The Laguna Seca Raceway Fund is a non-profit group that helps fund improvements at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca through private donations from fans and racers.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today must compete with world-class tracks in Europe and Asia built with hundreds of millions of dollars donated by the respective national governments. Without the benefit of a deep-pocketed owner, Laguna Seca has to tackle these projects the old-fashioned way - with hard work. this is where you, the motorsport enthusiast, can help. the Laguna Seca Raceway Fund has been established as a non-profit 501.3(c) corporation with the purpose of raising the necessary capitol to implement these improvements. In addition to the Steps to the Corkscrew Program, you can make donations directly to the fund that are tax deductible.
Thank you for you interest in Mazda Raceway and with the Laguna Seca Raceway fund.
John DellaPenna
President, Laguna Seca Raceway Fund
A Tribute to Rodney Smith
Rodney Smith was not
only a Silicon Valley executive and passionate
vintage racer; he was also a great benefactor to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. He was instrumental in the expansion of the raceway and he
passed away last year due to an
unfortunate bicycling accident.
Born in Oldham, England,
Rodney earned an engineering degree at Southampton College of Advanced
Technology in England and
served in the British Army before coming to the U.S.
Smith had spent 20 years as chairman of San Jose-based Altera Corp.,
a maker of programmable computer chips before retiring in January 2003. He worked for General Electric and
Fairchild Semiconductor before joining Altera.
Smith raced for many years in the Rolex Historic Automobile Races in his
pre-war racing cars. His vintage race cars showed his impeccable taste
including pre-war race cars, such as the ERA R2A (precursor of the BRM and the
modern British racing industry) and pace-setting Maserati 4CL (one of the last
Maserati brothers cars.)
To say he will be missed is a major
understatement.