Race Report

Final WGGT Race

October 29, 2000

portrait of Belinda Endress

Grand Prix of Las Vegas, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, NV

On the first day of testing, I was almost 2 seconds ahead of the field. Come qualifying, the veteran Divina grabbed the pole with myself gridding up 2nd position. The start was tight entering the chicane. I survived a punt from the rear with no further incidences. I ran closely behind the leader for the 45 min race to finish 2nd by .336 seconds

Women’s Global GT Series Sponsored by "Race Rock Café’s."

"Race Rock" of Las Vegas sponsored the WGGT race. Bobbie Moore, the president of "Race Rock," was the honorary Grand Marshal, giving the drivers the call of "Drivers, start your engines!" Gina Davis, the Head of Marketing, was given the honors to wave the green flag. "Race Rock" also provided the WGGT their Award’s Banquet celebration.

I was invited to promote my sponsor "Xtreme Island Designs" in several autograph promotions at "Race Rock". On display were the American LeMans racecars, Women’s Global GT racecars, Speedvision World Challenge racecars from both Touring and GT classes, and Trans Am racecars. She also participated in the "Drivers Start Your Engines" at "Race Rock".

I was also invited to Harrah’s Casino to promote "Xtreme Island Designs" as well as the WGGT. The receptions at all the events were outstanding.

Post Race Interview with Endress

an incredible week...

"This has been an incredible week. To start off, it was nice to drive to the event. Coming in from L.A, I took Hwy 126 that travels to the south point of Death Valley, it’s on the way to Pahrump, NV. There were only a handful of cars for 85 miles. It was beautiful. My friend has a racetrack out there. I haven’t seen him in a while, so it was really nice to stop by and visit. The promotions at "Race Rock" were wonderful! All the folks were so accommodating, not only to the drivers, but also to the customers. Look for my photo next time you stop in either in Las Vegas or Florida. Harrah’s Casino was a gas! The fans were so wonderful, and the ones that weren’t race fans are now race fans, you can count on it. "Xtreme Island" made a lot more friends.

At the race track:

Thursday, I just drove the car, honing in on my craft, and by the end of the day I was almost 2 seconds ahead of the field. Friday was a wet track and some changes were made to the car. We sacrificed entry speed for exit speed. I had to change my driving style to adapt.

Saturday was qualifying day. I drove the car to the 2nd qualifying position, yet I was still adapting to the changes, not being 100% comfortable with the car. Saturday night I had to sit down and really talk my way through it. I had to do well, in that this was the final race of the season with a year-end Trophy Position at stake.

drag-raced to the chicane...

Sunday morning, my goal was to either pass Divina at the start, or not threaten her at the start in order to gain ground from the field. We drag-raced to the chicane; it was tight! I made sure that no one was going to take my line. I got punted in the rear from the 3rd place qualifier. Thank God it didn’t affect me. I stayed on Divina’s tail for the entire race. She made no mistakes, and there was very little room for me to make the pass. I can honestly say that I could have, but it would have been ugly. Either she would have been taken out or we both would have been taken out. That’s not how I like to race. No one else was a factor. It was a good finish at .336 seconds behind the leader, and grabbing the 3rd Trophy Position in points. This race wrapped up a great year with the WGGT!

The most remarkable thing was when I got out of the racecar in the Winner's Circle, my brother Bob said "Hi Sis." He gave me a hug and said, "Hey, look who I brought with me." It was my real dad who I haven’t seen since 1984! Wow, what a week! The only thing about the week that was really missing was not having Barry there. Bless God; He made it out from Atlanta on Saturday night to come in just for the race, and flew out that afternoon. Every one missed him at the Award's Banquet at "Race Rock". The banquet was so intimate and warm, having only the WGGT staff, the great crew, as well as Don Panoz, who, by the way, had just flown in from Perth, Australia. Don Panoz, Bill Donaldson, and Scott Atherton are some of the most wonderful people you would ever want to meet.

this group of competitive women...

This group of competitive women are incredible enough, but I’d like to personally thank the people behind the scenes, the people that work so hard at putting on the incredible races at Sports Car. I also want to thank all the die-hard guys and gals that work all the corner stations. Enduring a heat index of 149 degrees in Texas, they stay out there all day no matter what the conditions. Special thanks are also extended to the wonderful safety crew who is so critical. Even the people that help get us out on the track, they have heard it all, seen it all, and endure it all. I graciously want to thank them, as well as all my friends and fans who have supported me this past year.

I am looking forward to another successful year teaming up with "Xtreme Island Designs" for the WGGTS in 2001, hope you join me.

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