The partnership between Mazda and the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) that started in 2001 will officially continue into 2016.

“We first fell in love with this track and the Monterey peninsula as fans in the 1970s and ‘80s when Mazda was new to the U.S. and we were establishing our name with the American public and race fans,” Jay Amestoy, vice president, public affairs and motorsports for Mazda, said.

Since officially taking the track over, Mazda has supported the facility by contributing financial support. It also uses the track as a testing facility for its new models, something Amestoy said has been integral to new model development for the company.

World renowned as one of the most significant tracks in motorsports, especially for its corkscrew turn, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca has been a proving ground for both motorcycle and car racing for more than 50 years.

“I can’t begin to say enough about our partnership with Mazda. Through the support of Mazda North American Operations, and its dedicated management who share our passion for motor racing, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is able to attract world-class racing to California’s Central Coast. It is one of the primary economic engines for the Monterey Peninsula,” said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “A dozen years of working together has raced by, and we are looking forward to what will hopefully be another dozen.”

Mercedes-Benz is thanking its fans for 2,000,000 video views by taking a C 63 AMG Coupe out on Laguna Seca and burning some rubber, a welcome sight for the enthusiasts eyes. 

Usually, a technical track like Laguna Seca would play host to drivers looking for the best lap time, but AMG wanted to put on a show, and the C 63 AMG Coupe we see in the video doesn’t disappoint.

Audi and Ferrari have also released fan thank you videos recently, and it seems Mercedes-Benz is joining the campaign. Keeping fans enthusiastic about a brand is important, because when it comes time to buy a car, that person will choose the brand he or she feels most connected to.

Watch the video below, of the C 63 AMG Coupe Drifitng Laguna Seca.

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You don’t want to leave watermarks on the coffee table, but you don’t want to lose your street cred by putting down a coaster. We’ve got a solution – use Race Track Coasters and preserve your furniture (and cool status).

The Race Track Coasters are machined from layered HDPE and are adorned with six of the most well-known racing tracks from around the world: Laguna Seca, Monaco, Nürburgring, Road America, Spa, and Watkins Glen. And these coasters will perfectly match your décor, as they come in black and silver.

The set of six costs $40 and can be purchased at Groit’s Garage.

[Source: Uncrate]

The corkscrew at Laguna Seca is one of the most noticeable landmarks in the world to any automotive enthusiast. So BMW got clever with the famous turn with a new marketing video for its X5M, proving that it can even best its M3 counterpart on the track.

The video starts out as your standard on-track video, with your good ‘ol bold text showing off that a vehicle packs a twin-turbo V8 with 555-hp and has a Torque Vectoring Rear Differential. That vehicle of course is the German automaker’s X5M. BMW then goes and showcases why the X5M is such a formidable vehicle on and off the track.

Check out the video after the break.

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We were teased with some pictures of it prior to the car’s official debut at the LA Auto Show, yet with the emphasis on the 650 hp Shelby GT500, it was perhaps understandable that the Boss 302, which has been hogging the limelight as of late, took a step back.

Nonetheless, it remains a serious piece of kit for 2013. The 5.0-liter Coyote V8 with its unique induction setup and calibration, cranking out a credible 444 horsepower 380 lb-ft of torque, while power is transmitted through a close-ratio six-speed to a solid axle with 3.73 gears.

Like other Ford Mustangs, the 2013 Boss adopts more of a Shelby esque front fascia for 2013, with HID headlights, plus a more aggressive front splitter and removable covers where the foglights are found on standard GTs. They are designed to provide extra cooling during track days and can be quickly removed and reinstalled with a screwdriver.

Other distinguishing features include a move to a reflective stripe package, with hockey stick graphics on the flanks (the spitting image of those found on the 1970 Boss 302), a new exterior color in the shape of shocking School Bus Yellow (chosen due to partnership with Bluebird), a gloss back panel between the LED taillight lenses.

Laguna Seca Boss models feature an even more aggressive front splitter, and new gray accents on the exterior mirrors, grille and rear deck spoiler. There’s also a Laguna Seca logo on the fake rear “gas cap”  as well as two-tone gray and silver 19-inch wheels. Laguna Seca models for 2013 will be offered in either School Bus Yellow or Black exterior colors and dispense with the roof stripes found on the 2012 version.

