The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 vintage car race was held August 14th and 15th at the 2.238-mile, 11-turn Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. A field of more than 600 classic race cars took to the track, grouped into 19 different racing classifications.
Formerly known as the Monterey Historic Automobile Races or Monterey Historics, the “inaugural” Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is in fact the 37th time historic races have been held at Laguna Seca, although 2010 was the first year under new management.
This year, rather than naming a featured marque, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 honored Dan Gurney and the cars he built and drove.
Gurney, inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990, is an American icon who personifies an era in international motorsports when race cars were not just fast but extremely dangerous and the men who drove them were the stuff of legends.
Featured race groups at Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 are Formula 1, which is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its modern era and showcased cars from the FIA 3-litre Formula that ran from 1966-1983; Bugatti Grand Prix; Trans-Am cars from 1966-1972 and Stock Cars (with drum brakes) that competed between 1959 and 1975.
Graham Wallis of Cedar Glen, California was awarded the Spirit of Monterey Trophy for overall excellence in presentation and performance of his 1929 Lagonda, which raced in the group for Pre-1949 Sports and Racing Cars.
“This is the car we drive,” said Wallis. “We go shopping in it, we vacation in it, we go to the garden center and put plants in it, and four or five times a year we pump the tires up and we go racing. The car is absolutely all original; we’ve traced its history back to the 1930s and found that the body is all original–most of the leather is original, the engine and gear box are all original, and it’s all as it was when it came out of the factory,” said Wallis.
Dennis Gray was at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to document the 2010 edition of the Monterey Motorsports Reunion, which saw weather conditions change nearly every hour. Fortunately this allowed Gray to take many pictures unique to this year, especially the images taken during the heavy fog conditions early in the morning.
Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 – Saturday Results and Photo Gallery
Saturday Notes: Sir Stirling Moss was in the Group 1A field with his newly-purchased Porsche RS 61, although misfortune struck Moss on the warm-up lap during practice on Thursday. According to Moss, the Porsche stepped out a wheel onto the grass putting it off the track, albeit without coming into contact with the barriers. A second car, also on its warm-up lap, left the circuit and hit Moss’ RS 61. Sir Stirling was not injured, the car however suffered considerable damage, rendering it undriveable for the rest of the weekend.
John Morton suffered a scary crash when his 1958 Scarab flipped end over end near after coming in contact with another car during the Group 3A race. Both were reacting to spinning cars ahead. Morton went by ambulance to the hospital, where he thankfully checked out fine. The Scarab was totaled, although its owner the Collier Collection reportedly had plans to reunite pieces of it with their original Scarab chassis.
Dan Gurney conducted a public interview and autograph session with fans who were also treated to a special display of Gurney Eagle Racing Cars: Formula 1, Indy cars, IMSA GTP prototypes, Can-Am and Trans-Am machines. “Being here at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is like a step back in time for me,” said Gurney. “It brings back all sorts of great memories.”
A dedicated grid of over 30 Bugattis competed in the Bugatti Grand Prix, with entries coming from as far away as Australia, France, Germany and Switzerland.
Bruce Canepa was doubly successful on Saturday, winning closely-fought battles in Group 5A, driving a Porsche 917K, and Group 7A, driving a Ford Mustang. Canepa’s combined margin of victory was a scant 1.48 seconds.
Fastest lap of the day went to Stephen Johansen, who turned a 1:24.79 on his way to victory in Group 9A driving a 1986 Porsche 962.
Group 1A – 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 2000cc
1. Donald Orosco, Monterey, CA – 1958 Lotus 15, 1:48.19 (fastest lap)
2. Joe Lacob, Menlo Park, CA – 1959 Porsche RSK
3. Edward M. Nigro, Las Vegas, NV – 1960 Lola MK 1
4. John Morton, Naples, FL – 1961 Porsche RS 61
5. Rob Walton, Paradise Valley, AZ – 1959 Maserati T60
Click for Complete Monterey Reunion Race 1A Results
Group 2A – 1973-1982 IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT Cars Race
1. Rusty French, Mt. Eliza, Victoria – 1979 Porsche 935
