Buras on Top in Morning MX-5 Cup Practice at Trois-Rivières

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Canada Aug. 15, 2008 – Todd Buras, of Melbourne, Fla., led morning practice for Round Five of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup at the Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières. Christian Franck, of Simi Valley, Calif., and Eric Foss of Fort Worth, Texas, were second and third fastest, respectively.

Fresh off his first career-pole and a third-place finish at Road America, Buras led the opening practice session at Trois-Rivières with a lap of 1:16.843 (71.257 mph) around the 11-turn, 1.521-mile temporary street circuit.

“It was slippery at first,” Buras said. “The track didn’t have any rubber down. It made for a nice, controllable drift. After the track started to warm up and the tires started to come in, we came in, made an adjustment and the car got better, so I’ve got to thank Hooverspeed and Pancreaticcure.org for giving me a good car this morning.”

Trois-Rivières is one of Buras’ most successful circuits. He has finished on the podium in both of the series’ previous two visits to the Quebec event. Driving the No. 56 Hooverspeed/Pancreaticcure.org MX-5, Buras enjoys Trois-Rivières on track and off.

“Tight street circuits kind of suit my style, which is aggressive. I like to attack the track the whole time. The walls don’t seem to bother me too much.

“This is the third year at Trois-Rivières for me. The people and the city come out for this event like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The night festivals are amazing. The corner workers, the officials and everyone involved are super nice. Everyone seems to really support this event and make it a great festival.”

Franck set the second fastest lap of the 20-minute practice session in the No. 16 Alara Racing/Select Painting MX-5. The 17-year-old entered a lap of 1:16.886 (71.217 mph).

Current point leader Foss was third fastest in the No. 28 Team MER/Autobarn Mazda MX-5 with a time of 1:16.993 (71.118 mph).

Elivan Goulart, of Shelton, Conn., turned a 1:17.568 (70.591 mph) in the No. 70 GRE/Velocity-Club/Redline/SCDA1.com MX-5 to end the session in fourth.

Mosport race winner Robert Huffmaster, of Clarkston, Mich., completed the top five in the No. 27 Team MER/Huffmaster Co. MX-5 with a lap of 1:17.601 (70.561 mph).

Road America race winner Ryan Schimsk, Brad Rampelberg, Deborah Loth, Ara Malkhassian and Tim Probert completed the top 10.