For Immediate Release Contact: Harry Capehart 770-965-2020 "THE BARBOUR OF SEBRING" RETURNS! DICK BARBOUR RACING TO COMPETE IN THE 12 HOURS OF SEBRING AND THE AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP Road Atlanta, GA., February 28, 2000 - Racing legend Dick Barbour has returned to sportscar racing and will contend the 2000 12 Hours of Sebring and the American Le Mans Series Championship in the GT class. Affectionately referred to as "The Barbour of Sebring" by Florida media, Barbour has previously enjoyed three trips in a row to the Overall winner's circle at Sebring. The three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans class winner has now set his sights on the 2000 Sebring and ALMS Championships. Barbour retired from professional driving after an incredibly successful year in which he posted 14 victories; The 12 Hours of Sebring, The Road Atlanta Grand Prix (2), The Riverside Grand Prix, The 24 Hours of Le Mans, The 1000K's of Nurburgring, The Norrisring Grand Prix, The Mosport 1000K's, Daytona, The Sear's Point Grand Prix, The Grand Prix of Laguna Seca, The Portland Grand Prix and The Road Atlanta Grand Prix (2) again. To cap off this incredibly successful season Dick Barbour Racing also walked away with the Overall IMSA Championship and was the first American Team to be awarded the coveted Porsche Cup. Barbour has recreated and repositioned Dick Barbour Racing as the ultimate sportscar racing team for the new millennium. "I've been planning to return to my passion for many years, but I've been waiting for the perfect opportunity - that perfect opportunity is the ALMS, says Barbour. With my love of Le Mans and victories at the three tracks owned by Don Panoz (Road Atlanta, Mosport and Sebring), all signs pointed to the creation of this new series as the perfect time to return. On top of this, Porsche has introduced the beautiful new 911GT3R, and having enjoyed my greatest success with the 911 Series, this also added tremendously to the magic. I'm also looking forward to keeping my winning streak alive at one of my all-time favorite tracks - Sebring!" The team's headquarters are in a newly designed and completed state-of-the-art 8000 sq. ft. facility at Turn One at Road Atlanta, and is fully equipped with the newest and most technologically advanced racing equipment available. The team will contend the Sebring race and the ALMS Championship in the GT class with two 2000 Porsche 911 GT3R's. As an indication of Dick Barbour Racing's competitive ability and high operational standards, the team has been awarded "Porsche Junior Team" status from Porsche. The team is very proud to have on-board the highly regarded and well respected Tony Dowe as Race Director. "It's really nice to be part of a new team that also has a history," said Dowe. "The success that Dick Barbour has enjoyed in the past, particularly at Sebring, gives this new team a goal upon which to build. We come to Sebring with a terrific driver line-up in both cars, and I know I can speak for the whole team when I can say how enjoyable it will be to compete against our friends at Alex Job Racing and Champion Motorsports. We know it's going to be a very competitive season against these strong teams." Dick Barbour Racing has been a magnet for some of the world's best and most popular drivers including Brian Redman, Rolf Stommelin, John Fitzpatrick, Rick Mears, and Johnny Rutherford - and this new effort will continue that tradition of excellence with Porsche factory drivers Dirk Mueller and Lucas Luhr as the two drivers of car # 5. The drivers of car #51 will be announced shortly. Says Barbour, "It has always been important to me that my return to sportscar racing would be as strong as when I left. The opportunity to return with the world's best race car - Porsche, riding on the world's best tires - Michelin, with two of the world's best drivers - Dirk and Lucas - all being directed by none other than Tony Dowe - is tremendous! I fully realize that to be successful with all of these incredible elements will still take hard work and dedication from the entire team. We, as a team, are fully committed to achieve our goals - which are to win both the 12 Hours of Sebring and the ALMS Championship!" Barbour is available for interviews. Please contact Harry Capehart, Director, Marketing & Public Relations, Dick Barbour Racing, at 770-965-2020 ext 227.