Report: ISC in Negotiations for Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Takeover

Photo: John Dagys

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca could soon be under new operations, as International Speedway Corporation is reportedly in talks with Monterey County officials in a bid to operate the California circuit.

According to the Monterey Herald, a board meeting is scheduled for today to consider a potential concession agreement with ISC, which could take over operations from the nonprofit Sports Car Racing Association of Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP).

The 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit, located on a county park in the Monterey Peninsula, has been operated by SCRAMP since opening its doors in 1957 and has sanctioned numerous world-class motorsports events.

However, recent struggles, including the loss of its MotoGP round, has allegedly seen county officials search for alternative options.

According to a statement from county officials, SCRAMP has been retained to manage the facility on a monthly renewal basis since March 2014 while the county “has been exploring options for the management of the raceway to ensure its long-term success.”

ISC, which is part of the NASCAR family, owns and operates a dozen tracks across the U.S., including Daytona International Speedway and Watkins Glen International, although only having one property, Auto Club Speedway, in California.

Laguna Seca has played host to various sports car racing events over the years, including Pirelli World Challenge and the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.

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