Press Release | August 15, 2024
Friends of Laguna Seca has satisfied all conditions required by the concession agreement with the County of Monterey and will now formally assume its long-term commitment to Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area.
This is a press release from Friends of Laguna Seca…
Monterey, CA (August 1, 2024) – Friends of Laguna Seca is proud to announce that it has satisfied all conditions required by the concession agreement with the County of Monterey and will now formally assume its long-term commitment to Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area.
Today marks a significant milestone for the local non-profit, as Friends of Laguna Seca officially begins its 55-year operational plan of the Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area, driven by its mission to provide the leadership and resources required to restore, revitalize and reinvent Laguna Seca.
“The Friends team has been squarely focused on reaching this important milestone and providing a smooth transition of operations,” said Friends CEO Lauri Eberhart. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our volunteer board of directors, passionate donors, and the entire staff at WeatherTech® Raceway at Laguna Seca. We now begin the next chapter in the amazing future of this iconic facility for the benefit of our local community and the motorsports world.”
Looking ahead, Friends will continue to work collaboratively with the dedicated staff and volunteers of the Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area, A&D Narigi, and the County of Monterey to ensure the long-term growth and success of this community asset, while maintaining and enhancing the facility’s long history of volunteerism and community engagement.
Friends of Laguna Seca will host an official ribbon cutting ceremony and press conference at WeatherTech Raceway at Laguna Seca on Thursday, August 15, at noon.
UPDATE August 15, 2024
Friends of Laguna Seca board members, raceway employees, volunteers, and government officials hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and champagne toast to kick off long-term commitment
Monterey, CA (August 15, 2024) – Executives from Friends of Laguna Seca (Friends) and A&D Narigi, as well as officials from the County of Monterey, celebrated a new beginning for the Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area on Thursday, August 15.
Friends formally assumed its long-term commitment to the internationally famous raceway on August 1. To commemorate the historic moment, Friends CEO Lauri Eberhart, Friends President Ross Merrill, Friends Vice President Bruce Canepa and the entire Friends board of directors joined John Narigi, president and general manager of the Laguna Seca Recreation Area, Fifth District Supervisor Mary Adams, and key county employee contributors for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, passing of the keys, and a champagne toast.
“This is an incredibly exciting day in the history of this legendary facility,” said Eberhart. “It’s been a long road to get here, but we are excited to work collaboratively with the employees and volunteers of Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area, A&D Narigi, and the County of Monterey to ensure that motorsports fans, outdoor enthusiasts, and the entire community can enjoy this exceptional place for decades to come.”
“To achieve this, we needed a collective desire to ensure that Laguna Seca is brought up to the highest standards and can exceed everyone’s wildest dreams,” said Adams. “I thank everyone who has been part of the plans. It’s wonderful to have everyone here on behalf of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors and all of the residents in our County, particularly the residents of our lovely Fifth District.”
Friends, a local nonprofit, has already begun a business plan and facility assessment with the goal of solidifying WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as one of the world’s premier road-course facilities, while maintaining and enhancing the facility’s long history of volunteerism and community engagement. The initial focus will be on upgrading key fan amenities, as well as making much-needed investments in basic infrastructure and functional elements of the park.
“All of us at Friends of Laguna Seca are pleased that our valuable partnership to restore, revive, and revitalize the Laguna Seca Raceway and Recreation Area has officially begun,” said Merrill. “We appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped accomplish this important milestone in the long history of Laguna Seca.”
“This week, we are celebrating 50 years of historic racing in Monterey, and today we take the green flag on a new 55-year chapter in the history of Laguna Seca,” added Canepa.
The celebrations continue this weekend as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosts the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Visit www.friendsoflagunaseca.org to learn more about Friends of Laguna Seca and its purpose.
