In the Americas, the only place you can see sights like this is at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Juan Manual Fangio and Sir Jackie Stewart warm up an Alfa 159 and P3 respectively, before a demonstration run in 1985 that included Phil Hill in an Alfa P2. Credit: General Racing
Exclusive story by Michael T. Lynch
Last Sunday evening, an era in American motor racing ended. At the traditional prize giving ceremony at the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Steven J. Earle, by far the most influential person in U.S. vintage racing, announced that the 36-year old Rolex Monterey Historics, which he founded in 1974, was ending.
In 2010, the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) will begin a new event. SCRAMP is a non-profit 501C(4) corporation that operates Laguna Seca and donates its net proceeds to area charities, which in turn, provide volunteers to help stage events. The race course lies within the Laguna Seca Recreational Area and is part of the Monterey County Park Department.
In 2010, the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) will begin a new event.
Earle’s company, General Racing Ltd., will allow a one-time use of the name Monterey Historic Automobile Races (registered trademark) for the 2010 event. This arrangement has an historic precedent. When the Pebble Beach races ended in 1956, SCRAMP, then a committee of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, organized races at the then new Laguna Seca course. The old Pebble Beach Company allowed SCRAMP to use the Pebble Beach name for the new entity’s first year of racing.
Steve Earle was not the first person to organize vintage racing in America, but his influence in this facet of the sport exceeds that of any other individual. Lindley Bothwell, a noted Southern California enthusiast active in the governance of both SCCA road racing and AAA oval racing sometimes brought a group of vintage cars from his own collection and ran vintage demonstrations at California races in the 1950s. The Vintage Sports Car Club of America, a club based in the Northeast, began vintage racing in the late 1960s. While Bothwell’s and the VSCCA’s efforts encouraged the preservation and use of vintage racing cars, the VSCCA’s events were entrant-centric and often ran as non-spectator events.
Steve Earle became interested in sports cars at an early age. During a European trip the summer after he graduated from high school, he toured Europe in a Mercedes 300SL, stopping at the Mercedes and Ferrari factories along the way. He attended 1950s and 60s road races, sometimes viewing Bothwell’s demonstrations, and owned and raced many interesting cars along the way.
Earle convinced the auto manufacturers that their racing heritage could be used as a marketing tool..
By the early 1970s, Earle’s vision was to create a vintage race that would motivate people to find and restore the great automotive treasures of the past. From the beginning of the Monterey Historics, his genius was to provide a show that benefited the public, the participants and the sponsors. He did this by creating an open paddock, which encouraged racing fans to mingle with the entrants and ask questions about the participating cars. A surprising number became vintage racers themselves. Earle convinced the auto manufacturers that their racing heritage could be used as a marketing tool and showcased an honored marque each year. This resulted in the great sporting manufacturers bringing the contents of their museums to the Monterey Historics for both demonstration runs and entry in the races. These pieces of rolling history were often driven by their original pilots. Many, like the pre-war Mercedes and Auto Unions, had not been seen in the U.S. since the 1930s. Other entries had never been on our soil during their racing days. Finally, Steve provided the competitors with a low pressure, collegial atmosphere that was evocative for many veterans of a return to their original racing days. It also allowed a younger generation of vintage racers to experience the ambience of the early races of the American post World War II road racing revival.
When the early arrivals braved the morning mist at Laguna Seca in 1989, they were astounded to find a 3/4 scale replica of the Le Mans pits, complete with a French gendarme and period tools, oil cans, etc. on the pit counters. Then one noticed there were Aston Martins as far as the eye could see. It was definitely a year to remember. Credit: General Racing
Steve went to great lengths to make sure that the cars were the stars and to keep the most competitive racers in check. Some of his methods were controversial. He established a rule that if a car touched another or even a barrier, that the driver could not return to Monterey for the next year’s event. Even the great Stirling Moss became ensnared in this rule. He also did not post practice times or place the grid according to them. Instead, Earle created the starting lineup according to his whim, and sometimes placed faster cars and drivers deep in the field to provide a better show for the spectators. There were no trophies or victory laps with checkered flags, only a cool off lap with the drivers waving to the crowd.
