Thunder will be reverberating among the Monterey hillsides as two fan-favorite groups—historic Trans-Am cars from the pony war era of 1966-1972 and the powerful 1963-1974 Can-Am cars—compete at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 14-17, 2014.
The familiar Mustangs, Camaros, Javelins, Challengers and Trans-Ams return to the setting where they once professionally competed in what promises to be a hard-charging race. “The Trans-Am group puts on a great show, as the cars and drivers are equally matched,” says Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “They are also an extremely fan-friendly group who encourage all ages to touch, feel and learn about the cars and their history.”
Returning to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion after a two year absence are the mighty Lolas, Shadows and McLarens that comprise the Can-Am group and its anything-goes racing philosophy of the former series. Some of the most famous drivers in history competed in Monterey between 1963 and 1974 in this free-wheeling Canadian-American series. There will be no mistaking which group is on the track when the Can-Am cars come out of Turn 11 and roar toward the green flag.
Entry requests for the limited 550 spots in the 15 race groups are arriving daily, with a January 31 deadline looming ahead. The Governing Committee meets in February to review each entry to determine the car’s authenticity, provenance and period-correctness. Cars are accepted based on how they ran in their professional day and not on modern enhancements.
The selected cars will be assembled into the following 15 groups:
Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring Cars
1927-1951 Racing Cars
1955-1962 GT Cars
1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc
1973-1981 FIA, IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU Cars
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc
1966-1972 Trans-Am
1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 2000cc
1970-1979 Sports Racing cars under 2000cc
1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT Cars
1963-1972 FIA Mfg. Championship
1981-1990 FIA Mfg. Championship, IMSA GTP/1980-1991 GTO
1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc
1963-1974 Can-Am & USRRC
1974-1980 Formula Atlantic
With Maserati as this year’s featured marque, visitors will have the chance to see significant Maseratis that propelled the Italian marque onto the racing scene. “We are working closely with the Centennial team from Maserati North America and in Italy,” adds Campbell. “True Italian car enthusiasts won’t want to miss this event because of what they will only be able to see here on track and strolling through the paddock and marketplace. There will also be some very special guests in attendance who are inherently related to Maserati’s history.”
For entry request information, visit MazdaRaceway.com and click on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion image on the homepage. Drivers may also request entry into the Monterey Pre-Reunion, held the weekend prior on August 9 and 10. The Monterey Pre-Reunion provides participants with considerable track time in a low-key and relaxed atmosphere.
Advance tickets to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are on sale. General admission tickets begin at $50 (Friday) and a three-day ticket is $130, which includes a complimentary souvenir magazine. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Hospitality packages begin at $200 per person.
For more information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion or to purchase tickets, click on the orange “Buy Tickets” tab or call 800-327-7322.