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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (formerly known as the Monterey Historics) relives motorsport history at the iconic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It is basically a list of priceless cars that go racing. Rather than staying on the museum floor and spending their days lifeless and still, these cars go racing, for real.

The biggest event at Monterey Classic Car Week, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the only event where these priceless cars actually go racing and don’t just sit on the lawn gathering rays of sun. Approximately 550 race cars are invited and the invite list is based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness.

There is also the Monterey Pre-Reunion event that gives people the chance to see more than 300 race cars competing prior to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The is full of cars just like they were in their glory days, including mechanics in the pits and the smell of unburned fuel and tires smoke. Ahh, the old days.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is not a professional event, and has no awards or prizes for finishing position. Each Saturday and Sunday afternoon race has a Rolex Award winner voted by committee. Two of the morning races each day honor a Bonham’s Cup winner similarly chosen.

There are special Awards for best paddock display, best Ford-powered car, outstanding craftsmanship, etc. The highest honor is the Rolex Spirit of Monterey Award, A Rolex watch and original Bill Patterson painting, presented to the entrant who best embodies the spirit of the event in his presentation and competition drive.

The supercars team has all the coverage here:

2016 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
2015 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2009 Monterey Historic Races
2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion  2008 Monterey Historic Races
2013 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2007 Monterey Historic Races
2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2006 Monterey Historic Races
2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2005 Monterey Historic Races

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Gallery:

See all Monterey Motorsports Reunion images, galleries and coverage

 

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race Groups

Various race groups from multiple eras and types of automobile racing are featured at the Monterey Reunion. The groups often contain vehicles that competed against one another during that point in history

Race Group Year Range Notes
Sports, racing, and touring cars 1900–1939 Formerly also included a race group featuring grand prix and Indianapolis 500 vehicles.
Grand touring cars 1947–1969 Formerly also featured general production sports cars not originally used in motorsport. Divided into under and over 2 or 2.5 liter race groups.
Sports racing cars 1947–1969 Prototype racecars divided in the same format as the GT cars.
United States Road Racing Championship 1963–1968 Prototype group mostly featuring vehicles also used in Can Am. In recent years this group has been combined with the Can Am group.
Trans Am Series 1966–1972 Over two liter class. Occasionally features a few under two liter vehicles.
Can Am Series 1966–1974 In recent years has been combined with other prototype groups.
FIA Manufacturers Championship 1962–1979 Endurance prototypes. Sometimes combined with other prototype groups. Often divided into two separate race groups, one for the 1960s and one for the 1970s.
Formula One 1966–1984 The three liter era.
IMSA GT Championship 1971–1991 Divided into IMSA GT/GTX/AAGT/GTU, IMSA GTO, and IMSA GTP. Also features a few GT cars from before 1971 of similar technology. Sometimes combined with 1970s prototypes. The GTOs will often be combined with the GTPs due to their greater performance.