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The IMSA offseason began only a few weeks ago, but race fans and IMSA competitors already are eagerly awaiting a return to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. In recent years, the legendary road course appeared early on the schedule with a springtime slot. However, next year marks a return to Mazda Raceway’s traditional fall race as it will feature the penultimate round of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“Having the opportunity to go back to a traditional fall date is very appealing to me, personally,” said Mazda Raceway CEO/General Manager Gill Campbell. “September, October, November are definitely our best months for weather. It’s a great opportunity, I think, for people to come to California to the sunshine when its rainy and cold elsewhere. It’s a perfect day in paradise.”
BACKGROUND
“Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is considered one of the top 10 traditional road courses in the world,” Campbell said., And it’s been that way for decades.
As early as the 1950s, large crowds of spectators gathered to watch sports car racing on the streets of the Monterey Peninsula in the Del Monte Forest. Dangerous conditions though led to the construction of a formal race course in 1957 with the help of funding from nearby businesses and the local army base, Fort Ord.
Next year marks the track’s 60th anniversary of holding legendary sports car races. It has hosted drivers from the likes of Roger Penske, Mark Donohue, Bobby Rahal and the father-son duo of Mario and Michael Andretti, among countless others.
The track also has seen significant improvements in its time as well. In 1988, the original 1.9-mile track was extended to its current length of 2.238 miles as part of a series of safety and entertainment renovations that included additional gravel runoff space and new infield camping sites. In 2006, a Hospitality Pavilion was added to enhance the fan experience.
HOMETOWN (AND ENTITLEMENT PARTNER) HERO
Jonathan Bomarito, Monterey native and Mazda Motorsports driver: "Growing up on the Monterey Peninsula and going to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca with my family is where my dream of becoming a racing driver started. Now, it’s such a great coincidence that I’m able to drive a Mazda Prototype at my home track which is also Mazda's spiritual home. It’s a great honor for me."
TRACK PERSPECTIVE

• Turn 2, the Andretti Hairpin: Named for racing legend Mario Andretti who retired from IndyCar racing after the 1994 Grand Prix of Monterey. This sharp turn on the track marks the end of the long straightaway and best spot on the track for passing.
• Turns 8 and 8A, the Corkscrew: The most famous series of turns on the circuit feature a 59-foot, or 5.5-story, descent in a distance of just 450 feet. A quick left and right set up the beginning of the elevation drop, which continues another staggering 50 feet down into Turn 9.

The penultimate round of the next year’s IMSA WeatherTech Championship takes place at Mazda Raceway on September 22-24, 2017. Tickets go on sale December 7, 2016 and additional information is available by calling 831-242-8200.
And if you can’t wait until 2017 to visit Mazda Raceway? One of the unique experiences fans can take part in is a monthly bike ride around the track called “Twilight Cycling.” The two-hour event allows riders of all ages, with a helmet, to take their own trip around the famous road course at the most beautiful time of day. Hosted by a different biking club or organization each month, the cost per cyclist is just $10.