Another feature standard on all Boss 302s for ’13 is Ford’s SYNC in-car connectivity system, though one has to wonder if there’s a command that says “More Horsepower.”

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

As part of Cadillac‘s continued rebranding efforts the Cadillac Racing team has been releasing “ride along” videos from each of its races this season in the SCCA World Challenge series. The latest comes to use from the glass-smooth and world-famous Laguna Seca, where pilots Johnny O’Connell and Andy Pilgrim take us through all 11 turns of the circuit, displaying some incredible driving.

Unfortunately the race itself wasn’t what Cadillac Racing had hoped with O’Connell managing just a 4th place finish in the GT Class, while damage sustained to Pilgrim’s car put him entirely out of the running.

This particular video is particularly worth a watch with Pilgrim and O’Connell getting rather close to each other on a few occasions. Plus, watch out for a grenading Volvo engine.

GALLERY: Cadillac CTS-V

Watch the video after the jump:

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Here is one of the latest clips of the BMW M5 booting it on the Laguna Seca track. Oh how sweet the sound is!

The M5 has been entirely redesigned but the biggest change is the switch from a high-revving V10 to a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The new engine cranks out 552 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The car is capable of achieving a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds, not bad for a car weighs around 4,000 lbs. Pricing has not been announced but the M5 will probably sell for around $85,000.

The minute and a half long commercial paints this car as nothing less than a monster as it knifes its way through the turns on a track.

Plus, we also managed to catch up with that very car, on display at Pebble Beach.

GALLERY: 2012 BMW M5 at Pebble Beach

Check out the video after the jump!

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Last Sunday, the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosted Refuel 2011, the third annual track day for electric cars and motorcycles. The event was open to anyone with an electric car, ranging from the Tesla Roadster to DIY conversion cars. This year’s event was the first time that fully electric production vehicles from mainstream car makers were present at the event.

Joe Nuxoll, Tesla employee and racing instructor achieved the fastest lap time in the production electric class and the Nissan Leaf wasn’t far behind.  The Leaf was two seconds behind the Tesla with a commendable time of 2:10.223.  Leaf owner Nadar Assemi took a video of the Leaf competing on the track. The Leaf surprisingly didn’t suffer from overheating issues like the Tesla and the DIY cars did.

“To my surprise almost every other EV out there (production or otherwise) had heat management issues after 2-5 laps. Tesla’s were hitting power cut by lap 4-5. Most of the other kit cars could do one or two laps due to heat or range issues.” Explained Assemi on a Nissan forum. “Conversely, the Leaf was pulling strong all day and the battery temp gauge didn’t move over 6 bars. Energy efficiency on the track was a stellar 1.2-1.3 m/kWh.”

Check out the video after the jump!

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[Source: The Car Connection]

On August 19th at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, Monterey California, Concorso Italiano will open the traditional Monterey/Pebble Beach Weekend. The event will feature more than 800-1000 beautifully designed Italian cars on display. Enthusiasts can engage in conversations with fellow car lovers and enjoy Italian fashion, food and art. There will no doubt be an astonishing variety of Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Maserati’s, Alfa Romeo’s, Pagani’s, and Lancia’s on display  The event will run from 9:00am- 5:00 pm and admission will cost $130 per person.

Think electric vehicles aren’t sporty enough to tackle the vaunted Laguna Seca? Speed Ventures doesn’t think so. For the third year in a row, they’re offering EV owners the chance to drive the world-famous race track, compete against each other, and even win a trophy.

Refuel 2011 is open to all EVs, including electric motorcycles like the Brammo, purpose-built race cars, the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and the veritable supercar that is the Tesla. This year’s EV trackday is on June 26th, so get your pre-registration in while you still can. The event is free to enter; expenses are limited to how friendly you are with your electric meter man.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

You’ve seen them on TV, and perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to see them up close in person – or even drive one one of them. And now you can bring your favorite racing circuits into your home with Race Tracks of the World.

These works of art can be hung on your walls and are made from high quality Baltic birch plywood and matte black Formica. Cut by a CNC machine for a precise design, they boast smooth edges and all the curves, turns and straightaways are exactly where they’re supposed to be. Race Tracks of the World measure in at around 36” (depending on the track shape) and they even come with a simple mounting process that doesn’t require nails or hooks.

