Saini takes class pole on World Challenge return

Jason Saini has taken pole position in the strongest field seen in World Challenge this season at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course.

Announced as a last minute entry, the Mazdaspeed3, run by Team MER, whom run the car regularly in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series, claimed pole position almost half a second faster than Robb Holland’s 3Zero3 run Volkswagen GTI.

“We built the car with Team MER for a different series and weren’t running as often as we like,” said Saini.

“Autobarn Mazda of Countryside came on board and we wanted to do something to showcase the car…it was very last minute, but we knew the car was capable. I didn’t expect pole, but we’re proud to put it there.”

Ryan Eversley, another regular in the Continental Tire series making his debut in World Challenge, qualified third in the Mazda RX-8 of Maxwell Paper Racing.

The high number of guest stars at the round has caught series regulars out. Semi-regular Nick Wittmer was fourth in the HPD Honda Civic of RealTime Racing.

Championship leader Robert Stout was 8th in class, just behind team mate Dan Gardner in the DG-Spec Scion tC’s, whilst Eric Meyer – second in the championship, didn’t set a time and will start last in the two races, with this session setting the grid for both heats.

In GTS, the regulars were less threatened by the new competition, with Peter Cunningham claiming pole in the Acura TSX ahead of team mate Nick Esayian, with the GTS Mustang’s qualifying behind the TC class pole sitter.