SALINAS, Cali., (May 9, 2023) – When Wright Motorsports left WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca last season, the team departed the circuit as victors, celebrating a win in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTD class. In Michelin Pilot Challenge VOLT Racing drivers Alan Brynjolfsson and Trent Hindman also celebrated success, claiming victory in the weekend’s supporting race. This year, the two powerhouses have become one, racing the No. 77 VOLT Lighting Porsche 911 GT3 R in this weekend’s MOTUL Course de Monterey Powered By Hyundai N.
“We have a good track record here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and last year’s performance is a strong example of that success,” said Team Owner John Wright. “Our team knows Laguna Seca well, and we have the benefit of winning here last year. This weekend, with the new Porsche 911 GT3 R, we hope to make strong strides in the championship points and keep that success coming.”
After starting the year off with two of the four endurance races of the season, the series has now begun its first “sprint swing” starting with the Long Beach Grand Prix last month. The championship now heads to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas, California for Sunday’s two-hour, 40-minute race.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned race circuit located in Monterey County, California, USA. The 2.238-mile track is known for its challenging layout, including the iconic Corkscrew turn, which drops 59 feet in just 450 feet of track length. The circuit has a rich history of hosting a wide range of motorsports events, including the MotoGP World Championship, the IndyCar Series, and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The track has also hosted numerous historic races, including the Can-Am Challenge Cup and the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. In the fall of this year, it will hold the world’s largest celebration of the Porsche brand, Porsche Rennsport Reunion 7. In addition to its racing heritage, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is also known for its stunning natural surroundings and scenic views of the Monterey Peninsula. The track is a favorite among drivers and fans alike and promises to provide an exciting and unforgettable experience for all who attend.
All five IMSA WeatherTech classes will compete in the event, with a total of 38 entries. The GTD class will again be the largest, with the defending race-winners at Wright Motorsports being one of 16 cars in the group. Racing the new Porsche 911 GT3 R (type 992), the team is pushing hard for their first top-five result of the season.
Sunday’s MOTUL Course de Monterey Powered By Hyundai N will air live on both NBC and Peacock at 12:10 PM PT on May 14. IMSA Radio will also offer live, comprehensive coverage of each session on imsaradio.com. For full schedule information, visit imsa.com.
DRIVER QUOTES
Alan Brynjolfsson
Last year Trent and I won at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, racing GT4 machinery in the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Two years ago, Trent got pole position in WeatherTech. If the car has pace, we will be strong here.
Trent Hindman
There’s been lots of good information gathered in the weeks since Long Beach, and I think we are rolling into a race weekend as prepared as VOLT Racing has ever been. I have a ton of confidence in the game plan our guys on the pit box have put together in preparation for Laguna Seca. Of course, the group that Wright Motorsports has going over the wall this weekend is the quickest in GTD, as they proved in our last outing at Long Beach. Between our team. With the success Alan and I have shared at Laguna Seca in the past, we are looking forward to a strong weekend.