Laguna Seca: Darren Law race report

Law Races to Two Top Tens at Laguna Seca Grand American Weekend

(May 7, 2006) Porsche endurance driver Darren Law wrapped up another busy weekend of racing this past Sunday as he finished 8th overall in the Grand American Grand Am Cup series and 5th overall in the Rolex Grand American Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The U.S. Sports Car Invitational at Laguna Seca marked the sixth round of the Rolex Sports Car series 2006 schedule and the third round of competition for the Grand Am Cup this year.

Rolex Series Competition -- Keeping Out of Trouble

Law's season-long teammate David Donohue qualified their #58 Red Bull Brumos Porsche Fabcar in 22nd position for the Rolex series race, in a new one hour qualifying race format adopted by Grand American officials for the 2006 schedule. The qualifying format requires that the driver slated to finish the main endurance race must qualify, and as such it was Law that took the start of the 250-mile race that included 28 Daytona Prototypes and 17 GT class cars.

Although Law saw a clean start to the 2 hour 45 minute enduro, the flow of the race was eventually punctuated by a total of seven caution periods and both Law and Donohue spent much of their time on track staying out of trouble. Law pitted the #58 entry on lap 37 after running as high as fourth position in a well timed and strategic stop for fuel, tires and a driver change that would pay dividends as the race progressed.

Taking advantage of the smart pit strategy as well as the continued attrition that took place throughout the race, the Red Bull Brumos Porsche would eventually lead the event briefly before settling for a well earned fifth finishing position at the checkered flag.

Grand Am Cup - Another Top 10

Earlier in the weekend Law was teamed with Brian Cunningham in the #50 Marcus Motorsports prepared Brumos Porsche / Autometrics Motorsports Porsche 997 in the Grand Sports class of the Grand Am Cup street stock endurance race.

Cunningham was charged with qualifying duties and he deftly placed the #50 machine fifth on the grid with a lap of 1:39.835 around the undulating and challenging 2.238 mile natural terrain road course. Cunningham started the 200-mile endurance race amidst a total of 68 Grand Sport and Sport Tuner class machines. Brian maintained a strong pace throughout his stint and was running in fifth before a miscue and contact with the #5 Blackforest Motorsports Ford Mustang. After losing track position following the contact Cunningham turned the car over to Law to finish the 74-lap event.

Law took over the Marcus Motorsports and headed out on track deep in the Grand Sport field. Darren immediately began turning competitive laps in the white Porsche 997, and avoided trouble as he worked his way forward through the field to eventually secure an eighth place finish at the checkered flag.

Quotes -- Darren Law

We had some great pit strategy by the team (in the Rolex race), and had a little luck go our way. Considering where we started, I think David and I had a really good race. We still aren't quite at the pace of the leaders, but we're making progress all the time.

Brian (Cunningham) had a good run in the (Marcus Motorsports) 997 and I think we might have been able to finish a bit better, but the car was good and we should be able to produce some even better results as the season goes on.

I'm really looking forward to the Phoenix race next week. It'll be nice to be in town with my family and friends and be able to sleep in my own bed for a change. JCoverage

The Grand American Rolex Sports Car series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve U.S. Sports Car Invitational at Laguna was aired live on the SPEED Channel and will be rebroadcast at May 8 at 12 PM EST. The Grand Am Cup race will be aired on tape delay on May 13 and 15 at 1 PM and noon EST respectively.

Upcoming Events
Darren is looking forward to the Gainsco Grand Prix the weekend of May 11-13 as the Grand American series will head to Law's hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. The 1.5 mile infield roadcourse that utilizes part of the famous Phoenix International Raceway oval promises some close racing action and will be aired tape delayed May 14th at 3:00 PM EST on the SPEED Channel.

-jms