By: N.A. on November 13, 2000
Original Article: AUTOWEEK, VOL. 50, ISSUE 47

SALEEN SIGNS GAVIN
Steve Saleen has signed Olivier Gavin to drive his GTS car in the American Le Mans Series next year. Gavin, a former Formula One test driver and British Formula 3 champion, will team with Terry Borcheller, Ron Johnson and Tom Kendall. Saleen skipped the Las Vegas race (AW, Nov. 6) to spend the weekend testing.

UAW SPONSORS NADEAU
The United Auto Workers union and Delphi Automotive will be the primary sponsors on Rick Hendrick’s Winston Cup car next year (driven by Jerry Nadeau), replacing Michael Holigan Homes. Word is Holigan wants to start his own team.

NEW RILEY & SCOTT TRANS-AM CAR
Riley & Scott will introduce a redesigned Trans-Am chassis, the Mk VIII, for the 2001 season. The new model will hit the track mid-season. Design changes include revised suspension for quicker adjustments and a stronger structure. R&S said the chassis is designed to fit all Trans-Am-eligible bodies.

McLAREN DUMPS F3000 TEAM
There will be no West McLaren-Mercedes “junior” team in the 2001 FIA Formula 3000 series. Established in 1998, West Competition ran Nick Heidfeld, a protege of Mercedes-Benz, to the runner-up slot the first year. The German won the title in 1999, and in 2000 moved on to the Prost F1 team. No official reason for the pullout was given, but team manager David Brown had already told his bosses he was leaving to join the Jordan Grand Prix team.

BIFFLE MOVES UP
Roush Racing will move Craftsman Truck Series champion Greg Biffle to the Busch Series in 2001 and promote CTS runner-up Kurt Busch to Winston Cup. Roush also is trying to broker a business partnership with former baseball star Hank Aaron. The reason: He hopes to find a qualified minority driver for one of NASCAR’s lower divisions in 2001.

TOYOTA GETS SERIOUS
Toyota is getting serious about its NASCAR Goody’s Dash program. The Japanese auto-maker has landed two-time series champ Robert Huffman to drive a Celica in 2001.

TOYO IS NEW SPEC TIRE
The Speedvision World Challenge and Toyo Tires have announced the Toyo Proxes T1-S will be the spec tire beginning with the 2001 Speedvision GT and Touring Car seasons.