RACE: Sonoma Regional preview

Mazda Speed Cup Challenge on tap this Weekend.

SONOMA, Calf. (IMMEDIATE RELEASE) - Mill Valley's Mike Courtney will put his winning streak on the line this weekend at Infineon Raceway as the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) features a full slate of racing, highlighted by the Mazda Speed Cup Challenge.

In all, there will be racing in nine different groups during the SCCA's Mid-Summer Regional, presented by Race to Recycle Oil. Practice will take place on Saturday, with qualifying and main events scheduled for Sunday. Gates open at 8 a.m. each day, and admission is free. More than 300 entries are expected and cars include Mazda, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Nissan and Honda, among others.

Courtney has seven consecutive victories to begin the season in the Mazda Spec Miata class and is the favorite to win the two-race Mazda Speed Cup Challenge, which features a $10,000 total purse. The final leg of the challenge takes place at Thunderhill Raceway Park, Nov. 8-10.

Others who should contend include Barry Hartzel (Monterey), who sits in second place in points behind Courtney. Ken Dobson (Carmel Valley) and Taz Harvey (Danville), both regulars on the SPEED World Challenge Series circuit, should also battle for the win. Dobson sits in seventh place, while Harvey is ninth for the SPEED World Challenge.

For more information on this weekend's event, visit www.sfrscca.org.

-ir-