I attended my first Monterey Historics race weekend back in 1988, and have attended as a spectator and crewmember many times since. But this year was my first time as an entrant! What a different outlook on the event I have now. Having to load in on Wednesday and load out after the final race on Sunday takes a major commitment indeed. And you really have to adjust your thought process for this event as you get less track time than you might at a one-day SCCA event. It really is just a four-day party of all things automotive.
This year’s attendance of both entrants and spectators was down a bit due to the ongoing pandemic, car count in the 350 range instead of the common 500+. But not surprisingly with all the other Monterey Car Week events going on as planned, the weekend crowd was quite robust. We sure missed some of the international flavor that this event usually brings out, but it was made up for in other ways. Ford brought a fantastic collection of Trans-Am cars, the Indy museum brought out some famous 500 cars, and La Carrera Panamerica had a contingent of cars on display as well. And you couldn’t miss the giant paddock of Ragtime Racers, all of the race cars over 100 years old!
With just a short Practice on Thursday, a shorter Qualifier on Friday, nothing on Saturday, and two short Races on Sunday, there was LOTS of time for doing other things. I spent time walking the pits ogling amazing cars and hanging around my pit meeting folks while showing off the Bobsy, but still had plenty of time to do and see other attractions. Of course no trip to Laguna Seca can be without a dinner out at the Baja Cantina, a great racers hangout if there ever was one. We also went to the Concours de Lemons (the Concours de Elegance is so passe…), the Seaside Cars & Coffee, the Legends of the Autobahn show, etc. On the grounds of the racetrack there were lots of vendor booths and displays, and I had friends throwing BBQs at the track campgrounds every night.
Unfortunately I had some car problems and didn’t get to go out for all my track time, something that normally would have left me quite disappointed. But I can honestly say I really enjoyed myself nonetheless. We’ll get ’em on the track next time…
Lots more pics to come once I get the time to sort through the hundreds I took ;-)
photo by Max Kovacs
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