When the 2011 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series schedule was announced, Brumos Racing was thrilled to see the series return to west coast racing and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The track is a team favorite for obvious reasons, with its scenic Monterey, CA, location, but Brumos has also celebrated many notable victories there, going back over thirty-five years to 1975 and Peter Gregg’s historic win in his #59 Brumos Porsche. In their inaugural season of Rolex Series GT competition, Brumos would like nothing better than to see history repeat itself and take the Brumos colors to Victory Lane at Laguna Seca once again.
Now past the season’s mid-point, Brumos is well aware that a consistently strong performance is critical in every race to keep their championship hopes alive in this year’s highly competitive GT class. Having earned their first podium, followed by the first win of the season, the familiar #59 has proven consistency. In fact, Brumos currently leads all GT competitors with an impressive 98.9% of laps completed out of total series laps run in 2011. Going into Laguna Seca, Brumos is in 2nd place, just four points shy of the championship lead, and the entire team is focused and ready to deliver.
Brumos driver Andrew Davis has raced often on the historic Monterey course and considers it one of the classic tracks of North America as well as one of the most enjoyable. “Laguna is a very fast circuit,” he said. “One of my favorite sections is from the corkscrew onto the front straight. The corkscrew is famous, but it is actually a very slow corner. The next left hand turn is very difficult, downhill, and you can carry a lot of speed through it. You ride at the edge of grip all the way through and then head into a short straightway and another great banked corner.” Davis is confident the #59 Brumos Porsche will perform well at Mazda Raceway, saying, “We have shown progress at each track we’ve visited over the last several races and we are certainly challenging, not only for race wins, but for pole position and fastest laps. The entire Brumos team is working hard to make sure we are ready for Laguna Seca, and I expect the #59 to be right up front. Although I’ve had a lot of great races at Mazda Raceway, I’m still looking for my first podium, so I am really ready to see Brumos finish up front this year – I can’t wait.”
Leh Keen is also experienced with the Monterey track, racing there in Rolex Series competition for five seasons. During that time he scored five top tens and improved with each succeeding race, ending in 2009 with a 3rd place podium finish in a Porsche 911 GT3. Keen is understandably enthusiastic about the series returning to Laguna, saying, “Monterey is in one of the nicest areas of our country – it’s just a great place to be. The track has a lot of history and is known around the world, especially for the famous corkscrew turn.” Keen acknowledges the popularity of that turn, but joins his co-driver in naming a different part of the track as his favorite spot.
“The high speed left hander leading up the hill to the corkscrew would be my favorite,” he said. “This corner requires a lot of skill and a little courage to get it just right. There is a little elevation change during braking and then the corner itself is banked. It is a great feeling when you are able to really nail it as a driver. The last time I raced at Laguna I had a podium finish, and I expect to be back on the podium in 2011. I am really excited to travel out to the west coast with the Brumos crew and show everyone that Brumos Racing is continuing to make history.”
The Continental Tire Sports Car Festival Powered by Mazda at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be held on Saturday, July 9th, beginning at 5:30 PM ET. The 2.45 hour race will be broadcast via tape delay on SPEED TV on Sunday, July 10th, beginning at 4:00 PM ET.
Source: Brumos Racing
