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-   -   Laguna Seca change of mgmt (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1045657-laguna-seca-change-mgmt.html)

eastbay 11-20-2019 05:31 PM

Laguna Seca change of mgmt
 
Just got an email from Laguna Seca:
"This is a bittersweet time for the SCRAMP organization, which has been manager and operator of Laguna Seca Raceway since its construction in 1957. Our decades of stewardship of the legendary track come to an end on December 31 of this year.

The new Monterey County agreement to manage the raceway with A & D Narigi Consulting, LLC effective January 1, 2020, will ensure the continuation of motorsports at the facility on into the future. "

LOL'd when I looked up the the new company, just started on October to bid on the contract. Newspapers make it sound like a real down and dirty local politics furfight.

Anyone have personal insight into this?

eastbay 11-20-2019 06:41 PM

looks even dirtier than my own hometown
https://racer.com/2019/11/19/insight-monterey-county-sham/

john70t 11-20-2019 06:51 PM

(my layman experience from two decades back)

1). Put up freaking signs for spectator parking all the way from Monterey.
It's really not that difficult: Plant post. Attach map sign. Done. That's it.
See how easy that was? Now why didn't you think of it before morans?

2). The Corkscrew is almost the most famous spectator spot on earth. No food or drinks within access. No bench seats above to watch the action. These would not block anything downhill because there wasn't anything downhill. There were a couple trees for spectators to climb but that's about it.

3). I'm sure there are a lot more potential improvements there..

Fly Mach .86 11-20-2019 07:10 PM

Every time I go there, I see more and more new homes being built. More homes mean more noise complaints. More noise complaints mean... ?

flatbutt 11-20-2019 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t (Post 10664563)
(my layman experience from two decades back)

1). Put up freaking signs for spectator parking all the way from Monterey.
It's really not that difficult: Plant post. Attach map sign. Done. That's it.
See how easy that was? Now why didn't you think of it before morans?

2). The Corkscrew is almost the most famous spectator spot on earth. No food or drinks within access. No bench seats above to watch the action. These would not block anything downhill because there wasn't anything downhill. There were a couple trees for spectators to climb but that's about it.

3). I'm sure there are a lot more potential improvements there..

Like enough pit/facility capacity for all 3 classes of MotoGP. And the last time I was there was '06 or '07 and it was hotter than the hinges of Hades. When they decided to stop charging $6 for a bottle of water they literally plopped cases of water at random spots for us to help ourselves. What a mess.

rattlsnak 11-20-2019 07:22 PM

I wonder if the change in management had anything to do with that a$$hat who is/was suing the track because he crashed??

GH85Carrera 11-21-2019 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Mach .86 (Post 10664581)
Every time I go there, I see more and more new homes being built. More homes mean more noise complaints. More noise complaints mean... ?

What was it 85 degrees or something?

Try Roebling Road in Georgia, just outside of Savannah. The heat index the day I was there was 135. When I was running at Luguna Secca in June of 2014 I had to go stand in the sun because the pit garage was cold.

It is a shame that like so many airports, the houses are built, and the noise complaints start.

Steve Viegas 11-21-2019 06:07 AM

Lexus just had an event at that track this weekend that I participated in. I had never been there before. With Lexus at the helm, my experience could not have been nicer. The F series cars are pretty cool too.

I can see where things could be modernized, but isn't the connection to history part of the tracks allure? That seemed to be what Lexus was pushing.

Not sure that grand changes are going to be an improvement.

RonDent 11-21-2019 06:13 AM

I consider Laguna Seca to be my home track. There is a lot of BS going on and from my point of view the county has been there own worst enemy. First the county didn't really see the track for what was or could be, once they did, they wanted all the cash they could out of it without spending a dime. SCRAMP got a new man, a car guy, ran the Black hawk museum, he wanted to spend the money to make the as great as it once was. The county found out he wasn't a "Yes Man" and, well we know the rest. Monterey is a great place I love living in the area. But like anywhere you have money living next to loud cars, you're going to have trouble. Many of whom would love to see the track go away. But what they may not realize is, if the track goes away, the park goes away. That was the condition of the county taking over the land from the military. Laguna Seca must remain a race track.

I find it funny how the county would rather go with a for profit company, with no experience runny a track over a group of "Car Guy" volunteers. I guess that why they make the big bucks.

