Photography by Feels Fast Photography, Joe Ottati and Vijay Sankar Anil; press release info from Laguna Seca Raceway and Rolex
Away from the coast, in the hills of Monterey Peninsula, emotions and senses were stirred as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrated motor sport’s rich history from Wednesday, August 13, to Saturday, August 16. From pre-1920 automobiles to contemporary endurance racing machines, these storied vehicles faced the demands of the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Bringing together rarely seen and heroic models from around the world, the event is a chance for the cars to defy time and compete as they were originally intended.
Iconic motorsport machinery was put through its paces during this week’s reunion. The 51st annual event featured more than 400 period-correct and historically significant racing machines competing in 14 race groups, as well as celebration of the 75th anniversary of Formula 1, a new IROC class and the North American debut of the Porsche 963 RSP. Guests spotted a variety of famous drivers, including Jeff Gordon, Dario Franchitti, Jenson Button, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch and many more in the open paddock.
F1 champion Jenson Button took on the role as Grand Marshal of this year’s meet and raced behind the wheel of a 1996 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT. Reflecting on the occasion, he said:
“It has been such an honor to serve as Grand Marshal at this year’s Rolex Reunion. The event brings together incredible cars from racing’s very beginnings through to a modern era and, every year, there’s something new to discover. To celebrate the heritage of the sport I care so deeply about is a real privilege.”
The Rolex Reunion also hosted an official celebration of Formula 1’s 75th anniversary with more than 55 F1 cars on-track and on display. More than 30 rarely seen historic Formula 1 cars took center stage in a special marque display in the paddock, including models ranging from the 1956 Maserati 250F, 1966 Eagle Mk1 and 1986 Benetton B186 to more modern machinery like the 2024 Formula 1 World Constructors’ Championship-winning McLaren MCL38, driven by Lando Norris. Twenty-five authentic F1 cars from the 1966-1985 non-turbo era also raced daily in the Mario Andretti Trophy race.
The event featured 14 race groups, including the Ragtime Racers exhibition, Juan Manuel Fangio Cup (1922-1955 Grand Prix), Pedro Rodriguez Trophy (1961–1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship), Parnelli Jones Trans Am Trophy (1966–1972 Trans Am), Hurley Haywood Trophy (1981–1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, FIA Group C, Trans Am) and Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup (1991–2011 IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, FIA). Each group took part in practice and qualifying on Wednesday and Thursday, with races on Friday and Saturday.
- A raucous field of 24 IROC race cars joined the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for the first time. This group was stacked with racing legends, including NASCAR stars Jeff Gordon, Kurt Busch, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Ray Evernham, Ken Schrader, Bobby Labonte, Dario Franchitti, Jenson Button, Danny Sullivan, Scott Pruett, Zak Brown and many more. This marked the first time all seven generations of IROC cars were displayed together in one place.
- Porsche 963 RSP Made its North America Debut: After its unveil at the 24 Hours of Le Mans earlier this summer, the Porsche 963 RSP made its first public appearance and North American debut at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Porsche factory driver Patrick Long and Porsche 959 savant Bruce Canepa piloted the car. The 963 RSP was on display Thursday and Saturday; and participated in exhibition laps on Thursday.
- McLaren Formula 1 History on Display: Three significant McLaren Formula 1 racecars, including the 1974 McLaren M23/05 driven by Emerson Fittipaldi, 1984 McLaren MP4/2 driven by Niki Lauda and 2024 McLaren MCL38/02 driven to the 2024 Constructors Championship by Lando Norris joined the weekend. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown also piloted Niki Lauda’s 1984 McLaren MP4/2 in exhibition laps on Friday and Saturday.