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ARA ANNOUNCES TWO NEW TOURING SERIES FOR 2001

February 7th, Columbia, SC American Racing Association officials announced today the official launching of the new ARA Southern Thunder Late Model Series and Dixie Lightning Pro Truck Series. The first event will be held Saturday, April 7th at Peach State Speedway in Jefferson, Georgia, with a 125 lap Late Model race and 100 lap Pro Truck race.

The Southern Thunder Series will include popular straight rail, or offset, 2-barrel Late Models, prevailant in the southernmost US. Patterned after the successful 2000 season launch of the ARA Late Model Stock All-Stars, the Southern Thunder series wlll run a fifteen race schedule at southern short tracks, featuring primarily one-day shows.

"I am very excited about this tour," says series owner John Huffman. "I challenged Terry Treadwell (ARA Competition Director) last year to show me this could be done, and he did with flying colors."

The Southern Thunder Series is designed with the budget racer in mind. Strict motor, chassis, and tire rules limit costs while promoting a more competitive and level playing field. The majority of shows are one-day events which minimize travel expenses and other costs.

"I was very impressed with the turnout at two end-of-the-year exhibition races," added Huffman, "and I was especially impressed with the quality of racing and amazed at the competitiveness in these drivers. I am totally dedicated to this series."

Accompanying the Southern Thunder Series on twelve of their dates will be the new ARA Dixie Lightning Pro Truck Series, featuring OEM-based frame and component full-size trucks on 8-inch slicks. Like the Southern Thunder Late Models, there are numerous trucks in the region to support a competitive series. Success with 2000 exhibition races and inquiries over the off-season have furthered the call to move forward.

The trucks will run once on their own, at Lonesome Pine Raceway in Coeburn, Virginia.

A major component of the two series, and the compelling step to move forward with their 2001 launch, is a television package which is being finalized this week. The TV deal, which will also affect the current ARA Late Model Stock All-Star tour, will emerge as a "one of its kind" arrangement for ARA drivers, team owners, and their sponsors, according to ARA officials. Details will be announced as soon as this Friday.

The ARA Late Model Stock All-Star Tour begins its second season on Sunday, March 25th, with a 200-lap event at Peach State Speedway. The ARA All-Stars have expanded to 20 events for the 2001 season.

ARA Weekly Racing Series action will begin Saturday, March 3rd at Friendship Speedway, a 4/10-mile dirt track in Elkin, NC. The ARA is the nation's largest short track exclusive sanctioning body, with over 1,000 participating race teams competing in four separate points championship series throughout the southeast.