New Chief Steward, assistants named

Miami - The Trans-Am Series and the Panoz/Sanchez Group today announced that it has appointed Dick Templeton (San Leandro, Calif.) as the Series' Chief Steward for the 2001 season. The series also announced the appointment of James Foyle (Orange, Texas) as Operating Steward and Connie Peplowski (Mayfield Heights, Ohio) to head Timing and Scoring during the 2001 season.

Templeton has been a race official at the professional level for 15 years, including serving as the Chief Steward of the American City Racing League from 1986 to 1998. He served as Chief Steward for Ferrari Challenge events in 1998 and 1999 and was an operating steward for the American LeMans Series from 1998-200 as well as Chairman of the SCCA Safety Committee in 1999. Most recently he was a member of the SCCA Pro Racing Court of Appeals, a post he will relinquish with this appointment.

"I consider a solid knowledge of the rules that govern an event and the series a fundamental prerequisite of being an effective steward," said Templeton. "I have devoted considerable time to learning the rules and pride myself in being both firm and fair with drivers and their teams."

Foyle brings over 30 years of experience to the Trans-Am Series. In 1999 and 2000 he served as the Operating Steward and Clerk of the Course for the American LeMans Series. In addition, he was also Clerk of the Course for the United States Grand Prix in Indianapolis this past September. He has been the National Chief Steward for the SCCA since 1971 and was the Operating Steward for the Valvoline Runoffs from 1993 to 1999. This past season, Foyle served as the Chief Steward at the Runoffs.

"I have admired the Trans-Am Series for a number of years," said Foyle. "I look forward to working with Dick Templeton and the Trans-Am drivers during the 2001 season. The racing is definitely some of the most competitive and I am excited for the opportunity to work with both the competitors and staff."

"We are excited to be able to attract quality stewards like Dick Templeton and James Foyle to the Trans-Am Series," said executive director John Clagett. "Their knowledge of the rules and committment to deal with drivers and owners in an objective and professional manner will provide Trans-Am with effective rules enforcement."

"I want to thank Charlie and Terry Earwood for the 2000 season. They did an outstanding job as the Chief Stewards," said Clagett. "Unfortunately, they were unable to make the full-season committment to the series that we felt was needed."

Peplowski has over 25 years of experience in Timing and Scoring at the regional, national and pro event level including the Runoffs. She was the Chief of Timing and Scoring for the Longest Day 24-Hour Endurance Race and most recently worked with both the American LeMans Series and the American City Racing League.

-David Lang