Champion Racing to Run Patriotic Livery in Petit Le Mans

For the American Le Mans Series season finale, Champion Racing's Audi R8 Prototype will carry a patriotic red, white and blue theme, accented by reflective white stars scattered throughout the new design.

Champion's owner, Dave Maraj, a naturalized American citizen, commissioned artist Dave Schnorr to transform the normally rainbow-colored Audi into a symbol of patriotism in light of recent events. Schnorr, who has been responsible for decorating Champion's cars for nearly 10 years, has applied the team's trademark reflective color designs in red and blue on the car's white bodywork.

"Like all Americans, the Champion Motors family has been deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events of September 11, but also inspired by those who have so heroically served their country during this difficult time," said Maraj. "As an American team, our Audi R8 always proudly carries the U.S. flag in American Le Mans Series competition. But we wanted to go beyond that, to honor our country in a special way."

Race fans in attendance at Road Atlanta will be able to experience the full effect of the special livery due to the fact that several of the race's 10 hours will be run in darkness. Track lighting and camera flashes will cause the reflective colors and the stars to "pop" brilliantly.

Champion's drivers, Andy Wallace and Johnny Herbert, have been knocking on the door of Victory Lane in several recent American Le Mans Series races. The British duo finished second in the most recent event at Monterey, Calif., the best finish of the season.

The Speedvision television network will have live, flag-to-flag coverage of Audi presents Petit Le Mans starting at 11:30 a.m. (Eastern) on race day. Ticket information is available online at www.roadatlanta.com or by calling 1-800-849-7223.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Andy Hall, American Le Mans Series Director of Media & Communications (317) 295-3500, ext. 31.