Global Tuner Grand Prix and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to Put World's Top Performance Tuners and Racers in Head-to-Head Battle

MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Tuner Grand Prix is proud to announce that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is hosting the first ever Global Tuner Grand Prix, taking place Friday, October 22nd through Sunday, October 24th, 2010.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100811/LA49206LOGO)

(Logo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100811/LA49206LOGO)

The Global Tuner Grand Prix is a spectator event with top professional performance tuners from around the world competing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The GTGP is similar to Europe's Tuner GP and Japan's International Lap Battle competitions but is the first of its kind in North America. This specific weekend is one of four no sound restriction Pro weekends at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

"On behalf of NOVITEC ROSSO we are excited to be part of the GTGP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The GTGP format has been long overdue in North America and it's the perfect event to showcase NOVITEC ROSSO's technology on track in front of enthusiasts. There is no better way to prove a vehicles performance than on a racing circuit and with GTGP we will be able to do so against the best Tuners in the world," said Albert Cook, Director of NOVITEC North America, LLC.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the only track in North America where lap times for production cars are recognized by major manufacturers and motorsport media moguls around the world.  A lap time here is used as a measuring stick for a vehicle's performance, equivalent to the Nurburgring in Germany.

"What a great way to end our major event season, bringing our fans the best in global tuner competition," said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "To put Porsche, Corvette and Mazda together in competition will be a true global motorsports event." 

"Porsche Motorsport North America is very pleased to be a part of the 2010 GTGP event and to be able to attend with Technical and Parts Support as we do for all major racing events in the US. We look forward to an exciting three days of racing at one of the premier tracks in the country," said Paul Ritchie, President & CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

About the Global Tuner Grand Prix:

The GTGP consists of three classes of cars, open to all Import, European and Domestic vehicles. This includes Street, Tuner and Unlimited. The three different classes each are bracketed in three categories that include Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive.

THE GTGP Challenge Race is an all-out wheel-to-wheel, no-holds-barred, 50-minute sprint race that will showcase the best sports cars in the world from the Pro Racing ranks through the fastest Club racers. 

"I'm really excited about the GTGP and looking forward to racing at a track that is so rich in motorsport history. The timing is perfect for an event like this in North America where companies can showcase their products not only to the fans but retailers and manufactures. Tuners, racers and automotive enthusiasts are finally getting their Super Bowl right here at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca," said Antonio Sabato Jr., actor and race car driver.  

Event Features:

-Pirelli Driver's Cup will feature two main events with a 45-minute timed race on Saturday and a 45-minute timed race on Sunday. The series runs both Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars.

-The Historic Motorsports Association is participating with a 30-minute sprint race on Saturday, running vintage and historic stock cars to their limits, taking you back in time to how hard wheel-to-wheel racing used to be.

-Exhibitor and Manufacturer displays are in the main paddock and the Yamaha Marketplace. Offering a trade show atmosphere at a professional race venue immersing spectators in a showcase of the best of what the industry has to offer while displaying proven performance on the race track. No other event in North America offers this experience for the industry as well as consumers.

-Car Club Corrals - Porsche, Audi, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan, Acura and more.

-VIP Car show all day Sunday, held in the Yamaha Marketplace. This is not only for exotics and sports cars but a celebration of all automotive manufactures.

-Red Carpet Gala, Saturday evening October 23rd.

For more information on Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, please visit www.mazdaracewaylagunaseca.com.

For more information on the GTGP, visit www.globaltunergp.com.

SOURCE Global Tuner Grand Prix