Sonoma Raceway is one of the most beautiful and famous motor racing circuits that welcomes a large number of tourists annually. When it comes to car racing, whether it is NASCAR racing or IndyCar racing, or you simply want to have fun, Sonoma Raceway is a place that can offer you all this and much more. Not only is it a race track, but it also has a beautiful view, historical significance, and a number of things to do. Here’s everything you need to know about this venue.
Where is Sonoma Raceway?
Sonoma is located at 29355 Arnold Dr., Sonoma, CA, about a half-hour drive from San Francisco. Located in the wine country of Sonoma Valley, the raceway offers an ideal venue for great motorsports events.
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How long is the Sonoma Raceway track?
The Sonoma Raceway track is a 2.52-mile (4.06-kilometer) road course with 12 turns. This layout makes it difficult for the drivers, but fans can see the race from different angles here. However, different events may use different track configurations. For the Toyota/Save Mart 350, NASCAR uses a shorter 1.99-mile configuration, which includes fewer turns and a slightly different layout to better suit the stock cars.
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How big is Sonoma Raceway?
This Raceway is the biggest racetrack in Northern California, covering an area of over 1,600 acres, and has accommodations for its variety of races, fans, and activities.
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How many people does Sonoma Raceway hold?
The capacity of the raceway consists of the grandstands and the hospitality facilities, which can hold up to 47,000 people while other parts of the area such as the hillsides, can also hold more people.
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Who owns Sonoma Raceway?
Sonoma Raceway is under the management and operation of Speedway Motorsports, Inc. (SMI), a company known for owning and operating some of the best motorsport circuits in the country.
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When was Sonoma Raceway built?
This Raceway was built in 1968 and was originally called Sears Point Raceway. Over the years, it has gone through many upgrades and has changed its name several times to become the motorsports hub it is today.
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Can you bring beer into Sonoma Raceway?
No, beer or any other alcohol is not allowed into the seating or pit area. However, alcohol is allowed in the camping areas. Although you may consume alcohol in your RV or camping area, it cannot be brought into the main event areas or sold/distributed to people outside your immediate camping group.
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Does Sonoma Raceway have lights?
No, Sonoma Raceway does not have permanent lights installed for night racing. Most events are scheduled during daylight hours.
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How many laps is the Sonoma Raceway?
The number of laps for a race at Sonoma depends on the type of event. For example, the NASCAR Cup Series race, this weekend’s Toyota/Save Mart 350, consists of 110 laps on the 1.99-mile configuration, for a total distance of 226.8 miles (364.99 km). Other events, for example, the IndyCar race at the Sonoma Raceway, are usually 85-lap races and cover 2.385 miles.
How fast do cars go at Sonoma Raceway?
Due to the nature of the track with elevation changes and sharp turns, top speeds cannot be achieved, as in the case of oval tracks. NASCAR cars are capable of achieving top speeds of between 90 and 100 mph during the race and have an overall speed of 77 mph.
IndyCars are capable of achieving maximum speeds of approximately 170 mph. Sweeping turns, changes in the track height, and a lot of turns make this track more about the car handling and acceleration than its speed. In races, the average speed of the winners varies from 90 mph to 100 mph.
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How much are tickets at Sonoma Raceway?
Ticket prices at Sonoma depend on the event and seating options. General admission tickets can start as low as $40, but premium seating and hospitality packages could cost more than $200.
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Is Sonoma Raceway a road course?
Yes, Sonoma is a road course that incorporates left and right turns along with elevation changes that make the circuit quite challenging for drivers.
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Are bicycles allowed at Sonoma Raceway?
Bicycles are prohibited during major events due to security issues However, the raceway does hold cycling events occasionally during its open-track days, where bicycles may be permitted.
Is there infield parking at Sonoma Raceway?
Yes, Sonoma provides infield parking for some events. This premium parking option gives the fans closer proximity to the games, but it is usually an additional pass that can be bought in advance.
Can you park an RV at Sonoma Raceway?
Yes, Sonoma is RV-accessible and has numerous places for RV parking with some amenities. RV camping offers a more exciting and immersive experience on race weekends.
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How much is parking at Sonoma Raceway?
Depending on the event and the type of parking one wants, parking at Sonoma is different. As for the majority of events, standard parking is free. For example, during the Toyota/Save Mart 350, general parking for the whole weekend is free. However, for those who want to park near or at a more convenient location, there are paid parking areas. A Preferred Parking Pass is $20 for a single day, and for Lot 3 Reserved Parking, which is near the main grandstands, it’s $125 for the weekend.
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