Laguna Seca

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

LocationMonterey County, near Monterey, California and Salinas, California, United States
Time zoneUTC-08:00 (UTC-07:00 DST)
Coordinates36°35′03″N 121°45′13″W / 36.58417°N 121.75361°W / 36.58417; -121.75361
FIA Grade2
OwnerMonterey County
OperatorA&D Narigi Consulting, LLC
Opened9 November 1957; 67 years ago (1957-11-09)[1]
Construction cost$1.5 million USD
Former namesMazda Raceway Laguna Seca (2002–2017)
Laguna Seca Raceway (1957–2001)
Major eventsCurrent:
Future:
Former:
Websitehttps://www.weathertechraceway.com/
Grand Prix Circuit (1996–present)
SurfacePaved
Length2.238 miles (3.602 km)
Turns11
Race lap record1:08.4168 (Spain Álex Palou, Dallara DW12, 2023, IndyCar)
Grand Prix Circuit (1988–1995)
Length2.214 miles (3.563 km)
Turns11
Race lap record1:12.959 (Canada Paul Tracy, Penske PC-23, 1994, CART)
Original Circuit (1957–1987)
Length1.900 miles (3.058 km)
Turns9
Race lap record0:56.810 (United States Al Unser Jr., Frissbee GR3, 1982, Can-Am)

Laguna Seca Raceway (branded as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and previously Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for sponsorship reasons) is a paved road racing track in central California used for both auto racing and motorcycle racing, built in 1957 near both Salinas and Monterey, California, United States.

The racetrack is 2.238 mi (3.602 km) long, with a 180 ft (55 m) elevation change.[2][3] Its eleven turns are highlighted by the circuit's signature turn, the downhill-plunging "Corkscrew" at Turns 8 and 8A. A variety of racing, exhibition, and entertainment events are held at the raceway, ranging from superkarts to sports car racing to music festivals. Laguna Seca is classified as an FIA Grade Two circuit.[4]

The name Laguna Seca is Spanish for dry lake: the area where the track now lies was once a lake, and the course was built around the dry lake bed. After the course was reconfigured, two artificial ponds were added.

  1. ^ "'About' Laguna Seca Raceway". Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  2. ^ "Modified.com - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca - Track Review". Archived from the original on 2012-06-15. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  3. ^ "Detailed course map by Whitson Engineers". Archived from the original on 2012-09-04. Retrieved 2012-03-24.
  4. ^ "List of FIA licensed circuits - December 2018" (Press release). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2019.