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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">TRANS AM</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">06/07/2004</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Kendall Looking For Toronto Repeat </FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">First Return For 10 Years</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2"><B>Kendall Looking For Toronto Repeat During TRANS-AM’S Return To The Molson Indy </B><BR> <BR> It’s been 10 years since Torontonians have heard the roar of V-8-engined sports cars reverberating down Lakeshore Blvd. That will all change this weekend, as the Motorock Trans-Am Series returns to Toronto’s Exhibition Place Friday and Saturday, July 9-10 for the Trans-Am in T.O., part of the Molson Indy Toronto weekend.<BR> <BR> Although the Trans-Am Series has only a two-year history at Toronto’s 1.75-mile temporary street course, two Trans-Am legends have stood atop of the podium here. In 1993, Scott Sharp won the 56-lap race flag to flag from the pole driving a McCall Racing Chevrolet Camaro. Ron Fellows was second in that race. The following year, Tommy Kendall won, driving a Roush Racing Ford Mustang. Fellows led laps 15-42 driving a Gloy Racing Ford Mustang, but finished 13th.<BR> <BR> Kendall’s team gambled in 1994, making a different tyre choice than every other car in the field. That gamble paid off.<BR> <BR> “The last time here, we had a tyre choice,” said Kendall, who currently sits third in points. “We gambled on the tyres, and took the softer compound. We realized we were the only ones using those tyres, so we had to take it easy early in the race, but it paid off. I only raced here once, but I’ve been here as a fan and a commentator eight or nine times. I’m really looking forward to it.”<BR> <BR> This year, Kendall will again have something different than every other driver in the field. Kendall is driving the No. 11 Jaguar R Performance XKR sporting Jaguar’s new stock-block, overhead-cam, fuel-injected engine here, the only car in the field so equipped. According to Kendall, who has won two poles and recorded a best finish of fifth this year, Toronto’s tight street course will suit the engine.<BR> <BR> “It’s going to be interesting because our car has been getting stronger and this track lines up for us pretty well on paper,” said Kendall, who returned to Trans-Am competition this year after six-year hiatus. “Paul (Gentilozzi) and I have raced here. The track is pretty much the same except for the last two corners. I think I’ll have a little bit of an edge here.<BR> <BR> Kendall said Toronto’s fans also make for an exciting race weekend.<BR> <BR> “Toronto is a tremendous city, and the fact that the fans are so knowledgeable makes it really nice to race here,” said Kendall. “The Toronto fans are sophisticated. They pay attention. I appreciate their passion. Canadian fans love Trans-Am. What’s not to love about it. The cars make the right noise. They have fenders so you can beat and bang on them. We have had great rivalries through the years. Lots of big names have come through the Series. I think you’ll find a dormant fan base almost everywhere that Trans-Am has raced in the past.”<BR> <BR> Tomy Drissi (No. 5 Dodgeball—The Movie Jaguar XKR) has put together his best season on record, winning a pole, as well as earning a pair of runner-up finishes. He sits sixth in points going into Toronto. Drissi is also looking forward to the energy of Toronto’s race fans.<BR> <BR> “Anytime we go to Canada, it’s amazing,” said Drissi. “The race fans in Canada are great. I have never been to Toronto, so it’s going to be tough. That’s what’s good about having a teammate like Tommy Kendall. He’s won here. I’m just going to follow him. <BR> “We’ve had a couple of DNFs this year; we’d be leading the championship without them,” added Drissi. “Consistency is everything. It’s a street course so you have to be careful. I have to score points, but I’d sure like to win. I’m looking forward to it.”<BR> <BR> Meanwhile, 2003 Rookie of the Year Jorge Diaz, Jr. (No. 8 Puerto Rico Grand Prix Jaguar XKR) is after his first Trans-Am victory. He’s coming off a podium finish in Cleveland and expects success in Toronto.<BR> <BR> “Last year, we were very strong on the new tracks,” said Diaz. “We adapt to new tracks very quickly and that worked in our favour. We have a very strong team and we’ve worked very hard on the car. It looks like it’s finally to the point were we are really competitive. Things are going great this season. We know we have a strong car and we know we’ll get a lot of top finishes.”<BR> <BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>