Calif. — Porsche Cars North America has officially entered a landmark partnership with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, designating Porsche as the “Official Car” of the historic California racetrack. Announced on May 5, the agreement formalizes a decades-long relationship between the German automaker and the iconic circuit, long cherished by Porsche enthusiasts as a spiritual home for the brand.
This alliance marks more than a symbolic gesture. Starting with the upcoming TireRack.com Monterey SportsCar Championship IMSA weekend, held May 9–11, a Porsche model—likely a high-performance variant—will serve as the official safety car. The main event airs live on NBC at noon PDT on May 11, further amplifying Porsche’s presence during one of the season’s key races.
Beyond racing logistics, the partnership brings a major experiential development: the launch of a Porsche Driving Experience center at Laguna Seca. Slated to open in 2026, it will become only the third such location in the U.S., joining Atlanta and Los Angeles. These centers offer immersive driving education for all levels, from teenagers learning the fundamentals to seasoned drivers refining track skills under professional guidance.
The collaboration also comes as Laguna Seca embraces a period of rejuvenation under new leadership, with former racer and Porsche advocate Bruce Canepa playing a pivotal role in shaping the track’s future. Canepa, a longtime Porsche collector and restorer, praised the union of two legendary names, calling it a moment that “celebrates our collective histories and races into the future together.”
Laguna Seca’s link with Porsche runs deep. Since opening in 1957 to replace the hazardous public road races through Pebble Beach, the circuit has hosted four Rennsport Reunions, Porsche’s hallmark celebration of its motorsport legacy. The 2023 edition, Rennsport Reunion 7, welcomed over 91,000 fans across four days and featured historic and modern Porsche models alongside top company executives. That same year, Porsche reached its 600th and 601st IMSA victories at the track, and its Taycan Turbo GT set a new production EV lap record of 1:27.87.
Porsche President and CEO Timo Resch highlighted the significance of the announcement, stating, “Many of the greatest moments in motorsport history have happened at Laguna Seca. We are excited to be a part of the track’s exciting plans for the future and to allow the next generation of enthusiasts to get behind the wheel of a Porsche.”
For those who’ve experienced it firsthand, Laguna Seca offers unique thrills—none more iconic than The Corkscrew, a steep, blind left-right drop that challenges even the most seasoned drivers. Soon, this legendary section will be part of the training ground for Porsche’s new driving program, offering participants a visceral connection to both the track and the brand.
With this partnership, Porsche not only strengthens its footprint in American motorsports but also invests in the future of driving culture, education, and experience. As Laguna Seca evolves, Porsche will be at the heart of that transformation, helping steer its legacy into the next generation.
