Virginia (VIR): Said wins Jaguar pole award

Boris Said wins Jaguar Pole Award, gives 2003 Jaguar XKR Coupe to crew chief.

Danville, VA, Oct. 27, 2002 -Completing a near-perfect season that included winning the final race of the season here at Virginia International Raceway, Boris Said today drew the key that opened the door of a brand new 2003 Jaguar XKR coupe. As part of Jaguar North America's Trans-Am contingency program, the company provides support to all drivers in the 2002 Trans-Am Series for the BFGoodrich Tires Cup by providing cash support for drivers of Jaguar-bodied vehicles and a pole award for all competitors.

Jaguar's pole award program was open to all Trans-Am competitors, with the fastest qualifier in each of the 12 Trans-Am Series races receiving a key. At the end of the season, one lucky key holder had the chance to open the door of a Jaguar XKR Coupe and drive away with a two-year lease. Jaguar also offered a race contingency award program for Jaguar drivers this year, rewarding $5,000 for a win, $3,000 for second and $2,000 for a third-place finish.

Said, who clinched the Trans-Am Series Drivers' Championship at Road Atlanta two weeks ago, gave his key to his team engineer, Chris Willes, as acknowledgement of his hard work and dedication throughout the season.

"I have never won anything in my life, so this is pretty cool. I am giving it to the team engineer, Chris Willes. Chris helped to get seven wins and the championship, he can have this Jaguar," said Boris Said. "Boris told me yesterday that he was going to give me the key to try for him. I am grateful that he would even consider giving something like this away. When we were up there, I didn't think the key would work because the odds were against him," said Willes. "I couldn't believe it when it actually unlocked the door. I guess I better put Boris on my Christmas card list this year."

"There's a vast amount of expertise and talent among the competitors in the Trans-Am Series. The Pole Award was designed to raise awareness of Jaguar's performance attributes and racing heritage, whilst providing support for the drivers in the series," said Scott McKee, Event Marketing Manager, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover North America. "I'm pleased for Boris for winning the Jaguar XKR coupe, and it's a wonderful gesture to acknowledge the hard work of his team by giving away the prize."

Said's win today puts him alongside Tomy Drissi of Rocketsports Racing, who won a 2002 Jaguar X-Type in last year's Pole Award drawing.

The Trans-Am Series is the premier form of professional closed-roof performance coupe and sedan road racing in North America. After 37 years, it is also the longest-running road racing series in North America. Trans-Am runs many of its races in conjunction with the CART FedEx Series, and the American Le Mans Series.

-scca pro racing-