Impressive line-up for Homestead race

Impressive line-up on tap for Grand Prix of Miami.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 19, 2004) -- The Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series will roll into South Florida next week for the Grand Prix of Miami, part of the Toyota INDY 300 weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, February 26-29. After a strong showing at the season-opening Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Rolex Series heads to Miami with another impressive line-up in place for the Saturday afternoon 250-mile race.

Eighteen Daytona Prototypes are on the pre-entry list for next weekend's race, more than four times the number that competed in last year's event. The additional 11 GT cars and 16 SGS entries equates to a 45-car field slated to take the green flag, nearly three times the 16 cars on the starting grid in 2003.

"We are thrilled by the growth of the Rolex Series this past year, especially its Daytona Prototypes class," said Homestead-Miami Speedway President Curtis Gray. "After witnessing the great show they put on in Daytona during the Rolex 24, we think South Florida race fans will be treated to some of the best road racing in the country during the Grand Prix of Miami, featuring plenty of wheel-to-wheel action."

There is a wide variety of manufacturers represented in the 45-car field. Among the 18 Daytona Prototypes, power plants from Pontiac, Ford, Lexus, BMW and Porsche are used in six different types of chassis. The GT and SGS cars competing in the Acxiom Grand Touring Challenge bring just as much diversity to the fray with entries like the BMW M3, Maserati GT, Porsche GT3 RS and GT3 Cup, Corvette, Ferrari 360 Challenge and Pontiac Grand Prix.

The 45-car field will take its first laps around Homestead-Miami Speedway's road course, which includes its new banking, on Thursday, February 26, during the opening practice session. Qualifying for the Grand Prix of Miami will be held on Friday, February 27 at 4:30 p.m., with the green flag falling on Saturday, February 28 at 3 p.m.

Tickets are currently on sale for the Grand Prix of Miami, as well as the entire Toyota INDY 300 weekend, and can be purchased online at www.homesteadmiamispeedway.com or by calling 305-230-RACE.

Additional information on the Grand Prix of Miami and the Rolex Sports Car Series is available online at www.grandamerican.com.

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