SeeCalifornia.com

Californians love their cars! There are over 30 million cars, motorcycles and trucks registered in the state! That’s a lot of car power. While we’re known for taking it to the streets, there are some great racing events this summer.  One of the oldest, best known tracks on the Central Coast is Laguna Seca Mazda Raceway (mazdaraceway.com) in Monterey where race fans get their fix this summer & fall. Another great track and racing happens at Santa Maria Speedway with GoKarts and .25 Midgets on July 14, and Wing Sprint Cars, Modifieds and Mini Stocks on July 29, 2012 (racesantamariaspeedway.com). Some tour the Central Coast for its wine. Others go for the beaches. And for those who just want to see car races, it’s time to travel.

Laguna Seca 2012:

• Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix July 27-29, 2012
  The Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring the MotoGP World Championship returns to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca for its eighth consecutive year in 2012.
• Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion  August 17 -19, 2012
  The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a cornerstone of Monterey Peninsula’s Classic Car Week. The 2012  featured marque is the iconic Shelby Cobra. Only around 550 vehicles will be accepted, based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness. Nearly every decade of motorsports history will be represented in what is described as a museum springing to life.
• Continental Tire Sports Car Festival, powered by MAZDA September 7 – 9, 2012
  Grand-Am racing events typically feature some of the most exciting competition in all of racing, with drivers bumping and barging their way past each other in the race to the checkered flag.  The race weekend will include autograph and meet-and-greet sessions with the drivers, including TV and movie heartthrob Patrick Dempsey, who competes in the GT class. The event includes Daytona Prototype class, and the Grand Touring (GT) category.