Toronto: Hima Maher preview

Calgary Driver sets Sights on Toronto

CALGARY, AB (July 6, 2005)--Calgary driver Hima Maher is preparing to face the challenging street circuit of Toronto this weekend to mark his Canadian debut on the Trans-Am Road Racing Series. Qualifying for the Trans-Am Molson Indy Toronto is slated for July 8, with the race-taking place July 9.

After racing in only two events so far in the Trans-Am Series, Maher is 11th overall and the second-highest rookie in the standings. He's also the top Canadian. Since joining Derhaag Motorsports, Maher has demonstrated steady progress, finishing ninth in his first race in Portland, followed by an eighth-place result in Cleveland, where he caught the attention of fans for his daring aggressive maneuvers the formidable first turn of the course's airport tarmac.

The streets of Toronto's Exhibition Park will mark yet another new experience for Maher as a Trans-Am driver, who has so far raced his Centennial Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette on a road course and an airport surface. Unlike previous Trans-Am tracks this year, and with 11 turns, the 1.75-mile circuit is completely surrounded by concrete, creating no margin for error, especially on the tight turns.

Maher joined Derhaag Motorsports in May after an impressive career in Canadian motorsports. In 2004, he won the Canadian GT Championship and finished first at the Vancouver Molson Indy Sports Car Club of BC Invitational. He's also won several WCMA championships in Calgary and scored a victory at June's Rose City Cup in Portland, Ore., in a Porsche Club of America event.

-www.maharracing.com.