IMSA - Laguna Seca

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship in 2026. This race brings together multiple classes of sports cars to compete on one of North America's most challenging road courses. Laguna Seca hosts this premier endurance racing series in Monterey, California, where teams compete in the Motul Course de Monterey for 2 hours and 40 minutes.

About the IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship

The IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship serves as a key race in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This event features professional sports car racing across four distinct classes. Teams and drivers compete on the technical layout of Laguna Seca, which tests both driver skill and vehicle performance. The race format allows fans to watch multiple classes racing simultaneously on track.

Racing Classes at Laguna Seca

The 2026 race features four classes of competition. Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) represents the top tier of IMSA racing with hybrid prototype race cars. Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) cars offer pure racing performance. GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro) includes factory-backed GT teams, while GT Daytona (GTD) features customer racing efforts. Each class brings different performance levels to the track at Laguna Seca.

The Circuit at Laguna Seca

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca sits in the Laguna Seca Recreation Area near Monterey and Salinas, California. The circuit measures 2.238 miles in length and includes 11 turns. The track was built in 1957 at a cost of $1.5 million on former U.S. Army Fort Ord property. The first race took place on November 9, 1957, with Pete Lovely winning in a Ferrari.

The Corkscrew

Turns 8 and 8A form the Corkscrew, the signature corner sequence at Laguna Seca. This section drops 59 feet in elevation over just 450 feet of track. From Turn 8 to Turn 9, the total elevation change reaches 109 feet. The Corkscrew challenges every driver who races at Laguna Seca and creates memorable moments in IMSA competition.

Elevation and Layout

The circuit features a 180-foot elevation change throughout the lap. This elevation difference makes Laguna Seca unique among racing venues. Turn 2, known as the Andretti Hairpin, requires heavy braking. Turn 9, called Rainey Curve, leads onto the front straight. The track received FIA Grade Two certification and was extended to its current configuration in 1988 with an infield section addition.

Track Heritage

Laguna Seca was created after officials deemed the Pebble Beach Road Races too dangerous. The Monterey County Parks Department received the property deed in 1974. The circuit has hosted Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, IMSA GT, IndyCar, American Le Mans Series, and MotoGP events. The name "Laguna Seca" means "dry lake" in Spanish, as the track was built around a dry lake bed.

Visiting Laguna Seca

Fans attending the IMSA race at Laguna Seca can choose from various ticket options. Three-day passes provide access throughout the race weekend. VIP experiences include the Champions Club and VIP Club, offering premium viewing areas. The Laguna Seca Recreation Area also provides camping, hiking, and biking opportunities year-round for visitors to the region.

The IMSA Monterey SportsCar Championship at Laguna Seca combines technical racing with a legendary California circuit. The combination of multiple racing classes, dramatic elevation changes, and the famous Corkscrew creates a compelling race weekend for sports car racing fans.