From a press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

Following is a statement from Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, on the decision not to hold a race on Sept. 9-11, 2005.

“We took a long, hard look at our Sept. 9-11 race weekend, but decided to stay with a four-race season. At this time, we prefer to focus our energies and resources to ensure the success of our four major events. We are interested in opening discussions with AMA for a stand-alone AMA race weekend beginning in 2006.”


More, from another press release issued by Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca:

2005 SCHEDULE FINALIZED FOR MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA

Premier North American and World Championship Road Races Featured in Historic Track’s 49th Season

MONTEREY, Calif. (Jan. 27, 2005) – With a season that is book-ended by North America’s two premier professional sports car series, and also featuring the highly anticipated return of the motorcycle Grand Prix world championship and the 32nd running of North America’s most prestigious historic car race, the 2005 season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca promises to be among the most memorable in the 49-year history of the world-renowned 2.238-mile, 11-turn road course.

The season-opening U.S. Sports Car Invitational April 29-May 1 is headlined by the first-ever appearance in Northern California for the Daytona Prototypes and GT cars of the rapidly-growing Grand American Road Racing Association’s Rolex Sports Car Series. The Daytona Prototypes and GT cars, will do battle in a 250-mile race (with a two-hour, 30-minute time limit) on Sunday, May 1. The Rolex Sports Car Series will be joined by the Grand-Am Cup for high-performance sports cars, along with additional support races to be announced soon.

Following a nine-week break to complete track improvements begun in the off season, the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 8-10 will have the eyes of the world focused on the Monterey Peninsula when the MotoGP World Championship returns to the USA and Laguna Seca for the first time since1994. Support races for the event include the American Motorcycle Association’s (AMA) Superbike Championship, Repsol Superstock Series and Pro Honda Oils Supersport Championship Presented by Shoei, as well as the Superstars of Super Karts featuring some of the best Super Kart racers in the world competing against motorcycle racing legends including Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson.

On August 19-21, the hills around Monterey will once again echo with the sounds of racing cars from a bygone era with the running of the premier historic automobile event in North America – the 32nd Annual Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races Presented by Chrysler. This year’s featured marque is Chaparral, part of an overall tribute to “Great American Specials” that is paying homage to American ingenuity in the early days of big-time motor racing.

The Monterey Sports Car Championships Oct. 14-16 provides a dramatic conclusion to the 2005 season with a Saturday afternoon-into-evening four-hour race featuring the season finale for the prestigious American Le Mans Series. The series features Le Mans prototypes and GT cars, many of which compete in the world-famous 24 Hours of Le Mans. The weekend schedule also includes the SPEED World Challenge GT and Touring Car Championships and he Star Mazda Series.

“This could be the biggest season ever for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The addition of the Rolex Sports Car Series for our season-opener and the return of MotoGP to the USA, combined with our already successful Rolex Monterey Historics and the American Le Mans Series season finale, will see us welcoming many new and returning fans to Monterey Peninsula.

Tickets for all four events are on sale now. Fans can call (800) 327-SECA during normal business hour or log onto www.laguna-seca.com or www.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets or for additional information.


2005 Schedule of Events

April 29-May 1
U.S. Sports Car Invitational
Featuring Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series
(www.grandam.com)

July 8-10
Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix
Featuring the MotoGP World Championship and AMA Superbike Championship
(www.motogp.com)

Aug. 19-21
Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races Presented by Chrysler
Featured Marque: Chaparral and tribute to other “Great American Specials”
(www.montereyhistoric.com)

Oct. 14-16
Monterey Sports Car Championships
Featuring American Le Mans Series
(www.americanlemans.com)