BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex Announces Inaugural Cannonball One Lap of America Driving School

BeaveRun's state-of-the-art racing complex selected as featured venue for the 2003 Tire Rack One Lap of America endurance race

December 2, 2002 (Big Beaver Borough, PA) - BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex, the country's newest multi-use destination for motorsports enthusiasts, is bringing the legendary One Lap of America endurance race, one of racing's most famous franchises, to western Pennsylvania on May 9, 2003. On that date, 2003 Tire Rack One Lap of America competitors will match their high-performance production cars against BeaveRun's two world class race tracks during one of the 5,000-mile race's few official stops. To help racers prepare for the grueling, virtually non-stop sprint around the United States, BeaveRun is also debuting the country's first-ever Cannonball One Lap of America Driving School on April 4-5, 2003.

"As the newest motorsports facility in the country, we're especially excited to attract one of the world's most famous races as well as the first-ever Cannonball One Lap of America Driving School," said Tim Silbaugh, co-founder of BeaveRun MotorSports Complex. "Offering enthusiasts the best possible driving experiences-and visitors memorable spectating opportunities-has been our vision since the day we decided to bring a premier motorsports facility to this part of the country. These events are just two of the high caliber racing, training and entertainment options that guests will find on BeaveRun's 2003 schedule."

While the two-day school is open to all driving enthusiasts, it offers One Lap competitors the exclusive opportunity to preview both of BeaveRun's race tracks before the actual race. And, since results of high-speed time trials are the most important component of each One Lap team's score, understanding the dynamics of BeaveRun's 1.6 mile North Course with its signature blind Turn 7 and the tight, challenging 8/10-mile Wilson Circuit could prove advantageous.

Another valuable benefit of the Cannonball One Lap Driving School is participants' unique opportunity to get the inside line on a brand-new time trial element just recently added to the race format. As part of the 2003 Tire Rack One Lap of America competition, racers will be asked to test their mettle during a 200-foot skid pad trial. Driving school participants will be able to practice this challenge in advance, courtesy of BeaveRun's expansive skid pad and six-acre Vehicle Dynamics Area.

The Cannonball One Lap Driving School will include in-depth classroom and on-track instruction from professional instructors and One Lap regulars Mark Hopkins and Chip Holst. Participants will also learn technique from an instructor team of seasoned One Lap racers, including One Lap winner Ron Adee. Completion of the two-day program will fully satisfy the driving school requirement for those One Lap competitors who have not yet completed a professional program.

Get the Inside Line on the Legends from Brock Yates

One of the many special features of the inaugural Cannonball One Lap Driving School is a chance to get an insider's view of the racing world from the original "Outlaw Racer"-noted automotive journalist and One Lap organizer Brock Yates. Yates, who recently completed his latest book, Cannonball: The World's Greatest Outlaw Road Race, will be at BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex on April 5 to join school participants for an exclusive dinner and to talk about the heritage and history of the race. As the man who created the original "Cannonball Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dashes" and wrote the screenplays for both "The Cannonball Run" and "Smokey and the Bandit II," Yates is one of the industry's best-known and respected personalities.

This exclusive evening program is included as part of the two-day Cannonball One Lap of America Driving School ($300). Enthusiasts can also register for a one-day session ($175.00) or can opt to attend only the April 5 dinner ($30.00). Reduced fees are available for additional drivers. The Cannonball One Lap of America Driving School is limited to the first 75 entries. To register, contact BeaveRun MotorSports Complex at 724.535.1000. For more information, visit www.beaverun.com.

About BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex

BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex (www.beaverun.com) is conveniently located in Big Beaver Borough, Pennsylvania, just 40 minutes north of Pittsburgh on Route 18. With I-76 (Pennsylvania Turnpike) Exit 2 just two miles south of the 400-acre destination complex, and Pittsburgh Airport only 25 minutes away, driving and motorsports enthusiasts from around the country can take full advantage of BeaveRun's world-class, multi-use facilities. BeaveRun MotorSports ComPlex encompasses some of the most scenic terrain in western Pennsylvania, and features premium facilities that create an unmatched experience for both amateur driving enthusiasts and professional racers.

Highlights at BeaveRun include the world-class 1.6-mile North Course road race course and the equally challenging 8/10-mile Wilson Circuit-home of the BeaveRun Karting Center. A third track, the 2.2-mile South Course is planned for completion in 2003/2004. Also open for public and private use are the superb testing and training facilities of the six-acre BeaveRun Vehicle Dynamics Center, home of the BeaveRun Vehicle Dynamics Academy. Future plans call for continued expansion of facilities, including the addition of a private Track Club, expansive pit areas, panoramic spectator areas and a motocross track.