Laguna Seca Track Record Lowered Again by Zonta

LAGUNA SECA TRACK RECORD LOWERED AGAIN BY ZONTA ON
DAY TWO OF ROLEX MONTEREY HISTORIC AUTOMOBILE RACES PRESENTED BY TOYOTA


Salinas, Calif. (August 19, 2006) – On day two of the 33rd Rolex Monterey
Historic Automobile Races Presented by Toyota, Panasonic Toyota Race Team
driver Ricardo Zonta broke his 24-hour-old record, lowering it from
yesterday’s record of 1:07.587 to the new record of 1:06.596.  The
record-breaking time came in the fifth lap of five flying laps in the
12:45 session this afternoon.  Zonta’s lap speed around the 11-turn, 2.238
mile Laguna Seca Raceway was 120.980.

“The car and tires really performed great and breaking the record twice
has been a fantastic experience,” said Zonta after the first track
session.  “It’s been even more exciting because of how the people have
celebrated our car.”

The Panasonic Toyota F1 car had a second track session later in the
afternoon. “This afternoon I went out to enjoy myself,” Zonta said after
the final session.  “The team was concerned about oil on the track due to
the historic races and we wanted to be a little careful.  Instead of
speed, I thought the fans would like to see donuts, so I did them.”

Zonta last drove on the Laguna Seca track in 1998 when he won the FIA GT
Championships behind the wheel of a Mercedes.

The Panasonic Toyota F1 car will again take to the track Sunday at 12:35
and 3:25 p.m.