www.montereycountynow.com JANUARY 9-15, 2025 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 21 pen in the nearer term,” Eberhart says. “It’s a high-priority project. It needs to be redone.” Friends’ agreement with the county outlines expectations in detail. In the concession arrangement with FLS, the county stands to potentially generate revenue—starting in 2028, Friends will pay the county 10 percent of its net revenue annually. Fifty percent of income must go into capital improvements. The first phase of the contract is for five-and-a-half years. If Friends invests at least $10 million into the track during that time, it can extend the contract by 25 years. If during that period it spends another $40 million, it can tack on another 25 years. The agreement requires regular reports to the supervisors. All improvements become property of the county. The master plan will reflect Friends’ long-term vision for changes and improvements. It is subject to the California Environmental Quality Act and is bound by Laguna Seca’s historical use, which in part limits the track to five major racing events, six mid-sized racing events—perhaps a nebulous designation—plus a number of small events. A sound impact assessment is part of that process. Sound impact and the lack of environmental review were at the center of a lawsuit that sought to block the concession agreement. Filed in 2023 by the Highway 68 Coalition, the suit claimed that the county’s approved use permit does not specifically address motorsports and that the last environmental impact review (EIR) of the park—dating to 1983, according to court documents—did not assess noise from the track. The 1983 EIR does note that race activity and noise generated would remain unchanged, “therefore no change in raceway-related noise at existing residences would be anticipated.” In recent years, the number of major racing events at WeatherTech Raceway have been steady. The track is often rented for private events. The coalition settled out of court in 2024 at essentially status quo but the suit contributed to delaying the start of the FLS contract, which had originally been signed in July 2023. The sound impact study and mitigation measures demanded by the suit was already part of the FLS proposal, first submitted when the group had previously sought a contract with the county in 2016. One of the first steps FLS took after the August signing ceremony was to hire a local sound engineer. Eberhart declined to reveal the person or company—work will not begin until the first major race dates starting in May—but noted that noise measurements would be taken and analyzed by SoundPLAN, a noise remediation software. The resulting model can determine where landscaping or structures can be used to lessen the raceday rumble. “It’s actually kind of cool,” Eberhart says. “I was nerding out.” Friends has committed to spend $2 million on the sound mitigation plan. The Board of Supervisors had approved $3 million to be invested into renovation of pit road suites, maintenance and drainage. And there is one other annoyance also to be addressed, one not as sexy as sound modeling software or as cool as raceday smartphone apps. “Traffic is a focus in 2025,” Eberhart says. “We’re looking at how to do that.” Cars had just cycled through pit stops during the 2019 California 8 Hours. In the Bentley Team M-Sport garage, a few of the mechanics stretched out on the floor, heads propped against a tire here, a tool box there. Jon Shervinton instead used the break to step out the back of the garage and take in the scene. The team—and Shervinton—is based in England. The international race series had taken them to legendary tracks. But for the mechanic, this stop was different. “People talk about Laguna Seca. And when they talk about Laguna Seca, they talk about the Corkscrew. But I haven’t seen it. I suppose it’s up there somewhere,” he said, gesturing toward the steep hill where letters spell out C-O-R-K-S-C-R-E-W. “I’m going to get home and people will ask what it was like, but I don’t know.” That Laguna Seca languished has not hurt its reputation among racing fans. But there is a feeling in the racing community that the long-term concession agreement came just in time. Friends of Laguna Seca cleared the first difficult corner, raising the $6 million necessary to get started. “There are a lot of unknowns,” Eberhart says. “This is a beloved track. We’re laying the foundation.” “HE HAD ME AT ‘LAGUNA SECA.’” VIDEO game ARCADE game repairs and mods used games and more ARCADE SHOP 2 PLAYER 398 FOAM ST. STE A, MONTEREY SAT/SUN 12-9 W-F 2-9 (831)324-0669 2playerarcade.com 2playerarcade Domenico’s on the Wharf features Cioppino-a house specialty, Boat to Table Wild Alaskan Salmon, Oysters Rockefeller are a sample of the many great menu choices. Also enjoy Fine Wines and Cocktails, Desserts and Great Service. A local favorite celebrating 43 yeARS on Old Fisherman’s Wharf. 50 Old FiSheRmAn’S WhARF mOnTeRey • 831-372-3655 www.domenicosmonterey.com Open Daily 11:30am to close Fresh Seafood, Italian Classics, Prime Steaks , with Beautiful Harbor Views. “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==