Conference oass::racers

376.0. "NATCC " by BSS::JILSON (COSROCS -- In Thrust We Trust) Thu Jan 11 1996 13:29

Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport.info
From: [email protected] (Kathi Elliot)
Subject: NATCC: Races, teams and drivers announced
 
December 15, 1995
 
A SYNOPSIS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP PRESS CONFERENCE
HELD DECEMBER 14, 1995
FOR GENERAL RELEASE
 
Detroit - Over eighty attendees crowded the Superior Room of the River
Place Hotel for a series important announcements by the NATCC. What
follows is a summary of facts and comments made by a number of speakers
addressing the media.
 
* Roger Elliot welcomed all of the attendees and said, "It's absolutely
appropriate to have this press conference in Detroit, the automotive
heartland of North America."
 
Television
 
* Paul Page was introduced as "The Voice of North American Super
Touring." Paul is delighted to take the lead role in NATCC broadcasting
and also looks forward to expanding that to print and personal
appearances on behalf of the Championship.
 
* It was reconfirmed ABC Wide World of Sports will broadcast races from
Toronto and Mid Ohio live in a unique hour and one half format. Lydia
Stephans, VP Programming ABC - "We have always made a concerted effort
to find the most exciting events for ABC's Wide World... We believe the
NATCC will provide our audience with an opportunity to watch live motor
racing in a unique format."
 
* ESPN2 was announced as the broadcaster of all NATCC races. These will
be shown on weekends at prime time on a one week tape delay basis.
"We are pleased to help the NATCC take the green flag in it's first
season. We look forward to making the Championship a featured element
in our racing coverage. The NATCC will help further ESPN and ESPN2's
position as the premier source for motorsports." - John Wildach, Senior
VP Programming, ESPN
 
* ESPN International's VP Program Acquisitions, Minard Hamilton - "ESPN
International is delighted to be a part of the launch of the 1996 NATCC.
As a part of this arrangement (we) plan to distribute the series to
close to 100 countries around the world. NATCC and ESPN have agreed to
work cooperatively to identify and develop overseas driving talent with
a mind to increasing the impact of the international distribution."
 
Fan Guide
 
* On Track Magazine, represented by Editor, Jim Duff and the NATCC
announced that they will work together to publish at least three
editorial and advertising special sections next year that will be
inserted in On Track. The first "Guide to Super Touring Racing" will be
published about a month before the first race. Whitney Shaw, Publisher,
On Track - "We hope that these initial efforts will grow into something
larger in the future. As the season progresses, we'll be working with
NATCC on that score."
 
Prize Fund
 
* Gerald Forsythe, Chairman, CEO, NATCC - "We fully expect this prize
fund to grow as we add contingency sponsorship packages, manufacturer
incentives, pole awards and so on, but to start things off, we have
established a base line of $620,000." Each race, of which there are
two per weekend, will pay $20,000 to the first ten finishers in the
Championship and $6,000. to the first five in the Independent's
Challenge for a total of $52,000 per weekend. Year end payouts will
total $100,000.
 
Schedule
 
May 25-27 	Lime Rock
Jun 7-9 	Detroit
Jul 12-14 	Toronto
Aug 2-4 	Trois Rivieres*
Aug 9-11 	Mid Ohio
Aug 30-Sep 1 	Vancouver
Sep 6-8 	Laguna Seca
 
*Final Confirmation Pending.
 
NATCC is working at adding more dates which will total no more than ten.
Charlotte has been postponed until 1997 primarily due to concerns over
safety issues. In a joint release announcing this decision, CMS and the
NATCC stated that they have agreed to continue dialogue in the hope of
setting a date in 1997.
 
Sanctioning
 
* President NATCC, Roger Elliot - "I want to state clearly, with respect
to our sanctioning agreement with the SCCA and our association with
IndyCar, that we have a rock solid foundation upon which to build this
Championship. With SCCA's expertise in running race events combined with
IndyCar's outstanding racing business acumen, we feel we could not be in
better hands."
 
* IndyCar President and CEO, Andrew Craig - "We've worked with the
NATCC to incorporate Super Touring Racing with some of our premier road
racing and street racing events. A number of IndyCar promoters are very
interested in the concept. It provides a different show on race weekends
and provides drivers who have stepped out of Indy cars a chance to
continue to race in front of familiar fans. Additionally, a number of
IndyCar teams have expressed interest in running cars." Mr. Craig spoke
at length to the attendees.
 
* SCCA President, Nick Craw - "We believe the NATCC brings a significant
new dimension to North American motorsports and will help raise the
profile and exposure of road racing to the benefit of everyone involved
in it." Mr. Craw made this statement in a release prior to the event.
 
