Tracks: US Road Racing Classi opens Mid-Ohio Season
27 May 2000
DUBLIN, Ohio (May 26, 2000) - The 2000 Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course season is set to begin with the U.S. Road Racing Classic, June 2-4, at the 2.25-mile, 13-turn permanent road course in Lexington, Ohio. The U.S. Road Racing Classic features the action of the Grand American Road Racing Series and will be the site of a unique Mid-Ohio Fan Appreciation Weekend. On-track action is highlighted by the debut of the Grand American Road Racing Series at Mid-Ohio. Grand-Am is the professional sports car racing series that also runs the historic Daytona 24 Hours event. Current entries for the Grand-Am race total 33, an increase of 12 over last year's total. The 1999 U.S. Road Racing Classic saw 21 sportscars compete at the historic road course. The Grand-Am series is comprised of SportsRacer, GT and American GT classes. SportsRacers are open-cockpit machines featuring chassis from Cadillac, Ferrari, Riley & Scott and Kudzu among others. They are powered by Chevrolet, Cadillac, Ferrari, Ford, Judd and Mazda engines. The class has two divisions: SportsRacer and SportsRacer II. SportsRacers meet a minimum weight of 1,985 lbs. and achieve performance levels in the 650 horsepower range. SportsRacer II cars are prepared in a similar fashion, but are powered by normally aspirated, six-cylinder engines. SportsRacers are modern-day prototypes similar to the Can-Am machines prevalent at the track from 1970 to 1982. The Dyson Racing Team, with returning driver James Weaver, will look to retain its SportsRacer title won in 1999. A big challenge will come from the sleek, new model Ferrari 333SP of Risi Competizione, and from the other Dyson Racing Team, led by sportscar racing legend Elliott-Forbes Robinson. Two divisions make up the GT class: GTO and GTU. The GTO division features Chevrolet Corvettes, Dodge Vipers and Turbo Porsches powered by larger displacement engines developing approximately 650 horsepower. The GTU division showcases BMWs, normally aspirated Porsches, Porsche GT3s and Ferraris. These cars produce 450 horsepower. The Saleen-Allen Speedlab racing team, co-owned by television actor and comedian Tim Allen, will be one of 15 cars entered in the GT class. Saleen-Allen Speedlab team drivers Ron Johnson and Terry Borcheller will attempt to maintain their overall drivers' points lead behind the wheel of Allen's Ford-Saleen Mustang The American GT class is comprised of tradition "muscle cars" such as Chevrolet Camaros, Pontiac Firebirds, Dodge Daytonas and Ford Mustangs. American GTs are purpose-built on tube-frame chassis similar to NASCAR Winston Cup Series cars and are powered by V-8 engines producing upwards of 600 horsepower and weighing a minimum of 2550 lbs. All three classes will take the 2.25-mile, 13-turn road course at once in Sunday's Grand-Am final, adding a "race within a race" atmosphere. Support series for Sunday's Grand-Am race include the Motorola Cup, featuring street stock car endurance racing, and the American City Racing League, a series that pits cities against each other in machines similar to Sports 2000 cars. Columbus, Ohio, currently holds the Mid-Ohio American City Racing League title, won last year. The SCCA Pro Spec Racer Series also comes to Mid-Ohio for the weekend. Fans will watch as Warren Stilwell goes for an unprecedented 10th win in a row at Mid-Ohio in an SCCA Spec Racer. The U.S. Road Racing Classic will also feature Mid-Ohio's Fan Appreciation Weekend. Driver autograph sessions, fan forums for spectators to talk one-on-one with drivers, and unique VIP race experience giveaways will take place all weekend, from Friday, June 2, through Sunday, June 4. These once-in-a-lifetime race experience prizes include pace car rides, a chance to watch a race from the trackside "Esses" announcer's booth, a Sunday VIP luncheon for 25 race fans and a guest, and a chance to wave the green flag at one of Saturday and Sunday's races. Fans ages 18 and over and in attendance on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3, are eligible for the giveaways. Race experience prizes will be offered on Saturday, June 3, and Sunday, June 4. Winners must be present to be eligible to claim prizes. Mid-Ohio Sports Car course is a 2.4-mile, 15-turn permanent road course located in Lexington, Ohio, 60 miles north of Columbus and 75 miles south of Cleveland. Commonly referred to as the "Most Competitive in the U.S.," Mid-Ohio hosts six major motorsports events in 2000, including amateur, professional and international racing of the two- and four-wheel variety. Mid-Ohio is also home to The Mid-Ohio School, featuring 10 different driving programs. For event information or to order tickets, call 1-800-MID-OHIO or (419) 884-4000, or visit Mid-Ohio online at www.midohio.com. -30-