Mosport: American Le Mans Series Headlines Full Weekend of Racing
(BOWMANVILLE, ON – AUGUST 18, 2009) With the end of summer approaching, race fans will have the chance to close out their racing seasons with one more action-packed weekend when the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport featuring the American Le Mans Series returns, Aug. 27-30.
Canada's biggest sports car race of the year will see battles for season championships on the Series fastest circuit. In the LMP1 class, two Acura-powered teams will continue their season-long competition at Mosport with David Brabham and Scott Sharp of Patrón Highcroft looking to extend their lead points lead with a second straight victory, following their impressive win at Road America in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
In hot pursuit are Gil de Ferran and Simon Pagenaud of de Ferran Motorsports, who had their four-race winning streak snapped by Brabham and Sharp in Wisconsin. Toronto's Tony Burgess will try to spoil the Acura duel when he suits up for the Autocon Motorsports Lola entry.
Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz continue to lead the way in the LMP2 class in their Lowes Fernandez Racing Acura, but the Dyson Racing Mazda of Marino Franchitti and Butch Leitzinger will be aiming to notch their second class win of the season at Mosport while they attempt to hold off their sister car, driven by Chris Dyson and Guy Smith.
In GT2, the battles between teams and marques should be at a fever pitch, as the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche entry of Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long try to maintain their points lead after a disappointing fourth place in-class finish at Road America. Among their many challengers at Mosport will be the two BMWs of Rahal/Letterman Racing who are coming off first and second place results, along with the two new Corvette Racing C6.R's and the Risi Competizione Ferrari co-driven by former champion Jaime Melo.
In addition to the American Le Mans Series, six exciting open wheel and sports car and GT championships will take to the track at Mosport featuring many established and up-and-coming Canadian and International drivers.
Making its return to Mosport for the first time since 1994 is the Cooper Tires presents the Atlantic Championship powered by Mazda. This developmental open-wheel series showcases young stars looking to make the jump to Indy cars. Mosport's Atlantic history is a long and storied one, with a list of past winners that includes Bill Brack, Bobby Rahal and David Empringham among others.
The Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear and Formula BMW Americas, are U.S.-based open-wheel series that feature rising young Canadian stars such as Gianmarco Raimondo and Alex Ellis in Formula BMW and David Ostella and Michael Furfari in Star Mazda.
The VW Jetta TDI Cup moves over to the Grand Prix weekend after its successful debut at Mosport during last year's Victoria Day SpeedFest, with a field of up-and-coming drivers competing in identical race-prepared, clean diesel-powered Volkswagen Jetta TDIs. Among the talented drivers from across North America that will be at Mosport are Canadians David Richert, Andrew Cordeiro and Jake Thompson.
The IMSA Patron GT3 Challenge featuring Porsche 911 GT3 cars and the sportscar prototypes of the IMSA Lites series featuring Barrie Ontario's Kyle Marcelli, round out the weekend schedule.
Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport features lots of fun things away from the track for fans to see and do as well, such as Tech Talks, Driver Chats and autograph session with American Le Mans Series drivers and teams and vendors selling authentic race-related merchandise. The American Le Mans Series race will also feature its famous Open Grid Walk on race day, which allows spectators to mix with teams and drivers on track minutes before the green flag drops. This feature of ALMS racing is unique amongst top-level racing series and gives fans an up-close, interactive experience.
Exciting race week activities are also in store with Mosport's RaceFest at Brookfield Place (Bay St. & Front St.) in downtown Toronto on Wednesday, August 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RaceFest will feature pit stop demonstrations from the Corvette Racing team and other race show cars from Risi Ferrari and Rahal/Letterman BMW. Among the drivers who will be on hand to sign autographs and greet fans will be Jaime Melo (Risi), Joey Hand and Tommy Milner (Rahal/Letterman) and Toronto's Tony Burgess (Autocon).
A four-day SuperTicket is just $65 until August 26 ($80 at the Gate) and each ticket includes parking, paddock admission, and entrance to Saturday Night Stock Car racing at Mosport Speedway. Children 12 and under are free when accompanied by a paid adult admission. Single day tickets are also available.
General and family camping areas are available, with full-service washrooms, showers and children's playgrounds. An advanced three-day weekend general camping pass is just $30 (For tents or pop-up trailers). RVs are $50 for the weekend.
For those looking for a real Mosport VIP experience, tickets to the Grand Prix Club are available for $200. The Grand Prix Club includes a four-day admission and Sunday VIP Hospitality which features a fully catered lunch and beverages, and is located trackside in a tented chalet overlooking the start/finish straight and corner one.
For more information about Mosport ticket packages and camping, call the Mosport Hotline at 1-800-866-1072 (Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET) or visit online at www.mosport.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster.
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Photo: The Patron Highcroft Racing Acura leads the field into turn one during the 2008 Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport.
Credit: Dan Boyd/American Le Mans Series
Media contact: Lee Bailie, Mosport, (905) 995-8313 (cell.) or email lee@mosport.com
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