Three areas of Sonoma Raceway will be modified with the intent of enhancing overtaking opportunities during the GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma on Aug. 24-26.
 
Team Penske driver Ryan Briscoe joined Steve Page, president and general manager of the raceway in Sonoma, Calif., for the announcement in Turn 11 – one of the areas to be altered.

Modifications include:
• The entrance to Turn 11 will be extended 200 feet before drivers encounter the hairpin. This will give drivers more space to out-brake each other and set up a passing opportunity before the right-hand Turn 12. The geometry of the modified Turn 11 will mirror the shorter turn used for the IZOD IndyCar Series in previous years.
• The exit of Turn 9 (aka The Bus Stop) will be widened by 10 feet to 50 feet on drivers’ left.
• At Turn 7, instead of the looping right-hander where drivers could maintain speed, they will now encounter a hairpin similar to Turn 11.
 
The modifications will make the IZOD IndyCar Series circuit 2.31 miles (it had been 2.303 miles) and 12 turns. The race distance will increase from 75 to 85 laps.

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“These changes reflect nearly a year of study and consultation with drivers, racing engineers and sanctioning officials,” Page said. “Combining these new corners and braking zones with INDYCAR’s new competitive engine environment should open things up considerably and we’re very anxious to see the results play out at the race in a few weeks.”

Twenty-three drivers, including two-time defending race champion Will Power of Team Penske, are scheduled to test the new layout Aug. 17 for the eighth annual event. The sessions will be open and free to the public.

“This was something we worked on in the offseason and I think it is really going to make for some exciting racing,” Power said. “We will know more after the testing, but it looks like we will be able to go into Turns 7 and 11 expecting to be able to make a move. I’ve enjoyed the racing at Sonoma in the past and expect to see even better racing this year.”

Added his teammate Briscoe (at left with Page), who has a pair of runner-up finishes at the raceway in the past four years: “As drivers, we should all be excited with the track reconfiguration as it will help open up more areas for passing. With the new Turn 7, it is going to be a slower corner with heavy braking and later turning, which will become an added passing opportunity. Turn 11 will also create a new challenge with a longer chute leading to carrying more speed into the start/finish line.”

INDYCAR director of operations Bill Van de Sandt said the feedback of drivers and teams plus the cooperation of Sonoma personnel led to a solution that should please everyone.

“The modifications to the Sonoma track layout will enhance the competition on the track, making it a better show for the fans and more challenging for the drivers,” he said.