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05/10/2005

Dobson To Pilot Tindol Motorsports Mazda6

Driver Returns To Home Track

Dobson To Pilot Tindol Motorsports Mazda6 In SPEED TC Finale

Tindol Motorsports has announced that Ken Dobson will join its lineup and pilot a second Mazda6 for the team at the final race of the 2005 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The Monterey-native returns to his home track, and joins the five-car Tindol lineup to help Mazda in its effort to secure the 2005 manufacturer’s championship.

A former race winner in SPEED Touring Car competition, Dobson has spent most of the season in Grand-Am Cup Sport Touring where he has been piloting a Mazda RX-8 for SpeedSource and helping Mazda secure a manufacturer’s championship in that series as well.

“I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to drive for Tindol Motorsports and represent Mazda in this very important race,” Dobson said. “This opportunity would not have been possible without help from Steve Sanders and the entire Mazdaspeed staff. Also, Chris Tindol and his team have prepared an excellent car and his trust in me to do the job means so much. My teammate, Charles Espenlaub, has already showed the strength of the car by winning in Mosport and we will go to Mazda Raceway looking for the same result.”

Currently, Mazda sits second in manufacturer’s point standings, just two points behind Acura. A winning result from Tindol Motorsports could land Mazda on top.

Steve Sanders, Manager of Mazdaspeed said, “Ken Dobson has proven his driving expertise in a number of different series and he certainly knows the fast way around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca better than most drivers. In fact, Ken literally dominated some of the Spec Miata events held at our home track over the past few years. So, it’s great to have him back and in a Mazda6 at the Speed World Challenge Touring Car finale. The Tindol Motorsports team has proven they are serious contenders this season and their strong effort has helped keep Mazda in contention for the championship. With Tindol bringing a second Mazda6 to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for Ken, our arsenal is obviously stronger now.”

Team owner Chris Tindol adds, “Ken will step into our program to add a little more gas to the fire. Charles has proven the package is competitive, now we put Ken in the seat and see if we can get the same results. We hope Ken has as much fun with the car as Charles, but we will keep our game face on. The orders from Mazda headquarters are to use all the resources you have to get the championship. This third car will let us test some new technology on the track before Sebring. This will help the development of our entire program for next year, including our third Mazda6.”

Dobson is no stranger to SPEED World Challenge. He competed in the series from 2000-2003, having twice finished fourth in the championship with a win at Mosport in 2002. In 2004, he filled in at select races, including bringing home a seventh-place finish in the season finale for RealTime Racing.