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Tom Sutherland Makes American Le Mans Series Debut at Sebring
Looking forward to April 5 street race at St. Petersburg

Tom Sutherland makes his American Le Mans Series debut at the historic Sebring track.
Tom Sutherland makes his American Le Mans Series debut at the historic Sebring track. Photo courtesy of Sports Consultants International.

(Los Gatos, California - March 31, 2008) Texas Christian University freshman and Los Gatos High School graduate Tom Sutherland, 19, of Los Gatos, California, made an impressive American Le Mans Series debut at the 56th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. Sutherland, driving with Panoz Team PTG teammates Tommy Milner and Joey Hand, drove the #21 Panoz Esperante to a 9th place finish in the GT2 class race.

"It was a long week leading up to the actual race, but the team used the time well to work out a few handling problems with the car," said Sutherland. "I really enjoyed watching and working with Joey Hand and Tommy Milner, and my driving progressed over the week as I got more time in the car. All in all, I feel I made a successful professional race driving series debut, and want to thank the team, especially team manager Tom Milner, for their support."

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Tom Sutherland Signs on with Panoz Team PTG
Will race in the 2008 American Le Mans Series GT2 Class

Will race in the 2008 American Le Mans Series GT2 Class
Photo of Panoz Esperante GTLM courtesy of Panoz Auto Development.

(Los Gatos, California - March 3, 2008) He's right in the middle of his first year at Texas Christian University, and now Tom Sutherland, 18, of Los Gatos, California, has signed on with Panoz Team PTG to race a Panoz Esperante GTLM in the GT2 class of the 2008 American Le Mans Series. Sutherland will make his official American Le Mans Series debut on March 15 for the season opener at the Sebring International Raceway.

Racing for Panoz Team PTG reunites Sutherland with two other "Toms": co-driver Tom Milner Jr., who has competed previously in the tightly-contested GT2 class and raced at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Panoz TEAM PTG President Tom Milner, who has developed successful championship-winning programs in a wide variety of racing venues, including IMSA, Grand Am, SCCA and NASCAR.

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Los Gatos Local Tom Sutherland Finishes 13th at San Jose Grand Prix
9th place possibility marred by punctured tire

Tom Sutherland at turn 7 heading into the straightaway at the San Jose Grand Prix
Tom Sutherland at turn 7 heading into the straightaway at the San Jose Grand Prix. Photo by Steve Duvaras.

(Los Gatos, California - August 2, 2007) 18-year old Los Gatos High School graduate and soon-to-be Texas Christian University freshman Tom Sutherland of Los Gatos, California, raced the #2 Champ Car Atlantic car for Jensen MotorSport in front of a hometown crowd at the San Jose Grand Prix July 27 - 29, 2007.

The San Jose Grand Prix, the eleventh race of the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, took the drivers on a 1.5 mile circuit where they hit speeds of over 150 miles per hour as their cars sped down Almaden Avenue before twisting and turning through the skyscrapers and palm trees of downtown San Jose. "I was thrilled to race in the San Jose Grand Prix for the second time of my racing career. I want to thank ClickAway and Jensen MotorSport for giving me the opportunity to race in front of my hometown crowd once again," said Sutherland.

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Los Gatos Local Tom Sutherland to Race at San Jose Grand Prix
Driving in the Champ Car Atlantic Series for Jensen MotorSport

Driving in the Champ Car Atlantic Series for Jensen MotorSport
Tom Sutherland racing through the streets of Long Beach earlier this year at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Photo by Bo Bridges.

(Los Gatos, California - June 19, 2007) Graduation ceremony memories are still fresh in his mind but before he packs his bags for his freshman year at Texas Christian University, 18-year old Los Gatos High School graduate Tom Sutherland of Los Gatos, California, will be racing the #2 Champ Car Atlantic car for Jensen MotorSport at the San Jose Grand Prix July 27 - 29, 2007.

The San Jose Grand Prix is the ninth stop of the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda. Continuing its "More Than A Race" theme from the last two years, plans for the 2007 San Jose Grand Prix include Champ Car, Champ Car Atlantic, Historic Stock Car, Formula BMW and Formula Drift competitions, along with motorcycle stunt exhibitions, concerts, interactive ...

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Tom Sutherland at Grand Prix of Houston
Lap 34 incident dashes chance of first Top Ten finish

Lap 34 incident dashes chance of first Top Ten finish
Tom Sutherland in the #2 ClickAway Team Jensen car during testing at Laguna Seca earlier this season. Photo courtesy of Jensen Motorsport.

