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Daytona Test: Specter Werkes test summary

Specter Werkes ...

Published: Jan 8, 2004, 5:37 PM

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Specter Werkes #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by The Highlander damaged in Fire.
Driver, Tom Bambard, escapes unharmed.

Daytona Beach, Fla. January 5, 2004: The final session of testing for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was cut short on Monday afternoon when the Specter Werks/Sports #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by The Highlander caught on fire. The Corvette was witnessed with flames as it came down the backstretch and flamed up when driver Tom Bambard pulled off in the horseshoe.

Bambard was able to get out of the car on his own, and after a visit to the infield care center, he was transported to Halifax Medical Center as a precaution for smoke inhalation. He was later released from Halifax with a clean bill of health.

"I'm not sure how the sequence unfolded," remarked Bambard. "I recall a bump or thump and then feeling the car take a violent dive to the inside-- and then spinning. I saw the flames and tried to control the spin and guide the car to a run-off area. By that time, it was apparent that I needed to exit the car as quickly as possible. With the bulk of the fire engulfing the driver's side, I made my way across to the passenger window and was able to struggle free."

Co-driver and owner of Specter Werkes/Sports, Jeff Nowicki, made the following statement:

"First and foremost, we are thankful that Tom was not harmed in anyway. Our team is highly focused and committed to the safety aspects of our endeavor. Our people come first."

"With respect to the car, it is too early to determine the cause of the fire. Hearing the comments of witnesses and putting together Tom's remarks, it's obvious something triggered the bizarre sequence. We will know more once we get the car back to shop and do a complete analysis."

"Overall, we were very happy with the week of testing," continued Nowicki. "Needless-to-say, this will be a set back and we face a very difficult timeline to have the car ready for the Rolex 24 Hour race. Every member of our team has personally pledged his or her full support to rebuild the car and put it on the starting grid in Daytona January 31. I've got a hunch we'll be there."

Cauley Chevrolet, Inc.
For over 20 years Cauley Chevrolet has been servicing the needs of Southeastern Michigan. Recently voted #1 in GM Customer Service, the company prides itself on customer satisfaction. Located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Cauley Chevrolet is known as "America's Corvette Dealer" ranking in the top 10 nationally in Corvette sales.

Anchor Bay Entertainment
Know as a haven for some of the world's greatest filmmakers, Anchor Bay Entertainment is dedicated to releasing outstanding films, committed to detail and utilizing the finest elements in bringing film to the home video market. Anchor Bay sells to major retail customers such as Kmart, Wal Mart, Best Buy, Musicland, Transworld, Target, Borders, and many more. The company is located in Troy, Michigan and is an operating unit of IDT Entertainment, a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT, IDT.C)

Specter Werkes/Sports Inc.
Specter Werkes/Sports is an automotive prototype facility based in Troy, Michigan. SWS specializes in designing and building accessories for the Corvette. The company's current flagship project is the Corvette GTR performance street car. The car was recently featured in Road and Track, Vette Magazine and Super Chevy, to name a few.

-sw/jt-

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