Final WGGTS Race of 2000

Grand Prix of Las Vegas,

Las Vegas Motor Speedway,

On the first day of testing Belinda was almost 2sec. ahead of the field. Come qualifying, the veteran Divina grabbed the pole with Belinda griding up 2nd. The start was tight entering the chicane. Belinda survived a punt from the rear with no further incidents. She ran closely behind the leader for the 45 min race to finish 2nd by .312 of a second.

The Women's Global GT Series Las Vegas race was sponsored by "Race Rock" Café of Las Vegas. Bobbie Moore, the president of Race Rock, was the honorary Grand Marshal, giving the drivers the call of "Drivers start your engines". Gina Davis, the head of Marketing was given the honors to wave the green flag. Race Rock also provided the WGGTS their awards banquet celebration.

Belinda was invited to promote her sponsor "Xtreme Island Designs" in several autograph promotions at "Race Rock". On display were the American LeMans racecars, Women's Global GT racecars, Speedvision World Challenge racecars from both Touring and GT classes, and Trans Am racecars. She also participated in the "Drivers Start Your Engines" at "Race Rock". Belinda was also invited to Harrah's Casino to promote "Xtreme Island Designs" as well as the WGGTS. The receptions at all the events were outstanding.

Las Vegas Podium L-R

Shauna Marinus - (3rd)

Divina Galica - (1st)

Belinda - (2nd)

Post Race Interview with Belinda Endress

"This has been an incredible week. To start off, it was nice to drive to the event. Coming in from LA. I took hwy 126 that goes to the south point of Death Valley, on the way to Parhump. There were only a handful of cars for 85 miles. It was beautiful. My friend has a racetrack out there and I haven't seen him in a while so it was really nice to stop by. The promotions at "Race Rock" were wonderful! They were so accommodating, not only to the drivers, but also the customers. Look for my photo next time you stop in either in Las Vegas or Orlando. Harrah's Casino was a gas. The fans were so wonderful, and the ones that weren't race fans are now race fans, you can count on it. Xtreme Island Designs made a lot more friends.

At the race track:

Thursday I just drove the car, honing in on my craft, and by the end of the day I was almost 2sec. in front of the field. Friday was a wet track and some changes were made to the car. We sacrificed entry speed for exit speed. I had to change my driving style to adapt.

Saturday was qualifying. I drove the car to the 2nd qualifying position, yet I was still adapting to the changes. Not being 100% comfortable with the car, Saturday night I had to sit down and really talk my way through it. I had to do well, being this is the final race of the season with a year-end trophy position at stake.

Sunday morning, my goal was to either pass Divina at the start, or not threaten her at the start in order to gain ground from the field. We drag raced to the chicane and it was tight. I made sure that no one was going to take my line. I got punted in the rear from the 3rd place qualifier but thank God it didn't affect me. I stayed on Divina's tail the entire race. She made no mistakes, and there was very little room for me to make the pass. I can honestly say that I could have, but it would have been ugly. Either she would have been taken out or we both would have been taken out. That's not how I like to race. No one else was a factor. It was a good finish at .312 sec. behind the leader and grabbed the 3rd Trophy Position in season points. Wrapping up a great year with the WGGTS.

The most remarkable thing was when I got out of the race car in the winners' circle, my brother Bob said "Hi Sis", gave me a hug and said, hey look who I brought with me. It was my real dad who I haven't seen since 1984! Wow, what a week. The only thing about the week that was really missing was not having Barry there. Bless God; He made it out from Atlanta on Saturday night to come in just for the race, and flew out that afternoon. Everyone missed him at the Banquet at "Race Rock". The banquet was so intimate and warm, having only the WGGTS staff, the great crew, as well as Don Panoz , who by the way just flew in from Perth, Australia. Bill Donaldson, Scott Atherton, and some of the most wonderful people you would ever want to meet were there.

Belinda with her father + brother

This group of competitive women are incredible enough, but I'd like to personally thank the people behind the scenes, the people that work so hard at putting on the incredible races at Sports Car. And all the die-hard guys and gals that work all the corner stations. Enduring a heat index of 149 degrees in Texas, they stayed out there all day no matter what the conditions along with the wonderful safety crew, which is so critical. Even the people that help get us out on the track, they have heard it all, seen it all, and endure it all. I graciously want to thank them. As well as all my friends and fans that have supported me this past year.

I am looking forward to another successful year teaming up with Xtreme Island Designs for the WGGTS in 2001. I hope you join me.