Foss Leads SPEED TC Practice 2 at Autobahn; Cunningham Fastest on the Day

JOLIET, July 24, 2009: Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, led the second SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car session of the day in preparation for Sunday’s SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Grand Prix Presented by Mazda, part of the Harrah’s Autobahn Grand Prix Presented by Mazda weekend. Peter Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wis., was fastest on the day.

Running the full 18-turn, 3.56-mile Autobahn circuit for the first time this weekend, Foss has found that a fast lap requires a light touch.

“This is my first time racing at Autobahn,” Foss said. “I’ve only been on the North Course before. This is a beautiful facility and a tricky track. It’s a track of finesse. If you push too hard at all, you’ll lose a lap.”

Foss credited his Tri-Point squad with setting up his No. 75 MAZDASPEED/Stoptech/ProParts MAZDA6 just right for the second session, in which he turned a 2:40.486 (79.857 mph). The lap enabled Foss to put a two of his biggest supporters at the top of the time sheets.

“The Tri-Point guys have my Mazda working really well,” Foss smiled. “Obviously, having (local Mazda dealer) Autobarn Mazda on the car this weekend for Richard Fisher who’s helped Jason [Saini] and I a lot, we’re enthused and hoping we can put these two cars up front for him this weekend.

“Being at the top of the charts this weekend is important for two more reasons. One, we’re only three points behind Acura in the Manufacturers’ Championship and we’d really like to take that away from them. Secondly, having Mazda representatives like Jim Jordan, John Doonan, Tim Buck and Steve Sanders here, it’s great to show them what we’re doing and hopefully get them a great result this weekend.”

Foss’ Tri-Point teammate Jason Saini, of Fort Worth, Texas, was second fastest in the afternoon session. Driving the No. 74 MAZDASPEED/Stoptech/ProParts MAZDA6, Saini entered a time of 2:40.557 (79.822 mph).

Cunningham, in the No. 1 Acura/RealTime/Red Line Oil Acura TSX was third-quick in the second practice session of the day, turning a 2:40.626 (79.787 mph).

Charles Espenlaub, of Lutz, Fla., clocked a 2:40.641 (79.780 mph) in the No. 73 MAZDAPSEED/Stoptech/ProParts MAZDA6 to end the session fourth. He was followed by Seth Thomas, of Cumming, Ga., in the No. 38 BimmerWorld/GearWrench BMW328i, who was fifth with a 2:40.871 (79.666 mph).

Cunningham’s morning time of 2:39.373 (80.415 mph) eclipsed all others, making him the fastest of the day.

Andrew Aquilante, of Phoenixville, Pa., was quite a bit quicker in the morning session, turning a 2:39.663 (80.269 mph) in the No. 35 Phoenix Performance Inc. Subaru WRX. The lap put him second on the overall practice times.

Espenlaub and Foss ended up third and fourth on the day, respectively, with their morning times: a 2:39.742 (80.229 mph) for Espenlaub and a 2:39.747 (80.226 mph) for Foss.

Kuno Wittmer, of Montreal, Quebec, completed the top five on the day. Driving the No. 44 Acura/RealTime/Red Line Oil Acura TSX, Wittmer turned a 2:40.121 (80.039 mph) in the morning session.