SCCA: Gentilozzi, Schroeder fastest in Friday practice for Sebring Finale; Irene still approaches

16 October 1999

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

SEBRING, Fla. - With hurricane Irene approaching and a flood watch in effect through Saturday, Fridays BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series activities for the October SpeedFest at Sebring continue, with Paul Gentilozzi and Dorsey Schroeder fastest in Friday's practice sessions.

Our primary concern is for the residents of Florida and the safety of everyone here at Sebring International Raceway, said John Martinsen, BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series Chief Steward. Were in frequent contact with area emergency services officials and will take all action they deem necessary.

Gentilozzi, driving the No. 1 Johnson Controls/HomeLink Ford Mustang Cobra, was fastest in the second practice session and overall at 2:05.110 (106.466 mph), while Schroeder, driving the No. 7 RaceWerX/MOMO Design Ford Mustang Cobra, posted a time of 2:05.170 (106.415 mph).

Schroeder is not scheduled to race in Sunday's 27-lap, 99.9-mile season finale, but is preparing the car for Boris Said, who is expected to arrive in Sebring in time for Saturday's Fast Five Qualifying session.

Brian Simo was third-fastest for the day at 2:05.593 (106.506 mph), followed by Johnny Miller and Chris Neville. Butch Leitzinger, who makes his Trans-Am Series debut this weekend, was 10th overall after his first day behind the wheel of a Trans-Am Series car.

SEBRING, Fla. - Fridays combined sessions practice times for Sundays 27-lap, 99.9-mile BFGoodrich Tire Trans-Am at Sebring Internation Raceway, with practice position, driver, hometown, car, time and speed in miles-per-hour.

 1 (1), Paul Gentilozzi, Lansing, Mich., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:05.110,
106.466.
 2 (7), Dorsey Schroeder, Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:05.170, 106.415.
 3 (2), Brian Simo, Carlsbad, Calif., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:05.593,
106.056.
 4 (64), Johnny W. Miller IV, Johnson City, Tenn., Chevrolet Corvette,
2:05.695, 105.970.
 5 (88), Chris Neville, Scottsdale, Ariz., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:06.274,
105.484.
 6 (83), Max Lagod, Barrington, Ill., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:06.839, 105.015.
 7 (4), G.J. Mennen, Austin, Texas, Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:07.011, 104.872.
 8 (12), Michael Lewis, San Diego, Calif., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:07.045,
104.844.
 9 (66), Leighton Reese, Minnetonka, Minn., Pontiac Grand Prix, 2:07.265,
104.663.
10 (6), Butch Leitzinger, State College, Pa., Chevrolet Camaro,
2:07.854,104.181.
11 (49), Randy Ruhlman, Greensboro, N.C., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:08.576,
103.596.
12 (40), Steve Pelke, Lansing, Ill., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:09.238, 103.065.
13 (11), Mike Davis, Huntington Beach, Calif., Ford Mustang Cobra,
2:09.675,102.718.
14 (23), Bob Ruman, Munroe Falls, Ohio, Chevrolet Camaro, 2:09.858,
102.573.
15 (28), Lou Gigliotti, Garland, Texas, Chevrolet Corvette, 2:10.031,
102.437.
16 (59), Simon Gregg, Jacksonville, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:10.312,
102.216.
17 (15), Tomy Drissi, Hollywood, Calif., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:10.708,
101.906.
18 (8), Tom Coleman, Asheville, N.C., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:10.880, 101.772.
19 (47), Bill Bentley, Longwood, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:11.604,
101.212.
20 (31), Don Meluzio, York, Pa., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:12.198, 100.758.
21 (18), Jon Leavy, Miami, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:12.946, 100.191.
22 (39), Craig Shafer, Somerset, Pa., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:13.866, 99.502.
23 (9), Gary Johnson, Knoxville, Tenn., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:14.522,
99.017.
24 (08), Michael Cohen, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro,
2:14.931,98.717.
25 (81), Kevin Neilson, Edmonton, Alberta Canada, Chevrolet Camaro,
2:15.270, 98.469.
26 (10), Don Sak, West Bloomfield, Mich., Oldsmobile Cutlass, 2:15.518,
98.289.
27 (30), Gary Smith, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:17.571,
96.822.
28 (13), C. David Seuss, Charlestown, Mass., Oldsmobile Cutlass, 2:18.021,
96.507.
29 (35), Kerry Alexander, Indianapolis, Ind., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:18.139,
96.424.
30 (17), Bill Eagle, Tampa, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:19.441, 95.524.
31 (22), Joe Freda, Auburn, Ala., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:19.696, 95.349.
32 (33), Henry Gaudens, Tampa, Fla., Chevrolet Corvette, 2:22.350, 93.572.
33 (38), Dan Furey, Columbus, Ohio, Chevrolet Corvette, 2:24.306, 92.303.
34 (26), John Macaluso, Winterhaven, Texas, Chevrolet Camaro, 2:30.854,
88.297.
35 (86), Bob McGrew, Cornelius, N.C., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:32.634, 87.267.
36 (92), Mike Farmer, Rockford, Mich., Ford Mustang Cobra, 2:33.312,
86.881.
37 (16), Frank Cioppettini, Far Hills, N.J., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:36.053,
85.355.
38 (42), James Briody, Cherry Hill, N.J., Chevrolet Camaro, 2:38.442,
84.068.
39 (14), Kenny Bupp, Ft. Laudersdale, Fla., Chevrolet Camaro, no time, 0.
40 (36), Claudio Burtin, Cartersville, Ga., Ford Mustang Cobra, no time,
0.
41 (70), Peter Shea, Irvine, Calif., Ford Mustang Cobra, no time, 0.
42 (82), Dick Greer, Columbus, Ohio, Chevrolet Corvette, no time, 0.

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