Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Held annually at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance are the cornerstones of the Monterey Classic Car Week that attract visitors from around the world.

Over 800 entry requests were received to compete in the 17 race groups, but only 550 of these beautifully restored historic race cars can be accepted. The five-person Governing Committee reviewed each entry to ensure authenticity, provenance and history before placing potential cars into corresponding groups.

Groups

Pre-1940 Sports & Touring cars
1927-1951 Racing cars
1974-1980 Formula Atlantic (FAtl)
1981-1989 FIA Mfg. Championship & IMSA GTP
1973-1982 IMSA, GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU/GTO
1962-1967 Shelby Cobra
1974-1990 Stock Cars with disc brakes
1955-1962 GT cars
1960-1968 Sports Racing USRRC
1963-1966 GT cars over 2500 cc
1955-1961 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc
1958-1963 Formula Junior cars
1955-1961 Sports Racing cars over 2000cc
1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT cars
1961-1966 GT cars under 2500cc
1970-1979 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc
1966-1972 Trans-Am

One of the weekend’s highlights was a dedicated race group of forty five authentic Shelby 289 and 427 Cobras. Ford Motor Company designed a dynamic history display that will trace the Shelby Cobra’s roots and importance in the motoring world.

As a company with a near-unrivalled heritage of motorsport success, as well as the only Asian car company to ever win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Mazda is participated in this year’s event with three vehicles from its heritage collection, a 1990 Mazda 787 Group C, a 1991 Mazda RX-7 IMSA GTO and a 1992 Mazda RX-792P IMSA GTP.

Race History: The first race was in 1974 (then called the Monterey Historic Automobile Races® organized by General Racing) and attracted 60 cars and a handful of fans. Over the years, the event grew to become the premier historic race in the country and one of the top international events of the year that features authentic, period-correct cars. For drivers, it’s not about how fast you drive, but how well you drive fast. Utmost importance is placed on driver conduct, safety and preservation of the cars.

Throughout the years, there is one central theme. From the big names like Porsche and Ferrari to smaller companies like Miller and Allard, each year commemorates a special achievement. Last year, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion focused on the accomplishments of one person: Dan Gurney-the cars he built and the cars he drove.

~ Gabe and Nikki ~ SSM