NA-F2000: VIR Friday practice notes

MANSUR LEADS F2000 CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES PRACTICE AT VIR

ALTON, VA. (April 13, 2007) - In an entertaining first day of action at Virginia International Raceway, series rookie Terrick Mansur posted the fastest time in Friday practice for Round One of F2000 Championship Series. Completing the top-three on the combined timesheets at the end of the day were series newcomer Jason Byers and reigning champion Matt McDonough.

After a promoters test day on the undulating road course, the 2007 edition of the F2000 Championship Series official got underway on Friday with two 25-minute practice sessions.

In the opening session of the day, run under clear skies and bright sunshine, Andersen Racing proved the team to beat. With three rookie drivers behind the wheel, the New Jersey based team swept the top-three on the speed charts. Mansur, who captured the FormulaCar Magazine FSCCA Southeast Division Championship, posted the fastest lap, edging former Cooper Tires Formula Ford 2000 Championship drivers Noah Bystrom and Juliana Gonzalez.

Following a two-hour break in the action, the series competitors rolled on-course late in the afternoon for the second practice session. Improving on his morning time by over a full second, two-time Cooper Series Masters Champion Byers posted the fastest time in the session and second quickest on the day. A mere tenth of a second slower, McDonough and Mansur completed the top-three in the final practice session.

Returning to the track on Saturday morning, the F2000 Championship Series will conduct qualifying for Round One at 10:00 a.m. ET. The first race of the season gets underway at 3:30 p.m. ET.

-credit: f2000cs