Upcoming - Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2013

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The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is historic racing at its best.

In the beginning, on the Monterey Peninsula, it was all about racing. The Sports Car Club of America laid out an 1.8 mile course on the tree lined road that was part of the now famous "17 Mile Drive". As the cars became faster the racing became too dangerous to continue on the open roads. Laguna Seca raceway just east of Monterey became the replacement track. Old racecars that now had little to no value were parked and forgotten.

But with the Laguna Seca Raceway practically next to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, people started to race the old cars once again. From a few owners racing their cars and with Pebble Beach, the world started to take notice. Now in 2013 the August week now being called "Monterey Peninsula's Classic Car Week" is a world-class event drawing automobile manufactures and car owners from all over the world. The race event is now called "The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion" and runs from Friday through Sunday. Hundreds of now nearly priceless vintage and historic cars race at speed around the Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca. The show is one of the best in the world.

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The 2013 event will feature the Corvette and recognize the 60th anniversary of this truly American car.

Rarely Seen Corvettes Assemble for Exhibition

Chevrolet will have a display in the paddock that will show the Corvette's technology transfer between the track and street cars by pairing six of the most significant Corvette race cars with their street car counterpart.

Chevrolet uses motorsports to improve their road-going cars. The 2014 Corvette Stingray that will be part of the display.

Some of the featured Corvette race cars at this years event:

Ryan Hetzel Photo 2010

"1960 Cunningham Corvette #3 (Courtesy of Lance Miller)
This is the actual No. 3 Corvette that won its class and placed eight overall in the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960. It wasn't until 2002 that Corvette again tasted victory in Le Mans. Presumed lost for many years, the No. 3 car Corvette was driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman through some of the most difficult circumstances. In the race's 20th hour, the car experienced engine overheating. The fix to keep it running on the track? The crew team would pack ice from their coolers into the car's engine compartment during more frequent pit stops. The result... was history.

Ryan Hetzel Photo 2010

1967 Corvette Le Mans (Courtesy of Harry Yagey)
The poster car is the 1967 Chevrolet Corvette No. 9 that was raced by Corvette legends Dick Guldstrand and Bob Bondurant at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The big block Corvette streaked down the Mulsanne Straight at more than 170 mph, enabling the duo to take a commanding class lead by miles before an engine wrist pin let go halfway through the race, forcing retirement. Guldstrand and Bondurant, however, already had become folk heroes, as they actually had driven the race car from the airport near Paris all the way to Le Mans, to the delight of locals.

• 1968 Owens Corning Corvette (Courtesy of Rick Hendrick)
This L-88 Corvette is the most victorious Corvette in history. Campaigned by a variety of drivers, such as Tony DeLorenzo, Jerry Thompson, John Mahler, Don Yenko, Gib Hufstaeder, Dick Lang and Jerry Hansen--this car was nearly unstoppable in FIA GT and SCCA National racing.

Most notable wins included the 1969 and 1972 SCCA National "A" Production Championship, second place in the 1969 12 Hours of Sebring, and first place in the GT division of the 1969 and 1970 24 Hours of Daytona.

• 1989 Corvette Challenge (Courtesy of Lance Miller)
The bright red No. 3 car was the overall series winner for 1989 and was driven by Bill Cooper of the Valley Chevrolet Team. Featuring the new for 1989, ZF six-speed transmission and FX3 adjustable suspension, the car also has the unique "Corvette Challenge" racing seats and roll cage installed.

• 2001 Corvette C5R (Courtesy of Chevrolet)
This race car was built by Pratt & Miller for Chevrolet Racing. It raced successfully in the American Le Mans Series and has been to four 24 Hours of Le Mans races. In its inaugural 2001 season, this car captured eight wins in 10 races, with an overall win in the 24 Hours of Daytona.

• 2011 Corvette C6R Le Mans Winner (Courtesy of Chevrolet) This car was a lap down with six hours remaining in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Driven by Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner and Antonio Garcia, the trio relentlessly pursued the class-leading Ferrari, cutting the margin by two seconds each lap. With just two hours and 10 minutes to the checkered flag, Milner overtook the Ferrari and steadily increased his lead to have the Corvette team finish two minutes and 29 seconds ahead of the runner-up Ferrari for the memorable and hard-fought victory."
Source: Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Communications Dep

Note: The Images on this page will be replaced with images and stories from the actual event. Check back after the above event date.

Corvette 1974
34th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races
Mazda Raceway, Laguna Seca, 2007

Corvette 1957
Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races.
Infineon Raceway
Sonoma, California, 2008

Corvette 1964
Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races 2008

Terry Gough of Reno, NV, in a 1965 Chevrolet Corvette finished First in Groupe 7A

Group 2A - 1927-1951 Racing Cars always put on a great show. They are fast and look great.

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