You can pick from almost every track around the world – including better-known circuits like Monaco, Laguna Seca and Nurburgring – and hang them individually or create a wall of track art. Prices for the Race Tracks range from $200-$220, and you can order yours here.

[Source: Uncrate]

From October 22 to 24, Laguna Seca will host the first ever North American Global Tuner Grand Prix, a time-attack event bringing the very best modified cars from around the world to compete for bragging rights.

Similar to the European Tuner Grand Prix and the Japanese International Lap Battle, the event is held on one of only four weekends at Laguna Seca where there are no sound restrictions. The competition will be divided up into three classes, including Street, Tuner and Unlimited, with categories for front-drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars. In addition, the event will also include the GPGP Challenge Race – a 50 minute sprint session that will include pro race cars and club racers.

Also included in the event will be the Pirelli Driver’s Cup (running Porsche GT3 cup cars), a 30-minute Historic Motorsports Association race, as well as car corrals for almost ever brand.

For more info check out www.globaltunergp.com

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ — The Global Tuner Grand Prix is proud to announce that Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is hosting the first ever Global Tuner Grand Prix, taking place Friday, October 22nd through Sunday, October 24th, 2010.

The Global Tuner Grand Prix is a spectator event with top professional performance tuners from around the world competing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The GTGP is similar to Europe’s Tuner GP and Japan’s International Lap Battle competitions but is the first of its kind in North America. This specific weekend is one of four no sound restriction Pro weekends at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

“On behalf of NOVITEC ROSSO we are excited to be part of the GTGP at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The GTGP format has been long overdue in North America and it’s the perfect event to showcase NOVITEC ROSSO’s technology on track in front of enthusiasts. There is no better way to prove a vehicles performance than on a racing circuit and with GTGP we will be able to do so against the best Tuners in the world,” said Albert Cook, Director of NOVITEC North America, LLC.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is the only track in North America where lap times for production cars are recognized by major manufacturers and motorsport media moguls around the world.  A lap time here is used as a measuring stick for a vehicle’s performance, equivalent to the Nurburgring in Germany.

“What a great way to end our major event season, bringing our fans the best in global tuner competition,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “To put Porsche, Corvette and Mazda together in competition will be a true global motorsports event.”

“Porsche Motorsport North America is very pleased to be a part of the 2010 GTGP event and to be able to attend with Technical and Parts Support as we do for all major racing events in the US. We look forward to an exciting three days of racing at one of the premier tracks in the country,” said Paul Ritchie, President & CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America.

About the Global Tuner Grand Prix:

The GTGP consists of three classes of cars, open to all Import, European and Domestic vehicles. This includes Street, Tuner and Unlimited. The three different classes each are bracketed in three categories that include Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive.

THE GTGP Challenge Race is an all-out wheel-to-wheel, no-holds-barred, 50-minute sprint race that will showcase the best sports cars in the world from the Pro Racing ranks through the fastest Club racers.

“I’m really excited about the GTGP and looking forward to racing at a track that is so rich in motorsport history. The timing is perfect for an event like this in North America where companies can showcase their products not only to the fans but retailers and manufactures. Tuners, racers and automotive enthusiasts are finally getting their Super Bowl right here at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,” said Antonio Sabato Jr., actor and race car driver.

Event Features:

-Pirelli Driver’s Cup will feature two main events with a 45-minute timed race on Saturday and a 45-minute timed race on Sunday. The series runs both Porsche 996 and 997 GT3 Cup Cars.

-The Historic Motorsports Association is participating with a 30-minute sprint race on Saturday, running vintage and historic stock cars to their limits, taking you back in time to how hard wheel-to-wheel racing used to be.

-Exhibitor and Manufacturer displays are in the main paddock and the Yamaha Marketplace. Offering a trade show atmosphere at a professional race venue immersing spectators in a showcase of the best of what the industry has to offer while displaying proven performance on the race track. No other event in North America offers this experience for the industry as well as consumers.

-Car Club Corrals – Porsche, Audi, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan, Acura and more.

-VIP Car show all day Sunday, held in the Yamaha Marketplace. This is not only for exotics and sports cars but a celebration of all automotive manufactures.

-Red Carpet Gala, Saturday evening October 23rd.

For more information on Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway, please visit www.mazdaracewaylagunaseca.com.

For more information on the GTGP, visit www.globaltunergp.com.