Enchanted huntress Liz Moses appeared on the local Monterey NBC affiliate discussing the impact the economy has had on spending at the Red Bull US Grand Prix. Still, neither rain, nor gloom, nor an Adolph Spreckels-grade case of syphilis could keep the motorcycling hordes from a race they’re so completely fanatical about — today’s monster MotoGP showdown over the rolling hills of Laguna Seca is sold the heck out. If you’re here, stop by, swaddle yourself in Polizei swag, meet the crew and challenge us to Forza Motorsport 2.
Author Archive for Davey
We’ve decamped once again to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, this time to pay tribute to our Motorradfarher bretheren at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix! If you’re out for the race this weekend or happen to be in the Monterey area, come visit us at the booth. Those of you sporting or purchasing Polizei swag will have a chance to take us on at Forza Motorsport 2, ogle Polizei Interceptor 144B and configure your very own Polizei Skirmish 1 jacket.
Villeneuve, Richard, Roy. 144P. The TRG crew in action. Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Polizei Interceptor 144P. The Rolex Grand-Am Series at the Verizon Festival of Speed. The Garage 419 crew spliced together some of the choicest bits of Team Polizei’s inaugural foray into high-level sports-car racing. The result is above. Click and be transported to one of the proudest days in our history thus far.
Our streak of glee continues unabated. Last night, I sat down with René Villeneuve, our jacket designer Kim Johnson and Rene’s daughters and discussed the experience of putting this team together and our hopes for today. I said to Rene, “I just want you guys to finish tomorrow. Anything else is gravy.” Pass the mashed potatoes, please, because Villeneuve and Richard delivered a 12th-place finish in the GT class (and 24th overall) under trying conditions in their first time out. We’re incredibly proud of their performance today — even TRG honcho Kevin Buckler was pleased with our showing. And for Team Polizei to accomplish this at Laguna Seca, which is one of my personal favorite places in the world and René’s home track? Absolute elation. In fact, in some ways, this whole thing is almost more unbelievable than when Alex and Maher pulled across the finish line in Santa Monica 2 1/2 years ago. The car is real. It exists. It has finished its first race. Over the next few days, we’ll have plenty more coverage to come from our massive archive of material, so keep checking back.
We’ve just swapped drivers. After a shunt from the Brumos Daytona Prototype put us in the pit — requiring a new right front wheel and resulting in some unwanted oversteer and a leftward pull — Team Kapitan and amateur alchemist Rene Villeneuve transmuted the goblet of misfortune into a cup of determined opportunity; clawing his way back to 9th position while coping with 120-degree in-car temperatures. Due to an early yellow — which fouled our initial pit strategy (we were hoping for a slightly later caution flag for the first driver swap) and the Brumos incident — Rene, Henri and the TRG crew decided the best course of action was to leave Villeneuve behind the wheel for two hours, leaving Richard to drive the final 45 minutes of the race. We’ll keep you informed. Meanwhile, our feed from the Nerve Center is still live — be sure to scope it.
We’ve got a crew together here at the Polizei Nerve Center at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Click below to watch the live coverage on Speed with added coverage from Team Polizei and our motley crew of race-fan miscreants. Think Mystery Racing Theater 3000.
We’ll be starting 14th on the GT grid today — 30th overall — when the Rolex Grand-Am race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca kicks off at 1pm PDT during the Verizon Festival of Speed. With the obligatory naming-rights mentions covered, let’s get down to business — Team Kaptian René Villeneuve will be taking the wheel of Polizei Interceptor 144P (known to Grand-Am authorities and TRG as “Car #63″) for the first stint. In the inland Monterey County heat and the dust of the track, this could come down to an El Alamein-style battle of speed, durability, logistics and ability to withstand temperature. Keep your browsers pointed here. The race is also, of course, being aired on Speed.
It’s a tad insane that we’re here at all. But we are, and the sun’s already beating down hot at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. We could sense the impending heat right on the coast in Monterey early this morning — if you’re familiar at all with Northern and Central California, you’re aware exactly what that means — scorching temperatures. The heat’s hard on cars and it’s certainly brutal on drivers. Still, it’s hard not to be envious of Richard and Villeneuve today. Flag-drop is just over four hours from now. And for all of the preparation, nobody knows what’s going to happen out there. Stay tuned — we’re just getting started. Meanwhile, check out this video of René lapping the track yesterday while we go kiss fate hard on the lips and demand mercy.
Rene just pulled in from his qualifying session after posting a 1:30.8 lap. That’s only three-tenths of a second behind his best time around Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the 997 GT3 Cup car. We’re absolutely stoked on how things have gone so far.
