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SCCA: Willy T. Ribbs to return to the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series with Victoria Motorsports

15 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
ENGLEWOOD, Colo--Willy T. Ribbs, of San Jose, Calif., and Frank Cioppettini, owner of Far Hills, N.J.-based Victoria Motorsports, announced today that Ribbs will contest the 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series in a Victoria Motorsports-prepared Chevrolet Camaro.

The return will be the first for Ribbs since scoring 17 wins between 1983 and 1988. Ribbs will go into the seasons first race at Sebring, March 17, with more wins than any other active driver in the series.

"When I was in the Trans-Am before, it was very, very intense and very exciting," said Ribbs, 44, who also has 10 career GT wins in IMSA competition, and became the first driver of African-American descent to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 1991. "Frank and I have known each other for several years, and weve been looking for a way to make this happen. With the new competition and the new management of the series, now is the time to come back. I am really looking forward to my return to the series. It was a lot of fun then, and I think it should be a lot of fun now."

"We are very happy to have Willy agree to drive for us," said Cioppettini, 49, himself a Trans-Am competitor. "We proved to ourselves last year that, though we are a small team, we can produce big results. This year, we have committed to stepping up our program substantially, and giving Willy the kind of first-class machinery he deserves. With the positive changes that have happened in the Trans-Am recently, and with Willy back in the series, we have no doubt it will be a very exciting season."

Ribbs scored 17 wins and 28 podium finishes in 50 career Trans-Am starts from 1983 through 1989, tying him with Dorsey Schroeder for sixth on the all-time win list. He also has 35 top-10 finishes, and 20 fastest race lapssecond only to Tom Kendalls 22 in a career. Ribbs also holds the record for the most Fast Five Qualifying appearances, recording 15 in 1985.

"I know Im way behind right now in knowing what the cars are capable of," added Ribbs, who is scheduled to begin testing with the team soon. "But Frank said he was committed to putting together a team that could go for the Championship, and thats what caught my interest. I am fully focused on winning the Trans-Am title for Victoria Motorsports."

Text provided by SCCA

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