Teams
 
Chrysler
 
* Chrysler Corporation announced it has chosen PacWest Racing as its
partner for the 1996 NATCC. Lou Patane, Executive Director - Brand
Marketing, Chrysler -"The PacWest Touring Car Group's IndyCar experience
is a fine compliment to the production car engineering expertise we are
putting into the Stratus Super Touring Car. The international character
of this series positions Stratus here and abroad as a dynamic and
technologically refined vehicle." Dominic Dobson has been named as the
lead driver for the two car team. Dobson has 7 Indy 500 starts and 60
IndyCar starts. He has raced SCCA Pro and IMSA GTP. Car numbers are 6
and 7.
 
Ford
 
* Danny Sullivan announced his plans to be a part of an entry, with an
as yet undisclosed partner, of two Ford Contours, cars number 4 and 5.
"I've raced all over the world - been involved with many manufacturers
and racing efforts, but I've never seen a racing formula that makes
more sense than Super Touring. This is a formula which has sky rocketed
to the front of the automotive scene all over the world... It's just a
super product. The drivers will be accessible to the fans. The cars are
recognizable...And the racing - well it's as competitive as anything
you'll see anywhere... I can think of a couple of guys I'd like to see
in the car. We currently have some interesting on going discussions
with one driver. All around the world, Touring Car Racing is attracting
drivers of the highest caliber. Look at the number of top notch drivers
with Formula One experience currently racing Touring Cars. This form of
racing has provided an outstanding opportunity for talented drivers in
a viable, high profile environment. And who knows? If it feels right, I
may just climb into number 5 myself from time to time." (Danny drove #5
in the Spin and Win Indianapolis 500 in 1985)
 
* Sigma Motorsports, managed by Wayne Reinke, announced the entry of
car number 86, a Ford Contour with a Ford Zetec engine. Chris Reinke, a
mechanical engineer is set to set up the chassis and drive the car.
 
* GPS Racing Team from Monticello New York have entered car number 65,r.
a Ford Contou Team leader Gary Sommers will drive the ca              r.
 
* BTCC Privateer's championship winning team in 1993 and 1995 have
entered a Ford to carry car number 77. Team Dynamics manager, Roy Baker
- " we feel this is a major decision for the team in its progress
towards gaining recognition.. (We are) a team that has already proven
success in the BTCC,..(which is currently) the most competitive
Championship for Touring Cars in the world."
 
Toyota
 
* Rod Millen Motorsport have entered cars number 2 and 3, a pair of
Toyota Camrys. Millen's new car - still with its Toyota Carina bodywork
- arrived from England just in time to make a star appearance at the
press conference. "We've been following Touring Car racing from Europe
for two years and we knew it was only a matter of time before there
would be a North American opportunity. We wanted to be in on the ground
floor with Toyota. So here we are with cars two and three. I'm told I
can't have number one until 1997" quipped Rod Millen. "Our Super Touring
project is simply our latest in a long line of challenges. I'll let you
know how we did from the winner's circle in May."
 
Honda
 
* Jim Kirby, of L.A. Prep in Signal Hill California, has entered two
Honda Accords, numbers 8 and 88. "Anyone who has seen Super Touring
competition would agree that this format makes for some of the most
exciting racing in the world," said Kirby. "I think that when the North
American public is exposed to this format of very competitive NASCAR
style racing on road courses and street circuits they will embrace it
with great enthusiasm. With our Honda Accords, we think we'll have a
competitive package and an opportunity to run at the front. That's sure
been the case with the Hondas in the BTCC. Over here we're all starting
on the same foot, more or less, so we're optimistic."
 
* 23 time IMSA endurance series winner T.C. Kline has entered a two car
team in the North American Touring Car Championship. Two Honda Accord
sedans numbered 12 and 21 are being prepared in Kline's Columbus, Ohio
shop. Kline will feature two time IMSA endurance series winner and 1995
SCCA National Champion Randy Pobst in one car. No driver has been named
for the second car at this time. "We took a look at British Touring Car
racing last year and thought it looked like a real challenge. When the
NATCC announced the advent of a program in North America last August,
we started work on a team for the Championship," said Kline. The second
seat will go to a funded driver, but must be one who can work with the
team. "We know from experience that it often takes a two car effort to
win a championship. It takes a full effort from the team and two drivers
who can work together," said Kline [Continued in reply]
 
* Three time SCCA National Champion Jim Dentici announced his formidable
King Motorsports team will enter a pair of Honda Accords in the
North American Touring Car Championship. Driver selection is not yet
finalized. "This will be quite a challenge - no doubt about it," said
Dentici, "but challenges are what King Motorsports has been built on.
We're looking forward to it." Dentici's association with Honda dates
back to the mid sixties as a motorcycle dealer and grew to include Honda
automobile and Acura franchises.
 
