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The Monterey Peninsula ran the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Race in 1950. Those sports car events quickly outgrew the public roads of the Del Monte Forest and the Laguna Seca race track facility was opened on November 9, 1957.

Website: http://www.mazdaraceway.com
Location: Monterey, CA, USA
Members: 12
Latest Activity: Feb 9, 2017

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Mazda Raceway - Laguna Seca

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About Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
The Monterey Peninsula's love affair with world-class racing traces its beginnings to the inaugural running of the Pebble Beach Road Races in 1950. Those sports car events quickly outgrew the public roads of the Del Monte Forest and a beautiful new road facility was born on November 9, 1957.

Since then, Monterey has been visited by some of the most prestigious racers in history; Roger Penske, Dan Gurney, Parnelli Jones, Kenny Roberts, Bobby Rahal, Wayne Rainey and Valentino Rossi to name a few. The late 60's and 1970's may be remembered as the "Can-Am Years," but it was also the debut of Trans Am, IMSA and AMA motorcycles. CART Indy Car racing and Grand Prix Motorcycling put their stamp on the track in the 80's and 90's. More recently, the huge evolution MotoGP has created a phenomenal global following for the track.

Today, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca hosts five world-class race weekends each season, with elite road racing series from around the world visiting the Monterey Peninsula every year.

The Track
2.238 miles, 11 turns (1 esse, 4 right, 6 left)
Direction is counter clockwise
Elevation range: 749' - 929'
Width range: 30' - 50'
Sector references: turn 11 -SF - Start/Finish straight, turn 2 - Andretti hairpin, turn 2 -5 - The Infield, between turns 6 - 7- Rahal Straight, turn 8/8a - The Corkscrew, turn 9 - Rainey Curve

About SCRAMP
Over the past 52 years the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) has been an active and highly visible part of the Monterey Peninsula community. Since our beginning in 1957 when 62 local companies and scores of individuals offered their services and dollars to make Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca a reality, SCRAMP has been a community effort.

A non-profit organization, SCRAMP donates proceeds to local charities and civic organizations. SCRAMP has grown from presenting a single motor sport event each year to producing five annually including the Monterey Festival of Speed, Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix, Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races and the Monterey Sports Car Championships.

Originally part of the former Fort Ord military base, Laguna Seca was turned over to the County of Monterey in 1974. The County in turn handed its responsibilities to the parks department. SCRAMP operates and maintains the race track, and handles the racing events and track rentals that generate funds of over $1 million for the county parks department.

The SCRAMP "family" consists of thousands of volunteers, including a 25 member volunteer board of directors. These dedicated volunteers come from all walks of life and all across the tri-county area to make up the work force needed to stage motor sports events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The largest group of volunteers is comprised of over 70 charities and civic organizations with their membership numbering in the thousands. SCRAMP includes a paid staff of 35 people that handle the day-to-day operations headed by our General Manager and Board of Directors.

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Comment by Stephen Page on August 25, 2015 at 3:55pm: About Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was established in 1957. The world-renowned raceway has been operated since its inception by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP), a not-for-profit 501c(4) corporation. Each race season, SCRAMP donates its net proceeds to the volunteer groups that help put on the races.

Contact: David Hart, Public Relations Manager, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca,

David@MazdaRaceway.com, 831.277.3044 (m), 831.242.8225 (o)

Comment by Stephen Page on August 25, 2015 at 3:54pm: A Record 65,422 Visitors Celebrate Motorsports
History at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

MONTEREY, Calif., August 25 2015 - For four beautiful sun-drenched days visitors to the Monterey coastal community bore witness to one of the finest collections of historic race cars competing in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. A record 65,422 visitors entered iconic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to pay homage to motorsports history.

“It was an amazing celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the mighty Shelby GT350 with 38 cars in one group being paced by Henry Ford III and taking the green flag from Carroll Shelby’s grandson Aaron Shelby,” said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “Add into the mix remarkable pre-war cars, Formula 1, Formula 5000 and historic Trans-Am cars, and you have a stunning array of sights and sounds.”

The centerpiece in the paddock was the enormous heritage display presented by Ford Motor Company that featured the most famous of the Shelby GT350s. The continuously packed display looked back in time when these GT350s were being raced in true anger and winning worldwide.

Contributing to the week’s glamour were countless legendary drivers who enjoyed soaking in the environment and reminiscing about their former cars. “I love it when I see my former cars racing here,” said three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart. “They may not go as fast as we did in the day, but it is wonderful to see them.”

Though last year was his first time coming to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Scott Pruett, a five-time Rolex 24 at Daytona winner, says it’s now one of his favorite things to do. “There is eye candy everywhere. It’s overwhelming to all your senses – sight, sound and smell. For any racer like me it is wonderful to come here and see these great cars and the passion among the car owners and drivers. The event is a great fit for Rolex, and Monterey is a great fit for the event; there is no better place for these drivers to come to race their cars.”

