Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Coming Soon

There is nothing quite like the sound of a vintage race car and in two weeks (8/19-21/2011)ears will be burning and tongues will be hanging on the ground as spectators and enthusiasts enjoy some of the best of the summer’s historic racing circuit.  Every year at Mazda Raceway,  kick me I still like to call it Laguna Seca, the fastest from Bugatti, Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes and more from Pre-war to 1989 FIA muscle their way around the track for a testosterone showing at its best.

Bugatti Type 35

From last week’s press release it sounds like they have their 550 approved entrants.  More apply but not all are selected.  I don’t know the exact requirements but let me say, testosterone jokes aside, this is a sport of gentlemen (and ladies).  No over blown jerks crawling up your a$$ around the tack swerving and nudging dangerously here.  (Ooops, am I letting a prior track experience linger in?)  Seriously, this is a sport of gentlemen and rules.  It isn’t about spinning out or who hit who – a rare occurrence.  In vintage racing you smack someone you are suspended.  This is not hillbilly racing, or dented fender bragging rights.

A little of this and that...

This is when the cars get to be driven as intended.  Hours, days and weeks of preparation go into racing these cars.  I tend to look at it more as a stewardship of history.  One can appreciate those who dedicate their efforts to preserving motorsports heritage.  Here are more photos from last years Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

A Lotus is not just a flower

The gulls were flying

Porsche the old and the new

This Maserati is pure artistry in motion

Special showing of cars driven by Dan Gurney

Cute little Cistalia 202, can I get it in blue?

3 Porshe Speedsters chasing a Ferrari 250 SWB chasing a Alfa Romero Abarth

My parents were barely born when some of these cars achieved their fame, so this is the only way I can experience it.  Vintage racing is a living museum and it’s not behind glass, nor do I have to sit next to some stinky beer swilling oaf in his best cut-offs and yelling backwoods profanity in marble mouth English.