Mid-Ohio A.M. notes

Saturday, August 9, 1997

Mid Ohio is round nine of the 12-race KOOL/TOYOTA Atlantic Championship, sanctioned by SCCA Pro Racing. A 30 minute practice session is scheduled today between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.. Final qualifying will be held between 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. SATURDAY PRACTICE

8:27 a.m. - - Session begins under clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 60s.

8: 28 a.m. - - #66 TAGLIANI strikes the tire barrier (driver’s left) in turn eight - driver out and okay - brings out a RED FLAG - car is retrieved, but it is forced to retire from the session.

8:38 a.m. - - Session resumes

8:40 a.m. - - #41 THOMAS retires from the session with mechanical problems.

8:50 a.m. - - #71 DeSOTO runs off course in turn eight - driver out and okay - brings out a RED FLAG.

8:55 a.m. - - Session resumes

9:02 a.m. - - #96 SCHROEDER jumps to the top of the time session chart with a fast lap time of 1:18.676 - 103.320 mph

9:05 a.m. - - Session ends:

                #96 JERET SCHROEDER, of Vineland, N.J., is fastest in the
P.P.I.-MCI Racing Ralt RT-41 at 1:17.771 -  104.552 mph.

#33 BERTRAND GODIN, of St. Hyacinthe, Que., is second fastest in the Player’s Forsythe Racing-Player’s/Indeck Ralt RT-40 at 1:17.80 - 104.242 mph. #32 ALEX BARRON, of Vista, Calif., is third fastest in the Lynx Racing-Victory Circle/Red Line Oil Ralt RT-41 at 1:18.090 - 104.095 mph.

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#66 ALEX TAGLIANI (Player’s Forsythe Racing Team-Player’s/Indeck) "I had overspin, then the car got loose and I lost it in the tire wall at turn eight. I don’t know whether or not oil leaked on my tires before or after the contact, but now there’s oil on the engine." (Francois Cartier)

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