Timothy McGrane

Timothy McGrane has been around cars – and racetracks – for as long as he can remember. He grew up in England within biking distance of the famed Brands Hatch circuit.

After completing a degree in mechanical engineering from Mid-Kent University, his career path took a sharp turn when he visited California. The next year – 1982 – McGrane moved to the state and started a long career with classic cars that led to his appointment as CEO of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula that manages the county-owned track.

The 59-year-old McGrane started June 1. He is wrapping up a year that has had its sorrows. In September, Lamborghini driver Sheena Monk was badly injured in a violent racing accident. In October, Richard Reins of Moss Landing – acting as a corner marshal – died as the result of a track day accident, reportedly entering the track area to aid one driver when a second car lost control. It was the first fatality at the circuit since 2015. But the year also saw the largest crowds ever for the Porsche Rennsport Reunion, large turnouts for other events and the announcement that Indy Car and Trans Am would return to Laguna Seca.

Weekly: What for you is the attraction of cars?

McGrane: It probably happened way back. On my fifth birthday I was given an Austin J40 pedal car. It’s an iconic pedal car, made by Austin. They made tens of thousands of them, and now they are collectibles. I had this picture on my fifth birthday. I’m sitting in this pedal car all very serious. So from an early age I had the car bug.

During your first few months as CEO, you had a tragedy and a near tragedy. Racing is dangerous and as a racetrack there are protocols in place, but how do you personally cope?

All forms of motorsports are dangerous. When I was a teenager, I used to go go-karting with a neighbor. Even at that age, we had a friend who lost her life.

In today’s world, the importance of safety is instituted into the tracks. It’s all driven by safety. Because of the safety requirements, she [Sheena Monk] came away from it. The corner marshal – that is still something that for me is very sensitive. When you get that call – it’s one of those things that just (pause). You have the emotional aspect and you can’t put policies and procedures behind that. That was someone trying to keep drivers safe. Why he made the decision he did, we will never know, but we have to learn from that so situations like that never happen again.

Still, this was a big year for the track.

I think we’ve lit the fuse. Next year is going to be even bigger. We saw a significant increase in attendance at the Rolex Reunion and IMSA. During IMSA we were parking cars where we hadn’t in years. The Rennsport Reunion was phenomenal. We wanted to over-deliver so that Porsche would consider coming back a fourth time.

What do you want for the future of Laguna Seca?

It’s not what I want. The track is owned by Monterey County and it’s a hands-on relationship. It’s because of that close involvement that all events are possible.

We’re looking at giving people a reason to come to the tracks. We have signature events like the Rolex Reunion. The California 8 Hours and Trans Am, we’re looking at keeping those on the calendar and making them special experiences.

We’re looking at how we can make all of it inclusive. So for 2019, we’re looking at the Monterey Motorcycle Festival – a celebration of all things motorcycle, a two wheel version of the Reunion. In September, we have Monterey Speed Weeks – back to back weekends, the best sports car racing followed by the best open wheel racing. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but the county provided the opportunity and we have to live up to expectations.

Having both of those races on NBC is going to be great for the track and for the Monterey Peninsula. All the eyes are going to be on us. It’s our opportunity to show the world what a great place this is.

How big is it going to get?

It’s not necessarily how big can we get, but how we can do what we do in the best way possible. It’s important to put on events that are exciting for the drivers and the attendees, and that the attendees have a memorable experience.

The expectations of fans have changed. They aren’t going to sit for six hours and watch. There has to be multiple activities. We have to make sure we provide these activities – to create areas and venues for people to come together.

At Rennsport we were pleased with the cross section of attendees. It was a day of entertainment. And that’s the direction we need to go.