BMW: Celebrating 100 Years Of History In Monterey (Part 1)

BMW: Celebrating 100 Years Of History In Monterey (Part 1)
By: Brandon O'Brien
Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise stated

2016 marks 100 years of production for BMW although the actual production of automobiles did not officially begin until 1929 with the DA2 3/15 PS.  Without going into a history lesson BMW was established as an aircraft engine manufacturer, in 1923 expanding into motorcycles, and 1928 automobiles.  The famous logo that we now recognize came into existence around July 1917.

The largest celebration this side of the Atlantic occurred this past August when BMW was the honored marque at the Rolex Monterey Historic Car Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  The annual event occurs along with the Monterey Car Week every August.

This story will be short on words but long on photographs in an effort to document many, but not all,  of the unique BMW's present over the weekend.  Most will be of cars that were on hand for the historic races but we are also including those seen at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and interesting examples spotted along the way.

The earliest BMW on hand was the pretty Roundel Blue 1930 BMW 3/15 DA2.  This little gem, proudly owned by Colleen Sheehan, was seen last year at the Legends of the Autobahn and this year at the Concours d'Elegance.  This is one of only two BMW 3/15's known to exist in this country.  Both owned by Ms. Sheehan.

1930 BMW 3/15 PS DA2 Cabriolet, chassis 21296 as displayed at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ms. Sheehan posing by her 1930 BMW 3/15 PS DA2 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit:  Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The earliest racing BMW was a highly modified Frazer Nash-BMW 315/1, "The Willis Special".
AFN Ltd. became importers and assemblers of BMW cars in 1934 and sold them as Frazer Nash-BMW's.  They were the official British BMW importer until the outbreak of war in 1939.

1935 BMW 315/1 "Willis Special", chassis 51203 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1935 BMW 315/1 "Willis Special", chassis 51203 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

A number of early 328 roadsters were on hand.  Most were "stock" 328's but a couple were very special.

1937 BMW 328 Roadster, chassis 85014 was seen both at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as well as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1937 BMW 328 Roadster, chassis 85021 as seen at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1937 BMW 328 Roadster, chassis 85167.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1938 BMW 328 Roadster, chassis 85251.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Very rarely seen is the "Bugelfalten" or "pressed crease" streamlined roadster. The car started life in 1937 as a regularly raced roadster being driven successfully by the British driver A.F.P. Fane and won its class at Le Mans in 1938.  The car was modified by BMW in 1939 to compete in the Mille Miglia. During the Second World War the car was regularly driven by German Minister of Armament Production Albert Speer.

The 1937 "Bugelfalten" 328 Streamlined Roadster, chassis 85032, as raced in the 1940 Mille Miglia.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1937 "Bugelfalten" 328 Streamlined Roadster, chassis 85032,  as raced in the 1940 Mille Miglia.  Note the creases in the fenders and the original number plate.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The  special badging on the boot of the 328 Streamlined Roadster, chassis 85032.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Undoubtedly the most special BMW to be seen was the 1939 BMW 328 Touring Coupe.  Carrozzeria Touring of Milan built this aerodynamic and lightweight "superleggera" body on a 328 chassis for use in long-distance races.  It won its class at Le Mans in 1939 and was the overall winner of the 1940 Mille Miglia.

1939 BMW 328 Touring Coupe was designed for the long range races. It took 1st Place in class at the 1939 24-Hours of Le Mans and 1st Place overall in the 1940 Mille Miglia.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The special badging showing that this BMW 328 has Superleggera coachwork by Touring of Milan.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Seen at the Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach were a number of finely presented prewar and postwar BMW's.

1935 BMW 315/1 Roadster on the green at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1940 BMW 335 Autenrieth Cabriolet Sedan is one of the few survivors of the 40 built.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1956 BMW 502 Baur Cabriolet in Topaz Blue as seen on the green at Pebble Beach.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1960 BMW 3200 Super Autenrieth Cabriolet Sedan made its first trip from Europe to be on the green at Pebble Beach.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1957 BMW 503 Series I Bertone Cabriolet.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1958 BMW 507 Series II Convertible.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This 1957 BMW 507 Series I, chassis 70079 was owned by Elvis Presley when he served in the U.S. Army in Germany.
Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

