tgil

As a sports car racing fan, is it worth trip (from East Coast) to attend race at this track? Watkins Glen, Sebring, and VIR are great East Coast tracks where you can get pretty close to track in many locations. (Other great tracks here but I have not been to those).
Can you get close to track? Does the high fencing obstruct most views, etc?
Hotel accomodations within 30 minute drive?
Craziness of traffic during race day?
Openness of paddock areas during practice days?
Thanks for any feedback.
Its hard to tell from TV shots what its like to be there in person.
Thanks.

r6elmo

I thought the IMSA race was this past weekend? I just saw it on TV.
I've been to Laguna a few times to watch races and also watch practice days. My only other comparisons in watching road coarse racing is Sonoma and THunderhill. Of the 3 Laguna is my favorate b/c you can see almost all the track from the corkscrew hill (not looking at the corkscrew).

Laguna has good views if you walk up to the corkscrew. I also like turn 4 area where you can see from the grandstands pretty well. Depending on the series Laguna does not get too crowded. The paddock pits, are also in the middle of the track which is neat as you walk around and hear cars around you vs. Sonoma where it's outside of the track.

If you're traveling, you can stay in Carmel, Monterey which are beautiful during the racing months.

tgil

Thanks for reply.
Yes I watched both televised races on Sunday. I was thinking of 2017.

Thanks again. Todd

4porsh

I would also recommend this http://www.seemonterey.com/events/sporting/concours/
The entire area is car mecca. Not uncommon to see an old Bugatti racecar launching down the road to a La Ferrari and much much more. Great restaurants and the scenery is beautiful.

ilko

Definitely worth a trip! Laguna is very spectator-friendly with good vantage points throughout the track. My favorites are the Corkscrew and T5.

+1 on staying in Monterey or Carmel. Other areas nearby are not as pleasant.

Only downside to Laguna is that it is really, really dusty.

tgil

Seeing a race at LS is now on my bucket list.
Years ago I experienced Monterey and Carmel so I know how incredible those area were.
Thanks for the updates on the track and viewing the racing.

r6elmo

if you can, i'd recommend coming in august around the historical races. they have a pre-reunion which is a week before and is much less crowded and generally free. i believe the historic races are two weeks, with the 2nd week being the major races. then you can attend all the other festivities, auctions, pebble beach etc.

tgil

West Coast/Cali has awesome events. Might give up my Western ski trips and start coming to Cali few times a year for Porche/Car events.

Nurburger

We spend quite a lot of time around Carmel each year - I would definitely fly out for the IMSA race next year if you're considering it. Traffic really is a non-issue & much worse during the Monterey car week in August.

There are lots of great airbnb options around the peninsula. For hotels, we typically stay at either the Carmel Highlands Inn (fantastic coastal views) or Casa Munras in Monterey.

tgil

Made a note of both hotels.
Many thanks.