PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Pre-Race Report

With back-to-back victories in the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season opening endurance classics, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports is looking to extend their winning streak at the California-based team’s home track; Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The PC class victories at the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona and the 2015 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by “Fresh from Florida” highlighted the team’s endurance racing program, while the two hour and forty minute format of the Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix Powered By Mazda will showcase PR1/Mathiasen’s sprint racing capabilities. Strong qualifying, fast race laps, perfect strategy, and flawless pit stops will be the keys to success at the legendary 11-turn, 2.238-mile natural terrain road course in beautiful Monterey, CA.

PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports will be returning with Michael Guasch who helped score the PC class victory at Laguna Seca in 2013. Guasch will share the #52 Cuttwood E-Liquid Oreca FLM09 with fellow Daytona and Sebring winning co-driver, Tom Kimber-Smith, who has a Laguna Seca career high finish of third in his debut at the track in 2012. MICHAEL GUASCH – Driver #52 Cuttwood E-Liquid “I’ve had a lot of success at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca over the years. It’s my home race and we always bring a big group of friends, family, and business contacts out to the show. “We won the PC class the last time I raced here with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and I’m looking to keep that streak, and our season opening Daytona-Sebring winning streak going as well. “Coming off of the endurance rounds, I’ve adjusted my training and my mindset to prepare for the sprint format. In the long events, you spend so much time protecting the car, keeping yourself healthy, just trying to make it to the fight at the end. Sprint racing requires maximum attack right from the green. I’ve increased my training routine and I’ve been taking my shifter kart to the local tracks to get myself acclimated to the intensity that the next few races will require.  “I know that the team will do their part, I’m making sure I’m ready to do mine.” TOM KIMBER-SMITH – Driver #52 Cuttwood E-Liquid“I’ve only raced at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca a few times in my career, but it is absolutely one of my favorite locations in the world. I love the track, the area, and I’m eager to get back in the car and get the season going again. “One thing that will make this weekend especially difficult is the relative lack of practice sessions. Historically, those few sessions are plagued with yellows as well, so it’ll be imperative that we unload with a quick car and maximize green flag conditions. “It’ll be crowded out there as well, a lot of cars on a smaller, twisty track. We’ll have to turn perfect laps, have flawless pit stops, and really lock in qualifying to ensure a strong finish.” BOBBY OERGEL – Team Owner – PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports“It’s always great to head out to Laguna. It’s a short drive from Fresno and we always have plenty of supporters in the stands.  “With the two biggest endurance races of the year behind us, the sprint race grind begins this weekend. The shorter distance formats definitely put pressure on the guys, as everything must go absolutely perfect. This isn’t Daytona where you can have an issue early on and then take fifteen hours to claw the lead lap back. This is the type of event where if you go a lap down, you’ll probably stay there. “So while it’s great that we will be surrounded by family and friends this weekend, we are making sure that we maintain the same focus that’s earned so much success this year. We are here to compete for the win at every event, regardless of the race distance.”