 "Officer"Stephen Bauer in authentic attire next to his 1961 BMW 300 Sport Coupe police car.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This 1979 BMW M1 Procar, chassis 4301053, was privately commissioned by legendary driver Peter Gregg and painted by Frank Stella in honor of their friend Ronnie Peterson.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This 1974 BMW 2002 Turbo Coupe, chassis 4290238 is one of 1,672 examples.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Fast forward to 1957 - 1964 and BMW wins its first European Championship with the 1800TI.  The 1800 TISA and 2000 models follow this from 1965 to 1967 with 24-hour race wins and trans-European titles.  What makes the European racers unique is that they competed with full interiors and no roll bars.  Later versions did include rudimentary roll bars.

1960 BMW 700S chassis 190764 exiting the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 BMW 1800 Ti, chassis 980844 accelerating down the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1965 BMW 1800 Ti/SA, chassis 995013 exiting the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1968 BMW 2000 CS at the top of the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1973 BMW (E3) 3.0S, chassis 2183733 leading a pack of cars on to the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

From 1968 to 1978 in North America BMW was fighting Alfa GTVs and BRE prepared Datsun 510 sedans.  Two of those drivers were present at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Nick Craw with his 2002 and John Morton, who drove for BRE at the time, was driving another BMW 2002 that weekend.

1968 BMW 2002entering the start/finish straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1966 BMW 2002 on the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1968 BMW 2002 on the front straight at the Rolex Monterey Historic Car Races.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1968 BMW 2002 on the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1969 BMW 2002 as seen in the Corkscrew during the Rolex Monterey Historic Car Races.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1969 BMW 1600, chassis 1569163 entering the start/finish straight.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Nick Craw teamed up with Miller & Norburn in 1973 driving their 2002 production racer in the BF Goodrich Radial Tire Challenge Championship.  As a 2002 driver he won more races than any rival in the BF Goodrich series.

1970 BMW Alpina 2002Ti, chassis 2628020 entering the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Nick Craw in his 1968 BMW 2002 that he campaigned for Miller Norburn in the 1970's.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1976 BMW 2002, chassis TP-7-41478  being driven by John Morton in the Corkscrew.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1979 BMW (E21) 320 Turbo, chassis E21-R4-05 was driven originally and now by Jim Busby but spent most of it's racing career in the Australian Touring Car Championship.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1970's saw the appearance of the big coupes.  Starting out with carbureted versions of the 2.8- and 3.0-liter motors they later moved up to 3.5-liters and turbos.  The factory produced 21 official racing CSL's with chassis numbers ranging from 2275980 to 2276000.  A number of "in the white" chassis were supplied to the leading independent European Teams also.  From the period 1972 to 1979 the CSL pretty much dominated the European Touring Car Championship, Group 2 and Group 5.

1972 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis 2275997.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1976 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL in Alpina Faltz colors entering the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1971 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis 2211342.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1978 Group 2 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL chassis 001/79 was seen in front of the BMW North America tent.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1978 Group 2 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL chassis 001/79 was seen in front of the BMW North America tent.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1975 BMW (E9) CSL in the Corkscrew on a foggy morning.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1975 Group 5 World Championship of Makes BMW (E9) CSL Turbo leading a M1 onto the start/finish straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1975 Group 5 World Championship of Makes BMW (E9) CSL Turbo, chassis 2275988 in the corkscrew in the fog.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1973 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis 2275295 is painted to look like the Alexander Calder Art Car.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1973 BMW (E9) CSL braking for the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1974 BMW (E9) CSL, chassis 2203291.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1973 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis 2275204 in the famous Alpina Jagermeister colors.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1972 BMW (E9) CSL entering the front straight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1976 ETCC Championship winning BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis "Luigi" 001 being driven by Steve Walker through the Corkscrew.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1975 BMW (E9) CSL painted by Alexander Calder for the 24-hours of Le Mans.  This became BMW's 1st Art Car.
Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

In 1975 the large factory sponsored coupes came to the U.S. to compete in the IMSA Camel GT series.  This would be the first outing for the big Motorsport racers in this country.  A team that included Hans Stuck, Sam Posey, Brian Redman, and Ronnie Peterson drove them and were able to secure the class title.  This writer remembers watching them take a 1-2 victory at Riverside that year.  Peter Gregg and Brian Redman competed in the series in 1976.

