Scott Pruett flies thru turn 6 (Photo Robert Phelps III)

After having established a positive start to the season for Jaguar with a win and 7 cars in the top twelve, the second round comes to Long Beach in association with the ChampCar World series on april 13th. The Long Beach Grand prix has a great heritage beginning with the Formula 1 races which led to the multi event weekend that has become one of the highlights in American Road racing. Formula Atlantic, Historic Formula 1 and the Toyota Pro Celebrity race join in the festivities making for one of the most exciting racing cards this year. Additional events include the Auto Expo and even an outdoor rock concert.

The field of entries has expanded to include a couple of new teams. ROH Wheels has entered a Corvette driven by an Australian Joey Scarallo and Margraf Racing has entered a Mustang and a mangusta. Manufacturer diversity gives everybody an opportunity to root for his or her favorite. Nineteen cars have come to race and they include Jaguar, Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, Panoz and Mangusta.

Round two saw Scott Pruett capture the pole once again followed closely by Boris Said, Johnny Miller, Michael Lewis, Tomy Drissi and Stu Hayner. Paul Gentilozzi suffered the same fate as Boris Said at St. Petersburg and had to start from the last row due to a post qualifying inspection height infraction. Pruett was able to hold off Said as they drove deep into the first left hander at the end of Shoreline Drive. Temporary street courses are hard on equipment and Long Beach proved no exception. Mike Davis' ACS mustang was plagued by distributor problems and Simon Gregg's corvette slowed with gearbox problems. Johnny Miller moved into third behind Pruett and Said. Michael Lewis' Jaguar was the big loser as he started his slide from third to an eventual ninth. By the seventh lap Paul Gentilozzi had come from 16th to 7th place turning in a faster time lap after lap. Tomy Drissi encountered a power steering problem that cost him a top five finish after a great qualifying effort. Max Lagod's Corvette retired on lap 41 with a water pump failure as George Nolte's Mustang spun on the coolant causing a full course caution. This bunched up the field as a timed race was called. The race restarted on lap 46 and Boris Said who had been saving his Goodrich tire to try a passing maneuver tried hard to find a way around Pruett's Jaguar. Scott's tires just didn't have enough left to hold Said off and Boris made the pass on lap 47. Johnny Miller who had also been strong all day was able to pass Scott on Lap 50. Paul Gentilozzi finished in a close 4th place having set the fastest race lap of 1: 22.03.

Jaguar Appreciation day at the Irvine Headquarters (Photo Robert Phelps III)

After the dust had settled Scott Pruett maintained the series lead over Boris Said by 2 points. Six Jaguars finished in the top ten, Miller, Pruett, Gentilozzi, Diaz, Pickett and Lewis in that order. Jorge Diaz has been most impressive in his rookie season currently in 5th place in the points overall.

With only a week to make the dangerous journey north of the Border to Bowmanville, Canada and the Mosport circuit, Everyone would have their hands full. The Jaguar cars had provided a good show and would have some surprises for the next Round of the Championship.

For more information on the series and upcoming events: www.trans-amseries.com

Paul Gentilozzi and Rocketsports Racing: www.rocketsportsracing.com

Turn 3 : Baucom and Diaz note nose differences between cars (Photo Robert Phelps III)

About the author: W. Robert Phelps, III is an Aviation Consultant and Corporate Pilot. He is also a staff Writer and Photographer for Jaguar Magazine (Australia), and has nearly 30 years of experience as a Jaguar owner. He is a Virginia native, who now resides in Florida.

This article was supplied with the very kind permission of The Jaguar Magazine, which is available in the U.S. and Canada at bookstores or by subscription at www.jaguarmagazine.com, Copyright © 2003 W. Robert Phelps, III. All photos Copyright © 2003 W. Robert Phelps, III.