CHAMPCAR/CART: Rahal Straight dedication at Laguna Seca report

Rahal Straight dedicated to racing legend Bobby Rahal

MONTEREY, Calif. (September 5, 2003) - Racing legend Bobby Rahal was honored today with naming of the backstraight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as the "Rahal Straight."

Rahal has won more Champ Car races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca as a driver and team owner than anyone else in the history of the storied race track and now his name is linked to the facility in perpetuity.

In a dedication ceremony during the Fry's Electronics Sports Car Championships today, the challenging section of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca from the exit of Turn 6 up the hill and through the Turn 7 kink to the entrance of the Corkscrew was named the "Rahal Straight," honoring one of the great friends of this historic venue.

"As a kid I remember reading about Laguna Seca in car magazines and dreaming about racing here," said Rahal, who won the Champ Car race here as a driver four consecutive years from 1984-1987. "And I remember how excited I was when I came here for the first time in 1976. Racing is a great sport and this is one of the greatest racing circuits in the world, so I'm humbled that my dreams came true."

"I've had a lot of success here, but to have my name on this circuit, along with Mario Andretti (Turn 2 - Andretti Hairpin) and Wayne Rainey (Turn 9 - Rainey Curve), is a tremendous honor.

Rahal also has three more CART Champ Car victories as a team owner, in 1998 and '99 with Bryan Herta at the wheel and 2001 with Max Papis driving. His first race here was in 1976 in Formula Atlantic and his first big event at the dry lake was the 1979 Can-Am, which he won.

"I've just always loved this circuit," Rahal said. "To win here four years in a row, I'm really proud of that. It's just one of those tracks I've had an affinity for. But, what's not to like about the Monterey Peninsula? Every win here was special. How fortunate I've been to win so much at a circuit I love."

Rahal is truly one of the all-time greats in Champ Car racing, matching Rick Mears as the only drivers to win three CART championships, turning the trick in 1986 and '87 and again in 1992 as an owner/driver.

Ticket information for the Fry's Electronics Sports Car Championships, featuring the American Le Mans Series, September 5-7, is available by calling 1-800-327-SECA or logging on to laguna-seca.com or ticketmaster.com.

-mrls-