Landshark-Moretti court case update 97-07-09

For Immediate Release MORETTI & DORAN ADMIT CONTEMPT

CINCINNATI, OHIO -- The saga continues in Hamilton County, Ohio, where Kevin Doran testified that the Landshark Racing Ferrari 333 SP was "fully rebuilt" and "in race-ready condition". The Court of Common Pleas then issued orders requiring Moretti Racing and Doran Enterprises to protect the Landshark Racing Ferrari 333 SP, and prohibited Moretti and Doran from "racing, using, or altering" the vehicle and its engine.

On May 23rd, over the objections of attorneys for Moretti and Doran, the Court ordered the race-ready vehicle, including all associated parts and equipment, to be removed from Doran's premises and stored in a neutral location. Despite the Court's orders, when Doran delivered the vehicle on June 4th, it was inoperable, partially disassembled, and appeared to be missing many parts. Most surprising was Doran's report that Landshark's freshly rebuilt engine was not available to be delivered with the vehicle.

After Landshark's repeated attempts to obtain information about the engine were ignored by Moretti and Doran, Landshark responded by filing a motion requiring Moretti and Doran to appear and show cause as to why they should not be held in contempt of court for their actions.

On July 2nd, the Court conducted the hearing. Attorneys for Moretti and Doran began by stipulating that their clients had indeed violated the Court's orders and that they had used Landshark's fresh engine at the Watkins Glen race. They "explained" that Moretti and Doran had simply made a "mistake" and that they had misunderstood the Court's orders.

Prior to the July 2nd hearing, attorneys for Moretti and Doran had refused to permit any inspection of the vehicle as delivered by Doran. Despite their objections, the Court then permitted an inspection to occur. After viewing the vehicle as-delivered, Gerry Jackson testified that it had been substantially altered from its protected, "race-ready" condition. It appeared to Jackson that Doran had removed many sound Landshark parts and replaced some of them with damaged or out-dated parts from other cars. Despite more objections by attorneys for Moretti and Doran, Landshark's attorneys provided the Court with a series of "before and after" photos demonstrating that many parts had been exchanged and that Doran had in fact altered, not protected, the race-ready condition of the vehicle.

Subpoenaed, and testifying under oath, Kevin Doran stated that he had not been aware of the alterations and assumed that they were "mistakes" by his employees. The Court then excused Doran before he could complete his testimony, and the matter was continued until July 14th. When the hearing resumes, Doran will return to the stand to answer more questions about his efforts to "protect" the Landshark Racing Ferrari.

For further updates, visit the Landshark Racing website at landshark.com or contact Landshark Racing by e-mail at webmaster@landshark.com.