Curran Quickest in Late SPEED GT Mosport Practice, Fastest on the Day

CANADA Aug. 22, 2008 – Eric Curran, of East Hampton, Mass., was fastest in the evening practice and topped the day in preparation for Saturday’s Mosport SPEED GT Presented by Toyo Tires race, part of the Mobil 1 Grand Prix of Mosport at Mosport International Raceway. Curran’s lap eclipsed Andy Pilgrim’s morning time, which was fastest in that session and held up as second best on the day.

Driving the No. 30 Whelen Motorsports Chevrolet Corvette, Curran turned a fastest time of 1:23.305 (106.265 mph) around the 2.459-mile, 10-turn circuit in Bowmanville, Ontario. The defending race winner was a full 0.824-second faster than Brian Kubinski’s second fastest time in the session.

“It feels great for all the guys on the Whelen crew to be up front in practice,” Curran said. “Road America was the start of our season—that’s how we’re viewing it. Sonny [Whelen] had some good luck earlier this season, but my luck’s been terrible up until two weeks ago at Road America with a second place finish.

“We’re excited. We won here last year and are working hard to make the car the best it can be. We put some sticker tires on the car, made the proper adjustments and we had a real fast racecar.”

Kubinski, of Shorewood, Ill., popped to second on the time charts in the No. 12 Diamond Construction/CRP Chevrolet Corvette with a time of 1:24.129 (105.224 mph). Curran believes it is no surprise to see Corvettes at the top of the time sheet.

“I think it’s aerodynamics,” Curran said of the past and current Corvette success. “This is just one track that has always seemed to suit the Corvette well. The way that the Corvette works aerodynamically is a benefit in the high-speed corners.”

Michael McCann, of N. Canton, Ohio, was just behind Kubinski, with a 1:24.150 (105.197 mph), good enough for third fastest in the afternoon in the No. 16 Remington Shaving Cadillac CTS-V.

Randy Pobst was fourth in the No. 1 K-PAX Racing Porsche 911 GT3 with a best lap of 1:24.233 (105.094 mph), followed by teammate Michael Galati, with a 1:24.253 (105.069 mph).

Curran’s time was faster than all morning times as well, but Pilgrim’s lap of 1:23.765 (105.681 mph) in the No. 8 Remington Shaving Cadillac CTS-V that led the morning session was, good enough for second on the combined time sheet. Tommy Archer ended the day third overall in his No. 13 Foametix/Woodhouse Performance Dodge Viper with a 1:23.945 (105.454 mph). Kubinski was fourth on the day overall, followed by McCann’s afternoon time, which tied Pobst’s best morning time at 1:24.150 (105.197 mph).

Qualifying for Saturday evening’s race is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. (EDT). Live timing and session notes are available via the SCCA Pit Board at www.world-challenge.com.

Saturday’s race makes its standing start at 6:30 p.m. (EDT). It will be broadcast Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 1 p.m. (EDT) on SPEED.