There are a lot of race tracks out there, but some are definitely better than others and have become synonymous with car racing—you'll be hard-pressed to find a fan who doesn't dream about attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Even better is when these impressive courses come with some pretty awesome VIP perks, so we chose our six favorites for discerning auto racing buffs.
Circuit des 24 Heures
Le Mans, France
The Circuit des 24 Heures is most known for being the venue for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It uses parts of public roads, which close for races but remain open the rest of the year, and is over eight miles long. If you plan on attending the 24 Hours of Le Mans, you will definitely want to pay for the Race Weekend Hospitality tickets. It includes access to the VIP trackside pavilion, the best views of the circuit, a guided tour of the Michelin tire workshop, a helicopter flight over the course, food, an open bar, and a commemorative gift. It costs £990 a person (which is around USD $1,574) to enjoy Race Weekend in style.
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, California, USA
Found near Monterey and Salinas, this paved track is used for cars and motorcycles, spanning 2.2 miles. Tons of major events have been held here, including the U.S. Sports Car Invitational, the A1 Grand Prix, and the U.S. AMA Superbike Series. It's also worth noting that in 1989, Laguna Seca almost became the new location for the U.S. Grand Prix but was passed up due to it being too remote of a location. Though there are several different VIP options, including big corporate event packages, the race track offers individual options that start at $300. The Flagroom VIP suite sits you by Turn 5 and includes three-day admission, a paddock pass, hospitality tent, a grandstand seat in Turn 4, and of course, food and beverages.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis, Indiana
Home to the Indianapolis 500 and the Brickyard 400, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is definitely synonymous with NASCAR. It may essentially be a lot of left turns, but this track is known for its high-stake races and dramatic wins. If you're going to a race, you better be enjoying it from VIP Village, which is right above the MotoGP garages and is the highest level of hospitality available. With all of the food and wine you could want, you'll have access to restricted areas and be able to mingle with the teams.
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Francorchamps, Belgium
There's nothing quite like holding a seminar or meeting at Francorchamps, one of the most iconic and tough race tracks in the world—it just so happens to be where the Formula One Belgian Grand Prix is held and has been the venue of the Spa 24 Hours and then 1000 km Spa endurance races. Whether your group is 10 or even 600, this place knows what they're doing. Some of the amenities available include track introductions by a renowned driver, the chance to drive the circuit yourself, and the opportunity to enjoy some go-karting.
Nürburgring
Nürburg, Germany
Nürburgring is over 17 miles long and has some 170 corners, making it one of the toughest tracks out there—it was even nicknamed "The Green Hell." Let's just say, if you win a race at Nürburgring, you're going to do pretty well for yourself. And if you are planning on catching a race, you'll want to spring for the VIP lounges (of which there are many). The Super VIP lounges are right above the pit lane and give you a great view of the paddock, while the Panorama Lounge is found at the end of the Start/Finish line. There's a Business Lounge for wheeling and dealing, a Club Lounge for possible workshops, and a Sky Lounge on the roof for possibly the best views of the whole place. Prices vary depending on what type of experience you want, but seem surprisingly cheap for the track, with most lounges hovering at around $3,727 for an event day.
Suzuka Circuit
Ino, Japan
Originally designed to be a Honda test track in 1962, Suzuka Circuit has become pretty popular as one of the only circuits to have a "figure 8" layout. A favorite among Formula One drivers and fans, this track is one of the last Grands Prix of the season, meaning that many championships have been won here. The Formula One Paddock Club offers a VIP lounge and the ability to check out how the pits work from above. There are also VIP Suits and Premium areas, including a reserved roofed area in the grandstand.