Unlike many vintage organizations, Earle’s General Racing did not have a business model overly concerned with entry fees, allowing him the luxury of turning away cars that had been modified from period specification to give their owners an unfair advantage over period correct cars. It was this insistence on originality that brought collectors from around the world to race in Monterey. The results at the Monterey Historics were perhaps more indicative of the relative performance of the cars in their day than any other vintage race in the world. This brought out even more correctly restored cars and the event has been oversubscribed for as long as anyone can remember.
The author (standing) and Steve Earle pose
at the Monterey Historics in 1997. That year
celebrated Carroll Shelby and his Cobras.
The image was made by William Edgar, the
son of John Edgar, one of Shelby’s prime
entrants during his racing career. The
Historics always brought together different
generations of racers. Credit: William Edgar.
Thirty-six years is a long time to remain at the top of one’s field and Earle has certainly earned the right to slow down. He would have preferred to remain longer, but failure to reach a contractual agreement prevented that. He will continue the tradition he established in Monterey with his Wine Country Classic race, traditionally held in May at Infinion Raceway in Sonoma. All of us owe Steve our gratitude, not only for creating one of the world’s two greatest vintage races, but for creating a synergy with Carol Rissel and Bob Campbell at the Pebble Beach Concours that worked to the advantage of both events and made them the cornerstones of what has become a ten day festival celebrating the finest in automobile design, engineering and performance each August on the Monterey Peninsula.
It will be interesting to see what format SCRAMP has in mind for its future vintage event.
While enthusiasts see the week as a Mecca to be visited whenever possible, local charities and communities benefit immeasurably from the economic activity and charitable contributions the races, car shows and ancillary events generate.
It will be interesting to see what format SCRAMP has in mind for its future vintage event. This observer would suggest that the single most important element in the success of the event over the years has been the strict eligibility requirements for entry. Other vintage racing organizations with less rigorous standards have seen the participation of the most significant historic cars dwindle as racing against highly modified cars and their unrealistically enhanced performance became less and less attractive to the owners of the most important unmodified cars. It would be tragic to see the SCRAMP race suffer the same fate.
Gill Cambell, the CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is an enthusiast of the first order. The walls of her home are covered with photographs and paintings of the great cars and drivers of the past. Despite the rumors that swirl about when such a legendary figure as Steve Earle leaves the scene, I remain positive about the future of vintage racing during the Monterey Peninsula automotive festival week.
All things come to an end over time. Like many people who have attended the Rolex Monterey Historics over the years, I’d like to thank Steve for creating and nurturing the incredible event that has brought me the most satisfaction of any other in my nearly sixty years of involvement in the sport.
Steve Early will be sorely missed. The Fabulous 50;s have honored him with the Bothwell Award but history with no doubt mark him as a landmark in the growth of the sport.
Thanks to Steve Earle for years of putting on a great show. Let’s hope some new blood will mnake it even better.
Thanks MichaelT. Eloquent in deed. This was certainly the most broadly discussed subject at the recent events. One thing we must not overlook; while we have all enjoyed our time with the fabulous racing cars under Steve’s leadership, many of us have found most of our friends in the Mazda Laguna Seca paddock during this remarkable 36 years. They, with Steve and Debbie, will remain with us long into what ever the new era may bring.
Well spoken, Michael, and thank you for your contribution. I, too, believe that Gill will carry the tradition well, and hope that you will maintain contact with her.
I’ve attended the Historics every year since 1979, and I even heard Steve Earle as guest speaker at a dinner at the Candy Store once upon a time, but I have never heard the full story until now, in this article, which is very comprehensive and well written indeed. Sometimes it is important to stop and realize that nothing is forever, and be grateful for what we had.
