Deutschland

Hi guys,

hopefully someone can help me.
I get married at the 30. of September with my fiancee over here in germany where we live.
She loves MotoGP (like me) and trackdays with me, we've driven my Z06 around various tracks in europe (Assen NL, Nurburgring GER, Oschersleben GER, Hockenheim GER and Bilster Berg GER) and we come to our honeymoon to the USA in October.

Does anyone know if there is any chance to enter a track day at Laguna Seca with a rental car? And is there a specialist rental car service like you have at the Nurburgring, as my Z06 is not coming with me..

Looking forward to hear from someone!

TrackAire

Nor Cal Racing has a date set for October 30th at Laguna Seca. See their events listing here:
http://www.ncracing.org/events.php

I do not know of a specific company that would let you rent a street car for driving an open track. There are companies that rent Spec Miata's and Lotus Elise race cars and can bring them to the track and give you track day support. I'm guessing one day of "track day" (not racing) will run you about $2000.00 or more if you're on older scrub tires, etc.

Personally I would rent either a Mustang, Camaro or Corvette and take it to the track. They will probably be automatic transmission but most of these new cars do have push button shifting on the steering wheel. You will just have to drive a little more cautious knowing that the car needs to be returned. I'm sure there are major limitations and warnings not to do this on the rental contract because you would be liable if something happened on the track. I think the last rental car that I heard of that crashed at Laguna Seca was a Mustang.

But, if you are brave enough to get married, a crashed rental car should not scare you one bit, LOL.

If you want to get very brave and rent an exotic car, here are a couple of companies nearest Laguna Seca that do this:

https://clubsportiva.com/rentals/cars

https://exoticcars.enterprise.com/en.../san-jose.html

I have used the Enterprise exotic car rental program before to rent a Maserati while on vacation for my wife's birthday and surprisingly all that was needed was a specific notice from my insurance company that I had car insurance and would be renting the car. I'm not sure how this will work since you are not a resident of the USA.

Good luck and congrats!!

Olitho

What are your specific travel dates to the US and the Monterey, CA area?

Nowanker

Just got an email from Trackmasters Racing.
Slots at Laguna still open this Sat/Sun, 92dB.
http://trackmasters-racing.com/
Zero thoughts about where to rent the car!

Sorry, just re-read the original post. August dates aren't what you need...
Congratulations on your wedding!

TrackAire

Here is a link to a bunch of race cars that are available for rent....looks like $800.00 and up for a Miata.

http://trackmasters-racing.com/index...&content_id=74

These guys claim to be close to the track so that would save on transportation charges:
http://www.leshermotorsports.com/rentals.html

5thGear

Congrats in advance.

Contact Hooked on Driving CA division. They have contract with track car rental vendor.

https://www.hookedondriving.com/event-details/Mazda_Raceway,_Saturday_Oct_28

Deutschland

First of all,

thanks for all your answer, really appriciate that!
I'll read them later as I'm busy with my job atm.

Sadly we are in Frisco just at the 3. and 4. of october, after that we go to Lake Tahoe for a few days. So these are the days we are as close as possible to Laguna Seca.

craig-o

Unfortunately, your timing may not allow you to get onto Laguna Seca. Here's their calendar for October: http://www.mazdaraceway.com/calendar/2017-10

The AMG Driving Academy has the track booked from October 1-5 for their Basic course. If you've purchased a new Mercedes AMG model in the past 12 months, you may be able to sign up. However, the next opportunity with an open group is TrackMasters (http://www.trackmasters-racing.com/) on October 6. On October 7, 8 there's a Mazda Miata-only event (https://www.miatasatmazdaraceway.com/index.php) that you may be able to register for, but will need to have a Mazda MX-5/Miata to participate.

Good luck!

Nowanker

Forget Tahoe... spend the time on the Monterey peninsula instead!
Maybe squeeze in two days at Laguna in a rented Miata?

Olitho

I know a large group that will be at the track with Miatas for that event. I am certain one of them would rent their car.

Dirk Miller

I'll side with Nowanker. Carmel is one of the most beautiful places where the sea meets land on earth. Yet if the mountains are what you want, then Tahoe is unbelievable. (We have a place in the Carmel Highlands, but my wife presently is in North Tahoe). Just don't try driving to the lake or back to the bay area over the weekend; try to do the to and fro driving during the week. Guess the same applies to driving from San Francisco to Monterey too. But the more I think of it, there is no dB level of 92 up in the mountains.

jonnyc

you might be able to do something at sonoma raceway during those two days.this company has the track those two days so contact them to see what might be available https://simracewaydrivingschool.com/
sonoma has some great history and is one of the most technical tracks in north america.

Deutschland

Hi guys,

first of all, sorry for the super late reply, I was busy at work and with the wedding planing all day over the last 2 weeks.

It seems like I need to come back to the USA for another vacation to drive on the fantastic Laguna Seca track.
My (future) wife calls me crazy, but I'm even thinking of bringing my own Z06 with my by container. It might be a bit expensive and difficult from the import/export papers, but thats what I would save on the rental side.
And whats cooler than having pics/videos of your own car on a racetrack, a lot of people will never see in person?

Thank you all again for your help and links, I really appreciate that

Olitho

Remember the sound limits on track at Laguna Seca even with stock exhaust.

Deutschland

No way, I thought that in the USA noise isn't such a problem in 9 out of 10 states..
I know that I need some good time to pass the sound limits on some german tracks with my muffler mod..
Is it just a Laguna Seca problem or typical for California tracks?

Nowanker

Laguna is the worst in CA that I know of. Most private track days are 90dB, some race weekends (not many) are 103, and a very few unlimited sound weekends.
Monterey Historics are this weekend, unlimited sound.
Great track from an historical perspective!

Moto One

OP, it may be less expensive to by a car (same color as yours), and sell it off after. Or import it back home. Shipping, Carnet fees, insurance all ads up. I shipped my car to Europe back in 2003, got lucky and found air freight round trip was about the same as 1st Class seat. Not so now.

Mark.