24 replies to this topic

[oldtransamdriver]

google   "Nascar is negotiatiing for control of Laguna Seca" 

 

Robert

[RonPohl]

Although I read ISC is denying any intent to run a NASCAR cup race at Laguna-Consider this.  NASCAR seems to like short road courses.  Look how they shortened the length of the track at Watkins Glen and Sears Point .  Could Laguna be brought back to its original configuration-i.e. the high speed left handers constituting the old T-1,2 and 3?   They were real heart stoppers back in the day.  That would leave a mostly left turn short track (by road course standards)

[RA Historian]

No. The old course section at Laguna Seca has been permanently obliterated.

[fbarrett]

SCRAMP is not about to give up without a fight.

[Sisyphus]

I question whether having NASCAR control Laguna Seca would be a good thing but it would be gas to see the stockers come thru the Corkscrew!  And the last turn onto the pit straight.

[CSquared]

No. The old course section at Laguna Seca has been permanently obliterated.

Most of it is actually still there, even some curbing. It would be fairly easy to recreate the original configuration, even if the original pavement was redone.

 

There is a lot of conflicting information, rumors, and speculation about this SCRAMP vs. ISC thing. I don't know which side I should actually be supporting. 

[Bob Riebe]

Without the old course, stockers at Laguna would be pathetic.

[dbltop]

NASCAR is also considering using the newly paved boot section at Watkin's Glen in the future. Fans are asking for a road course in the chase, so Laguna Seca would make sense in the fall.

[Jim Thurman]

I question whether having NASCAR control Laguna Seca would be a good thing but it would be gas to see the stockers come thru the Corkscrew!  And the last turn onto the pit straight.

 

Here is where I point out that the NASCAR Western series ran 6 times on the earlier Laguna Seca between 1973 and 1981. Not only that, but being in that time frame meant the longer wheelbase, larger sedans that NASCAR ran during that era. Bobby Allison and Richard Petty competed at Laguna Seca (Petty only once, Allison more than once).

[lustigson]

Could Laguna be brought back to its original configuration-i.e. the high speed left handers constituting the old T-1,2 and 3?

 

Laguna Seca has an alternative lay-out?  

[RonPohl]

Originally turn 1 was a high speed left handed, quickly followed by 2 more quick left handlers. Almost one sweeping turn. All flat out as I recall in a FF or FB. Than you were on the climbing straight to the corkscrew. It was still like that in the early 70s. Not sure when the track changed, but having driven boh of them, I much prefer the original configuration- which, I think would work well for nascar.

[eibyyz]

Not sure when the track changed...

IIRC it was the mid-1980s, FIM wanted a longer track so Laguna Seca could get a MotoGP race.

[nmansellfan]

The new section was created in 1988, by which time Indycars around the old section must have been doing some terrifying speeds - probably part of the reason for the new section as well?  Though the original T1/T2/T3 it must have focused the mind even in an FF, RonPohl

Edited by nmansellfan, 12 August 2015 - 15:56.

[B Squared]

Mario had a huge Indy Car testing accident in the old turn one that got a lot of attention when it happened. The bid for the MotoGP race was around the same time, I believe.

[CSquared]

Mario had a huge Indy Car testing accident in the old turn one that got a lot of attention when it happened. The bid for the MotoGP race was around the same time, I believe.

Was turn 1 changed in the reconfiguration? Or did you mean turn 2?

[B Squared]

I remember reading about it as turn one, as I wasn't at the session, I can't say for sure. Whatever makes you feel best is fine by me.

 

edit: I must note that when I was at the track and working Indy Car, one and two seemed like one continuous corner from my remembrances. Although one may not have changed in configuration, the approach to two changed dramatically from still on the throttle to hard on the brakes with the new circuit. For all I know, maybe Mario actually had his off between one and two - as I remember, it was equipment failure related. Apologies for wrong info if I haven't remembered this incident correctly. I found nothing about it in my online search and don't currently have the time to get into the archives of the period.

 

Edited by B Squared, 12 August 2015 - 18:09.

[B Squared]

From Marshall Pruett at Racer:

http://www.racer.com...a-seca?showall=

[RonPohl]

The Pruitt article is very depressing. Looks like formula E is a perfect fit for Laguna ( YUCK!)

[RA Historian]

Agreed. It is not a matter of bringing new events (i.e., nascar) to Laguna. Rather it is a matter of Laguna surviving. In the current political climate I fear the track may well be doomed.

 

Tom

[RonPohl]

Looking at B Squared track diagram refreshes my recollection of the old track a bit. It looks pretty simple to bring back the old configuration for NASCAR- but I agree with RA Historian- the future doesn't look good.

[63Corvette]

The following is an open letter to the public from Gregg Curry, SCRAMP Board President:

Dear Neighbors and Friends,
 
The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) built what is known today as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 1957. Laguna Seca was created by a Federal Land grant to provide a safe and dedicated facility for racing. The land was originally a part of Ford Ord but was deeded to the county in 1974 to administer the land with a concession agreement to operate the facility with SCRAMP.
 
SCRAMP is a non-profit organization that has served the community for nearly 60 years, which annually donates more than $250,000 of its proceeds to 60-70 local charities and civic organizations. SCRAMP has grown from presenting a single motor sports event in 1957 to annually producing five major events which generate a $200 million economic benefit for Monterey County.
 
More than 300 local community members annually commit thousands of hours volunteering at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for the love of motorsports in Monterey County. We are a local, active and highly visible member of the community dedicated to bringing world-class racing events to the Monterey Peninsula -- benefitting our race fans, sponsors, charitable organizations and our community.
 
SCRAMP has invested more than $50 million in the Laguna Seca facility, and we continue to be committed to upgrading Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to enhance the overall experience for spectators, sponsors, participants and visitors.
 
Since January 2014, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has conducted closed-session meetings to discuss a new Concession Agreement without SCRAMP's knowledge. These closed-session meetings resulted in the Board of Supervisors entering into a 90-day due diligence agreement with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) to take over management and operation of the raceway.  ISC is a for-profit, publicly traded corporation based in Daytona Beach, Fla., whose primary business is the ownership and management of NASCAR race tracks.
 
SCRAMP is requesting a fair and open process where we be given equal consideration to continue to improve and manage operations of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and that this process be held in the open with the benefit of public participation and review.
 
We urge you to contact your Monterey County Supervisor to support and request consideration of SCRAMP to keep revenue local for the benefit of our community and to continue the legacy SCRAMP established in 1957. We, your neighbors and friends, ask for your support.
 
For more information please visit www.mazdaraceway.com.

Sincerely,
 
Greg Curry
SCRAMP Board President
 

[CSquared]

ISC declines Laguna Seca management opportunity: http://www.racer.com...ent-opportunity

[E1pix]

Close call. Whew!

[Emery0323]

ISC declines Laguna Seca management opportunity: http://www.racer.com...ent-opportunity

 

 

Close call. Whew!

 

While I am not a particular fan of ISC,  this is not necssarily good news.

 

If ISC has walked away from a deal over Laguna Seca, that could well indicate that they have done due diligence and come to the conclusion that Laguna Seca might not be commercially viable going forward, either from the standpoint of basic profitability or from the environmental/ noise complaints of local residents - In other words, they might have the same concerns that were voiced in Marshall Pruett's RACER article cited above.

Edited by Emery0323, 17 September 2015 - 01:06.

[E1pix]

Yes, I considered all that -- but am (perhaps naively) confident that a better solution will be found.