Washington DC: KnightHawk preview

July 19, 2002 Washington, DC -- KnightHawk pilots Steve Knight and Chad Block will hit the track as a pair again at this weekend's Cadillac Grand Prix of Washington, DC for the 5th round of the American Le Mans Series. The duo, along with fellow teammate and co-owner Mel Hawkins, delivered yet another podium finish in the 4th round of the international series two weekends ago.

The team's #11 Gestetner/DNTLWorks MG Lola 675 LMP will hit the track this morning for the first session of the week on the temporary 1.7 mile 10 turn course carved into the RFK Stadium grounds.

This race marks the third ALMS pairing of rising-star Block with the KnightHawk squad. In each of Block's previous two championship rounds he has helped deliver two podiums -- at both the Grand Prix of Sonoma at Sears Point and the Road America 500 at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

"I think the race here in Washington will be incredible for sure," said the Gestetner-sponsored Block. "It'll be a short bullfight that will make it difficult to pass and it will force everyone to use their heads. I'm confident that the MG Lola 675 LMP will do well and I'm determined to do battle with the bigger 900's -- and not just follow them. One thing is for certain -- KnightHawk is ready for a win and so am I!"

Block's co-driver for Sunday's battle will be team co-owner Steve Knight. Knight helped the team score 2nd in the LMP 675 Team Championship in last year's ALMS season and together with partner and co-driver Mel Hawkins, and Block, the popular 675 team is currently tied for 1st place in this year's championship.

This race marks the first road race in Washington, DC in eighty years and is a welcome venue for the series and its competitors.

"We're excited to be in our nation's capitol -- where our MG Lola's exhaust will have a chance to put out more hot air than is swirling around the halls of Congress," said Knight. "We plan on running faster than your typical intern and we hope to be on top when the race is over. The excitement will be tremendous, the air charged with electricity and the enthusiasm hotter than Fourth of July fireworks."

The team is very happy and proud for the support of teammate Block by Gestetner. Gestetner offers leading-edge digital document management solutions, including digital duplicators, digital imaging systems, network laser printers and facsimile machines that deliver document output solutions for businesses of all sizes -- at speeds from 13-105ppm. For information on Gestetner systems, please visit www.GestetnerUSA.com.

The Cadillac Grand Prix of Washington, DC will air live on NBC beginning at Noon PST on Sunday, July 21.

Information on KnightHawk Racing can be garnered at www.knighthawkracing.com and on Chad Block at www.chadblock.com.

-hc/hr-