MINI Wins at the SCCA Runoffs

From the SCCA website:

TOPEKA, Kan. (Oct. 13, 2006) — The first nine Champions were crowned Friday at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Kansas — As Big As You Think at Heartland Park Topeka. The day saw five drivers score their maiden titles, while three drivers successfully defended their 2005 crowns

Race Three: Showroom Stock C
Polesitter (and MINI Cooper S driver) Pete Taylor, of Ortonville, Mich., led flag-to-flag to capture his second Showroom Stock C National Championship in as many years at the SCCA National Championship Runoffs Presented by Kansas, As Big As You Think. John Saucier, of Midwest City, Okla., and Ralph Porter, of Kokomo, Ind., finished second and third, respectively.

The start of the race saw two of the grids top five starters sustain car damage, as nine-time SCCA National Champion John Heinricy, of Royal Oak, Mich., tried a late-braking move on second-starting Joseph McClughan, of New Braunfels, Texas, going into turn one. McClughan shut the door on Heinricy forcing him into the dirt where Joel Lipperini, of Pittston, Pa., had no where to go but into Heinricy. As a result, both cars sustained damage, with Heinricy’s No. 33 Phoenix Chevrolet Cobalt unable to continue.

Piloting the No. 43 Hoosier/Carbotech/Motorcity Mini Cooper S, Taylor was happy to see all of this action going on behind him as he slowly opened up a lead he would never relinquish, winning by 4.935-seconds at an average speed of 71.034 mph. At one point, Taylor opened up a nearly seven-second lead by turning the race’s fastest lap with a 2:05.311.

Showroom Stock C results:

1. Pete Taylor, Ortonville, Mich., Mini Cooper S
2. John Saucier, Midwest City, Okla., Mazda 3
3. Ralph Porter, Kokomo, Ind., Mini Cooper S
4. Joseph McClughan, New Braunfels, Texas, Mazda 3
5. Sam Ryan, White Haven, Pa., Honda Civic SiShowroom Stock C

You can read more about the SCCA runoffs below:

[ Runoff Results ] SCCA.com