This year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion celebrated the 60th anniversary of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca rather than a featured marque. The centerpiece of the paddock was the Racing Through the Decades feature display of a dozen racecars pertinent to the history of the raceway, including the Ferrari Testa Rossa that Pete Lovely drove to the overall victory at the track’s inaugural event in November 1957.
Beyond the 550 vintage racecars competing at the event, several fan activities and special attractions were also featured, as “Mr. Le Mans,” Tom Kristensen, made spirited exhibition runs in an Audi R8 LMP1 and later shared stories with three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart and ace broadcaster Mike Joy on the Paddock Showcase stage during Saturday’s Picnic in the Paddock. Two-time World Champion Mika Häkkinen lapped the circuit each day in the same McLaren M23B (above) with which Emerson Fittipaldi won the 1974 World Championship, then later engaged in a Question & Answer session in the paddock. The Formula Junior group continued its Diamond Jubilee World Tour with a huge outing of 64 Formula Junior entries across two separate run groups. A special television broadcast of the event, produced by The Enthusiast Network, will air on CBS Sports Network on August 24 at 10 a.m.
During Sunday’s award presentations, the Spirit of Monterey Award, for the driver or entrant who excels in the spirit of the weekend, was presented to a driver who had participated in the first event at the track in 1957, Dr. Lee Talbot. Competing in his 1967 Ginetta G4 sports car at age 87 with the same spry enthusiasm he had for motorsports six decades earlier, the accomplished racer and environmental science scholar from McLean, Virginia, demonstrated the passion, prestige and history that was tangible throughout the event. The winners of the remaining awards are listed below, along with the winners of the various racing groups..
Next year’s Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will take place one week later than usual, on August 23-26, 2018.
Rolex Reunion Award Winners
Best Paddock Display – Presented to the best paddock display representative of the era – Del Monte Trophy Group’s Doug Sallen and Rob Manson on Q Row
Stand 21 – Awarded to the Most Period Authentic look – Ron Goodman, 1954 Porsche 356 (Group 1B)
Ken Miles Trophy – Sponsored by Judy Yedor in memory of Cy Yedor and presented for the representation of a vintage car under 1500cc – Don Baldocchi, 1954 Nardi Crosley (Group 5A)
Gary Byrd Foundation – Presented to a driver in the Pre-War group: – Richard Morrison, 1939 Lagonda V12 (Group 2A)
Henry Ford Trophy – Presented to the most significant Ford-powered entry – Lorne Leibel, 1965 Shelby Cobra (Group 4B)
The John Fitch Corvette Excellence Award – Presented to the most significant Corvette – Tony Hart, 1963 Corvette (Group 4B)
The Phil Remington Award – Sponsored by Ford Motor Company and is presented to the mechanic who demonstrates exceptional skill – Mark Bahner (monocoque specialist)
Formula Junior Awards – Presented for racing in the Formula Junior Diamond Jubilee:
Group 2B – Top three selected in 1958-1960 Formula Juniors (front engine with drum brakes): 1. Ray Mallock, 1960 U2 Mk2; 2. Joe Colasacco, 1959 Stanguellini; 3. Jac Nellemanm, 1959 Alfa Dana
Group 2B – Top three selected in 1958-1960 Formula Junior (rear engine with drum brakes): 1. Chris Drake, 1961 Elva 300; 2. David Watkins, 1962 Elfin; 3. Marc Nichols, 1960 Kieft
