Racing great Sir Stirling Moss will be the honored guest at the Picnic in the Park at the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion on Saturday, August 16. Historian Murray Smith will conduct the noontime session in the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca marketplace where fans may bring their lunch, listen to stories and ask questions. The Saturday-only picnic is a popular activity that allows fans to engage with a driving legend.
Sir Stirling Moss has a special connection with Maserati, which is celebrating its centennial and is the featured marque of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, that dates back to 1954. Driving what Moss considered his “first proper Formula 1 car,” the Maserati 250F, he competed the entire season in the 250F against Juan Manuel Fangio, who went on to win the championship that year.
“Sir Stirling has made an indelible impression on the world of motorsports and we are thrilled to welcome his return to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “On a personal note, he has long been my hero and we look forward to celebrating not only the 60th anniversary of his drive in the Maserati 250F, but also the opportunity to observe Sir Stirling’s 85th birthday that follows in September.”
With a racing career that spanned from 1948 to 1962, Sir Stirling entered 527 races and finished 375 times. But most impressive was his win percentage, a remarkable 56.53 percent (212 victories).
Sir Stirling has been a regular guest at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and last competed in 2010 in his then newly acquired 1961 Porsche RS 61 Spyder.
Advance general admission tickets to the 2014 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion are on sale beginning at $50 (Friday) and a three-day ticket at $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: Monterey Motorsports Reunion; photo: Maserati North America]
Interesting fact the actual 250F that Moss calls his first true F1 car just won the Maserati class at Amelia Island. Wouldn’t it be nice if he drove that car at Monterey?