Salinas, CA…The field for this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is taking shape as 533 historic race cars have been initially accepted for the August 16-18 event. The Governing Committee has the option of accepting an additional 17 cars to complete the grid for the annual race at Mazda Raceway Laquna Seca.
Vic Edelbrock in his 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 leads the pack through the Corkscrew last year. Photo courtesy of Bob Heathcote.
“What a joyous moment it is to get the notification that my car and I have been accepted to the event,” said Pen Pendelton of Los Angeles, Calif., who will be driving a 1961 Alsbury Special. “It is really an honor to be a part of something so special.”
The iconic Chevrolet Corvette is the featured marque and the Chevrolet Motor Division will be on hand to celebrate the marque’s 60th anniversary and 50th anniversary of the Corvette Grand Sport. There are currently 58 authentic and race-proven Corvettes that have been accepted, highlighted by three Corvette Grand Sports, of which only five were ever constructed under the watchful eye of Zora Arkus-Duntov, who is widely hailed as the “father of the Corvette.”
“It has become an extremely challenging task for our Governing Committee to select a maximum of 550 cars from nearly 800 entry requests, but the committee has done a remarkable job,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The quality of the cars and the way their owners prepare and present them will assuredly delight guests.”
Visitors to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will witness historic race cars from nearly every era, dating as far back as a 1911 National 40 to a more modern-day 1992 Mazda RX-7 92P. All the famous names will be represented, including Ferrari, Maserati, Jaguar, McLaren, Aston Martin, Porsche, Bugatti, Talbot Lago, Alfa Romeo, Ford and Chevrolet.
The cars, which were selected for their historical significance, authenticity and period-correctness, are divided into 16 classes, based on type of car, displacement and era of origin. The groups this year are:
Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring Cars
1927-1951 Racing Cars
1955-1962 GT Cars
1960-1968 Sports Racing USRRC Cars
1973-1989 FIA, IMSA GT, GTX AAGT, GTU, GTP Cars
1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc
1966-1984 Formula 1
1966-1972 Trans-Am
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 2000cc
1958-1963 Formula Junior Cars
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc
1970-1979 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc
1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT Cars
1981-1989 FIA Mfg. Championship, IMSA GTP/1982-1992 GTO
1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc
1964-1973 Weissach Cup
Adding to the overall activities will be the heritage display of significant Corvettes that is presented by Chevrolet. The focal point for every visitor, these extremely rare Corvette race cars will be showcased to represent every era, up to the all-new 2014 Corvette Stingray.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance highlight the Monterey Classic Car Week of activities on the famed peninsula. Together, these two events attract international visitors to celebrate the world of motoring and motorsports, making it unlike any week of activity in the world.
Advance tickets to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are available, with General Admission tickets beginning at $50 (Friday) and a three-day ticket at $130, which includes a complimentary souvenir magazine. Hospitality packages begin at $200 per person. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
More than 500 Historic Race Cars Accepted for Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion added by John Hamilton on
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