Laguna Seca Offers Up Paddock to Help California Flood Victims

• WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca opens its paddock to disaster relief efforts.

• Continuous rain has wiped out power to 30,000 residents; PG&E trucks stage in the paddock once reserved for Porsche.

• Racing starts with Trans-Am May 2-5!

As the so-called Pineapple Express continues to batter the state of California, Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca has stepped up to help. The track is aiding disaster relief efforts in Monterey County by offering its infield as the primary staging area for Pacific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) recovery vehicles.

“WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, renowned for its iconic motorsports’ events, will now shift gears to serve as a central hub for equipment deployment coming from various locations across northern California,” the County of Monterey said in a statement. “This strategic collaboration aims to expedite the restoration of power, inspection of critical infrastructure, and, most significantly, the swift reconnection of over 30,000 customers currently without power in Monterey County.”

The vast paved lake inside of Turns 2, 3, 4, and 5 previously held the Porscheplatz for the Porsche Club of America during last year’s IMSA race, as well as the PCA Car Corral during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion last August. That space is now filled with PG&E trucks and tents as the utility strives to return power to residents after the devastating storms.

“In times of crisis, our community must come together to support one another,” said John Narigi, President at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Laguna Seca Raceway is honored to play a crucial role in facilitating the arrival and deployment of vital equipment that will aid in the restoration of power for our fellow residents. We stand united with the County of Monterey and PG&E to ensure a swift recovery for our community."

Laguna Seca has done its part in the past, most recently serving as the emergency evacuation center in 2020 during the pandemic and wildfires in Carmel. The track even opened up the paddock to high school graduations that year and offered grads a drive around the track after they received their diplomas.

Once this is all over and California dries out, you can start looking forward to racing’s return to the iconic track. Here is the current schedule for 2024:

May 2-5 – Laguna Seca SpeedTour - Trans Am
May 10-12 – Motul Course de Monterey - IMSA
May 17-19 – Ferrari Racing Days
June 21-23 – Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey - IndyCar
July 12-14 – MotoAmerica Superbike SpeedFest at Monterey
August 10-11 – Monterey Pre-Reunion & Corkscrew Hillclimb
August 14-17 – Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
September 27-29 – GRIDLIFE Laguna (TBC)

And don’t forget the Sea Otter Classic bicycle festival April 18-21. Sea you there.