THE LINE #459

August 20, 2008

Scott Dixon, de Ferran Motorsports. 2008 Indianapolis 500 champion Scott Dixon will drive for de Ferran Motorsports in the team's No. 66 Panasonic ELS Surround Acura ARX-01b prototype sports car in the Petit Le Mans powered by the Totally New Mazda6 at Road Atlanta on October 4, the 10th round of the 2008 American Le Mans Series. The 27-year-old New Zealander is enjoying one of the most successful open-wheel racing seasons in the past decade with six victories, including the Indy 500. Dixon will team with de Ferran Motorsports team owner Gil de Ferran, the 2003 Indy 500 winner, and young star Simon Pagenaud in the 1,000-mile/10-hour Petit Le Mans set on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn road circuit north of Atlanta.

(ALMS)
Canadian acting legend Dan Aykroyd has been named as grand marshal of Canada’s biggest sports car racing event, Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport, August 21-24. Aykroyd, who gained fame as a writer and cast member of the late night comedy show "Saturday Night Live" and in such box office hits "The Blues Brothers" (..."it's got cop tires, cop suspension..."), "Ghostbusters," "Trading Places" and "Driving Miss Daisy" will give the command to the drivers to start their engines. “I have a real passion for cars and motorcycles and I especially love the roar of their engines, so it’s going to be a special treat to see and hear those exotic race cars fire up their high-performance motors when I say those four famous words, ” said Aykroyd, a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. As the Canadian rights holder of  Patron Tequila (distributed in Canada by Diamond Estates Wines and Spirits), Aykroyd will have a rooting interest in the 2 hour 45 minute race since the US-based ultra-premium spirits company sponsors the Patron Highcroft Racing Acura team and drivers David Brabham and Scott Sharp. The green flag drops on the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport race at 3:00 pm Sunday (Aug. 24). In addition to the American Le Mans Series – its only Canadian stop - the race card features six other North American championships, including the SPEED World Challenge (GT and Touring).