IMSA Lites ready to take on Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Braselton, Ga.- (May 6, 2013) - While the renowned former Mayor of Carmel still brings the heat and commands a lot of local attention, the Prototype Lites series promises to up the ante on drama and will bring eight teams and 19 drivers to the starting line this week during the American Le Mans Monterey presented by Patrón.

The Cooper Tires Prototypes Lites Powered by Mazda Series will feature all of "The Good," a bit of "The Bad" and none of "The Ugly" during two action-packed races May 9-11 on the historic and scenic 2.238-mile circuit.

Coming straight from a victory in round one at Sebring International Raceway for the season opener, returning Performance Tech veteran Daniel Goldburg will be channeling his inner "Dirty Harry" to take on the younger forces of his teammate Ryan Booth and JDC Motorsports' Mikhail Goikhberg.

Booth, who currently leads the series point standings, snatched the win away from Goldburg in round two. Like most of Mr. Eastwood's films, one can plan on a plot thick with revenge and redemption when the drivers meet again in Monterey.

But Goikhberg will be looking for "A Few Dollars More" as he has the edge on the Lites 1 class competition, having finished on the podium during the second race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca last season.

There is a new face and a new spin on the season thus far, however, as Sean Rayhall from Comprent Motor Sports will jump into "The Line of Fire" to take on his rival young guns and grow his foothold in the season points. The 18-year-old is currently standing in seventh overall, but had an impressive second place finish at Sebring.

Joining the new cowboys in town is 8Star Motorsports with Christian and Giancarlo Potolicchio behind the wheel. These new rivals will keep their L1 Élan DP 02 cars firmly under rein as they challenge the 2.238-mile facility under the guidance of their father who is certainly not "The Rookie." Enzo Potolicchio has several international sports car championships to his credit, and his expertise will be invaluable to his sons for navigating the infamous Corkscrew.

Changing to a slightly older genre, the Masters Class promises no less excitement, as "High Plains Drifter" Jon Brownson and Eurosport Racing bring their A-game to the undulating and arid hills of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to defend his series Championship and capture a position on the podium this weekend.

But he will be challenged by returning Master Classman Scott Tucker of Level 5 Motorsports, who had a solid performance here last season with two top-five finishes.

Both Brownson and Tucker will be faced with the "Magnum Force" comprised of the Comprent Motor Sports dynamic duo of Darryl Shoff and Lamont Harris as well as another fierce twosome in Richard Fant and Owen Kratz with Ferrari of Houston.

Not to be outdone, change-up artist Dan Weyland will be "The Enforcer" as he straddles competition in both IMSA Development Series, taking his turn behind the wheel of a GT3 Cup Challenge entry as well as his No. 88 Élan DP 02 L1 entry.

Located on California's beautiful central coast, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca occasionally "Plays Misty" due to the large temperature drops overnight. The world famous track has 11 turns, including the Corkscrew, a 59-foot drop between Turn 8 and Turn 8A. This drop is a 5½ - story plunge in only 450 feet. In total between Turn 8 and Turn 9, the elevation drops nearly 10 stories.

The growing Cooper Tires Prototype Lites Powered by Mazda Series may have been initially developed by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) to accompany the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, however, a Prototype Lites race produces enough power and competition to stand out within the racing community.

IMSA