SCCA: Cunningham to run BMW in GT after all
28 April 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
After creating a stir at Lowes Motor
Speedway by competing in both Speedvision GT and Speedvision Touring Car
in
the same car, two-time series champion, and RealTime Racing boss, Peter
Cunningham will likely campaign the car for the remainder of the season in
GT, having secured an M3 motor for the chassis.
Cunningham, who also drives for the factory BMW M3 team in the American Le Mans Series, pulled off the feat by transforming the car between a 328is and an M3 between sessionsalbeit with the smaller, 328 motor in both configurations. His team changed bodywork and wheels, removing the air restrictor and 100 lbs. of ballast for GT. In the GT race, Cunningham drove a steady race to finish fifth in the attrition-filled contest. In Touring Car, he finished third, behind his RealTime (Acura) drivers Pierre Kleinubing and Hugh Plumb, after starting at the back of the grid.
Cunningham, who leads the series overall rankings in top-threes, top-fives, top-10s and fastest race laps, is chasing current BFGoodrich Tires Trans-Am Series driver Lou Gigliottis all-time wins record, which he trails by one (19-18).
Gigliotti has stated on the SCCA Pro Racing Bulletin Board (bbs.sccaproracing.com/cgi-bin/ubb/Ultimate.cgi) that he intends to defend his record, if need be.
Text provided by Eric Prill
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