Le Mans 2010

Le Mans drivers prepare meals before big race at Monterey's Laguna Seca

Racers take lap through the kitchen

By RYAN PANLILIO

Herald Staff Writer

Posted: 05/20/2010 01:28:25 AM PDT

Updated: 05/20/2010 08:48:24 AM PDT

Six big-time race car drivers took pointers Wednesday — and not from their pit crew chiefs.

The drivers are participants in this weekend's American Le Mans Monterey races, but they were off the track and in the kitchen Wednesday under the direction of Montrio Bistro Executive Chef Tony Baker. Together they prepared a special menu of skirt steak and salmon, cooked and served with a dash of Patrán tequila.

The event helped kick off the races presented by Patrán at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Only two drivers said they were well-versed in the art of grilling, but all welcomed the challenge to work in a busy kitchen.

"It's fun to do in an organized and professional way," said Johannes van Overbeek of Extreme Speed Motorsports.

Baker had the prep work done beforehand, but warned that the drivers "probably should have worn their fire suits."

Handling the grilled salmon, Baker was joined by ALMS drivers Jorg Bergmeister of Flying Lizard, Jonny Cocker of Drayson Racing, and van Overbeek.

The skirt steak was prepared by Montrio sous chef Brian Copp, with the assistance of ALMS driver Ryan Dalziel of JaguarRSR, and Star Mazda drivers Conor Daly of Juncos Racing and Connor De Phillippi of JDC Motorsports.

They seemed to be able to hold their own, despite a lack of experience.

"I've never cooked a day in my life," Daly said, adding that his mother did a lot of the cooking.

Montrio Bistro partner Tony Tollner said the cooking event, now in its second year, helped him get into the spirit of things.

"It combines the two things I love — motorsports and food," Tollner said.

Drivers, team members and media representatives dined on the steak and salmon.

At least one other race-related epicurean event is scheduled this week. A fan party is 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the C Restaurant + Bar in The Intercontinental The Clement Monterey.

Drivers will hit the track in earnest with practice rounds Friday. With four classes on the track at the same time, Round 3 of the American Le Mans Series will conclude the ALMS racing with a six-hour race on Saturday. The Star Mazda drivers race, a support series in open-wheel spec cars, will be held Sunday.

Saturday's main event is 2:30 p.m. The Star Mazda series begins 9:15 a.m. Sunday.

Ryan Panlilio can be reached at 646-4487 or rpanlilio@montereyherald.com.