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AMA, TRANS-AM: Gentilozzi to Test at PPIR

28 August 1998

FOUNTAIN, Colo. - The Childrens Hospital Grand Prix of Colorado is five weeks away but NTB Trans-Am points leader Paul Gentilozzi isnt taking a chance of letting anyone chip away at his lead.

Gentilozzi will be testing his Chevrolet Corvette on PPIRs 1.3-mile road course Aug. 24 & 25.

Although Gentilozzi holds a 51-point lead over his Rocketsports teammate Bill Saunders in another Corvette with just two races remaining, including the one at PPIR, Gentilozzi received a wake-up call on Aug. 15 when Stu Hayner won his first Trans-Am race on the legendary Road America race course in Elkhart Lake, Wisc.

Hayner started from the fourth position.

Gentilozzi, who won the pole, and led the race early, swapped the lead with outside pole-sitter Brian Simo. Once past Simo, Gentilozzi held a comfortable lead for the duration of the race until the final lap. With six corners to go on the last lap, Gentilozzi ran over a piece of debris that sliced an oil pump belt. When Gentilozzi's oil pressure dropped to zero, his day was done.

Hayner's win broke the Rocketsports stranglehold on the series after the team posted seven consecutive victories. Hayner set the fastest lap of the race, posting his quickest time of the day on the final lap.

Following Gentilozzi and Saunders in the standings is Chris Neville, who is leading the rookie-of-the-year battle.

Chevrolet already has clinched the Manufacturers Championship.

The rest of the card for the Childrens Hospital Grand Prix of Colorado includes: SCCA World Challenge, Spec Racer Ford Pro, American Cities Racing League and a US Formula Ford 2000 double-header on the road course; USAC Sprint cars and the SARA Late Model Stock cars on the oval.

PPIR road course heats up with Sept. 4-6 AMA Superbikes

In less than two weeks, the fastest motorcycles in North America will converge on PPIR for the second annual Cruise America AMA Superbike Challenge presented by Suzuki. The Labor Day Weekend event (Sept. 4-6) will be highlighted by the MBNA Superbikes led by Doug Chandler who goes for his fourth Superbike season championship.

Six classes will battle on the twisting 1.3-mile road course.

For tickets to any PPIR event: call (719) 382-RACE or toll-free (888) 511-PPIR; or visit PPIR (Exit 122 off Interstate 25) during regular business hours, the Pit Stop Shop at 1432-A Market St. in the LoDo Section of Downton Denver, all Front Range King Soopers or the Internet at www.ppir.com