So I'm expecting the ticket prices for Vegas F1 to be totally outrageous ($1200 per ticket minimum)
So my son and are thinking we could go to an out of town race cheaper. We're thinking Laguna Seca IMSA race.
Can any of the hive tell us what to expect ticket price wise and room rates etc as well as the place place to watch? We've never been to Laguna Seca.
IMSA race day tickets are around $100 +/- $25. It's a bargain.
There are plenty of hotels nearby. Prices range $ (Salinas) to $$$$ (Carmel/Big Sur). There are plenty of nice hotels at reasonable prices in Seaside, Monterey or Pacific Grove.
Laguna Seca has a ton of great viewing spots. Front straight grandstands, Turn 4 grandstands, outside of turn 5/6, The Corkscrew, Turn 9/10.
I used this when I was learning where to shot from:
Turn 4 grandstands is my favorite. You can see from the Finish Line to Turn 5:
IMG_6819 by Chris Attebery, on Flickr
If you're into hiking, you'll love Laguna Seca. If you're into sirens, you'll love Salinas. Contrary to popular belief, Laguna Seca is actually in Salinas, but not the real Salinas. The facility is great. It just requires a serious walk. Book way in advance for a hotel, or book far out of town, like near I-5.
In reply to rustomatic :
Is IMSA that popular? Also, don't forget Air B and B. I got a nice place in Monterey during the Historics week despite how everyone said that was imposible.
MotoGP was always a zoo, so my buddies and I would camp at Laguna, which is a great option.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:Is IMSA that popular? Also, don't forget Air B and B. I got a nice place in Monterey during the Historics week despite how everyone said that was imposible.
Monterey is not a big town, 30-40K people is a lot for the area hotels.
Seaside is a small city just north of Monterey , lower middle class city so much cheaper than Monterey.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to rustomatic :
camp at Laguna, which is a great option.
This I did once. Plus . . .
The Hog's Breath Inn in Carmel was very good
It's a great weekend. I did an Airbnb the last time I went. Got to marshal from the wall at the top of the corkscrew. One of my most favorite experiences ever. It was a bucket list thing for me. There is great places to watch all over the track.
I went about 10 years ago and has lots of fun. I think tickets in advance were like $60 a piece.
Be sure to go the day before the race and walk the pits, you may bump into a famous car or driver!
I flew into the Monterey airport and got a hertz economy rental. It ended up being a dodge journey. As I left the rental office I noticed they had a bunch of rental corvettes and porsches. I regretted not spending the money on a fun rental for the weekend.
My sister lived in a house in Monterey at the time so I have no knowledge on hotels.
Also, the race day parking lot is like a car show! People drive amazing machinery to spectate.
highly recommended!
I've gone to quite a few MotGP and WSB races at Laguna Seca, and we would sometimes end up staying in Morgan Hill. But I think the IMSA races attract fewer fans, so you shold be able to get a hotel fairly easily.
As others have said, it's a great track for spectating if you don't mind walking a bit. The area is really beautiful, with tons of great restaurants in the area. If you get the chance drive on 17 Mile Drive to see how the other .001% live.
It's true about the parking lot being like a car show, one year there was a Porsche 959 in the parking lot!
You'll need to log in to post.
