1997-98 Round 2

Deercross Indy Challenge - Deercross Track, Indianapolis, IN

September 20, 1997

Round 2 of 14

1997 Deercross Indy Challenge

KAMIKAWA 'BACK HOME AGAIN' IN INDIANAPOLIS WITH DEERCROSS WIN

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (Sept. 22, 1997) - Ferrari driver Ev Kamikawa from Milwaukee, WI took the high road and

high line to capture the first-ever Deercross Indy Challenge here in Indianapolis, I N on Saturday at the

Deercross temporary road course. Kamikawa, who kept his cool both on and off the track, drove his Ferrari for

over a hundred laps in a heated battle with the Motorola car pilot Dan Margetta. In the end Kamikawa used the

high line of the race track and held off the noble challenge of Margetta, who came up just two laps short in

second place in the end.

"I have to thank God, my parents, and my new positive attitude," said Kamikawa of his fourth career win. He

also bested his heat race and captured a total of 22 points to put him into a tie for second place in the

championship points standings after two races.

Both Kamikawa and Margetta raced side by side throughout much of the night. Both the Ferrari team and the

Motorola teams executed clean pits stops when they had to and the race came down to the final minutes when

Margetta began to push a little too hard and lost ground in Senna Turn on several occasions in the final laps.

"I said I didn't drive 270 miles down here to Indy just to finish second, and I end up finishing second," Margetta

kidded after the race. "But we're real happy with the outcome. I love coming to Indy and I really liked this track

too. I wish we could race here more."

For the second race in a row Chad Sorce (Leinenkugel's IReynard/Ford) put his car on the podium in third place.

While Kamikawa and Margetta did fierce battle ahead of him, Sorce held on only several laps back until the mid-

race round of pit stops when he lost valuable time because he stalled his car. "That was all my fault," said Sorce,

"I just made a stupid mistake. I think we had a car that could have won the race."

Dave Austin, who collected his second pole position of the young season, slipped from his fast start to fourth

place, struggling on the difficult low line of the track due to handling woes. Austin (LC IIReynard Honda) remains

the PPPG Cup points leader however, with an eight point advantage over both Sorce and Kamikawa.

Tony Perkins was playing host for this race, a fact that had many an odds maker believing that this, his 44th

start, would be the win he has never accomplished. It was not meant to be, as Perkins could never move up from

his starting position of fifth.

One of the big stories of the night was a terrible crash during a heat race in which three-time champion Phil

Cianciola of ttle Penske team flipped his car over a wall. The Penske-Mercedes immediately caught fire and it

took course workers several minutes to get to Cianciola's aid. He was transported to Methodist Hospital where

he received treatment for severe burns to his right thigh. Cianciola was left with sixth place and a questionable

status for the next race on Oct. 2nd on the Mini Mile in West Allis.

The other Penske driver did not fare much better. John Baas crashed his #3 machine early in the second half of

his heat, marking the first time in the history of the PPPG that both Penske drivers crashed out of an event.

Rick Osterbrink (Shell/Reynard Mercedes) equaled his best career qualifying effort in third, but could not harness

the speed in the race, falling victim to a crash as well. He finished seventh.

Veteran Jim Kaehny did not make the historic trip to Indy, but did have representatives unveil his new Jelly Belly

Racing car. It was the first miss of a race for the New Berlin native since the PPPG was formed, breaking his

string of 51 PPPG starts since 1993.

The PPPG CART World Series travels to West Allis, W I next, for the Ford 500 on Oct. 2nd, the first race of the

season on an oval. The 'bullring' will be set up outside, in what is the only race of the season to be run in the

great outdoors under the lights. Defending race champion Sorce is expected to lead a full field of drivers back

into action as the teams enter the busiest month of the schedule, with three races slated for the month of October.

FAST FACTS FOR THE

DEERCROSS INDY CHALLENGE

o WHAT: The Deercross I ndy Challenge

o WHERE: Deercross Track, I ndianapolis, IN

o WHEN: Saturday, September 20th 3:00 p.m.

o DEFENDING CHAMPION: New Event

o DEFENDING POLESITTER: New Event

o TRACK LAYOUt: Temporary Road Course

o RACE LENGTH: 20 min. Final Four

o RACE RECORDS: Qualifying- New Event

Race- New Event

o RACE #: 2 of 14

o NEXT EVENT: The Ford 500 Thursday, Oct. 2nd

The Mini Milwaukee Mile West Allis, WI

o I NST ANT REPLAY

New Event. This race will feature several firsts, among them the longest road trip

ever undertaken by the PPPG CART World Series. PPPG Commissioner Phil

Cianciola likens the trek to the PPG's annual pilgrimage to Australia. The teams of

the PPPG will head into Indianapolis and the home of veteran Tony Perkins who is

hosting the event. Perkins, despite his location, competes in most of the races held in

the Milwaukee area during the season. This time, the tables are turned, as the other

drivers head into the land of the Indy 500 to compete.

Other items of interest from last year's race ...

New Event. But keep this in mind. Perkins has started in 43 PPPG races and has

never won in four full seasons. He designed the track and should have a home-track

advantage here. Drivers coming from the Milwaukee area will spend an entire day

doing race-related activities and H.O. testing at Deercross.

PPPG DEERCROSS INDY CHALLENGE HISTORY

Year Race Winner Pole Winner

New Event

Things to watch for this year ...

What effect will the road trip have on the drivers coming from Milwaukee? Will

Perkins be able to break his winless streak on his home course? Will anyone be

injured in the pre-race activities, which include go-karting at Stefan Johansson's

place?