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| For immediate publication |
| 2004.07.21 |
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TeamRTR Nissan Sentra Records Third Consecutive Podium Finish in SCCA SPEED World Challenge Series
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SONOMA, Calif. (July 20, 2004) - Peter Cunningham, driving his NISMO/TeamRTR Nissan Sentra SE-R, recorded another strong third place finish on Saturday, July 17, in Round Four of the SCCA SPEED World Challenge, part of the Infineon Grand Prix of Sonoma. It was Cunningham's third consecutive third place finish this season, helping keep Nissan third in the manufacturers' points standings as well.
Though the teamRTR Sentra suffered significant body damage as a result of contact with another car in Friday's qualifying session, the repairing effort of the team crew into the night led the Cunningham to podium finish on Saturday. In a race marked by close-contact racing and a four-lap caution period to open the session, Cunningham started from 5th position and drove a steady, incident-free race in his silver, red and black 250-plus horsepower #4 Nissan Sentra SE-R to finish third, 8.641 seconds behind the winner. "We'll take third place any way we can get it, as long as we're not the one knocking into people," said Cunningham.
In the second of two weekend races on Sunday, Cunningham's strong run ended early due to an engine oil leak, also ending the streak of podium finishes. The DNF moved Cunningham from 4th in drivers' points on Saturday to 6th through five rounds. The next race will be held at Portland International Raceway July 23-25, as part of the American Le Mans Grand Prix of Portland.
NISMO, the premier supplier of high-performance parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles, supports the team. NISMO offers a wide range of parts, accessories and apparel through participating Nissan dealers nationwide.
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RESULTS - SCCA SPEED World Challenge Rd.4 SONOMA, 23laps
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| Pos. |
No. |
Driver |
Car |
Gap |
| 1 |
1 |
Bill Auberlen |
BMW 325i |
47:07.327 |
| 2 |
27 |
Nic Jonsson |
BMW 325Ci |
-7.529 |
| 3 |
4 |
Peter Cunningham |
NISSAN Sentra SE-R |
-8.641 |
| 4 |
43 |
Matt Plumb |
Acura TSX |
-10.876 |
| 5 |
2 |
Justin Marks |
BMW 325i |
-13.634 |
| 6 |
3 |
Dino Crescentini |
BMW 325i |
-14.811 |
| 7 |
29 |
James Sofronas |
BMW 325Ci |
-21.399 |
| 8 |
99 |
Kevin McKee |
BMW 325Ci |
-38.679 |
| 9 |
9 |
Chip Herr |
Mazda ProtegeES |
-43.388 |
| 10 |
98 |
Bob Stretch |
BMW 325Ci |
-43.974 |
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RESULTS - SCCA SPEED World Challenge Rd.5 SONOMA, 23laps
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| Pos. |
No. |
Driver |
Car |
Gap |
| 1 |
27 |
Nic Jonsson |
BMW 325Ci |
47:21.559 |
| 2 |
1 |
Bill Auberlen |
BMW 325i |
-0.316 |
| 3 |
2 |
Justin Marks |
BMW 325i |
-1.028 |
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| R |
4 |
Peter Cunningham |
NISSAN Sentra SE-R |
-18Laps |
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