[GarySheehan]

Easy Street Motorsports enters SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT Championship with the versatile Subaru Impreza WRX STI driven by touring car ace Gary Sheehan

VALENCIA, CA (Mar 13, 2006)

Easy Street Motorsports (ESX) announces a new entry in the highly competitive SCCA SPEED World Challenge GT field, with the team making its debut at the famed Long Beach Grand Prix, held April 7-9. Coverage of the one-hour GT race will be shown on SPEED TV, Sun., April 16, at 2 p.m. EST.
ESX owner, Ali Afshar said, “We've seen much success with the Subaru Impreza WRX STI winning 10 NHRA Championship ‘Wally's’, and we look forward to taking ESX and Subaru into battle against the world's best in the SPEED GT series."

Managed and engineered by Indycar and Sportscar veteran Marshall Pruett, the ESX team will look to capitalize on its success with the Impreza WRX STI last December, placing 3rd overall in the world's longest endurance race, the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Lead driver of the 25hr race, and Subaru road racing veteran Gary Sheehan has been chosen to race and develop the ESX STI in 2006.

"Gary was my first choice when Ali and I decided to put this program together--Gary brings the raw speed, technical feedback, experience with the WRX platform, and professional demeanor I need to get the best results possible,” said Pruett. “He's an incredible driver and racer--we're lucky to have him.”

Gary Sheehan was ecstatic to learn he'd been chosen to pilot the ESX STI. "Ali and Easy Street have been phenomenal supporters of my driving, and I'm glad we can put our combined Subaru experience together to race in SPEED World Challenge,” said Sheehan. “I raced and won in an all-wheel drive Subaru Impreza WRX in a different touring car series between 2001-2003, and fell in love with the car. I can't wait for the first practice session at Long Beach to begin."

With Long Beach serving as the home race for ESX, the team looks forward to their first appearance being in front of the 175,000 fans in attendance.
"We're fortunate to launch the team at our home race,” said Afshar. “We know the huge potential of the Impreza WRX STI, and we hope that it will develop into a front runner.”

The Subaru/SPT/ESX drag racing team is sponsored by Subaru of America, Inc. and Subaru Performance Tuning (SPT). The ESX team will carry special sponsorship at Long Beach including Arceo Wheels, Subaru Ontario, Santa Monica Subaru, Heuberger Subaru, and Impact Engineering.

Further details on the team can be found at www.esxmotorsports.com

[FajenSTi]

that is great news! Finally get to see what a well-prepped STi can do against the big guys in WC.
You just couldn't have picked a better driver either! Very much looking forward to see the race on TV

[555BLACKOUT]

May have to unban the Speed channel for this.

[Nivek]

Hopefully the ESX sti will do better when driven by Sheehan even though its under the ESX name. Perhaps he can help them.

[solbergfan]

Hmm, should be interesting to see how competitive the car is. I watched the Sebring race the other day to see how the Skyline's debut in the series went. Uhh, not good at all-he was WAY off the pace.

[Xman]

Nice meeting you yesterday Gary. Good job in the race. I was at the inside of turn one for a while and then on the upper level by the fountain. The race was exciting and what a fantastic weekend. My girlfriend loved it too!! I'll send you the pictures I got of you during the race.

[Conekiller13]

Watched the race on My Tivo yesterday................wondering what it's gonna take to get that STi up front. I'm courious what knid of restrictions they have on it?

[Digitalfiend]

Any one have the video of this race? I missed it...argh. How did Gary do?

[kwlsti]

http://www.world-challenge.com/event...lts.php?ID=138
started 23rd ended 18th it was a great race!

Gary will you be making the trip up to Mosport, Ont? if you are i would LOVE! to meet you and your mondo sexy car

[Digitalfiend]

I'm so there if he comes to Mosport! That track is 20 minutes from me.