Richard Matthews ARRC Road Atlanta notes

Braselton, GA November 9, 2003 -- Richard Matthews of Columbia, SC won the highly competitive Club Continental class at the 10th annual running of the American Road Race of Champions (ARRC) November 6-8, 2003 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, GA. The Sports Car Club of America developed ARRC as the National Championship for regional level road racing classes. This is Matthews first U.S. National Championship. Matthews entered the event as the consensus favorite to win, qualified comfortably on class pole and led the championship race flag to flag.

"I raced Club Continental throughout the 2002 season and won pretty much everything but ARRC," said Matthews. "To me this was unfinished business. It is the biggest race of the year for our class. This was the only time I have raced this class this year and it feels great to get the job done. I have to give special thanks to my parents for all their work and support."

Substitute mechanic Kevin Brumbaugh said, "I have been to countless SCCA races as either a competitor or worker over the past decade and a half. Richard's performance at this event was one of the most mature and impressive I have ever seen. Richard never put a wheel wrong and just did what he had to do. Very heads up and professional."

Matthews, a life-long resident of Columbia, SC, is a senior at The University of South Carolina. He raced professionally this year in the U.S. Star Mazda Championship and plans to continue his professional racing career in 2004.

-kb-