Sears Point: 3R Racing race notes

3R Racing Finishes Third and Nineteenth at Infineon

Sonoma, California -- 3R Racing's Tommy Archer finished in third place today in round seven of the SCCA Pro Racing Speed World Challenge GT series race run at Infineon Raceway. Teammate Tim Wiens came home in nineteenth after contact bent his rear control arm ending his race early.

Starting from his ninth place qualifying position, Archer driving his number 3/FirstTier Bank/3R Viper began his march through the field. On lap six going into turn seven, the Duluth, Minnesota driver had contact with the Cadillac of Papis. Following this pass Archer was in sixth when attrition by three cars in front accelerated his drive to the podium.

"We had a good day," said Archer. "I had a pretty good start, but wasn't quite able to get by anyone. I had a nice run on Papis into seven and got inside, he must not have seen me and turned in and I spun him. I hate that it happened. We are running 290 lbs. heavier than the Corvette and that played on my tires today. I was hoping for a few cautions to cool the tires and possibly get a run on second, but I will go away from here with third and a smile on my face."

Tim Wiens driving the number 3/FirsTier Bank/3R Viper started from the eighth row. The Westminster, Colorado resident was moving through the field and was running as high as eighth. On lap 18 a Porsche driver used the Wiens Viper as an assist to get through turn ten, bending the rear control of the racer. "It was a bad move on his part, a real low percentage pass," said Wiens. "The result was a bent control arm and I didn't want to ruin a competitors race so I pitted. The car was good up to that point and the race was really coming back to me. I hope that puts a cork in my tough luck for the season."

Today's race will be televised on the Speed Channel, tomorrow, Sunday, July 17th, at 1:30 p.m. EST. Round eight of the Speed GT series will be run on Sunday, July 31st at Portland International Raceway.

-3Rracing