Celebrating 50 Years of Racing—Highlights from the 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

September 20, 2024
Images by Shawn Glad

The 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, held at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from August 14-17, was another exhilarating four days of motorsports history. This year marked a significant milestone, as Laguna Seca commemorated its 50th anniversary of historic racing, continuing its tradition of showcasing the finest examples of race cars from across the decades. The event remains one of the cornerstone highlights of Monterey Car Week, standing proudly alongside other prestigious gatherings such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.

Reflecting on its history, the inaugural Monterey Historic event in 1974 featured just 66 participants spread across eight groups, with one group racing as few as four cars. Over the decades, the event has evolved significantly. By 2024, it had grown to 400 participants and 13-15 run groups, each offering its own distinct thrills. This year, organizers introduced a unique element—twelve of the run groups were named after legendary drivers who have left their mark on motorsport history, including the Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup and Hurley Haywood Trophy, among others (source: THEN AND NOW, 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

One of the special highlights this year was the Anniversary Exhibition in the paddock, which featured 29 meticulously curated automotive icons. These cars represented the ‘best of the best’ in motorsports excellence from marques that had raced at Laguna Seca since the inaugural Monterey Historic event in 1974.

Below, you’ll find my favorite photographs and cars from the Anniversary Exhibition, the race ‘weekend,’ and many other cool cars I found in the paddock. The photo gallery at the bottom includes the remainder of more than 90 photos.

Cheers!

1985 Porsche 962

This 1985 Porsche 962-HR1 achieved 17 podium finishes, including 9 overall wins, between 1985 and 1988. It was the first privately constructed 962 monocoque built under Porsche license. As part of Holbert Racing, HR1 helped secure three IMSA championships during this period, with drivers like Al Holbert, Derek Bell, Chip Robinson, and Al Unser Jr. behind the wheel (source: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

Chassis: 962-HR1

1979 Porsche 935

This 1979 Porsche 935 was acquired by Ted Field’s Interscope team and made an impressive debut by winning the 24 Hours of Daytona. In its only season, it secured four more podium finishes, including a 5th place at the Laguna Seca 100 Mile race on April 29, 1979. Notable drivers included Ted Field, Danny Ongais, Hurley Haywood, and Milt Minter (source: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

Chassis: 930 990 0029

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/200 sec., f/10, ISO: 100 (Bottom)

1956 Maserati 250F

This 1956 Maserati 250F made its debut with Stirling Moss behind the wheel and went on to win the 1956 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. This car featured a unique design with an offset engine and transmission (Fuoricentro), allowing the driver to sit 8 inches lower for better aerodynamics (source: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

Chassis: 2525

1949 Ferrari 166 MM

This 1949 Ferrari 166 MM claimed 1st overall at the 24 Hours of Spa, driven by Luigi Chinetti and Jean Lucas. In 1950, new owner Jim Kimberly achieved three 1st, two 2nd, and two 4th place finishes in seven races. This chassis also became the first Ferrari to race and win in California, with drivers including Chinetti, Lucas, Kimberly, and Marshall Lewis (source: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

Chassis: 0010 M

1990 Mercedes-Benz C11

This 1990 Mercedes-Benz C11 was part of Team Sauber-Mercedes’ domination in the FIA World Sports Prototype Championship, securing both drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles in 1989 and 1990. Chassis 05 was the last C11 built with the production-based Mercedes M119 V8 engine and twin turbos. Entered at Le Mans in 1991, it finished 5th, with Michael Schumacher setting the fastest lap during the night. Notable drivers included Jean-Louis Schlesser, Mauro Baldi, Jochen Mass, Michael Schumacher, Karl Wendlinger, and Fritz Kreutzpointner (source: 2024 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion).

Chassis C11-05

1952 Jaguar C-Type

This 1952 Jaguar C-Type was originally owned by five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio. It is now owned and driven by 2009 FIA Formula One World Champion Jenson Button.

