Pierre Kleinubing takes third title

Pierre Kleinubing has won the SCCA World Challenge Touring Car series, after winning the last race at Laguna Seca from pole position.

Acura also take the manufacturers championship ahead of Mazda, as Jason Saini could only finish eighth in the series finalé.

Chip Herr was the top Mazda early on in the race, jumping to third at the start – but the RealTime Racing Acura drivers Pierre Kleinubing and Peter Cunningham were never threatened throughout the race, holding to the top two spots throughout.

An early caution period to rescue their stricken team mate, Kuno Wittmer from the gravel trap didn’t disrupt the race too heavily – as most of the fighting was constrained to the middle of the top 10.

Bimmerworld Racing’s Nick Esayian and James Clay had superior pace to Herr’s Mazda, and were able to work their way around the series returnee for third and fourth.

The race kicked up again around Seth Thomas, Jason Saini, Charles Espenlaub and Patrick Lindsey – with the latter being awarded with the move of the race – despite later falling back to finish in 10th.

With the race being declared after 26 laps – Saini, who went in with the points lead, finished eighth, which was not enough to give him his first championship. With Pierre Kleinubing winning his third World Challenge Touring Car series – since he won consecutive titles for Acura back in 2000 & 2001.