Press Release: Guy Smith Teams Up With Stefan Johansson

[Craig]

- - PRESS INFORMATION - -

GUY SMITH TEAMS UP WITH STEFAN JOHANSSON AT DONINGTON PARK

Bicester, UK, Wednesday 4th April 2001: 26 year-old Guy Smith,
from Beverley in Yorkshire, will partner ex-Formula 1 and Le
Mans 24 Hour race winner Stefan Johansson in the Gulf
Oil-sponsored Audi R8 of Johansson Racing in the opening round
of this years European Le Mans Series (ELMS) at Donington Park
over the Easter weekend.

This will be Guy's first race in the UK since May last year.
"It's going to be great taking on the pair of works Audi's in
front of my home crowd. Donington is one of my favourite tracks
from my days in Formula Renault and Formula 3, and Stefan is also
very quick around there. It's going to be difficult against the
works cars, but I'm very confident we can do well and give them a
run for their money."

In front of 168,000 in Florida's Sebring 12-hour race last
month, Smith partnered Johansson and brought the car home in
4th place, only after electrical problems towards the end of
the event denied them a much deserved podium finish. "We had a
few problems at the end of the race in Sebring, which
definitely cost us third place, but the car was essentially
brand new, with very little running prior to qualifying. Those
problems have now been sorted out and we will be in good shape
for Donington Park."

With a glittering career in British and American single seaters
behind him Guy has firmly set his sights on making a name for
himself in sportscars after moving to the American Le Mans Series
(ALMS) last season. "I am totally focused on what I am doing at
present. I have a deal to drive the Johansson Racing Audi in the
ELMS and I will be driving the new Bentley at Le Mans in the
summer. I have learned a lot already this season from top class
drivers like Stefan and Martin Brundle and my aim is to win Le
Mans. Being a driving force in sportscar racing will really help
my career, it certainly hasn't done Allan McNish (2000 ALMS
Champion) any harm with him securing a drive for Toyota in
Formula 1. I won't rule out a return to single seaters, 'never
say never' is one of my mottos, but I intend to concentrate on
the here and now and do the best job I can, starting with the
race at Donington next week."

The 30 car grid at Donington Park will be packed with the
worlds top sportscars and drivers. When the actions starts at
midday on Saturday 14th April the East Midlands circuit will
reverberate to the sights and sounds of Le Mans in the first
round of the 2001 European Le Mans Series. The big question is
will it be a podium finish for the Yorkshire lad on home turf?

Donington Park is situated close to Castle Donington, just
minutes by car from Junction 23A of the M1. Advance ticketing is
available from the Donington Park Ticket Hotline (from the UK) on
0870 4000 699.

- ENDS -

[pink69]

It's good to see the brit's at the front of the GT racing. Good luck to Guy and lets hope he can win a race for the Gulf car!!!!