SCC: VIR: Freedom Autosport preview

Freedom Autosport Aiming for Three-peat at VIR

ALTON, Va.--In just three rounds of the 2010 GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge season, Freedom Autosport has claimed the Street Tuner victory twice. Derek Whitis and Tom Long hope to turn that double win into a trio of victories during this weekend's race at Virginia International Raceway.

Whitis and Long won the previous two races at Homestead-Miami Speedway and Barber Motorsports Park, and they are no strangers to the VIR podium. The duo won the six-hour season finale there in October of last year, and they hope to do so once again in the No. 25 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5.

"Virginia International Raceway is one of the finest tracks in the world," notes Whitis. "While the long straights aren't our forte, the high-speed corners and big braking zones definitely play to our strengths in the Mazdas."

Of course, it is not just about one race win. Freedom Autosport hopes to help Mazda achieve the Street Tuner (ST) manufacturers championship. "We're looking forward to another strong result to keep the championship fight going," says Long. "VIR is my home track and I really enjoy that place. The track was the home of our first win, and we'll have a lot of friends and family there to cheer us on."

Rhett O'Doski and Andrew Carbonell have two top-ten finishes to their credit this season, including a podium finish at Daytona. They hope to earn both another top finish and more valuable championship points in the No. 26 Freedom Autosport Mazda MX-5.

"I think VIR is a good track for us. We've got a lot of laps there and a lot of valuable experience," says Carbonell. "We're going there with confidence, and feeling like we're a step ahead for this round."

Eric Foss and Randy Pobst made their MAZDASPEED3 debut earlier this month at Barber Motorsports Park, finishing 11th in the No. 27 Freedom Autosport entry. Now, the drivers have more experience in the new car, and the development of the MAZDASPEED3 has improved even more.

"We're really optimistic because we'll be more in the hunt. VIR is a better track for us, and the MAZDASPEED3 will be a better car. Racing at VIR is a challenge on the brakes, and fortunately that's a strong point of our car," says Pobst.

Freedom Autosport will get the green flag on their home track of Virginia International Raceway on Saturday, April 24 at 3:30 p.m. EDT.

-source: freedom autosport