The Loud Pedal EditorAugust 08, 2017monterey, Laguna SecaComment

Preview: 2017 Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The Loud Pedal EditorAugust 08, 2017monterey, Laguna SecaComment

Each year in August, California's Monterey Peninsula is transformed into blissful wonderland for car lovers. Among the varied events, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion (August 17th-20th) is the highlight of our trip, as the premier vintage motorsports event on the West Coast, and perhaps in North America. It's not a just "an event," its an all subsuming racing and car culture event. Garage and trailer queens need not apply as the vast majority of cars in this event are driven with complete disregard for their dollar value (auction estimate in many cases). It's a love affair of car, driver and history. This event features cars ranging from pre-war Bugattis and Alfa Romeos all the way to 1980's era Le Mans winning sportscars, all hunting for apexes around legendary the 2.2 mile road course.

Bring your camera and be prepared to be stunned, as you get up close and personal to living history and watch drivers push just as hard around the track as any modern day racers in the newest cars. This event is as interactive as you like. The vehicles and the drivers and crews are approachable and always up for a reflection, question or a conversation.

The menacing power of Can-Am cars is always a crowd pleaser!

This year is a milestone for the Reunion as it will mark Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca's 60th anniversary and will feature several cars with a special connection to the circuit. One of those will be the 1956 Ferrari 500 Testa Rossa that was driven by Pete Lovely to victory at the brand new track in 1957.

Some additional excitement will accompany the Reunion this year as Former Formula 1 driver and world champion Jenson Button will be in attendance and drive the 1974 world championship-winning McLaren M23.

This event also features acres and acres car/car club corrals that are always worth strolling through. This year's sanctioned corrals will feature the cars of Alfa Romeo, Corvette, De Tomaso, MBZ/AMG, Aston Martin, Datsun/Nissan Mazda and Shelby. Make some time to head over to the Lagoon area to see what turns up. If, for some reason, you're not able to make it through the corrals after your tour(s) of the paddock and your pilgrimage up to the Corkscrew, don't dispair, the general parking lot is filled with lots and lots of gems. Keep your head on a swivel and your eyes open and you'll see lots of dust covered gold.

If you want a taste of what you might experience, check out our coverage from past year's event, here. Scroll down for a the full event schedule and other information.