The 41st vintage racecar festival at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, celebrated 100 years of Maserati and 50 years of the Sunbeam Tiger as part of Monterey Classic Car Week in mid-August. More than 500 cars took up temporary residence in the Laguna Seca paddock for the weekend, with 15 racing groups crowning winners and an equal number of awards being distributed at the close of the festivities on Sunday afternoon. Among the Reunion’s most coveted honors are the Rolex Awards for Excellence (see sidebar), given in recognition of overall excellence in each race group as determined by an independent panel of judges.
Photo: John Zimmermann
Other Award Winners included:
The Spirit of Monterey – For the driver who excels in the Spirit of the weekend – Mike Eddy – 1964 Ford Falcon Sprint
The President’s Cup – For historical significance to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Bill Warner – Group 44 1971 Triumph TR6 that last ran at Laguna 40 years ago
The Founders Trophy – For the person who richly personifies historic racing – Bob Baker – 1977 Ralt RT-1
The Brilliance Award – For Exceptional History and Unquestionable Provenance – George Wingard – 1914 French GP-winning 1914 Mercedes
The Rolex Excellence winners:
Group 1A – Richard Jeffrey 1936 Triumph Special 9
Group 2A – Jeffrey O’Neil 1957 Maserati 250F
Group 3A – Kaid Marouf 1960 Alfa Romeo SZ
Group 4A – Dale Akuszwski 1965 Sunbeam Tiger
Group 5A – Steve Walker 1973 BMW CSL
Group 6A – Jurgen Boden 1961 Maserati Tipo 63
Group 7A – Richard Goldsmith 1970 Dodge Challenger
Group 1B – Ed Nigro 1960 Lola Mk 1
Group 2B – Lyn St. James 1963 Lotus 23B
Group 3B – Chris MacAllister 1971 McLaren M8F
Group 4B – Alex MacAllister 1971 Chevron B19
Group 5B – Alex Curtis 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
Group 6B – Russell Kempnich 1984 Porsche 956C
Group 7B – Dave Stone 1970 Datsun 240Z
Group 8B – Danny Baker 1979 Ralt RT-1