Ludwig Willisch taking the 1975 BMW (E9) 3.0 CSL, chassis 2275985 down the corkscrew in the fog.  This is the 1975 Sebring, Riverside, and Laguna Seca winning car. Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This BMW (E9) 3.5 CSL, chassis 2275987 has numerous race wins and is one of the five original IMSA cars.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 1976 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona winning BMW (E9) 3.5 CSL at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

When the CSL's were no longer considered competitive the new 320's were ready to take their place.  From 1977 to 1979 the 320 was seen either as normally aspirated or turbocharged in competition.  They were able to secure a class championship in Germany and eight wins in the U.S.

Three cars of the five cars built were to contest in North America.  All had turbo motors, the "cow catcher" front spoiler, a custom rear fascia with expanded side sills to accommodate the 19 x 14 inch wide rear wheels plus additional radiators and intercoolers.

1977 BMW (E21) 320i Turbo, chassis E21-R1-03 on display outside the BMW pavilion.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1977 BMW (E21) 320i Turbo, chassis E21-002 on display outside the BMW pavilion.  Image Credit:  2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1978 BMW (E21)320 Turbo "lightweight", chassis E21-R4-03 won a number of races in 1978 and 1979 with David Hobbs.  
Credit: 2016 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Who can think of a better racetrack to display their power than Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  With that being said, I must also give accolades to BMW North America in arranging this ambitious undertaking blending throughout the 2016 Monterey Car Week.

Presented here were BMW's that looked like our regular cars or were primarily built for/or by BMW.

There were other cars present that are presented at BMW: Celebrating 100 Years Of History In Monterey (Part 2).




TAGS: 100 Years, 3/15, 328 Touring Coupe, BMW, BMW Motorsport, BMW North America, Brandon O'Brien, Brian Redman, Bugelfalten, Colleen Sheehan, CSL, David Hobbs, Davy Jones, Jim Busby, John Andretti, M3, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, McLaren, McLaren-BMW, Monterey Car Week, Motor Driven Images, Nick Craw, Octoberfest, Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Procar, Rolex Monterey Historic Car Races, Ronnie Peterson, Williams, Williams-BMW

The 2015 Rolex Monterey Historic Motorsports Reunion

The 2015 Rolex Monterey Historic Motorsports Reunion

By: Brandon O'Brien

Images: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise stated

Historic Motorsport racing is a unique way of seeing, in action, racing cars from the past.  Unlike regular automobile racing where the drivers are going "all out" for the prize,  historic race drivers/owners are doing this out of a love for the sport and the cars they are driving.  Don't get me wrong, most of the drivers are not just puttering around the track. Although it may seem like it when you are watching a 1912 Packard or 1916 National with their "mechanics" leaning out around curves.   They are driving the cars at somewhere around 85-90% of the cars' capabilities.

Pete Thelander in his 1934 MG NE leading Eric Ramos in the 1916 National AC and Jim Putnam in the 1912 Packard 30 prior to entering the Cork-Screw. Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Along with the older cars you may actually see old favorites like Eddie Lawson and John Morton taking their turn behind the wheel or Sir Jackie Stewart as an honored guest. The track allows 550 entrants to compete over the 3-day weekend.  This year, over 65,000 spectators were in attendance. Even with all those people in attendance it is still easy for the average photographer to get great action shots and see the cars and drivers up close in the paddock area.

1933 Maserati 4CM in the Paddock Area. Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

1971 Tyrrell 004 as seen in the Paddock at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The events are divided into various groups to make the racing more competitive.  Those groups are divided into sub-groups "A" and "B". For this years' event at the Rolex Monterey Historic Motorsports Reunion held at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca the following groups were used:

1A - Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring Cars
1B - 1927-1951 Racing Cars
2A - 1955-1962 GT Cars
2B - 1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT Cars
3A - 1965-1970 Shelby Mustang
3B - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 2000cc.
4A - 1973-1981 FIA, IMSA, GT-GTX - AAGT - GTU
4B - 1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc.
5A - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc.
5B - 1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc.,
6A - FIA Manufacturers Championship
6B - 1966-1972 Trans-Am
7A - 1981-1991 FIA / IMSA - GTP, GTO
7B - 1968-1976 Formula 5000
8A - 1967-1984 Formula 1.

