Isuzu Rodeo Takes First in Class in Alcan 2000 Winter Rally; Dallenbach/Unser/Grimshaw Battles to the End

2 March 2000
Isuzu Rodeo Takes First in Class in Alcan 2000 Winter Rally; Dallenbach/Unser/Grimshaw Battles to the End
    CERRITOS, Calif., March 3 -- The Team Isuzu Rodeo of Paul
Dallenbach, Johnny Unser, and Tom Grimshaw battled through nine days and
4500 miles of remote Canadian and Alaskan highways to finish first in class
and second overall in the Alcan 2000 Winter Rally.  Despite navigator Tom
Grimshaw checking into hospitals on three separate occasions, Team Isuzu's
Dallenbach, Unser, and Grimshaw dominated Class-2 and challenged the overall
winner right to the finish line.  Team Isuzu's second Rodeo entry manned by
Revere Jones, Brian Deno, and Ted Atkins finished 3rd in Class-2.
    The Alcan Winter Rally is a modern motoring decathlon that features a
series of timed sections along the route and closed course speed contests to
test the limits of the competitors driving and navigational skills as well as
the vehicles performance and reliability.  The Alcan 2000 Winter Rally
followed a 4500-mile course from Kirkland Washington to Prudhoe Bay on the
shores of the Beaufort Sea high above the arctic circle before turning south
and heading towards the finish line in Anchorage Alaska.
    "This year's Alcan was a true challenge," said Paul Dallenbach.  "From the
minute we left the start we knew that we were in for a tough run.  While we
planned on capturing the overall title, considering that Tom's health came
close to forcing us to withdraw, we are extremely pleased with our class
victory."
    "As the rally progressed and Tom's health got worse it became harder and
harder to concentrate on the race," said Johnny Unser.  "The uplifting aspect
was Tom's never give up attitude and his determination to finish the race."
    The event marked a memorable finish to Tom Grimshaw's celebrated
automotive competition career as he announced his retirement at the conclusion
of the race.  Celebrating his 67th birthday on Monday February 14, Tom marked
the occasion by putting the Rodeo in first place and then making a trip to the
hospital.  Following two more trips to hospitals along the rally's route, the
Alcan organizers presented Team Isuzu, and Tom Grimshaw in particular with
their annual Press On Regardless (POR) award.  The POR award honors the
participants who best exhibits "the push the limits in order to finish the
event regardless of what happens attitude" that the Alcan brings out in all
its participants.  Team Isuzu honored Tom by presenting him with a wheel &
tire from the winning Rodeo, signed by the entire Team Isuzu crew.

    American Isuzu Motors Inc. is the U.S. distributor of Isuzu sport utility
vehicles, commercial vehicles and diesel engines.  For more information call
(800) 662-2464 or point your browser to http://www.isuzu.com on the worldwide web.