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Autobahn: Series Touring Car practice one report

Cunningham Paces World Challenge Touring Car Morning Practice at Autobahn JOLIET, Ill. (July 24, 2009) -- Peter Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wis., was quickest in SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car morning practice in preparation for ...

Cunningham Paces World Challenge Touring Car Morning Practice at Autobahn

JOLIET, Ill. (July 24, 2009) -- Peter Cunningham, of Milwaukee, Wis., was quickest in SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car morning practice in preparation for Sunday's SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Grand Prix at Autobahn Country Club Presented by Mazda. Andrew Aquilante, of Phoenixville, Pa., and Charles Espenalub, of Lutz, Fla., were second and third quickest, respectively, in Round Six practice, part of the Harrah's Autobahn Grand Prix Presented by Mazda weekend.

After exchanging fast laps with Aquilante in the second half of the one-hour practice session, Cunningham had the final say with a lap of 2:39.373 (80.415 mph). The defending World Challenge Touring Car Champion was pleased that his RealTime Racing team had logged some testing laps at the 18-turn, 3.56-mile road course previous to the series' first trip to the track.

"We came here about a month ago to test on the track and we learned a few things," Cunningham said. "It's definitely a challenging place. It's very autocross-like. You really have to be patient.

"It's just practice, so we'll see how it goes from here, but at this point the Acura is running well."

Fresh off his second podium finish of the season at Watkins Glen, Aquilante ended the session second on the time sheets. The driver of the No. 35 Phoenix Performance Subaru WRX entered a 2:39.663 (80.269 mph).

Another Watkins Glen podium finisher, Espenlaub, was third fastest in practice. Espenlaub's fastest lap in the No. 73 MAZDASPEED/Stoptech/ProParts MAZDA6 was a 2:39.742 (80.229 mph).

Eric Foss, of Fort Worth, Texas, who currently leads the World Challenge Touring Car Rookie of the Year standings, was fourth. Foss turned a 2:39.747 (80.226 mph) in the No. 73 MAZDASPEED/Stoptech/ProParts MAZDA6.

Kuno Wittmer, of Montreal, Quebec, completed the top five in his No. 44 Acura/RealTime/Red Line Oil Acura TSX, with a lap of 2:40.121 (80.039 mph).

Mosport race winner Jason Saini (MAZDA6) was sixth fastest, followed by Watkins Glen race winner Seth Thomas (MAZDA6) in seventh.

Pierre Kleinubing (Acura TSX), James Clay (BMW 328i) and Nick Esayian (BMW 328i) completed the top 10.

The second practice session of the day is scheduled for 2:40 p.m. (CDT). Live timing and notes are available at www.world-challenge.com. Live updates are also available via the World Challenge Twitter account at www.twitter.com/SPEEDWC.

-credit: scca pro racing

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