Motorsport News
Tri-Point Mazdas On Top After Sebring SPEED Touring Car Practice
By Source: SCCA
Mar 16, 2005, 17:58

Tri-Point Motorsports scored good early returns on the season by finishing in the top two spots after Wednesday’s SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car practice sessions at Sebring International Raceway, site of Friday’s Round One race as part of the 53rd Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.

Jeff Altenburg, of Ellicott City, Md., led the Mazda 6 assault in the No. 72 Mazdaspeed/Point Motorsports Mazda 6 with a 2:21.845 (93.905 mph).  He was followed by former Audi driver and new teammate Randy Pobst, of Gainesville, Ga., who posted a 2:21.894 in the No. 73 Mazdaspeed/Tri-Point Motorsport Mazda 6.

Altenburg said picking up Pobst as a teammate played a major factor in the team’s runs on Wednesday.

“I’ve known Randy for many years,” Altenburg said. “We get along very well, and I think it’s good to have somebody who is of his caliber because if I can keep pace with him then it’s good for us.  And if I don’t, then it means I have to dig a little bit deeper.”

Two-time defending SPEED Touring Car Champion Bill Auberlen, of Rolling Acres Estates, Calif., was just off the lead pace in the No. 1 Turner Motorsports/H&R Springs/BMW 325i, posting a 2:22.200.

Peter Cunningham, of West Bend, Wis., was fourth (2:22.338), turning the afternoon’s fastest time in his No. 42 A-SPEC/RealTime Racing Acura TSX. Cunningham’s RealTime teammate Pierre Kleinubing, of Coconut Creek, Fla., wound up fifth (2:22.372).

Qualifying for SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car is set for 11:20 a.m. (Eastern) on Thursday.

To follow Thursday’s qualifying session and Friday’s race through live timing and scoring, visit www.world-challenge.com.

Combined practice results for Friday's SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Round One race, part of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Weekend at Sebring International Raceway, with position, car number in parentheses, driver, hometown, car, fastest lap time, and speed in miles per hour.


1, (72), Jeff  Altenburg, Ellicott City, Md., Mazda 6, 2:21.845, 93.905.

2, (73), Randy Pobst, Gainesville, Ga., Mazda 6, 2:21.894, 93.872.

3, (1), Bill Auberlen, Rolling Acres Est, Calif., BMW 325i, 2:22.200, 93.670.

4, (42), Peter  Cunningham, W. Bend, Wis., Acura TSX, 2:22.338, 93.580.

5, (43), Pierre Kleinubing, Coconut Creek, Fla., Acura TSX, 2:22.372, 93.557.

6, (74), Dino Crescentini, Malibu, Calif., Mazda 6, 2:22.865, 93.234.

7, (98), Bob  Stretch, Dallas, Texas, BMW 325Ci, 2:24.305, 92.304.

8, (44), Brandon Davis(R), Huntington Bch, Calif., Acura TSX, 2:24.630, 92.097.

9, (27), Nic Jonsson, Buford, Ga., BMW 325Ci, 2:24.757, 92.016.

10, (97), Charles Espenlaub, Lutz, Fla., Mazda Protege, 2:24.879, 91.938.

11, (45), Eric  Curran, S. Deerfield, Mass., Acura RSX, 2:25.007, 91.857.

12, (36), James Clay, Blacksburg, Va., BMW 325i, 2:25.090, 91.805.

13, (37), Matt Richmond, Mooresville, N.C., BMW 325i, 2:25.118, 91.787.

14, (48), Memo Gidley, Navato, Calif., Ford Focus, 2:25.204, 91.733.

15, (38), Seth Thomas, Cumming, Ga., BMW 325i, 2:25.227, 91.718.

16, (03), Peter  Lockhart, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Mercedes C320, 2:25.704, 91.418.

17, (19), Rick Maki, Los Angeles, Calif., Audi A4, 2:25.930, 91.276.

18, (29), Jason Martinelli(R), Woodbury, Conn., BMW 325Ci, 2:26.031, 91.213.

19, (34), Nick Esayian, Encinitas, Calif., Acura RSX, 2:26.093, 91.174.

20, (18), Chip  Herr, Lititz, Pa., Audi A4, 2:26.313, 91.037.

21, (10), Ryan  Pilla(R), Amagansett, N.Y., Mazda Protegé ES, 2:26.507, 90.917.

22, (21), Seth Neiman, Woodside, Calif., BMW 325Ci, 2:26.588, 90.867.

23, (68), Leo Capaldi, Lenox Twp, Mich., Ford Focus, 2:26.606, 90.855.

24, (24), Jim  Osborn, Ooltewah, Tenn., BMW 325Ci, 2:26.910, 90.667.

25, (02), Chip Van Vurst(R), Pompano Beach, Fla., Mercedes C320, 2:27.239, 90.465.

26, (26), Michael Flynn, Orlando, Fla., Subaru WRX, 2:27.938, 90.037.

27, (99), Jeff Courtney(R), Slinger, Wis., BMW 325i, 2:28.059, 89.964.

28, (16), Phil Parlato, Commack, N.Y., BMW 325I, 2:28.357, 89.783.

29, (96), Charlie Putman(R), Mills, Wyo., Mazda Protege, 2:29.281, 89.227.

30, (22), Hugh  Stewart, Massapequa, N.Y., Dodge SRT-4, 2:29.429, 89.139.

31, (14), Billy Revis(R), Winston Salem, N.C., BMW 325, 2:30.583, 88.456.

32, (6), Scott Bradley, San Jose, Calif., Mazda 6, no time.

33, (7), Mark German, Monroeville, Pa., no time.

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