Mosler Automotive Miami Preview

HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Sept. 14, 1999) – South Florida-based Mosler Automotive will take on the top European and American GT teams in the Sept. 24-26 Sports Car Extravaganza at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Mosler, a builder of specialty and race vehicles based in Riviera Beach, will field a Intruder GT-1 for drivers Loic Depailler and Joao Barbossa in the 500-kilometer race on the 2.21-mile road circuit. They will be up against the Oreca Chrysler Vipers, which have won all seven 1999 FIA GT Championship races to dates, plus a host of European Porsche and Viper teams. The Miami event will be the first test of the year against American-based competition.

The weekend also includes races for the Barber Dodge Pro Series, SCCA Spec Racer and Porsche Owners Club.

The Intruder has been successful in 1999 USRRC competition, winning GT2 honors from the pole at Lime Rock, Conn., and taking third at Mid-Ohio after setting a record in qualifying. Second-generation driver Loic Depailler set track race lap records in both events.

"To tell you the truth, I don’t really know how we will do against the European teams," said Depailler. "We’ve got only two races of experience, and the FIA teams have huge amounts of experience.

"Our main goal is to outqualify them, but to be realistic, to stay ahead of them in the race will be a miracle," Depailler admitted. "It can happen, though. I’m impressed that our car set four lap records in two races, both qualifying and in the race for both tracks, so it’s possible."

The Intruder will be sponsored by Lauda Air, which is owned by three-time Formula One World Champion Niki Lauda, who was a long-time Grand Prix competitor of Loic’s father, the late Patrick Depailler.

A full weekend of family activities is planned, with prices starting at $5. Weekend Club Seats for the Sports Car Extravaganza are now on sale for $60. Weekend tickets, including Paddock, Garage and unreserved grandstands, are on sale for $40. Unreserved grandstand seats cost $5 for Friday, $10 for Saturday, and $15 for Sunday. For ticket orders, call (305) 230-7223. For additional information, visit the official Homestead-Miami Speedway web site, www.racemiami.com.