Each year the track honors a marque. This year homage was paid to the original Shelby Mustang celebrating it's 50th anniversary. Fifty-six cars were present during the picture taking event on Wednesday. From Turn 3 all the way to Turn 4 all you could see was row upon row of Wimbledon White and Blue Stripped Shelby's, with a few other colors thrown in. In the paddock the Ford Motor Company had a wonderful display of both historic 1965 Shelby's and also their new 2016 GT350 and GT350R's.

The Ford Motor Company Display showing both original and the new 2016 GT 350's.
Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Thirty-eight 1965 and 1966 G.T. 350's took to the track from Thursday to Saturday.  Not even in the iconic days of Carroll Shelby had that many vintage G.T. 350's been on the track at one time.  Maybe they were not fighting it out like they did in the late 1960's but it was still inspiring to say the least.

Terry Lawlor leads Forrest Straight and Tom Fry  into Turn 7 in their G.T. 350's
at the Monterey Historic Car Races.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The awarding of trophies is not based on who actually wins an event but who is "most deserving".  They are presented on how well the cars are driven, preserved, and the drivers' "overall spirit" during the weekend. The penultimate award, the Spirit of Monterey, a specially engraved Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watch, went to Dick Deluna and his 1917 Hall-Scott The Four-A-7A. Dick stated, "The car is a hoot to drive and is a crowd pleaser."

Dick Luna, The Spirit of Monterey Award Winner exiting Turn 7 in his 1917 Hall-Scott The Four-A-7A.
Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Rolex Awards of Excellence were awarded in each of the 15 race categories to those drivers that were most deserving:

 Rolex Race 1A – Rick Rawlins: 1931 Alfa Romeo 6C
 Race 2A -  Clinton DeWitt: 1960 Porsche Super 90 Speedster
 Race 3A – Gilbert Hakim: 1966 Shelby GT350
 Race 4A – Didier Andre: 1977 Greenwood Corvette
 Race 5A – Fred Burke: 1962 Cooper Monaco
 Race 6A – Richard Griot: 1969 Porsche 908/02 Spyder
 Race 7A – Parker Johnstone: 1991 Acura Spice GTP Light
 Race 8A – James Hagan: 1983 Tyrrell
 Race 1B – John Kerr: 1932 Miller-Scofield
 Race 2B – Steve Schuler: 1950 Allard J-2 Le Mans
 Race 3B – Tom Trabue: 1958 Porsche 550 A
 Race 4B – Alan Benjamin: 1967 Porsche 911S
 Race 5B – Sandra McNeil: 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra
 Race 6B – Walt Brown: 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
 Race 7B – Alan Dunkley: 1968 Lola T140

Group 2A Rolex Award of Excellance winner Clinton Dewitt in his 1960 Porsche Super 90 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Group 3A Rolex Award of Excellence Winner Gilbert Hakim in his 1966 Shelby G.T. 350 in the Cork-Screw at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The Group 4A Rolex Award of Excellence Winner Didier Andr in His 1977 Greenwood Corvette at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Group 6A Rolex Award of Excellance Winner Richard Griot in his 1969 Porsche 908/02 Spyder at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Group 7A Rolex Award of Excellence Winner Parker Johnstone in the 1991 Acura Spice GTP Light at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The Group 8A Rolex Award of Excellence Winner James Hagan and His 1983 Tyrrell 011 At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit:  2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Group 3B Rolex Award of Excellence Winner Tom Trabue in his 1958 porsche 550 A Exiting Turn 11 At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The Group 5B Rolex Award of Excellence Winner Sandra McNeil in her 1963 Shelby 289 Cobra Braking Hard for Turn 11 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

The Rolex Awards gathering concluded with the announcement that BMW will be the honored mark next year as it will be celebrating it's 100th anniversary. If you are a BMW fan or just a plain "gear head" now is not too early to make your reservations for the 2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion which will be held on August 18-21, 2016.

The Honored Marque at the 2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.  Image Credit:
2015 Motor Driven Images / Brandon O'Brien

Can't wait until next year?  The Coronado Speed Festival will be held from September 18-20, 2015 at NAS Coronado Island in San Diego. Many of the cars seen at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will be on hand at Coronado.


