Memorabilia: First Laguna Seca Raceday Programme Reproduced
“Don’t try to cross the track. At least, you are exposing yourself to arrest. And you may be tempting a quick and painful and final end to your day’s spectating,” read an excerpt from the first program sold at the “Eighth Annual Pebble Beach Sports Car Road Races” November 1957. This first race nearly 60-years ago was the beginning of what is now called Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula, the not-for-profit builder and manager of the facility since that day, manages the iconic facility for Monterey County. To celebrate the six decades of racing, SCRAMP has meticulously reproduced the first program that signalled an end to racing in the Del Monte Forest and commemorated the beginning of what has become a world renowned road course. Impressively, SCRAMP constructed the 1.9-mile course in a mere 60-days.
“The program stirs memories of a bygone era in Monterey County,” says Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The first race also coincided with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that was held on Saturday, November 9th at Del Monte Lodge where one of the judging classes was a category for cars under $2,500! Now, years later, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance share weekend dates each August.”
The program is filled with fascinating stories and advertisements, drivers and cars, and entertaining safety tips, such as: “Stay Away from the hay bales. They were put there because experts felt that was where a car going wild would hit. Don’t try to prove the experts wrong the hard way.”
These limited-edition programs are available for just $10, plus shipping and handling, exclusively through the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Souvenir Store and online. Value for money, and you don’t need to be a motor sport fan to enjoy what’s on offer – so come along to see what it’s all about!”
