Specter Werkes/Sports’ Mid-Ohio Wrap-Up
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander Finishes 10th in GT
Image Courtesy of Ken May - Racing Fanatics
 Lexington, Ohio – August 7, 2004 - The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander ran as high as 5th in the GT class before a water pump failure put them behind the wall with a half hour remaining the race. The event was part of the Grand American Rolex Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course August 6-8.
“This was a heartbreaker,” said Specter Werkes’ owner and driver, Jeff Nowicki. “We were having a great race and making great progress. We were has high as 5th in class. Things started to heat up and eventually, the water pump just let go. We were able to get out there and finish… but it could have been a much better day for us. We’ll take the tenth place and move on to Fontana.” ...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports’ Mid-Ohio Qualifying Report
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander Qualifies 9th In GT
Image Courtesy of Ken May - Racing Fanatics
L exington, Ohio – August 6, 2004 - The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander qualified 9th in the GT class and 24th overall for Saturday’s 2004 EMCO Gears Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic, part of the Grand American Rolex Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course August 6-8. The race will air at 8pm, August 7th on SPEED Channel.
“Our practice times were a little better earlier today,” commented Specter Werkes’ owner and driver, Jeff Nowicki. “Our main goal was to put in a solid qualifying run. Tomorrow is a 250 mile race and a different strategy all together. There was no reason for any heroics in qualifying a GT car. After all, you’re not going to sit on the pole. You’re mid pack regardless of your time. That was the mind set we approached it with.” ...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports’ Announces Mid-Ohio Entry
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander to compete in EMCO Gears Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic
 DETROIT – August 2, 2004 The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander will compete in the 2004 EMCO Gears Mid-Ohio Road Racing Classic, part of the Grand American Rolex Series at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course August 6-8. The race will air at 8pm, August 7th on SPEED Channel.
Tom Bambard and Jeff Nowicki will drive the event.
“It’s going to be great to get back in the car,” commented Tom Bambard. “I was so frustrated by the needless incident that retired our car at Watkins Glen, I want to get back in and show what we can do. Jeff’s [Nowicki] crew as done such a great job of prepping the car. At our recent test it ran stronger than ever. They’ve made several improvements since the Glen, so I know we’re going to have a really competitive car at Mid-Ohio.”...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports’ Day at the Glen Ends Early
Contact sends the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander to the garage
 Watkins Glen N.Y. – June 20, 2004 The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander parlayed a fantastic start into a 5th in class and 17th overall position within the first hour of Sunday’s Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen.
In a race that saw two cautions within the first four laps, Tom Bambard performed flawlessly moving through the pack on each of the several restarts. On lap 15 a full course caution was called. As the #24 car came through turn one the pace car pulled on course. Observing the yellow flags, and braking for the pace car, Tom was suddenly struck in the rear left quarter by the #34 car. While trying to regain control of the car the #36 car hit the #24’s right rear spinning the car also damaging the front. ...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports Saturday Notes
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander To Start Without Qualifying Time
 Watkins Glen N.Y. – June 19, 2004 The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander was bit by the proverbial $1 part (actually $15.00) in this morning’s practice for the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 20, 2004 at the historic Watkins Glen 3.4-mile, 11-turn permanent road course in scenic New York (SPEED Channel - Part 1, 11 a.m. ET, Part 2, 3 p.m. ET).
“What caused yesterdays radiator problems turned out to be a faulty $15 radiator cap,” said crew chief, Danny Kellermeyer. “When we took to the track this morning it just started pumping out water after just a few laps. By time we tracked down the problem, we were forced to sit out qualifying. After discussion with the rest of the crew it seemed the smartest thing to do was an engine change. Rather than risk further problems in tomorrows race, we’ll start the day fresh.”. ...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports Practice Notes
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR Presented by Highlander Working Out Gremlins
 Watkins Glen N.Y – June 18, 2004 The #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander worked through some minor issues in the first day of practice for the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 20, 2004 at the historic Watkins Glen 3.4-mile, 11-turn permanent road course in scenic New York (SPEED Channel - Part 1, 11 a.m. ET, Part 2, 3 p.m. ET).
