pledges. At present we are about $175.00 per lap in pledges. Our goal will be over $300.00 per lap." Said Kitch.

If you would like to visit with Team Seattle and its drivers they will be doing a 24-hour western Washington driving challenge January 25-26. A show car with posters and team shirts will be stopping at designated locations to pick up pledge sheets. For details contact Team Seattle web site at www.TeamSeattle.com or call hospital representative Barbara Koler at 206-526-2153.

Team Seattle was founded in 1997 by Seattle racecar driver Don Kitch Jr.. "In 1997 this was supposed to be a one-off deal looking for $60,000.00 for the kids. Here we are in the 2000 race at $540,000.00 going to the million-dollar mark. Who would have dreamed?" stated Kitch. Remaining team drivers in the #66 car are Dave Gaylord, Wade Gaughran and Steve Miller.

The Race Net, in its fourth season of sponsoring Team Seattle is the Weekly Internet Auto News and online source for auto and racing enthusiasts. Since 1996, TRN has provided enthusiasts with extensive information and resources covering virtually all auto racing series, the auto industry and auto clubs.

This years sponsors include www.TheRaceNet.com, Oakwerth Arabians, Holiday Inn, Microsoft Windows Media Group, Barrier Motors, Park Place Ltd. Motors, and InterNap Corporation.

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