A motorsports management veteran will guide revitalization and growth at Monterey's historic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

MEL HARDER
TITLE: President and General Manager
HOMETOWN: Monterey, California
FAST FACT: "Riding motorcycles has always been my favorite pastime, and I enjoy spending time with my wife and our dogs at a local park. The California car culture is amazing, and I am in the perfect place to enjoy it all."

Mel Harder, the new president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, will be a familiar face to many, thanks to his three decades in motorsports. Most recently, Harder served as team manager at Chip Ganassi Racing, and before that he was general manager of Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.

His longest stint, though, was more than 22 years where he started his career, Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), where he had risen to senior vice president of operations. An ardent motorcycle enthusiast, Harder was instrumental in bringing MotoGP, the world's top motorcycle racing series, to IMS.

Harder grew up near IMS, and as a teen he was known to cut classes to visit the track. His infatuation paid off.

"While in high school and college, I developed a relationship working for Tony George, then president of IMS," Harder told PRI. "Upon my graduation from Indiana University, Tony offered a position that provided amazing opportunities for me, as the business was going through a major transformation."

In his new role at Laguna Seca, Harder will work with Friends of Laguna Seca, the group that manages the facility, to expand the experiences and services for spectators, racers, and partners.

Harder and the Laguna Seca team will be busy this month with the Monterey Pre-Reunion and Corkscrew Hillclimb followed by the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

PRI: You have experience managing iconic tracks and a major race team. Does anything about managing Laguna Seca stand out as a particular challenge?

Harder: Friends of Laguna Seca is implementing its vision to transform this historic property into a world-class entertainment facility. We are in a unique position to revitalize, restore, and reimagine this iconic facility. The challenge is to continually evolve and not just appreciate the raceway for what it is, but what it can be. The result will provide a foundation to stabilize the business model for the future while providing a vital economic engine for the community and our partners.

PRI: Are there any key differences between working with a private entity and a non-profit, as it might relate to racing?

Harder: The facility is unique in that the race track and campgrounds are owned by Monterey County. Friends of Laguna Seca is a not-for-profit group of successful local business owners with a passion for the facility who obtained a long-term management contract to operate it. The current management structure provides a great opportunity to be nimbler and respond more quickly to the facility's needs than a public entity could.

PRI: Can you share any immediate plans for the facility?

Harder: We have an extensive capital improvements project list in place for the 2025 season. The most fan-facing project is reworking the...

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