Can you get us some track time at Laguna Seca, if so I'm in....
I just knew you would be the one to ask.
The short answer is: Maybe.
The longer answer is: We have looked into it. Last year, or maybe the year before, we asked the track operator if it we could do a few laps. Their reply was "We rent the track for a minimum of a whole day and it comes with all the safety, ambulance, fire crews, etc. The price is approximately $25,000 for the day. Also, you can reserve the track but if someone more important comes along (which is just about anybody else.) you'll be bumped." With 300 cars, that works out to about $85 per car, which we felt would raise the price of the event too high. Not real encouraging.
First a little history, then we move forward. Laguna Seca Recreational Area (LSRA) is owned by Monterey County. The track has been operated by Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) since day 1. In 2014, Monterey County decided that they didn't like how SCRAMP was operating the track and didn't renew their long-term lease, but went to month-to-month rental. The County also commissioned a Grand Jury investigation, which concluded that both sides were to blame, but their comments about SCRAMP were described as scathing. In 2015, Monterey County requested statements of qualifications for a new operator. At least three entities responded, including a team of SCRAMP and International Speedway Corp. (ISC), who operates several major NASCAR tracks; Long Beach Grand Prix founder Pook teamed with fast-food franchise owner Hofman; and Friends of Laguna Seca, a nonprofit group based in Monterey and composed of long-term peninsula residents with deep racing roots. In 2016, the County issued a request for proposals; at last check, these were due August 25th. A more detailed story is at
https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-laguna-seca-racetrack-20160721-snap-story.html. So, we have no idea who, if anyone, will be operating the track in 2017, and how much it might cost. Probably won't be less, though.
The Mazda Raceway 2017 calendar isn't on-line yet. Also, Mazda's naming contract ends in April 2017, so it may have a new name, but Laguna Seca is how I think of it anyway. If/when the calendar comes available, we will find out who has the track for the days of September 11-15.
Depending on who has the track for those days, we hope to be able to get them to give us some of their time for a reasonable donation.
We'll let you know.