Spencerport, NY - Schum Motorsports and Branich Motorsports announced the selection of Jan Leaty (Williamson, NY) as their driver for selected appearances at NASCAR Featherlite Modified Tour Series and other regional events.  The newly formed partnership teams modified owners Dan and Pat Schum with Fred and Lisa Kaempffe, owners of the Branich Motorsports mini sprint operation participating on the Central New York Mini
Sprint Tour.  Leaty, a seasoned veteran of the NASCAR Modified Tour, returns to the series after a brief hiatus from racing in 2000.

Leaty will return to the cockpit of the team's Troyer Modified, with Bob Bruneau motors and  and Hoosier tires.  Wilwood will provide the braking power, Sweet the steering components, and Arts Radiators and Old Man Engineering will be on board for cooling and transmissions.  The car will carry Hyperco springs and Carrera shocks.  Technical assistance will
be available from Bill Colton and Bob Mueller of Troyer, Inc., the Rochester-based asphalt modified manufacturer.

The newly formed Schum/Branich Motorsports team will be competing in the NASCAR Featherlite Modified Series events at Nazareth, Richmond, New Hampshire (2) and Martinsville, as well as the 2001 NYS Race of Champions.  Other appearances are possible.

"I look forward to competing again on the Featherlite Modified Tour Series" says co-owner, Dan Schum.  "Jan and I have known each other for many years, and our only racing effort together was a very successful second place finish at New Hampshire in 1999.  Jan brings years of experience and success on the modified tour to the team, and the Kaempffes bring winning-team experience and organizational skills to the new team."

From its inception in 1998, Branich Motorsports "Racing for Kids" program has been a very successful regional effort to use the sport of motor racing as an aid to teaching by visiting many Western New York schools each year. Children learn the aspects of teamwork and safety as well as simple mechanics and advertising.  Schum/Branich Motorsports is eager to continue his very successful community program during the 2001 racing season.

"I believe we have the equipment, personnel and experience to be very competitive on the tour" said Leaty.  "I am excited about our new team, the mix is good, and we each bring our individual talents and skills to this combined effort".

Branich Motorsports will continue 2001 on the CNYMS Tour while joining Schum Motorsports on the Modified Tour Series.  "We've always followed and loved the modifieds, and this opportunity to team with an experienced modified driver and veteran modified owner is a logical progression for Branich Motorsports" says Lisa Kaempffe.

The new team will maintain a website at www.speedwayad.com/Branich.