Story By: ALICIA BUSA / WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA – SALINAS, CA – It was perhaps the spectacle of the year at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Now in its second year, the Corkscrew Hillclimb & Community Day returns on Sunday, August 20 with more cars of varying pedigrees.
Drivers are eagerly looking forward to the chance of racing the clock by rocketing reverse course toward Turn 11 and up to the finish after cresting Turn 8, which is simply known as The Corkscrew.
This year’s schedule has expanded into three groups: “Historic” for the historic race cars that competed in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion; “OEM” for newer, non-race cars from automakers; and “Exhibition/Specialty” for the open class that last year featured the likes of Matt Field’s 1,000-horsepower drifting Corvette and the loveable “Doc Hudson” Hornet based on the animated movie Cars.
The diverse array of cars that have already applied for entry range from a 1925 Bugatti T35 and 1937 Frazer Nash, to a 1976 Lotus Type 77 Formula One and 2011 Chevrolet NASCAR Cup car.
Entries are open for the limited positions and owners of race or specialty cars are invited to apply for entry. Each entrant will have three opportunities to drive up the hill, one practice and two timed sessions. Regardless of what the clock reads at the end of the drive, it provides entrants a rare opportunity to enjoy driving the legendary race circuit in a manner few others can brag about. The entry form may be found HERE.
“Truthfully, we didn’t quite know what to expect last year, except that it’s never been done here before and maybe for good reason,” commented John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “But after seeing the excited faces of the drivers after their sessions, and the fans lining pit lane and fence lines up to the Corkscrew, we all knew we wanted to do it again.”
Complementing the Hillclimb and Community Day in the paddock will be:
- Hyundai N Safety car ride drawings
- Open paddock of the world’s finest authentic race cars
- Abundant food and beverage options
- Music and more
Tickets for Sunday’s Corkscrew Hillclimb & Community Day are $35 for adults, with children 15 and under free who are accompanied by a paying adult. For added convenience, tickets maybe purchased in advance at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling the Ticket and Accommodation Specialists at 831-242-8200. General Admission tickets to the paddock will be available for purchase at the admissions entry beginning at 7a.m. on Sunday, August 20.
Preceding the Hillclimb, visitors to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 16-19 will see the world’s finest authentic and historic cars with period-correct livery in the paddock and on track. VIP experience packages, tickets, camping and information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are also available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200.