Laguna Seca: Kuno Wittmer race report

Acura wins manufacturer title
Kuno Wittmer, sidelined my mechanical failure at Laguna

Laguna Seca, California, October 12, 2009. -- Kuno Wittmer completed his SCCA World Challenge season on a sour note with another mechanical failure at Laguna Seca, last round on the calendar. After taking the start from second row with Acura teammates Kleinubing and Cunningham sharing front row, Wittmer kept his position with a commanding pace and was looking for an all-Acura podium at the season finale. He experienced a strong vibration on the fifth lap and by the next one was down a few positions when the left rear wheel snapped loose and Wittmer spun and beached his car in turn 10. A sad ending to a season with ups and downs and no less than four DNF with all sorts of unpredictable mechanical failures. Nevertheless, Wittmer came back to the pits only to celebrate with race winner, teammate Pierre Kleinubing who scored enough points to lock his fifth driver Touring championship. This victory also gives Acura the coveted manufacturer title.

"I'm pretty disappointed to finish my season with one more DNF for another failure we could not prevent," declared Wittmer. "I guess this was the kind of season I had. On the other hand, RealTime had only one goal this weekend and that was to clinch the manufacturer title for Acura. Our qualifying times were outstanding with positions 1, 2 and 4. Pierre (Kleinubing) had a perfect race with Peter (Cunningham) in the slipstream. I think I had a good enough Acura to complete the podium but the whole wheel assembly broke. I had radioed my crew I was coming in for repair, thinking some wheel nut was loose but I never made it back. After the scoring was done, Pierre also earned his fifth Touring championship. Finally, an outstanding weekend I wish I could have shared with my teammates with a better finish. "

Looking for next season The Wittmer brothers have now completed their 2009 racing season. Nick in the Canadian Touring Car series became champion in the last round of the season in the #06 Lombardi Honda Racing Civic. The best moment of the season came at Mosport when Kuno earned his only victory this season in World Challenge and was joined by brother Nick who took 3rd in his maiden SCCA race.

At this point, Nick should be back in 2010 to defend his crown. Kuno finishes sixth in the SCCA World Challenge and acknowledges he is having discussions with teams but admits Realtime is still first on the list. Kunick Autosport will announce what lies ahead for the Wittmer brothers in 2010 in the coming weeks.

-credit: np-f