7 Pirelli World Challenge Champions to be Crowned at Mazda Raceway
September 3, 2015 by Mazda RacewayMONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 3, 2015 — The Pirelli World Challenge will crown seven different class champions at the conclusion of next weekend's Pirelli World Challenge/Mazda Road to Indy weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. From the season opener in Texas in early March through 67 total rounds of competition, with six left to go at the iconic 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course in Monterey, only two championships have been clinched with the other five wide open for the taking. In GT, three-time and defending champion Johnny O'Connell (2012-2014) and his Cadillac Racing No. 3 Cadillac ATS-V.R GT3 team have a 26-point advantage going into the final round against Olivier Beretta (R. Ferri Motorsports' No. 61 Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia). O'Connell has three victories this season, including a double victory in Utah, while Beretta has yet to visit victory lane. But it all comes down to one last race. Frank Montecalvo (DragonSpeed No. 66 Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS GT3) and Colin Thompson (Porsche of Buck County Porsche 911 GT3 Cup) have wrapped up championships in GTA and GT Cup, respectively. Montecalvo earned four victories this season, including three of the last four rounds. Thompson started strong with wins in the first two rounds and then six more times in the next 15 races, including last weekend in Sonoma, Calif. Congratulations to them both. In GTS, Michael Cooper (Blackdog Speed Shop's No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro) has a 107-point lead over Andrew Aquilante in the Phoenix American Motorsports' No. 32 Ford Mustang Boss 302. Each driver has a victory this season so expect them to be at the front trying to do so again. The top of the TC class is separated by a mere 47 points. Corey Fergus (Motorsports Promotions' No. 00 Porsche Cayman) and Ernie Francis Jr. (Breathless Performance No. 98 Mazda MX-5) have also each won once so far this season. You can count on them keeping an eye on the other during every lap next weekend. In TCA, Jason Wolfe (Kinetic Motorsports No. 36 Kia Forte Koup) carries a 129-point lead and momentum into the final event, having won half of the last six rounds of competition. That said, Patrick Seguin (Team Ost Racing No. 39 Honda Civic Si) knows full well what he must accomplish on track to five himself a chance at the title. The TCB class is led by Johan Schwartz and the Tech Sport Racing No. 25 Chevrolet Sonic team. The team has earned six victories and brings a 199-point lead to Mazda Raceway but there are three rounds remaining and second-place Glenn Nixon (Racing.ca No. 58 Honda Fit) will be focused on earning every single point possible. Television (on CBS Sports Network): Sunday, September 20, 3:30 PM: GT/GTA, GT Cup presented by MOMO. Wednesday, September 23, Time 9 PM: GTS. Wednesday, September 23, 10 PM: TC, TCA, TCB. All times listed Eastern.
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Advance tickets range from $35 for a Friday-only ticket to $90 for a three-day General Admission & Paddock ticket. Children 12 and under are free with paid adult. VIP suite packages and camping sites are also available. For more information, log on to www.MazdaRaceway.com or call 831.242.8200.
