Virginia (VIR): Qualifying summary

Spicer takes first-ever Pro Spec Racer pole at Virginia.

ALTON, Va. (October 25, 2002) – Richard Spicer, of Laurell, Md., captured the pole for Saturday’s Round Eight SCCA Pro Racing Pro Spec Racer race at VIRginia International Raceway. Chris Current, of Silver Spring, Md. and Chris Funk, of Independence, Mo., completed the top-three.

Following the lunch break, 49 cars took to the 3.27-mile road course for a 20-minute qualifying session. As is customary in Pro Spec Racer, the majority of the drivers took to the track in groups, in order to benefit from the draft. As the session progressed and tires came up to temperature, the times steadily improved. Late in the session, Spicer, in the No. 65 Hagerman RacEngineering Spec Racer, got a great jump exiting the oak tree turn and used the subsequent draft off the car in front of him to post a fast lap of 2:14.238 (87.695 mph). No driver was able to better Spicer’s time for the remainder of the session, giving him his first career pole position, in his fourth start, albeit by a scant 0.030-second.

“I got a great tow on my fast lap,” said Spicer. “It definitely helps that I’ve been here before, but I know the top guys will be right there in the race.”

Spicer’s lap shattered the 2001 qualifying mark of 2:15.829, set by Jim Goughary Jr.

Completing the top-five were Keith Scharf, of Kirkwood, Mo., and Warren Stilwell, of Hartville, Ohio. Scharf, who won at VIR last year, lies second in the championship and is the defending series champion, while Stilwell leads the 2002 championship, with three races remaining.

Saturday’s race, the first part of the VIR weekend doubleheader, is set to take the green flag at 1:05 p.m. (Eastern). For more information, visit the Pro Spec Racer series website at www.sccapro.com/srfps.

-scca pro racing-