Spring 2024

122 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 generators. In 2023 direct spend within the county was north of $280 million. Spring starts Laguna Seca’s official sea- son, beginning with the largest bicycling event of its kind anywhere, the Sea Otter Classic.Thousands of amateur and profes- sional athletes, and even more fans, spend four days navigating the trails on moun- tain bikes.The race brings close to 80,000 visitors to the park. Laguna Seca Raceway, however, was designed for horsepower. Featuring 11 turns, a 300 foot elevation change and a one-of-kind downhill series of turns known as “the corkscrew,” the track has hosted names like Andretti, Rahal, Rainey and Tracy. Since the 1960s, com- petitive racing has been a staple includ- ing annual events. With a grade 2 FIA track, series such as IMSA,Trans Am and IndyCars, and even MotoAmerica Superbikes, make a stop at Laguna Seca on their regular schedule. During Car Week, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion brings vintage race cars back to the track to race while events like the Porsche Rennsport Reunion bring Porsches, owners and enthusiasts from all over the world for exhibition and some manufacturer camaraderie. Sprinkled throughout the year are events that intro- duce new types of racing, like Gridlife. Almost community-like, it mixes youth, entertainment, street cars and the sport of drifting. The racing is gentlemanly, as there is low tolerance for contact. Hondas, Chevys and BMWs are modified to meet specifications dictated by the East Coast club’s own standards. Less muscle car and more everyday driver, this home garage racing is a steadily rising trend that the track will welcome back in the coming year. Other than revamping facilities and overhauling concessions to reflect the local area, Narigi is most proud of having hosted the Rolex Reunion of 2022 during Car Week, commemorating the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the most prestigious races in motor- sports. “Laguna was transformed to a whole different look. Our guests were awed. Our participants were awed. The people who came from France who run Le Mans were awed,” Narigi recounts. An incredible 50 cars, all significant to the historic race, were gathered at Laguna Seca for this special event. “The brand of our Rolex Reunion was elevated, which will continue for all our public events.” Celebrating the kickoff to the 100th Anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the 2022 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, drivers took the traditional Le Mans running start, running across the track to their parked cars to start the race. John Narigi of A&D Narigi Consulting LLC has skillfully managed the track since 2020. Photo: Courtesy of Steve Dawson Photo: Michael Troutman/DMT Images