Michael, well said. Has it been 36 years? WOW, so many memories, so many cars, people, etc. Steve & Debbie have done a tremendous job in creating a legendary event that complimented the festivities throughout the Monterey Penninsula during that Concours week. My hope is that this is not the end. They were able to build an event that was backed by manufacturers of all types, like Porsche this year. Anytime a manufacturer flys over a significant amount of their museum, you’re doing something right.
My thanks to them and the hope that the future is as bright as the past.
Many thanks Michael T.,
I met Steve Earle at Watkins Glen in 1974 telling folks at the pre F-1 race vintage races about his new Laguna Seca weekend. From 84 to 05 with so many other folks i experienced the very best vintage racing formats honoring the great sports car mrques and our hero drivers – especially Phil Hill and Juan Fangio. It could only happen the “Steve’s way” Looking forward to seeing you out there in the “C-type” somewhere soon – Thanks Steve
I have been involved with Vintage Racing for nearly 30 years…and was an SCCA racer in the 60’s. Steve Earle and his events were always first class and allowed many of us to be closer to a sport and history than we could have ever imagined. He will be missed at Monterey, but we all look forward to his continuing with the Wine Country event.
Michael, thank you so much for your magnificent portrayal of Steve’s life with the Monterey Historics. Having had the privilege of being associated with Steve and Debbie in a manner of great significance to me. I can only imagine the impact their dedication to the event has had, and how much they will be missed. Your words tell the story so well.
I think that Michael Lynch certainly sums it up in a nutshell and gives due credit where it should be — with Steve Earle.
While I can scarcely be counted among the more rabid fans of vintage racing, which too often becomes “vanity racing,” I liked the Earle approach to it. That, it think, accurately captures the reasons so many of us fell in love with racing in the first place.
Having done Monaco and Silverstone the last few years, maybe it is time to return and observe an American event once more.
A great piece, Michael, well said!
Michael has brilliantly distilled the history of the Monterey Historics, for which I applaude him. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend every year, and to participate 31 times. My wife and two sons have also driven. So the Monterey Week is special for us.
Unlike some other commentators, I can’t imagine that entrusting this event to others will improve, or even maintain it.
So I’ll direct my efforts to the 2010 Wine Country Classic, which will be conducted with the deft touch of Steve and Debbie Earle
Michael, I echo everyones comments here – this was truly a great article and a great reflection on the epic and the man behind it all.
I can assure you that SCRAMP has no desire to deviate from the spirit and authenticity that Steve and Debbie created. I have worked for, with, or alongside Steve now for 18 years. In 1991 I took over the Portland Historic Races from him and then in 1994 was contracted by General racing to work on the Monterey Historic Automobile Races until I became CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in 2001. Everything I learned about vintage racing, I have learned from the master.
The quality that has been seen in the paddock and on the track for the past 36 years will continue.
We have put together a 5 person committee to select the marque, the classes and the cars – Steve is on that committee for 2010.
This event belongs to the participants and spectators and they are our primary concern. We are looking forward to many more years of continuing the tradition that Steve Earle created.
Thanks for your response Gill. We anxiously await the new epoch.
Good Luck Gill, you have 2 great mentors in Steve and Debbie Earle. I still have pictured in my memory the first time I met you at the Portland Historic races in 1991, my 59′ F-Jr Cooper oil line had just caught fire, causing quite a smoke trail and in the paddock you came over to give your condolences. Keep that clip-board, stop watch and smile with you and all should be great for 2010 and on.
Heck, drat, and doggone! We were developing distant and beautiful images of what Steve’s 50th Historics would be like: a visit from the President, fireworks, white tie formal ball, the start/finish line overlaid with gold dust, Skoda as the featured marque…and now it will never be. Maybe Disneyland will add an Earle World section, or at least an MHAR ride…my eyes mist over, and it’s not from the steam rising from my coffee and Cognac…all the very best to Steve and Debbie!
