THE INSIDE LINE: Laguna Seca

Tip #27 from the pages of The Total Motorcycling Manual.

FAST FACTS

OFFICIAL NAME Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

LOCATION Monterey, California, U.S.A., south of San Francisco

TRACK LENGTH 2.238 mi (3.602 km)

NUMBER OF TURNS 11

DATE OPENED 1957

FAMOUS FEATURE Turn 8 and 8a, better known as the "Corkscrew," a plunging five-and-a-half-story drop with a blind entry.

TRIVIA Named for the dry lake bed around which the track was built, Laguna Seca is one of the most beloved racetracks in America, by riders, racers, and fans.

Nestled in the foothills east of Monterey, California, the location offers moderate weather. The roads leading to the track are a rider’s dream, and the food and wine in town are spectacular.

An easy day’s ride from Los Angeles or San Francisco, the track follows the natural, rolling terrain of the northern California countryside—a classic roadcourse in contrast with the more current road-course practice.

The track originally featured nine turns in 1.9 miles (3.1 km), but was lengthened to its present configuration in 1988 to host the USGP.

Though several concessions are offered, the best track food here is, without a doubt, the fried calamari.

Slot: div-gpt-ad-leaderboard_sticky
Slot: div-gpt-ad-leaderboard_middle1
Slot: div-gpt-ad-leaderboard_middle2
Slot: div-gpt-ad-leaderboard_middle3
Slot: div-gpt-ad-leaderboard_bottom