‘Laguna Pipe’ Lives On as Premier Workaround to Laguna Seca’s dB Restrictions

By Daud Gonzalez - July 18, 2019

Laguna Seca’s nearby rich residents want to kill the track with crazy restrictions, so enthusiasts have even crazier solutions.

Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway is one of the premier racetracks in the U.S., if not in the world. It has hosted hundreds and hundreds of races for decades and is easily recognizable by its characteristic features and layout. The “corkscrew” is one of the most treacherous and famous corners in motorsport, featuring a three-story drop after a blind apex. Many dream of being able to run a couple lap around Laguna Seca, and we totally understand why–it is amazing. However, it’s not so simple to just show up in your race car, pay for entry, and drive all day.

Laguna Seca is located near Monterey, California, but really, it’s in Salinas, California. However, back when the track was built, there was not much in the area except farmland, because Salinas continues to be a major supplier of celery and other agricultural products. But the real estate market is hotter than ever in California, and houses are being built closer and closer to the racetrack. The closer people get, the more they complain about beautiful exhaust sounds bouncing off their $3 million dollar windows outside their three-story homes. Thus, Laguna Seca ramped up ridiculous noise level restrictions that continue to this day. However, we won’t give up that easy.

Introducing the ‘Laguna Pipe’

Remember, the racetrack was built first. So, we–and a lot of Reddit readers–refuse to allow disgruntled homeowners–who thought having a house next to a world-class racetrack wasn’t going to come with some noise–to kill the sport so easily.

I, personally, have gotten a Laguna Pipe made for my track toy, so I understand the pain. However, we do what we do to keep motorsport alive.

The sound booth/corner tower that monitors the decibel limit is placed right between turns 5 and 6 and is easily recognizable, as shown in the picture below. Most track-day organizers have a sound limit at around 90 db. If you didn’t know, a 100% 991 911 GT3 will shoot well over 100 dB no problem. How do you solve a problem like this when your stock exhaust isn’t even quiet enough? Add a lot more exhaust.

As the sound tower is off on the right side of the track, the pipes are usually diverted completely off left. This way, one can maintain full throttle through corners 5/6 and not risk a slower lap time by lifting the whole time to cheat the booth. Many companies offered a version of a Laguna Pipe for different Porsches and other cars, and you can see a review of many on the forums here at Rennlist. However, the majority of these pipes are custom-made by exhaust shops, with the intention of being able to quick-disconnect them or reconnect them at any time.

If you go to Laguna Seca, the paddock is quite an interesting location to be. You probably won’t ever see as many cars with ridiculous home-brew, DIY muffler extensions as the pits at Laguna Seca. I, personally, have gotten a Laguna Pipe made for my track toy, so I understand the pain. However, we do what we do to keep motorsport alive.