MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Afteburner Autosport is headed back to the most prestigious amateur racing event in North America...the SCCA National Championship Runoffs. Team standout Tim Walsh secured an invite to the year-end event with two SCCA National Formula Continental wins at Eagles Canyon Raceway over the weekend (July 28-29) in Texas, and is now focused on leading the Minnesota-based squad back to the top step of the podium at Road America in late September.

Prior to the 2012 race season getting underway this past spring, one of the primary goals of Afterburner Autosport was to secure an invite to annual SCCA National Championship Runoffs. In order to achieve this result, Afterburner's Walsh needed to finish in the top-three of the Formula Continental class within the Great Lakes Division, or finish in the top half of the National Points. Thanks to some strong outings earlier in the year, Walsh was poised to do just that when he and the Afterburner Autosport crew traveled to Decatur, Texas, for the Screaming Eagles Summer Double Rational event.

Racing in a group that also featured a large Formula Mazda field, as well Formula Enterprises, C Sports Racing, D Sports Racing, and Sports 2000 cars, Walsh accomplished his goal in the No. 03 Advanced Control Technology/Afterburner Racecar Parts entry. Converting the class pole position into a pair of wins at the 2.5-mile road course, Walsh secured a place in the 2012 edition of the 'Olympics' of motorsports...the SCCA National Championship Runoffs.

"It's great have secured a place in the 2012 Runoffs," stated Walsh, who is part of six-car squad that also races in the USF2000 Championship. "The goal now is to build on the wins in Texas and challenge for top honors at Road America in September."

Given Afterburner Autosport is already a two-time SCCA National Champion, with teammate Brian Tomasi having captured the gold medal in the 2004 and 2010 Formula Continental races, the squad is well of what it takes to stand on the top step of the podium. Walsh will now switch his focus to preparing for the National Championship event at the team's home track, Road America in Wisconsin.

Prior to contesting the 49th annual SCCA National Championship Runoffs from September 18-23, Afterburner Autosport will continue its chase for top honors in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda, with Rounds Six and Seven at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on August 4-5.

Afterburner Autosport races with associate sponsorship from www.AuroraBearing.com

Additional information on Afterburner Autosport is available from the team’s website @ www.afterburnerautosport.com For direct contact, please email afterburnerautosport@gmail.com or call 630-251-1709.

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