Comment by T2V Racing & Restoration on July 19, 2011 at 12:10pm: T2V’S NEWLY RESTORED VINTAGE RACER, 1964 TOWNSEND MK 4, TO MAKE DEBUT AT ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION

T2V Racing and Restoration Is Honored With 6^th consecutive Invitation to compete at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

T2V Racing and Restoration (T2V) to make the race debut of its’ fully restored vintage racer, the 1964 mid-engined Townsend Typhoon MK 4 at the 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. T2V is pleased to receive its 6^th consecutive invitation to race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, however this year ushers in a new Townsend car and class. T2V’s flagship 1957 Townsend Typhoon MK 2 dubbed “Purple People Eater,” will be sitting this year out to make way for T2V’s newly restored Townsend MK 4, the last of the Townsend vintage racers. This prestigious honor secures T2V a coveted spot among over 550 significant race and sports cars worldwide. The competition will take place August 18-21, marking the mid-engined Townsend MK 4’s post-restoration racing debut.

Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca says, "What a pleasure to see another American Special fully restored and back in the vintage race world. Owen has done a fantastic job on the Townsend Typhoon MK 4 restoration. It is extremely important to us and the fellow competitors that the integrity of the caliber of cars is maintained in this prestigious event. Owens efforts, time and energy taken to ensure that the car is period correct are very much appreciated. The Townsend Typhoon is deeply rooted with the race history of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, we're proud to host its’ post restoration race debut."

Owen Gibson invites everyone attending Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to celebrate with T2V as the MK 4 “1 Cent Car” takes to the track for the first time in 40 years. Gibson will be racing the 1964 Townsend Typhoon MK 4 in Group 5A - 1960-1968 Sports Racing USRRC Cars, the race schedule is as follows:

Thursday, August 18, 2011

8:30am – 12:15pm -- Practice/Qualifying by Group: 1A – 9A

Friday, August 19, 2011

8:30am – 11:00am -- Practice/Qualifying by Group: 1A – 6A

Saturday, August 20, 2011

3:10pm -- Race Group 5A

The full race schedule can be found at: http://www.mazdaraceway.com/pages/sched-reunion

For Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion tickets and information please visit www.MazdaRaceway.com or call 800-327-7322.

Comment by Norman Nelson on January 9, 2011 at 11:40pm: Our family has been going down to Laguna Seca since 1964 as a group. We drove down in my dad's Austin Healey 3000. My Dad & big brother in the front seat, and myself and my brother in the little back jump seat. My Uncle would drive down in his TR3 with our cousins in the car. We would leave Fairfax (Marin) about 3:30AM, stop and get donuts & coffee in San Francisco on Lombard St. and drive all the way down to Monterey and get there for the first race. I remember the USRRC and Can Am and the Formula 5000 races, not to mention the great SCCA regional races. We still go down at least once a year for the ALMS races at Laguna. Such great memories.

Comment by Bob Dompe on January 9, 2011 at 10:44pm: I watched my first road race at Laguna Seca in the early 60s. For me, it will always be Laguna Seca - naming rights be damned. However, now that I'm a Mazda Miata owner, it is not as big an affront to hear "Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca". Still...

Comment by T2V Racing & Restoration on August 3, 2010 at 11:32am: T2V’S VINTAGE RACER, 1957 TOWNSEND TYPHOON MK2, TO COMPETE AT ROLEX MONTEREY MOTORSPORTS REUNION

T2V Racing and Restoration (T2V) is pleased to receive its 5th consecutive invitation to race its flagship vintage vehicle, a 1957 Townsend Typhoon MK 2 dubbed “Purple People Eater,” from Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. This prestigious honor secures T2V a coveted spot among over 600 significant race and sports cars from 13 countries. The competition will take place at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca this August, marking the 5th anniversary of the Typhoon’s post-restoration racing debut. Media and auto aficionados interested in covering or attending this event can contact Dusty@DustyInk.com for further information.

"I enjoy seeing a race legend such as the Townsend Typhoon back on track. The American Special is deeply rooted with the race history of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in the 1950's and again in 2006 for it's post-restoration racing debut. What a pleasure to celebrate five years back on our track with more to come," said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

T2V Founder, Owen Gibson comments on the inclusion, “It’s always an honor to be accepted into the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, this being our 5th consecutive year makes it even sweeter. I debuted my fully restored 1957 Townsend Typhoon here in 2006, to have the honor of racing the last 4 years at Mazda Raceway with my vintage racer marks a special anniversary of the blood, sweat, time and tires that go into the ‘Purple People Eater’.”

