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TRANS AM: Kenny Wilden Wins BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series 100

16 October 2000

Monterey, Calif. – Kenny Wilden picked up his first career victory, in only
his fifth start, this afternoon in the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series 100
at the GlobalCenter Sports Car Championships. Wilden, in the #40 YO Ranch
Chevrolet Camaro, passed Boris Said midway through lap 38 and fought off all
challenges to secure the victory. In addition Wilden picked up the Simple
Green Clean Sweep Award, a $40,000 bonus, by leading the most laps, having
the fastest lap, securing the pole position and winning the race. The 100
mile race was competed over the 2.238-mile Laguna Seca Raceway.

Said, in the brand new #33 Sun Microsystems Ford Mustang Cobra, posted his
podium finish after taking delivery on the car just this past week. For Said
it was his eighth podium finish and 12th top-ten.

BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Driver’s Championship leader Paul
Gentilozzi (#1 Johnson Controls HomeLink Jaguar XKR) finished third to
extend his points lead over Brian Simo, 247to 218. Gentilozzi and Simo
touched midway through lap 19, which caused Simo to to spin into the gravel
in turn three. Simo suffered heavy damage to the right side and was not a
factor finishing 29th.

“I had to show a lot of patience today,” said Wilden. “I am a right-foot
breaker and I always use the clutch on downshifts. That’s sort of old school
for some people. I got caught going up the hill towards the Corkscrew (turn
eight) and I got caught off guard and the engine quit. So there I am gliding
along and finally I got it turned over. But by that time everyone had gone
on by me. I had to adjust to not having a clutch because I am not used to
racing without one. But Jim Derhaag was good on the radio. He said to be
patient and he knew that we had a good car under us.”

“I just had to stay focused on what was ahead of me and not behind of me.
That’s always tough for some drivers. I really enjoy the racing. I have
watched these guys race for a number of years in this series.”

“It was a fun afternoon of racing,” said Said. “I ran in the ALMS Race and
then 20 minutes later I have to jump in one of these cars. I felt a little
rusty. I didn’t quite know how to save the tires and I burned my car down a
little bit. I have raced with Kenny quite a bit in 24-hour races at Mosport
and there wasn’t much I could do with him, he just had more car.”

The unofficial points after this afternoon’s race are as follows:
Gentilozzi, 247; Simo, 218; Jeff Altenburg, 168; Leighton Reese, 154; and
Chris Neville, 151.

Round Ten of the BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series will be at the Grand Prix
of Las Vegas on October 29. The series will complete its season one week
later at the San Diego Grand Prix.