uh oh - NASCAR to operate Laguna Seca?

[Map8]

Jeff. Jeff its going to be OK. We've heard the same rumors for decades and they remain just rumors.

Laguna Seca makes so much money for Monterey County in tourist dollars that its not going anywhere and ISC isn't about to consider working with a track under threat. I don't believe ISC is going to dump tons of money into the track or lawsuits but they know where they can make money and if they feel they can make money as a contracted operator of the track, they most likely will.

And Sonoma County government has consistently rebuked all opposition to Sonoma Raceway. Neither track is going anywhere.

Enjoy the 4th.

 

[Blunder]

That's all good and well, Steve, but Charlie can't surf.

 

[firstbuell]

The France family ruined National level motorcycle roadracing in the USA, and to think of it on our celebratory weekend? He is surely flying the Stars and Bars as he leads his battalions of lawyers and PR staff into battle.

It is a complete affront of what National level roadracing means to this country. We have sent countless riders across the roiling seas to confront those who don't know a cotter pin from a Jesus clip.

Our sustained affirmation of all that's right in the roadracing world shall not be deterred. The HRC flag, or the Yoshimura colors, or even better, the green flag of Rob Muzzy, will not be forgotten. Our exceptional place in this world of speed, danger and daring will driven into the hearts of our doubters as the dagger of the irrefutable truth, that when the green flag drops, the bullshit stops.

tho' I dunno this noob Jeff, I predict that he's headed for the "City Bike" masthead - & soon!

"calling Surj to the thesaurus fone"

 

[stangmx13]

The France family ruined National level motorcycle roadracing in the USA

this is debatable. IIRC, Roger Edmondson had the reigns for most of the DMG crash-and-burn with little input from the actual France family. i seriously doubt that France would put RE or whats left of DMG in charge of Laguna.

 

[budman]

A more likely scenario is seeing all the bike racing going away because who wants a buncha hoolies wandering around town for the weekend?

Hoolies bring big bux into Monterey.

Never considered myself that, but OK I am in.... so is my cash.

 

[afm199]

last time the lease was negotiated, around ten years ago, one of the things that was pointed out to the Monterey/PG merchants, who in turn supported the track, was that it brings $50 million or so a year into the Monterey economy. That's huge for that area.

 

[cencalballer]

Those dumbasses moved there because they could afford to, not because it shortened their travel time to the track.

Those dumbasses have money and, more importantly, power. Because of that I doubt we'd see any extension beyond the status quo. A more likely scenario is seeing all the bike racing going away because who wants a buncha hoolies wandering around town for the weekend?

It's really only one guy who runs that thing. Nascar will crush him they are also negotiating to take back a lot of the facilities. For instance the redbull media center was built and paid for by scramp but they only get the revenue from 5 events. The rest of the time the count rents out for things.

 

[Blunder]

this is debatable. IIRC, Roger Edmondson had the reigns for most of the DMG crash-and-burn with little input from the actual France family. i seriously doubt that France would put RE or whats left of DMG in charge of Laguna.

From what I've seen of their past I don't trust 'em. Any of 'em.

 

[EastBayDave]

What drove fans out was the gouging going on at motels/hotels. They would gladly take your deposit a year in advance. Then as the race approached, they somehow "lost" your reservation. In order to get a room you had to re-order your room, at 3-4 times the price you paid a year ago.

I heard this pissed many off; especially visiting RACING TEAMS from abroad. They complained loudly & long; many refusing to go back to Monterey. Thereby the FIM canceled the GP's. Now WSBK is getting the same gouging, so this may be the last year ever for WSBK.

The Monterey _____ commision (forget the name) for merchants has no-one to blame but themselves. Soon they will have only a couple car events a year, & trackdays only. Good Luck schmucks.

 

[rob linders]

last time the lease was negotiated, around ten years ago, one of the things that was pointed out to the Monterey/PG merchants, who in turn supported the track, was that it brings $50 million or so a year into the Monterey economy. That's huge for that area.

I wonder what the figure is for WSBK? I bet it is less than half as much.

 

[TTTom]

...

Sears Point is next.

...

Nope. There is no nearby residential and all but one of the wineries in the area LOVE the track and especially NASCAR weekend and all the tourists.

 

[firstbuell]

SCRAMP publicly confronts NASCAR

Keep Laguna Seca Local

".....Since January 2014, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors has conducted closed-session meetings to discuss a new Concession Agreement without SCRAMP’s knowledge. These closed-session meetings resulted in the Board of Supervisors entering into a 90-day due diligence agreement with International Speedway Corporation (ISC) to take over management and operation of the raceway. ISC is a for-profit, publicly traded corporation based in Daytona Beach, Fla., whose primary business is the ownership and management of NASCAR race tracks.

