Galati Paces Opening SPEED Touring Car Practice at Mosport

CANADA Aug. 22, 2008 – Michael Galati, of Olmsted, Ohio, was fastest Friday morning in the opening practice session for Sunday’s Mosport SPEED Touring Car Presented by Toyo Tires, part of the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport and the penultimate round of the 2008 SCCA Pro Racing SPEED Touring Car Championship. Teammate Chip Herr, of Lititz, Pa., was second, followed by Seth Thomas, of Cumming, Ga.

Driving the No. 95 Mazda North America/Tindol Motorsports MAZDA6, Galati turned the session’s fastest time of 1:30.395 (97.930 mph) around the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit in Bowmanville, Ontario.

“The car feels pretty good. Tindol Motorsports did a great job,” Galati said. “They gave me a good car this morning and we’re very happy. I think we’re on the right track with the handling, so it’s giving us a smile of confidence.”

Galati is a three-time winner at Mosport, but his most recent pair of wins came in SPEED GT in 2004 and 2006. He has not won a Mosport SPEED Touring Car race since 1999.

“I love this track because it’s really fast and it’s all about rhythm. This place is spectacular. It’s really one of the best tracks in North America for sure. You can’t afford to make any mistakes here. You’ve got to drive on the limit and if you make even a little mistake, it’s going to cost you a lot of time. It really is a very challenging course. You’ve got to be on your game.”

Herr was just 0.006-second off the pace of his teammate in the No. 97 Mazdaspeed/Tindol Motorsports MAZDA6, turning a 1:30.401 (97.923 mph). Thomas completed the top three in his No. 38 BimmerWorld BMW 325i with a best time of 1:30.723 (97.576 mph).

Jason Saini, who needs to only start Sunday morning’s race to clinch the 2008 SPEED Touring Car Rookie of the Year honor, was fourth fastest in his No. 74 Mazdaspeed/Stoptech/Racinghart MAZDA6 with a best time of 1:30.930 (97.354 mph). Peter Cunningham completed the top five in his No. 42 Acura/RealTime/Eibach/Red Line Acura TSX with a best time of 1:31.028 (97.249 mph).

Championship point leader Kuno Wittmer, of Montreal, was sixth in his Acura TSX, followed by Pierre Kleinubing (Acura TSX), James Clay (BMW 325i), Charlie Putman (MAZDA6) and Nick Esayian (BMW 325i).

The second, and final, practice session is scheduled for Friday evening at 6:10 p.m. (EDT). Qualifying will be held Saturday at 11:10 a.m. and Sunday’s Mosport SPEED Touring Car Presented by Toyo Tires Round Nine race will make its standing start at 10:45 a.m. (EDT).