Curran’s Acura Fastest in Qualifying
RealTime RSX pilot scores first career pole at Road Atlanta
September 28, 2006 – Braselton, Georgia
Eric Curran drove his RealTime Acura RSX to the pole position at Round Eight of the 10-event SPEED Touring Car Championship season at Road Atlanta. Curran’s first career pole comes in his 41st SCCA World Challenge start, and scored an important point for the Manufacturers’ Championship.
The remaining Acura Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles-sponsored Touring Cars will line up sixth, seventh, 11th and 17th in the 32-car field. Points leader Pierre Kleinubing was the second quickest RealTime driver, followed by Brandon Davis, Peter Cunningham and Nick Esayian.
Acura’s chief rival for the Manufacturers’ battle is Mazda, who secured the second, third and fourth fastest starting spots. With one point awarded to the brand with the top time, Curran’s performance was responsible for a positive two-point swing; had he not won the point, Mazda would have. Acura now holds a 15-point advantage with 19 points left to be awarded.
The starting lights are scheduled to be extinguished Friday morning at 1055a EDT on the 2.54-mile Road Atlanta circuit, with the checkered flag displayed 27 laps later. After a passing thunder shower this afternoon, clear skies and cool temperatures are forecast.
Road Atlanta’s event is a part of the ninth annual Petit Le Mans week and will air on a tape-delayed basis on the SPEED Channel on Saturday, October 14th at 200p EDT.