Can-Am cars from 1963-1974 and Trans-Am cars from the pony war era of 1966-1972 will be among the headline classes at the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, to be held August 14-17 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
Returning to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion after a two-year absence are the booming 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.
The familiar Mustangs, Camaros, Javelins, Challengers and Trans-Ams also 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.”
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.
Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2014 – Race 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 or to purchase tickets, visit MazdaRaceway.com or call 800-327-7322.
[Source: Mazda Raceway; photos: Dennis Gray]
