MX-5: Trois-Rivieres final practice notes

Saini Fastest in MX-5 Cup Practice at Trois-Rivieres

TROIS-RIVIERES, Que. (Aug. 17, 2007) -- Current series point leader Jason Saini, of Fort Worth, Texas, was the fastest car in practice for Round Seven of the SCCA Pro Racing SIRIUS Satellite Radio Mazda MX-5 Cup, part of the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivieres. Todd Buras, of Melbourne, Fla., was second fastest, followed by Andrew Caddell, of Graham, Wash.

Saini's times improved throughout the day as the driver of the No. 28 Autobarn Mazda/SafeRacer.com MX-5 wasted no time in his charge to clinch the 2007 MX-5 Cup Championship at Trois-Rivieres. Saini set the fastest time of the day in the afternoon session, turning a lap of 1:17.134 (70.988 mph) around the 11-turn, 1.521-mile temporary street course.

"Trois-Rivieres is fantastic," Saini said. "It's the true street circuit experience. It's bumpy, slippery and tight with walls everywhere. The team's been working really hard on getting the cars back together. We had a bit of a break, but it feels good to be back at the track."

Saini admitted that with only one more round after Trois-Rivieres, the Championship was on his mind, but he couldn't let it affect his driving.

"I'm looking for good results, but I know that when you change your focus and try to be conservative, it'll get you into trouble. I'm just approaching this as any other race, trying to get the pole and trying to get the win. I'm not going to take any crazy risks, but I'm also going to approach it like any other race."

Driving the No. 56 BSI/Team Garcia/MOMO/JoeGibbs MX-5, Buras finished the day second, stopping the clocks with a 1:17.870 (70.317 mph). Caddell, who is not only Saini's teammate, but his closest Championship rival, ended the day third on the time sheets. The 19 year-old turned a lap of 1:18.308 (69.923 mph) in his No. 30 Team MER/AimSport/Pinnacle Mazda MX-5.

Matt Cross, of Folsom, Calif., was fourth fastest in the No. 80 Hooverspeed/MobiTV MX-5, with a lap of 1:18.436 (69.809 mph). Jesse Combs, of Woodlands, Texas, completed the top five in his No. 7 Coolgas Ltd./Alara Racing MX-5, turning a lap of 1:18.475 (69.775 mph).

Ara Malkhassian, Brad McAllister, Pratt Cole, Mark Jenkins and Tim Probert completed the top ten.

Qualifying for Round Seven of the MX-5 Cup is set for 10:15 a.m. (EDT) Saturday. The race will take place Sunday at 9:20 a.m. (EDT). Live timing and lap notes are available at www.mx-5cup.com

-credit: scca