(Los Gatos, California - April 24, 2007) 18-year old Los Gatos High School senior and Champ Car Atlantic driver Tom Sutherland of Los Gatos, California, experienced the highs and lows of racing this past weekend at the Fast Trac 100 Grand Prix of Houston, round three of the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.

Driving the #2 ClickAway Team Jensen car, Sutherland made a strong showing during Friday's qualifying session, taking 10th place, the best for him this season. Saturday was even better and Sutherland looked poised to capture the fifth-fastest time in final qualifying, but was unfortunately not awarded the time due to a red flag being waved just seconds before he crossed the timing line. Instead, Sutherland had to start the race in 10th position..

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Tom Sutherland Finishes 14th at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
Overcomes broken front wing in round two of Champ Car Atlantic Championship

Tom Sutherland Finishes 14th at Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
Tom Sutherland racing through the streets of Long Beach at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Photo by Bo Bridges.

(Los Gatos, California - April 17, 2007) Just one week after his Champ Car Atlantic debut in Las Vegas, 18-year old Los Gatos High School senior Tom Sutherland of Los Gatos, California, overcame handling problems resulting from a broken front wing to take 14th at the Imperial Capital Bank Atlantic Challenge at the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Long Beach race was the second round of the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda.

The Long Beach circuit is a 1.968-mile temporary road course particularly noted for its last section, a hairpin turn followed by a long, slightly curved front straightaway running the length of Shoreline Drive, where the race cars can reach a top speed of 165 mph. During his final qualifying lap on Saturday, Sutherland clocked a time ...

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Tom Sutherland Finishes 15th at Vegas Grand Prix
Last lap crash caps an impressive Champ Car Atlantic debut

Tom Sutherland Finishes 15th at Vegas Grand Prix
Tom Sutherland catches some air on the streets of Las Vegas Photo by Anthony Kent, USA LAT Photographic.
Copyright © 2007 Champ Car World Series, LLC.

(Los Gatos, California - April 11, 2007) Los Gatos High School senior Tom Sutherland, 18, of Los Gatos, California, made an impressive Champ Car Atlantic debut racing the #2 ClickAway Team Jensen car in Las Vegas last weekend. The Las Vegas race was the season opener for the 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda, one of the main events of the Vegas Grand Prix Fueled by Visa, a three-day extravaganza of fast cars racing through the streets of downtown Las Vegas.

Sutherland qualified 12th on Friday and 13th on Saturday, and started in 13th position for the 2.4-mile, 12-turn street race, which was marred by a series of crashes that resulted in four full-course yellow flags. In the end there were only six full racing laps, and Sutherland worked his way up to 10th position. He posted the 2nd fastest ...

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Los Gatos Teen will be racing through the Streets of Las Vegas

Champ Car Atlantic in Las Vegas
Tom Sutherland Competing in Champ Car Atlantic Season Opener photo by Photo by Phillip Abbott, USA LAT Photographic.
Copyright © 2007 Champ Car World Series, LLC.

(Los Gatos, California - March 25, 2007) Los Gatos High School senior Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, will soon be racing Jensen Motorsport car #2 through the streets of Las Vegas in the season opener race for the Champ Car Atlantic Series. The 2007 Cooper Tires Presents the Champ Car Atlantic Championship Powered by Mazda is one of the main events of the Vegas Grand Prix Fueled by Visa, a three-day festival of speed which will take place April 6 - 8 and will include major rock concerts, a championship boxing match and a celebrity poker tournament.

The 2.4-mile, 12-turn street circuit will feature top competitors racing through the heart of "Glitter Gulch" in downtown Las Vegas, driving made-in-the-USA open-wheel Atlantic Swift 016.a chassis cars powered by a 2.3-liter Mazda-Cosworth engine capable of producing 300...

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Los Gatos Teen to Vie for Share of $2 Million Purse
Tom Sutherland signs on with Jensen Motorsport to race in Champ Car Atlantic Series

Los Gatos Teen to Vie for Share of $2 Million Purse
photo by ChampCarAtlantic.com

(Los Gatos, California - February 9, 2007) Los Gatos High School student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, hung up his Los Gatos Cats football helmet for the last time in late November after his team took second in the Central Coast Section football championships. With his football career over, he's revved up his racing career by signing on to drive for Jensen Motorsport of Toronto, Canada, in the Champ Car Formula Atlantic series. He and teammate Frankie Muniz, the actor of "Malcolm in the Middle" fame, will be racing for their share of over $2 million in cash and other prizes ...

