Major stock car firm negotiating for laguna seca deal:

[Mt Tam I am]

MAJOR STOCK CAR FIRM NEGOTIATING FOR LAGUNA SECA DEAL:

A major stock car racing corporation is negotiating a potential deal with Monterey County involving Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
On Monday, Monterey County officials confirmed they are in negotiations with the International Speedway Corporation on a potential concession agreement to operate the raceway, which is a county park but has been associated with the nonprofit Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula since its inception.
According to a statement from county officials, SCRAMP has been retained to manage the raceway on a monthly renewal basis since March 2014 while the county “has been exploring options for the management of the raceway to ensure its long-term success.” One of those options is a potential agreement with ISC, which the statement called a “premier operator of motor sports entertainment facilities in the United States.”
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to consider a potential raceway concession agreement with ISC during Tuesday’s closed session. The statement, however, noted that any potential deal would be considered in open session with an opportunity for the public to comment.
ISC was founded in 1953 by NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. for the construction of Daytona International Speedway, and its primary business is the ownership and management of NASCAR race tracks. In addition to owning 13 tracks hosting more than half of the events in NASCAR’s top level of competition — the Sprint Cup Series — the corporation has also hosted IndyCar races, Grand Am, IMSA GT and SCCA sports car races, WKA go-kart races, and motorcycle races, as well as IROC and ARCA stock car series.
Headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida, most of the corporation’s stock is traded on the stock market.
The world-renowned racetrack at Laguna Seca was built in 1957 and has been operated by SCRAMP, a nonprofit organization, ever since. It’s credited with distributing more than $12 million to Monterey Peninsula charitable and service groups, along with hundreds of millions in economic benefit to the regional economy. But the organization has struggled in recent years with the loss of MotoGP’s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix and its Indy Racing League (then known as Champ Car) event.
“Since 1957 SCRAMP has been committed to the successful future of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and, working hand-in-hand with its sponsors, racing organizations, race teams and volunteers, has firmly established it as one of the premier motor sports facilities in the world,” said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of the track, in a prepared statement.

[Rusty]

Interesting. Sounds like the track is on life support.

[glw]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Interesting. Sounds like the track is on life support.

why do you say that? looks to me like the county is just looking for a better manager of the track.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by glw

why do you say that? looks to me like the county is just looking for a better manager of the track.

They lost 2 of their biggest money makers. The MotoGP and Indy car. I know from reading on some bike news websites. Where was some infighting between SCAMP and the county on the MotoGP deal some years ago. Now they are looking for an infusion of money.

[ValidusVentus]

And I have heard that NASCAR might be adding another road course or two to their schedule...

Maybe they will find a way to increase the track sound limit while they are at it and I wont have to revise my exhaust system haha.

[ban25]

ISC has unsurprisingly turned down the opportunity to take over promotion of MRLS:

North American Racing - INDUSTRY: ISC declines Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca management opportunity

I don't blame them.

[Rusty]

When you got the gov't involved. It's never a good thing. Wouldn't be surprised that we find out later on. That there is a developer behind one or more of the board members. And the track ends up in his hands, building townhouses.

[ban25]

Originally Posted by Rusty

When you got the gov't involved. It's never a good thing. Wouldn't be surprised that we find out later on. That there is a developer behind one or more of the board members. And the track ends up in his hands, building townhouses.

That will be a sad day for CA motorsports...

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by ban25

That will be a sad day for CA motorsports...

I know. Great track. Been there twice for the MotoGP races.

[danegrey]

yes a wonderful track, I was there a few years ago, just walking around the track, since it is in a public park. The care taker of it took me for a couple of laps in his mazda pickup after the skip barber school... it was sweet, especially the cork screw