Good news: the track is sufficiently unique, and a great addition to the list of tracks we are fortunate to have in California! Definitely isn't a copycat track.
Might be my top recommendation for a beginner in NorCal now, but with a catch: it's HARD on brakes.

The logistics are currently a disaster: apart from porta potties, you have to go to the old track for anything: food, water, fuel, and even cashless payments for wristbands. Combined with only four run groups on this day, and instructing a student (in the back on the thumbnail photo), that meant my first 5.5 hours of the day were filled with nonstop hectic juggling of things. Having the Catalyst fail on me after just one session didn't make it any easier either.

There's a Tesla Supercharger conveniently located in the paddock, but it has "Tesla vehicle charging only" signs all over it, so I suppose taking an IONIQ 5 N there is not a convenient option either. With long straights and hard braking zones, I'd think twice before bringing an EV there anyway.

Info on the car and mods:
2022 Toyota GR86 Premium
- 245/40R17 GT Radial SX2 tires, 4rd track day (the first track day on these tires I drove 2x sessions)
- 17x9 et47 Titan 7 T-S5 wheels, 10 mm spacers in the front
- Annex Suspension ClubSpec Pro coilovers, 6k front / 8k rear springs
- 19 mm Perrin front anti-roll bar, soft setting
- Cusco 16 mm rear anti-roll bar (965 311 B16)
- Brembo B-M4 front BBK
- CSG brake pads (C1 front, C11 rear)
- Carbon fiber duck tail spoiler from eBay
- MA Performance catback
- 86buttdrop seat lowering brackets

Thumbnail photo by CaliPhotoVideo.