Group 5B – Top selections in the 1961-1963 Formula Junior (rear engine with disc brakes): 1. Danny Baker, 1963 Lotus 27; 2. Art Hebert, 1963 Lola Mk5A; 3. Mark Shaw, 1963 Brabham BT6
Bonhams Cup – Presented to participants in the featured morning races that best exemplifies the spirit of the event:
Race 5A – Jeffrey O’Neil, 1953 Jaguar C-Type
Race 6B – Michael Kaleel, 1962 Lola Mk1
Race 7B – Michael Malone, 1968 Chevrolet Corvette
Race 8A – Wade Carter, 1984 Porsche 962
Formula Junior Special Recognition – Presented for bringing a spectacular grid of Formula Juniors to Monterey – Duncan Rabagliati
The Vic Edelbrock Jr. Award – Presented to the most outstanding V8-powered entry – Gary Goeringer, 1957 Ford Thunderbird (Group 1B)
The Chairman’s Award – Presented to the entrant whose car has historical significance to Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca – Michael Doyle, 1962 Jaguar E-Type (Group 4B)
The Founders Trophy – Presented to the person who richly personifies historic racing – Philip Mendelovitz, 1967 Datsun 2000 (Group 3B) and 1989 Datsun 240SX (Group 7B)
The Rolex Award for Excellence – Presented for Overall Excellence in each race category, as determined by an independent panel of judges:
Saturday Race Recipients:
Rolex Race 1A – Luca Maciucescu – 1934 Ford Granite State Special Rolex Race 2A – Hans Hugenholtz – 1950 Talbot T26C
Rolex Race 3A – Tony Wang – 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Rolex Race 4A – Kiel Hogan – 1976 Dekon Monza
Rolex Race 5A – David Nelson – 1955 Triumph TR2
Rolex Race 6A – Keith Frieser – 1972 Lola T290
Rolex Race 7A – Richard Dean – 1970 Chevron B16
Rolex Race 8A – Jonathan Bomarito – 1989 Mazda 767-B
Sunday Race Recipients
Rolex Race 1B – Kevin Adair – 1959 Austin Healey 300S
Rolex Race 2B – Jac Nellemann – 1959 Alfa Dana
Rolex Race 3B – Olga Neulist Reindlova – 1969 Porsche 911
Rolex Race 4B – Pete Whitehead – 1964 Iso Rivolta GT
Rolex Race 5B – Mitch McCullough – 1962 Lotus 22
Rolex Race 6B – Robert Engberg – 1957 Elva MkII
Rolex Race 7B – Chris Liebenberg -s 1991 Ford Mustang
Saturday Race Winners
Group 1A – Pre-1940 Sports Racing and Touring Cars – Luca Maciucescu – 1934 Granite State Special
Group 2A – 1927-1951 Racing Cars – Paddins Dowling – 1934 ERA R2A
Group 3A – 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc – Dyke Ridgley – 1960 Chaparral 1
Group 4A – 1973-1981 FIA, IMSA GT, GTX, AAGT Cars – Bruce Canepa – 1979 Porsche 935
Group 5A – 1947-1955 Sports Racing and GT Cars – Dave Zurlinden – 1953 Tatum GMC Special
Group 6A – 1970-1984 Sports Racing Cars under 2100cc – Timothy de Silva – 1978 Osella PA8
Group 7A – 1963-1973 FIA Manufacturers Championship Cars – Chris MacAllister – 1973 Gulf Mirage
Group 8A – 1981-1991 IMSA GTP Cars – Charles Nearburg – 1991 AAR Eagle MkIII GTP
Sunday Race Winners
Group 1B – 1955-1962 GT Cars – Kevin Adair – 1959 Austin-Healey 3000 S
Group 2B – 1958-1960 Formula Junior (front engine and drum brakes) – Chris Drake – 1961 Elva 300
Group 3B – 1961-1966 GT Cars under 2500cc – Patrick Long – 1968 Porsche 911 T/R
Group 4B – 1963-1966 GT Cars over 2500cc – Lorne Leibel – 1965 AC Cobra
Group 5B – 1961-1963 Formula Junior (disc brakes) – Danny Baker – 1963 Lotus 27
Group 6B – 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars under 3000cc – Cameron Healy – 1953 Porsche-Cooper “Pooper”
Group 7B – 1973-1991 IMSA GTU, GTO, Trans-Am Cars – Bill Ookerlund – 1991 Chevrolet Camaro
For complete details please visit www.MazdaRaceway.com
