October 9, 2003

Dear Corporate Partners, Friends, Family and Fans,

Nuzzo Motorsports sets fastest race lap at VIR and captures their first
podium of 2004.

The #20 car started the weekend on a tear. We posted the 3rd fastest lap in
practice 1 behind the Boxster and Acura. Practice 2 we were second fastest
behind the 3.0 liter Z4. Practice 3 we were the fastest in the STI class of
22 cars. Race time came and we set the fastest lap in class and were faster
than 6 GSII cars and 1 GSI car, placing us 24th fastest out of a 56 car
field.

That is not the entire story. Our 21 car lost an oil pump during Thursday
practice. Mike and the crew worked hard tearing the engine apart and
preparing to rebuild it if we could get the parts. Kevin and company at MINI
pitched in, and somehow located the parts and overnighted them to us. We got
the parts around midday Friday. The 21 crew immediately went to work
reassembling the engine. Qualifying was at 3PM so there wasn't a lot of
time. Meanwhile the 20 crew was going through their checklists preparing
that car for qualifying.

The 21 car made it out to qualifying with minutes to spare. I was qualifying
the 20 car and Steve the 21 car.
Steve was ahead of me on the track and I didn't see anything leaking on the
21 so that was a good sign. I passed Steve going into turn 4 and
concentrated on getting a fast lap in. Slower traffic was a problem today in
the fast roller coaster section of the track. I got around the slower cars
as I came onto the front straight and was ready for a flyer. I felt I was
having a good run and as I came up the back straight I saw the 21 car
stopped off on the right side. Then the black flag came out which ended the
session so I never got to complete my lap.

The 21 car broke something else in the engine so I retried it for the
weekend and concentrated on making sure the 20 car was ready for the race.
Saturday morning we had our last practice before the afternoon 3PM race. We
went out and set fastest lap of the weekend for STI class. We were ready and
we knew we were the car to beat today. So, after practice the crew began the
pre-race checklist. Every nut, bolt, bushing and bearing is checked for
tightness and wear. Oil is changed, brakes are checked and bleed, every
electrical connection is checked and the engine tune-up is confirmed.

After lunch, we had a team meeting to communicate our race strategy, confirm
job assignments and discuss any last minute details. Drivers attended the
1:45PM drivers meeting and the cars had to be on the false grid by 2:20PM
for a 3PM race start. Time is going fast and now I'm in the car and on the
racetrack. Our engines are off for the National Anthem then the call to
start your engines and we're rolling. We'll have one parade lap then take
the green flag for the start of the race. The start was chaotic. 56 cars all
try to enter turn one about the same time; there were cars off in one that
came back onto the track nearly taking out several cars in front of me. As I
enter four, there are two more cars off to the left but I get by before they
come back on. Entering five and six there is a bimmer off on the left that
comes sliding back on in front of us and I was able to get by the car in
front of me that was holding me up. Now I'm through the flying esses and can
concentrate of who I need to get by next.


We were having a good run until the 4th lap when the drive belt broke. We
pitted and replaced the belt and went back out a lap down. A few laps later,
the belt tensioner broke and this repair set us back about 12 laps. We were
able to complete 44 laps before the belt broke again and I retired the 20
car. This was the biggest disappointment for me this year. We worked very
hard to get the cars competitive and here we are the car to beat and $1.98
part cost us a win. The crew, volunteers and drivers all did an exceptional
job this weekend and should be very proud of what we have accomplished this
season. As I reflect on where we have been and what lies ahead for 2004 this
will be our last race of the season. I've decided not to take the cars to
Daytona for the finale.

I am currently seeking sponsorship for the 2004 season that will allow us to
continue our development and make these cars reliable so we can win some
races in 2004. We've proven all season long we can be competitive and post
fast laps but the reliability issue has cost us dearly.

I want to thank all of our sponsors, partners, fans, family and friends who
supported us this season. We gave 110% and for an inaugural year with a new
racecar, we have accomplished a great deal. We have garnered and
unprecedented amount of media exposure and brand awareness for our sponsors,
Nuzzo Motorsports and the MINI Cooper. I look forward to continuing the
effort in 2004.

Now about our first podium. The Nuzzo Motorsports STII entry No. 98 Mazda
Miata driven by Michael Ellis and Don Jacobs scored a third place finish in
the STII class. This was just the third race entered with this car and we
have had three top ten finishes. Congratulations to the crew and drivers on
a job well done.


Don't forget to watch the VIR race on Speed Channel this Saturday October
11th at 1PM Eastern time. Check the Speed TV schedule or your local listing
for the correct broadcast time in your area.

See you at the races.
Tony

Thanks to all of our partners for supporting our effort throughout the 2003
season.
Please visit their web sites and use their products and services. They are
listed below.

Habberstad MINI http://www.HabberstadMINI.com
MINI USA http://www.MINIUSA.com
Autosport Image http://www.Autosportimage.com
Grafik Dezine http://www.GrafikDezine.com
Photos by Juha http://www.Photosbyjuha.com
Lava Records http://www.Lavarecords.com
Performance Friction Products http://www.PerformanceFriction.com
BOSCH http://www.BOSCHUSA.com
BBS wheels http://www.BBS.com
Phantom Grip http://www.Phantomgrip.com
KW Suspensions http://www.KWsuspension.com
Bodymotion http://www.Bodymotion.com
Cyntex Tuning - 610 738-8804
Motorsport.com http://www.Motorsport.com
PROMINI http://www.PROMINI.com
OG Racing http://www.OGracing.com
Hella, Inc. http://www.Hellausa.com
Diamond Racing Products http://www.Diamondracinggroup.com
PiperCross USA http://www.Pipercrossusa.com
Nology Hot Wires http://www.Nology.com

For further details, please contact Tony Nuzzo at 516-674-1441
In addition, visit http://www.nuzzomotorsports.com for race news, photos and video.
###

 

Nuzzo Motorsports web site is updated with a loto of photos from the VIR race weekend. Thanks to all the fans who came out to watch. Thanks to Chip H for allowing us to us his photos.

Tony

 

Congratulations and good luck in 2004! :smile:

 

Thanks for the report Tony!

I love seeing MINIs battling it out in ST-1. Nuzzo has carried the flag more than any other MINI team.

BTW, are you using a stock length belt?

I hope to see more Nuzzo MINIs in 2004.

 

No we removed the air conditioning compressor so we have to use a shorter than normal belt. We will be back in 2004 with a vengence.

Thanks
Tony

 

Tony:

What's the word for 2004?? Are you going to be racing?

Steve D.

 

And where??????