SCRAMP is requesting a fair and open process where we be given equal consideration to continue to improve and manage operations of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and that this process be held in the open with the benefit of public participation and review......"


http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=af78c32bdd5f45a88bf2d9aa5&id=8c8d7c0084&e=bc800741f0

 

[horsepower]

They used to say that about people who moved near airports.

People who have money and power are now fighting over the FAA's re-routing of inbound flights to SFO
I'll gladly admit that I'm wrong if my prediction of Laguna Seca's demise within the next 10 years proves wrong
.

The grand irony is that the posh little Monterey airport is like three miles from the track. Are there pictures of Whales? Otters? Nope, Rossi and Nicky.

 

[afm199]

Apparently the Nascar takeover is very close to a done deal.

 

[EastBayDave]

Just heard an interview w/IRL/Indy Raceway owner xxxx Hulman (don't recall first name.) It was specifically asking about non-scheduled Indycar races next year at various tracks that want Indycar races. Interviewer asked if we were going to get any races at places like Elkhart Lake, Laguna Sega, etc. (places that don't have a race now.)

He specifically said they were going to try to add Elkhart Lakes next season, but "Laguna, I don't know but I don't think so." Monterey has driven everyone away themselves. They get what they deserve. Congrats Monterey Board of Commerce! Marooons!

Oh if only one of these rich billionaires in the Bay Area could build a 1st class facility. I think we deserve it & there are plenty of billionaires in the BA. It's just shameful such a facility doesn't exist...

 

[Map8]

I was a huge CART fan in the '80s and '90s. Indycar has sucked for years and they aren't getting any better. I'm glad they're not taking any of the few noise weekend at Laguna.

 

[EastBayDave]

I was a huge CART fan in the '80s and '90s. Indycar has sucked for years and they aren't getting any better. I'm glad they're not taking any of the few noise weekend at Laguna.

I've been to lots of CART/Indycar races going all the way back to 68' w/USAC at Sears Point. The Indycars you just gotta see them at least once. They racing now at Sears, but they've neutered the track w/chicane's so they no where near as fast as they used to be. Now I'm boycotting until they get rid of the chicanery.

At Laguna they (CART) was really impressive; fastest cars I've ever seen there but I'm sure Prototype sportscars are slightly faster w/the downforce. Can't get the view from 9 (Rainey Curve) out of my head they went so fast there....wow! I really wish they'd run Laguna again but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen anytime soon...

 

[danate]

Just heard an interview w/IRL/Indy Raceway owner xxxx Hulman (don't recall first name.) It was specifically asking about non-scheduled Indycar races next year at various tracks that want Indycar races. Interviewer asked if we were going to get any races at places like Elkhart Lake, Laguna Sega, etc. (places that don't have a race now.)

He specifically said they were going to try to add Elkhart Lakes next season, but "Laguna, I don't know but I don't think so." Monterey has driven everyone away themselves. They get what they deserve. Congrats Monterey Board of Commerce! Marooons!

Oh if only one of these rich billionaires in the Bay Area could build a 1st class facility. I think we deserve it & there are plenty of billionaires in the BA. It's just shameful such a facility doesn't exist...

Apple Seca Raceway. LaGoogle Seca. Let's do it.

 

[Map8]

I've seen them at Sears Point twice. They suck on that track. Too many slow corners and you wait forever for the turbos to spool up. The low-tech Grand-Am prototypes were way more exciting. The Indycar talent pool is really thin. After terrible mismanagement, the split that created IRL and the recession, Indycar is not going to back to its glory days. The world has moved on. I'm seriously bummed because it was a great series and I had friends who were drivers and crew members in the series during the '90s when it was a big global series with lots of talent and great racing.

On topic, Laguna needs some (not a lot) of investment. No way to tell if ISC is the answer.

 

[Blunder]

Just more stuff about what's going on.

http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/laguna-seca-operators-speak-out-against-possible-nascar-1722594380

First went to Laguna in 1970 for the Can-Am races and watched the orange MacLarens dominate. Was at the 1st motorcycle race and saw Cal Rayborn victorious and between 1979 and 2010 was at every AMA, GP, MotoGP and WSBK ever held there and the idea of having local volunteers handle all the little duties that make a race weekend work was charming. Before the laws changed buying a beer from a Girl Scout seemed a little subversive and kinda dirty. arty

If the NASCAR guys come in, they'll bring in their restrictive rules with them. Stuff like limiting coolers and prohibiting your own beer/wine/liquor possesion. They'll gladly sell you a beer, but don't bring any with you.