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20 December 2000 - For immediate release
For more information, contact: John Dillon
Widget Rally Team
P. O. Box 1231
Thousand Oaks, CA 91358-0231
Phone: 805.906.7797
Widget web site: www.WidgetRacing.com
e-mail: John @ WidgetRacing.com

O'Sullivan and Dillon Victorious in International Rally

Team Wins PGT Class at Ramada Express Rally

Laughlin, Nevada Lauchlin O'Sullivan, San Francisco, and John Dillon, Thousand Oaks, culminated their 2000 rally season with a Production GT victory at the Ramada Express International Rally in Laughlin on December 17th. The two raced a 1994 Mitsubishi Eclipse prepared by Tom Laeng of M&M Motorsports based in Big Bear. In addition to their class win, they finished third overall behind two Open-class cars. The victory netted the team $4000 in prize money.

"We had a couple of rough breaks this season," noted team owner John Moore, "but none of us ever lost our motivation or desire to win." The team's previous victory came two months earlier at the Gorman Ridge Rally. Not only did they win there in the PGT class, but O'Sullivan, with his sister Fariña co-driving, finished second overall.

O'Sullivan, the 1999 NorPac champion who in 1999 won more U.S. rallies than any other driver, was also pleased with the results. "We finished almost seven minutes ahead of the next PGT car in what proved to be an almost flawless weekend." O'Sullivan and Dillon started the rally ninth on the road and moved up to fourth overall after just two stages. Conditions were treacherous however--at least two teams rolled their cars on the first stage of the rally. Friday's roads consisted of layers of snow and mud, making it difficult for a PGT car to negotiate the twisty roads quickly, and the team concluded the day's Leg seventh overall. (PGT cars are almost a thousand pounds heavier than their Open-class cousins because they have to keep all the production equipment intact.)

On Saturday, however, the Eclipse showed its horsepower and quickly moved up in the standings. On the Hualapai Nation stage, the first stage of the day, they passed one car on the road and closed quickly on another. By the time the team reached the west rim of the Grand Canyon for service, they had moved up to third overall, a position they solidified by the end of the weekend. The team's only mechanical difficulties came from a broken exhaust system late Saturday afternoon. The dragging muffler failed to slow them, however, and the M&M team affected repairs during the service break at Grand Canyon West.

"Lauchlin and I had a good run together," noted Dillon. "His smooth driving style is condusive to quick times. Even after we completed the 47 mile long Canyon Challenge stage we were still fresh and ready for more rallying."

Performance rally is a sport where teams race across desert paths, logging trails, and other unimproved roads in cars licensed for street use. The Ramada Express International Rally used roads on Hualapai Indian Nation lands, including the first Saturday stage that began at the Colorado river at the bottom of the Grand Canyon and raced to the top near Peach Springs, Arizona. The team consists of a driver and co-driver, the latter calling instructions from a route book provided by the rally organizers just prior to the start of the event. They are not allowed to pre-run the course.

While plans for the 2001 season are not yet finalized, it's entirely possible that this victory will solidify the team and provide new opportunities in the coming year. Additional sponsors like Porterfield Enterprises for brakes, Direct Signs, Ben's Transmissions, and Fleet Glass are already on board, with others potentially in the wings.

"We were proud to be part of a one-three finish for Mitsubishi," said O'Sullivan, "especially because Mitsubishi was presenting sponsor for this race." Added the co-driver, "We raced a six year old car and put it on the overall podium... just think how much more successful we'll be if we can put together a package with a new car for the 2001 season!" If the team can pull it all together, they plan to challenge for the 2001 Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National championship.

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