8/30/2003 - Belding MI -- Saturday morning saw the SPC / GF Racing crew watching the sun rise over the infield lake at Grattan Raceway.  Driver Chris Berube, along with crew members Kevin K (MO), Travis F (OH), and Logan C (VA), unloaded the #50 ITA SC2 from the trailer and got busy preparing it for qualifying.

Chris's qualifying session placed him fifth on the grid and first in his class with a fast qualifying lap of 1:31.831.  Thanks to his experience in the One Lap of America, Chris was not bothered by the fact he was surrounded by American Sedan Mustangs, and was lined up on the grid in front of a Z06 Corvette.  The nearest car in the ITA class was 11 cars back on the grid, but little did the team know that he had been taking it easy in qualifying because he was breaking in a new motor.

When the green flag dropped on the race, the American Sedans showed off their brute horsepower and swarmed the SC2.  Chris maintained his composure, avoiding two cars that had just collided ahead of him.  Little did he know that behind him  was a seven car bang up, and Jaime Quaderer had gotten around all seven cars in his #69 ITA CRX.

Tough competition

Lap after lap, Jaime would gain ground on the straights, and Chris would pull away in the twisties.  On lap 12, Jaime made a clean pass for the lead of the ITA field.  Chris kept it close, but was unable to make a pass.  As they crossed the finish line, Chris was a mere 94 thousandths of a second behind and came in with a 2nd place finish.  The crew got the car ready for Sunday morning's qualifying, and joined the corner workers party.

Sunday morning the crew arrived at the track, gave the car the once-over, and sent Chris out for qualifying.  Chris returned to the pits after the session finding himself sixth on the grid and first in his class. 

Jaime Quaderer's engine, now well broken in, propelled him to eighth on the grid and second in class right behind Chris on the grid.  As the green flag dropped, Chris again kept his cool and managed to get an American Sedan Mustang between himself and the #69 car, and used the opportunity to put some space between his SC2 and the CRX.  Fifteen laps later Chris came into the pits, and with a big grin peeking out from his helmet, picked up his checkered flag and took a victory lap.  It was a first place finish!!

Travis, Logan, Chris, and Kevin

The crew packed up the car and headed back home, feeling good about a race season that ended with four wins and two second place finishes.  The talk turned to plans for the winter, and next year's race schedule.

While the crew takes a well deserved few weeks off from working on the car, we are already planning for next year.  Keep a look out on the SPC website for future work weekends and race dates.  Thanks to everyone who came out this year to help prepare the car, crew for a race, or just cheer the team on.