That’s saloon as in the British word for sedans, not as in the historic drinking establishments of the American Wild West. And whether you call them saloons or touring cars, the Advisory Council of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is adding them to the 2022 event.
“The Saloon group perfectly complements the four Le Mans-focused groups, as well as our signature groups like Historic Trans-Am and Formula One,” council co-chair Bruce Canepa is quoted in the announcement. “It is going to be a spectacular experience.”
Among the cars eligible for the new group are the Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce, Lotus Cortina, MG Magnette and Wolseley Hornet.
“The variety of cars that are being submitted for entry consideration is impressive and entertaining,” Canepa added.
As part of its announcement, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca said it plans an “entirely new-look” format for Sunday, August 21, and that details will be announced soon.
La Jolla features early Bugatti
Organizers of the 16th annual La Jolla concours d’elegance, scheduled for April 23-24 near San Diego, say the first Bugatti produced will be part of its feature marque display.
“The partnership between the La Jolla Concours and the American Bugatti Club has presented a unique opportunity to enhance the presence of Bugatti in this year’s show, making for a fantastically rare selection of Bugatti’s of various Types and Years,” according to the concours news release.
Among the cars scheduled for the show field is a 1908 Type 10 La Petit Pur-Sang (Small Thoroughbred), the first car to wear the Bugatti nameplate.
Custom motorcycle show schedule
Progressive IMS Outdoors, which stages a series of custom motorcycle shows, has announced its 2022 calendar: June 17-19, The Ranch Events Complex, Colorado; June 24-26, Goebbert’s Farm, Chicago; September 16-18, Carlisle Fairgrounds, Pennsylvania; Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, New York; September 30-October 2, Atlanta (venue to be announced); October 21-23, Santa Mateo County Event Center, Northern California; October 28-30, WestWorld of Scottsdale, Arizona; November 4-6, OC Fair & Event Center, Southern California.
Organizers also noted that its 2021 events resulted in more than 35,000 motorcycle demo rides, that 44 percent of attendeeds were new to motorcycles, and that more than 1,600 children tried out two-wheel balance and battery-operated bikes.
“The Powersports industry is amid a transformative period in time as new brands emerge, such as bespoke and electric companies, and we welcome an all-new generation of riders,” said Tracy Harris, senior vice president of Progressive IMS Outdoors. “We are so proud to cater our event to the changing needs of the industry and reunite everyone from new riders and kids to life-long enthusiasts.”
British concours to feature Packard collection
England’s Concours of Elegance, aka the Royal Concours, has announced a “once-in-a-lifetime” display of seven of the “world’s finest” 1930s Packard Twelves for its event scheduled for September 2-4 at the Hampton Court Palace.
“Packard was an American luxury automobile maker famed for its opulence, mechanical quality, refinement and reliability,” the news release notes. “The company was active from the production of the first Packard automobiles in 1899, to the last Detroit-built Packard model in 1956. It was one of the finest luxury car makers before World War II, and was a firm favorite among European Royalty, celebrities and Corporate America.”
The announcement says the “Magnificent Seven” display comes from the JBS Collection in the US, and that the cars, restored by LaVine Restorations, “have never been displayed outside the US before.”
‘Classic Nostalgia’ at Shelsley Walsh
The annual Classic Nostalgia weekend at England’ Shelsley Walsh hill climb has been set for July 16-17 and will include not only the various auto runs up the hill, but a Classic & Sports Car Concours d’Elegance and the first visit to the site by the Ken Fox Wall of Death motorcycle troupe.
Also being displayed is the new Ecurie Ecosse LM-C, a new car inspired by the classic Jaguars of the 1950s.
Sunday Scramble spreads to Saturday
With tickets to the Sunday Scramble scheduled for April 24 selling out with record speed, organizers of the event at England’s Bicester Heritage have decided to begin the event on Saturday, April 23, and are offering an additional 5,000 tickets for that date at the former RAF bomber training site that has become a classic car industrial park.
