Laguna Seca (disambiguation)
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Laguna Seca is a paved roadracing track (for both auto racing and motorcycle racing) built in 1957 near Monterey, California, USA.
The raceway's primary corporate sponsor is Mazda, who hold some of their own events there and display their products at major racing events. Under a present naming rights sponsorship agreement, the circuit is presently known as the "Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca"
History
The circuit is part of the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, a county park in which the racetrack is set. Resultantly, there are camping facilities located at the raceway, which can be used year-round.
The racetrack is 2.238 miles in length (3.58 kilometers), and has eleven turns, including the famous (and gut-wrenching) Corkscrew at turn 8. Turn 9 has been renamed 'Rainey Curve' in honor of 500 c.c. Grand Prix Motorcycle World champion Wayne Rainey, a resident of nearby Salinas, California
Changes and safety
The track has undergone significant changes over the past two decades to meet evolving safety homologation requirements of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) and other sanctioning bodies. Changes include the addition of the entire infield area (present day turns 3, 4, and 5), relocation of pedestrian bridges and embankments, and expansion of gravel pits outside turns for run off.
MotoGP riders were very critical of general safety of and at the track, as well as safety arrangements in 2005. The race only went ahead after additional temporary safety changes were undertaken, together with an agreement to improve the track for 2006
Events
A variety of racing and exhibition events are held at the raceway, ranging from superkarts to American Le Mans racing to car shows.
Major events each year include
- Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix - featuring both the MotoGP World Championship and the U.S. AMA Superbike Series
- U.S. Sports car Invitational featuring the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series
- Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring a four-hour endurance race for the ALMS
- Monterey Historics for classic race-cars
Starting in 2006, the A1 Grand Prix brings prominent international open-wheel racing back to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. A Champ Car World Series weekend has been a prominent event in the past.
Laguna Seca and part of the old Fort Ord that is now BLM land annually host the Sea Otter Classic "Celebration of Cycling". As the first major event of the year - typically held in April - it kicks off both the road bike and mountain bike seasons.
Also at Laguna Seca is a branch of the Skip Barber Racing School.
PC game
The track is featured in video games, most notably the Gran Turismo series (including the bike version Tourist Trophy) for Playstation 2 and Forza Motorsport for Xbox. Jeremy Clarkson of the British automotive show Top Gear attempted to beat his GT4 time of 1:41.148 seconds in a Acura NSX in 2005, but reality prevailed and he managed to get a 1:57 on the real course.
Race Winners
| Season | Winning Driver | Chassis | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Teo Fabi | March | Cosworth |
| 1984 | Bobby Rahal
BMW M3 GT| March |
Cosworth | |
| 1985 | Bobby Rahal | March | Cosworth |
| 1986 | Bobby Rahal | March | Cosworth |
| 1987 | Bobby Rahal | Lola | Cosworth |
| 1988 | Danny Sullivan | Penske | Chevrolet-Ilmor |
| 1989 | Rick Mears | Penske | Chevrolet-Ilmor |
| 1990 | Danny Sullivan | Penske | Chevrolet-Ilmor |
| 1991 | Michael Andretti | Lola | Chevrolet-Ilmor |
| 1992 | Michael Andretti | Lola | Ford-Cosworth |
| 1993 | Paul Tracy | Penske | Chevrolet-Ilmor |
| 1994 | Paul Tracy | Penske | Mercedes Benz-Ilmor |
| 1995 | Gil de Ferran | Reynard | Mercedes Benz-Ilmor |
| 1996 | Alex Zanardi | Reynard | Honda |
| 1997 | Jimmy Vasser | Reynard | Honda |
| 1998 | Bryan Herta | Reynard | Ford-Cosworth |
| 1999 | Bryan Herta | Reynard | Ford-Cosworth |
| 2000 | Helio Castroneves | Reynard | Honda |
| 2001 | Max Papis | Lola | Ford-Cosworth |
| 2002 | Cristiano da Matta | Lola | Toyota |
| 2003 | Patrick Carpentier | Lola | Ford-Cosworth |
| 2004 | Patrick Carpentier | Lola | Ford-Cosworth |
| Season | Sprint Race Winner | Feature Race Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 2005-2006 |  Salvador Duran
|
Salvador Duran
|
Moto GP 2005
Nicky Hayden, Repsol Honda RC-211V