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TRANS AM: San Diego Grand Prix Preview

3 November 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

What: The BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series enters Round 12 of its 35th season here as part of the San Diego Grand Prix. This weekends BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am race, the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series 100, will be the 391th in Trans-Am Series history.

Television: Sundays race will be televised live by Speedvision.

Race Length: 65 laps of the 1.53-mile course for 99.45 miles.

Johnson Controls 100 Culminates Johnson Controls Triple Challenge

This weekends Johnson Controls 100 is the final race in the Johnson Controls Triple Challenge. The Triple Challenge pays a bonus of $20,000 and three additional points to the driver with the most Drivers Championship points over the three Triple Challenge races. The second place Johnson Controls Triple Challenge finisher will receive a $5,000 cash bonus with the third place driver receiving a $2,500 prize.

Willy T. Ribbs (#16 Simple Green Chevrolet Camaro) leads the Triple Challenge points standings with 53 points, followed by Brian Simo (#88 Tommy Bahama Qvale Mangusta) with 50 points, just one point ahead of Paul Gentilozzi (#1 Johnson Controls HomeLink Jaguar XKR) with 49 points. Tomy Drissi (#15 Drissi Advertising Ford Mustang Cobra) won the first race of the Triple Challenge at Long Beach, Calif. Gentilozzi won the second race in Detroit.

Gentilozzi Looks To Clinch Third Straight Drivers Championship

Paul Gentilozzi (#1 Johnson Controls HomeLink Jaguar XKR) will look to clinch his third consecutive Drivers Championship in the Johnson Controls 100. Gentilozzi leads Brian Simo (#88 Tommy Bahama Qvale Mangusta), 248 to 218. Gentilozzi needs to finish five points ahead of Simo to clinch the title.

Altenburg Looks To Grab Rookie-of-the-Year Honors

Rookie Jeff Altenburg (#5 Steele Enterprises, Inc., Jaguar XKR) holds a commanding 67 point lead over Mike Davis (#11 Applied Computer Solutions Ford Mustang Cobra), 168 to 101, in the Red Line Oil Rookie-of-the-Year standings. Altenburg needs to finish just one point ahead of Davis to clinch the title.

Chevrolet Clinches Manufacturers Championship

Chevrolet has clinched the 2000 Manufacturers Championship with another consistent effort at Laguna Seca. Five of the top seven finishers at the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series 100 drove Chevrolets. Winner Kenny Wilden (#40 YO Ranch Chevrolet Camaro) was followed by Stu Hayner (#98 Trenton Forging Chevrolet Camaro) in fourth, Johnny Miller (#64 Automationdirect.com UPS Hitachi Chevrolet Corvette) in fifth, Lou Gigliotti (#28 LG Motorsports G2 Performance Parts Chevrolet Corvette) in sixth and Willy T. Ribbs (#16 Simple Green Chevrolet Camaro).

Wilden Is Sixth Winner In 2000

Kenny Wilden (#40 YO Ranch Chevrolet Camaro) became the sixth winner of the 2000 season with his win at Laguna Seca. Wilden joins Brian Simo, Tomy Drissi, Paul Gentilozzi, Leighton Reese and Chris Neville.

Wilden Scores Simple Green "Clean Up" Award At Laguna Seca

With his win at Laguna Seca, Kenny Wilden earned the Simple Green "Clean Up" Award of $40,000 for earning the pole position, posting the fastest race lap, leading the most laps and winning the race.

Five Marques Victorious In 2000, Ties All-Time Season Record

Five marques (Qvale, Ford, Jaguar, Pontiac and Chevrolet) have tasted victory in the first nine races of the 2000 BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. This total ties the All-Time Trans-Am season record for racewinning marques of five, established in 1982.

In 1982, five marques won: Chevrolet (Corvette), Ford (Mustang), Nissan (280ZX Turbo), Pontiac (Trans-Am) and Porsche (924 Carrera Turbo).

