WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will close its 2026 major-event calendar with three days of Trans Am racing, vintage competition, modern GT machinery and street-car performance when Mission Foods Racing America arrives October 2–4.
The newly updated schedule combines the Trans Am Series, Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, International GT, Hagerty Cars and Caffeine and Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car. Instead of asking spectators to choose between a vintage race, modern muscle-car showdown and enthusiast car show, the organizers have sensibly placed all three inside one very loud weekend.
Friday is devoted primarily to practice and qualifying. The serious racing begins Saturday morning and continues through Sunday evening, with two 75-minute Trans Am features serving as the headline attractions.
Racing America at Laguna Seca Event Details
- Dates: Friday–Sunday, October 2–4, 2026
- Venue: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
- Location: Salinas, California
- Organizers: Racing America and Sportscar Vintage Racing Association
- Featured series: Trans Am, SVRA and International GT
- Additional programs: Hagerty Cars and Caffeine and Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car
Laguna Seca’s official event page describes the program as a confrontation between American muscle and European performance machinery. Current Trans Am competition brings Mustangs, Camaros and Challengers together with cars from Audi and Mercedes-AMG, while historic Trans Am entries connect the modern series to its original 1960s identity.
The circuit itself supplies a considerably more interesting setting than another flat temporary course. Laguna Seca measures 2.238 miles, includes 11 turns and changes elevation by approximately 180 feet. Its signature Corkscrew combines a blind approach with a rapid downhill direction change that continues to punish drivers who mistake enthusiasm for a braking reference. Cars & Caffeine Car Show
Readers can find additional Northern California automotive coverage and technical features on My Pro Street, while performance parts and vehicle-specific upgrades are available through the main Pro Street Online store.
Friday Practice and Qualifying Schedule
Friday, October 2, establishes the field through consecutive practice and qualifying sessions.
The day begins at 8:30 a.m. with small-bore production cars and sports racers. Sports cars, sedans, vintage Formula machinery, International GT, dedicated GT cars, prototypes and muscle cars rotate through the circuit before the Trans Am practice session begins at 12:05 p.m.
Following the lunch break, qualifying starts at 1:30 p.m. Trans Am qualifying is scheduled for 4:30–4:55 p.m., followed by Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car from 5:00–6:00 p.m. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Friday’s schedule includes:
- 8:30–8:55 a.m.: Small-bore production and sports-racer practice
- 9:00–9:25 a.m.: Sports-car and sedan practice
- 9:30–9:55 a.m.: Vintage Formula practice
- 10:00–10:25 a.m.: International GT practice
- 10:35–11:00 a.m.: GT-car practice
- 11:05–11:30 a.m.: Sports-racer and prototype practice
- 11:35 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Muscle-car practice
- 12:05–12:40 p.m.: Trans Am practice
- 1:30–4:25 p.m.: SVRA and International GT qualifying
- 4:30–4:55 p.m.: Trans Am qualifying
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.: Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car
For Pro Street TV, Friday may provide the best opportunity to study individual cars and capture paddock interviews before the race program becomes considerably busier.
Saturday Brings the First Trans Am Race
Saturday begins with qualifying races at 8:30 a.m. before International GT opens the main competition program with its first sprint race at 11:00 a.m.
Hagerty Cars and Caffeine takes over the lunch interval from 11:20 a.m.–12:10 p.m., including parade laps for registered show vehicles. Trans Am Race 1 follows at 12:10 p.m. and runs for 45 laps or 75 minutes. SVRA
The remaining afternoon schedule moves quickly through small-bore production cars, vintage Formula cars, sports sedans, GT cars, prototypes, muscle cars and another International GT sprint.
Saturday’s principal events include:
- 8:30–10:55 a.m.: SVRA qualifying races
- 11:00–11:20 a.m.: International GT Sprint Race 1
- 11:20 a.m.–12:10 p.m.: Hagerty Cars and Caffeine parade laps
- 12:10–1:25 p.m.: Trans Am Race 1
- 1:30–4:55 p.m.: SVRA and International GT sprint races
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.: Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car
The combination of contemporary Trans Am cars and historical race machinery should create useful comparison opportunities. Modern cars may have considerably more sophisticated electronics, suspension development and data acquisition, but the older equipment compensates with less restraint and an apparent belief that hearing protection is a personal weakness.
