Amid the craziness of Monterey Car Week, there’s one place where you can truly immerse yourself in motorsports history.
Every late summer at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, automotive legends come to life, racing around the iconic circuit for four days at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
There aren’t many places where you can take in the sights and sounds of legendary race cars like Niki Lauda’s 1976 Ferrari 312, plus ’60s and ’70s Ford Mustangs, GT machines, just about every vintage Porsche, and even the McMurty Spéirling, as they run laps around the track. But those cars and more – 400 in total – lined up to compete at this year’s event.
Every car has a storied past, from the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1 to other international and domestic racing series.
The paddock resembles a living museum, enhanced by drivers and teams dressed in period-correct attire. The vibe feels very similar to a grassroots racing event; you can watch the cars on track for their sessions, and then walk into the pits for a closer look and even strike up conversations with the crews.
There’s something magical about standing at the bottom of the famed Laguna Seca Corkscrew, watching these legendary machines thunder by lap after lap.
The plentiful crowd fills the vantage points with chairs and coolers, savoring every moment.
The unmistakable sounds of Mazda 4-rotor racing engines downshifting into the Corkscrew and accelerating out bring a smile to my face every time.
Seeing this ex-American Le Mans Series (ALMS) Saleen S7R – a car I read about in middle school – driven hard on this track was a childhood dream come true. Until then, I had only ever seen an S7 in road car form at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
Watching these cars compete against their contemporaries is an experience unto itself. Despite their collector status, they are driven wheel-to-wheel hard, giving Reunion attendees a stunning show.
Nostalgia flows for those who remember these cars in their era, while younger visitors can learn and appreciate the rich history of motor racing at one of the world’s most famous racetracks. There really is nothing quite like the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Daniel Baxter
Instagram: danielhasacamera
How to join the IATS program: We have always welcomed readers to contact us with examples of their work and believe that the best Speedhunter is always the person closest to the culture itself, right there on the street or local parking lot. If you think you have what it takes and would like to share your work with us then you should apply to become part of the IAMTHESPEEDHUNTER program. Read how to get involved here.
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Great coverage and photos. The action shots were very well framed. A few guys I know frequent this event to drive but one of them is suffering health issues and was unable to attend this year.
Can’t imagine how bat sh** that McMurty would be through turn 9 or turn 6 or the 787b. Really fun track but imo one that is boring in slower cars due to the lack of sustained high speed cornering. Competing with others changes that and on that note it’s pretty cool how these guys don’t care about wrecking priceless cars.
Vintage racing is becoming one of my favorite categories because it tends to have a crowd that uses their equipment hard. They also tend to not have dumb track day rules like HPDE events. VARA practice days are open passing and it’s just kind of assumed you know what you’re doing on track. Very loose rules. Definitely prefer these kinds of events over a lot of other racing.
That’s a 767b bucko
You’re next cup cake. Fun times. Let’s find you all.
Thanks for your excellent coverage of an amazing event.
Years ago, I did a Laguna Seca track day on a bike (Ducati 900 SS) and later, a car (a wallowing 1955 Chevy), and still get goosebumps thinking about how light the steering got at the crest of the corkscrew and how planted it got when bottoming out at the exit......
Now this is like the Goodwood Festival of Speed at the Laguna Seca
Appreciate the T.50 "under the (carbon) sheets" pic, Daniel - sooo much to learn in one shot!
These events just gotta become the most popular events for the real enthusiasts since it's like the whole time frame of motorsports in one place, everything taken in all at once, and really clears up one of Humanity's best artifacts in full glory. Imagine the sound, all the ways speed was made, and the flashes of different machines putting in WORK...
Fantastic photos! Love those 935 Porsches!!!
Just had to share my excitement about Barcelona Red!
It's such a vibe right? Vibes!