Pirelli World Challenge Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2015

Pirelli World Challenge Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2015 Photos and Stories.

Photos and story provided by George McClure Contact Photographer for Information.

Pirelli World Challenge Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2015

2015-09-12 - 2015-09-13
Monterey, California, US

Pirelli World Challenge/Mazda Road to Indy

The third and final day of the Pirelli World Challenge/Mazda Road to Indy laid down five races, under great weather, great fans, intense sports car and open-wheel competition, spins, wins and 10 champions crowned.

Alessandro Balzan, of Rovigo, Italy, won in GT at the Pirelli World Challenge Grand Prix of Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Presented by Cadillac while Johnny O'Connell of Flowery Branch, Ga. clinched his fourth straight title in a dramatic race. In GTA, Eric Lux of Buffalo, N.Y. won the race with Frank Montecalvo of Highlands, N.J. taking the Championship. In GT Cup, Colin Thompson of Doylestown, Pa. won both the race and the GT Cup title.

O'Connell and Olivier Beretta of Monte Carlo, Monaco, separated by just a few points had all eyes on the Championship contenders as the lights went off on the standing start.

However, with just three minutes remaining on official race time, Beretta hit the wall coming into turn 11, making the Ferrari undriveable forcing Beretta off course with a DNF for the Beretta and the Ferrari.

O'Connell and Cadillac Racing had captured four consecutive Pirelli World Challenge Championships.

Wilson Wins Race, Cooper Clinches GTS Championship

Kris Wilson, of Monument, Colo., wins the GTS Round 17 at the Pirelli World Challenge Grand Prix of Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca presented by Cadillac.

Michael Cooper, of Syosset, N.Y. finished 10th to clinch the GTS Drivers' Championship.

Pirelli World Challenge TC-TCA-TCB

Ernie Francis, Jr., of Davie, Fla., took the Round 18 TC victory at the Pirelli World Challenge Grand Prix of Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca presented by Cadillac; Corey Fergus, of Columbus, Ohio, finished second to secure the TC Drivers' Championship title.

In TCA, Jason Wolfe of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, took First Place and the TCA Drivers' Championship.

Joey Jordan of Fallbrook, Calif., swept the weekend in TCB with his third straight win. Johan Schwartz, of Huntersville, S.C., scored the 2015 TCB Drivers' Championship.

1 Alessandro Balzan; 2 Alessandro PierGuidi; 3 Ryan Dalziel

Pirelli World Challenge Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca 2015

Aston Martin Vantage GT4 Kris Wilson

It was Balzan getting a jump from the outside of the front row into the Andretti Hairpin in the No. 29 NGT Motorsport MOMO Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia. O'Connell and his No. 3 Cadillac Racing Cadillac ATS-VR GT3 took advantage of the clean start by rocketing to second place on the opening lap from his fifth grid position. Pole sitter Alessandro PierGuidi, of Tortona, Italy, in the No. 30 NGT Motorsport MOMO Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia found himself third after the opening lap. Rival Beretta, in the No. 61 R. Ferri Motorsport Ferrari of Ontario/Toronto/Alberta Ferrari 458 GT3 Italia, also made moves on the opening lap, charging from 12th on the grid to eighth, earning him the Optima Batteries Best Standing Start Award.

Acura TLX-GT Ryan Eversley

On lap 25, Beretta attacked O'Connell going into the Andretti Hairpin for third place. The two Championship contenders made contact in the Corkscrew. Beretta was able to continue but O'Connell was momentarily stopped, dropping him to 14th and temporarily handing the Championship to the Ferrari pilot.

Aston Martin Vantage Nick Esayian

While O'Connell mounted his rebound effort, Beretta had to serve a drive-through penalty for the contact in lap 25. Beretta was able to emerge from the penalty into seventh place, well in front of O'Connell who had only mustered up to 12th position.