HOMESTEAD, Fla. (Feb. 26, 2008) - Gene Sigal and Matt Plumb were on hand at Homestead-Miami Speedway to take the first steps in defending their team's GAINSCO Grand Prix of Miami race win from a year ago.

Although Sigalsport captured that win with Bill Auberlen and Matt Alhadeff behind the wheel and both have moved on this season, the team still wants to prove that it can compete for Rolex Series wins in 2008.

“It's exciting for Sigalsport to come back to Miami,” owner/driver Sigal admitted, “That was our first DP win in only eight tries, but I know we're going to have some tough competition - there are teams setting blistering paces out here.”

From the outside, a lot has changed for the Sigalsport BMW from a season ago. In addition to the driver changes, the yellow-and-blue paint scheme and the #5 plate have given way to a red-and-black #7. Internally, however, consistency has been one of the team's key strengths.

“Our team has been around for five years now, all with the Grand-Am Series,” Sigal said, “We've got guys that have been around that entire time, and even the guys that are new aren't really new, as we had relationships with them in the past.

“My new co-driver Matt Plumb and I've always had a chance to work together away from the pro events and I think it's going to be a good combination so we'll see what happens.”

Sigal drove the Tuttle Racing Daytona Prototype at the test, with his co-driver on hand to provide coaching.

“Matt was here for the two days and kind of helped me get up to speed in the car,” Sigal continued, “I had to get out of the seat for Daytona, so the only time I've had in the car recently was one test at Daytona and that's not enough time to drive one of these cars.”

Sigal also hinted at one more big change before the team returns for the GAINSCO Grand Prix of Miami.

“The team unfortunately couldn't come to the test this week because of sponsorship issues, but we're going to be running a very exciting sponsor from the Miami area at the race and do our best to defend our win,” he said.