Gentilozzi Sets Fast Lap, Takes All-Time Fast Lap Leadership

Paul Gentilozzi (#1 Johnson Controls HomeLink Jaguar XKR) set the 2000 TEXACO Havoline Grand Prix of Houston Fast Lap, his third of 2000. Gentilozzi now has 24 career Fast Laps, ranking him first All-Time ahead of Tom Kendalls 23. Twelve of Gentilozzis Fast Laps have come on "Street or Temporary Circuits," ranking Gentilozzi first All-Time in such Fast Laps over Kendalls 11.

2000 "Street Or Temporary Circuit" Races Produce Three Winners in Four Events

Houston marked the 2000 seasons fourth "Street or Temporary Circuit" race, following Long Beach, Detroit and Cleveland. Tomy Drissi (#15 Drissi Advertising Ford Mustang Cobra) won at Long Beach, Paul Gentilozzi at Detroit and Cleveland, and now Chris Neville at Houston. The marque battle is tied at two wins apiece for Fords Mustang and Jaguars XKR.

New Zealanders Baird And Silvester Make BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Debut Appearances

New Zealand TraNZam competitors Grant Silvester (Sydenhams Race Team Ford Mustang) and Craig Baird (Alan Ferguson Racing Chevrolet Camaro) made their first BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series appearance in the TEXACO Havoline Grand Prix of Houston. Silvester started 19th and finished 14th, one lap down. Baird started 13th but finished 20th, eight laps down.

Baird brings over a decade of worldwide racing experience to his initial start in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. Baird has won championships in the Formula Ford 1600 (1989), Formula Pacific (1991, 1992, 1993), New Zealand Touring Car Series (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997) and New Zealand Trans-Am (2000).

Silvester is a veteran of two seasons of New Zealand Trans-Am competition. He finished third in both the 1999 and 2000 Drivers Championship. Silvester finished second on January 30 at Manfeild, to post his career-best finish. He has also posted eight third place finishes.

Dramatic Announcements Made At Road America

As part of the Road America weekend, the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series made a pair of dramatic announcements. Beginning in 2001, over $2.5 million will be up for grabs in purses and bonuses. In addition, the series also announced significant rules changes and unveiled its new body styles. (Press Releases are enclosed)

2000 Season Finale Set For San Diego

The Panoz/Sanchez Group and SCCA Pro Racing, Ltd., have announced the addition of the November 3-5 Grand Prix of San Diego to close out the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series. The event will serve as the 12th race on the schedule and will be competed over The Grand Prix of San Diego Circuit that will be set up at the former Naval Training Center, north of Lindbergh Field, providing a scenic waterfront backdrop.

"Were excited to run at such a unique venue in a great city like San Diego," said John Clagett, BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Executive Director. "Trans-Am racing is rich in heritage in Southern California, and our first-ever race in San Diego is a perfect way to close out what has been a great 2000 season."

The Panoz/Sanchez Group Acquires Rights To The Trans-Am Series

The Panoz/Sanchez Group and SCCA Pro Racing, Ltd. have completed an agreement to assign the rights for the Trans-Am Series and the Trans-Am trademark to the newly-formed Panoz/Sanchez Group (PSG).

Under the 10-year renewable contract, the Panoz/Sanchez Group takes over management of the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series, including marketing, public relations and television packaging responsibilities as well as future venue negotiations, acquisition of additional series sponsorship and servicing current sponsors. SCCA Pro Racing will remain the sanctioning body for the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series, providing administrative, operations and technical functions.

New Models, New Wings

Three new models have made their debut this seasonthe Jaguar XKR, the Oldsmobile Aurora and the Qvale Qvale Mangusta. Driving the Jaguars are two-time and defending Drivers Champion Paul Gentilozzi, along with rookie Jeff Altenburg. Randy Ruhlman pilots the new Aurora, and Brian Simo will be behind the wheel of the Qvale Mangusta. Also new this year are spec rear wings, designed to improve aerodynamics and downforce while allowing the cars to keep more of their street-car appearance.

Willy T. Ribbs Returns

Willy T. Ribbs returns to Trans-Am Series competition this season. Ribbs, 44, 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.

Text Provided By David Lang

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