The weather Friday afternoon was typical northern California Indian Summer - warm and sunny but not hot, high slightly hazy clouds, and a bit of a breeze. The early morning fog burned off quickly and it was nicer at the 2.238-mile road course than it is in Monterey, which is on the bay. The clouds made for a spectacular sunset.
Thursday night, during night practice, everything went well and the drivers drove like it was a race rather than just an acclimation session.
It's not often that one hears of politics mixing with sportscars. Usually that's left up to the NASCAR dads. But in the GT class is a driver whose future in ALMS racing depends on the outcome of the presidential elections next month. LEO HINDERY races in the GT class for BAM!, and is currently a senior advisor to JOHN KERRY. If Kerry wins, Hindery could end up working in Washington, which would preclude full time ALMS racing with BAM! Hindery has a life presently devoted to career, philanthropy and politics.
Hindery is co-driving with German drivers SASCHA MAASSEN and LUCAS LUHR at Laguna, and watched them qualify the car fifth in class. This is the first race this season that the two Germans have raced together. They won the GT class last season after the Laguna race. Maassen has 22 ALMS victories including two this season, making him the GT all-time class winner.
There should be no problem with driver language on the NBC telecast. The race will have a 17-hour lag, being shown tape delay at 2pm EDT on Sunday.
