- 3,144
- Lancashire
- Ryk_BRM
Ryk's Guide to... Laguna Seca.
(Thanks to AMG's thread for the above image)
The fluffy Historical bit.
Laguna Seca - One of several Californian Tracks to grace the GT series (Sears Point and the El Capitan of Yosemite National Park. Laguna Seca is the only one to make it to GT5.
The track has a hardworking community spirit behind its history. It was built in 1956 after the local Pebble Beach Road Races in the Del Monte Forest were deemed too dangerous to stage. The permanent road course was built on land previously part of Fort Ord Army Base. And indeed was constructed with help of soldiers and army engineers. By working together and as a community the spirit of racing remained strong in the area and the influx of tourists and petrol heads kept the local businesses safe from economic collapse predicted when they were forced to stop running the Pebble Beach event.
The original layout was only 1.9 miles long with nine turns as the track looped around the dry lake (Hence the name Laguna Seca of course) and up over the ridge at the Eastern edge of the track. In an attempt to get the American Grand Prix the track was extended, removing - in my opinion - the best corner on the old track the fearsome old turn 2 which was a real test of a drivers courage as he threaded a fast flick flack at close to 140mph. Now the new 2.238 mile track has a few rather dull infield corners and the old Turn 3 is now the new tracks annoyingly slow Turn 5. Even with the changes Laguna Seca lost the battle to stage a Formula One race to the motorsporting mecca of Phoenix Arizona... However the track was a big draw for the motorbikes that raced here.
The track has improved safety over the years. Now there are acres of gravel traps and solid concrete barriers to prevent a car from entering a spectator area. Before it used to be a few straw bales that once lined turns, These safety measures does mean that more spectators can get closer to the action as the cars tool about in the infield section. The pit area outside the final turn has been replaced by grandstands that make watching dashes to the chequered flag and pit lane action as comfortable as spectating at any professional sports event.
2.238 miles, 11 turns (1 esse, 4 right, 6 left)
Direction is counter clockwise
Elevation range: 749’ – 929’
Width range: 30’ – 50’
Acreage: 542 acres
The official record remains 1m07.722 set by Helio Castroneves in qualifying Penske Champ Car in 2000. Other cars have been faster but these were demonstration runs that the Circuit Owners deem unworthy of a true race inspired fastest lap record.
The Track Guide
Turn Number Direction (Camber (Turn in/ Apex /Exit) (Corner Radius (In Feet))
Camber. Usually a positive number and the numbers move from turn in to apex and then the exit. This may help you predict what the car will get up to in a corner, and also understand why a car acts weird at certain corners.
The track starts with an uphill blast to the startline gantry with the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca logo, this is a soft left hander before you crest the hill and have to turn left for the fast turn 1.
Turn 1 Left - (3.3%/11.9%/2.5%) (152@516R) (152 feet turning to the left at a radius of 516 feet)
Aim for the “Z” in MAZDA under the bridge on the front straight. At Turn 1, look for the tallest telephone pole in the distance and aim for that. This blind turn is taken at full speed. Once through Turn 1, the will naturally take the line of least resistance and place you on the right hand side of the track and well set up for Turn 2.
Turn 2 Left (4.4%/3.8%/1.9%) (437@127R) Andretti Hairpin
Turn 2 is the Andretti Hairpin. Some drivers will treat this as a double apex corner and come in tight for the first apex. It is best if you can come in slightly later so as to make a much cleaner and faster line through the exit of the corner. The camber does drop off making the exit much harder than the entrance, so if you come in hot you will have to give up a lot to make the final apex. It is a very long turn in to reach the apex with maintenance throttle after braking.
Stay to the left as you exit pit lane to enter the track between Turns 2 and 3 on the left. The racing line is to the right at the exit of Turn 2. It is important to check for traffic while heading toward Turn 3.
Turn 3 Right - (2.8%/3.2%/0.5%) (240@145R)
Aim the car to driver’s left at the number two braking marker. It is very important to slow down for the entry but not to turn early. The apex is late in the corner. The corner is slightly longer than 90° and is also pretty flat in so cornering speed will be lower than you may expect. Run off is reasonable. and the sound of the growling alligators will remind you to keep it neat.
Short straight on your left is the Super Dupa Mart the one stop shop for all your automotive souvenirs and gifts. (Aston Martin key Fobs and Dodge Viper whoopee cushions) On the right is what is left of the dry lake, ahead is the Bridgestone tyre footbridge.
Stay left and get ready for Turn 4.
Turn 4 Right - (2.2%/2.6%/1.5%)(250@300R)
Turn 4 is a long wide radius turn but has little camber so often cars will slide during the exit. Don’t turn in early as that may lead to lifting at the exit and an almost certain slide or spin.
