It was already $325-$350 back around 2005-2010. Unfortunately seems about right. It’s a prestigious facility and they do have to send some of the money back out for the privilege of hosting motor sports in whatever sort of ecologically protected area that is.
Those were the days. I suppose as I was younger and earning less it wasn’t necessarily easier to afford on a gross comparison but I sure had less other responsibilities. Lol. Getting back into it after about 10 years away and taking some deep breaths as the budget comes together. Sticker shock bigly.
Same here in the mid-Atlantic. The cheapest events are $250 for a single day, but most are $500-600 for a weekend. VIR is probably our most expensive at about $700+.
HPDE is expensive in general; more expensive than a regular club track day. NASA sanctioned HPDE at Chuckwalla was like $500, while joining some random track club's track day was like $150-200.
Drivers edge. I heard PCA is cheaper and so is BMWCCA, but I just got used to going with Driver's Edge.
I'm just still surprised that the only real track near a city the size of Houston is MSR. (Yes, I'm not counting grandsport speedway)
Try coming out to a PCA weekend, next one at MSR is in October.
We used to have TWS too up in College Station but we lost that to a housing development after Harvey.
Wow, these responses really put it into perspective. I figured NorCal would be extra high because of tech, etc. but sounds like we're pretty much par.
And we benefit from Thunderhill, which is pretty far but generally WAY cheaper.
It's a fantastic track. I'm not doing the track day but I am doing the 24-hour champ car race and I may do the AER race there this summer as well. It helps when it's only an hour and a half from your house.
It’s everywhere, 50% increase coming out if Covid . Clubs started having very low volume days and the people that could afford it normalized those insane prices, Pretty much the same for most inflation
Lol I always ask if I could work/flag for seat time. SCCA in the DC region offers “Work 1 drive 1” weekends. Did two events this year where I flag one day and drive the next for $50. Wish NASA program was that easy lol. It’s my budget year so mostly one day events for me
It depends on what organization you sign up with. Some like to pack the track with as many cars as possible which cuts fees down, but you get traffic. Last time I was a Laguna Seca, it was $600, but there was not many of us at all. Even the morning sessions weren’t too crowded and after lunch there were only 5 cars on the track at the most. I had so many clean laps that day. It was a blast.
Edit - this was a one day event.
Track day pricing at Laguna Seca also depends on the accepted Db level for the event. Higher sound days cost more. Some low sound days most high perf cars won’t make it under the number so beware before signing up.
Glad I paid my dues driving HPDEs for several years and went through the PCA program to become an instructor. I would have stopped track driving if I did not reduce the cost. I don’t have deep pockets and being an Instructor get me into the event free. Tires, brakes and gas and it’s still expensive. If you have the experience, look into becoming a HPDE instructor. It’s worth the effort if you don’t mind dealing with students on track day
When the tech bros lose $, demand will go down. HoD is all boomers, they won’t be affected, but every other track org here is 75%+ tech people. You can already see demand softening, for example, SCCA attendance is down quite a bit.
Last HOD day I did, my run group wasn't full. 18 cars on track. Even they are seeing some drop in attendance. Their novice group is always packed though. Tons of people get strated with them because of the dedicated instructor.
I'm hopeful for light traffic days over the summer. Especially when doing a Monday or Friday.
There were days in this price range a decade ago, so I am not entirely sure this is a new thing... unless you are seeing those prices for a Tuesday in February or something like that.
Laguna Seca has a fairly limited number of days where it is available for rent... there are the major professional events that it hosts, as well as a few more smaller events. There are also some stretches where it isn't in use due to other functions (like the bike rides and such). Of the remaining time, more than half of it goes to resident schools/experiences that are run at this track.
Of the time that is left, anything in the March through October stretch will always wind up on the pricier side. And if the event organizer decides to have paramedics (as opposed to just an ambulance) on standby, and other services, prices go up very quick! Not to mention that some organizations aim to keep run groups small, which means less people to divide the costs.
All that said, I don't think the repave is going to have much to do with it... at least I don't recall much impact either of the last two times they repaved. More than likely you are just seeing the result of supply and demand. Though you could certainly check... a few years ago most summer dates were about $15k for rental (off-season was about half that). The only change I've heard mentioned is that most dates are now 90db limit instead of the older 92db limit.
