Ferrari Challenge Raceway Laguna Seca Report

May 22, 2011

Brisk weather and a sizeable crowd greeted the Ferrari Racing Days Event at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca May 20-22, again accompanied by the fantastic sights and sounds of the Corse Clienti program.

For Round 2 of the Ferrari Challenge, Enzo Potolicchio (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) and Cooper MacNeil (Ferrari of Houston) each took home a win, Potolicchio in race #1 and MacNeil in race #2. Laguna Seca, built in 1957, is known for its famous corkscrew section at turns 8 and 8a that ratchets up drivers’ adrenaline, especially on the downhill section.

MacNeil demonstrated his formidable track-carving skills, starting race #1 from last position in the 26-car grid and making it as high as fifth place for the last five laps of the race. Potolicchio held first all the way through. Scott Tucker (Boardwalk Ferrari) took second after holding that position for most of the race, dueling for it with Harry Cheung (Ferrari of Silicon Valley) in the last few laps.

Race #2 saw no lead changes as MacNeil held first beginning to end.  Potolicchio kept second from the second lap onward, while Mark McKenzie (Ferrari of Houston), Chung and Tucker did the same with third, fourth and fifth, respectively.

The F430 Challenge cars are holding their own in this highly competitive grid, with some exciting racing and very competitive lead changes. Juan Hinestrosa (Ferrari of Ft. Lauderdale) put his F430 Challenge into 10th place, while brothers Ryan and Damon Ockey (Ferrari of Ontario) took 13th and 14th, Damon setting a 430 Challenge lap record in race #1.

The podiums this year also award the Rookie Driver, Best Team Best Driver throughout the race and Gentleman Racer. In addition, a Special Achievement award recognizes the driver shown too have done an outstanding accomplishment either on track or in making a repair.

The Corse Clienti drivers again took to the track at Laguna Seca, thrilling Ferrari drivers and fans with the FXX, 599XX and F1 Clienti cars.

Laguna will definitely be on the schedule for the 2012 season. In the meantime, the Ferrari Challenge returns as a support race for the Canadian Grand Prix at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve June 10-12.