Friends of Laguna Seca is on track to reach the initial goals set by the County of Monterey.

A year-and-a-half into Friends of Laguna Seca’s concession contract with the County of Monterey to operate WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and the surrounding recreation area, President/General Manager Mel Harder is able to declare victory – of sorts.

“We’re getting to where we can maintain, not just repair and replace,” he says. “That’s a different phase than where we’ve been.”

The first phase of the contract calls for FLS to invest at least $10 million in repairs and improvements to the property over the first five-and-a-half years. If they do so, the contract is extended by 25 years, at which point another investment goal comes into play.

Harder says FLS has spent $3.2 million since officially assuming management on Aug. 1, 2024.

“We have a roadmap to spend the rest of the $10 million,” he says. “We’re on track financially.”

Given the scale of maintenance deferred over the decades, it would be easy to throw that amount into basic needs – every structure around the track is a temporary one, and potable water remains an issue. But the plan is to balance those requirements with work that elevates visitor experience, not only at the track, but also the campground and bike trails.

The nonprofit’s first win came in August, when the Monterey County Board of Supervisors agreed to extend the deadline for submission of a master plan, one of the conditions set in the contract agreement. (Originally scheduled to be presented in August 2025, FLS now expects to present the master plan to the supervisors in the fourth quarter of 2026.)

The plan will include results of a noise abatement study that is currently underway. Committing $2 million toward sound mitigation was part of a 2024 legal settlement.

According to Harder, a team has taken readings out to four kilometers from the track. The information will be used to create the sound mitigation plan.

“With data we can make great – no, make sound decisions,” Harder says with a smile.

The agreement between FLS and the County outlines expectations in detail. The nonprofit oversees day-to-day operations of the county-owned property and puts revenue and funds raised back into maintenance and improvement of the grounds.

All new structures belong to the County, and beginning in 2028, the County will also receive 10 percent of FLS’ net revenue.

The initial round of improvements completed in 2025 include paving the ticketing area on South Boundary Road and improving traffic flow, replacing 160 panels on the scoring trilon, which had been semi-functional, and renovating public restrooms.

According to Harder, the work is already bringing results. Attendance at major events was greater than in the past, Porsche has committed to an 80-day schedule for its Porsche Experience, which will bring a full-time staff and enthusiasts from across the world to Monterey County in 2026. And IndyCar announced that it is returning its season finale race to the track in 2026.

“We’ve shown there is change – positive change,” Harder says. “I think we’re in a really good spot.”