#RandyPobst

Mazda has a very rich heritage in racing and motorsports, and now they’ll be able to share highlights from their Mazda-centric series of races through the Velocity network.

Last week we received a few teaser shots of the updated K-Pax Racing Volvo S60 and now the new car has been fully revealed ahead of its racing debut this weekend at Mosport International Raceway.

Randy Pobst’s racing resume is extensive having clinched Speed World Challenge GT championships in 2003, 2007 and 2008. Perhaps well known for driving the Tri-Point Mazda 6 from 2004-2007, Pobst joined the K-PAX team in 2007 and 2008, clinching the championship in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car. But that’s all history now as Pobst has taken yet another championship (in the GT Class) for K-PAX, but this time in their Volvo S60.

Despite still having one more race at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah during October 1-3rd, Pobst has already locked down the championship thanks to a 212 point lead over second place, James Sofronas. Volvo has also clinched the manufacturers’ championship for 2010 with a 12 point lead over Porsche heading into the final race.

Pobst was able to lock down the championship with a second place finish at Virginia International Raceway. Pobst’s teammate, Andy Pilgrim, took the victory at the event in the #8 K-PAX Racing Volvo S60 – giving K-PAX Racing a 1-2 sweep of the podium.

A huge congratulations to the team, and to Randy Pobst for adding onto his already impressive driving resume.

Ron Fellows may have retired from full-time racing duties with Corvette Racing and the American Le Mans Series, but he proved this weekend that he’s still the Mayor of Mosport in a Corvette.

The No. 34 Kleinschmidt/Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Corvette topped the standings yesterday during the first round of practice sessions before the World Challenge GT season opener at Sebring International Raceway this Friday. Driver Tony Gaples of Libertyville, Ill., was just as surprised at his finish as anyone.

“It feels pretty good [to be on top], of course, but it also makes me a little nervous,” Gaples said of his unfamiliar position. “I’m wondering why, because I’m just driving like normal.

“The track was a little slippery, which plays into my benefit, because I’m used to driving in the wet. It’s good to be at the top. We’ve been coming here seven years now. It’s my favorite flat track and we usually do pretty well here. It still surprised me that we’re number one though. We get to enjoy for the next eight hours, until the next practice. We always hope to do well, whether that’s what’s happening or not is yet to be seen.”

Gaples ran a 2:11.686 around the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring course on his second to last lap.

The 2nd and 3rd spots for the day belonged to Porsches with Rob Morgan posting a 2:11.771 in his No. 47 EverCleanse/NADA/TruSpeed Porsche 911 GT3 and Tony Rivera finishing with a best of 2:11.855 in the No. 97 Tax Masters/Mirage Group Porsche 911 GT3.

Gunter Schaldach grabbed 4th with a 2:12.083 in the No. 9 Lala Motorsports Dodge Viper with another Corvette (the No.3 Whelen Engineering  machine driven by Eric Curran) rounding out the top five.

With surprises at the top of the pack, there were also plenty of surprises at the bottom with defending GT champ Randy Pobst completing just half a lap in his K-PAX Volvo S60. Other series frontrunners, Andy Pilgrim (Volvo S60), James Sofronas (Porsche 911 GT3) and Dino Crescentini (Porsche 911 GT3)never even got onto the track.

As for the lone Lamborghini entry, the No. 7 Gallardo driven by Dan Pastorini, it finished a distant 20th with a time of  2:30.707.

Full Practice Session results after the jump:

Volvo has returned to pro-racing in North America and will field a team of S60 race cars in the 2009 SPEED World Challenge GT series.