An aerial shot shows the 1,600-acre property at Sonoma Raceway. [Courtesy: Sonoma Raceway]
hot laps, not before. The ride has a way of delivering a roller- coaster-like jolt right from the start. There’s no shortage of action with Turn 11’s quintessential a la carte corporate retreat offerings broken down in four modules as follows: • Hot Laps: An adrenaline-pumping experience on the racetrack with participants riding alongside a professional driver; then unwinding for a two- hour, happy hour reception featuring cocktails, local Sonoma County wines and seasonal hors d’oeuvres. • Drifting: A sanctioned “sideshow” program that serves to take the activity off the street by allowing the participant to ride shotgun alongside professional drivers skidding through crazy eights and barrels of smoke. • Karting: A competitive form of kart racing complete with awards. • Autocross Challenge: Features a timed driving test on a cones course. Thirty people with Linen Cloud, a Bay Area tech firm, spent the day in business meetings on Friday, before taking part in the Hot Laps and Happy Hour that evening. “Amazing. I love it. It’s my first time out here,” said Linen Cloud board adviser Sunny Saroya, who joked that he’s been told he’s a
“naturally crazy driver” anyway. Hot Laps and Happy Hour costs $15,000 for up to 25 participants. Meeting space ranges from $8,000 for one room to $20,000 for a full facility buyout. As a whole, the Turn 11 hospitality center may accommodate groups of up to 1,500 people. When Ferrari rolls into town, the racecar company turns one of the rooms into a spa. Clients, many hailing from the Bay Area, may mix and match events for their corporate retreat. Sonoma Raceway’s push to attract both regional and out-of- state visitors is positioning the venue as a growing economic driver for the North Bay. The Sonoma County Economic Development Collaborative commissioned a study in 2017 that indicates spending among drivers and spectators amounts to $1.27 million in sales receipts. First and foremost, Sonoma Raceway is known as a venue for NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) on its 36-race schedule. Sonoma’s Toyota/Save Mart race brings out 47,000 fans and spectators listening to the roar and watching the 90-lap spectacle. The day before the Cup Series, Sonoma Raceway also hosts the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on June 27. “There’s nothing like NASCAR in Wine Country, and we’re fired up to welcome fans back to Sonoma in 2026,” Sonoma Raceway
24 NorthBaybiz
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