Mike Andrew 11-21-2019 07:48 AM

Noise and home issues are everywhere. I live fairly close to O'Hare and there is plane noise. People are complaining about the plane noise. Which part of buying a home anywhere within 15 miles of O'Hare did you not understand when you signed on the bottom line?
Same with tracks. You bought in the area knowing a track was nearby so quit whining or move. Not sure if Road America has these issues but I am sure there are owners of new homes that object to the beautiful sounds and race weekend traffic.
Hope LS changes pan for the best. Truly an iconic track.

Fly Mach .86 11-21-2019 07:57 AM

Laguna Seca must remain a race track.

That has been said of many venues. Race tracks, and especially airports. If enough money is spent or promised and litigation is used, nothing is safe. Riverside International Raceway is gone and in a few years you can probably kiss the Santa Monica Airport goodbye as well. Two reasons, money to be made and political reps. who are afraid all the noise complaints will prevent them from being re-elected.

bmcuscgr94 11-21-2019 08:01 AM

https://www.montereycountyweekly.com/opinion/local_spin/supes-pick-a-connected-pal-to-manage-laguna-seca-despite/article_6155866a-0c01-11ea-aa1b-cb8e0f6f7adf.html

Noah930 11-21-2019 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastbay (Post 10664554)
looks even dirtier than my own hometown
https://racer.com/2019/11/19/insight-monterey-county-sham/

Wow. Got the email today, too, but didn't know this backstory. That's terrible. Small time issue (from the general public's perspective, who gives a schit about some stupid racetrack?), but corruption at its finest. Hopefully the track doesn't get run too much into the ground before the guy retires for good (I'd like to get $229K to go live in semi-retirement) and gives up control.

eastbay 11-21-2019 08:31 AM

from this link, thanks!

"The county contract has A&D Narigi Consulting, LLC, earning a percentage of track income, as well as a $275,000 monthly management fee."

hmmm, if true, how long until bankruptcy for the track?

Deschodt 11-21-2019 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t (Post 10664563)
2). The Corkscrew is almost the most famous spectator spot on earth. No food or drinks within access. No bench seats above to watch the action. These would not block anything downhill because there wasn't anything downhill. There were a couple trees for spectators to climb but that's

You're not wrong on your points, but re: #2 last race I was at (IMSA, a month ago give or take), there was food and drinks and restrooms up there, even a shuttle to the corkscrew. That was most welcome on all accounts by my tired legs. No seating though, you just pick a dirt spot and feed yourself to the ants... They definitely could invest a little and make it way nicer. Some shade over the stands too would not kill anyone !

RonDent 11-21-2019 10:19 AM

Not to change the subject but, I've thought about this before. Where would you put additional seating? Keep in mind, you don't really want to cut down any trees between turns 8 and 9. Personally, I'd like to see seating on the hillside between turns 1 and 2.

Joe Bob 11-21-2019 01:37 PM

I'll give them ten years before the NIMBYs shut them done or they slide into the ocean....

pmax 11-21-2019 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Mach .86 (Post 10664581)
Every time I go there, I see more and more new homes being built. More homes mean more noise complaints. More noise complaints mean... ?

Not a problem with the electrics.

ICE track days are numbered though.

madcorgi 11-21-2019 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fly Mach .86 (Post 10665013)
Laguna Seca must remain a race track.

That has been said of many venues. Race tracks, and especially airports. If enough money is spent or promised and litigation is used, nothing is safe. Riverside International Raceway is gone and in a few years you can probably kiss the Santa Monica Airport goodbye as well. Two reasons, money to be made and political reps. who are afraid all the noise complaints will prevent them from being re-elected.

We're having the same problems with Pacific Raceways. Idiots move in next to a track, then complain until it puts in ridiculously early curfews, etc.

Por_sha911 11-22-2019 05:11 AM

Possible agenda: a few years of bad management decisions, losing money, sell property to someone like Penske or, get their inside connections to approve rezoning the property to condos and a shopping mall.

