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Created on Saturday, 11 May 2013 09:35

• Colin Braun posts third pole in as many races in the PC Class.

Monterey, Calif. – May 11, 2013.  The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) traveled to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the third installment of 2013 race action.  While Continental tires have been featured in the GRAND-AM Series at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn natural road course, this weekend marked the first time the tires were raced by the Prototype Challenge (PC) class at the storied track.

During Friday’s PC qualifying session, it was Colin Braun who captured the pole position with a fast lap time of 1:18:382 (102.789 mph) in the No. 05 CORE autosport ORECA FLM09.  The pole marked the third consecutive race Braun and his teammate, Jonathan Bennett, would start from the pole on Continental tires.  

The surface of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca presents a unique challenge with the fine sand that blows, and gets drug across the race course.  While slick track conditions are the norm, the Continental tires provided the confidence the PC teams needed to race the four-hour endurance race on Saturday.  

Duncan Ende piloted the No. 9 RSR ORECA FLM09 to the lead early in the race and when co-driver Bruno Junquiera took over, he kept the No. 9 up front.  Then the duo of Luis Diaz and Mike Guasch came to the party in the No. 52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA FLM09 with the No. 05 following hot on their heels.  The three PC cars battled for the number one spot all day and with each pit stop, a set of fresh Continental sticker tires went on.

With about an hour to go, Braun assumed the PC lead and was best-in-class for the remainder of the race.  Slicing and dicing his way through traffic, Braun managed his tires to their fullest extent, not blinking an eye to every changing track conditions.  With under 10 minutes to go, the Delta Wing car came to a stop forcing a caution and no pit stops.  With the clock running down, the field came to a green and white flag for the re-start.  As the field came around the turn, Braun locked up the brakes and slid to the outside allowing Diaz to pass the No. 05 for the lead and ultimately, the win.

“I think this is one of the most challenging tracks for any tire,” said Diaz after the race.  “There are so many elevations and we really test the tire here, in the curves, punishing them big time.  And the tire held up great.  I’m very well impressed about the tire and I’m happy that (Continental Tire) are in the series so very happy.”

Guasch added, “I think (the tires) held up well.  The biggest thing is that this track is difficult because it is sandy.  There’s so much wind, and so much garbage getting put on the track so we’ve got to fight that.  But every tire is going to struggle here.  But overall the tires did well.”

Continental Tire returns to competition with the ALMS PC class July 6 at Lime Rock Park.  Tune in for LIVE coverage on ESPN2 beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Go into the garage with us on Twitter @continentaltire or on Instagram at continental_tire.

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