Several new SRPII cars lined up for 2002

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 3, 2001) - With the Rolex 24 At Daytona January Test Days only a month away, several teams have unveiled plans to move into the SportsRacing Prototype II class in 2002. Both G&W Motorsports and Rand Racing have announced plans to campaign the 2002 Rolex Sports Car Series season in the SRPII class.

G&W Motorsports announced this week that a deal has been finalized with Momentum Motorcars Racing Division to debut new car in the SRPII class next season -- an Italian designed chassis from Picchio SpA powered by a 3.0-liter BMW engine. Momentum Motorcars has acquired the exclusive rights to market and distribute the car through its Houston based dealership. Veteran racer Armando Trentini will not only be the lead driver in the new SRPII entry and will also head the Picchio's marketing effort in the United States.

"G&W is proud to be associated with this program. We intend to show that this car has lots of potential, will be a competitive entry and will be a good value for the racing competitor," remarked G&W team owner Cole Scrogham. "I am sure that our new Managing Director Price Cobb can't wait to start on a development program for the Picchio."

Rand Racing entered SRPII competition with an exclamation point at the Grand-Am Finale last month when the #8 Nissan-powered Lola scored the class victory. The team entered the car as a test for next season and proved it will be a major contender for the championship in 2002. Anthony Lazzaro and Terry Borcheller, who piloted the team to its debut win, will pair up for the season in one of the team's two Nissan Lolas.

"This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime for me," said Borcheller, who won the GTO driver championship in 2000 and picked up three GT wins this year. "I'm working with the ideal team owner, with Bill Rand, management, with Risi Competizione preparing the car, and co-driver, with Anthony Lazzaro. All the pieces are put together to go for a championship."

Team owner Bill Rand will slide behind the wheel of the team's second car, with Ralf Kelleners expected to share in the driving duties for most of the season.

After winning two races in 2001, Porschehaus Racing plans to return to Rolex Series competition in 2002 with a new driver. Adam Merzon will join the SRPII ranks next season, co-driving with Robert Julien in the #89 Nissan Lola. Merzon ran a Porsche GT3 R in the Rolex Series GT class this season.

Porschehaus team owner Andre Gaudet also reports that he has sold his second Nissan Lola to a Toronto-based team that intends to get their first taste of the Rolex Series at the Rolex 24 At Daytona January Test Days, Jan. 3-5.

The 2002 Rolex Series season will kick off with the 40th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Feb. 2-3, 2002, at Daytona International Speedway. Tickets are currently on sale and may be purchased by calling the Speedway ticket office at 386-253-RACE or online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

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