Edmonton: Hima Maher qualifying notes

MAHER IN DEEP BATTLE FOR POLE IN QUALIFYING

EDMONTON, AB (July 15, 2005)-In one of the closest qualifying runs in recent memory, Hima Maher finished only 0.6 seconds behind leader Paul Gentilozzi to place sixth for Saturday's Festival City 100 at Finning International Speedway In Edmonton.

Driving his #78 Centennial Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, the Calgary racer and Derhaag Motorsports competitor turned in a personal-best lap time of 1:17:744 (91.361 miles per hour) on the airport circuit. Maher, who was as high as third at one point during the run, will also be the top rookie and top Canadian to start on the grid in what has been the best performance in his Trans-Am career so far.

"It was the best qualifying I've been in a long time," said Maher "I am getting more comfortable with the car and shows in our times, the goal is to have good clean race".

Earlier in the day, Maher displayed dramatic progress on the 1.96-mile, 14- turn course. He placed seventh in the first practice round and finishing fourth after his second run. The only driver on the circuit with experience on the Finning raceway, Maher quickly adapted to the wide-open course where he won the GT Classic Championship five years earlier.

Maher joined the Derhaag Motorsports team less than two months ago and after only three races, is in 10th place overall, second in rookie points and is the top Canadian driver. He has received enthusiastic support and solid advice from teammate Randy Ruhlman, who currently leads the Driver's Championship standings.

Formed in 1999, Maher Racing Inc. is a Calgary-based organization which operates Maher Performance Driving School and the Calgary Sport Drivers Club.

Maher's Chevrolet Corvette is sponsored by Centennial Motorsports of Calgary and is fielded by the Minneapolis-based Derhaag Motorsports, led by former Trans-Am driver Jim Derhaag. Derhaag's cars have the most consistent finishing record of any team in the Trans-Am Series.

www.maherracing.com.