Trans-Canada Challenge standings after Vancouver

LAKEVILLE, Conn. (July 30) - Molson Indy Vancouver July 27 was Round Two of the three-race Dodge Trans-Canada Challenge, the championship within a championship. Leo Maia's Vancouver win not only clinched the 2003 Barber Dodge Pro Series championship, it also lifted him into the lead of the Dodge Trans-Canada Challenge over Mexico's Memo Rojas. With the top four drivers in the Dodge Trans-Canada Challenge separated by just eight points, the battle is still wide open. The Barber Dodge Pro Series season finale in Montreal on the weekend of August 24 will decide this championship. The driver who scores the most points in the three Molson races that comprise the Dodge Trans-Canada Challenge earns the equivalent of the entry fee for two Molson Indy Barber Dodge races (approximately $24,000). Second place earns one Molson Indy Barber Dodge race, and third place, 50 percent of one Molson event.

The Barber Dodge Pro Series is the Official Entry Level Professional Series of Champ Car. The drivers utilize identically prepared single seat open wheel Reynard-Dodge racecars. Barber Dodge Pro Series provides a level playing field where driving talent, not financial resources, play the decisive role. This state-of-the-art platform, with its carbon composite construction, raised nose and 6-speed sequential gearbox, takes full advantage of the 265hp all aluminum Dodge V6 Intrepid motor that is exclusive to this series. Additionally, all of the Barber Dodges compete on identical Michelin Pilot racing slicks.

To ensure absolute equality for all competitors, the Barber Dodge Pro Series owns, maintains, prepares and transports all the cars and equipment. This serves to control costs while allowing the drivers to concentrate solely on developing their driving skills. The Barber Dodge Pro Series rewards those with dedication and skill with true financial incentive - an incredible $55,100 in prize money is available for each Barber Dodge Pro Series event with $13,000 going to the race winner. The overall Series Champion receives a $100,000 scholarship towards entry in the Toyota Atlantic Championship, and the series Rookie of the Year receives $185,000 in career enhancement funding. In total, the Barber Dodge Pro Series pays out over $1 million annually in prize money, contingencies and scholarships.

Skip Barber Racing School is the world's leading provider of automotive education and entertainment. With five base locations in Connecticut, Florida, California, and Wisconsin, Skip Barber operates at over twenty tracks nationwide. The Dodge Division of DaimlerChrysler, Michelin North America, and Quaker State are key strategic partners for the company. NASCAR Winston Cup Champion Jeff Gordon, Indianapolis 500 Champion and Champ Car Champion Juan Montoya, and legend Michael Andretti are but three graduates to have emerged from Skip Barber Racing's nearly thirty years of training and expertise.

<pre> 2003 Dodge Trans-Canada Challenge Point Standings

                        Toronto Vancouver Montreal      POINTS
Leo Maia                9       21                      30
Memo Rojas              20      7                       27
David Martinez          15      10                      25
Burt Frisselle          11      11                      22
Ward Imrie              10      9                       19
Colin Fleming           16      1                       17
Scott Poirier           1       16                      17
Dan Di Leo              3       12                      15
Nelson Philippe         0       14                      14
German Quirorga         4       10                      14

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