Monterey Returns to Dual Race Format

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will return to dual races in the Continental Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda on Sunday, May 1 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

With an anticipated entry in excess of 40 cars across the four WeatherTech Championship classes, the series again will contest a pair of two-hour races.

The first race, beginning at 11:15 a.m. PT, will feature the Prototype (P) and GT Le Mans (GTLM) classes and will be televised live on FS1.

The Prototype Challenge (PC) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes will be in the spotlight for the second race, beginning at 3:45 p.m. PT with live television coverage on FS2. Both races also will be rebroadcast on FS1.

“The Continental Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda lends itself to the unique format of dual events for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.

“This format is attractive for a number of reasons. It provides an opportunity for competitors in each of our classes to earn more time in the spotlight, offers the outstanding fans at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca considerably more racing action, and enables us to take advantage of two terrific, live television windows.”

The WeatherTech Championship previously conducted dual races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2014. The expected field for the Continental Monterey Grand Prix is nearly 20 percent larger than it was in 2015.

“The Continental Monterey Grand Prix powered by Mazda will be packed with the best in sports car racing, an action-filled weekend for everyone,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/General Manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

In addition to the dual races, the classes also will be divided in the same manner for all practice sessions leading up to the race.

The P/GTLM and PC/GTD classes each will have three practice sessions prior to qualifying, and each class pairing also will have its own pre-race warm-up on Sunday, May 1.