My first IMSA experience at WeatherTech Laguna Seca

Let me just start by saying this: if you’ve never been to an IMSA event, you’re seriously missing out.

The famous corkscrew

I recently headed out to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to catch the IMSA series—and damn, what an experience. I’ve been to Laguna before, but this was my first time attending an IMSA event. Between the raw sound, the mechanical violence of the cars flying by, and the sheer energy of it all, it’s something every car enthusiast needs to witness at least once.

Of course, I brought the camera. The goal was simple: try to get some action shots. I had just picked up a cheap manual lens and slapped a 2x converter on it. Probably not the ideal setup for fast-moving subjects, but I wanted the challenge. And yeah—a lot of shots came out blurry, but the few that hit? Worth it. There’s something really satisfying about capturing a sharp image mid-motion with gear that fights you the whole way.

One of the Leading Porsches’ in motion

What surprised me most was how chill it all felt. There were a lot of people in attendance, but the track is so open and spread out that it never felt packed. This time around, I took the opportunity to walk more of the course—exploring new corners, finding different angles, and getting a better feel for the layout. That shift in perspective made all the difference in how I approached shooting.

I was only able to catch the practice session, but even that was insane. The sound of the cars echoing through the hills, the smell of the brakes and tires, the speed—it all just sticks with you. Watching these machines at full tilt, knowing the engineering and effort behind them, gives you a new appreciation for motorsport.

One of my Favorite shots

Before this, I hadn’t followed IMSA all that closely. I knew about it, respected it, but now? I’m all in. This experience flipped a switch, and I’m already looking for the next race to hit.

To anyone who’s into cars, cameras, or just intense, visceral experiences—go to an IMSA event. Take it in. Bring your gear. You won’t regret it.