PR-Viper at Le Mans#5

Subj:  PR-VIPER AT LE MANS #5		Section: F-1/Internat'l News
  To:  ALL				Sunday, June 16, 1996 3:10:25 AM
From:  Canaska/Adenalin, 102256,260	#819905

CANASKA/SOUTHWIND VIPERS PROVING DURABLE AS LE MANS ENTERS FINAL 
STRETCH -- With the first 20 hours of this year's Le Mans in the history books, 
Canaska/Southwind's Viper GTS-R's are still running strong and the team is growing more 
optimistic with each passing minute that its goal of finishing both of its cars will soon be realized.

In fact, Viper #48 is currently exceeding expectations, running in 9th place in GT1 class and 14th 
overall.  It remains in striking distance of a number of cars ahead, only six laps behind the overall 
eighth place team.  

Meanwhile, Viper  #49 overcame a collision with  a guardrail on the Mulsanne when its left rear tire 
blew after coming into contact with debris.  Driver and team co-owner, Victor Sifton, managed to 
guide the car into the pits and the Canaska/Southwind crew, which has been stellar throughout 
the race, replaced the front nose, splitter, rocker panel and rear bumper in less than 30 minutes.  
The car now runs 14th in GT1 class and 24th overall in a field that has dwindled from 48 to 26.

QUOTES:
NEIL HANNEMANN, PROGRAM MANAGER VIPER GTS-R, CHRYSLER CORPORATION -- 
"With four hours left to the race anything can still happen.  We are not counting on anything until 
the Vipers cross the finish line after the 24 hours.  That was our goal coming into this race and 
that is what we are still aiming for."

CHARLIE COOK, TEAM CO-OWNER AND MANAGER -- "I'm not holding my breath yet.  There's 
still plenty of time for things to go wrong, but the cars are running faster than they have for most of 
the race.  Both 48 and 49 are pulling strongly.  Earlier, the team got away lightly for such a high 
speed incident, when 49 had a problem on the Mulsanne Straight.  That the car was driven away 
and the driver walked away without a scratch from such an accident shows the strength of the 
Viper and the skill of the driver."


For continued coverage of the Viper at Le Mans, visit Canaska/Southwind's website at 
www.canaska.com.