Drivers race backwards up the Corkscrew; a Car Week first

By Caitlin Conrad

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    MONTEREY COUNTY, California (KSBW) — Car Week 2022 brought something never seen before: cars racing up the iconic corkscrew at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca.

“It was absolutely amazing,” said spectator John Lux.

Sunday marked the first time in the track’s 65-year history that drivers raced reverse course.

“They tend not to have as much traction going up the hill, so it is really cool to watch them slide as they go around and try to make it up to the top,” said Lux.

Some drivers were going for the best track time others were putting on a show. The most memorable run by far came from World No. 1 Formula Drift Racer Matt Fields. In his 1060HP Chevrolet Corvette, Fields attempted a backward exhibition run up the corkscrew. After several spinouts and a cloud of burned rubber Fields made the assent past a wowed crowd.

“Nope, that is kind of unique but there are some cars doing some really fun stuff coming up the corkscrew,” said spectator Ryan Jefferson.

Participants on Sunday drove everything from old race cars to a Hudson Hornet painted to look like Doc Hudson from the Disney Pixar movie “Cars.” A car week highlight for racing fans and fans of Laguna Seca.

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