Cleveland: Hima Maher qualifying notes

Calgary Driver Qualifies 12th in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, OH (June 24, 2005)-Facing a bumpy surface and a larger field of competitors, Calgary driver Hima Maher qualified 12th for tomorrow's Trans- Am on the Tarmac race at Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport. Driving his #78 Centennial Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, Maher recorded a lap time of 1:18:303-minutes (96.824 m.p.h) on the 2.106-mile circuit for tomorrow's event, the third race in this season's Trans-Am Road Racing Series.

In his last practice run earlier today, Maher, who recently joined the Derhaag Motorsports racing team, was running as high as fourth place, when he posted a 1:17:327-minute lap (98.046 m.p.h.) -more than three seconds faster than his first session on the track.

"I am getting familiar with the car and have a reasonably good feel for the track," said Maher, who spent time between sessions reviewing data and further studying the course. "Now it's time to go and get it done."

For tomorrow's race, Maher will start on the grid one position ahead of teammate Randy Ruhlman, who crashed during his first practice. Although Ruhlman was unhurt, repairs to his Chevrolet Corvette meant he had to miss his second practice round and qualifying run.

-mr-