Thousand Oaks, CA -- John Dillon, a co-driver for the Widget International Racing Team's Rally Division, announced today that he will be joining Team LeConte for the 1999 Michelin SCCA ProRally Series in the Production GT class, racing a Dodge Shadow. The team's driver, Kendall Russell, is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. She completed her first full season last year to finish 3rd in the National points standings, but she raced with a variety of co-drivers. "I'm looking forward to having a consistent, seasoned co-driver for the 1999 season," reported Russell. "My previous co-drivers were enthusiastic competitors but relatively new to the job. If my driving skills are to continue to improve, I need a team mate that can race the entire season with me."

Dillon, whose rally experience dates back to 1995 with the East of Indio race, campaigned in regional events last year with driver Fred Ronn of Agoura Hills. Together they won their first National race ever, in the Group 2 class at the Rim of the World rally in Palmdale. Unfortunately, a roll-over of Ronn's Toyota Celica GTS at the Prescott Forest Rally ended their season prematurely. Dillon went on to co-drive for Bill Nation at the Ramada Express Rally in Laughlin, Nevada last December. The pair managed to finish 6th in class despite racing a rear-wheel-drive Mazda RX7 in the ice and snow of the Grand Canyon.

Prior to joining Fred Ronn, Dillon raced with Steve Winter of Oxnard in a Mazda 323. Due to job commitments (Winter was employed in Korea at the time), the two completed only two races in 1997, but they were the highest finishing divisional-only racers at that year's Rim of the World, and finished 3rd overall at the Treeline Rally in Monrovia.

In additional to competing as a rallyist, Dillon serves on the California Sports Car Club's Board of Governors and is an active volunteer safety worker for local club races at Buttonwillow Raceway Park and other venues. He has also been newly appointed as the SCCA Southern Pacific Division ClubRally steward.