MONTEREY, Calif. (June 21, 2024) – With attention amplified around this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey NTT INDYCAR SERIES event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Friends of Laguna Seca wanted to take the opportunity to answer some common questions:
What is Friends of Laguna Seca?
Friends of Laguna Seca (FLS), a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, was created through a mutual agreement between FLS and Monterey County to answer the County’s request for an independent, privately funded operating solution for the Laguna Seca Recreation Area (LSRA). FLS has now successfully negotiated and entered into a long-term 55-year management contract (Concession Agreement) that will provide the leadership and resources necessary to create the capital investment required to restore, revitalize and reinvent Laguna Seca for decades to come.
Friends of Laguna Seca comprises a six-member board of directors who volunteer their time. Many of the board members are passionate motorsports enthusiasts with long histories at Laguna Seca. Lauri Eberhart, a motorsports and entertainment industry veteran, has been named as the Chief Executive Officer. The 2024 Board of Directors are:
- Ross Merrill, FLS President and CEO of Merrill Farms
- Bruce Canepa, FLS Vice President FLS and CEO of Canepa
- Jonathan Feiber, FLS Director and General Partner Mohr Davidow Ventures
- Gordon McCall, FLS Director and Director of Motorsports at Quail Lodge & Golf Club
- Jason Retteror, FLS Secretary/Treasurer and Partner JRG Attorney at Law
- Warren “Ned” Spieker, FLS Director and Founder Spieker Investments
Why has the Operational Date of the Concession Agreement been delayed?
FLS’ 55-year concession contract with the County of Monterey is in place now and FLS will officially take over operations at Laguna Seca this summer. Soon after entering into the Concession Agreement, both the County and FLS were sued by the Highway 68 Coalition. That lawsuit delayed the operational date of the Concession Agreement and also delayed FLS’ fundraising efforts by approximately 12 months. With the lawsuit successfully settled, FLS has jumped into accelerated fundraising mode to meet the conditions in the Concession Agreement and to assume the operational duties of the park.
What will FLS do first?
Together with A&D Narigi as the park operator, FLS will begin a facility-wide and business plan assessment with the goal of improving the facility and its operations. FLS is acutely focused on achieving the conditions in the Concession Agreement and is working collaboratively with the County and A&D Narigi to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of LSRA’s operations. Additionally, FLS has begun making crucial assessments of the overall park, including a previously planned sound impact assessment, to make necessary improvements that will solidify Laguna Seca Raceway as one of the world’s premier road-course facilities.
The focus will be on upgrading key fan amenities, including parking, camping, hospitality areas and concession areas, as well as making much-needed investments in basic infrastructure and functional elements of the park to repair many years of deferred maintenance, neglect, and lack of investment. All at-track events will continue and operate as scheduled during this transition time.
Who will operate the park moving forward?
This exciting new structure is designed to ensure the long-term growth of Laguna Seca Raceway and Park:
- FLS is the non-profit concessionaire responsible for providing resources and oversight of the operation, maintenance and improvements of the park going forward;
- A&D Narigi continues as the day-to-day management company;
- Monterey County remains ownership of the property.
The full operational date of FLS’s oversight of the park is expected this summer, as all three groups work together to move forward after many months of delay due to the lawsuit.
How will FLS benefit the community?
FLS will assume all operational and improvement obligations for the Laguna Seca Recreation Area long term, thus relieving Monterey County taxpayers of that burden. FLS’s business plan will honor the long history and legacy of motorsports on the Monterey Peninsula with a sense of duty to the needs of the community. Other non-racing recreational uses and opportunities will be developed, including the existing cycling, camping, hiking and other community-oriented cultural, educational and youth-focused activities.
FLS will maintain and enhance the long history of volunteerism and community engagement at Laguna Seca with the goal of improving community access and the visitor experience.
What does this mean for racers, fans and visitors to Laguna Seca?
FLS’s oversight means that local, devoted, and passionate motorsports enthusiasts will now operate the park and that the ongoing historical challenges of changing park management have been overcome. FLS is focused on the success of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the benefit of the local Monterey County community and the entire motorsports world.
What is the role of the Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation going forward?
The Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation is collaborating with and supporting FLS through its goal of raising funds geared toward future improvements of the raceway.
How can I support FLS and Laguna Seca?
We invite you to become a friend of Laguna Seca and are now accepting donors at all levels to ensure the ongoing success of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Please visit www.friendsoflagunaseca.org to learn more or to contact key board members.
What’s on tap for 2024?
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will host a full slate of events in 2024, including:
- June 21-23 – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (NTT INDYCAR)
- July 12-14 – MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest at Monterey
- August 10-11 – Monterey Pre-Reunion & Community Day
- August 14-17 – Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
- September 27-29 – GRIDLIFE Laguna
