monterey motorsports

What is as great as Monterey Car Week & Concours d’Elegance (which begins on August 10), and happens at the same time? Two things, actually: The Monterey Pre-Reunion and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. If you love vintage, collectible, or racing automobiles, look no further than your own neighborhood this August!

The Monterey Pre-Reunion takes place on August 8 and 9, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, off the Monterey-Salinas highway. Gates open at 7 a.m. Setting the scene, you’ll see 300+ race cars in competition, prior to the Motorsports Reunion. Some of the vehicles are fully restored, while some are still in their original, vintage condition. Each will race in its appropriate group. Here are just a few of the race groups you’ll see:

  • Pre-1951 Sports Racing and Touring
  • 1955-1962 GT
  • 1966-1972 Trans Am
  • 1968-1978 Formula 500
  • FIA Manufacturers Championship

And there are many more. Tickets are reasonably priced at $25 per day and can be purchased race day. Parking is free. For more information about this event, please visit their website at www.mazdaraceway.com/monterey-pre-reunion or phone ahead to (831) 242-8200. If you do visit their website, there’s a Buy Tickets button handily available.

During Monterey Car Week, from August 13-16, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion takes place. This iconic event, also at Laguna Seca, draws a huge crowd every year. The organizers of this event have described it as “a museum springing to life”; no wonder. It’s the largest event held during Car Week. It is also the only event where you can see an amazing collection of thundering, powerful, classic cars actually racing. Over 500 are invited, and those accepted must meet authenticity, provenance, and period correctness. The circuit is as iconic as the cars on it. Some of the race groups you’ll see include:

  • Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring
  • 1973-1981 FIA Manufacturing Championship and IMSA GTO/GTP
  • 1965-1970 Shelby Mustang

The Marque car will be the Shelby GT350 Mustang, on its 50th anniversary! In addition to the main attractions, the automobiles, there will be autograph sessions, Q&A sessions, wine and cheese tastings, and much more. To learn more about this event, please visit their website at www.mazdaraceway.com/rolex-monterey-motorsports-reunion. For ticket information specifically, please phone (831) 242-8200.

This list was accurate at the time of publication; please check directly with the venue to ensure dates, times, and locations remain the same.

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