GT-Lite, Spec Miata, GT-1 and Formula Vee On SPEED This Week

TOPEKA, Kan. (Dec. 11, 2006) – Tricky weather conditions and large fields highlight this week’s Runoffs programming on SPEED.

Kicking things off Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 12:00 p.m. (EST) is GT-Lite. With a damp track and overcast skies, tire choice will be a critical factor in this race. Polesitter James Dentici, of Oconomowoc, Wis., gets an amazing start on his intermediates, but will the three-time SCCA National Champion get reeled in by Californian Bill Gilcrease and his full-wet setup? Don’t bet on it, Gilcrease will have his hands full with a hard charging Douglas Ruthroff, of Phoenix, Ariz. If you miss it the first time, you can catch the GTL race again, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 3:00 a.m.

Next up at 1:00 p.m. is the new and already infamous Spec Miata class. Fifty-five Miatas attacking a damp Heartland Park Topeka in search of the first Spec Miata National Championship is a recipe for an opening lap melee, which is exactly what happens in Turn Two, collecting several race favorites in the process and allowing Andrew Caddell, of Graham, Wash., to motor away from the field. The focus then shifts to the battles for second and third as a drying track with patches of mud make for some exciting overtaking. The Spec Miata race will also be rebroadcast the following Wednesday at 4:00 a.m.

Runoffs programming continues Thursday, Dec. 14 with GT-1 at 12:00 p.m. Polesitter Philip Simms, of Orlando, Fla., gets a great start with fellow front-row starter Michael Lewis, of Poway, Calif., in tow. The pair will pull away from the rest of the pack as they battle for the GT-1 Championship. While it looks like a photo-finish could be in the making, a flat tire will spoil one drivers’ shot at victory circle.

Following GT-1 at 1:00 p.m. is Formula Vee. 2003 FV Champion Stephen Oseth, of Leesburg, Va., leads the field to the green flag, but is trumped by Bob Neumeister, of Pueblo, Colo., on the start. As Neumeister pulls away, Oseth will spar with defending FV champion Brad Stout of St. Louis for the runner-up spot, but one of them will be sent to the pitlane with mechanical problems. And be advised, the finish you see on the track is not what goes into the record books.

The GT-1 and Formula Vee races will be rebroadcast on Friday, Dec. 15 at 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

For the full SCCA National Championship Runoffs television schedule click here to visit the Runoffs event page or log onto www.speedtv.com.