I truly appreciate what Steve Earle did for vintage racing. I “discovered” the sport in 1974 and raced at the 2nd and 3rd Monterey Historics plus a couple more. I was able to live my teenage dream of the 1950s by actually being out there with cars I saw competing at Torrey Pines, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, etc. I appreciate Steve’s philosophy to make the cars the stars and to keep them authentic. Anyone with money can make an old car faster, but what does that prove? The history is what is important.
Steve will be greatly missed at Monterey and Coronado, but I hope we can particpate with him in his Wine Country and other events.
I will miss the subtle finesse with which Earle ran his races at Monterey– for instance kicking out drivers who were a little too enamored of their driving ability , to the point where they shoved other racers off the track. I am also happy that he fought the good fight against replicas, in contrast to the way I saw it at the Chicago Road races at Elkhart where at one point when I attended every car on the grid was a replica. We hate paying $60 a ticket to see replicas. I don’t know how he came down on the latest “approved” replicas like the Chaparrals once again being made by Jim Hall or the recent T-70s made by Eric Broadley. I just hope the new administration running it does not require more changes that take away from the vintage look; already my pictures look up to see a 1949 Ferrari Barchetta with a driver wearing a full face helmet made in 2009–70 years later! I wish someone would make safe helmets that look like the old ones. I like the Midway area of vendors that Earle slowly built up and the half time demonstrations by automakers of new cars like the Bugatti Veyron, Chrysler mid-engined prototype, etc.
Now the big question is, will Earle’s Northern California vintage races be held the same weekend as the Pebble Beach concours or finally be moved to another date to allow fans to more easily attend both? I am sure the residents of the Monterey weekend would applaud two different weekends.
We have been fortunate to have the premier vintage race in the U.S. here on our west coast since 1974. This is all due to Steve and his crew. I have been a participant at various times from 1975 to 2005. Let’s hope that the standard that Steve set will encourage the new organizers to follow in his footsteps.
Good article on the enforced retirement of Steve Earle from the Monterey Historics. SCRAMP attempted to do this 5 years ago and did not have all its ducks in order. They have had 5 years to plan their coup d’etat and have succeeded. The races during the Monterey weekend may continue but they will never achieve the level of comraderie of the racing car world achieved by Earle these 36 years. I doubt, long term, that they will be able to enlist the manufactures or the quality of the cars. It was his life. His blood is on the ground at Laguna Seca and the races will go the way of many business takeovers – slowly down the drain. GREED WINS!
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca today, 26 August 2009, made an announcement regarding the 2010 Monterey Historic Automobile Races (Registered Trademark).
Members of the Selection Committee will be Jay Amestoy, vice president of public and government affairs for Mazda North American Operations, Bruce Canepa, president of Canepa Design and Concept Transporters, John Lamm, editor-at-large, Road & Track, Bill Warner, founder and chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and Steve Earle, president General Racing Ltd. They will be responsible for choosing the honored marque, structuring the classes and accepting the entrants.
I think all entrants, spectators and other fans of the event will agree that it would be hard to assemble a more qualified panel.
Michael T. Lynch
Good luck, Steve….you’ve left a very big void, and a very large pair of shoes for SCRAMP to fill!
I am a comparative newcomer to the Monterey Historics/Pebble Beach Concours weekend as my first year was 1987. But for each and every year since I have thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle that Steve has created. Many strangers have become acquaintances, and acquaintances have become close family friends as a result of that special weekend in August, and long may that continue for us all to enjoy.
One of the benefits of this ‘change’, is that we will now have the opportunity to enjoy two very special historic race events in California.
As a former attendee of the Wine Country Classic in the ‘Chrysler presents’ days, when I lived close enough I could drive to it each day, I enjoyed this event immensly. When my son Michael was 5 (he entered ASU this week) we had a photos taken with honoree Richard Petty which was a great father/son moment. Also, the year that Ken Tyrrell was honoured and you could chat with him as if he was at the pub on a Sunday afternoon.
I look forward to the new vision that Steve and the team will bring to his Wine Country Classic races… and to the continued success to Gill and her team for the Monterey races and that magical weekend in August.