TAGS: Monterey Historic Car Races, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Motor Driven Images, Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, BMW, Jackie Stewart, Formula 1, Formula 5000, Shelby G.T. 350, Ford GT350, Rolex, Monterey Classic Car Week

TUDOR United SportsCar Championship At Laguna Seca

Prototype, Prototype Challenge, and GT Daytona cars in Turn 4 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Moves to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Two weeks after the hotly contested street race in Long Beach the full complement of TUDOR United classes took to the track at the fabled Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Having its first race in 1957, what was then known as Laguna Seca Raceway, and actually part of the Fort Ord military reservation, has always been a favorite of fans and drivers alike.  With its 11-turns (most moderate to high speed) and elevation changes the 2.238-mile circuit has hosted events including Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA GT, Champ Car, American Le Mans Series (ALMS), and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

The Corkscrew is both a fan and driver favorite.  This famous left-right hander has an initial grade of 12% that quickly transitions to 18% and drops a gut wrenching 59 feet within the complex turn.  The total elevation change from Turn 8 to Turn 9 is 109 feet, all within a distance of 450 feet. For most drivers, when the car is set-up correctly, there is only a slight tap of the brakes as they enter the left-hand Turn 9. They accelerate all through the Corkscrew and on the way to Turn 9.

For those not totally familiar with the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship (TUSCC) it is comprised of four classes of cars. Prototype (P) is the flagship class featuring the fastest and most technologically advanced cars in North America by combining Grand-Am Daytona Prototypes with the ALMS P2 class prototypes and Deltawing cars.

Prototype Challenge (PC) is a spec-class carried over directly from ALMS featuring open-cockpit Le Mans Prototype cars built by ORECA with engines supplied by Chevrolet and tires by Continental. These cars are driven by a team of two drivers, one a full-time professional and the other a part-time "amateur" driver.

Grand Touring Le Mans (GTLM) is a continuation of the ALMS GT class of cars using the same technical regulations as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Based on production models, they are engineered to produce the maximum performance.

GT Daytona (GTD) is a class that combines the Grand-Am GT and GX classes along with the Porsche GT3 Cup cars, all built to FIA GT3 specifications. These, like the PC cars, are driven by professional and amateur drivers.

In order to keep all the cars within a class comparatively equal the TUSCC uses what is called the "Balance of Performance" (BoP). This is a formula that mandates a level of performance for all competitors by using restrictors and weight. Whether due to the BoP or not there have been 14 different drivers to claim the GTLM class pole in the first 14  races.  That trend did not change at Mazda Raceway when Dirk Werner became the 15th different GTLM driver to capture the class pole in the No.25 BMW Z4 GTE.

The No.10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP during it's Pole Setting qualifying run at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Other class pole sitters were; Jonathan Taylor in the No.10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP, Chris Cumming in the No.11 ORECA FLM09  (PC), and Patrick Lindsey in the No.73 Park Place Porsche 911 GT America (GTD).

The winning No.90 VisitFlorida.Com Corvette DP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

On race day the conditions were almost perfect with the temps in the mid-60's. Unfortunately, for the drivers, they had little time practicing and qualifying in that type of weather.  Friday was blistering hot and Saturday was cooler.

The start of the race was exciting with all the DP cars vying for the lead at the same time. The inevitable occurred when the No.10 Wayne Taylor Corvette and the No.01 Ganassi Ford EcoBoost Riley had contact in Turn 2 causing both cars to lose time and some aerodynamic bits which allowed the No.90 VisitFlorida.com Corvette DP to take the lead. While the pack of 35 starting cars was still tight, the No.3 Corvette C.7R (which had to start at the end of the pack due to an engine change) had contact with rear of the No.90 Corvette DP in Turn 3 causing the Corvette to lose part of the right front fascia which effectively put an end to their race. A few laps later the No.33 Riley Motorsports Dodge Viper SRT, still on cold tires, went wide at the exit of Turn 6 hitting signage which broke the right front suspension. Fortunately,  Keating was able to make it back to the pits thereby averting a full-course yellow.