“We’ve been bit by a few minor glitches,” said Crew Chief, Danny Kellermeyer. “The issues we’re having are the type of things you run into when you run a partial schedule. The good news is the car and motor are sound. Friday’s problem with the radiator didn’t do any damage to the engine and everything tested solid. Fortunately, the computer threw the car into “limp-home” mode and saved us a lot of headaches.” . ...read more
Specter Werkes/Sports Prepared for Watkins Glen
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR to continues Highlander DVD Promotion
Detroit – June 16, 2004 In conjunction with Cauley Chevrolet, a Michigan Chevrolet dealer, Specter Werkes Sports today announced it will enter the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander to the 2004 Rolex Sports Car Series Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen. The event is scheduled for Sunday, June 20, 2004 at the historic Watkins Glen 3.4-mile, 11-turn permanent road course in scenic New York (SPEED Channel - Part 1, 11 a.m. ET, Part 2, 3 p.m. ET).
“We are very excited to continue with the Highlander promotional tie-in at the Glen,” said Cauley President, Jeff Cauley. “This is a great way to bring our effort to the front of the field both competitively and promotionally. Our Daytona effort was a tremendous success promoting the Highlander, Xena and Hercules TV series box sets on DVD. This is proving to be a perfect marketing combination for Highlander and for our racing program with Specter Werkes.” . ...read more
Specter Werkes Team Finds Victory In Completion of the 24 Hours
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander Finishes 14th in GT
 Detroit – February 3, 2004: It would take a lot more than nearly 20 hours of rain to stop a determined Specter Werkes team from finishing the Rolex 24 at Daytona. With their #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander, the team overcame weather, mechanical problems and general fatigue in their quest to finish this great American endurance-racing classic.
Logging 407 laps (nearly 1400 miles), the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR crossed the checkered stripe 17th in class. For the team, this was a victory in many ways. They had successfully overcome a month-long battle with adversity and finished the 24 Hours of Daytona. Anyone in sports car racing will tell you, just finishing this race takes monumental effort and commitment. Finishing the “24” is a victory in itself.
“This is a proud moment,” beamed crew chief, Danny Kellermeyer. “This is a great group of guys. You know, we had that fire back in the test session at the beginning of the month and these guys didn’t even blink. They were committed right from the start. Everyone here signed up to finish. This is great! This is just great!”. ...read more
A Long Night Made Longer….
Rolex 24 at Daytona Under Caution For Over Three Hours
 Daytona Beach, Fla. February 1, 2004 Due to standing water in several sections of the track, drivers in the Rolex 24 at Daytona were relegated to a full course yellow beginning at 3:05 am. Tom Bambard, driving the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander was part of that parade.
“Not a lot of fun,” exclaimed Bambard. “It might have been more trying on the driver’s nerves than running at speed. We’d been having problems with a bad wiper all night long. To be trapped in a line of traffic didn’t do a lot to help the situation. We had hoped to come in with one lap to go before green, but that never happened. I stayed in the car for about two hours and forty five minutes before turning it over to Pete Halsmer.”
“There’s not a lot you can do in a situation like this,” added Danny Kellemeyer, crew chief for the #24 Corvette. “We brought Tom in to try and work on the wipers, but these are the types of things that sneak up on you in a 24 hour race. Tom did a great job of staying calm. Hopefully, we’ll get the green shortly and Pete can go racing.”....read more
Specter Werkes #24 Cauley Corvette GTR
presented by Highlander
On Pace at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona
Team overcomes loose front wheel bearing in tenth hour
 Daytona Beach, Fla – January 31, 2004 After ten and one half hours, the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander continues its run at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.
“Right now, the car is very good,” said crew chief, Danny Kellermeyer. “We’ve had a few minor ups and downs… but all-in-all, we’re quite pleased. A power steering belt let go in the first hour and just after the eighth hour we had a front wheel bearing loosen on us. But the guys did a great job getting the car back on the track and everything appears to be pretty sound.”
“The drivers have been extremely consistent,” continued Kellermeyer. “They’ve all done a great job of keeping their lap times in our speed window and have been very easy on the car. Their lap times have been extremely close throughout each stint..” ....read more
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander To Start 23rd Overall
Team Qualified 7th in Class for the Rolex 24 at Daytona!
 Daytona, Fla. January 30, 2004 – Working around the clock since testing earlier this month, the crew of Specter Werkes/Sports took a major step toward turning in a solid performance at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In the first round of qualifying the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander turned in a time of 1:56.356 at an average speed of 110.145. Taking the 7th spot in GT cars, the car will start 23rd on the grid.
“The car is really coming around,” commented driver, Jeff Nowicki. “It’s been a long month, to say the least. The crew did an unbelievable job getting us here. We’re still chasing down a few small gremlins but we’re confident. They all appear to be minor and we’ll get them fixed.”
