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Porsches Get Things Started At SIR

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Dale Phelon was the top qualifier for today's race in the Historic Stock Car division at the 2007 Sebring Historic Fall Classic at Sebring International Raceway.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: December 1, 2007

SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY — Cars bunched together like sardines in a can, waiting for the pace car to step aside and clear the way was the scene during Friday's Klub Sport Porsche Challenge race during the opening day of the 2007 Sebring Historic Fall Classic.

Restarts are where races are sometimes won or lost, and Juan Lopez-Santini completed a picture perfect assault on the asphalt when the green flag dropped and held off a late charge by Jim McCormick to earn the win — his first on Sebring's historic track.

"I got a good push on the restart," Lopez-Santini said. "I timed it perfectly and held off Jim [McCormick] for the win.

"I have a special place for this medal in my office. This is something I'll always remember. Sebring is always tough, especially turn 17 — that gave me some trouble early. But with all its challenges, Sebring is by far my favorite track."

Lopez-Santini won the seven-lap race with a best lap of 2:31.280, with McCormick taking second with his '68 Porsche 911L and Jim Hamblin and his '68 Porsche 911 rounded out the top-three.

"Jim is always a tough competitor and I had to keep on my toes today," Lopez-Santini said. "The car was really jumping all over the track today and it was tough to keep the car under control. But that is the charm of this track.
"There is only one Sebring."

Race fans and car enthusiasts were entertained by the array of historic cars, as automobiles driven by famous drivers such as Richard Petty, Harry Gant and the late Alan Kulwicki circled the track much like they did in their heyday.

"I love coming out and seeing all these historic cars," Lopez-Santini said. "Even though I am racing here, there is so much history in these cars and people should really come out and appreciate what is taking place this weekend."

Dale Phelon qualified first in the Historic Stock Car Group 8 division and qualified second in Group 9, as he battles for the overall championship in each division.

The Historic Fall Classic continues today with the Rolex Vintage Enduro series kicking things off at 8 a.m. with the event wrapping up on Sunday with the Four Hours of Sebring, which begins at noon. Tickets are $45 for the three-day event.

TODAY'S SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Registration and Tech
8 a.m. – Rolex Vintage Enduro
11:30 a.m. – Alan Jay Parade Laps
11:50 a.m. – Track Touring
12:30 p.m. – Rolex Classic GT/Historic Enduro
3 p.m. – Rolex Enduro Group 6, GTP/WSC
4:15 p.m. – Anglo American GT Challenge
7 p.m. – Year-end banquet

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