RonDent 11-22-2019 06:27 AM

I saw a report on the news last night that the Super Bike for gone now too. I'm sorry for the bike fans, but that leaves an opening for another Pro Car race weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQMOpXKJcIo

GH85Carrera 11-22-2019 06:39 AM

All of that just makes me feel sad that such an "bucket list" track is in danger of fading away.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1574437079.jpg

I got to run the track once, I would love to go back.

ted 11-22-2019 07:50 PM

Ron Dent first glad you are ok, saw your 996 was hit hard.
I wonder if all the Scramp volunteers will return, seems unlikely.
Hope it gets sorted in time for the SVRA Trans Am race this spring at Laguna.
https://svra.com/events/2020-trans-am-speedfest/
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1574484359.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1574484359.JPG

smadsen 11-22-2019 09:31 PM

They spent some un-Godly amount of money "modernizing" the track to IndyCar standards some 20 years ago. That was a lot of debt to service for one race a year. Same issues at Cal Speedway. You don't need a $400MM facility for a club race. You need asphalt, a fence, and bathrooms. Cal Club built Buttonwillow initially for $2.5MM. I believe Thunderhill was a similar deal. Willow Springs and old Riverside were built for next to nothing on virtually free dirt. You need only review the history of Ontario Motor Speedway to examine the financial short-comings of the sport.

The business model that works is the facility built around participation and events every weekend and modest, if not zero debt. Indianapolis is the only exception and we shall see about that if Roger chooses to lever up the balance sheet prior to the next sale.

RonDent 11-25-2019 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ted (Post 10667112)
Ron Dent first glad you are ok, saw your 996 was hit hard.

Thanks. Did you get the Camaro back together? I see you broke a crank at long Beach.<br>
https://svra.com/events/2020-trans-am-speedfest/<br>
What a coincidence! I'll be working Start for that event!

Cajundaddy 11-25-2019 06:47 AM

On the face this management change looks like the worst possible outcome for Laguna Seca track enthusiasts. I expect this will embroil Monterey County in even more lawsuits.

Noah930 11-25-2019 01:33 PM

Well, I guess all the non-Californians who wanted the next Rennsport to be held nearer to their home tracks will be happy about this.

RonDent 11-25-2019 01:43 PM

Well, we'll just have to see what comes of all this madness.

ted 11-25-2019 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonDent (Post 10669299)
Thanks. Did you get the Camaro back together? I see you broke a crank at long Beach.<br>
https://svra.com/events/2020-trans-am-speedfest/<br>
What a coincidence! I'll be working Start for that event!

Cool if you could just raise your elbow again before the green flag. ;)
About ready to get into the 10.
Been sourcing a replacement 358.

Spent the summer finishing the 5, it will be at Laguna this spring.
Look forward to seeing you there. :):)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1574727209.JPGhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1574727276.JPG

RonDent 12-30-2019 10:51 AM

There has been an update to the mess at Laguna Seca.
New FPPC complaint filed over Laguna Seca deal – Voices of Monterey Bay

Tobra 12-30-2019 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rattlsnak (Post 10664594)
I wonder if the change in management had anything to do with that a$$hat who is/was suing the track because he crashed??

Considering that the a$$hat who is/was suing the track because he crashed is the same guy that was awarded the contract, despite being utterly unqualified, I am saying yes, the two things are directly related.

There will be a lot of lawyers making a sheet ton of dough out of this deal.

ckissick 12-30-2019 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra (Post 10703326)
Considering that the a$$hat who is/was suing the track because he crashed is the same guy that was awarded the contract, despite being utterly unqualified, I am saying yes, the two things are directly related.

There will be a lot of lawyers making a sheet ton of dough out of this deal.

I'm only aware of a lawsuit by a motorcyclist named Danial Kim who's suing because he crashed. Is Narigi suing due to a crash also?

Eric at Pelican Parts 12-30-2019 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckissick (Post 10703363)
I'm only aware of a lawsuit by a motorcyclist named Danial Kim who's suing because he crashed. Is Narigi suing due to a crash also?

Narigi sued and lost the lawsuit in 2007 when his son was involved in a fatal accident at South Boundary Rd. leaving Laguna Seca. I just saw this article on google from the Monterey Herald, it looks like there's a history of Narigi and "favors".

Quote:

