Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca begins its 50th season with one
of the most intriguing and competitive racing series in
North America.
The U.S. Sports Car Invitational - which consists of the
Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series and the KONI Challenge
Series - began practicing and qualifying Friday at the
historic circuit course for a weekend expected to be chock
full of exciting finishes.
"It's a great series to have as an opener," Mazda Raceway
Laguna Seca public relations manager Reece White said. "The
series is designed to have close finishes. No matter what,
you know it's going to come down to the last lap, and it's
going to be a battle all the way through. It's not going to
be just one person leading the whole way."
Grand-Am's top-tier Grand-Am Rolex Sports Cars Series
consists of the Daytona Prototype and Grand Touring
categories. Daytona Prototype cars are strictly built for
competition on the track and are capable of reaching up to
185 mph. Grand Touring cars look similar to performance
sports cars seen on the
streets every day, but carry a lot more horsepower. The
KONI Challenge cars feature the latest muscle cars, straight
from the showroom.
The racing begins today with the KONI Challenge ST Class
and the Rolex Series GT Class. The KONI Challenge GS Class
and Rolex Series DP highlight Sunday's events.
This is the third year that Grand-Am racing is making a
stop at the historic circuit course, and every year, the
competition rises to the occasion.
"Good racing leads to more people coming to the track,"
White said. "And it's definitely a benefit to us, the series
and the fans. It continues to build, year after year."
Nearly 20,000 fans are expected to attend the festivities
this weekend.
Colin Braun, who drives the No. 75 Krohn Racing
Car in the Rolex Series DP category with partner Max Papis,
said as a young driver there's no better place to be than in
the Rolex Sports Car Series right now.
"The series is very strong at the moment," said Braun,
18. "It's wide open, and the races are so tight and so
close. And that's great for the fans watching."
To show just how tight the racing has been, consider that
through the first four races in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports
Car DP Series, four different cars and nine different
drivers have tasted victory.
Unlike other forms of automobile racing, the Rolex Series
relies on teamwork. Instead of one driver navigating the
track alone, another skilled driver is used during the race
- which typically lasts 2 1/2 hours.
"There's a lot going on on the track and in the pits,"
Braun said.
While the racing continues to be thrilling, Grand-Am also
has found success off the track.
In 2006, the Grand-Am racing reached an all-time high in
partnership support, generating nearly $11 million in
sponsorship value.
