The controlling groups behind WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, namely Monterey County and the Friends of Laguna Seca, have reached a settlement in the lawsuit brought against them by the Highway 68 Coalition a few months ago.
Highway 68 Coalition alleged that local residents were unhappy about the impact of their local race track, which brings increased noise and spectator traffic during race weekends.
The group was not seeking to shut the track down, but rather felt new agreements allowed the track to hold events on too many days throughout the year and did not go through proper review processes.
By settling with the group, the historic track in southern California will be able to continue hosting events as originally planned without interruption.
Friends of Laguna Seca, as stewards of the facility, will also conduct previously planned assessments related to sound mitigation and its impact on surrounding areas in order to meet the conditions of the agreement.
“FLS is pleased that the litigation was dealt with quickly and we’re looking forward to our next steps toward Laguna Seca’s long-term success for the benefit of the community of Monterey County and the entire racing world,” said Friends of Laguna Seca President Ross Merrill.
“We know these improvements will take time, but we are committed to ensuring the success of Laguna Seca for decades to come.”
The press release highlights the track’s commitments to the local community, and stated that the new sound assessments are part of being a good neighbor.
Laguna Seca was constructed in 1957, and has operated continuously since that time and has become one of the most well-known tracks in the world.
The 2.23-mile road course recently received a full track repave last year, and has plans to host IMSA and IndyCar this season, along with many other sanctioned events throughout the year.
“I grew up watching races at Laguna Seca and have raced there since the late 1970s,” said Bruce Canepa, Vice President, Friends of Laguna Seca.
“I have a lifetime passion for this facility and want to see it be preserved for future generations. With Friends of Laguna Seca, we’ve built a team of individuals who share the same passion, paired with business acumen, to make Laguna Seca the place we’ve always hoped it could be.”