Still on your right on the other side of the concrete wall is the large dry lake bed that the track is named after.
This leads to a medium length straight with a slight kink to the right and the "Mothers" footbridge. I always see Hooters in my head... which probably explains why I am caught out by turn 5
Turn 5 Left - (2.1%/8.5%/11.3%) (250@170R)(795@374R)
Turn 5 begins to go uphill at the apex. The slight banking starts at mid corner (As the nature of the original cambered circuit comes to the fore). It is important to carry momentum to get speed up the hill. The approach should be slightly longer, smoother braking rather than shorter abrupt braking to ease the speed down. This corner is where the new infield section re-joins the original layout. The drastic reduction of corner speed here has made the climb up the hill more critical than it once was. But a pass into the next corner is a hard ask as the track seems to narrow and the next corner is a one line corner and a bit of a needle threader.
Turn 6 Left - (6.5%/9.6%/3.8%) (72@80R) "Alligator"
Turn 6 is a short fast tight corner you need to watch out for. There is a dip into the apex and too much weight transferred forward can make the car get loose by the apex. Start braking at the footbridge for a smooth entry then return to a maintenance speed before turning in. Try not to run wide beyond the alligators, the gravel trap will upset the car and you need to maintain your speed up the hill.
Rahal Straight
This steep uphill straight is named after the Ohio racer. His record of four consecutive wins in the Grand Prix of Monterey Indy Car race 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. He also won the 1978 Can Am race here. For Bobby Rahal it was no uphill struggle to race here, but your car may find the incline a test.
Turn 7 Right - (-1.5%/1.6%/--) (192@450R)
Steer to the left at the Rolex sign bridge. Turn 7 kink in is on the left of the hill just past the end of the curbing. You may notice the turn in camber is adverse, but this is an easy corner but one you need to drive correctly to set yourself up correctly. Go straight over the blind crest so that the car is on the right side as you approach The Corkscrew. Brake before the crest and continue until just past turn in.
Turn 8 Left (8.6%/12.6%/--)(147@35R) The Corkscrew.
Turn 8A Right(--/11.4%/6.8%)(200@90R) The Corkscrew.
Turn in is late so you can go straight down the hill. The drop is blind so look toward the oak tree that is close to the track to line you up for the bottom of 8a. As you head down toward 8a apply some throttle to help shift weight to the rear of the car.
While the track is a favourite of racers and fans worldwide, many focus on one specific section – officially Turns 8 and 8A or, more commonly, The Corkscrew.
The Corkscrew is one-of-a-kind in motorsports and here is what makes the hard-left, hard-right combination so spectacular:
At the apex to Turn 8 (the lefthander and entry to The Corkscrew), the elevation change is a 12% drop.
By the time a race car reaches the apex of Turn 8A (the right-hander), the elevation is at its steepest – an 18% drop.
The Corkscrew drops 59 feet between the entrance of Turn 8 to the exit of Turn 8A – the equivalent of a 5 ½ story drop – in only 450 feet of track length.
From Turn 8 to Turn 9, the elevation falls 109 feet, or just over 10 stories. This section of the track has more curves to it, but after the eager Corkscrew they are small potatoes.
Turn 9 Left - (12.5%/12.5%/2.1%)(482@265R) "Rainey Curve"
Turn 9 is a fast downhill sweeper. You don’t need to go all the way to driver’s right as you enter the corner, only be about a car width from the right at turn in. Brake only hard enough to allow the car to turn in. The turn is blind so don’t turn the wheel too quickly. Speed is fast at exit and the car often feels like it wants to slide as the very helpful camber bleeds away on the exit making the corner a bit trickier. Try to set up the corner so you are smooth through it and can remain on the throttle. If you lift you have mucked the corner up.
Turn 10 Right - (6.0%/10.0%/10.0%)(311@150R) "Trylon"
On the approach you can see the distinctive scoring Trylon on your left. Ahead you can see behind the pits into the paddock area.
Turn 10 comes quickly so be ready for braking. Braking is harder than it looks like it should be. You drop into a well cambered bowl so the car picks up speed quickly. After turn in, return to speed quickly so the car does not start to get loose.
Pit entrance is on the left but careful on the way it as it is even tighter than you think- Go too fast into the pits and a solid concrete wall awaits. The cars racing will be making their way over to the right hand side of the track for the racing line but some people may try for a do or die pass on the inside in an unsporting Motocross style "Block pass"
Turn 11 Left - (2.0%/2.0%/2.0%)(101@45R) - "Final Corner"
Turn 11 is the slowest corner on the track. Start braking early. You are also heading onto the longest straight. It is very much a slow in, fast out approach. Be aware that it is a possible passing point and some people may feel they have a chance to dive up the inside. Remember, if you keep your cool you can take a smooth line through the corner and repass them along the start/finish straight.
