GRAND AM: Schumacher Captures X-1R Pole at Lime Rock Grand Prix
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
May 26, 2001
LAKEVILLE, Conn -- Larry Schumacher (Cincinnati, Ohio) captured his first X-1R Pole of the season today at Lime Rock Park during qualifying for Saturday's Lime Rock Grand Prix. The Schumacher Racing Porsche GT1 bested outside pole-sitter Chris Bingham (Kirkland, Fla.) in the Fordahl Motorsports/Park Place Racing Saleen S7R by .004 seconds, continuing the fierce rivalry between the two. Schumacher leads Bingham by only one point in the GTS driver standings prior to this weekend's Grand Prix.
"This is the first overall pole I've had in a long time," Schumacher said. "Since we usually run with the SportsRacing Prototypes, we are usually a few rows back when we start. It will be nice to be up front for a change."
Spencer Pumpelly (Mason Neck, Va.) was the fastest qualifier in the GT class in the Zip-Pumpelly Racing Porsche GT3 R, earning his first-ever class pole and breaking the track record. Despite the track's damp conditions from an earlier rain shower, Pumpelly clocked a 58.901-second lap, shaving .046 seconds off the previous GT track record. Pumpelly credited his record with all the experience he has on the Lime Rock Park track.
"I work for Skip Barber, so I spend a lot of time on this track," Pumpelly said. "Skip basically taught me how to drive on this track, so even though I don't live up here fulltime, it's like my home track."
Jack Willes (Charlotte, N.C.) was the fastest American GT qualifier in the Comer Racing Corvette, followed by Kenny Bupp (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) in the Hamilton Safe Motorsports Camaro.
The green flag will fall on the 125-mile GT sprint race at 2:55 p.m. on Saturday.
Text provided by Christie Hyde
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