* From his office in Morgan Hill California, Albert Mirko announced
that he will contest the North American Touring Car Championship as
an independent in a Honda Accord. "As a saloon car racer in England
since the early seventies, I might say that I am the most experienced
Touring Car racer in the Championship so far," joked Mirko. An insurance
professional and President of a R&D company involved in the business of
designing state of the art trailers and towing assembly devices, Mirko
has been racing "more or less" professionally since he contested British
Auto Racing Club races since 1976. A veteran of every track in England
and several 24 hour races, Mirko moved to the US in 1984 and has raced
competitively in SCCA club and pro competition ever since.
 
Pontiac
 
* The owner of Mantapart Performance Products and Meehan Development
and Engineering, Tim Meehan has twenty five years of small GM sedan
racing experience., The firm has entered car numbers 17 and 66, the
first Pontiac entries in the North American Touring Car Championship,
under the MDE Motorsport banner. Racing with D.A.R.E. livery, (Drug
Awareness Resistance Education) the MDE Motorsports Pontiac Sunfire is
the latest project from a shop of considerable experience with small GM
sedan performance modifications. The car will be the first new Pontiac
Sunfire in any form of professional racing in North America. "We've been
a supplier to G.M, Motorsports Group and Oldsmobile Motorsport for quite
some time now," said Meehan from his shop in rural mid west America.
"We've had some success with our IMSA sedan support programs but now we
are going to take a full fledged program to the track ourselves and see
how we make out."
 
BMW
 
* Ed Delong, President of Delong Motorsport Ltd. in Mississauga,
Ontario, Canada, made the following announcement -"Delong Motorsport
Ltd. will enter a 3 series BMW car number 10 with driving duties shared
by Rolf Von Englebrechten, and Ed Delong. Preparation will be by Mark
Jonak, out of the Jonak Motorsports race shop in Rockwood, Ontario.
Although Rolf is uncomfortable with the number 10, we think it is pure
superstition that he believes odd numbered cars finish first, but he
does state emphatically that �we are absolutely sure of one thing - this
is just too good an opportunity to miss out on.' While Mark Jonak is
envious about allowing myself and Von Englebrechten to do the driving
he is, at least temporarily, satisfied to play team manager and states,
�with my experience in car preparation and familiarity with BMWs, I
believe I have the experience to put together a real winner. With
proper funding, we would like to have two cars entered, and that would
allow me the opportunity to do some of the driving.' It is with great
anticipation that we look forward to the 1996 racing season, and with
our collective expertise and driving experience, we are confident we
can represent Canada in the NATCC, as have our countrymen, Ron Fellows,
Jacques Villeneuve, Paul Tracy and Greg Moore elsewhere." Driver and
Team Notes
 
* In seven of the last nine years Per-Gunnar (Peggan) Andersson has won
either Nordic or Swedish Touring Car Championships. Easily the best
known Super Touring Car driver in Scandinavia, Peggan is considered
quick, extremely cagey and safe. A driver with a DTM pole and a win
to his credit, Peggan has raced in Asia with four straight wins in
Thailand, competed in New Zealand and was pipped by a tenth of a second
by John Cleland at a BTCC round at Brands Hatch in 1990. "I have turned
thirty eight, but I feel I have a lot left to do in Touring Car racing
and before I put my helmet in the closet, I really want to give this
(NATCC) a try." said Andersson. "There are two reasons for this ,"
he goes on, " one, with 17 years of experience in Touring Cars, I
guess I have some advantage. Two, I have done everything I possibly
can do in Touring Car racing at home, now remains to investigate my
possibilities in U.S. I have heard that U.S. racing provides a really
positive atmosphere compared to Europe." Peggan Andersson flew from
Sweden to attend the press conference.
 
* Berle Smith, well known in the Pacific North West is holding testing
sessions to select a driver for a Super Touring effort he is mounting.
In attendance at the press conference, Smith said he was optimistic
about his entry because sponsorship meetings had been going very well.
 
*John Christie of Vista, California is poised to enter a car from a
seventh manufacturer - Mazda. Developed by Team Dynamics in England the
car is ready to race in Super Touring. Christie is in discussion with
drivers and says, "our current trade sponsors are in full support of
this new opportunity." Additional corporate sponsorship is being sought
to further fund the team.
 
* Indy Light pilot Pedro Chavez is anxious to drive a Super Touring Car
in North America. Calling in from his home in Portugal, Chavez enthused
about his commitment to drive in the NATCC. "I'm looking for sponsors
every minute," he said.
 
* Several teams have opportunities for funded drivers. Interested
parties should contact Amos Johnson, Director of Race Operations at the
NATCC.
 
