> Irvine, Calif., April 5
>
> Laguna Seca Raceway may have been the most picturesque circuit on theCART
> FedEx
> Championship Series schedule, but it likely would not make the list of the
> most
> up-to-date facilities in the United States.
>
> All that will now change as the Monterey, California track will break new
> ground both literally and figuratively after signing a watershed deal with
> automobile manufacturer Mazda North America.
>
> The manufacturer inked a five-year deal with the track to buy the naming
> rights, the first time a North American tracks has done so with an
> automobile manufacturer. The new facility will be called Mazda Raceway at
> Laguna Seca after reaching an agreement earlier in the week.
>
> "We are excited that Mazda has decided to become a part of the Laguna Seca
> family with the first-ever automotive sponsorship of its kind," said
> facility general manager John Stornetta. "Over the years, they have proven
> their commitment to sports car racing and motorsports as a while. We
> believe that Mazda's support will allow us to take the track to the next
> level and allow us to embark on a capital improvement plan that will make
> it one of the finest racing facilities in the world."
>
> No dollar figures were released, but the five-year deal will allow track
> organizers to proceed with its Master Plan of renovations, a proposition
> that included $15m worth of additions and upgrades to the facility.
>
> The plan does not affect the track itself and no changes are planned to the
> track surface or layout. But the periphery of the track will be changed
> dramatically, as permanent garages and pit-lane luxury suites will be built
> as well as new restroom and convenience areas for the fans.
>
> The track will not start development on the Master Plan until after the
> CART weekend in October, but fans and participants will be able to see
> scale model and artist's renderings of all the proposed changes to the
> facility.
>
> For its part, Mazda has earned the right to use the track for new vehicle
> introductions, media and corporate hospitality, advertising and promotions,
> product development and employee training.
>
> The track's naming agreement is only the second in the country, joining
> Charlotte's Lowe's Motor Speedway, which signed a 10-year deal with the
> home improvement store chain in 1999.
> Eric Mauk, News Bureau Editor, Racer
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Walt Boeninger - Nor Cal SAAC 67 GT500 | 67 Shelby T-A #31
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