---
Track width...
From the start the track narrows to 30', then balloons to 40' at the Andretti Hairpin but shrinks on the exit of Turn 5 as you head up the hill to 30'. The track remains this narrow until you pass through Rainey Curve where the track grows to 40' and once you pass the final corner the grids hatchings are on a 50' wide piece of asphalt.
-------------
Alligators? Local name for the ripple strip on the apex/ exits of corners, due to the deep growl you get when you run over them... that and if you go too far they can bite into your car and pull you off track.
Dirt - The track is very dusty from off track excursions. If you want to play a bit naughty, then a few nibbles on the track edge can kick up a flurry of dirt dust and radiator punching stones.
There are only a few named corners at Laguna Seca. The blanks I've filled in myself, but any suggestions will be given consideration before I ignore them.. I jest if you think the fact that Clint Eastwood used to be the Mayor of Carmel (8 miles west) then perhaps you will want a return to the "Corner with no name"
(I will edit this post with any suggestions and suchlike. Post away with any further tips or point out the errors, I was in a rush with this.- Ryk)
-----
External links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfTsrLprM2o
lap guide of Laguna Seca in a Takata NSX (GT5)
Very specific to a SuperGT car, but you never know when you may have to run here on Race Tyres in a car with lashings of Aero.
-------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-vPhbgGBlw&feature=related
Top Gear segment on GT4 vs real life.
NSX GT4 vs Real life Jeremy Clarkson
The odd thing is Clarkson was way slower in real life compared to his PS2/GT4 time - but everyone who has tried to emulate Clarkson has managed his 1m41 without much effort.
---------
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Turn_by_turn_guide_to_the_Laguna_Seca_track
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Mazda_Laguna_Seca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Raceway_Laguna_Seca
1979 Can Am bits Original layout (This is part 2 of an eight part Can Am race with Bobby Rahal and Keke Rosberg, et alia.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=PQOuB60RAO0&NR=1
1987 Sportscars IMSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSXiZcw3ak&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4UUQJuMrazg&NR=1
(This link is part two and has the lap guide)
(Thanks to AMG's thread for the above image)
The fluffy Historical bit.
Laguna Seca - One of several Californian Tracks to grace the GT series (Sears Point and the El Capitan of Yosemite National Park. Laguna Seca is the only one to make it to GT5.
The track has a hardworking community spirit behind its history. It was built in 1956 after the local Pebble Beach Road Races in the Del Monte Forest were deemed too dangerous to stage. The permanent road course was built on land previously part of Fort Ord Army Base. And indeed was constructed with help of soldiers and army engineers. By working together and as a community the spirit of racing remained strong in the area and the influx of tourists and petrol heads kept the local businesses safe from economic collapse predicted when they were forced to stop running the Pebble Beach event.
The original layout was only 1.9 miles long with nine turns as the track looped around the dry lake (Hence the name Laguna Seca of course) and up over the ridge at the Eastern edge of the track. In an attempt to get the American Grand Prix the track was extended, removing - in my opinion - the best corner on the old track the fearsome old turn 2 which was a real test of a drivers courage as he threaded a fast flick flack at close to 140mph. Now the new 2.238 mile track has a few rather dull infield corners and the old Turn 3 is now the new tracks annoyingly slow Turn 5. Even with the changes Laguna Seca lost the battle to stage a Formula One race to the motorsporting mecca of Phoenix Arizona... However the track was a big draw for the motorbikes that raced here.
The track has improved safety over the years. Now there are acres of gravel traps and solid concrete barriers to prevent a car from entering a spectator area. Before it used to be a few straw bales that once lined turns, These safety measures does mean that more spectators can get closer to the action as the cars tool about in the infield section. The pit area outside the final turn has been replaced by grandstands that make watching dashes to the chequered flag and pit lane action as comfortable as spectating at any professional sports event.
2.238 miles, 11 turns (1 esse, 4 right, 6 left)
Direction is counter clockwise
Elevation range: 749’ – 929’
Width range: 30’ – 50’
Acreage: 542 acres
The official record remains 1m07.722 set by Helio Castroneves in qualifying Penske Champ Car in 2000. Other cars have been faster but these were demonstration runs that the Circuit Owners deem unworthy of a true race inspired fastest lap record.