The 1957 Townsend Typhoon MK 2 was uncovered by Gibson in 1999 in a forgotten pasture in the dusty cow town of Arivaca, Az., Further research revealed to Gibson the fiberglass shell had been well-known Drag Racer, Frank Townsend’s race creation from Tucson, Arizona. As it turned out, this “shell” had been the 1950’s Townsend streeted hot rod, drag racer, and road racer competing at events in California at Santa Barbara and Laguna Seca, as well as New Mexico, Texas and other renowned races from 1957 thru early 1960. Its discovery, race history and original photographs showcasing the Townsend Typhoon in prime condition inspired Owen Gibson to launch T2V Racing and Restoration. T2V with Gibson at the helm crafted the Typhoon to its 1957 racing glory as witnessed at the Monterey Historics in 2006, ending a 35-year hiatus. The Typhoon caught the media’s eye with its signature purple paint, reclaiming its nickname the “Purple People Eater”.

Gibson invites all attending Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion to celebrate his treasured racers 5-year restoration anniversary with T2V on the Mazda Raceway track. Gibson will be racing the Townsend Typhoon in Group 3A - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc. Owen E. Gibson and the Townsend Typhoon’s Race schedule is as follows:
Thursday, August 12, 2010
9:10am - 9:25am -- Practice Group 3A - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc
Friday, August 13, 2010
9:20am - 9:40am -- Qualifying Group 3A - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc

Saturday, August 14, 2010
8:45am - 9:05am -- Qualifying Race Group 3A - 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc

The full race schedule can be found at: http://www.mazdaraceway.com/pages/sched-reunion

A complete list of the entrants for the 2010 Rolex Motorsports Reunion can be found at http://www.mazdaraceway.com/files/Group_List_for_Web.pdf

For Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion tickets and information, and to learn about the Pre-Reunion held August 7 and 8, please visit www.MazdaRaceway.com or call 800-327-7322.

About T2V Racing and Restoration

T2V Racing and Restoration is owned and operated by Owen E. Gibson of Arivaca, Arizona and is dedicated to historical preservation and restoration of road racing specials from the 40's thru 60's to original “as raced” condition. The creation of T2V was an organic process coinciding with the restoration of the Townsend Typhoon and lends to the company’s namesake, Townsend Typhoon Vintage Racing and Restoration now know as T2V Racing and Restoration.

Painstaking attention to detail, authentic work methods and custom machining are what set T2V apart from its contemporaries. T2V Racing and Restoration’s end product is a masterful, wholly restored speed machine with a fully tracked race and ownership history, making for the supreme automotive treasure as is proof positive in their recent works: Townsend Typhoon MK 2 (a.k.a. “The Purple People Eater”) and the Sorrell-Manning Special SR-100, now on display at the Peterson Museum in Los Angels, CA.

T2V Racing and Restoration official website can be found at www.t2vrestoration.com

Comment by Bob Kennedy on November 16, 2009 at 12:36am: Just curious, why did Scramp feel it was necessary to change direction with the management of Monterey Historic Races. It seems as though he did a more than admirable job of "inventing"and developing it into the most prestigious event of it's kind in the U.S. possibly in the world. Why would it need to be fixed
if it isn't broken? Just sayin'.

Comment by Daniel Mensinger on October 26, 2009 at 11:44pm: It looks like the Historics are in good hands for the future. Looking forward to next year.

Comment by Stephen Page on October 26, 2009 at 11:14am: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca officials today announced that automobile industry veteran Barry Toepke will be joining the company as Vice President, Historic Races.

"I have known and worked with Barry throughout both of our Historic Racing careers and I am so pleased to have him on our team," said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

"I'm thrilled to assume this important role and look forward to continue honoring the preservation and restoration of the world's finest historic race cars," said Barry Toepke. "I have been involved with the Rolex Monterey Historics in various capacities for 19 years and I can't think of any better way to celebrate my 20th anniversary than by participating in this extraordinary event.

"Simply put, this event is about two things: bringing together authentic race and sports cars that are rarely seen on track and honoring the people who made them famous," Toepke added.

Toepke, who previously was VP of Global Communications at RWB Marketing & Communications, will work together with the expert staff at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of sales, marketing, operations and the execution of the vision for the new era. Toepke will work closely with Gill Campbell to ensure this world renowned event will continue to draw the top vintage automobiles and drivers as well as expanding the fan experience. Toepke can be reached at barry@mazdaraceway.com.

The Historic Races are the foundation of Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week, a veritable feast of things to see and do for car lovers, and for the true motorsports enthusiast there is no event quite like the Historic Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Not only are history's most significant race cars accessible in paddock areas for spectators to admire at close range, but over 400 historic race cars traditionally compete, racing wheel-to-wheel before more than 40,000 thrilled fans who annually attend.

The 37th annual Monterey Historic Automobile Races® will be held August 13-15, 2010. Tickets go on sale November 17, 2009 by phone (800) 327-7322 or at www.mazdaraceway.com.