Time Stands Still but the Race Cars Don’t at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Posted: 27.07.2016
Source: Event Website / Image: Mitorosso.com

MONTEREY, Calif., July 27, 2016 — The stacked intake pipes tell a unique story of innovation, unyielding power and a time when the only rules of racing were essentially the limits of men and women’s imaginations.

The original Can-Am era of 1966-1974 provided incredible thrills and attracted the world’s best drivers to some of North America’s greatest race tracks. These same Can-Am cars will reunite once again for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Aug. 18-21, to honor the series’ 50th anniversary.

Many of the cars competing in this year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion can trace their roots back to then-called Laguna Seca Raceway. One car, in particular, has special relevance to Monterey by returning to where it took the checkered flag to win the second annual Can-Am race.

The McLaren M6A-1 was driven to victory October 15 by its namesake, Bruce McLaren, in the 1967 Monterey Grand Prix. McLaren drove the car to an impressive victory over Jim Hall’s Chapparal 2G and George Follmer’s Lola T70, recording a fast lap average speed of 105 mph over the original nine-turn, 1.9-mile racing circuit.

After the 1967 season, the car was sold to Penske Racing and prepped for Mark Donohue, who then drove it to victory at the United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) race at Laguna Seca on his way to capturing the 1968 championship. This historic McLaren is now driven by Griot’s Garage founder Richard Griot.

Another car that harks back to a Rolex Moment in Time in Monterey is the 1971 Group 44 Triumph TR6 that competed in the D Production class of the Sports Car Club of America National Championships. Campaigned by Bob Tullius, the TR6 won in 1975 with John McComb behind the wheel and repeated the feat in 1976 with actor and racer Paul Newman who had purchased the car from Tullius. The Triumph TR6 is now campaigned by Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

The Trans-Am series lost factory participation for the 1975 season and the fields began to diminish, so the series allowed A, B and C Production cars into the mix. An engine change from carburetors to fuel injection moved the Group 44 Triumph TR6 from D Production to C Production and, therefore, eligible to compete in Trans-Am. It went head-to-head with powerhouse teams running Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, Porsches, Ford Mustangs, Jaguars, and a Datsun 260Z. McComb was more than competitive in the TR6 and even finished third overall in the season finale at what is now known as Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway. Some say it was the “little car that could.”

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a rolling museum that revs to life in 15 race groups throughout the four full days. This year marks a very special occasion: the 100th anniversary of BMW. There are more than 60 BMW race cars entered in the races and BMW North America is presenting its Living Legends Garage that tells the magnificent story of this Bavarian company.

Rolex is an avid supporter of the internationally acclaimed Monterey Classic Car Week and has been title sponsor of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion since it was renamed in 2010. Every year a driver from each group is selected for their overall excellence in the race and receives a Rolex Award of Excellence. The event’s top honor of a specially engraved 18-karat yellow gold and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is awarded to the driver who excels in the Spirit of the Weekend. Rolex’s involvement with motorsports runs deep, having been associated with the famed Goodwood Revival since 2004 and, most recently, as a Global Partner and Official Timepiece of Formula 1.

Each car that is accepted into the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is evaluated for its authenticity, race provenance, and documentation that it is period and mechanically correct from when it originally ran. Entries range from early pre-war cars, like a 1916 National AC and 1927 Bugatti T37A Grand Prix, to GTP and GTO cars that ran between 1981 and 1991.

For more information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, entry list, fan activities and how to purchase advance tickets, visit MazdaRaceway.com.

 

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2016

Posted: 07.07.2016
Source: Event Website / Image: Mitorosso.com

What:  Described as a museum springing to life, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is the largest event held during the famed Monterey Classic Car Week, and is the only event where cars are doing what they were originally intended to do…race. Approximately 550 race cars are invited to compete in the world’s premier motoring event, and are accepted based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness.

The event relives motorsport history at the iconic circuit, which has been the scene of America’s golden years of sports car racing since its inception in 1957. In addition to the entertaining on-track action, there are always engaging autograph opportunities with legendary drivers, Q&A sessions, and fine wine and cheese tastings among the myriad activities.

