Mazda Raceway kicks off season

Chicago has Wrigley Field, Los Angeles has the Rose Bowl, Gainesville, Florida even has the Swamp. But what about the Central Coast? Well we’ve got Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and it’s kickoff time for racing season.

Who’s ready for some racing?! The folks over at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca sure are as their first event of the season will shift into gear this Thursday.

Tuesday, crews were setting up for the first race of the season, the IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship Continental Monterey Grand Prix, which will be as exciting as the intensity of it’s name! Around ten different car manufacturers will be competing in this international event as teams and drivers look to rack up season points. Racing fans and non-fans alike can have a great time over the next few days. Here’s the raceway’s CEO and one local driver who will be making his professional debut!

“I like my chances here with all the time we’ve put on the track and the preparation we put in…so I feel very prepared and ready to take on the charge,” said Professional Driver Mark Drennan.

“If you’re not interested in racing, that’s ok too because we’ve got wine tasting, we’ve got vendors, jewelery, souvenier store, new bracelet you can get featured there…there are a lot of things to do and see for everybody,” said Mazda Raceway CEO and GM Gill Campbell.

The pre-race festivities will begin this Thursday, followed by qualifying races on Friday and Saturday, and the main events on Sunday.

Now there will be several different classes of cars racing this weekend, including the debut of the Global Mazda Battery Tender MX-5 Cup, featuring new, high-powered cars that you won’t want to miss.