Spyder01
08-25-2008, 05:01 PM
I have to say... wow! What an experience! I had an invitation from MazdaSpeed USA for this event to check out the Mazda LeMans P2 Car during the race day this past sunday.
I arrived at MOSPORT as the speed world challenge race was nearly over. This whole track was packed, packed with trailers, spectators, vendors, media, everything you see on TV. A quick walk through of the event took nearly 45 minutes as there were so much going on. Every inch of the MOSPORT infield were models, race cars, tires and the smell of exhaust. As I walked up to the Mazdaspeed booth, we met up with Tod Kaneko, the Manager of MazdaSpeed Engineering. Keneko showed us around the 2008 Mazda ALMS P2 Car and we got to sit down and chatted with him behind the trailer. Sorry, photography was not allowed inside as the engine is under performance development.
Time went by quickly and Kaneko had to check the schedule and prepare for the race which was less than an hour away. I took this time to have a chance to really walk around the whole event once more, taking pictures of the whole event. It was big. Before the LeMans race started, there was an hour of celebration event where spectators were allowed to walk onto the track and check out all the LeMans cars up close. Spectators filled every little space possible around the P2 cars, taking pictures and seeing each car upclose.
As the race finally started at 3pm, I was shocked to experience how fast these cars really are. I've shot quite a few events at MOSPORT before, but nothing was as fast as these LeMans cars. I took the time to make sure I catch as many corners as possible for the Mazda ALMS P2 car, even catching the pit stop.
The American LeMans Series was just crazy, it was huge, and spectators came from all over the place. Individual car brands had setup tents and special VIP invitation to clients just to watch this event. Although entrance tickets were $50, it was worth it. Just to hear the engines of those ALMS cars, the noise they make, it was worth it.
I arrived at MOSPORT as the speed world challenge race was nearly over. This whole track was packed, packed with trailers, spectators, vendors, media, everything you see on TV. A quick walk through of the event took nearly 45 minutes as there were so much going on. Every inch of the MOSPORT infield were models, race cars, tires and the smell of exhaust. As I walked up to the Mazdaspeed booth, we met up with Tod Kaneko, the Manager of MazdaSpeed Engineering. Keneko showed us around the 2008 Mazda ALMS P2 Car and we got to sit down and chatted with him behind the trailer. Sorry, photography was not allowed inside as the engine is under performance development.
Time went by quickly and Kaneko had to check the schedule and prepare for the race which was less than an hour away. I took this time to have a chance to really walk around the whole event once more, taking pictures of the whole event. It was big. Before the LeMans race started, there was an hour of celebration event where spectators were allowed to walk onto the track and check out all the LeMans cars up close. Spectators filled every little space possible around the P2 cars, taking pictures and seeing each car upclose.
As the race finally started at 3pm, I was shocked to experience how fast these cars really are. I've shot quite a few events at MOSPORT before, but nothing was as fast as these LeMans cars. I took the time to make sure I catch as many corners as possible for the Mazda ALMS P2 car, even catching the pit stop.
The American LeMans Series was just crazy, it was huge, and spectators came from all over the place. Individual car brands had setup tents and special VIP invitation to clients just to watch this event. Although entrance tickets were $50, it was worth it. Just to hear the engines of those ALMS cars, the noise they make, it was worth it.