Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca fights to keep management local
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca had its second to last race of the season last weekend and its current operator is fighting to keep race management local. Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula is in charge of putting on these events.
During the Pirelli World Challenge, race fans said there’s nothing like being on the track watching race cars fly at speeds over 100 mph. But some residents said they’re nervous about Monterey County exploring a possible deal with International Speedway Corporation to run the race track.
“I would be disappointed to see that happen. I do like the local home town feeling that you get from Monterey, the local providers,” race fan Katherine McTighe said.
McTighe has been coming to Laguna Seca for more than 20 years and said she’s a die hard fan who appreciates the events SCRAMP puts on.
“A more corporate image would be disappointing to me,” said McTighe.
ISC is publicly traded and runs 13 NASCAR tracks across the country. Monterey County officials said they are reviewing ISC’s proposal to possibly run the track. That process is expected to wrap up the end of this month. SCRAMP has operated Laguna Seca since 1957. Monterey County officials said over the years track maintenance hasn’t been up to par. But SCRAMP officials said they aren’t going to give up.
“We have heard the counties concerns and in our new proposal we will be addressing those concerns so that the county is comfortable with us going forward,” said SCRAMP Director Carl Anderson.
Anderson said he plans to turn in SCRAMP’s proposal to the county in the next few days.
McTighe said she enjoys all the raceway has to offer. Sunday she couldn’t wait to meet the race car drivers for an autograph session.
“Its well run, it’s clean its safe they have transportation if you want to go up to the corkscrew everything makes sense the way it’s being done here. So I’d like to see it continue,” said McTighe.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s last event of the season is September 25-27.
