Away from the peaceful coastline of Pebble Beach, the hills of the Monterey Peninsula reverberated with history and horsepower as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion took over WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This year’s edition was particularly momentous, honoring the 75th Anniversary of Formula One® with a dazzling display of iconic machines that defined racing eras. From pre-1920 automobiles to modern endurance racers, the paddocks and racetracks alike became a time capsule where motorsport’s past and present collided.
Having attended races at Laguna Seca since childhood, this was my first time covering the Rolex Reunion as accredited media, which, to be honest, was a momentous milestone. With camera in hand, I trekked up the golden hillsides, capturing footage trackside at legendary corners like the Andretti Hairpin and the famous Corkscrew. Feeling the ground tremble beneath me as historic racecars whooshed past was an unforgettable sensory experience, merging my longtime passion for automobiles and racing with my work as a journalist.
Given that I was one of the few women covering the event, admittedly – it was a little intimidating at first, but thanks to Bernard (a long-time volunteer at Laguna Seca) and the track’s media team, they helped me navigate my way around the track, which made me feel at ease (despite the electrifying sound of racecars whizzing by at what felt like lightning speed).
The centerpiece of the weekend was the Formula 1® 75th Anniversary Celebration, which drew rarely seen F1 machines from around the globe. The display and exhibition laps gave fans an intimate look at cars that once conquered circuits at the pinnacle of motorsport. Among the highlights were historic F1 cars competing in the Mario Andretti Trophy Race 1 (1966–1985 Formula 1; a visceral reminder of the raw speed and daring that defined racing’s golden era.
Former F1 World Champion Jenson Button, now a Rolex Testimonee, served as Grand Marshal and even took to the track in a 1996 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT. “To celebrate the heritage of the sport I care so deeply about is a real privilege,” he shared, reflecting the reverence felt throughout the paddock.
For the first time since 2002, the IROC (International Race of Champions) Series returned to Laguna Seca, delivering a spectacle for fans and drivers alike. A full field of all seven generations of IROC cars competed in the Unser Family Cup, bringing together champions from NASCAR, INDYCAR, IMSA, and even F1.
Tomy Drissi powered his 2006 Pontiac Firebird to victory, holding off Dario Franchitti and Kurt Busch in a nail-biting finish. Legends including Jeff Gordon, Patrick Long, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, and Zak Brown added to the star power, while two-time Indy 500 winner Al Unser Jr. served as Grand Marshal.
IROC co-owner Ray Evernham summed it up perfectly: “To have all seven generations of these cars on track together for the first time was pure magic for fans and participants alike.”
The excitement began the weekend prior during the Monterey Pre-Reunion, when the Corkscrew Hillclimb once again delivered thrilling time trials as drivers tackled the counter-course uphill battle from Turn 11 to the legendary Corkscrew. Making history on Saturday, August 9, Christine Sloss became the event’s first female winner. Behind the wheel of her Ferrari SF90 XX Spider, she set a new record for a road-legal production hybrid convertible with a time of 29.535 seconds. Her groundbreaking run added a dramatic prelude to Reunion week.
The diverse field included everything from a Rivian Gen 2 Quad-Motor R1T to a classic 1958 Austin Healey, with even a Yamaha R6 motorcycle joining the uphill assault. Each run showcased a thrilling mix of engineering, innovation, and sheer driving skill, setting the stage for the headline races to come.
By the time I arrived for the Rolex Reunion on Friday, August 15, the atmosphere was electric. That day’s racing featured a packed lineup, including the Mario Andretti Trophy Race 1 (1966–1985 Formula 1), the F1 Exhibition, the John Morton Trophy Race (1955–1967 SCCA Small Displacement Production Cars), and the Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup Race 1 (1991–2011 IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, FIA).
Being trackside to capture these historic machines in motion (against the backdrop of Laguna Seca’s iconic Corkscrew and Andretti Hairpin) was both exhilarating and nostalgic. For me, it wasn’t just about documenting the action, but more so about reconnecting with the very spirit of racing that inspired me over the many years I’ve been coming to Laguna Seca.
As I climbed the dusty hillside outside turn 6, en route to reach the apex of the Corkscrew, I vividly remember whirling around the track at over 100 mph during one of the “Hot Lap” experiences provided by Skip Barber Racing School about 20 years ago, in that very part of the track. It was like that moment in time was etched into my memory, and now, decades later, to be able to capture the action while standing directly adjacent to the track (with cars zooming by, one after the next), it felt like my early days at Laguna Seca came full circle.
Beyond the track battles, the Rolex Reunion embodied the spirit of a motorsport festival. Fans enjoyed world-class hospitality, gourmet fare, family-friendly activities, and the rare chance to rub shoulders with legendary drivers. Demonstration runs, including the fan-favorite “Rexy” AO Racing Porsche, added a modern flourish to the historic showcase.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion remains one of Monterey Car Week’s crown jewels; a vibrant celebration of speed, heritage, and passion. With Rolex’s enduring commitment to motorsport and Laguna Seca’s legendary setting, the event continues to bridge generations, reminding us all why racing’s past still roars so powerfully into the present.
[Media access provided by WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. All opinions are my own. Image credits: Christina-Lauren Pollack for Inspirations & Celebrations.]
inspirationsandcelebrations.net (Article Sourced Website)
#Celebration #Speed #Heritage #Rolex #Monterey #Motorsports #Reunion #Honored #Formula #Laguna #Seca #Inspirations #Celebrations