Buckler to drive at Laguna Seca

TRG Team Owner Buckler Returns to the Cockpit

Kevin Buckler

Photo by: Richard Sloop

Monterey, CA (September 15th, 2011) - For the first time in eight years, TRG Team Owner Kevin Buckler will return to the drivers seat in the American Le Mans Series this weekend at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the American Le Mans Series Monterey presented by Tequila Patron.

Buckler, 52, will join season regular Dion von Moltke and Laguna Seca teammate Emilio DiGuida in the No. 68 PRNewswire/South African Airways Porsche 911 GT3 Cup GTC class entry. Spencer Pumpelly and Duncan Ende pilot TRG's second car, the No. 66 STANDD/Racer's Roast entry.

It was at Laguna Seca in 1994, where Buckler began his racing career in an IMSA race and then won in his first outing at Sears Point as a professional driver a year later. Buckler, whose two-car team is only 11 points behind in the GTC team championship, last drove in the ALMS at Petit Le Mans in 2003, finishing fourth with Patrick Long and Cort Wagner.

Buckler, who established TRG in 1992, had an incredible run in the Series in 2002 when he took the GT pole at Infineon and then rattled off eight straight podiums, including wins at Mid-Ohio and Mosport. His final season behind the wheel, 2003, saw TRG take podiums in Atlanta and Road America.

"Laguna Seca has always been a special place for me," said Buckler. "Not only is it where I began my racing career, but it is a track that I've always thought was one of the greatest natural terrain road racing circuits in the world and one at which I've always done pretty well. I'm hoping I may be able to help Dion and Emilio collect some hardware this weekend. My role will be more of a mentor, as I know every inch of the track and perhaps the 'kids' will let Yoda do a little "relief" driving."

Buckler's race team operation, one of the most successful in sports car racing over the last 20 years, started in Monterey before he and his wife and partner Debra moved the operation to Sears Point Raceway in 1995. It is there where he also founded what has now become a very successful Sonoma boutique winery, Adobe Road.