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ProSportsCar Series Heads for Mosport

27 August 1997

x(The ProSportsCar (PSR) series travels to Mosport, Canada this week-end. North America's premier road racing series is geared up for a week-end that will include all four (WSC, GT1-3, Sedan Endurance and Black Magic Pro Series)levels of the PSR series. Mosport is the site of the closest finish ever in the IMSA/PSR series. Last year Ford driver John Paul, Jr. pipped Ferrari driver Max Papis by .189 seconds. The last lap battle was a memorable one with the lead being swapped two times before John Paul, Jr. settled the matter.

The 1997 WSC championship has boiled down to another Ford v.Ferrari battle. Ford holds a slim 12 point (155-143)lead over Ferrari. Ford driver Elliott Forbes-Robinson leads the drivers championship with 143 points. Fellow teammates James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger follow with 124 points and 119 points respectively. Ferrari driver Rob Morgan holds down fourth place with 110 points. Another close battle is expected this week-end.

The GTS1 category will get a little more interesting this week-end. Series points leaders Jochen Rohr and Andy Pilgrim will debut their new Porsche 911 GT1. The switch to the new Porsche will be keenly observed by those teams awaiting delivery on their cars for next year. This will not be the North American debut of the 911 GT1. That debut was at Road Atlanta, which by all accounts was a total debacle. The Rohr/Pilgrim entry will be keen on giving the Ford powered Panoz GT1 some competition. Since the team's debut at Sebring this year the Panoz team has scored victories at Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen and Sears Point.

The GTS2 championship fight has become the Larry Schumacher and Larry O'Steen show. The duo has finished no worse than fourth this year. Look for another strong showing as they close in on the season championship.

GTS3 has provided the battleground between Porsche and BMW. A BMW make has five out the six races this season. Porsche by way of one victory and five second place finishes holds on the second place. BMW leads 153-137 in points. BMW driver Bill Auberlen leads the drivers standings with 129 points.. Porsche driver David Murry follows right on his heels with 126 points. With four races left in the season (Las Vegas, Pikes Peak, Sebring and Laguna Seca) each point earned will be a precious commodity.

TNN (The Nashville Network) will provide live coverage of the Exxon Supreme GT1-3 Series race beginning at 1:00pm EDT. The Exxon WSC race will be carried on cable on September 5th at 9:00pm EDT.

David Treffer -- The Autochannel