AJ/RuSPORT clean up in end of year Atlantic bash.

A black tie gala at the Hyatt Regency Miami on Sunday evening saw the 30th anniversary celebration of the CART Toyota Atlantic Championship officially draw to a close as participants, sponsors, series officials and members of the media gathered to honour 2003 series champion AJ Allmendinger and his RuSPORT team on a record-breaking season.

Although several other drivers, teams and personnel picked up season-ending awards, Allmendinger was the night's big winner, as he collected a points fund payout of $126,630 for winning the championship. The rookie also earned a $1000 cash award from suspension experts Ohlins, as well as the keys to a new Toyota and his choice of Yokohama tyres.

The Californian, who came to the Atlantic series as reigning Barber Dodge Pro Series champion, also received an original painting by motorsports artist - and former CART flagman - Jim Swintal, depicting his championship season, and a chequered flag signed by all of the series officials. In addition to his prizes for winning the championship, Allmendinger also won the $10,000 BG Products Rookie of the Year Award, and the $5000 MCI Fast Pace Award for turning the fastest lap in a season-high seven events.

Some of Allmendinger's RuSPORT team-mates also received awards for their efforts throughout the season. The architect of Allmendinger's many great performances throughout the season, engineer Burke Harrison, received the prestigious Engineer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year, while lead mechanic Joe Kerrigan took home a $2,500 gift certificate from tool company Snap-On and also received a Snap-On toolbox for winning the company's Top Wrench Award. The team also received a set of Yokohama commercial tyres for its transporter for winning the championship.

Series runner-up Ryan Dalziel also enjoyed a profitable night. The Scot earned a points fund bonus of $110,250 for his efforts, as well as a cash award of $750 from Ohlins and his choice of Yokohama tyres. Sierra Sierra Enterprises crew member, shock technician Eric Crowder, received the first-ever Ohlins Shock Technician of the Year Award and a cash award of $500.

Finishing third in the championship was third-year driver Michael Valiante, who was rewarded for his efforts with a points fund bonus of $101,430, as well as $500 from Ohlins, and a choice of Yokohamas. In addition, the Canadian was also named as the recipient of the Michael Rosen Trophy, which was instituted by Arlene Rosen in honour of her late son, Michael, a former Toyota Atlantic competitor. The award recognises dedication and perseverance, as well as the desire to succeed, and caps Valiante's final year in the series as he attempts to graduate to Champ Cars with derrick Walker in 2004.

Fellow Canadian Jonathan Macri earned a points fund bonus of $91,450 for fourth place overall, and was also presented with the first Argent Mortgage Company Most Laps Completed Award in recognition of the fact that he was the only driver in the series to have completed every racing lap. Macri's Polestar Atlantic mechanic, Constantin Gheorghe, was honoured as the Lincoln Electric Mechanic of the Year, and received as Lincoln Electric Square Wave T175 welding package.

By finishing fifth in the standings, RuSPORT rookie Aaron Justus earned $77,490, with Team Rahal's Danica Patrick collecting $68,670 for sixth. She also received the
$3,500 BBS Rising Star Award.

Seventh place finisher Joey Hand claimed a $68,040 payout, and was also honoured as the 2003 recipient of the Jovy Marcelo Sportsmanship Award, named in memory of the late 1991 Toyota Atlantic champion and presented by his father, Eddie. Hand's DSTP Motorsports team owner Dede Rogers was also honoured, and drew a standing ovation from the capacity crowd as she was named 2003 Team Owner of the Year.

Second-year driver Luis Diaz pocketed a bonus of $55,440 for eighth overall, and also received the Gilles Villeneuve Award as the driver possessing extraordinary ability and star quality who has distinguished himself through sportsmanship, dedication, and perseverance in the face of disappointment. The Mexican endured a season where Lady Luck refused to smile on him, but will make a second Champ Car outing, with Walker Racing, in next weekend's Mexico City event.

Pacific Coast Motorsports driver Alex Figge earned $54,810, and 17-year old Kyle Krisiloff $48,510 for finishing ninth and tenth respectively in the championship.

Paul Hasselgren and Hasselgren Engines, whose engines powered many of the top contenders in the championship, were honoured with the Toyota Racing Development Engine Builder of the Year award, worth $10,000 in TRD parts credit to be shared among the engine builders and distributed based upon the points earned under the CART Toyota Atlantic Manufacturers Championship.