Narigi”s burglary, grand theft charges reduced

Nearly two years after his brother was killed in a roll-over accident outside Laguna Seca raceway, Dominick Narigi once again sought the mercy of the court.
And once again, he got it.
Over the strenuous objections of the prosecutor, Judge Russell Scott reduced felony burglary and grand theft charges against Narigi to misdemeanors. Narigi pleaded guilty, and Scott put off sentencing until August to allow him to complete treatment for what his attorney said is an addiction to OxyContin, a powerful painkiller.
It is the second time the 20-year-old has avoided serious felony charges since July 2007, when his brother, Anthony Narigi, was killed as Dominick Narigi drove away from the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix motorcycle races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Though suspected of drunken driving, he was allowed to plead to a misdemeanor in that case. Six months later, he was arrested in the burglary of his neighbors” home.
New details
Arguing that Narigi had already used his sympathy “pass” in the first case, prosecutor Steve Somers revealed previously unreleased details of the accident Friday.
A witness reported that he met up with Dominick Narigi after the California Rodeo in Salinas on July 21, 2007. Narigi had been drinking and the two partied until 6 or 8 a.m. the next day, when they went to breakfast, Somers said.
Narigi and his brother left to attend the races, where their father had VIP tickets. Two people in their group, including Anthony Narigi, were over 21 and able to purchase alcohol. Somers said witnesses reported Dominick Narigi, then 18, drank four to five cocktails of Red Bull and vodka during the day.
That afternoon, the Narigis and two others climbed into Dominick”s “giant, raised monster truck,” and left the event, Somers said. Witnesses told the California Highway Patrol the younger brother immediately began driving recklessly. All three occupants of the car asked him to pull over and let someone else drive.
Narigi refused, Somers said, and moments later lost control and rolled the GMC Yukon Denali several times. He and his brother were ejected from the vehicle. They were flown by helicopter to San Francisco Bay Area hospitals. Anthony Narigi died three days later.
As they struggled to save Dominick Narigi”s life, Somers said, emergency workers at the hospital failed to conduct a blood-alcohol test.
The prosecutor said he had impaneled a criminal grand jury and planned to pursue a felony charge of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated based on witness statements.
At that point, he said, Narigi and his attorney, Paul Meltzer of Santa Cruz, came forward and offered to plead to a misdemeanor charge. Out of sympathy for his loss, Somers said, the District Attorney”s Office agreed to the deal, and Narigi was sentenced to probation and community service in May 2008.
Addiction revealed
Six months later, Narigi was arrested for burglarizing his neighbors” home and stealing two saws worth $1,400. He told police the break-in was a spur of the moment crime and he hoped to get caught. Meltzer attributed the incident to his client”s grief and asked that he be allowed to seek treatment.
In court Friday, Meltzer revealed that the treatment is for addiction to OxyContin, a highly addictive painkiller sold on the street as “Oxycotton.” Meltzer said Narigi was prescribed strong pain relievers after his accident, but he did not know if his addiction grew out of a legal prescription.
In the meantime, he said, Narigi sought treatment in three programs and is in a Marin County residential treatment facility. The program describes itself as a drug-relapse treatment center.
Meltzer said anyone who worked as hard as Narigi to overcome grief and addiction would ask for and receive misdemeanor treatment in similar circumstances. He said the victims of the burglary wanted the reduction in charges.
Not a cry for help
Somers argued the victims only agreed to lesser charges because, after years of building their dream home, they didn”t want to live across from the Narigis after sending their son to prison.
He said the break-in was not the cry for help that Narigi claims it was, but one of a series of sophisticated, planned burglaries to get money for drugs.
Somers said the neighbors had removed a key hidden in their yard and installed security cameras because of “constant thefts” from their home, which was under construction.
At 4:25 a.m. Nov. 10, 2008, the cameras caught another break-in. Video shows a man in a ski mask entering the yard and walking to the spot where the key was hidden. The man returns to the house, kicks in a door and emerges with the two saws.
Somers said Narigi had disposed of the saws when he was stopped later, but admitted the break-in when told police had it on tape.
Crash circumstances
Meltzer said Somers” characterization of the fatal accident was incorrect. He said the vehicle was lifted when Narigi bought it and that a leather strap used in the modification snapped that day, causing the vehicle to roll.
He told Scott that the “black box” from the Denali proved his client was not speeding at the time of the accident and the person who performed CPR on him did not smell or taste alcohol.
The Narigi family has filed a civil lawsuit against the county alleging the accident was caused by design flaws on South Boundary Road. The suit, which names unidentified “Does” who modified the vehicle before it was purchased, is pending in Monterey County Superior Court.
In agreeing to the misdemeanor charges, Scott said he was taking into consideration Narigi”s condition and the wishes of the burglary victims. He set sentencing for Aug. 28 to allow Narigi time to complete his residential treatment program. Narigi will be placed on probation and could face up to one year in county jail.


jyl 12-30-2019 04:46 PM

The Monterey Historics organization should have something to say about this. That event brings a crap ton of money to the area.

stealthn 12-30-2019 06:45 PM

Man!, you really can’t make something like this up.


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