Laguna Seca: GT practice one notes

Liddell Puts Porsche On Top Early in SCCA SPEED GT at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif. (Oct. 14, 2005) -- Robin Liddell, of Edinburgh, Scotland, paced early-morning practice Friday during the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT portion of the Monterey Sports Car Championships at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, taking the top spot with a 1:31.492 (88.060 mph) in the No. 66 AXA Financial/PFAFF Porsche 911 Cup.

Cadillac, which trails Porsche 57-54 in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Manufacturers' Championship Presented by RACER Magazine, was second in practice as Max "The Ax" Angelelli, of Monte Carlo, turned a time of 1:31.679 in the No. 12 XM/Mobil 1/Motorola/Bose Cadillac CTS-V. Defending SPEED GT Drivers' Champion Tommy Archer, of Duluth, Minn., was third with a 1:31.686 in his No. 1 c3controls/3R-Racing Dodge Viper.

The first practice was bathed in perfect conditions as sunny skies warmed temperatures into the 60s by the session's start and winds never raised above calm.

Taking advantage of the pristine setting, Liddell nailed down his time on the 2.238-mile, 11-turn track on his third lap. Though most of the field, including Liddell, ran nine or 10 laps in all, no one was able to catch him.

Cadillac's "Mad" Max Papis, of Miami, Fla., was fourth (1:31.689), and Mike McCann, of North Canton, Ohio, was fifth (1:31.725).

The second and final practice session is scheduled for 5:25 p.m. Friday. Qualifying for is set for Saturday at 9:55 a.m., and the final round race is on tap for 2 p.m. Sunday, live on SPEED Channel. All times are Pacific.

-scca pro racing-