The first full-course yellow came out when the No.16 BAR1 Motorsports ORECA FLM09 driven by Todd Slusher spun across the track in Turn 2.  The long yellow brought out a flurry of pit stops. Shortly after the re-start at the 40-minute mark the No.45 Flying Lizard Audi R8 LMS driven by Patrick Byrne went wide on cold tires in Turn 5 and got mired in the gravel bringing out the 2nd full-course yellow. The yellows allowed for early pit stops with most of the teams doing their driver changes at that time.

By mid-race most of the action had stabilized and the top runners were Jordan Taylor in the No.10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette DP with an 8 second lead over the No.90 VisitFlorida Corvette DP. In PC, Chris Cumming in the No.11 RSR Racing Oreca FLM09 had a 45 second over Mikhall Goikhberg in the JDC/Miller Motorsports car.

The PC class winning No.11 ORECA FLM09 at Mazde Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2nd Place No.54 CORE autosport ORECA FLM09 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

For GTLM the No.24 BMW Team RLL Z4 driven by John Edwards held an 18 second lead over the No.62 Risi Competizone Ferrari driven by Giancarlo Fisichella. The tightest race at that point was in the GTD class where Patrick Lindsey in the No.73 Park Place Porsche 911 GT America was just 0.44 seconds over Christopher Haase in the Paul Miller Racing No.48 Audi R8 LMS.

The No.24 GTLM winning BMW Team RLL Z4 GTE at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Motor Driven Images

One thing that was noticed during the green flag pit-stops was that the Mazda SkyActiv Prototype was able to go 26 laps further than any of the other competitors. The fuel economy which made the diesel formidable at Le Mans will certainly have an effect in TUSCC once Mazda picks up the speed it is currently lacking.

The fuel efficient Mazda SkyActiv Prototype at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The racing continued to be close and exciting for the next half of the race.  The running order remained essentially the same as at the mid point.  Close to the 30-minutes to go mark the No.10 Corvette DP came in for a splash of gas coming out in second place.  A few laps later the No.90 Corvette DP also came in and re-entered the race just 1.4 seconds ahead of the No.10 setting up the final half-hour as a nose to tail battle with mistakes or traffic going to be the deciding factor.  Neither driver made any mistakes and although there were a few times when traffic was an issue both cars were able to thread there way through without loosing or gaining any time.  The last two minutes were definitively a "nail biter".

The race could have essentially ended 6-minutes earlier when the No.22 WeatherTech Porsche 911 GT America and the Turner Motorsports Z4 came together in Turn 5 with both sliding off track and into the tire barrier. Both were able to re-gain forward motion and limped back to the pits thereby averting a full-course yellow.

The WeatherTech Porsche 911 GT America leads the Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 through the Corkscrew prior to their coming together in Turn 5 a few laps later.  Image Credit:2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Richard Westbrook held onto his overall points lead by bringing the No.90 VisitFlorida Corvette DP in first place just 1.351 seconds over Ricky Taylor in the No.10 Taylor Racing Corvette DP.  Bruno Junqueira led the PC contingent in the No.11 RSR Racing ORECA FLM09 about 40 seconds ahead of  Colin Braun in the No.54 CORE Autosport car.  GTLM was a BMW affair with John Edwards in the No.24 BMW RLL Z4 GTE about 22 seconds ahead of the sister car driven by Bill Auberlan. Finally, in GTD Spencer Plumpelly brought the No.73 Park Place Porsche GT America into first place a little over 4.5 seconds ahead of Christopher Haase in the Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS.

The GT Daytona class winning Porsche 911 GT America exiting the Corkscrew at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2nd place car in GT Daytona was the Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS.
Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix - TUDOR United SportsCar Championship winners: (L-R) John Edwards & Lucas Luhr (GTLM); Michael Valiante & Richard Westbrook  (P);  Bruno Junqueira & Chris Cumming (PC); Spencer Pumpelly & Patrick Lindsey (GTD).  Image Credit: 2015 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

On a sad note, all the Michelin crew were wearing a black armband honoring Francois Michelin who had died earlier in the week. Michelin had been Co-Chairman of the tire manufacturer from October 1959.

The next TUDOR United event will be on Saturday May 30 in Detroit on the Belle Isle Park circuit.  The event will be a 100-minute speed fest which will host the Prototype, Prototype Challenge, and GT Daytona classes.

TAGS: TUDOR United Sports Car Championship, Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, American Le Mans Series, Prototype, Prototype Challenge, Grand Touring Le Mans, GT Daytona