Sunday Includes International GT Endurance Racing
Sunday opens with another hour of Optima competition at 8:30 a.m., followed by Trans Am practice at 9:35 a.m.
International GT then runs a 65-minute endurance race from 10:05–11:10 a.m. Trans Am Race 2 begins at 12:15 p.m. and again runs for 45 laps or 75 minutes. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
The latest official schedule also places the registered car-show touring session during Sunday’s lunch interval. Car-show participants are scheduled to enter the track from approximately 1:35–2:10 p.m., followed by Make-A-Wish pace laps. SVRA
Sunday’s highlights include:
- 8:30–9:30 a.m.: Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car
- 9:35–10:00 a.m.: Trans Am practice
- 10:05–11:10 a.m.: International GT endurance race
- 11:15 a.m.–12:10 p.m.: SVRA sprint races
- 12:15–1:30 p.m.: Trans Am Race 2
- 1:35–2:10 p.m.: Registered car-show track touring
- 2:30–4:55 p.m.: Final SVRA and International GT sprint races
- 5:00–6:00 p.m.: Optima’s Search for the Ultimate Street Car
Schedules at a working race weekend can change because of incidents, weather or track cleanup. Attendees should check the official Racing America schedule before traveling.
Hagerty Cars and Caffeine Registration
The weekend isn’t restricted to purpose-built race cars.
The Hagerty Cars and Caffeine show accepts classic, vintage, collector, muscle, modern and exotic cars, as well as motorcycles. Car clubs are encouraged to enter, and each vehicle registration includes two Saturday-and-Sunday admission passes. Cars & Caffeine Car Show
Registered show vehicles can participate in Saturday’s display and parade program. Drivers can also purchase Sunday track touring for an additional $35. Motorcycles may compete for show awards but cannot participate in the touring laps.
Saturday car-show check-in runs from 8:00–10:00 a.m. Trailered entries must coordinate parking with the car-show manager in advance, and clubs hoping to park together should arrive as one group because spaces cannot be held.
Owners can review eligibility and register through the official Hagerty Cars and Caffeine entry page.
Racing America at Laguna Seca Ticket Prices
Online ticket prices currently include general parking:
- Full weekend pass: $40 online; $70 at the gate
- Friday admission: $15 online; official listing indicates $25 at the gate
- Saturday admission: $25 online; $35 at the gate
- Sunday admission: $25 online; $35 at the gate
- Two-person weekend package: $70 with parking
- Four-person weekend package: $120 with parking
- Children 12 and younger: Free with a ticketed adult
The open paddock is included with spectator admission, giving visitors an opportunity to see cars and drivers at close range without purchasing a separate paddock upgrade. Racing America
Tickets are available through the official Racing America ticket page.
Why This Weekend Fits Pro Street TV
Most static car shows provide attractive machinery but limited movement. Racing America at Laguna Seca supplies the opposite problem: deciding which form of automotive violence deserves the camera first.
The paddock should provide access to vintage Formula cars, prototypes, historic sedans, International GT entries and 850-plus-horsepower Trans Am machinery. Those categories support several distinct Pro Street TV stories:
- Modern versus historic Trans Am engineering
- Vintage race-car suspension and brake development
- International GT paddock profiles
- Owner interviews from Hagerty Cars and Caffeine
- Optima street-car competition builds
- Corkscrew action and trackside sound
- Street-car touring laps at Laguna Seca
Professional media credentials normally require advance approval, and late submissions may not be accepted. Public-ticket holders can still film from ordinary spectator areas, but restricted trackside positions, hot-pit access and commercial interview setups should never be assumed.
Follow the Pro Street TV YouTube channel for event coverage, technical walkarounds and enthusiast-built vehicle features.
Should You Attend Racing America at Laguna Seca?
This is one of the stronger Northern California automotive programs of the fall because it does not depend on a single attraction.
Trans Am supplies modern horsepower. SVRA brings historically significant competition cars. International GT adds contemporary sports-car racing, while Hagerty Cars and Caffeine gives street-driven collector cars a place inside the weekend. Optima then arrives to prove that a registered street car can still consume tires with professional efficiency.
The weekend pass is also considerably less expensive online than at the gate. Anyone planning to attend more than one day should purchase tickets before arriving and review the live schedule for final timing changes.
