THE OLDSMOBILE UPDATE

Sunday, June 16, 1996; 3:00 a.m. 

             12 HOUR REPORT:  THE END OF THE ODYSSEY

     "That's it, boys.  We're done."

     As crew chief Mark Scott spoke these words at 3:00 a.m., 
Riley & Scott's quest for the Triple Crown came to an end.  
Exactly 12 hours after the 24 Hours of Le Mans had begun, the 
Doyle Racing Oldsmobile Riley & Scott Mk-III was withdrawn from 
competition.

     Driver Jim Pace felt a problem as the car passed by the pit 
straight.  By the time he reached the second chicane on the 
Mulsanne Straight -- the farthest point from the pits -- the 
gearbox was in terminal condition.

     "Transmission failure can happen anywhere," Scott noted.  
"Unfortunately, there was apparently extensive damage to the 
gearbox, and it happened at the worst possible place on the 
track.  There was nothing that Jim could do to get the car home.  
He made a valiant effort.

     "For the part of the race we were in, it was really tough," 
said Scott.  "This was the most competitive event at Le Mans in 
years, and we were proud to be a part of it.  We learned a huge 
amount.  The Aurora engine stood its ground, and the Pirelli 
tires gave us an advantage.  If we get to come back next year, 
we'll be a lot better."

     Lead driver Wayne Taylor was resting when he heard the news.  
"Of course I'm disappointed," said Taylor, "but the team and 
everyone who made it possible for us to come to Le Mans did a 
fantastic job.  We've already had a very successful year, winning 
Daytona, Sebring and Texas, and being tied for the IMSA 
championship.  I can't feel bad about coming to Le Mans and 
running as competitively as we did.  We'll be back next year -- 
and I'm already looking forward to it."

     The Riley & Scott team will return to the U.S. for the 
seventh round of the IMSA Exxon World SportsCar championship in 
Sonoma, Calif., on July 14.

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