The Track Guide
Turn Number Direction (Camber (Turn in/ Apex /Exit) (Corner Radius (In Feet))
Camber. Usually a positive number and the numbers move from turn in to apex and then the exit. This may help you predict what the car will get up to in a corner, and also understand why a car acts weird at certain corners.
The track starts with an uphill blast to the startline gantry with the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca logo, this is a soft left hander before you crest the hill and have to turn left for the fast turn 1.
Turn 1 Left - (3.3%/11.9%/2.5%) (152@516R) (152 feet turning to the left at a radius of 516 feet)
Aim for the “Z” in MAZDA under the bridge on the front straight. At Turn 1, look for the tallest telephone pole in the distance and aim for that. This blind turn is taken at full speed. Once through Turn 1, the will naturally take the line of least resistance and place you on the right hand side of the track and well set up for Turn 2.
Turn 2 Left (4.4%/3.8%/1.9%) (437@127R) Andretti Hairpin
Turn 2 is the Andretti Hairpin. Some drivers will treat this as a double apex corner and come in tight for the first apex. It is best if you can come in slightly later so as to make a much cleaner and faster line through the exit of the corner. The camber does drop off making the exit much harder than the entrance, so if you come in hot you will have to give up a lot to make the final apex. It is a very long turn in to reach the apex with maintenance throttle after braking.
Stay to the left as you exit pit lane to enter the track between Turns 2 and 3 on the left. The racing line is to the right at the exit of Turn 2. It is important to check for traffic while heading toward Turn 3.
Turn 3 Right - (2.8%/3.2%/0.5%) (240@145R)
Aim the car to driver’s left at the number two braking marker. It is very important to slow down for the entry but not to turn early. The apex is late in the corner. The corner is slightly longer than 90° and is also pretty flat in so cornering speed will be lower than you may expect. Run off is reasonable. and the sound of the growling alligators will remind you to keep it neat.
Short straight on your left is the Super Dupa Mart the one stop shop for all your automotive souvenirs and gifts. (Aston Martin key Fobs and Dodge Viper whoopee cushions) On the right is what is left of the dry lake, ahead is the Bridgestone tyre footbridge.
Stay left and get ready for Turn 4.
Turn 4 Right - (2.2%/2.6%/1.5%)(250@300R)
Turn 4 is a long wide radius turn but has little camber so often cars will slide during the exit. Don’t turn in early as that may lead to lifting at the exit and an almost certain slide or spin.
Still on your right on the other side of the concrete wall is the large dry lake bed that the track is named after.
This leads to a medium length straight with a slight kink to the right and the "Mothers" footbridge. I always see Hooters in my head... which probably explains why I am caught out by turn 5
Turn 5 Left - (2.1%/8.5%/11.3%) (250@170R)(795@374R)
Turn 5 begins to go uphill at the apex. The slight banking starts at mid corner (As the nature of the original cambered circuit comes to the fore). It is important to carry momentum to get speed up the hill. The approach should be slightly longer, smoother braking rather than shorter abrupt braking to ease the speed down. This corner is where the new infield section re-joins the original layout. The drastic reduction of corner speed here has made the climb up the hill more critical than it once was. But a pass into the next corner is a hard ask as the track seems to narrow and the next corner is a one line corner and a bit of a needle threader.
Turn 6 Left - (6.5%/9.6%/3.8%) (72@80R) "Alligator"
Turn 6 is a short fast tight corner you need to watch out for. There is a dip into the apex and too much weight transferred forward can make the car get loose by the apex. Start braking at the footbridge for a smooth entry then return to a maintenance speed before turning in. Try not to run wide beyond the alligators, the gravel trap will upset the car and you need to maintain your speed up the hill.
Rahal Straight
This steep uphill straight is named after the Ohio racer. His record of four consecutive wins in the Grand Prix of Monterey Indy Car race 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. He also won the 1978 Can Am race here. For Bobby Rahal it was no uphill struggle to race here, but your car may find the incline a test.
Turn 7 Right - (-1.5%/1.6%/--) (192@450R)
Steer to the left at the Rolex sign bridge. Turn 7 kink in is on the left of the hill just past the end of the curbing. You may notice the turn in camber is adverse, but this is an easy corner but one you need to drive correctly to set yourself up correctly. Go straight over the blind crest so that the car is on the right side as you approach The Corkscrew. Brake before the crest and continue until just past turn in.
Turn 8 Left (8.6%/12.6%/--)(147@35R) The Corkscrew.
Turn 8A Right(--/11.4%/6.8%)(200@90R) The Corkscrew.
Turn in is late so you can go straight down the hill. The drop is blind so look toward the oak tree that is close to the track to line you up for the bottom of 8a. As you head down toward 8a apply some throttle to help shift weight to the rear of the car.
