2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

Report by JJ Carlson and Cam Hutchins

One thing  is for sure after attending the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca, I can hardly wait for the 2025 RMMR to be held Aug 13 – Aug 16, 2025!!!  This year the event celebrated 50 years of Historic racing held at Laguna Seca, now Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca. I have been attending the event, off and on since 1983 and the change in cars is stunning. No longer are they cars I have only read about in old magazines, now they are cars I have watched race when they were new, and now they are FAST!

The pits are full of a huge variety of cars, and all the owners and crew are ready to tell you anything you want to know about the cars they are the caretakers of.  I have had the luck to get a photo pass for the past number of years and got to meet many of the legendary photographers

The 2024 RMMR featured a variety of classes of racing and a few demonstration classes including the Ragtime Racers which no longer race due to their age. Unlike the last number of decades, the recent running of the RMMR does not have an A and B class with the Class A cars competing on Saturday and the Class B cars running Sunday.  All cars run in 13 groups and run everyday from Wednesday to Saturday with Sunday now having a hillclimb up to the Corkscrew, but in the reverse direction!

The class name pay tribute to the many legendary figures who have contributed much to the sport we all love, but are not very descriptive in their names. To add to the confusion, there are two Hurley Haywood classes. But they were great classes:
Group 4A: Hurley Haywood 1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, FIA Group C
Group 4B: Hurley Haywood IMSA GTO and Trans AM

The Classes and the winners of the Friday and Saturday races

Group 1: Skip Barber Cup: 1967-1981 Formula Ford
Friday 1 52 Todd Willing 1978 PRS RH01 Franklin Michigan 01:36.539  
Saturday 1 21 Adam White 1978 Lola T540 Redwood City California 01:35.991

Group 2: Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy: 1947-1960 Front Engine GT, Sports Racers, American Specials Friday 1 24 Mark Hamilton Peters 1959 Rejo Mk VI San Francisco California 01:44.743
Sat 1 16 David Swig 1958 Scarab Mk I San Rafael Arizona 01:44.374
Award: Nick Price, in his 1959 Sadler Meyer Special

Group 3: John Morton Trophy Race for  1955-1967 SCCA Small Displacement Production Cars
Friday 1 63 Jim Storer / Mike Sweeney Jr 1966 Ginetta G4R Austin Texas 01:43.852 3
Saturday 1 63 Jim Storer / Mike Sweeney Jr 1966 Ginetta G4R Austin Texas 01:43.527  
Award: Francisco Guzman, driving his 1959 Porsche 550 Durlite Spyder

Group 4A: Hurley Haywood 1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, FIA Group C,:
Friday 1 99 Charles Nearburg 1991 AAR /Toyota Eagle Mk 111 GTP Dallas Texas 01:21.267
Saturday  1 77a Tom Long 1992 Mazda RX-792P Fort Mill Florida 01:22.435
Award: Duncan MacKellar, in his 1989 Porsche 962C

Group 4B: Hurley Haywood IMSA GTO and Trans AM
Friday 1 65 George Krass 1985 Ford Roush Mustang Plainfield Illinois 01:32.460
 Saturday 1 62 Jared Thomas 1991 Mazda RX-7 IMSA GTO Vernon Florida 01:28.463 Trophy: Steve Award: Award: Schuler, driving his 1986 Roush Ford IMSA Mustang

Group 5: Ragtime Racers Exhibition: Award: Rick Rawlins, in his 1920 Ford Board Track Racer

Group 6: Ken Miles Sixties GT Trophy: 1955-1967 SCCA Large Displacement Production Cars
Friday 1 96 James Farley 1964 Shelby Cobra Dearborn Michigan 01:40.587  
Saturday 1 96 James Farley 1964 Shelby Cobra Dearborn Michigan 01:41.486
Award: Chris Beighton, racing his 1964 Sunbeam Le Mans Tiger

Group 7: Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance: 1991-2011 IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, FIA, World Challenge Friday 1 99 PJ Hyett 2010 Oreca FLM09 St Charles Illinois 01:22.138
Saturday1 66 Ricky Taylor 2008 Acura ARX-01b Lake Mary California 01:19.074
Award: Max Moritz, in his 2010 Porsche 997

Group 8: Peter Gregg Trophy: 1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA  
Friday 1 0 Timothy Pappas 1980 Porsche 935 Boston Massachusetts 01:29.525  
Saturday 1 0 Timothy Pappas 1980 Porsche 935 Boston Massachusetts 01:29.694     
Award: Alex McDowell, driving his 1972 Nissan Skyline GTR

Group 9: Parnelli Jones Trans Am Trophy: 1966-1972 Trans Am  
Friday 1 19 Joshua Feiber 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Atherton California 01:44.964
Saturday 1 15 Bill Ockerlund 1970 Ford Mustang Islamorada Florida 01:44.855 
Award: Richard Goldsmith, in his 1970 Dodge Challenger