* Amos Johnson spent the entire day on the phone December 15th talking
to people who had heard the news from the press conference. "I can't
believe that this has hit any media publications yet," said Johnson,
"but the response has been incredible! The racing community is a small
world, I guess. I think I talked to most of it today."
 
* Shelby Pro Racer and Skip Barber Instructor, John Lewis from Alabama
attended the conference and was seen in earnest conversation with many
team owners. Lewis is committed to finding a ride in the NATCC and is
looking for funding to take to a team.
 
Venues
 
* Vice President of Lime Rock Park, Simon Kirkby, addressed the audience
on hand to officially welcome the NATCC onto the Memorial Day event
schedule. His remarks received a rousing ovation from all on hand.
 
* Always terrific in front of a crowd, Bud Stanner, the man in charge of
the ITT Detroit Grand Prix spoke to the attendees and extended a warm
welcome to the NATCC in a poignant commentary.
 
* Michelle Trueman Gajoch, President of Mid Ohio sports Car Course
issued this statement to be read at the press conference. "Mid Ohio
Sports Car Course is proud to announce the addition of the North
American Touring Car Championship to its 1996 season schedule. This
series will compliment the IndyCar weekend by showcasing some fast and
highly competitive racing. The popularity of Touring Car sedan racing
has grown dramatically worldwide, and Mid Ohio is definitely pleased to
be a part of the NATCC's inaugural season and in bringing this sport to
the United States."
 
* Mike Smith, General Manager of the Molson Indy in Toronto sent along
these words. "These back to back races with frantic action in the
pits in between will make for an exciting and unusual spectacle for
the fans at the Molson Indy," said Mike Smith, General Manager of the
event. "We're very pleased to welcome the North American Touring Car
Championship teams to the Molson Indy. We look forward to a great show
on Saturday afternoon."
 
* Phil Heard, General Manager of the Molson Indy Vancouver - "This is an
exciting new form of racing in North America. We're pleased to be able
to offer Super Touring Car racing to the Molson Indy Vancouver fans."
 
* General Manager of Laguna Seca Raceway, Scott Atherton, in a letter
to Roger Elliot, wrote "..I would like to take this opportunity to
congratulate you and your staff for your commitment and tenacity in
making this series a reality. On behalf of all of us at Laguna Seca
Raceway, we believe in your concept and are proud to be associated with
the launch of what we hope will be a very successful new form of road
racing in North America."
 
* The only remaining date on the schedule to be confirmed (due to too
many events interested in appearing on the card) is at Trois Rivieres.
The recent addition of Indy Lights to the card at the popular Canadian
venue may have extended paddock space and track time to the breaking
limit. In a letter to NATCC regarding the matter, Leon Methot, Managing
Director of the event wrote, "I am confident that a satisfactory
solution to this matter will be found to the benefit of all parties."
People
 
* Indy Lights head man Roger Bailey was in attendance to show support
to the Championship which he believes will enhance the IndyCar weekend
package.
 
* IndyCar Competition Director Kirk Russell attended and was recognized
from the podium to a round of applause.
 
* Another round of applause was raised for Kevin O'Brien, Vice President
of Marketing for SCCA Pro Racing, who attended to represent the NATCC
sanctioning body.
 
* Representatives were on hand from Chrysler, Ford, Honda and Toyota.
Several others who had planned on attending could not do so because of
difficulties associated with the bad weather.

Newsgroups: rec.autos.sport.info
From: [email protected] (Tom Haapanen)
Subject: NATCC: 1996 team summary
 
The following teams have announced their participation in the NATCC in 1996:
 
 2  Rod Millen		   NZ	Toyota Camry	Rod Millen Motorsports
 3  TBA				Toyota Camry	Rod Millen Motorsports
 4  TBA				Ford Contour	Danny Sullivan
 5  Danny SUllivan	   USA	Ford Contour	Danny SUllivan
 6  Dominic Dobson	   USA	Dodge Stratus	PacWest Racing
 7  TBA				Dodge Stratus	PacWest Racing
 8  TBA				Honda Accord	L.A. Prep
 9  Albert Mirko	   GB	Honda Accord	Mirko Racing
10  Rolf Von Englebrechten D	BMW 320i	Delong Motorsports
11  TBA				Honda Accord	King Motorsports
12  Randy Pobst		   USA	Honda Accord	T.C. Kline Racing
17  TBA				Pontiac Sunfire	Mantasport
21  TBA				Honda Accord	T.C. Kline Racing
22  TBA				Honda Accord	King Motorsports
65  Gary Sommers	   USA	Ford Contour	GPS Racing
66  TBA				Pontiac Sunfire	Mantasport
77  Matt Neal		   GB	Ford Contour	Team Dynamics
86  Chris Reinke	   USA	Ford Contour	Sigma Engineering
88  TBA				Honda Accord	L.A. Prep