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Tom Sutherland Takes the Podium at the San Jose Grand Prix

Tom Sutherland Takes the Podium at the San Jose Grand Prix
Runner-up finish in Formula BMW USA Series is career best for Los Gatos resident photo by George Sakkestad

(Los Gatos, California - August 1, 2006) High school student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, achieved a career best this past Saturday when he took second place in Round 9 of the Formula BMW USA Series at the San Jose Grand Prix, finishing just .668 seconds behind winner Reed Stevens. Sutherland now holds the record for the most Formula BMW USA starts and finishes, and his races on Saturday and Sunday marked his 31st and 32nd start and finish. Over the course of his Formula BMW USA career, he has racked up 19 Top 10 finishes and 3 Top 5 finishes.

The weekend marked the Round 9 and Round 10 races of the Formula BMW USA Series. In the first practice session, Sutherland knocked a front wing off his car, but otherwise was able to stay off the concrete walls that bedeviled many of the drivers over the weekend. During the Round 9 race, Sutherland was passed by Reed Stevens on the start going into the hairpin, dropping him to third. Then with only six laps to go and under pressure from Sutherland, Robert Wickens hit the wall and was out of contention. The race ended under a full-course ...

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Tom Sutherland to Race at the San Jose Grand Prix

Tom Sutherland to Race at the San Jose Grand Prix photo by Kim Cronin

(Los Gatos, California - July 21, 2006) High school student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, will be speeding through the streets of San Jose, but he doesn't need to worry about getting a ticket. He'll be racing Formula BMW car #20 for Jensen Motorsports of Toronto, Canada, alongside teammate Frankie Muniz, the actor of "Malcolm in the Middle" fame, at the San Jose Grand Prix.

Sutherland has more Formula BMW USA starts and finishes than any other driver, and the upcoming race mark his 31st and 32nd starts. In 2004, Sutherland set the record as the youngest driver to ever compete at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway when he completed his first race there at age 15. In his recent Formula BMW race at the U.S. Formula One Grand Prix at the ...

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Tom Sutherland Finishes 9th in Portland at the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear

Tom Sutherland Finishes 9th in Portland at the Star Mazda Championship

Northwest Autosport driver Tom Sutherland secured another solid top ten, his second in two races, in his #40 ClickAway Computers and Networking machine. The young driver is developing immensely this season, and is becoming a regular frontrunner at midseason in the series. After a tough qualifying session where he qualified 18th on the grid, Sutherland bounced back to drive a great race that secured him a 9th place finish and some more valuable points for the championship.

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Tom Sutherland Takes 4th in Salt Lake City

Tom Sutherland Takes 4th in Salt Lake City
Tom Sutherland running in the Star Mazda race at the Utah Grand Prix photo by Ronnie Swyers

(Los Gatos, California - July 19, 2006) High school student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, took 4th place at last weekend's Utah Grand Prix, continuing his successful season debut in the Star Mazda series, driving car #40 for Northwest Autosport of Milwaukie, Oregon.

In practice sessions before the race, Sutherland was third fastest in a field of 33 cars. Qualifying proved to be a little tougher, though, with a spin-out that ended up with Sutherland so stuck in the heavy desert sand that the session had to be red-flagged so he could be pulled out. "I went into the corner a little too deep, and then understeered the car off the track ...

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Tom Sutherland Takes 7th at the Famous Brickyard

Tom Sutherland Takes 7th at the Famous Brickyard
Tom Sutherland running in his Formula BMW 2006 season debut at the Formula 1 US Grand Prix of Indianapolis photo by Clint Bergst

(Los Gatos, California - July 14, 2005) High school student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, returned to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his third straight year running in the Formula BMW USA series event. In 2004, Sutherland set the record as the youngest driver to ever race at the famous Brickyard when he completed his first race there at age 15. In 2005, he finished 4th in the Formula BMW event.

Rain during the qualifying rounds affected Sutherland's starting position for the race. "Due to the weather, we started the day with rain tires. In retrospect it would have been better to come in to the pits and make the change to slicks, because I ended up qualifying 24th, which ...

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Tom Sutherland Heads to U.S. F1 Grand Prix in Indianapolis

Tom Sutherland Heads to U.S. F1 Grand Prix in Indianapolis
Tom Sutherland driving for Northwest Autosport in round 5 of the Star Mazda Championship Series in Montreal, Canada, June 22 - 25, 2006.
photo by Clint Bergst

(Los Gatos, California, June 26, 2006) - High school student Tom Sutherland, 17, of Los Gatos, California, is returning to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for his third straight run in the Formula BMW USA series event this weekend. In 2004, Sutherland set the record as the youngest driver to ever race at the famous Brickyard when he completed his first race there at age 15. In 2005, he finished 4th in the Formula BMW event.

