Multimatic Motorsports will be out to defend its hard fought lead in the driver's, team's and manufacturer's Grand Am Cup Championship when the series visits Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the first time this week.
The new factory backed Ford Mustang FR500C racecars have been in strong form in the three races to date - finishing on the podium in every round of the championship staged in 2005.
Gunnar Jeannette and James Gue took the team's first victory at the last round of the series at California Speedway while former Grand-Am Cup Champions, Canadians Scott Maxwell and David Empringham are now aiming to record their first win of the year after finishing second in the opening round at Daytona.
The Laguna Seca round will be the final race before the Mustang FR500C receives its second performance reducing penalty from Grand-Am officials. The car will be required to run a different final drive ratio from the following round at Watkins Glen on June 10.
"We will be going all out for our second victory of the year in California before we have to run a different final drive ratio at the Glen," Multimatic Vice President and Technical Director, Larry Holt said.
"I really believe we are a victim of our own success. I think the BMW is the fastest car out there, but we have just done a very good job in the races. Our drivers have excelled and our strategy has worked perfectly.
"We need to make sure we have an even bigger lead when we leave Laguna Seca. It is going to be tough but we will keep doing the best we can, no matter what they throw at us."
Ford Racing Technology embarked on this program to return the Mustang to the race track, and unveiled the new Mustang FR500C racer at the Specialty Equipment Manufacturer's Association Show in Las Vegas in November last year. Ford Racing worked closely with Multimatic on the design, development, and build of the race car to Grand-Am specification.
Ford Racing Performance Parts will offer the Mustang FR500C in Grand-Am Cup specification, as well as all the racing components necessary for race team support and for those enthusiasts interested in enhancing their own Mustangs.
TIMETABLEFriday, April 293.30pm-4.25pm: Practice
Saturday, April 308.40am-9.25am: Practice 11.45am-12.00noon: Qualifying2.45pm: Race (200 miles / 90 laps / 2 1/2 hour time limit)
DRIVER POINTSGunnar Jeannette, James Gue - 89; Darren Law, Mike McCalmont - 78; David Empringham, Scott Maxwell - 75; Ian James, Tom Nastasi - 74; Alan Wortzman, Kenny Wilden - 71; David Russell - 67; Justin Marks, Bill Auberlen - 61; Rob Finlay, Michael McDowell - 58; Will Nonnamaker - 54.
MANUFACTURER POINTSFord 102, BMW 95, Porsche 83, Cadillac 73, Nisan 10, Pontiac 0
TEAM POINTS#05 Multimatic Motorsports 89; #6 Zoom Motorsports 78; #55 Multimatic Motorsports 75; #5 Blackforest Motorsports 74; #16 Zoom Motorsports 71; #09 Automatic Racing 67; #96 Turner Motorsports 61; #60 Finlay Motorsports 58.