2. Ross Thompson, Phoenix, AZ – 1973 Chevrolet Corvette
3. Rob Walton, Paradise Valley, AZ – 1978 Porsche 935, 1:33.02 (fastest lap)
4. Peter Kitchak, Excelsior, MN – 1973 Porsche 911 RSR
5. Danny Sullivan, Atherton, CA – 1974 Porsche RSR
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 2A Results
Group 3A – 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc
1. Alex Buncombe, Maldon, Essex, UK – 1959 Lister Costin, 1:46.50 (fastest lap)
2. Carl Moore, Alamo, CA – 1960 Lotus 19
3. Jonathan Feiber, Menlo Park, CA – 1960 Maserati Tipo 61
4. John Goodman, Seattle, WA – 1958 Devin SS
5. Chris Hines, Scottsdale, AZ – 1961 Ol’ Yeller MK 9
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 3A Results
Group 4A – Bugatti Grand Prix Cars
1. Charles Dean, Aylesbury, Bucks, UK – 1932 Bugatti Type 51, 2:00.56 (fastest lap)
2. Peter Giddings, Danville, CA – 1926 Bugatti Type 35B
3. Charles McCabe, San Francisco, CA – 1934 Bugatti Type 59
4. Richard Longes, Chifley Square, Sydney, AUS – 1927 Bugatti Type 35B
5. Craig Barto, Signal Hill, CA – 1931 Bugatti Type 51
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 4A Results
Group 5A – 1964-1969 FIA Mfg. Championship Cars
1. Bruce Canepa, Scotts Valley, CA – 1969 Porsche 917K
2. Peter Kitchak, Excelsior, MN – 1969 Lola T70 MK 3B
3. Steven Read, Berkeley, CA – 1970 Ferrari 312 PB
4. Phil Daigrepont, Renner, LA – 1971 Porsche 908/3
5. Paul Brown, Covina, CA – 1971 Alfa Romeo T33/3, 1:29.93 (fastest lap)
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 5A Results
Group 6A – 1958-1963 Formula Junior Cars
1. Jeremy Barnes, Ann Arbor, MI – 1962 Lotus 22, 1:40.51 (fastest lap)
2. Danny Baker, San Francisco, CA – 1963 Lotus 27
3. Mark Gillies, Ann Arbor, MI – 1960 Cooper T53
4. Art Hebert , San Rafael, CA – 1963 Lola MK 5A
5. William Cotter, Puyallup, WA – 1961 Scarab Grand Prix
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 6A Results
Group 7A – 1966-1972 Trans-Am Cars
1. Bruce Canepa, Scotts Valley, CA – 1969 Ford Mustang
2. Tomy Drissi, Los Angeles, CA – 1970 Chevrolet Camaro, 1:44.13 (fastest lap)
3. Ken Epsman, Saratoga, CA – 1970 Dodge Challenger
4. Gary Goeringer, Nipomo, CA – 1968 Ford Mustang
5. Forrest Straight, Mountain View, CA – 1970 Ford Mustang
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 7A Results
Group 7L – 1966-1972 Trans Am Cars under 2000cc
1. Tim Brecht, Escondido, CA – 1968 BMW 2002 T/A
2. Tom Brecht, Escondido, CA – 1968 BMW 2002 T/A
3. Steve Link, Laguna Beach, CA – 1970 Datsun 510, 1:48.00 (fastest lap)
4. Ken Dobson, Carmel Valley, CA – 1967 Alfa Romeo GT Veloce
5. Dave Stone, Menlo Park, CA – 1971 Datsun 510
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 7L Results
Group 8A – 1970-1976 FIA Mfg. Championship Cars
1. Bert W. Skidmore, Sparks, NV – 1976 Lola T286, 1:27.56 (fastest lap)
2. Keith Frieser, Puyallup, WA – 1972 Lola T290
3. Tom Minnich, Pebble Beach, CA – 1977 Lola T297
4. Roy S. Walzer, Litchfield, CT – 1970 Chevron B16 Spyder
5. Brian Groza, Bend, OR – 1975 Sauber C4
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 8A Results
Group 9A – 1981-1989 FIA Mfg. Championship & IMSA GTP
1. Stefan Johansson, Carmel, IN – 1986 Porsche 962, 1:24.79 (fastest lap)
2. Rick Knoop, Laguna Beach, CA – 1984 Jaguar XJR5
3. Weldon Munsey, Huntington Beach, CA – 1988 Madza RX-7 92P
4. Jeff Lewis, Newport Beach, CA – 1988 Argo JM-19C2
5. Ranson Webster, Reno, NV – 1982 Porsche 956
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 9A Results
Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 – Saturday Photo Gallery (please wait for page to load, then click image for larger picture and description)
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Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 – Sunday Results and Photo Gallery
Sunday Notes: Formula One celebrates its 60th year of the modern era in 2010, and to celebrate Historic Grand Prix brought 34 authentic F1 cars to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, including such manufacturers as Ferrari, Lotus, Brabham, McLaren, Shadow and Tyrrell.
Herb Wetanson scored a double on Sunday, racking up wins in Group 2B, driving a 1951 Frasier Nash Le Mans, and in 4B with his Zagato-bodied Aston Martin DB4 GT.
Rob Walton won popular Group 7B driving his 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, chassis number 2286. Dan Gurney and Jerry Grant piloted # 2286 at Le Mans in 1965, scoring a DNF with clutch failure at 15 hours after running as high as 3rd overall.
Not surprisingly, fastest time of the day and weekend went to a Formula One race car, as Charles Nearburg turned a blazing 1:22.72 with his 1981 Williams FW 07B. For reference, Nearburg’s time would have taken pole for the American Le Mans Series GT2 Class in 2009.