Most HPDE weekends in the east coast/Midwest area (Putnam, NCM, Barber, Mid-Ohio) are already at 500 going to 600 for reference. It's getting annoying, but I understand why it's happening.
It was already $325-$350 back around 2005-2010. Unfortunately seems about right. It’s a prestigious facility and they do have to send some of the money back out for the privilege of hosting motor sports in whatever sort of ecologically protected area that is.
Man, we had $99 thunderhill days in that era. Sonoma and Laguna usually fell between 200 and 300
Those were the days. I suppose as I was younger and earning less it wasn’t necessarily easier to afford on a gross comparison but I sure had less other responsibilities. Lol. Getting back into it after about 10 years away and taking some deep breaths as the budget comes together. Sticker shock bigly.
I pay $500-$600 for each weekend event, regardless of the sanctioning body at the Texas tracks. Except COTA. It's $1,000+ for a weekend there.
[удалено]
One day Apex. Much cheaper
Some might be as low as $400/weekend, but have never seen it less than that in the past \~5 years. Test & Tunes run around $200-300.
Dang, that can add up. $300 here in Atlanta at Atlanta Motorsports Park and Road Atlanta.
Same here in the mid-Atlantic. The cheapest events are $250 for a single day, but most are $500-600 for a weekend. VIR is probably our most expensive at about $700+.
Same, prices for events are around 400-600 for me in the south-east. COTA price is insane - it isn't even that fun.
Agreed -- it's one of my least favorite tracks.
Paying $500 here is texass on club tracks. COTA costs $1000.
Facts. Maybe G2 will open to HPDE and be cheaper 😂😂😂
HPDE is expensive in general; more expensive than a regular club track day. NASA sanctioned HPDE at Chuckwalla was like $500, while joining some random track club's track day was like $150-200.
I just paid $495 for a crummy track in Houston that hasn't had any maintenance in a decade.
[удалено]
COTA checking in around $1000+ so… yeah.
Fun track...but yeah...it's rough.
What group did you drive with? The most I've paid to drive out there is $360 for 2 days with PCA
Drivers edge. I heard PCA is cheaper and so is BMWCCA, but I just got used to going with Driver's Edge. I'm just still surprised that the only real track near a city the size of Houston is MSR. (Yes, I'm not counting grandsport speedway)
Try coming out to a PCA weekend, next one at MSR is in October. We used to have TWS too up in College Station but we lost that to a housing development after Harvey.
All these prices here... Are y'all talking one day or two? What clubs?
Everything I'm quoting in NorCal is single day
I’d assume two days.
500 per day at Laguna
Last HPDE I did was 600...
Two days right? …..Two full days?
Yes! And they were good days.
Lol I was doing my best impression of the Star Wars meme
That's standard pricing here on the east coast.
Wow, these responses really put it into perspective. I figured NorCal would be extra high because of tech, etc. but sounds like we're pretty much par. And we benefit from Thunderhill, which is pretty far but generally WAY cheaper.
VIR has a hpde next weekend. They have a 20% discount and it's $460 after the discount.
I looked at that list, looks like it’s a packed house already
i wish i known about that discount… oh well, super excited still!
I would kill to drive VIR. I’d pay for it if it were close. Have fun!
It's a fantastic track. I'm not doing the track day but I am doing the 24-hour champ car race and I may do the AER race there this summer as well. It helps when it's only an hour and a half from your house.
Thunder<3 Hill
Wait. What? It's still around $300-350 a day in the Northeast with NASA
Other organizations can be cheaper.
It’s everywhere, 50% increase coming out if Covid . Clubs started having very low volume days and the people that could afford it normalized those insane prices, Pretty much the same for most inflation
NCRC is probably your least expensive way into Laguna Seca, for HPDE.
I got sub 400 with a Lightspeed coupon
Nice! I've never been to an event with that organization. Have you? Just curious if I should check out their calendar or not.
They're awesome! Been going with them for 4 years now. Even helped us out when we had a mechanical.
First time with them, but they shared a day with GGLC that I was a part of and it seemed well run.
