Laguna Seca: Friday Touring, GT summary

Lambert and Pobst lead practice at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

MONTEREY, Calif. (September 20, 2002) - Paul Lambert, of Los Gatos, Calif., and Randy Pobst, of Gainesville, Ga., posted the fastest times during today's SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car and GT Championship practices at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, part of the Monterey Sports Car Championships weekend.

Driving the No. 77 Sonneen Motorcars Parts & Services Audi A4, Lambert jumped to the top of the time charts early in the afternoon's 20-minute SPEED Touring Car practice session, with a quick time of 1:44.882 [76.817 mph]. Jeff Altenburg, of Ellicott City, Md., quickest in the morning session, and Will Turner, of Newburyport, Mass., completed the top three for the day's combined sessions.

"We're getting really good at working with the four-wheel drive, which has allowed us to take advantage of the track conditions," said Lambert. "The biggest thing now, is the sponsors have really come on board and we have a proper budget."

SPEED Touring Car rookie point leader, Marc Kirberg, driving a BMW rented from duPont Motorsports after severely damaging the No. 37 SSF Imported Auto Parts BMW 325is in a testing crash on Thursday, struggled to find the set-up in the afternoon session and posted the 18th fastest time.

Immediately following the SPEED Touring Car session, the SPEED GT cars took to the track for their afternoon practice session. Pobst, quickest in the morning practice with a 1:38.388 [81.888 mph], once again paced the afternoon session in the No. 22 1st Interstate Inn/3R Racing Porsche 911 Cup, but was not able to improve on his earlier time.

"It's been a lot of work to get the car were it is," said Pobst. "We had a plan at the start, but went the wrong way and kept making corrections during the session. For the last few laps the car was fantastic."

Peter Cunningham, of West Bend, Wis., and Paul Edwards, of Santa Maria, Calif., completed the top three for the combined sessions.

Edwards, driving the No. 3 Champion Audi S4 Competition this weekend, impressed with the third fastest time in the morning session, but was unable to improve on his fast time in the afternoon session. This event marks the first time Edwards has raced in North America in the past six years, after racing open-wheel cars in Europe.

"It's been a great experience for my first race in the U.S," said Edwards. "The team is first-class. The crew and drivers have really helped me get comfortable. I really have to thank Audi North America for this opportunity."

The SPEED World Challenge GT and Touring Car Championships resume Saturday morning, with two 20-minute Woody's Ice qualifying sessions.

-scca pro racing-