Spring 2024

120 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 O n a sun-drenched stretch of the peninsula, just a few miles inland of the Monterey Bay, sits one of the country’s most famous road courses and its history is everything one would expect from a race track sitting just a stone’s throw from one of the country’s most famous car events. Laguna Seca, or more officially,WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, was built back in the 1950s as an answer to the area’s desire to continue sports car racing that was growing in popularity.When it was decided that the tree-lined coastal roads weren’t the safest roads to zip through, organ- izers found land out on Highway 68, and a 2 ¼-mile road course on a 550-acre piece of Monterey County hillside was created. To this day Laguna Seca is an inte- gral part of what has become an international gathering known as Monterey Car Week. This historic race track, located in arguably one of the most coveted places on earth, eventually became a county asset. It expanded beyond car week racing to host nationally sanctioned races in 1960. Since those early days, many hands have had a part in the operations. Most recently, the keys to the track and recreational area have been handed to some- one with a hospitality (and no race) background. John Narigi, of A&D Narigi Consulting LLC, unanimously voted in by county supervisors, has been tasked with bringing Laguna Seca up to the level of hospitality and quality that Monterey County is known for, while incorporating his own personal mantra: In hospitality be good to your guests but be even better to your neighbors. Narigi, just beginning his fifth year running Laguna Seca, came to the Central Coast from the Puget Sound area ofWashington in 1993 to begin running the Monterey Plaza Hotel. He came to Laguna Seca with an understanding of the tour- ism industry, the area itself and, more importantly, how critical hospitality is to mak- ing any venue a success. Officially holding up to six or seven major events a year, the race park is situated on old Fort Ord property and hosts hiking and biking trails, over 400 campsites and a chance, on any given day, to see race cars go really fast right in front of you. With facilities such as the Pavilion, events like weddings, quinceañeras, and company picnics and retreats can be easily accommodated. Narigi believes being there for community is important and knows the track is playing that role like he Major General W.M. Breckenridge, along with community leaders, cut the ribbon in 1957 for the first race at Laguna Seca— the Eighth Annual Pebble Beach Road Races—which welcomed 35,000 spectators and 100 entries. Photo: Courtesy of WeatherTech Raceway archives The Laguna Seca Volunteer Association works closely with the groups who collectively raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities.