Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2014 Preview

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2014 Preview
Vintage, historic, car racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, California
Starts: 08/14/2014
Ends: 2014-08-17
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Monterey, California
USA

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Images© and story by Michael Rockich, Contact Photographer For Information on Photos of this Event

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion convenes again August 14-17.

The place of course is the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Cars and classes
The vintage race cars competing on track will be composed of 15 race groups with cars from similar eras. In total, 550 cars will negotiate the 11 turn, 2.238 mile road course at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. A Governing Committee determines each car's authenticity and period correctness. The race cars are required to be historically accurate. They date back to as far as the early 20th century. The oldest accepted car is Brian Blain's 1911 National 40, driven in the first Indianapolis 500 race in 1911.

Race car entries come from around the globe. Porsche will be the most dominant make in terms of cars entered. Sixty four Porsches will race including models 356, 911, and the 962.

The 15 race groups:
Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring Cars
1927-1951 Racing Cars
1955-1962 GT Cars
1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc
1973-1981 FIA, IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU Cars
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc
1966-1972 Trans-Am
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 2000cc
1970-1979 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc
1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT Cars
1963-1972 FIA Mfg. Championship
1981-1990 FIA Mfg. Championship, IMSA
GTP/1980-1991 GTO
1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc
1963-1974 Can-Am & USRRC
1974-1980 Formula Atlantic

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Can-Am

The juggernauts from the Canadian-American Challenge of the mid 1960s to the mid 1970s will be returning to a place they know so well. These muscle cars on steroids have always been one of my favorites. One reason is that the Can Am cars had virtually no rules constraining their performance or engine displacement. They really haul! Another reason is the rolling thunder exhaust notes they bellow out shortly after the start of a race when they are accelerating together in a pack on a straight, jockeying to keep or better their positions. Their bone wrenching acceleration is simply awesome.


Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

An owner/driver who owned and raced vintage Can Am and Formula 1 cars put the acceleration of his Can Am car in perspective. He told me "When I accelerate my F1 after driving my Can Am car, the F1 feels like it is broken." Of course that is not to say the F1 did not turn comparable lap times to the Can Am. It's just that the F1 does ballet and the Can Am does football.


Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

In the day some very high profile drivers piloted Can Am cars including Mark Donohue, George Follmer, Denny Hulme, Jacky Ickx, Vic Elford, Bruce McLaren and John Surtees. At the track expect to see a profusion of McLarens, Shadows and Lolas. Can Am will participate on track in Group 3B, on Thursday, Friday and Sunday. Not to be missed.

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion


Maserati
Maserati will be the featured marque at the historic motorsport gathering. In 2014 Maserati will officially celebrate their 100th birthday at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. To join in the celebration there will be a Maserati heritage display in the race paddocks. The display will explore the company's past, present and future.
Maserati will also be well represented on track. The very notable Tipo 60s and 61s, otherwise known as the Birdcage, will be running. The 300S and 450S models of Mille Miglia and Nurburgring race fame will also compete. They will be joined by the first 4CL that Maserati produced in 1939.

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Tipo 61 "Birdcage" and the 250F Grand Prix car inspire this year's motorsports reunion poster art. These cars have iconic status, and they were driven by some of the highest profile racing drivers of their era.

When not watching races, fans are welcome to walk the paddocks and view race cars up close. The Marketplace is another attraction to explore, along with the Maserati heritage display. On Saturday, August 16, Sir Stirling Moss, a race car driver of past eras knighted for his contributions to motor racing, will be the honored guest at the Picnic in the Park. Do carry sun screen, and remember to wear ear protectors, or be ready to use them when engines fire up.

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