This is indeed a significant moment – or year, I suppose. Steve Earle has managed to take a very nice relaxed event and made it so good that seemingly everyone who’s anyone just has to be in Monterey in August. I loved the event back in the early days when one could do the Historics on Friday and Saturday, Pebble Beach on Sunday and spend the rest of the time simply prowling the hotel parking lots along Munras Ave and Fremont. (I think it was Fremont) without the distraction of multiple auctions and other events which turned it from a wonderful weekend event into a very costly week of vacation and jacked-up hotel rates.
Okay, so much for my whining. As they say, you can’t go home again. SCRAMP has long been a classy organzation so I expect good things to follow in Earle’s wake. Somhow I think it will never be quite the same though.
I’ll be there in any event…
Thank you Steve Earle.
As a fan of everything on wheels, the Monterey Historic Races have been a weekend of pure nirvana for me. Off and on for the past 10 years I have been getting together with my closest friends in Monterey. We have thoroughly enjoyed the weekend – the racing, the exhaust, the noise, the rare cars, the vendors, the friendly people and the wonderful spectacle that Mr. Earle put together. I have had an opportunity to grow even closer to my friends thanks to the wonderful event put on by Mr. Earle.
I once shared lunch at a crowded table with a gentleman with a conviction for Alfa Romeo. I will always have a soft spot for this marque due to the respect I have for this total stranger.
If there was a coup d’etat, I hope it was only the financial coup currently affecting millions of Americans, Canadians, Italians, French, Germans, etc. These are tough times for people to pay for tickets to Laguna Seca; in addition to the expenses eloquently outlined by Phil Lampman. Any lag in attendance is no reflection on the miraculous job that Steve Earle has done.
Thank you, Mr. Earle, for cementing great personal relationships via your event, and making life a little better for the rest of us.
It is because of Steve Earle and his historic races at Laguna Seca (which in the earliest races of the ‘seventies I attended first as a spectator, and shortly after raced the ex-Innes Ireland Lotus Elite in), that a small group of like-minded racers in the Pacific Northwest formed the Vintage Racing Club of British Columbia, and not long afterward the SOVREN organization south of the Canadian border came into existance too, a force driven by yet more/other vintage-racing enthusiasts. These decades later, the VRCBC remains strong, and has grown, as has SOVREN, with these groups frequently fielding cars at Steve’s spectacular event in Monterey, and vintage races in Portland, Mission, and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest, and points South.
Because of Steve’s efforts, the Monterey Histrics became a sort of surrogate “Meca” (no offence intended) for vintage-racing enthusiasts from literally around the World.
Steve’s dedication will be sorely missed at Laguna Seca, and a genuine challege for Gill and/or SCRAMP to retain, then maintain long-term. Keen enthusiasts, such as we, sincerely hope nothing changes at Laguna Seca, and that all will proceed intact into perpetuity as smoothly as Castrol-R pours.
Steve’s Wine Country Classic is certainly assured of getting even more attention, now, and we wish him and his company the very best of success. It’s well deserved.
This is a great tribute to the past, and promising look to the future, in its celebration of what Steve and Debbie did through the decades to make their Monterey Historic Automobile Races the crowning vintage event it became. Personally, I have always loved the Laguna Seca venue, from its first sports car meet in 1957 when Shelby won the main’s 5-lap prelim driving our John Edgar-entered 300S Maserati, to riding the track full honk on my Ducati Superbike in Reg Pridmore’s school, to being there so many times through the years to enjoy and report on the Monterey Historic, and on to its most recent edition when Terry Gough, owner/driver of the 1965 Corvette roadster featured in my upcoming article for Corvette Magazine, won the Group 5B race there. Now, to follow the Earles into the coming year, and with best wishes for the continuing historic racing at Laguna next August, we look to Steve’s repeating and renewed Wine Country Classic renamed Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival. Mark the date for it at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California, June 5-6, 2010.