TOURING: Fitzgerald steals Laguna Speedvision GT pole from Galati in closing moments
15 October 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MONTEREY, Calif. Mike Fitzgerald, of Phoenix, Ariz., made his last qualifying lap count, going from fifth to first after the checkered flag flew in qualifying for Sunday's Speedvision World Challenge GT Round Eight race, part of the GlobalCenter Sports Car weekend at Laguna Seca Raceway. Michael Galati, of North Olmstead, Ohio, held onto the outside of the front row.
Going for his third-straight win in the No. 38 Westward Ho Hotel Vegas/MPIE Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Fitzgerald shattered the former qualifying record with a lap of 1:35.518 (84.348 mph) around the 2.238-mile circuit. His lap was just 0.012-second faster than Galati's lap of 1:35.530 (84.337 mph) in the No. 9 Champion Audi S4 Competition. Peter Kitchak held the previous mark, with a 1:37.154 in 1999.
This was the first-ever pole for the new 996-based Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
"Even though we've won the last two races, I still didn't have much track time in this car prior to this weekend," said Fitzgerald, who has perfect two wins in two starts in Speedvision GT competition. "This weekend, I've become more comfortable in the car, which has allowed us to overcome the recent rules changes to the Porsche."
Galati led the majority of the 20-minute session, and will start on the front row for the second time this season. Terry Borcheller's AASCO Saleen SR, Frank Allers' Tom Johnston Racing Chevrolet Corvette C5 and Peter Cunningham's RealTime Racing BMW M3 completed the top-five.
Text Provided By Eric Prill
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