Renowned Racing Legends Grant Exclusive Nod to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for New Run Groups

As the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrates the Golden Anniversary of historic racing at Monterey's WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the illustrious gathering also honors the history and significant achievements throughout time. It seems fitting then that the groups of cars that race reflect that history with motorsport legends and drivers who were integral to the history of the sport.

Mario Andretti Trophy

1966-1985 Formula One

Mario Andretti is a motorsport legend. The Italian-born American driver is the only person to win the Indianapolis 500 (1969), the Daytona 500 (1967) and the Formula One World Championship (1978). He is the last American Driver to win the Formula One World Championship or even a race in the Series (yes, it's been that long!). Andretti was the first driver to have won IndyCar races in four different decades. Andretti's name is synonymous with speed and has the Turn 2 hairpin named in his honor at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup

1991-2011 IMSA ALMS, Grand Am, FIA

Scott Pruett is one of the best sports car racers of all time. A California native who began his career karting at the age of eight years old. Pruett broke the record for the most IMSA wins in 2016 when he won his 60th race. He has five Rolex Grand Am Championships, two IMSA GTO Championships, two IMSA GT Endurance Championships and three Trans-Am Championships.

1966-1972 Trans-Am

Parnelli Jones' story weaves in significant accomplishments in IndyCar, Trans Am, off-road racing and Laguna Seca's history. The oldest living winner of the Indianapolis 500 and an incredibly fierce competitor, Parnelli became known for helping drive the IndyCar series into the national spotlight. One of his most memorable wins of his racing career came at Laguna Seca when he lapped almost the entire field in his Ford Mustang Boss 302. That was the opening race to the 1970 Trans Am season where he went on to win the championship.

Dan Gurney Saloon Car Enduro

1955-1969 Saloon Cars

Dan Gurney is a Formula One, IndyCar, NASCAR, Can Am and Trans Am race winner, becoming the first of three drivers to win in each racing series. He also started the champagne celebration in 1967 after winning the 24 hours of Le Mans, an integral post-race ritual in any series. In 1961, in the thick of his F1 career, Gurney got a wild idea to rebuild a Chevrolet Impala and enter it into saloon races in Europe where he made history outrunning the Jaguars that were winning at the time. Gurney founded All American Racers designing and constructing dominating cars that went on to win multiple championships. Gurney was the 2010 honoree of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Ken Miles Sixties GT Trophy

1955-1967 SCCA Large Displacement Production Cars

Ken Miles, now widely known around the world from the 2019 film 'Ford v. Ferrari', is a 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring race winner. Along with Carroll Shelby, Ken was deeply involved in the development of the Ford GT-40 that he famously raced in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Ken frequented Laguna Seca driving Porsches for Otto Zipper and Shelby Cobras.

Jim Hall USRRC Cup

1963-1968 Sports Racing cars

Jim Hall is one of the most successful USRRC drivers, is a back-to-back USRRC Champion (1964 and 1965), and 12 Hours of Sebring winner. As a race car constructer, his cars have seen wins in every series they've competed in which includes USRRC, Can-Am, Trans-Am, Formula 5000, World Sportscar Championship, Autoweek Championship, Canadian Sports Car Championship and INDY 500. Jim was a leader in the innovation and design of aerodynamics and ground effects, as seen through his Chaparral cars.

Peter Gregg Trophy

1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT, GTU, FIA

Peter Gregg has a multitude of important race wins and championships across many series. He was the Trans-Am Series champion in 1971 and 1973. In 1973 he also won the 24 Hours of Daytona before retiring. He came back from retirement and won the 1975, '76, and '78 24 Hours of Daytona. Peter also has four IMSA GTO championships in '74, '75, '78, and '79. And at the 1977 24 Hours of Le Mans, he finished 1st in class and 3rd overall.

Hurley Haywood Trophy

1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, FIA, Group C, Trans Am

Hurley Haywood is arguably America's greatest road racing endurance driver. He is a five-time overall winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, and two-time 12 Hours of Sebring winner. He is the third driver to complete the informal Triple Crown of Endurance racing. Haywood's record also includes a 1988 Trans Am Series title with Audi, and two IMSA GT championships.

Pedro Rodriguez Trophy

1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship

Pedro Rodriguez was a popular Formula 1 driver between 1963 and 1971, winning the 1967 South African Grand Prix and 1970 Belgian Grand Prix. He won with his brother in the 1961 Paris 1000km and the 1968 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driving for Ferrari between 1957 and 1970, Pedro was on the podium steps an impressive 40 of the 94 races.

Briggs S. Cunningham Trophy

1947-1960 Front Engine GT, Sports Racers, and American Specials

American sportsman Briggs S. Cunningham owned and raced Jaguars, Ferraris, Corvettes, Listers, OSCA, and Abarths, but he is mostly known for constructing and fielding teams in the '50s with Cadillac and Chrysler Hemi-powered Cunninghams. Third place finishes at the 1953 and 1954 24 Hours of Le Mans were his highest, but Cunninghams also captured impressive wins at Sebring, Elkhart Lake and Bridgehampton. Adding to his legacy, Briggs successfully skippered America's entry in the 1958 America's Cup.

Skip Barber Cup

1967-1981 Formula Ford

Skip Barber is a back-to-back-to-back SCCA National Champion, and back-to-back Formula Ford National Champion. He also raced in Formula 1 at the Monaco, Dutch, U.S. and Canadian Grands Prix. Upon retiring from racing, he founded the Skip Barber Racing School, the largest racing school in the world that holds programs at 10 different tracks in the U.S. including WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Skip is frequently credited by championship drivers as laying the foundation for successful careers.

John Morton Trophy

1955-1967 SCCA Small Displacement Production Cars

After successfully competing in the SCCA National Championships, John Morton's talent and versatility caught the eye of Carroll Shelby, who teamed John with Ken Miles to drive for Shelby American Racing at Sebring. He continued racing and catapulted into prominence with Peter Brock's BRE team. John's proven skills took him to race in F5000, Can-Am, nine times at the 24 Hours of Le Mans where he won class honors twice, and three years in IndyCar. Morton's expertise and involvement in racing had an impact on the development and performance of many iconic automotive brands.

Ragtime Racers Exhibition

1920 and earlier pre-war vehicles

It can be said that this group, fondly known as The Ragtime Racers, started motor racing. Sporting long-ago brands such as Chalmers-Detroit, National, Packard and Franklin, the owners of these wonderful vehicles bring the history of motor racing to life for fans of all ages.

'This year's 50th anniversary salute to historic racing will be a grand celebration unlike any we've done in the past,' believes Barry Toepke, director of heritage events for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. 'Every aspect of the 2024 Rolex Reunion is being examined and elevated in a sense. The entire team is abuzz with new ideas and ways to honor the significance of historic racing and the addition of these gentlemen has only fueled that engine.'

Entry applications are open for individuals with authentic, historic race cars with provenance that aligns with one of the race groups. To learn more about entering, please visit WeatherTechRaceway.com and click on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion event page.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion takes place August 14-17 and tickets, camping, and VIP hospitality packages are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling the Tickets and Accommodations specialists at 831-242-8200.

Photo credit: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
posted on conceptcarz.com

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