Amidst all the madness of Monterey Car Week, there’s one place where you can truly immerse yourself in motorsport history.
Every late summer, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca brings automotive legends to life as they race around the iconic circuit for four days during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
There aren’t many places where you can take in the sights and sounds of legendary racing cars like Niki Lauda’s 1976 Ferrari 312, plus Ford Mustangs from the 1960s and ’70s, GT machines, pretty much every classic Porsche and even the McMurty Spéirling doing laps around the track. But those cars and more – 400 in all – lined up to compete in this year’s event.
Every car has its own story, from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 to other international and national racing series.
The paddock is like a living museum, enhanced by drivers and teams dressed in period gear. The atmosphere feels very much like a grassroots racing event; you can watch the cars on track before their sessions and then walk into the pits for a closer look and even chat with the crews.
There’s something magical about standing at the bottom of the famous Laguna Seca Corkscrew and watching these legendary machines race at breakneck speed lap after lap.
The large crowd fills the lookout points with chairs and coolers and enjoys every moment.
The unmistakable sound of the Mazda 4 rotor race engines downshifting into the Corkscrew and accelerating again puts a smile on my face every time.
Seeing this ex-American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Saleen S7R – a car I read about in high school – running hard around this track was a dream come true. Up until then, I had only seen an S7 in road car form at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Watching these cars compete against their contemporaries is an experience in itself. Despite their collector status, they are driven hard wheel-to-wheel, giving Reunion visitors a stunning show.
Nostalgia flows for those who remember these cars from their era, while younger visitors can learn and appreciate the rich history of motorsports at one of the world’s most famous racetracks. There’s truly nothing quite like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Daniel Baxter
Instagram: danielhasacamera
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