NA-F2000: Sebring round one qualifying notes

Cunnigham Captures Pole in First Zetec Championship Race

SEBRING, FLA. (March 17, 2004) - Wade Cunningham, of Auckland, New Zealand, captured the pole position for Round One of the Formula Ford Zetec Championship, part of the Cooper Tires Championship Series, at Sebring International Raceway. Completing the top-three is Bobby Wilson, of Dousman, Wis. and Jason Bowles, of Ontario, Calif. The top American Continental Championship qualifier is Alan D. Guibord, of Bedford, N.H.

Commencing at 8:00 a.m., qualifying for the Zetec Championship was combined with qualifying for Formula SCCA. Following two days of pre-event testing, the drivers immediately set about posting a fast lap. As the tires got up to optimal racing temperatures, the leaders fluctuated from lap to lap. Topping the speed charts in the early stages was Wilson, in the No. 3 Green-Keeper/RW Racing Cape Motorsports Van Diemen Ford, followed closely by his teammate Cunningham. Steadily working his way up the grid in the No. 7 JDC Motorsports Van Diemen Ford, Bowles moved into third place by the fifth lap. Driving the No. 2 RCC/WPL/Placemakers Mt. Wellington/Turbo Traders Cape Motorsports Van Diemen Ford, Cunningham posted the fastest lap of the session just prior to the midway point of the 30-minute session. Less than a lap later, the session was halted for a car high-sided on the course. When the session resumed, no one was able to better their times, giving Cunningham his first career pole with a lap of 2:06.945 (104.927 MPH).

Completing the top-five in qualifying is Andrew Prendeville, of Monroeville, Pa., in the No. 25 Racelink/Roos Racing School Andersen Walko Racing Van Diemen Ford and Ian Baas, of Indianapolis, Ind., in the No. 4 Blossom Chevrolet Cape Motorsports Van Diemen Ford. Green flag for Round One of the Formula SCCA Championship is scheduled to wave at 8:45 a.m., Thursday, March 18, 2004.

-usf2000-