Panoz to Debut New GT-RA at Sebring
17 March 1998
PANOZ GT-RA TO DEBUT AT SEBRING For Immediate Release BRASELTON, Ga. -- The Panoz GT-RA, Road Atlanta Racing School's new spec-GT racer, will debut during at the 12 Hours of Sebring race weekend at the Sebring International Raceway. The car will be unveiled at the Grand Prix Gala at Sebring's Civic Center on Wednesday, March 18. The car then will be on display at the Panoz GT tent at Sebring International Raceway from Thursday through Saturday, March 19 - 21. A media presentation is scheduled at noon on Friday, March 20 at the Raceway. The Panoz GT-RA, derived from the Panoz Esperante coupe, is the only spec-GT car used in a U.S.-based road racing school. It is a two-seat, tube frame race car weighing 2,500 pounds and powered by a 235-horsepower, 5.0-liter Ford V8. "This car will have the driveability of a production car combined with the speed and handling of a real racing machine," says Road Atlanta Road Racing School's chief driving instructor Jeff Purner. Purner, who is also the chief project manager of the GT-RA, says, "We're taking advantage of the most up-to-date technology in design, production and safety in creating this exciting new school car." Current plans call for the production of 20 GT-RAs. The cars will be ready for action at the Road Atlanta Racing School by mid-summer. The Road Atlanta Racing School and Road Atlanta Motorsports Center are part of the Panoz group of companies. These include Panoz Motor Sports, with race teams competing in the FIA GT World Sports Car Championship and the U.S. sports car series; legendary Sebring International Raceway; Panoz Auto Development, a manufacturer of limited-production, high-performance sports cars; and Chateau Elan, a four-star resort in northern Georgia. Contact: Jeff Purner 770-967-7209
