Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (formerly known as the Monterey Historics) relives motorsport history at the iconic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. It is basically a list of priceless cars that go racing. Rather than staying on the museum floor and spending their days lifeless and still, these cars go racing, for real.
The biggest event at Monterey Classic Car Week, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the only event where these priceless cars actually go racing and don’t just sit on the lawn gathering rays of sun. Approximately 550 race cars are invited and the invite list is based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness.
There is also the Monterey Pre-Reunion event that gives people the chance to see more than 300 race cars competing prior to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The is full of cars just like they were in their glory days, including mechanics in the pits and the smell of unburned fuel and tires smoke. Ahh, the old days.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is not a professional event, and has no awards or prizes for finishing position. Each Saturday and Sunday afternoon race has a Rolex Award winner voted by committee. Two of the morning races each day honor a Bonham’s Cup winner similarly chosen.
There are special Awards for best paddock display, best Ford-powered car, outstanding craftsmanship, etc. The highest honor is the Rolex Spirit of Monterey Award, A Rolex watch and original Bill Patterson painting, presented to the entrant who best embodies the spirit of the event in his presentation and competition drive.
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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Gallery:
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Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race Groups
Various race groups from multiple eras and types of automobile racing are featured at the Monterey Reunion. The groups often contain vehicles that competed against one another during that point in history
| Race Group | Year Range | Notes |
| Sports, racing, and touring cars | 1900–1939 | Formerly also included a race group featuring grand prix and Indianapolis 500 vehicles. |
| Grand touring cars | 1947–1969 | Formerly also featured general production sports cars not originally used in motorsport. Divided into under and over 2 or 2.5 liter race groups. |
| Sports racing cars | 1947–1969 | Prototype racecars divided in the same format as the GT cars. |
| United States Road Racing Championship | 1963–1968 | Prototype group mostly featuring vehicles also used in Can Am. In recent years this group has been combined with the Can Am group. |
| Trans Am Series | 1966–1972 | Over two liter class. Occasionally features a few under two liter vehicles. |
| Can Am Series | 1966–1974 | In recent years has been combined with other prototype groups. |
| FIA Manufacturers Championship | 1962–1979 | Endurance prototypes. Sometimes combined with other prototype groups. Often divided into two separate race groups, one for the 1960s and one for the 1970s. |
| Formula One | 1966–1984 | The three liter era. |
| IMSA GT Championship | 1971–1991 | Divided into IMSA GT/GTX/AAGT/GTU, IMSA GTO, and IMSA GTP. Also features a few GT cars from before 1971 of similar technology. Sometimes combined with 1970s prototypes. The GTOs will often be combined with the GTPs due to their greater performance. |