Group 10: Mario Andretti Trophy: 1966-1985 Formula One
Friday 1 14 Cal Meeker 1979 Tyrrell 009 F1 Puyallup Washington 01:20.523
Saturday 1 27 Zak Brown 1980 Williams FW07 Wakefield UK 01:24.356   
Award:  John Dimmer, driving his 1971 Tyrrell 009

Group 11: Pedro Rodriguez Trophy: 1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship
Friday 1 115 Cal Meeker 1973 Lola T294 Puyallup Washington 01:27.643
Saturday  1 115 Cal Meeker 1973 Lola T294 Puyallup Washington 01:26.100   
Award: Ethan Shippert, in Gray Gregory’s 1969 Chevron B16

Group 12: Jim Hall USRRC Cup: 1963-1968 Sports Racing Cars  
Friday 1 4 Richard Griot 1967 McLaren M6A Milton Washington 01:34.118  
Saturday  1 4 Richard Griot 1967 McLaren M6A Milton Washington 01:32.975    
Award: Amy Gould, driving the 1964 Porsche Platypus

Group 13: Dan Gurney Saloon Car Trophy: 1955-1969 Saloon Cars
Friday 1 17 Chet Taylor / William Taylor 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT Carpinteria California 01:47.422  
Saturday  1 44X Horatio Fitz-Simon 1967 Mini Cooper S San Jose California 01:47.076   
Award: David Woodhouse, in his 1965 Austin Mini Cooper S

Next years event, held Aug 13 – Aug 16, 2025
In addition to classes comprised of virtually everything from pre-1955 Grand Prix cars to yesterday’s prototype racers, 2025 will feature special celebrations for the original International Race of Champions Series–the first time since 2002 IROC race cars have appeared on the West Coast–and the 75th anniversary of Formula 1.

The 2025 run groups are as follows:

• 1922-1955 Grand Prix – Juan Manuel Fangio Cup  
• 1966-1985 Formula One – Mario Andretti Trophy
• 1991-2011 IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, FIA, World Challenge – Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup
• 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am – Parnelli Jones Trophy
• 1955-1967 SCCA Large Displacement Production – Ken Miles Trophy
• 1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, Group C – Hurley Haywood Trophy
• 1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTU, GTX, FIA – Peter Gregg Trophy 
• 1963-1968 USRRC – Jim Hall Cup
• 1960-1972 Saloon – Dan Gurney Trophy
• 1950-1960 Small Displacement Production – John Morton Trophy
• 1947-1960 Front Engine GT and Sports Racers – Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy
• 1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship – Pedro Rodriguez Trophy
• IROC – Unser Family Cup
• Ragtime Racers Exhibition
• Formula One Exhibition – Phil Hill Cup

MONTEREY, Calif., July 16, 2024—The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, one of the world’s premier motorsport lifestyle events, today revealed the cover of its commemorative souvenir program that celebrates the 50th anniversary of historic racing at the storied Monterey circuit. The program goes on sale Aug. 9 in the Official Raceway Store.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which takes place August 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, marks a significant milestone in the history of the event, which will feature more than 400 historic race cars from nearly every era. The limited-edition program captures the essence of the historic racing’s rich history and its enduring legacy.

The cover alone identifies moments in time. “We wanted to showcase the diversity of the many motorsport legends and personalities who annually enjoy the gathering,” commented Barry Toepke, director of heritage events at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Each of the 25 personalities have stories, and I hope people will enjoy identifying each person to stir up their own memories and smiles.”

Among the moments depicted are when Alma Hill surprised Sir Stirling Moss with a cake before leading a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday” in 2014, or when Dan Gurney was honored in 2010 and spent hours signing autographs on all sorts of memorabilia. There was five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, who in 1991 turned in quick laps during exhibitions, and then stayed far past the ending to his autograph session to visit fans, saying through a translator, “as long as there are people in line, I will stay here and sign.”

Inside the program, readers will find exclusive stories and photographs highlighting the event’s rich history, personal stories from those who have experienced Monterey through the years, and in-depth information about the groups and cars they will see on track.

The Rolex Reunion is an event not to be missed for automotive enthusiasts. Complementing the more than 400 historic cars that are racing is the Golden Anniversary Exhibition, presented by Motul. This once-in-a-lifetime gathering brings together cars representing each of the past celebrated marques and individual achievements.

Cars such as the 1966 Gurney Eagle IndyCar (Dan Gurney in 2010), and 1956 Maserati 250F (Maserati in 1988, 2000 and 2014) to the 1955 Mercedes-Benz W196 (Mercedes in 1978 and 1986) and 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 “Garage 56” NASCAR (Chevrolet in 1987) that competed in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, will be showcased. But it’s not a static display, most of these cars will fire up for spirited on track sessions on Friday and Saturday.

Continuing to elevate the experience will be an expanded selection of locally sourced food, wine and craft beers to enjoy, as well as interactive exhibits that appeal to broad areas of interests. For families, the kids’ zone and go-karts will provide added appeal to complete an entertaining day.

Advance ticket pricing, as well as limited VIP hospitality packages, parking and camping are available and can be purchased by calling the Tickets & Accommodations Specialists at 831-242-8200 or by visiting online at WeatherTechRaceway.com