 

When: August 18-21, 2016

Featured Marque: BMW – Celebrating its 100th Anniversary

Race Groups:

Thursday, Friday & Saturday

Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring and 1927 – 1951 Racing
1955 – 1962 GT Cars
1955 – 1961 Sports Racing over 2000cc
1973 – 1981 FIA, IMSA, GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU
1963 – 1968 USRRC & Can-Am
1970 – 1984 Sports Racing under 2100cc
1966 – 1972 Trans-Am
1968 – 1974 Can-Am (50th anniversary celebration)

Thursday, Friday & Sunday

1947 – 1955 Sports Racing and GT
1961 – 1966 GT under 2500cc
1955 – 1961 Sports Racing under 2000cc
1963 – 1973 FIA Manufacturers Championship
1963 – 1966 GT over 2500cc
1981 – 1991 FIA Manufacturers Championship; IMSA GTO/GTP
1967 – 1984 Formula One

Schedule: Click HERE for the complete schedule.

Tickets: Tickets and VIP hospitality packages are available and may be previewed HERE.

Parking: Free parking is available. MST buses are not in service.

Directions: Please click HERE for entry directions.

Gates: Open at 7 a.m.

Ticket Info: 831-242-8200

Featured Marque History: Click HERE for historic car racing history.

 

Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2016 – Ferrari Entries

Posted: 07.07.2016
Source: Event Website / Image: Mitorosso.com

Group Ferrari Entrant S/N
 3A 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Robert Bodin 2291 GT 
 3A 250 GT LWB Berlinetta TdF  Jeff Boyd  0969 GT
 3A 250 GT/L “Lusso” Competizione ? Mark Colbert 4213 GT
 3A  250 GT Sperimentale Bruce McCaw 2643 GT 
 3A 250 GTO Tom Price 4757 GT
3A 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Dyke Ridgely  2443 GT
 3A 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Ned Spieker 2701 GT
 3A 250 GT LWB Berlinetta TdF Chuck Wegner 1321 GT
       
4A 512 BB/LM Lawrence Stroll 31589
       
 7A 512 M Lawrence Stroll 1040 
       
1B 500 Mondial Spider Pinin Farina Jeffrey Abramson 0408 MD
       
3B 312 PB Ernie Prisbe 0880
       
 6B 365 GTB/4 Daytona Berlinetta  David Hinton 12681

 

Legendary Drummer Nigel Olsson to Drive Pace Car at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Posted: 29.06.2016
Source: Event website

Legendary musician Nigel Olsson, a driving force behind the music of superstar entertainer Elton John since the 1970s, will be the driving force as a pace car driver for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion featuring BMW during its 100th anniversary.

Described as a museum springing to life, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Aug. 18-21, is the largest event held during the famed Monterey Classic Car Week, and is the only event where cars are doing what they were originally intended to do … race. Approximately 550 race cars are invited to compete in the world’s premier motoring event, and are accepted based on the car’s authenticity, race provenance and period correctness. Both SCCA Can-Am and Trans-Am race cars will be celebrated classes at the Reunion during their 50th anniversaries.

Olsson will provide hot laps for Rolex guests and other VIPs throughout the weekend. He is a longtime motor racing enthusiast and has competed and served as a pace car driver for the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), which provides the technical scrutineering and on-track coordination for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

The Wallasey, Cheshire, England, native played drums and sang backup vocals on many classic Elton John albums, including Honkey Chateau (1972), Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player (1973), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973), Caribou (1974), and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975). Chart-topping songs from those multi-platinum albums include Rocket Man, Crocodile Rock, Candle in the Wind, Saturday’s All Right for Fighting, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, and Philadelphia Freedom. Olsson played on John’s 2016 album release Wonderful Crazy Night.

Olsson has been behind the drum kit for more than 2,000 Elton John concerts, including the 2,000th show in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Nov. 9, 2014. In addition to his long tenure with John, he is a sought after session musician who has also composed, recorded, and produced his own solo albums.

