Sears Point Raceway


Highways 37 & 121
Sonoma, CA 95476

Tel: 707 938-8448.     Fax: 707 938-8430.


Distance: 2.520 miles (12 turn). Also includes 1.949 mile short course.

How To Get There

Located north of San Francisco. From SF, take the Golden Gate Bridge north on Rte 101 and at Petaluma turn east on Rte 116. At Schellville, turn north on Rte 12 towards Sonoma. The track is at the intersection of Hwys 37 & 121.

Where To Stay

camping:-

Sugarloaf Ridge, Adobe Canyon Rd, Santa Rosa. Tel: 707 833-5712.

Petaluma KOA, 20 Rainsville Rd, petaluma 94952. Tel: 707 763-3601.

Motels:-

Best Western, 200 S.McDowell Blvd, Petaluma CA 94954. Tel: 707 763-0994.

Quality Inn, 5100 Montero Way, Petaluma 94954. Tel: 707 664-1155.

Holiday Inn, 1000 Fairgrounds, Vallejo, CA. Tel: 707 644-1200. Fax: 707 643-7011.

Sears Point - A Brief History

Entering its 26th year (1994) of racing, Sears Point Raceway in Sonoma, California, has played host to an array of exciting races and has welcomed some of the world's greatest drivers. After opening in 1968, the Point hosted its first professional race in September of 1969, when big names such as Dan Gurney, Mark Donohue, George Follmer, and Parnelli Jones visited Sears Point. Soon after, the Point served as the venue for an IndyCar USAC event, the Golden State 150, which attracted a "who's who" list of entrants, including Mario Andretti, AJ. Foyt, Al and Bobby Unser, Bill Vukovich, Gary Bettenhausen, Gordon Johncock, and Johnny Rutherford. The first drag race at Sears Point, in March, 1969, featured "Big Daddy" Don Garlits. The track closed for several years, then reopened in 1973 and took up where it left off, hosting a number of events including NHRA drag racing, SCCA Trans-Am and AMA motorcycles. In the mid-1970's, the Point welcomed the exotic IMSA GT cars and the AMA Motocross. In 1980, the name of the track was changed to Golden State Raceway, but it was changed back to Sears Point Raceway one year later. As the 80's progressed, the Point grew in stature and attendance before the motorsports world. Adding an NHRA national event in 1988 and the Winston Cup tour in 1989 solidified the Point's status as one of America's most complete motorsports facilities. (In addition to its 2.52 mile road course, Sears Point maintains a world-famous quarter-mile drag strip.)

The original circuit layout.

On Monday 6th August 2001, the traditional 12-turn 2.52 mile circuit became a 1.83 mile, 9 turn circuit as a link was constructed between turns 9 and 1 in order to allow upgrading of the track facilities. This was due to last for six months. After completion, the naming rights to the track were sold, and on the 23rd June 2002 the track became known as Infineon Raceway, after the German based Semiconductor company.

Click here for an in-car video of a lap of the track.