27 Sep 2001, Pompano Beach, Florida - Champion Racing today proudly announces a very special new livery for our Audi R8 Le Mans Prototype, set to compete in the upcoming 'Audi Presents Petit Le Mans' at Road Atlanta.

Champion Racing owner Dave Maraj, a naturalized American citizen, commissioned artist Dave Schnorr to transform our normally rainbow-colored Audi prototype into a symbol of the strong patriotism we all share. Schnorr, who has been responsible for decorating Champion Racing's cars for nearly ten years, has applied our trademark reflective color designs in red and blue on the Audi R8's white bodywork. To complete the stylized American colors theme, reflective white stars are scattered throughout the new design.

"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 this special livery, because the 10-hour/1000mile Petit Le Mans race extends well into the hours of darkness, where track lighting and camera flash cause the reflective colors to "pop" brilliantly. As always, we expect the car to be a photographer's favorite.

The 1,000-mile, 10-hour race will be the final event of the 2001 ALMS season. Practice sessions will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, with qualifying on Friday, Oct. 5. The race starts at noon on Saturday. The Speedvision television network will have live, flag-to-flag coverage of the race beginning at 11:30 a.m. on race day.