It may be one of the biggest years in the history of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The historic and famed road course, located in California’s Monterey County, will host the NTT IndyCar Series for the first time since 2004, but there is a lot more than that for fans to get excited about in regard to the 2.238-mile serpentine circuit.
Those attending events at the iconic track this season will see plenty of changes. Among them will be:
• A large temporary two-story hospitality structure has been placed in the paddock overlooking turn three;
• The dip at the top of the main entrance road has been paved for a smooth entry and exit;
• Workers have widened and paved the Marketplace to enhance vendor experiences;
• The television broadcast compound has been relocated with upgraded connectivity for live NBC broadcasts of IMSA and IndyCar;
• The octagon tower overlooking the start/finish line has been removed to make way for new hospitality venues and fan experience;
• Workers removed the former Parks Department office that overlooked turn two;
• Corner marshal stands have been enhanced to provide better flag marshal safety and visibility for drivers;
• Lakebed paving has been finished in the Marketplace and;
• The track safety fencing project has been completed.
In addition to these improvements, fans have a litany of options when it comes to activities around the paddock and Hagerty Marketplace areas.
Attendees can mingle with drivers during autograph sessions, experience their own driving thrills on the go-kart track or manufacturer driving experiences, wind down at the beer garden, engage with the interactive vendor displays, or upgrade their experience with VIP hospitality.
“The small things make a difference,” said Dewayne Woods, assistant county administrative officer for Monterey County “When you enter the facility, there was kind of a ditch that was at the beginning of the entry that was fixed so it’s nice and smooth so cars can go through without scraping their bottoms. Some of the expensive cars we have come through there are quite low profile.”
At this writing, WeatherTech Raceway was already several events into a busy schedule, with the July 12-14 MOTUL FIM World Superbike Championship the next big event on the slate.
“We are really looking forward to a great summer schedule,” said Weather Tech Raceway CEO Tim McGrane. “The top production-based motorcycles in the country and the world are coming for our World Superbike event with MotoAmerica July 12-14. The motorcycle events always have a diverse and lively atmosphere throughout the paddock, Hagerty Marketplace and campgrounds.”
The global MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship series brings people from around the world to Monterey during the only round that takes place in the United States.
Motorcycle racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has a long history that has helped elevate the track to international acclaim. Furthermore, it provides the talented EBC Brakes Superbike riders in the MotoAmerica series the opportunity to test their mettle by recording lap times on the same track and conditions as the international riders under the same rules with the biggest exception being the spec tire.