| Message |
Bowmanville, Ontario Canada
May 17, 2003 TeamRTR's race-prepared version of the 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V qualified sixth fastest for today's SCCA World Challenge Touring Car race at Mosport International Raceway, but completed only part of a single race lap.
TeamRTR driver Peter Cunningham, a six-time SCCA Pro Racing champion, and defending Touring Car Driver's Champion, experienced a half-shaft breakage when the car launched off the line from the standing start traditionally used in the series. Fifteen of the 42 cars exceeded the qualifying lap record on Mosport's 2.459-mile circuit. Cunningham's sixth-fastest effort of 94.325mph (1:33.850) was only .422mph off the pole speed set by Mike Fitzgerald's Lexus. "I'm honestly awed by the performance of the Nissan Sentra SE-R against cars and teams which have so much experience and development behind them," Cunningham said. "To be under the record, and this close to the pole, in our first time out, was a dream come true "In all the testing of the new Sentra leading up to this weekend's public debut, this is the first mechanical problem we've experienced. We believe we know what caused the problem, so we're hopeful we won't be slowed again by it in the future." he said. "I'm just thrilled that our competitiveness is as strong as it is. In fact, in the first official practice of the weekend, it was raining, and the TeamRTR Nissan was the fastest car on the track." Cunningham has won three Speed World Challenge Driver's Championships, and leads the all-time series stats through 2002 with 110 race starts, 26 wins, 58 podium finishes, and 24 pole qualifying spots. Mosport's Touring Car race will be televised on the Speed Channel, Saturday, May 24, at 4 pm, with re-broadcasts June 1 at 8 pm, June 2 at 1 am and June 3 at 1 pm. All times are EST. The next Touring Car race will be Monday, May 26, at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. Practice will be Friday, May 23, with qualifying Saturday morning. The TeamRTR Nissan Sentra SE-R effort is sponsored by Nissan North America, Inc., NISMO, Red Line Oil, Eibach Springs, BOSCH, Sparco, Gemini Technologies, and Brembo.
  |
 |
