Caitlin Johnson Paces Opening Practice at Mosport
Bowmanville, ONT – Caitlin Johnston led the way in the opening practice session for rounds five and six of the 2009 F2000 season at Mosport this morning. The Canadian, who calls Mosport her home track, was on scrub tires and posted a time of 1:22.672, about a tenth and a half up on second place Chris Miller.
“The session was good and the car was quick,” said Johnston, who is also racing in the Ontario Formula Ford Challenge this weekend. “I gradually worked up my speed since it’s been a while since I’ve been on this track with the F2000 car, plus we were on the old tires.”
Chris Miller commented, “The car is good and there is a decent level of grip on the track for the start of the weekend. I’m happy with the car’s balance and this is a good way to start out.”
Meanwhile, in his first ever F2000 session, Russian Mikhail Goikberg posted the third fastest time of the morning driving the #1 for Brian Graham Racing.
Johnston’s teammate and winner of two races this season, Benjamin Searcy was fourth, followed by Matthew Inge. Both drivers had never seen the track until this morning.
“It was bumpy and I had no clue where I was going, but a very interesting track and super quick,” said Inge.
Championship points leader Remy Audette could only managed sixth, with Scararllo in seventh followed by Orsolon, Caldwell and Weitzenhof, the fastest Masters class driver.
"It was a good session, especially since it's my first time ever on this track," said Jonathan Scarallo. "It's all about me getting more comfortable with the track and making small adjustments for more overall grip. This is a good start to the weekend."
Brent Gilkes added: “The session was horrible. The understeer was out of control. Turn two with the Lime Rock tires is not a fun experience.”
Colin Alexander battled overheating issues while Alejandro Munoz saw his clutch fail before he even got onto the track.
Pos No. Name Class Best Tm Best Spd In Lap Diff Gap 1 20 Caitlin Johnston F2 1:22.672 107.079 21 - - 2 85 Chris Miller F2 1:22.808 106.903 17 +0.136 +0.136 3 1 Mikhail Goikberg F2 1:23.074 106.560 19 +0.402 +0.266 4 10 Benjamin Searcy F2 1:23.140 106.476 14 +0.468 +0.066 5 02 Matthew Inge F2 1:23.206 106.391 14 +0.534 +0.066 6 21 Remy Audette F2 1:23.260 106.322 7 +0.588 +0.054 7 22 Jonathan Scarallo F2 1:23.630 105.852 16 +0.958 +0.370 8 26 Fabio Orsolon F2 1:24.287 105.027 17 +1.615 +0.657 9 80 Bobby Caldwell F2 1:24.324 104.981 8 +1.652 +0.037 10 67 Dave Weitzenhof/M F2 1:24.940 104.219 12 +2.268 +0.616 11 5 Keith McCrone F2 1:25.130 103.987 13 +2.458 +0.190 12 23 Victor Carbone F2 1:25.410 103.646 20 +2.738 +0.280 13 51 Dan Denison/M F2 1:25.533 103.497 22 +2.861 +0.123 14 4 Chris Camadella/M F2 1:25.544 103.484 16 +2.872 +0.011 15 70 Tom Fatur/M F2 1:25.735 103.253 12 +3.063 +0.191 16 7 Brent Gilkes/M F2 1:25.962 102.980 6 +3.290 +0.227 17 90 Robert Wright/M F2 1:26.253 102.633 14 +3.581 +0.291 18 27 Craig Clawson/M F2 1:26.424 102.430 17 +3.752 +0.171 19 69 Paul Farmer/M F2 1:27.067 101.673 19 +4.395 +0.643 20 30 Jerry Szykulski/M F2 1:27.097 101.638 21 +4.425 +0.030 21 94 Blake Teeter F2 1:28.563 99.956 19 +5.891 +1.466 22 12 Colin Alexander F2 1:55.989 76.320 2 +33.317 +27.426 23 96 Alejandro Munoz F2 -.--- - 0 - -