Global Tuner Grand Prix Launches Inaugural Event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

MONTEREY, Calif., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Tuner Grand Prix (GTGP) presented by Mobil 1 was the season finale for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and featured the Global Tuner Grand Prix, Challenge Race, Pirelli Drivers Cup and historic stock car race. Despite the intermittent rain throughout the weekend, the adverse track conditions with on-and-off rain throughout the weekend, the action on track kept drivers and fans on the edge of their seats. The diversity of the tuning culture was displayed and represented by more than a dozen manufacturers.  Racers from various backgrounds set out on track at the same time as the GTGP welcomed a mix of professional racing drivers and amateur club- and time trial-drivers, incorporating makes and models from every corner of the globe.

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"We had an amazing weekend and would like to thank all our sponsors for their support," said GTGP Co-Founder Fabryce Kutyba.  "Mobil 1, Stoptech, Porsche Motorsport North America, Mazda, BBS, Michelin, Pirelli, and Hoosier. There is no doubt that the Global Tuner Grand Prix is an event that will only grow in years to come."

The main event Sunday was the GTGP time-trial competition consisting of three different classes: Tuner, Street and Unlimited. Andy Pilgrim claimed the fastest time over-all in the Unlimited class, running the K-PAX Volvo S60R with a 1-minute, 28.517-seconds.

"I was really amazed to see so many fans despite the weather conditions," said Pilgrim.  "There were people in the grandstands and tons of people at The Corkscrew even during monsoon conditions; great to see. One point I do want to highlight:  I can honestly say the on-track respect and discipline of the drivers at this event was some of the best I have ever seen."

Garry Grant took fastest time and victory in the Tuner class with a 1:37.614 in the Dodge Viper ACR, while the overall Street class winner was TC Kline in a Porsche Boxter Spyder, putting down a 1:42.780.

The main Challenge Race took place Sunday and was blessed with no rain. The front row consisted of Porsche and Volvo, with James Sofronas and Pilgrim lining up side by side, respectively. These two drivers ended up lapping the entire field during the 50-minute sprint to checker, and the winners ended up finishing as they started, with Sofronas winning overall and Pilgrim second.  John Trefethan finished third.  Sofronas also recorded the fastest time during the weekend with a 1:26.500 on Saturday to set the quickest time overall for the first inaugural running of the GTGP event.

The weekend also attracted the attention of professional racing driver Darren Law. "I really enjoyed being involved in the Global Tuner Grand Prix this year," explained Law. "They have really put together a first class program. It was hosted at one of America's premier race tracks; it had a good turnout of competitors and was well organized. This is also a great time of year, they made it available to both competitors and spectators alike. I really think they have something here and look forward to being a part of it again next season."

Television coverage from the GTGP will air on the international TV Show Mobil 1 "The GRID" and which will be broadcast in over 100 countries worldwide prior to the start of the first Formula 1 race in 2011.

For full GTGP race results and event photos please visit, www.globaltunergp.com.

SOURCE Global Tuner Grand Prix