Davis Racing Finds New Partner

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Davis Racing Finds New Partner
©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc.
Brazilian businessman JorgeCintra joins
forces with Davis Racing
Davis Racing and Gerald Davis have a new operatingpartner for the 1997 PPG CART World Series in Brazilian businessman JorgeCintra.
Cintra, the president of INTAG and promoter of the May 11 Rio 400 at theEmerson Fittipaldi Speedway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, became a majorprincipal of Davis Racing in February, days after an operating agreementwith Murray Craig fell apart. With Cintra's help, Davis Racing made its CARTdebut at the March 1 Grand Prix of Miami in Homestead, Fla. Driver GualterSalles piloted Davis Racing's Reynard 96I to a fine 15th-place finish in hisCART debut, the car's Ford Cosworth XD and Goodyear tires proving the teammade correct choices for the 1997 season.
Cintra and Davis first met in 1996, when Davis was team manager for HallRacing. When Jim Hall retired after the 1996 season, Davis bought the team'sassets and kept the headquarters in Midland, Texas. Cintra was looking tobecome involved in a CART team and had discussions with Davis about becominga part owner.
"Jorge Cintra is terrific to work with. His business knowledge is somethingthat was needed to keep this team running and let us start the season atHomestead," says Gerald Davis. "Jorge and I had talked last year aboutbuying into the team and becoming an owner. I was very impressed with whathe had to offer us. We just made a bad decision in the direction we weregoing and we were facing some big problems that forced us to miss CART'sSpring Training session in February.
"I called Jorge and he just stepped into the program. He believes in whatthe team is doing and we all know that it's only a short time before DavisRacing is fighting for the wins in the CART PPG World Series."
Cintra also has an eye for promising drivers. It was Cintra who introducedSalles, winner of three PPG Firestone Indy Lights races in 1996, to Davis atCART's Laguna Seca finale. "We looked around the CART and Indy Lights ranksfor a driver and Gualter was on our short list of candidates," says Davis."We knew he had the talent and after six days of testing last October andNovember, Gualter was our driver for 1997."
Salles had very little contact with Cintra before last year. "I met Mr.Cintra at the Brazilian Grand Prix last year for the first time and we spokeoccasionally throughout the season," says Salles. "I was surprised when hetook me to meet Gerald. Now it is very good that he is with us as an owner.
"Jorge is very easy-going and honest," Salles adds. "He knows exactly whatis happening and what he wants, but he is also patient and very open. Wewill start at one point and just get better.
"Gerald is one of the top guys in CART and has a proven record with HallRacing (two wins and two poles since 1995). He knows what to do with the carand how to make it better."
Source: CART News Service


		Check out the latest Sports Guides from Starting Blocks Int'l

		Davis Racing Finds New Partner ©1997 SpeedCenter Internet Publishing, Inc. Brazilian businessman JorgeCintra joins forces with Davis Racing Davis Racing and Gerald Davis have a new operatingpartner for the 1997 PPG CART World Series in Brazilian businessman JorgeCintra. Cintra, the president of INTAG and promoter of the May 11 Rio 400 at theEmerson Fittipaldi Speedway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, became a majorprincipal of Davis Racing in February, days after an operating agreementwith Murray Craig fell apart. With Cintra's help, Davis Racing made its CARTdebut at the March 1 Grand Prix of Miami in Homestead, Fla. Driver GualterSalles piloted Davis Racing's Reynard 96I to a fine 15th-place finish in hisCART debut, the car's Ford Cosworth XD and Goodyear tires proving the teammade correct choices for the 1997 season. Cintra and Davis first met in 1996, when Davis was team manager for HallRacing. When Jim Hall retired after the 1996 season, Davis bought the team'sassets and kept the headquarters in Midland, Texas. Cintra was looking tobecome involved in a CART team and had discussions with Davis about becominga part owner. "Jorge Cintra is terrific to work with. His business knowledge is somethingthat was needed to keep this team running and let us start the season atHomestead," says Gerald Davis. "Jorge and I had talked last year aboutbuying into the team and becoming an owner. I was very impressed with whathe had to offer us. We just made a bad decision in the direction we weregoing and we were facing some big problems that forced us to miss CART'sSpring Training session in February. "I called Jorge and he just stepped into the program. He believes in whatthe team is doing and we all know that it's only a short time before DavisRacing is fighting for the wins in the CART PPG World Series." Cintra also has an eye for promising drivers. It was Cintra who introducedSalles, winner of three PPG Firestone Indy Lights races in 1996, to Davis atCART's Laguna Seca finale. "We looked around the CART and Indy Lights ranksfor a driver and Gualter was on our short list of candidates," says Davis."We knew he had the talent and after six days of testing last October andNovember, Gualter was our driver for 1997." Salles had very little contact with Cintra before last year. "I met Mr.Cintra at the Brazilian Grand Prix last year for the first time and we spokeoccasionally throughout the season," says Salles. "I was surprised when hetook me to meet Gerald. Now it is very good that he is with us as an owner. "Jorge is very easy-going and honest," Salles adds. "He knows exactly whatis happening and what he wants, but he is also patient and very open. Wewill start at one point and just get better. "Gerald is one of the top guys in CART and has a proven record with HallRacing (two wins and two poles since 1995). He knows what to do with the carand how to make it better." Source: CART News Service