Sports Prototype VIR qualifying rained out

ALTON, Virginia (August 31, 2002) - Heavy rain throughout the day caused deep puddles on the 3.27-mile Virginia International Raceway, forcing Grand Am officials to black flag qualifying for the sports prototypes.

Terry Borcheller will start from the pole in the Nissan-powered Lola of Rand Racing after officials set the grid by team points.

The sports prototypes reported to the circuit for qualifying but returned to the pits after one lap due to the unsafe conditions.

"It was a good decision to stop qualifying," said Didier Theys, who will start second in the Doran Lista Racing Judd-powered Dallara. "In some places it was like a river.

"The asphalt is so black that you have trouble seeing the standing water. For me it was more scary on the straightaways than in the corners. When you start to slide in the corners you deal with it, but on the straights you're just a passenger. The layer of water between the asphalt and the tires just has nowhere to go."

Prior to sports prototype qualifying, the GT class had the track to themselves. The session was completed with Spencer Pumpelly earning his first GT pole of the season on his first tour of the circuit. Pumpelly drove the ZIP Racing Porsche GT3 R, stopping the clocks at 2:10.263 (90.370 mph).

Second fastest in the GT class was Joao Barbosa, driver of the Mosler MT900R, who knocked the Scuderia Ferrari of Washington back one position on the last lap of the session.

Jack Wiles earned the AGT pole after setting his best lap as he passed under the checkered flag. Wile's pole came in the Dick Greer Racing Corvette when he toured the circuit in 2:31.132 (77.892 mph).