Two “Batmobiles” atop the corkscrew.
Photos and story by Hugues Vanhoolandt
100 years of BMW was the unmistakable theme of Monterey Car Week in 2016. And of course, it was also the case for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion held at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on August 18-21. But BMW was not the only highlight as the Can-Am series were also celebrated as well as historic F1 cars and Trans-Am cars.
All in all, more than 550 cars were to be seen on track in one of the 15 races. For those who were too busy with the various other events during the main weekend, they could enjoy an already strong field of cars during the Pre-Reunion meeting held one week before the Reunion itself. We attended both days, and so the following images are from both events.
BMW 2002, Porsche 911 and Alfa Romeo GTV or GTA were the most represented in the Pre-Reunion race for under 2 liter Trans-Am cars.
In 1975 and 1976, BMW North America entered a team of five 3.0 CSLs in the IMSA series, winning at Sebring, Daytona, Laguna Seca and various other tracks. These cars were driven by great names such Brian Redman, Ronnie Peterson, David Hobbs and Peter Gregg among others.
Some “Batmobiles” received a 3.5-liter engine and a body in accordance with the Group 5 regulation, with a more protruding front spoiler and a longer rear wing.
The BMW 320 Turbo succeeded the 3.5 CSLs and made its track debut in 1977. It was equipped with a 2-liter Formula 2 engine developing 300 bhp.
Then in 1979 came the M1 Procar that competed in a dedicated series of races held before the F1 Grand Prix. Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet were crowned champions respectively in 1979 and 1980.
A pair of 1967 Porsche 910s in the Pre Reunion under 2 liter Sports Racing Cars race.
Full attack for this 1988 Porsche 962 C at the Corkscrew. A week later, a string of old tires were put at the same place so that cutting the corner was not possible anymore.
Ranson Webster and his Kremer Porsche 935 K3 are Motorsports Reunion regulars.
…as is Peter Giddings and his 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza.
1966 Alfa Romeo GTA at the top of the hill.
The surroundings of the circuit are very sandy as the driver of this 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA Corsa found out.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sebring spider seems to have been mostly raced in America as only a few of these cars were sold in Europe.
The 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial of Jeffrey Abramson, 4th in Group 1B for 1947-55 Sports Racing and GT cars.
Some cars only appear at the Pre-Reunion. It was the case with the 1958 Ferrari 412S of Chris Cox, 3rd in Group 3 for 1955-1961 Sports Racing cars.
Maserati Tipo 61 # 2463 of Dyke Ridgley, Decatur, IL.
The 1958 Scarab MkI of David Swig and the 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 of Jonathan Feiber were first and second in the Group 2A for 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars over 2000cc.
The Jaguar D-Type # XKD502 of Chris MacAllister mixed with some Formula Junior cars.
Laguna Seca Raceway has large runoff areas so that all ended well for the Porsche Cooper (Pooper).
Group 3A for 1955-1962 GT cars was one of the most awaited grids by Ferrari aficionados with two GTOs, one Lusso, two SWBs and a Tour de France.
The Ferrari 250 GT SWB of Ned Spieker leads a duo of Porsches, a Jabro and a Turner.
Chris Cox’s GTO # 3445 GT overtaking Robert Bodin’s 250 GT SWB # 2291 GT.
Bob Earl was the winner of Group 3B for 1963-1973 FIA Manufacturers Championship cars with his Ferrari 312 PB.
The famous Sunoco Penske Ferrari 512M, here driven by its Canadian owner Lawrence Stroll, was entered in Group 7A for 1968-1974 Can-Am cars.
Peter Mullin released his 1950 Talbot T26C from his museum to compete in Group 1A for 1927-1951 Racing Cars.
Also from the Mullin stable, the 1927 Delage powered by an ERA engine won Group 1A with Derek Hill at the wheel, who is the son of the late Phil Hill.
Is the 1975 Hill GH1 F1 car the ultimate driving machine?
Or is it the Ferrari 312 T4? It was certainly the F1 car to have in 1979 when Scheckter and Villeneuve finished 1st and 2nd of the championship and Ferrari took the Constructors title.
South-African Jody Scheckter also drove this Wolf in the inaugural season of the team in 1977 and took victory at the very F1 Grand Prix in Argentina. It is here driven by former four-time Grand Prix motorcycle World Champion Eddie Lawson.
Despite its attractive Essex livery, the Lotus 81, entered in the 1980 season, was never competitive in period.
The Shelby Cobras were in number in grid 6B for 1963-66 GT cars over 2500 cc. Opposed by the Shelby Mustangs and Corvettes, victory finally went to one of the latter.
Trans-Am cars are always a crowd’s favorite. Plenty of Ford Mustangs and Chevy Camaros, the winner was an AMC Javelin.
The famous corkscrew corner can very treacherous if you have brake problems or if you miss the right line, as experienced by the driver of this 1969 Lola T163.
Group 7A for Can-Am cars is the playground of many McLarens who dominated the series between 1967 and 1971.
But this time it was a pair of Shadow DN4s who stole the show, finishing 1st and 2nd.
Just to add more information about the Wolf that Eddie Lawson drove. This particular chassis is WR4. It was WR1 that Jody drove to victory in Argentina 1977. The only time Jody drove WR4 was the Argentine Grand Prix in 1978, when he finished 10th. Keke Rosberg drove WR4 at the 1978 Dutch & Italian Grands Prix. After that, it was driven by David Kennedy and others in the Aurora series, as well as Australia. I was a mechanic on it during David Kennedy’s 1979 Aurora campaign, when he finished second to Rupert Keegan.