Laguna Seca is facing a lawsuit due to heightened activity and excessive noise.

It is common knowledge that racetracks are noisy environments where race-prepped cars, bikes, and other vehicles come to test, practice, and race. So, what happens if you build your house near a racetrack? Well, either you did so because you are a racing enthusiast or you accept that a somewhat noisier environment is part of the package.

However, not everyone takes such a logical approach. In Monterey County, the owner of the iconic Laguna Seca racetrack, a group of residents called the Highway 68 Coalition has filed a lawsuit against the county, the Board of Supervisors, and the Friends of Laguna Seca (FLS), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the raceway. The coalition claims that race weekends and track days disrupt the peace and quiet of their community.

Laguna Seca has been around since 1957 and has hosted some of the most iconic races in motorsports. The track has a packed schedule for the 2024 racing season, including the IMSA SportsCar Championship in April and the IndyCar Series in June.

In response to the lawsuit, the Friends of Laguna Seca stated that the coalition is trying to disrupt their efforts to improve the racing facility. They emphasized their commitment to addressing noise concerns through sound mitigation studies. Ross Merrill, the President of FLS, expressed their shared concerns about noise and traffic and their desire to revive the raceway for future success and revenue generation.

The Highway 68 Coalition, represented by lawyers Richard Rosenthal, Alexander Henson, and Greg James, argues that activity at Laguna Seca has significantly increased in the past two years. The lawsuit mentions more racetrack event days, higher permitted noise levels, intensified noise exceeding 100 dB on additional track rental days, increased traffic, inadequate water supply and quality, inadequate sewage disposal, and expansion of the camping grounds.

Despite the complaints, Monterey County does not see any merit in the lawsuit and finds it unfortunate that some people have chosen to file complaints against the iconic raceway. However, the lawsuit will not affect Laguna Seca's calendar for the 2024 racing season.