Group 1B – Pre-1949 Sports and Racing Cars
1. Paddins Dowling, Portola Valley, CA – 1934 ERA A Type
2. M.H.P., Medina, WA – 1935 ERA B Type, 1:49.72 (fastest lap)
3. Peter Giddings, Danville, CA – 1930 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
4. John Kerr, San Luis Obisbo, CA – 1932 Ford Miller/Schofield
5. Jan E. Voboril, Topanga, CA – 1924 Ford T Barber-Warnock
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 1B Results
Group 2B – 1947-1955 Sports Racing & GT Cars under 2500cc
1. Herb Wetanson, New York, NY – 1951 Frasier Nash Le Mans
2. Jeff Abramson, Alamo, CA – 1954 Ferrari 500 MD PF Spider
3. Karim Marouf, La Jolla, CA – 1951 MGTD, 1:56.09 (fastest lap)
4. Lou Pavesi, Carmel, CA – 1954 Huffaker Special
5. Jim Brown, Fallbrook, CA – 1955 Cooper 39 Bobtail
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 2B Results
Group 3B – 1947-1955 Sports Racing & GT Cars over 2500cc
1. John Buddenbaum, Bend, OR – 1949 Jaguar Parkinson Special, 1:52.39 (fastest lap)
2. Noel Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – 1955 Chevrolet Corvette
3. Gregory Johnson, Irvine, CA – 1955 Austin-Healey 100S
4. Bill Hartman, Yuba City, CA – 1963 Shelby King Cobra
5. Michael Silverman, Scottsdale, AZ – 1954 Jaguar XK120
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 3B Results
Group 4B – 1955-1962 GT Cars
1. Herb Wetanson, New York, NY – 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato, 1:49.43 (fastest lap)
2. Leonard Turnbeaugh, Markleeville, CA – 1958 Porsche 356A
3. Ron Cressey, Sherman Oaks, CA – 1959 Chevrolet Corvette
4. Les Alexander, Woodside, CA – 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
5. Ranson Webster, Reno, NV – 1960 Porsche Abarth Carrera
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 4B Results
Group 5B – 1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc
1. John Hugenholtz, Schilde, Holland – 1964 Lotus 26R, 1:44.08 (fastest lap)
2. Tom Claridge, Los Gatos, CA – 1962 Ginetta G4R
3. Marc Nichols, Grass Valley, CA – 1964 Lotus Super 7
4. John Delane, Redondo Beach, CA – 1964 Lotus 26R
5. Michael Sweeney, Portola Valley, CA – 1966 Ginetta G4R
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 5B Results
Group 6B – 1959-1975 Grand National Stock Cars (drum brakes)
1. Randy Peterson, Sonoma, CA – 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
2. Jim Hague, Saratoga, CA – 1972 Ford Torino, 1:50.11 (fastest lap)
3. Curt Kalberg, Sisters, OR – 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle
4. Lance Smith, San Diego, CA – 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle
5. Jim Koehler, Ukiah, CA – 1963 Chevrolet Impala
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 6B Results
Group 7B – 1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc
1. Rob Walton, Paradise Valley, CA – 1965 Shelby Daytona Cobra Coupe, 1:40.75 (fastest lap)
2. Terry Gough, Reno, NV – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
3. William Cotter, Puyallup, WA – 1964 Shelby Cobra 289
4. Terry Miller, Simi Valley, CA – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette
5. Jim Halsey, Los Angeles, CA – 1965 Shelby GT 350
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 7B Results
Group 8B – 1959-1966 Sports Racing Cars
1. Byron DeFoor, Largo, FL – 1965 Lola T70, 1:36.48 (fastest lap)
2. Farrell Preston, Largo, FL – 1965 McLaren M1B
3. Harindra de Silva, Palos Verdes Estates, CA – 1965 Elva Mk8
4. Johan Woerheide, Largo, FL – 1966 Lola T70 Mk2
5. Nick Colonna, Palos Verdes Estates, CA – 1967 Lola T70 Mk3B Spyder
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 8B Results
Group 9B – 1966-1983 F-1 Cars
1. Charles Nearburg, Dallas, TX – 1981 Williams FW 07B, 1:22.72 (fastest lap)
2. Michael Fitzgerald, Newton Square, PA – 1983 Williams FW 08C
3. Erich Joiner, Torrance, CA – 1983 Williams FW 08C
4. Keith Frieser, Puyallup, WA – 1973 Shadow DN1
5. James King, Belleville, IL – 1976 March 761
Click for Monterey Motorsports Reunion – Race 9B Results
Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2010 – Sunday Photo Gallery (please wait for page to load, then click image for larger picture and description)
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[Source: Monterey Reunion; photo credit: Dennis Gray]
Beautiful shots Dennis, and great, thorough coverage SCD. Sorry to hear about Moss and Morton, but glad they are okay. Cars can be repaired, but…
I would guess that Moss will be gone for good now, given the no-wreck rule or did the new regime get rid of that?
SUPERB!
Is that one picture of John Morton driving the Morton right before the accident?
Both Scarab images are John Morton during morning practice.
Dennis
Charlie Nearburg in the F1 Williams actually the fastest lap
in 1:22.7 not Johanssen at 1:24.5. Thanks, Tom Claridge ((second in group 5B BTW))
Hi Tom –
Sorry for any confusion, but we did list Charlie fast lap under our notes for Sunday. Johanssen’s lap was under the Saturday notes.
Congrats on your great finish.
SCD
278 beautiful photos. You guys are going to get me fired!!