Sebring: Thursday rain notes

Rain washes out Star Mazda qualifying session, Sebring starting grid determined by practice times

March 17, 2005. Sebring, FL. Heavy rain swept across Sebring International Raceway throughout Thursday, washing out the qualifying session for the opening round of the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear. The forty-two drivers entered for Friday's 20-lap event will line up based on their fastest time posted during Wednesday's two official practice sessions.

Ocean Tomo Racing driver Raphael Matos, of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, will start on pole after setting Wednesday's fastest time of 2:00.416. Joining Matos on the front row will be series newcomer, Pablo Donoso, of Santiago, Chile. The protege of former Formula One and IndyCar driver Eliseo Salazar, Donoso drives for the Andersen Walko Racing effort.

Friday's weather forecasts predict improved conditions across central Florida ahead of the series scheduled start time of 2:40 PM Eastern Standard Time. Follow the Star Mazda championship online at www.starmazda.com.

Friday's event will be broadcast on Speed Channel on April 24th at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time.

<pre> 2005 Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear Round One - Sebring International Raceway Official Starting Grid

Pos No. Name                    Best Time        InLap  Best Speed
1    7  Raphael Matos           02:00.416        11     110.617
2   22  Pablo Donoso            02:00.879        7      110.193
3   70  Matt Jaskol             02:01.021        8      110.064
4   10  CR Crews III            02:01.252        8      109.854
5   98  James Hinchclife        02:01.444        8      109.680
6   12  Graham Rahal            02:01.446        9      109.678
7   38  Ryan Justice            02:01.698        9      109.451
8   23  Robbie Pecorari         02:01.703        6      109.447
9   96  Mark Wilkins            02:01.722        9      109.430
10  31  Scott Jenkins           02:01.733        10     109.420
11  46  Luis Schiavo            02:01.921        9      109.251
12  26  Jonathan Kline          02:02.285        12     108.926
13  54  Micky Gilbert           02:02.512        8      108.724
14  11  Marco Andretti          02:02.517        6      108.720
15  43  Andre Desmarais         02:02.733        5      108.528
16  16  Bryan Sellers           02:02.813        4      108.458
17  20  Ross Smith              02:03.007        12     108.287
18  41  Sean Guthrie            02:03.311        12     108.020
19  42  Mike Anderson           02:03.336        12     107.998
20  18  Adrian Carrio           02:03.447        8      107.901
21   6  Jonathan Branham        02:03.613        11     107.756
22  28  Robbie Montinola        02:03.693        6      107.686
23  77  Brian Thienes           02:03.915        11     107.493
24  87  Doug Peterson           02:03.985        8      107.432
25  17  Steve Hickham           02:03.993        9      107.425
26  74  Phil Saville            02:04.040        7      107.385
27  73  Mark Patterson          02:04.154        12     107.286
28  44  John Faulkner           02:04.181        8      107.263
29  21  William Daniel          02:04.374        9      107.096
30  75  John Pew                02:04.438        10     107.041
31  24  Jon Brownson            02:05.254        12     106.344
32  39  Steve Cook              02:05.403        12     106.218
33  57  Bob Kaminsky            02:05.455        5      106.174
34  49  John Lloyd              02:05.623        7      106.032
35   4  Anthony Downs           02:06.000        10     105.714
36  40  Wade Carter             02:06.169        9      105.573
37  69  Mike Kaeske             02:06.362        8      105.411
38  58  Dan Tomlin Jr.          02:06.416        14     105.366
39  37  Jim Malackowski         02:07.083        6      104.813
40  67  Richard Haskell         02:07.416        9      104.539
41  88  Dan Weyland             02:07.564        7      104.418
42  56  Dan Tomlin III          02:07.795        5      104.229

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