“The important thing is,” continued Nowicki, “we’re on the grid in the first round of qualifying. With that locked, the crew can focus on race prep and setup. We’ll get a little track time this morning to see where we’re at then we’ll start making race decisions.” ....read more
ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT & DAVIS-ANDERSON
ANNOUNCE A HIGH-OCTANE PROMOTION FOR HIGHLANDER®
AT THE 2004 ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA ON JANUARY 31st
Star Adrian Paul to Take Ceremonial Lap at High-Profile Event
in Special HIGHLANDER Sweepstakes Thunderbird
 TROY, MI – Anchor Bay Entertainment and Davis•Anderson Merchandising Corp send the HIGHLANDER DVD franchise “off to the races” on January 31st when Adrian Paul, star of the popular television series will drive the authenticHIGHLANDER Sweepstakes Thunderbird that was featured in the original show during the ceremonial Historic Sports Car Race (HSR), a special event prior to the start of the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona featuring vintage cars that have raced there in the past. Paul will also announce the winner of the HIGHLANDER: Season Two DVD sweepstakes and present them with the keys before taking them “along for the ride” on a parade lap in the Grand Prize Thunderbird.
As the only entertainment sponsor at the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona, Anchor Bay and Davis•Anderson have also partnered with Cauley Chevrolet, a Michigan Chevrolet dealer, and the Specter Werkes/Sports Racing Team, for another high-octane promotion that is guaranteed to generate massive exposure not only for the HIGHLANDER brand, but alsoXena: Warrior Princess™ and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys™, all of which will be featured in a spectacular paint scheme on the #24 Cauley/HIGHLANDER Corvette GTR race car. The 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world and the season opener to the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series. ....read more
Specter Werkes #24 Cauley Corvette GTR
presented by the Highlander
Driver Line-Up for the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona
Pete Halsmer steps in for Richard Berry
 DETROIT - January 20, 2004: While preparation of the Specter Werkes/Sports #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by The Highlander proceeds on schedule, Jeff Nowicki, president of Specter Werkes, announced the team’s driver line-up for the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“I’m pleased to formally announce that veteran sports car racer, Pete Halsmer will join John Heinricy, Tom Bambard and me in the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by The Highlander for this year’s running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Jeff Nowicki.
“Our original plan included Very Berry Exotics owner, rookie Richard Berry, to be in the car for the race,” added Nowicki. “However, when Pete Halsmer became available, Richard stepped up and insisted we put Pete in the car. Richard’s unselfish attitude is representative of everyone working on this effort. Needless-to-say, Pete’s history and experience will be a big plus in the race.” ....read more
Specter Werkes #24 Cauley Corvette GTR
presented by The Highlander Damaged in Fire
Driver, Tom Bambard, escapes unharmed
 Daytona Beach, Fla. January 5, 2004: The final session of testing for the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona was cut short on Monday afternoon when the Specter Werks/Sports #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by The Highlander caught on fire. The Corvette was witnessed with flames as it came down the backstretch and flamed up when driver Tom Bambard pulled off in the horseshoe.
Bambard was able to get out of the car on his own, and after a visit to the infield care center, he was transported to Halifax Medical Center as a precaution for smoke inhalation. He was later released from Halifax with a clean bill of health.
“I’m not sure how the sequence unfolded,” remarked Bambard. “I recall a bump or thump and then feeling the car take a violent dive to the inside… and then spinning. I saw the flames and tried to control the spin and guide the car to a run-off area. By that time, it was apparent that I needed to exit the car as quickly as possible. With the bulk of the fire engulfing the driver’s side, I made my way across to the passenger window and was able to struggle free.” ....read more
Specter Werkes/Sports Announces Rolex 24 Project
#24 Cauley Corvette GTR to Feature Highlander DVD Promotion
 Detroit – December 24, 2003 In conjunction with Cauley Chevrolet, a Michigan Chevrolet dealer, Specter Werkes Sports today announced it will enter the #24 Cauley Corvette GTR presented by Highlander to the 2004 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. This will be the third time the two companies have teamed up for this event.
“We are very excited having the Highlander promotional tie-in with this year’s entry,” said Cauley President, Jeff Cauley. “We felt this was a great way to bring our effort to the front of the field both competitively and promotionally. We'll be working with the folks at Anchor Bay Entertainment to promote their Highlander, Xena and Hercules TV series box sets on DVD. They will continue their promotion after the event by featuring the car throughout the Daytona Speedweeks. This is a perfect marketing combination for them and for our racing program with Specter Werkes.”
As the Specter Werkes team readies the car for next week’s testing, a complete graphics package is being created featuring the Highlander to promote the product and motorsports to Highlander fans. ....read more
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