The history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be celebrated half-a-world away next summer as WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has announced the 2022 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will include four run groups for cars that have raced in the famous French event.
“These featured groups will span the full century of Le Mans, from 1923 sports cars through 2005 prototypes,” the track said in its announcement. “The Le Mans grids will be dedicated to authentic, period-correct cars that have participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans or were eligible to compete in period.
“To fully celebrate the rich history of Le Mans, the Rolex Reunion will curate the largest exhibition of winning or historically significant Le Mans cars ever assembled for display and exhibition laps,” the track added. “These cars are currently in private collections or museums and no longer driven in competition, yet they represent the best of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“Featured in a massive structure, the story of Le Mans will emerge through video, period images and storyboards to entertain and educate visitors.”
The four Le Mans run groups are:
1923-1955 Le Mans
1956-1971 Le Mans
1972-1982 Le Mans
Le Mans Prototypes (1981-2005)
Other run groups being invited to participate in the event during Monterey Car Week are:
1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am
1966-1985 Historic Formula One
1958-1963 Formula Junior
1955-1969 Saloon
1955-1966 SCCA Sports Cars
1981-1991 IMSA GTO, Trans Am
1974-1979 Formula Atlantic
1920-1955 Grand Prix
“The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will also feature the ever-popular pre-1920 era cars, collectively known as the Ragtime Racers, which has become a staple of the week’s activities,” the track reported.
“The Ragtime Racers will not be a static display of antique race cars, which in 2021 was the largest single gathering of pre-1920 racers ever assembled in Monterey. Owners and riding mechanics wear the racing gear of the day, fire up their cars’ engines and will participate in daily race exhibitions to show fans these antiques and original racers are not for show, but can still come alive in the hills of Laguna Seca.”
The 2022 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is scheduled for August 17-20.
