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World Challenge: Kitchak takes Speedvision GT at PPIR, Points Lead

4 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
FOUNTAIN, Colo.-- Peter Kitchak, of Excelsior, Minn., took his fourth Speedvision World Challenge GT Championship win of the season at Pikes Peak International Raceway, thus taking a one-point lead into the final race of the season. John Heinricy, of Holly, Mich., finished second, followed by David Schardt, of Dayton, Ohio.

Kitchak, who started third in the No. 3 Keewaydin/Toad Hall Motor Racing Porsche 911 RSR, took the lead on the third lap, and held off Heinricys No. 39 Rowleys Penzoil/D.J. Race Enterprises Chevrolet Corvette C5 for the duration of the 45-lap, 60.3-mile contest for a 0.695-second win. Kitchak averaged 81.209 mph in the caution-free event, and took a one-point lead over Bobby Archer (223 to 222) heading to the season finale at Laguna Seca in one week.

"We didnt expect to be in the points lead with one race left," said Kitchak. "To come out leading the points is just great and well be able to drive a different kind of race at the finale. Traffic played a part in the race today, but it usually worked in my favor. John (Heinricy) was very strong under braking and really came on strong at the end."

Heinricy, who raced the Corvette for only the second time this season, led the first lap from the pole, but succumbed to Bill Coopers Corvette on lap-two before Coopers mount lost a water pump belt and slowed on lap three. Heinricy regained the lead momentarily, only to see Kitchak come by in the hairpin.

"Second place was a great showing for the Corvette today," said Heinricy. "The car was just great right out of the box. In the race, I didnt have anything for Peter [Kitchak] when we were running on our own, so I was looking for traffic to give me a chance. I looked to have a shot at the end but Peter never gave me an inch."

Schardt started eighth in the No. 94 Hikari Racing/TRD Toyota Supra Turbo, and gradually moved up through the pack, taking third from a slowing Archer with two laps left. The podium finish was Schardts first since a third-place at Mosport International Raceway--the first round of the season.

"As the race progressed I was steadily gaining on Bobby (Archer), then he had a problem and I got him for third," said Schardt. "We missed one of the practice sessions with a flywheel problem, so it started out as another of those long weekends, but the car was strong enough to come up third."

Archer, of Ft. Worth, Texas, held on to fourth after starting sixth, followed by George Biskup, of Naperville, Ill.

FOUNTAIN, Colo.-- Results from Sundays 45-lap, 60.3-mile Speedvision World Challenge GT Round Nine race part of the PPIR Road Racing Classic Weekend at Pikes Peak International Raceway, with finishing position, starting position in parenthesis, driver, hometown, car, laps complete and reason out (if any). 

1. (3), Peter Kitchak, Excelsior, Minn., GT, Porsche 911 RSR, 45.
2. (1), John Heinricy, Holly, Mich., GT, Corvette C5, 45.
3. (8), David Schardt, Dayton, Ohio, GT, Toyota Supra T, 45.
4. (6), Bobby Archer, Ft. Worth, Texas, GT, Dodge Viper, 45.
5. (5), George Biskup, Naperville, Ill., GT, Porsche 911 RSR, 45.
6. (4), Reese Cox, Marietta, Ga., GT, Corvette C5, 45.
7. (7), Derek Bell, Pagham Sussex, England, GTS, BMW M Coupe, 45.
8. (10), Scott Knollenberg, Boulder, Colo., GT, Porsche 911 RSR, 44.
9. (13), Terry Lackey, Hitchcock, Texas, GT, Corvette LT-4, 44.
10. (17), Kelly Bradley, Hitchcock, Texas, GT, Corvette LT-4, 44.
11. (15), Pat DiGiovanni, Colorado Springs, Colo., GT, Porsche 911 Cup,
43.
12. (18), Bruce Kalin, Sodus, Mich., GT, Dodge Viper, 43.
13. (23), Mark Dixon, Longmont, Colo., GT, PontiacFirebird, 43.
14. (20), Co Van Herwaarden, Greeley, Colo., GT, BMW M3, 43.
15. (16), Robert Finalyson, Aurora, Ill., GT, Corvette, 43.
16. (19), Jim Oppenheimer, Chicago, Ill., GT, Porsche 911 RSR, 42.
17. (21), Walter Swick, Concord, Ohio, GT, BMW M3, 42.
18. (9), Paul Brown, Omaha, Neb., GT, Saleen Mustang, 42.
19. (2), Bill Cooper, Bozeman, Mont., GT, Corvette C5, 30.
20. (22), Walter Dethier, Warren, Conn., GT, Mustang Cobra, 23, Mech.
21. (14), Jeff Demetri, Omaha, Neb., GT, Saleen Mustang, 22, Mech.
22. (11), Dan Kellermeyer, Orionville, Mich., GT, Corvette C5, 18, Mech.
23. (12), Sean Roe, Jacksonville, Fla., GT, Dodge Viper, 4, Mech.
DQ. (24), Scotty B. White, Puyallup, Wash., GT, Corvette C5, 44.
25. (25), Tommy Safar II, Point Pleasant, N.J., GT, Corvette C-4, 0, DNS.

Time of race: 44 minutes, 33.093 seconds.
Average speed: 81.209 miles-per-hour
Margin of victory: .69500 seconds
Lap leaders: Lap 1, Heinricy; lap 2, Cooper; laps 3-45, Kitchak
Fastest race lap: Peter Kitchak, 0:59.313 (81.331 mph)
Cautions: None

Note: No. 97 White disqualified and fined $1,000 for refusal of post-race teardown.

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