"It's great to be returning to Formula BMW at Indy," Sutherland said. "I have to admit it was pretty intimidating at 15 to be lined up at the Brickyard between the Formula One pits and the massive grandstands. It's still a huge thrill for me, but I am definitely more comfortable at this landmark track than I was my first time here."

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Tom Sutherland Makes Debut in Star Mazda Series

Tom Sutherland Makes Debut in Star Mazda Series

(Los Gatos, California, May 15, 2006) - 17-year old Los Gatos High School Junior Tom Sutherland made his Star Mazda racing debut on the bumpy streets of Houston in the Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear, which was held in conjunction with the American Le Mans and Champ Car Lone Star Grand Prix in Houston this past weekend

The Star Mazda Championship has become the most competitive open-wheel development series in North America. At the Houston race, held at Reliant Park, Sutherland was the 7th fastest in the first practice session, and qualified 12th out of the 37 cars entered.

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Engine Failure After 8 Hours Disappointing finish
at the 44th Running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona
Dashes Hopes of Father-Son Team

Running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona


Rick Sutherland races Car 21 along the infield of the Daytona International Speedway at the 2006 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona

(Los Gatos, California, February 8, 2006) - Father and son Rick Sutherland and Tom Sutherland had high hopes for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, especially because it was their first time to drive together for the same team. But luck was not with the team or their car, which experienced an engine failure after eight hours of racing.

The Sutherlands, along with teammates Matt Connolly, Carlos de Quesada and Gerald Van Uitert, were driving car number 21, one of four BMW M3s entered in the GT class. The 425 horsepower, 2700 pound car has a 6 speed Hewland gearbox, is based on the production chassis and was factory built as a race car ...

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Father and Son Rick and Tom Sutherland Team Up for 24 Hours of Daytona

Father and Son Rick and Tom Sutherland Team Up for 24 Hours of Daytona
Tom Sutherland waits on Pit Lane in the #21 BMW M3 for practice to begin for the 44th Running of the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona

(Los Gatos, California, January 19, 2006) - Rick Sutherland and Tom Sutherland are both veteran race car drivers, but at the upcoming 24 Hours of Daytona they’ll be doing something neither has done before - driving together for the same team.

The Sutherlands, along with teammates Matt Connolly, Carlos de Quesada and Gerald Van Uitert, are driving car number 21, one of four BMW M3s entered in the GT class. The 425 horsepower, 2700 pound car has a 6 speed Hewland gearbox, is based on the production chassis and was factory built as a race car.

Tom, the younger Sutherland, is a junior at Los Gatos High School and competed in the Formula BMW Series for the past two seasons. In 2005, he had 14 starts and 14 finishes, coming in 9th in Championship points with ...

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Tom Sutherland Joins Johnson Engineering's Thunderhill 25 Hour Race Adventure

Johnson Engineering's 25 Hours of Thunderhill was an eventful round the clock marathon to say the least. Before the track action got underway, the team made a quick driver change. Out was Rick Sutherland, and in was Rick's son, Tom. The younger Sutherland didn't have a Le Mans victory under his belt, but has competed in the Formula BMW USA series with success. Once the off-track arrangements were over, it was time to get in race mode.

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Cal High Sports Spotlight on Tom Sutherland

Cal High Sports Spotlight on Tom Sutherland

Robert Bronstein, executive produce of Cal High Sports, attended the Denver Grand Prix to film and interview Formula BMW driver Tom Sutherland for a segment that aired on KRON Channel 4, Sunday, August 28th at 6:30pm. The program showcases particularly strong athletes from the Bay Area.

Denver Street Race with Champ Car August 13 & 14

Denver Street Race with Champ Car August 13 and 14

Denver, Co - August 14th -- In rounds 11 and 12 of the Formula BMW series, Tom Sutherland kept battling despite a llate race spin on a wet track that pushed him back to finish 12th in the first event. Having hit the wall during qualifying, Sutherland started 16th in the second race, moving up the field to finish 7th. He currently stands 8th in the driver points. His team, HBR Motorsports, leads the team championship.

Sutherland Keeps Top 10 Finishes at Barber Motorsports Park - Alabama, July 30 & 31

Birmingham, AL, July 31st -- Tom Sutherland finished 5th and 10th in rounds 9 and 10 of the Formula BMW USA series, keeping consistent his top 10 finishings.

