Daytona Prototype growth continues into 2005

Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype Momentum Continues Into Next Season

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (October 15, 2004) - The incredible growth that the Daytona Prototype class has demonstrated in the 2004 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will continue through the coming off season and straight into next year's championship based on recent reports from the top chassis constructors in the series.

Principals from Crawford Race Cars (Crawford DP03), Doran Designs (Doran JE4), Fabcar Engineering Inc. (Fabcar FDSC/03/04), Multimatic Motorsports (Multimatic) and Riley Technologies (Riley MKXI) will all be busy in the short two-month span between this year's season-ending Lexus Grand American Champions Weekend at California Speedway, October 29 - 31, and traditional pre-season Daytona Test Days at Daytona International Speedway, January 7-9, 2005.

Combined, these five Daytona Prototype constructors are producing nearly 10 new chassis, refurbishing several existing race cars and taking final 2004 orders for a limited time. Most constructors have indicated that any new orders must be received by the California finale or no later than November 1 in order to have the finished race cars delivered to customers in time for Daytona Test Days.

Crawford Race Cars is currently building four additional DP03s (Chassis #006 - #009) including one Ford-powered chassis for Mike Gue and Essex Racing that is slated for a mid-November delivery. The run also includes another Pontiac-powered chassis that will be campaigned by Michael Baughman Racing. The final engine fitments for the remaining pair of Crawfords under construction are being finalized.

Doran Designs is currently building a pair of new JE4s and has the capability to produce two additional race cars if orders are in by the end of the month. Of the two chassis in production, one is targeted to replace the Doran team's No. 27 Doran-Lista Racing entry while the second race car has been purchased by an outside team. Doran's current No. 27 - Doran JE4 c hassis #001 that Didier Theys and Jan Magnussen drove to victory in the Sahlen's 200 at The Glen - has been sold to Oliver Kuttner who plans a limited 2005 schedule.

Fabcar Engineering has a new FDSC 04 in production and the chassis is potentially slated for a Pontiac engine. The Fabcar group is also revamping its existing No. 22 Toyota Fabcar to accept a Porsche engine and that will make a total of four Porsche-powered Fabcars on the Daytona Prototype circuit next year.

Multimatic Motorsports returned to Rolex Series competition with its newest Daytona Prototype at the VIR 400 presented by SunTrust earlier this month where Scott Maxwell led several laps early in the race. The team is continuing to develop its Daytona Prototype chassis in addition to finalizing a factory program for 2005.

Riley Technologies is currently producing MKXI chassis #11 and #12, with one race car set to replace the team's existing No. 10 SunTrust Riley and the other having been sold to a customer. The current No. 10 race car - which is Riley MKXI chassis #03 - is for sale. Riley can also produce up to two more race cars for customers if orders are received by the end of the month. Additionally, Margraf Racing took delivery of its new Riley Pontiac - chassis #09 - last month and is completing its second shakedown test this week.

In addition to Crawford, Doran, Fabcar, Multimatic and Riley, Chase Competition Engineering (Chase CCE-001) and Picchio SpA (Picchio DP2) complete the list of approved Daytona Prototype constructors. Both manufacturers had race cars in the recent VIR 400 presented by SunTrust and are expected to compete in the Rolex Sports Car Series next year and beyond.

Grand American Road Racing Association, which sanctions the Rolex Sports Car Series and the Grand-Am Cup Series, is one of the fastest growing motorsports organizations in the United States. Established in 1999, Grand American's stated goal is to bring stability to professional sports car road racing in North America. The 12-race 2004 Rolex Series schedule and the 10-race Grand-Am Cup calendar deliver professional sports car racing to many key markets throughout North America in addition to being televised in the United States and Canada on SPEED Channel and distributed globally through ESPN International. With title sponsorship support from Rolex Watch USA, the Rolex Sports Car Series showcases emerging and legendary drivers from around the globe and thoroughbred racing machines from the industry's leading constructors and the world's top automobile manufacturers. Learn more about Grand American at www.grandamerican.com.

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