Virginia (VIR): Rain cuts short qualifying

ALTON, Va. (August 31, 2002) -- Rolex Sports Car Series qualifying for Sunday's VIR 500 was cut short today at Virginia International Raceway due to unsafe track conditions caused by rain. The GT and American GT classes were able to qualify under wet conditions, but heavy puddling on the front straightaway caused officials to black flag the SportsRacing Prototype and SportsRacing Prototype II qualifying session after just one lap. While the GT and AGT qualifying times will stand, the SRP and SRPII entries will be gridded in front of them by the current team point standings, in accordance to the Grand American rulebook.

The SRP and SRPII team points were combined to set the grid. Terry Borcheller will start the SRPII #8 Nissan-powered Lola of Rand Racing in the pole position with Didier Theys in the SRP Doran Lista Racing #27 Judd-engined Dallara on the outside. The Dyson Racing Team #16 Judd Crawford will start third, and the G&W Motorsports/Momentum Motorcars #70 BMW Picchio will be on the outside of the second row.

Despite slippery conditions, Spencer Pumpelly and Jack Willes were able to earn the GT and American GT pole positions by posting the fastest lap times in their respective classes.

Pumpelly's quick lap in the ZIP Racing #34 Porsche GT3 R was his first one of the session. He clocked a 2:10.264 lap at 90.370 mph to pick up his first GT pole of the season. Joao Barbosa, in the Perspective Racing #24 Mosler MT900R, bested Cort Wagner, in the #33 Ferrari 360GT of Scuderia Ferrari of Washington, on his final lap to take the second position in the GT class.

Willes was third in the American GT class for most of the qualifying session until he managed a fast final lap to oust Andy Richards from the AGT pole. Willes clocked a quick lap of 2:31.132 at 77.892 mph in the #82 Corvette of Dick Greer Racing - Wendy's. Richards will start the Morgan Dollar Motorsports Corvette second in the class after his 2:32.834 lap at 77.025 mph.

The inaugural VIR 500 will start at noon on Sunday at Virginia International Raceway. Tickets are available at the gate. For additional information on availability and prices visit www.virclub.com or call 888-RACE-099.

-grand am-