Laguna Seca: Worth it or not?...

[bumblebee]

I've going to San Francisco for a couple of days later in the month, and i thought it would be fun to visit Laguna Seca. I've discovered that, although there are no track days going on until the off season, the Skip Barber school run various courses.

Anyone here ever had any experience of their set-up at all?

$1100 gets you 2x25-30 minute sessions, with some instruction/feedback in an MX-5 Cup car.

Is it just me or does that sound a bit over the top cost-wise? Over £500 for one hour of track-time doesn't seem like good value when you compare it to an open pitlane event at Silverstone or Brands with a bit of paid tuition thrown in.

Would i be mad to? Or is it really worth the expense to drive on an all-time classic circuit?

[Cork M3]

Sounds like madness to me. Save the money and get some instruction somewhere else. Maybe the nurburgring!

[petermansell]

That looks fantastically expensive. But it might be the only chance to get to go on the track and the corksrew - so it may be worth it as you only get one life.

[jimbobs]

If you just need some petrolhead thrills while in San Francisco, and you're not fussed about Laguna Seca specifically, the Jim Russell racing school run a 125cc gearbox kart course at the Infineon Raceway (Sears Point as it used to be called). I did it a couple of years ago - gearbox karts are awesome! These things are genuinely quick and the laid-back west coast instructors were a really good laugh. I can't remember the exact price but I don't think it was more than about $300 ish for a full day course.

It's a lot closer to SF than Laguna Seca too:
http://www.jimrussellusa.com/index.php?option=com_...

Cheers

Jim

[ph123]

Laguna Seca is a great race circuit and will take you a while to get anywhere near optimising it. Very physical and good speed, serious gradients. Good adventure, one I suggest you'll remember for a while. I have.

[SMcP114]

Seems awful expensive for not a whole lot of track time though, doesn't it?