IMSA, Laguna Seca Planning ‘Throwback’ Weekend

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

IMSA and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca are planning to hold a “Throwback” themed event on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship-headlining weekend on May 1-3, it has been revealed.

IMSA President John Doonan and WeatherTech Raceway President and general manager Mel Harder sent a letter to competitors on Monday, requesting teams and manufacturers to participate in the event, which is aimed to include throwback or heritage-inspired liveries and uniforms.

They have also made a call out to fans to dress in vintage racing apparel.

“To fully immerse fans, teams, and partners in the spirit of IMSA’s rich history, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will deliver a weekend-long throwback experience that blends sight, sound, storytelling, and participation,” the joint letter read.

“Teams and manufacturers are invited to showcase their own vintage and heritage race cars throughout the venue, adding to a curated collection of iconic machines displayed in high-visibility, fan-facing locations.

“These celebrated cars can be paired with legendary drivers, notable owners, and team representatives for scheduled autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and spontaneous storytelling moments.”

Special throwback moments will also be included into the event’s pre-race ceremonies.

Participation will be “strongly encouraged” with teams able to choose the level of involvement that “best aligns” with their brands and operational plans.

Word of a possible throwback weekend surfaced during last month’s season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona, although Doonan, at the time, said there was “more to come.”

It will mark the first formal throwback initiative in IMSA since 2019 when it encouraged teams to run historic liveries to honor the 50th anniversary of the sanctioning body (pictured above).

However, the Laguna Seca event is understood to be much more formalized event, similar to what NASCAR does with its ‘Throwback Weekend’ at Darlington Motor Speedway each year.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John