Merger affects Mazda Raceway

The unification of the Champ Car World Series and the Indy Racing League will have an obvious impact on the 2008 season schedule at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Champ Car was scheduled to be the Sunday feature at the season-opening Monterey Festival of Speed, May 16-18, and had scheduled a weeklong Spring Training test session March 10-14. Champ Car participation in both of those events has been cancelled.

Open-wheel racing has a long and illustrious history in at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The news last September that Champ Car was returning to Monterey after a three-year hiatus created a great deal of excitement among fans, sponsors and the community.

“At this point, we know that Champ Car will not be participating in the Monterey Festival of Speed," said Gill Campbell, CEO/General Manager of the historic track. “We are in the process of addressing this issue with customers who have purchased tickets, sponsorships, hospitality and vendor space based on a Champ Car race being part of the weekend."

Fans with questions regarding the Monterey Festival of Speed are encouraged to call the ticket office (1-800-327-SECA) to discuss their options.

The Monterey Festival of Speed features Round 5 of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, along with open-wheel races from Cooper Tires Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda and Formula BMW Americas. Additional races are being considered and a revised schedule for the Monterey Festival of Speed weekend will be announced soon. Mazda Raceway PR