NATIONAL SPEED SPORT NEWS OCTOBER 27,1999

Endress Loves Driving Fast

By DAVID HARRIS, Editorial Specialist National Speed Sports News

BRASELTON, GA. - Belinda Endress is having fun. In fact, the Woman's Global GT standout has fun every race weekend. That's because Endress loves auto racing. "People think I'm crazy," said Endress. "I travel all over, brave the elements, drive these cars and earn pittance - I love it." Endress, a California model, former wrestler and current owner of a video production company, has found motor sports most pleasing - She's good at it, too. Endress won her first SCCA Pro Solo 11 event in 1994, out-dueling some of California's best autocross foes. That season, she captured the Solo 11 F Stock regional championship for California "I always wanted to road race," said the 37-year-old. "Not really knowing anybody, I didn't know where to go." That was until Lyn St. James and Don Panoz put their heads together and founded the Woman's Global GT Series. An opportunity Endress actively pursued. "I read this AutoWeek article entitled "The Gong Show' announcing the series" said an emphatic Endress. "I gave them a call and told them I wanted one of those spots, luckily, they had one left and I took it." "I remember when I walked on to the track," said Endress. "I just knew I belonged here." Endress has done it all. She started fashion modeling at 14 and was an equestrienne in high school. She participated in endurance riding competitions and became an assistant trainer on the California circuit after attending jockey school in Castiac, Calif. Endress moved away from the sport in 1984 to try her hand at stunt work, creating fight scenes for film studios and training with Judo Gene LeBelle and Mando Guerrero, names of note within the industry. It led to her next endeavor - pro wrestling. Endress, with her flashy moves, developed a following as Tornado Red. She was so popular Playboy featured her in its Women in Wrestling issue. Other activities include competitive skiing, power boat racing, bicycling, motor cycle racing, drag racing, stock car racing and river rafting. Enough to make your mind boggle, but Endress does it for fun, and to support women in sports. "I've been promoting female sports for 10-12 years now," said Endress, an example of what female athletes can accomplish.

Above all, auto racing is her first love. Since Endress' first success in SCCA Pro Solo competition, she has accomplished much. She won a SCCA Solo 11 National Championship, San Diego Pro Solo 11 Ladies title, Denver Solo 11 Solo Ladies Challenge and Solo 11 Ladies challenge in Wendover, Utah. She even outclassed her group at the Skip Barber Driving School at Laguna Seca (Calif.) Raceway. Endress has been extremely competitive in Woman's Global GT action, including a second at Road Atlanta in September.

Endress is establishing quite a future for herself. But, what does that future hold? "I would love to run the American Le Mans Series cars," said Endress. "I also like the Motorola Cup and SCCA. I really want to get more involved with road racing because I think it's real racing. "You can have your NASCAR and CART."