Chassis: XKC018
Driver: Jenson Button
Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy—1947-1960 Front Engine GT, Sports Racers, and American Specials

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/160 sec., f/5.6, ISO: 100

1955 Jaguar D-Type

1955 Jaguar D-Type
Chassis: XKD502
Driver: Alex MacAllister
Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy—1947-1960 Front Engine GT, Sports Racers, and American Specials

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/160 sec., f/8.0, ISO: 100

1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider

1956 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
Chassis: AR1495-00163
Driver: Robert Stoker
John Morton Trophy—1955-1967 SCCA Small Displacement Production Cars

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/125 sec., f/9.0, ISO: 100

1987 Porsche 944 GTR

1987 Porsche 944 GTR
Chassis: 944007
Driver: Colin Dougherty
Hurley Haywood Trophy—1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, FIA, Group C, Trans Am

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/125 sec., f/10, ISO: 100 (Top)
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/125 sec., f/14, ISO: 100

1910 Buick 17

1910 Buick 17
Chassis: —
Driver: Chris Helling
Ragtime Racers Exhibition—1920 & Earlier Pre War Vehicles

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/180 sec., f/18, ISO: 100

2010 Oreca FLM09

2010 Oreca FLM09
Chassis: FLM-33
Driver: Scott Drnek
Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup—1991-2011 IMSA ALMS, Grand Am, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/125 sec., f/16, ISO: 100

2010 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR

2010 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
Chassis: WP0ZZZ99ZAS799912
Driver: Max Visessmann
Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup—1991-2011 IMSA ALMS, Grand Am, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/200 sec., f/9.0, ISO: 100

1997 Porsche 993 RSR

1997 Porsche 993 RSR
Chassis: WPOZ992VS320611
Driver: Michael Sweeney
Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup—1991-2011 IMSA ALMS, Grand Am, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/125 sec., f/16, ISO: 100

Acemco Motorsports Saleen S7R

Acemco Motorsports Saleen S7R
Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup—1991-2011 IMSA ALMS, Grand Am, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/80 sec., f/20, ISO: 100

1981 BMW M1

1981 BMW M1
Chassis: 4301223
Driver: Travis Okulski
Peter Gregg Trophy—1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/160 sec., f/10, ISO: 100

1975 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 4

1975 BMW 3.0 CSL Group 4
Chassis: 2275895
Driver: Franciscus van Meel
Peter Gregg Trophy—1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/200 sec., f/11, ISO: 100

1974 Porsche RSR

1974 Porsche RSR
Chassis: 9114609078
Driver: Dennis Singleton
Peter Gregg Trophy—1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/200 sec., f/8.0, ISO: 100

1976 Porsche 935 K3

1976 Porsche 935 K3
Chassis: 930 670 0163
Driver: Ranson Webster
Peter Gregg Trophy—1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/100 sec., f/16, ISO: 100 (Bottom)

1968 Porsche 911L

A factory-built racer with a license plate! This 1968 Porsche 911L, perched on the Vasek Polak Ramp Truck, is one of just six factory-built Trans-Am race cars for the under 2.0L class. So, so cool.

1968 Porsche 911L

1968 Porsche 911L
Chassis: 1180429
Driver: Robert Smalley
Pedro Rodriguez Trophy—1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/160 sec., f/13, ISO: 100 (Bottom)

Porsche 911 S/T

This Porsche 911 S/T is one of the rarest early 911 variants, with only 24 ever made.
Chassis: 911030949
Driver: Ross Merrill
Pedro Rodriguez Trophy—1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/160 sec., f/11, ISO: 100 (Bottom)

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB

1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Chassis: 2701
Driver: Ned Spieker
Pedro Rodriguez Trophy—1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/1600 sec., f/2.8, ISO: 125

McMurtry Spéirling PURE

If you blink, you’d miss it—the McMurtry Spéirling PURE is hands down the fastest vehicle I’ve seen at Laguna Seca Raceway. What a rush to be in the driver seat.

Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm, 1/200 sec., f/9.0, ISO: 100