While the track is a favourite of racers and fans worldwide, many focus on one specific section – officially Turns 8 and 8A or, more commonly, The Corkscrew.
The Corkscrew is one-of-a-kind in motorsports and here is what makes the hard-left, hard-right combination so spectacular:
At the apex to Turn 8 (the lefthander and entry to The Corkscrew), the elevation change is a 12% drop.
By the time a race car reaches the apex of Turn 8A (the right-hander), the elevation is at its steepest – an 18% drop.
The Corkscrew drops 59 feet between the entrance of Turn 8 to the exit of Turn 8A – the equivalent of a 5 ½ story drop – in only 450 feet of track length.
From Turn 8 to Turn 9, the elevation falls 109 feet, or just over 10 stories. This section of the track has more curves to it, but after the eager Corkscrew they are small potatoes.
Turn 9 Left - (12.5%/12.5%/2.1%)(482@265R) "Rainey Curve"
Turn 9 is a fast downhill sweeper. You don’t need to go all the way to driver’s right as you enter the corner, only be about a car width from the right at turn in. Brake only hard enough to allow the car to turn in. The turn is blind so don’t turn the wheel too quickly. Speed is fast at exit and the car often feels like it wants to slide as the very helpful camber bleeds away on the exit making the corner a bit trickier. Try to set up the corner so you are smooth through it and can remain on the throttle. If you lift you have mucked the corner up.
Turn 10 Right - (6.0%/10.0%/10.0%)(311@150R) "Trylon"
On the approach you can see the distinctive scoring Trylon on your left. Ahead you can see behind the pits into the paddock area.
Turn 10 comes quickly so be ready for braking. Braking is harder than it looks like it should be. You drop into a well cambered bowl so the car picks up speed quickly. After turn in, return to speed quickly so the car does not start to get loose.
Pit entrance is on the left but careful on the way it as it is even tighter than you think- Go too fast into the pits and a solid concrete wall awaits. The cars racing will be making their way over to the right hand side of the track for the racing line but some people may try for a do or die pass on the inside in an unsporting Motocross style "Block pass"
Turn 11 Left - (2.0%/2.0%/2.0%)(101@45R) - "Final Corner"
Turn 11 is the slowest corner on the track. Start braking early. You are also heading onto the longest straight. It is very much a slow in, fast out approach. Be aware that it is a possible passing point and some people may feel they have a chance to dive up the inside. Remember, if you keep your cool you can take a smooth line through the corner and repass them along the start/finish straight.
---
Track width...
From the start the track narrows to 30', then balloons to 40' at the Andretti Hairpin but shrinks on the exit of Turn 5 as you head up the hill to 30'. The track remains this narrow until you pass through Rainey Curve where the track grows to 40' and once you pass the final corner the grids hatchings are on a 50' wide piece of asphalt.
-------------
Alligators? Local name for the ripple strip on the apex/ exits of corners, due to the deep growl you get when you run over them... that and if you go too far they can bite into your car and pull you off track.
Dirt - The track is very dusty from off track excursions. If you want to play a bit naughty, then a few nibbles on the track edge can kick up a flurry of dirt dust and radiator punching stones.
There are only a few named corners at Laguna Seca. The blanks I've filled in myself, but any suggestions will be given consideration before I ignore them.. I jest if you think the fact that Clint Eastwood used to be the Mayor of Carmel (8 miles west) then perhaps you will want a return to the "Corner with no name"
(I will edit this post with any suggestions and suchlike. Post away with any further tips or point out the errors, I was in a rush with this.- Ryk)
-----
External links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfTsrLprM2o
lap guide of Laguna Seca in a Takata NSX (GT5)
Very specific to a SuperGT car, but you never know when you may have to run here on Race Tyres in a car with lashings of Aero.
-------------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-vPhbgGBlw&feature=related
Top Gear segment on GT4 vs real life.
NSX GT4 vs Real life Jeremy Clarkson
The odd thing is Clarkson was way slower in real life compared to his PS2/GT4 time - but everyone who has tried to emulate Clarkson has managed his 1m41 without much effort.
---------
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Turn_by_turn_guide_to_the_Laguna_Seca_track
http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Mazda_Laguna_Seca
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_Raceway_Laguna_Seca
1979 Can Am bits Original layout (This is part 2 of an eight part Can Am race with Bobby Rahal and Keke Rosberg, et alia.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=PQOuB60RAO0&NR=1
1987 Sportscars IMSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLSXiZcw3ak&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=4UUQJuMrazg&NR=1
(This link is part two and has the lap guide)
Last edited:
Great guide. I love that track.
lol
