Pirelli World Challenge Season Finale Closes out 2016 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Major Events Schedule
September 22, 2016 by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca• Race 'N' Rods Nationals presented by Who's Magic Solution™ returns Oct. 8
MONTEREY, Calif. Sept. 21, 2016 – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's final major event of the 2016 season, the Pirelli World Challenge season finale, will showcase more than 100 sports car entries competing in a sprint race format for eight individual championships. A full day of practice and qualifying Friday, Oct. 7, will precede a weekend schedule that will include a total of seven races, three on Saturday, Oct. 8, and four on Sunday, Oct. 9. In the series premier class, Grand Touring (GT), a very tight championship battle will come down to the 20th and final race of the season. Alvaro Parente (No. 9 K-Pax Racing McLaren 650S) leads Patrick Long (No. 58 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R) by nine points, 1,554 to 1,545. Four-time and defending series champion (2012-2015) Johnny O'Connell (No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac ATS-V.R) and teammate Michael Cooper (No. 8 Cadillac Racing Cadillac ATS-V.R) are tied for third with 1,451, Bryan Heitkotter (No. 05 AE Replay XC Nissan GT Academy Nissan GT-R-GT3) is fifth with 1,307, and Ryan Eversley (No. 43 RealTime R & L Acura TLX-GT) is a close sixth with 1,305 points. The Grand Touring Sportsman (GTA) and GT Cup classes will compete with GT in its one 50-minute race scheduled to take the green flag Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The Grand Touring Sport (GTS) class has two races scheduled, one each on Saturday (1:55 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m.). The SprintX class also has its final two 60-minute races scheduled, one each on Saturday (4 p.m.) and Sunday (3:15 p.m.). In the Touring Car (TC) class, Toby Grahovec (No. 26 Classic BMW Motor Sports BMW M235iR) holds a commanding going into the final two races, leading second-place Nick Wittmer (No. 91 Honda Ste-Rose Racing Honda Accord V6) by 195 points, 960-765. The Top 5 tightens up from there, however, with Patrick Gallagher (No. 54 Atlanta Motorsports Group Mazda MX-5) in third with 673, Shea Holbrook (No. 67 Shea Racing Honda Accord V6) fourth with 617 points and Anthony Geraci (No. 69 S.A.C. Racing Mazda MX-5) in fifth with 600. The TC/TCA/TCB classes compete together and are scheduled for two 40-minute races, one each on Saturday (11:45 a.m.) and Sunday (8:45 a.m.). A special event during the Pirelli World Challenge weekend will take place Sat., Oct. 8, with the sixth running of the Race 'N' Rod Nationals presented by Who's Magic Solution™. Custom car enthusiasts will display nearly 100 cars, trucks and motorcycles chopped, channeled, chromed and everything customized. Entrants will compete for trophies in the following categories: Best in Show, '50s Pick, '60s Pick, '70s Pick, Best Paint, Fantastic Ford, GM Muscle, Krackin' Kustom, Ridin'Low Low Rider, Rockin' Roadster, Top Tri Five, Top Motorcycle, Top Truck and Top Club. The Race 'N' Rod Nationals will take place in The Marketplace vendor area.
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Gates open each day at 7 a.m., with tickets starting at $20 (every ticket includes a paddock pass). Tickets and hospitality packages are on sale now for the Oct. 7-9 Pirelli World Challenge, the fifth and final event of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's 2016 major event season. Click HERE for further information.
