Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
36.584722222222 - 121.75277777778Koordinaten: 36 ° 35 ' 5 " N, 121 ° 45' 10" W
The Laguna Seca Raceway (official Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ) is one of the most important racetracks in California. It is located in Monterey County, near the city of Monterey.
A round has a length of 3,601 meters. A special feature of the route is the famous " corkscrew " (English " Corkscrew "), which is secluded behind a knoll and is reached after a long straight at high speed, must be so much delayed in order then the sloping steeply downward, first to the left and then not to be missed to the right serpentine chicane.
In addition to various U.S. race series (eg, the American Le Mans Series and AMA ) is the Laguna Seca Raceway also hosts the Grand Prix of the USA as part of the motorcycle world championship. During 1964, 1965 and 1988-1994 drove all classes since 2005, starts only the MotoGP. The Superbike World Championship has performed in the years 1995 to 2004.
History
The first use of the area it was in 1867 with the founding of the Laguna Seca Ranch, where for 140 years pasture and horse business was operated.
After the nearby stretch of the " Pebble Beach Road Races" was considered too dangerous, started in 1957 with the construction of the " Laguna Seca Raceways ". The construction costs were 1.5 million U.S. dollars and were mainly financed by local businesses and individuals. Since 1974, the Monterey County Parks Department owns all property rights.
The first race, held on November 9, 1957 Pete Lovely won in a Ferrari.
In 1988, the first time took place race in the World Superbike Championship, the route had to be rebuilt due to the existing rules of the FIM to achieve the minimum required length of the route. The run-off areas have been improved. 2006 additionally, the tip was somewhat flattened at the end of the Rahal Straight. Some riders in the MotoGP However, in our opinion, creating additional interference would be generated by the wind.
After boarding Mazda as the official main sponsor of the route, the route was changed under the Treaty in "Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ."
The route
The start line is located on a small knoll in a slight left-hand bend. The then sloping route turns in a wide arc ( 1) by about 15 ° to the left. In this gradient the hairpin follow Andretti Hairpin (2) a 105 ° - law (3 ) and after a short straight, a 75 -degree right turn (4 ) to the longer, easily leading to the right piece of straight line which and a wide 100 ° left Turn ( 5) follows. After another straight line and a 80 ° / 10 ° left (6 ) accelerate the vehicles Rahal Strait up to the " corkscrew " Corkscrew slightly to the right ( 7) without sight over the crest sharp left ( 8) steeply down immediately into a right-hand bend (8a ) downhill into a long left Rainey curve ( 9 ) followed by a 80 ° right-hand curve ( 10) at the pit entry passing closes the last, a sharp 105 ° left (11 ) the price to slightly rising home straight back to the finish.
The official course record was set in the 2000 CART season with 1:07:722, driven by Hélio Castroneves in a Penske. The fastest lap so far drove 19 May 2012 Marc Gené with 1:05.786, at an event of the Ferrari Racing Days with a Ferrari F2003 - GA, the historic winning car of Michael Schumacher and winner of the Formula 1 2003 season.