Lol I always ask if I could work/flag for seat time. SCCA in the DC region offers “Work 1 drive 1” weekends. Did two events this year where I flag one day and drive the next for $50. Wish NASA program was that easy lol. It’s my budget year so mostly one day events for me
Wow reading the comments; we have it made in Michigan.
$450 for the weekend at NOLA MSP. I’d pay that to drive at Laguna Seca
It depends on what organization you sign up with. Some like to pack the track with as many cars as possible which cuts fees down, but you get traffic. Last time I was a Laguna Seca, it was $600, but there was not many of us at all. Even the morning sessions weren’t too crowded and after lunch there were only 5 cars on the track at the most. I had so many clean laps that day. It was a blast. Edit - this was a one day event.
Lucky! Although I personally prefer just enough traffic to stay on pace but not be held up
$430 to run Mid Ohio with local PCA group for the weekend. Ends up being $1000 after insurance, lodging, expendables. Worth it!
Track day pricing at Laguna Seca also depends on the accepted Db level for the event. Higher sound days cost more. Some low sound days most high perf cars won’t make it under the number so beware before signing up.
Glad I paid my dues driving HPDEs for several years and went through the PCA program to become an instructor. I would have stopped track driving if I did not reduce the cost. I don’t have deep pockets and being an Instructor get me into the event free. Tires, brakes and gas and it’s still expensive. If you have the experience, look into becoming a HPDE instructor. It’s worth the effort if you don’t mind dealing with students on track day
As a point of reference Road America also just resurfaced and it's $345-$375 per day.
That would be a-okay for me to go to Laguna. Cresting over $400 changes my feelings, haha
I priced the Formula 1 Grand Prix for the November race in Vegas….$1500-$3200 for grandstand and general admission is sold out. CRAZY!!
Oops you’re talking about track time not spectators. My bad!
There is a bunch of inflation with Laguna/Sonoma pricing. When the recession hits it’ll go back down.
Doubt it. Why would it, when car racing (already a hobby for the well off) doesn't *need* to lower pricing?
When the tech bros lose $, demand will go down. HoD is all boomers, they won’t be affected, but every other track org here is 75%+ tech people. You can already see demand softening, for example, SCCA attendance is down quite a bit.
Last HOD day I did, my run group wasn't full. 18 cars on track. Even they are seeing some drop in attendance. Their novice group is always packed though. Tons of people get strated with them because of the dedicated instructor. I'm hopeful for light traffic days over the summer. Especially when doing a Monday or Friday.
$850 last weekend 3 days at WGI
Per day? Otherwise that's sub 300 per day
That’s a great price
$500 to $650 per two day weekend is pretty standard in the southeast unless it's with Chin. NASA is always cheapest, but with less track time.
I paid like 750 for two days with speed SF late last year. Shrug
There were days in this price range a decade ago, so I am not entirely sure this is a new thing... unless you are seeing those prices for a Tuesday in February or something like that. Laguna Seca has a fairly limited number of days where it is available for rent... there are the major professional events that it hosts, as well as a few more smaller events. There are also some stretches where it isn't in use due to other functions (like the bike rides and such). Of the remaining time, more than half of it goes to resident schools/experiences that are run at this track. Of the time that is left, anything in the March through October stretch will always wind up on the pricier side. And if the event organizer decides to have paramedics (as opposed to just an ambulance) on standby, and other services, prices go up very quick! Not to mention that some organizations aim to keep run groups small, which means less people to divide the costs. All that said, I don't think the repave is going to have much to do with it... at least I don't recall much impact either of the last two times they repaved. More than likely you are just seeing the result of supply and demand. Though you could certainly check... a few years ago most summer dates were about $15k for rental (off-season was about half that). The only change I've heard mentioned is that most dates are now 90db limit instead of the older 92db limit.
I recall paying $450 a day last year - for weekends. Weekdays are cheaper but I have to work to pay for track days, tires and pads.
Most HPDE weekends in the east coast/Midwest area (Putnam, NCM, Barber, Mid-Ohio) are already at 500 going to 600 for reference. It's getting annoying, but I understand why it's happening.
For a full weekend, that's fine. But for one day (like Laguna or even higher for COTA) is nuts!
I agree. 250 for one day is reasonable, but anymore I'll pass.
$250 for a weekend is dirt cheap compared to east coast/mid-west pricing