Laguna Seca Organizes Volunteer Task Force
Famous raceway gears up to ensure world challenges don’t pump the brakes on racing fun, with future looking hopeful for Ferrari Challenge Series.
The new Laguna Seca Volunteer Association and WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s management have agreed on measures to organize and manage the all-volunteer association. Comprised of individuals with years of volunteering experience during Laguna Seca Recreation Area’s premier racing events, and eager new volunteers, the association and other service clubs and organizations will play a primary role in the execution of the major events throughout the racing season.
Though the facility’s management group has a core staff for operations, maintenance, accounting, marketing, and communications, it is the volunteers that make large racing events possible. A volunteer coordinator along with the president and general manager John Narigi will play an active role in this year’s effort as the new management team and Laguna Seca Volunteer Association continue their positive work. From security and vehicle control to concessions and guest services, the volunteers are on the front lines of making the guest experience the best it can be.
“We are organizing a new volunteer association for the 2020 season and beyond,” explained Dennis Farber, President of the new LSVA. “Our returning experienced volunteers, coupled with the many enthusiastic incoming volunteers will give us the right team of people to make the premier events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca the best they can be.”
Although on-track activities at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca are temporarily suspended, the premier event season currently remains intact and all events will happen, though three have been rescheduled: the Trans Am SpeedFest, which was originally scheduled for May 1-3, now Dec 3-6; the Monterey SportsCar Championship to be held Sept. 4-6; and the Sea Otter Classic postponed to October 1-4. The Ferrari Challenge Series is still set for July 23-26.
“Working through this challenging period and looking ahead to the great racing season that we hope will start in July, we are thrilled to see so much support from previous and new volunteers, service clubs and local Veteran organizations,” said Narigi. “We believe that all guests should have an exceptional experience when they come to the track, and the members of these organizations play an important role in making that happen.”
Additional support for the LSVA will come from the local VFW chapter, for years an important component of successful race weekends. The VFW Aptos Post 10110 will be providing meals for all the volunteers and WRLS staff during the major race events. The Monterey Bay Veterans will also continue to provide free golf cart shuttle and coach service for guests to and from parking areas and the paddock.
Laguna Seca Recreation Area offers beautiful outdoor spaces for camping, walking, and biking. Panoramic views of the hills and valley, and peeks at the nearby ocean offer a backdrop like no other for a sunset picnic or sunrise walk. As soon as regulations permit, camping will reopen, and community events like Cars & Coffee and Twilight Cycling will resume.
At this time, the recreation area is currently open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Photos: Laguna Seca; Ferrari