Lamb Leads First MX-5 Cup Practice at Miller Motorsports Park

TOOELE, Sept. 18, 2009: Todd Lamb, of Atlanta, Ga., led the first practice session for Round Eight of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup at Miller Motorsports Park. Teammate and defending race winner Brad Rampelberg, of San Jose, Calif., was second, followed by Marc Miller, of Holland, Mich.

Currently leading the MX-5 Cup Championship with six race wins, Lamb picked up where he left at Road America, and led the first practice session for Round Eight at Miller Motorsports Park. After a month-long break for MX-5 Cup, Lamb was thrilled to discover his car would need few adjustments in Utah.

“The car was really good right out of the trailer,” Lamb said. “We were here at six a.m. for an interview this morning on live TV in Salt Lake City, which was really cool, and then we went out at 11 for the first practice session and the car was fantastic. We’ve made zero changes on this car. Jason [Hoover] and the team had this car set up before we got here, so once again I have the easy job – I just have to drive it.”

Driving the No. 84 AMG/Traqmate/Luna-C MX-5, Lamb lapped the 23-turn, 4.486-mile course in 3:19.912 (72.896 mph).

“It’s a very long lap,” Lamb said. “It seems to go on forever and ever and when someone goes off it creates a lot of dust. Overall, the track’s got a lot of grip and it’s very fun to drive. It feels good to be here.”

Making his first MX-5 Cup start of the 2009 season, Rampelberg has returned in the No. 14 AMG Racing MX-5 to defend last year’s win at Miller Motorsports Park. The hiatus hasn’t impacted his lap times, as Rampelberg ended the session second to his teammate with a 3:20.531 (72.671 mph).

Miller, who lost the Championship lead to Lamb at Road America, was third fastest in the session. Driving the No. 28 Team MER/MOCA/ RaceNowForAutism/MMP MX-5, Miller entered a 3:21.313 (72.388 mph).

World Challenge Touring Car ace Charles Espenlaub, of Lutz, Fla., is making a guest appearance in MX-5 Cup this weekend. Piloting the No. 73 Hale Motorsports/Patron Tequila MX-5, Espenlaub was fourth fastest in the session with a 3:21.389 (72.361 mph).

Nick Mancuso, of Mettawa, Ill., completed the top five in his No. 29 Team MER/Lake Forest Sports Cars/Tire Lyna MX-5. Mancuso turned a 3:22.743 (71.878 mph).

Mark Jenkins, Justin Piscitell, Ara Malkhassian, Lyonel Kent and Max Riddle completed the top 10.

The second practice session for Round Eight of the SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup will take place Friday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m. (MDT). Live timing and notes are available at www.mx-5cup.com. MX-5 Cup is also on Twitter @MazdaMX5Cup.