Grand Rapids, Michigan -- Team Sierra Rallysport made the official launch of their newest performance rally car today. A jet-black 1991 Volkswagen Golf GTi joins the stable with the 1985 Mercury Merkur. With the car comes two very important supporters to the teams bid for the Group 5 SCCA ProRally Championship -- Autosports Unlimited and Nokian Tyres.

Autosports Unlimited is a West Michigan based firm that distributes high-end automotive replacement parts world wide. They handle everything from Volkswagen to Ferrari, Audi to Alfa Romeo, parts as simple as door knobs to entire motors and transmissions. The staff at Autosports are well in tune to motorsports and participate regularly in roadracing, rallycross, Solo 1 & 2, as well as touring sessions. "We are very excited to have Autosports Unlimited as a sponsor," stated driver Colin McCleery. "Their knowledge and understanding of what performance parts will work best on our cars in the constantly varying conditions of ProRally makes their assistance an incredible asset."

Also supporting the Sierra RallySport team this year is Nokian Tyres, best known for their Hakkapeliitta brand of snow tires. "I have been using 'Hakkas' on my and my wives cars for ten years," stated co-driver Jeff Secor. "Where in Michigan we can go from dry to snow-covered to glare ice on roads within a matter of a few miles, it was an intelligent choice to equip the rally car with the very best possible tire for the icy and snow-covered roads found on the Sno*Drift ProRally." "We could have opted for a special rally tire, but after testing, it became apparent that the traction and control of the Hakkapeliitta Q's on snow and ice was unbeatable," added Colin.

The January 28-29 running of the Sno*Drift ProRally is the kick-off to the start of the Sports Car Club of America's 2000 season, consisting of nine National events, held in conditions from the ice and snow of Michigan to the desert of Arizona, and through the forests of Maine and Minnesota. All nine rounds of the SCCA ProRally Championship are filmed by Replica Productions and broadcast by Speedvision.