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Tom's Thoughts on Montreal - Rounds 5 & 6 June 11 & 12

"Montreal will be a good test for me, since no other has driven there except those who are returning.

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Teenager to Test Skill on Competitive Road Course

May 2005 Just a few weeks after getting his California driver's license, 16-year-old Tom Sutherland will test his racing skills on America's most competitive road circuit, the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

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9th Finish at Laguna Seca Disappointing for Young Sutherland

Tom Sutherland in Formula BMW
Rick and Tom Sutherland planning their strategy
Photos by Eric Sitzenstater

On June 30, a broken left rear shock during qualifying for the opening round of the Formula BMW USA series sent Sutherland spinning at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, nearly hitting the wall by the pit entrance. He ended up 14th on the grid due to his short qualifying session but passed 7 cars on the standing start. Wrestling with under steering, Sutherland dropped to 9th at the finish.

During Race 2, Sutherland got a good initial start, passing 3 cars, but had to take evasive actions on the entry to turn 2 due to avoid a crash, dropping him back to 14th. He battled back as high as 10th before spinning in the high speed turn 6 with 1 lap to go, finishing a disappointing 14th.

Tom Sutherland Readies for 1st Race on Home Track

Tom Sutherland in Formula BMW
Tom Sutherland Readies for 1st Race on Home Track

Virginia - April 10, 2005 - Spring break for Tom Sutherland, who turned 16 this month, means testing on the East Coast in preparation for the Formula BMW USA season start. The first race will be held at his home track, Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, in support of the Grand Am Sports Car Series, April 30th and May 1st...

Bill Binnie, Allen Timpany & Rick Sutherland finish 3rd in LMP2 class at 2006 12 Hours of Sebring

Rick Sutherland finish 3rd in LMP2 class at 2006 12 Hours of Sebring
Lola / Zytec V8. Completed 317 laps on the 3.7 Mile long Sebring International Raceway, for a Podium Finish
photo by Ned Thompson
Select photo to view a lap around the track.

Rick Sutherland finishes 3rd in LMP 2 class at 2005 24 Hrs. of Lemans with Belmondo Racing

Rick Sutherland 2005 24 Hrs of Lemans - Rick Sutherland Starts down the
Mulsane Strait from Tete Rouge

Engine Fails Before 23rd Hour-Team Enjoyed 8-lap lead through Morning Hours

Podium Finish at LeMans For Belmondo Racing but Win Escapes in Final Hours


Photos courtesy of Belmondo Racing

LMP2 Class Results
1st (21st overall) #25 RML Lola MG
2nd (22nd overall) #36 Belmondo Courage C65
3rd (23rd overall) #37 Belmondo Courage C65

Paul Belmondo Racing announces driver line-up for 2005 24 Hours of Le Mans

Rick Sutherland, alongside Paul Belmondo and Didier Andre, will seek a second consecutive win at Le Mans in the prototype 2 class, driving car number 37, a Courage C65 AER.

"Rick brings a wealth of experience to the team, which includes seven seasons running prototypes at the ALMS. Rick will be an additional asset during this prestigious race," said Paul Belmondo.
All three drivers will take part in a test at the Bugatti circuit on May 21st, before the team prepare the car for the official test at Le Mans on June 5th.

24 Hours of LeMans 2004 - LMP2 Class Win

LeMans 2004 LMP2 Class Win
Photo by Philippe CHEMIN
Rick Sutherland
Photo by: Markus Abhauer

Rick Sutherland (far right) with teammates Clint Field and Bill Binnie on the podium in LeMans, France following 24 hours of wheel to wheel action in June 2004.

Rick Sutherland in route to LMP2 class win at the 24 Hours of Lemans 2004. Co-driving with Clint Field and Bill Binnie, the Lola- Judd-Intersport Racing Team scored the win in the LeMans Prototype 2 class.

Laguna Seca Win 2004

Laguna Seca Win 2004
Photo by Americanlemans.com
Intersport Racing Lola #30
Photo by Americanlemans.com

Rick Sutherland (left) with Robin Liddell of Scotland and Clint Field of Ohio, scored the race win at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey in October. Piloting the Intersport Racing Lola B2K/40-Judd, this was the sixth win of the season for Field and Liddell. They set a series record for the most LMP2 class wins in a single season, surpassing Didier de Radigues' five-win season in 2001.

Intersport Racing Lola (30) en route to LMP2 Win in Monterey in October 2004. The four-hour timed race started at 4 p.m. (PDT) and finished in both darkness and rain as a shower moved across the raceway in the last 30 minutes of the event. The race marked the first time in the long history of Laguna Seca that a race had run into darkness.