Story By: ALICIA BUSA / WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA – MONTEREY, CA – The first wave of acceptances into the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion has been sent to drivers outside the U.S., setting the stage for completing the entry list of approximately 400 historic race cars that will compete Aug. 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“The Advisory Council is narrowing the great cars that will be accepted, but we wanted to focus on individuals who must transport their car to Monterey from overseas,” explains Bill Warner, Advisory Council member and Chief Steward. “The worldwide impact that the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion represents, presents a large logistical challenge to ensure we have the best of the best for our enthusiasts. This will be a banner year.”
Returning to Monterey is McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown, who enjoys the brief break in the Formula 1 calendar to experience the Rolex Reunion several weeks ahead of the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix.
“Monterey Car Week is always a highlight on my calendar, so it’s awesome to be going back to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion with United Autosports in 2024,” Brown said. “This time, I’m taking my new Jaguar XJR 8, the BMW 321i Turbo and returning with the 1980 world championship-winning Williams FW07. I just missed out on the podium in 2023, so we’re working hard to make sure there are celebrations at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this summer!”
Racing against Brown’s 1987 Jaguar XJR 8 in the Hurley Haywood Trophy is Duncan MacKellar from Mooloolaba, in the Sunshine Coast of Australia. His 1989 Porsche 962 C competed twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing 10th in 1990. This 962 competed in 13 professional races and has been entered into the Rolex Reunion in its original 1989 livery.
This year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrates the Golden Anniversary of historic racing at Laguna Seca with a walk-through time of past marques in what will be an incredible exhibition. What began in 1974 as the Monterey Historic Automobile Races with a small gathering of friends and like-minded racing enthusiasts grew over the years to become one of the world’s premier historic race events, having been named Motorsport Event of the Year in 2022.
A variety of family entertainment like an all-new kids zone, go karts, and autograph sessions are planned to bring new experiences for guests to enjoy. The Rolex Reunion has extended beyond just racing and into a lifestyle festival to appeal to all ages and interests.
The iconic Laguna Seca has launched several communications campaigns to share the excitement for the 50th anniversary celebration with its Then & Now series and social media salutes to past marques. Visitors can also enjoy exclusive interviews with past participants like Adrian Newey, Tom Kristensen and Dario Franchitti on its YouTube channel’s Rolex Reunion Playlist
VIP ticket packages for inside the Legends Club or pit row suites are still available but are in limited supply.