Motorsports: Vintage car race set for Monterey

MONTEREY - For racing purists, there’s nothing sweeter than the

sound of Italian-bred engines roaring down a straightaway.

At the 27th annual Monterey Historic Automobile Races Aug. 18-20 at

Laguna Seca Raceway, there will be plenty to hear and see as Maserati

rolls out an assortment of significant cars in celebration of its 85th

anniversary and planned return to America.

As this year’s featured car, Maserati will be joined by more than 350

of the world’s finest vintage race and sports cars spanning every era.

The Monterey Historics, which is considered one of the world’s premier

vintage racing events, is where the who’s who of racing’s past come to

play for a weekend dedicated to the glory years of motorsports.

Among the show cars anticipated at the event is the Maserati 250F, the

model that the late great five-time world champion Juan Manuel Fangio

drove to a heart-pounding victory over Ferrari in the 1957 German Grand

Prix.

Nameplates represented at the Monterey Historics include Porsche,

Lotus, Jaguar, Bugatri, Ferrari, Cobra and Mercedes-Benz. Costa Mesa

resident Steve Marx will be competing in the race, driving his 1959

Mercedes-Benz 300SL.

The field of more than 350 race cars are selected for their historical

significance and authenticity, right down to the proper sponsor decals

from their racing days.

According to Steven Earle, president of General Racing Ltd. and

organizer of the Monterey Historics, it’s the selection process that is

most difficult. “There are so many great cars worldwide that want to and

should be here in Monterey, but we are limited by the size of the paddock

and track time,” Earle said.

At the race, it’s not uncommon to see Phil Hill, Carroll Shelby, Dan

Gurney, Stirling Moss, Hurley Haywood, Danny Sullivan or Bobby Rahal

poking under a hood or reminiscing about a particular car they once

drove.

To many, that’s the beauty of the Monterey Historics. It’s not about

who crosses the finish line first, but enjoying the vehicles in the

setting they were built and camaraderie of motor racing’s glory years.

For tickets: toll free (800) 327-SECA.