Graham Rahal Confirmed as Youngest Driver to Win SCCA Runoffs Championship

TOPEKA, Kan. (Sept. 30, 2005) - For all the accolades his famous father Bobby accumulated in his career, Graham Rahal will always have a one-up on his dad. At the age of 16 years, nine months and 20 days, Graham Rahal, of New Albany, Ohio, became the youngest SCCA National Championship Runoffs(r) winner in the Club's history when he captured his first title in Formula Atlantic last Friday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, exactly three decades after Bobby won his only Runoffs title in the Formula Atlantic precursor, then called Formula B.

Rahal is approximately two months younger than the previous youngest winner, Jonathan Rufener, who was 17 years and 11 days old when he won the Formula Vee Championship in 1997.

Last Friday's win capped off a nearly perfect week for Rahal, as he led every session in both practice and qualifying, set new Formula Atlantic records both for qualifying and race lap and overcame an engine misfire early in the race to win his title.

With both Rahals now owning a Championship, they place their already storied name into distinct company as one of the most successful families in Runoffs history. Others, such as the Beasleys (father Al and sons Al Jr. and Ben), have also accomplished the feat.

For more information about SCCA and the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, visit www.scca.com <http://www.scca.com/>

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