Powell Motorsport enters Mont-Tremblant event

Powell Motorsport To Run in Rolex Series SGS Class

PORT PERRY, Ontario (April 27, 2004) -- Powell Motorsport will join the SGS field for the Rolex Sports Car Series 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant, May 21-23. Marc Antoine Camirand and Normand Guindon will co-pilot the Chemcraft Corvette Z06 in the six-hour race at the historic Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. The car will be sponsored by Canadian companies Chemcraft International, Comet Chemical and R.M. Ferguson & Company Inc.

"Lately we have been very busy with our Cadillac CTS-V program," team leader John Powell said. "Fortunately, we have Chemcraft and Comet Chemical behind our effort to take Corvette into the SGS class at Mont-Tremblant, and the race is close to our home base."

According to the Powell team, the Grand American SGS concept of a stock LS6 engine in a 2700-pound Corvette is the right combination. Racing with a standard engine enhances the reliability of the car. The lightly stressed 405 plus horsepower of the Z06 engine propelling a lighter weight car makes the six-hour race an easier task for the brakes, transmission and differential.

Camirand, of Quebec, is a young racer with a portfolio of success in the junior leagues of karting and formula cars. Guindon is a successful businessman with many years of club racing and training behind him. Both drivers have been able to combine the allure of Mont-Tremblant and the Rolex Sports Car Series with the interests of local sponsors.

"Driving a Corvette will be new for me" Camirand said. "The car is heavier than a formula car with a lot more torque and horsepower. It will be like driving an elephant compared to a Formula Atlantic or a shifter kart. But my racing skills will be improved by this chance to drive a long distance race. Most of my races are over in 10 or 20 minutes in karts or formula cars. Now I will drive for two hours at a time. And while working with Normand Guindon and the Powell team is new to me, driving at Mont-Tremblant is not. This is one race track that I know really well."

"Stepping up to the Rolex Series into the SGS class is exciting," Guindon said. "I know the Corvette, but like Marc Antoine says, better to get into the big leagues in a car I know at a track I know. We can race, be familiar with our surroundings, and make sure we use our mirrors so we don't get in the way of the fabulous Daytona Prototypes. And we can have fun around the Porsches in our class."

Powell expects to announce the final driver line-up this week.

The Powell Motorsport Chemcraft Corvette joins another Powell-built Corvette in the SGS class. Mike Baughman Racing purchased the 2003 Powell-built Corvette, which now runs as the No. 46.

Tickets to the Rolex Series 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant can be purchased by calling 800-517-5725. Additional information on the 6 Heures du Circuit Mont-Tremblant and the Rolex Sports Car Series is available online at www.grandamerican.com.

-garra-