The 2024 edition of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, taking place August 14-17, holds special significance as it marks 50 years of historic racing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. As the oldest continuously held historic auto racing event in the United States, this year’s event also marks the beginning of an entire racing category.

It would be difficult to determine exactly when it began or what constituted a classic race. Founded in 1974 by Steve Earle as the Monterey Historic Auto Races, the race distinguished itself by its insistence on provenance and period accuracy. Along with safety modifications, ensuring that every car entered met the standards of the era in which it was first raced, set the original event apart and continues to do so today. It also set the stage for others to follow.

Held on a warm, sunny August 10th, Earle hand-picked the entire field from a group of car owners he befriended. Until then, most race cars sat in collections, garages or museums without a safe environment to enjoy them. Earle provided a venue that would launch a full-fledged and still-thriving cottage industry for race car preservation and restoration.

In the end, Earle fielded 70 entries spread across eight running groups. Even in year one, the field was packed with high-quality cars, including a 1927 MG Le Mans, a 1966 Ford GT Mk 2 and a host of superb Ferraris, highlighted by a 1952 212 Export.

Most of the participants were from California, and almost none had any pageant experience.

“The whole process was very smooth,” says Ralph Borelli, who raced in ’74 in a 1915 Ford Racer. “Actually, my Racer was actually from ’26, but we had replaced the radiator with an old brass one, so it was considered a 1915.”

Another original competitor, Marnix Dillenius, who drove a 1963 Alfa Romeo GTZ in the 1974 event, is back in action the following August and recalls that back then there was no formal process for proving your racing credentials. He laughs as he recalls a four-minute inspection by a “Dr. Lee” who checked the driver’s vision and then sent them out onto the track.

“It’s much more professional and much more serious today,” Dillenius says, “but there are still a lot of guys who do it just for a laugh.”

In recent years, entry lists have exceeded 400 cars; the 50th anniversary reunion will easily exceed that number.

“The advisory board’s number one goal is to select the best significant and authentic historic race cars, including passionate owners who bring racing experience to bring fans the greatest historic racing spectacle in North America,” says Advisory Board co-chair Bruce Canepa.

Famous cars such as the Williams FW07B with which Alan Jones won the 1980 Formula One World Championship and Juan Manuel Fangio II’s dominant 1991-93 AAR/Toyota Eagle MkIII GTP, which took 16 wins from 27 starts, are among the many cars that stand out.

A carefully curated Motul Golden Anniversary Exhibition will tell the story of the event from its inception. The exhibition will feature a range of brands alongside personalities closely associated with the event, such as Dan Gurney, Juan Manuel Fangio and Carroll Shelby.

“There has never been a show like this before,” said Barry Toepke, Heritage Events Director for WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Cars come from private collectors, automakers and museums for this unique tribute to this incredible event founded by Steve Earle.”

If you’re interested in attending the 50th anniversary celebration of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Meet at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca from August 14-17, act now.

Not only will this year’s event be extra special, it will continue to be a cornerstone of Monterey Car Week with events held throughout the Monterey Bay Peninsula.

The entire scene is a car enthusiast’s paradise and time is running out to be a part of it.

Rooms at nearby hotels are becoming increasingly difficult to find, but tickets to the event are still available, including first-class accommodation options, general admission, and camping.

For more information and to purchase your tickets, visit WeatherTechRaceway.com