France family poised to take over Laguna Seca operations
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca could be in for a big change. The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, a non-profit that's managed the iconic race track since it was built back in 1957, may be out, as officials from Monterey County, CA announced they're in negotiations with International Speedway Corporation, the company owned by NASCAR's France family.
The county "has been exploring options for the management of the raceway to ensure its long-term success," Asphalt and Rubber reports. According to the website, the track has struggled with attendance at big-name events, and lost its MotoGP race after the 2013 season. Selling Laguna Seca is not as simple as keys and cash changing hands, though.
The track currently sits in a public park that's owned by the county, and any sale would be subject to an open session where the general public could weigh in, and that's not exactly a good thing, A/R reports. According to the website, despite the car-crazy atmosphere that the city of Monterey plays host to during its eponymous Car Week, many citizens of the seaside town aren't too fond of the track.
(AutoBlog.com)
