Portland, June 6, 2005.  Rounds 7 and 8 of the Formula TR series saw Auston Harris capturing a sixth and a fifth place finish.  The weather was a marked contrast to the previous event in Phoenix with high temperatures in 60s and periods of heavy rain on Sunday.

This was Auston’s first visit to the Portland circuit and the Friday test day was rather limited with only three 15 minute sessions.  Saturday’s qualifying found Auston still learning the track and consequently starting at the back of the field.  Round 7 on Saturday began with the now almost standard for Portland first turn, first lap incident which delayed the start of the 1600 race for several laps.   Auston finished sixth while really going to school on the track.

Round 8 was sprinkled with showers throughout the day, some very heavy.  Auston qualified third, demonstrating his learning from the previous day.   Auston had no wet track experience prior to this race and it soon became evident.  A mid race incident in the wet took the first and second place qualifiers out, promoting Auston to the lead of the 1600 class.  After leading for several laps Auston became a victim of the wet track, loosing traction, spinning off and, unfortunately being collected by the second place car in the process.  Auston finished fifth.

With eight rounds completed Auston is fourth in the 1600 series championship.

Next stop is Thunderhill for Rounds 9 and 10 on June 25 and 26, 2005.