Rolex is an avid supporter of the internationally acclaimed Monterey Classic Car Week and has been title sponsor of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion since it was renamed in 2010. Every year a driver from each group is selected for their overall excellence in the race and receives a Rolex Award of Excellence. The event’s top honor of a specially engraved 18-karat yellow gold and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is awarded to the driver who excels in the Spirit of the Weekend. Rolex’s involvement with motorsports runs deep, having been associated with the famed Goodwood Revival since 2004 and, most recently, as a Global Partner and Official Timepiece of Formula 1.

For more information or to view the full array of ticketing and hospitality packages, contact the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Ticket Office HERE or call 831-242-8200.

 

Record Number of Historic BMW Entries to Commemorate BMW 100th Anniversary at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion
First and Latest BMW Art Cars to be Reunited

Posted: 07.07.2016
Source: Event website

In the largest celebration this year, outside of Munich, BMW will celebrate its illustrious racing history and 100th anniversary of its founding at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Aug. 18-21 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. As featured marque, visitors will be assured that the paddock will be bustling with the cars and people that have defined The Ultimate Driving Machine® for 10 decades.

An impressive number of 64 BMW entries, from a 1937 BMW 328 to a 2001 BMW M3 GTR, have been accepted into one of 15 corresponding race groups. There were more than 900 entry requests submitted for the limited 550-car grid that transforms the paddock into a lively, rolling history museum.

Many of these cars are privately owned and preserved for their natural historical significance. Additionally, rather than a static heritage display that is typical for the featured marque, BMW of North America is developing the BMW Living Legends Garage to house a selection of representative racing BMWs that chronicle the history of the company. Many of these cars will be actively competing in the racing action so visitors will be able to see, hear and feel the living history of the brand.

The entries consist of an impressive range of models. The earliest BMW entered is a 1935 BMW 315/1 Willis Special. The 315 and elegant 328s will be competing against familiar foes such as from Lagonda, Alfa Romeo, Morgan and Bugatti on the 2.238-mile circuit. The largest group of BMWs will run in Group 4A. Here there are BMW 320is, 3.0 CSLs, M1s, and 3.5 CSLs taking action against Corvettes, Ferraris and BMW’s northern neighbor – Porsche.

BMW of North America President and CEO Ludwig Willisch will be busy throughout the festivities. But don’t mistake him as only a spectator in a suit and tie. Here you’ll find him in Nomex and racing the 12 Hours of Sebring-winning 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL that was originally driven by Brian Redman, Sam Posey, Hans-Joachim Stuck and Allan Moffat.

The Living Legends Garage will also house a very special display of two cars that exemplify one of the most unique collections in the world – the BMW Art Car Collection. Now totaling 17, with two more in development for 2017, BMW Art Cars have been created by some of the planet’s most famous artists. At the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion visitors will see the very first, Alexander Calder’s 3.0 CSL from 1975, and the most recent, Jeff Koons’ M3 GT from 2009.

BMW Motorrad will also display important motorcycles from its history, from the first – a 1923 R32 – to the latest S1000 RR, as well as one of the most beautiful bikes ever produced, the 1937 R7 prototype.

Rolex is an avid supporter of the internationally acclaimed Monterey Classic Car Week and has been title sponsor of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion since it was renamed in 2010. Every year a driver from each group is selected for their overall excellence in the race and receives a Rolex Award of Excellence. The event’s top honor of a specially engraved 18-karat yellow gold and stainless steel Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is awarded to the driver who excels in the Spirit of the Weekend. Rolex’s involvement with motorsports runs deep, having been associated with the famed Goodwood Revival since 2004 and, most recently, as a Global Partner and Official Timepiece of Formula 1.

Each car that is accepted into the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is evaluated for its authenticity, race provenance, and documentation that it is period and mechanically correct from when it originally ran. Entries range from early pre-war cars, like a 1916 National AC and 1927 Bugatti T37A Grand Prix, to the highly popular GTP and GTO cars that ran between 1981 and 1991.

For more information or to view the full array of ticketing and hospitality packages, contact the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Ticket Office HERE or by calling 831-242-8220.

 

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