A Beginner’s Guide to the Monterey Sports Car Championships at Laguna Seca

“Ohhhh… race cars! So shiny. And fast. And….. shiny?”

Okay, so you’re not an auto enthusiast, but anyone planning a visit to Carmel can surely be considered a fun enthusiast, and when it comes to Laguna Seca, they’re really one and the same. Our beginner’s guide to The Monterey Sports Car Championships will arm you with the basics, and a newfound enthusiasm and appreciation for this internationally celebrated event. At the very least, you’ll learn to avoid any awkward conversational comparisons to Nascar. You’re welcome.

The Basics: When, Where, and How Much is it Gonna Cost me?

May 21-23, 2010

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Hwy 68
PO Box 2078
Monterey, CA 93942
Phone: 831-242-8201
Email: frontdesk@mazdaraceway.com

Website

A Few Admission Options

(Children 12 and under are free for general admission)

Saturday General Admission and Paddock (American La Mans Series Race Day): $25

3-Day General Admission and Paddock: $60

Flag Room – 3 Day: $295

Flag Room includes 3-Day General Admission, Paddock Access, Parking Pass, Souvenir Program, Hospitality consisting of continental breakfast, light lunch and dinner on Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday, with beverages available both days.  A canopied tent with closed-circuit TV (open Sat/Sun).

All Admission Options

Mazda Raceway FAQs

4 Big Reasons Why it’s not Nascar

1. The Cars.

“The Mazda Raceway Pace and Safety Car Program has an impeccable safety record of over 5,000 track laps without a single injury, accident or failed car part.” Nascar’s current safety standing? Not as impressive. Le Mans Series races don’t need the threat of mortal peril around every corner to attract attention; the magnificently powerful and technologically advanced cars, which include Porsches, Aston Martins, Audis, BMWs, Corvettes, Ferraris, Jaguars, and Panoz, skillfully out-maneuver each other around Laguna Seca’s challenging track, and rightfully earn their fans’ devotion. Simply put, “The diversity of auto manufacturers whose cars appear in the Monterey Sports Car Championship are simply unmatched by NASCAR, Champ Car and the IRL.”

2. The Track

Laguna Seca’s world-renowned track has experienced a few renovations since its 1957 inception, but its character and position as the West Coast racing community’s gold standard remains intact. The track’s “corkscrew turn”, which sends racers down a blind apex with a 300 foot elevation change, is considered one of “the most challenging corner in racing.”

Alex Zanardi’s Infamous Laguna Seca Corkscrew Pass [VIDEO]

3. The Fans

Laguna Seca fans enjoy exclusive access, perks, and a litany of organized activities. SeeMonterey.com elaborates, “Unlike other motorsports series, the American Le Mans Series has an open paddock, allowing fans to get an up-close look at the cars that burn up the race track. This unmatched access continues at the pre-race grid; once the cars line up on the grid in preparation to race, fans are allowed on the grid for a half hour to check out the cars, take photos and ask questions of the drivers and teams. Fans will have the chance to learn more about the vehicles and their drivers at Tech Talks, Fan Forums and Driver Chats, where they can find out the key advances that make the American Le Mans series an R&D platform for car, tire and chassis manufacturers. Fans will also have the chance to attend driver autograph sessions.”

Check out all of Laguna Seca’s race-week fan activities.

4. The Races

If you can only catch one, make it Saturday’s American Le Mans Series afternoon-into-evening race into the darkness, which runs from 2:30 – 8:30, and features a fireworks finale. The exotic cars, which have unique speed capabilities, are clustered into four classes, and only directly compete with cars in their class, but this race throws them all together on the same track, encouraging tons of exciting passes.

If you get a weekend pass, check out Sunday’s Playboy Mazda MX5 Cup, Cooper Tires prototype Lites Championships, the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama and Star Mazda Championship presented by Goodyear.

The Full Race Schedule

Carmel and Laguna Seca: Stay Here, Play There

Consider lodging away from the crowds, in peaceful Carmel-by-the-Sea, where you’ll experience a sweet sweet juxtaposition between the awesomely grimy raceway and your comfy, cozy, Carmel bed. This flow chart can help you find the perfect Inn.

* If you’re extra auto-literate, and looking for more nitty gritty specs, you can revel in all of the glorious race-day factoids here , here, and here.