As Detailed in our last issue, historic racing is the organized racing of particular models of cars from the past. It branches across all types of racing from Rally to NASCAR to simple track racing. The cars that race will have had an impact on the racing scene and cars that the racing community remembers fondly.

The historic racing event that we will be looking at is the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. This event is one of the most well known in the historic racing community and attracts a large fan-base that grows each year. It is an annual event, which occurs at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey California. It was first established and organized by a man by the name if Steve Earle way back in 1974. At first it was small and mainly local event with local participants, however over the following years the event grew in popularity and gained the sponsorship of large companies such as Rolex and Chrysler.

The participants have remained almost the same in terms of the type of people who take part. They are mostly local enthusiasts and drivers. Local businesses often sponsor a particular team to gain publicity in a local event and to keep the event alive as it also attracts many enthusiasts from neighboring counties. However, some celebrity and former racing drivers attend annually. For example, a number of old formula one drivers attend and often take part. These include names such as Derek Bell, Alan Jones and John Watson. All of these F1 drivers took part in an 8-lap race special for the event in 2008.

The event has become a big one now on the racing calendar. Celebrated every few years are its anniversaries, with much enthusiasm and respect worthy of such a venerable racing occasion. In 2008, Monterey celebrated its 35^th anniversary.

Because the event is of amateur status, there are less organization needed and there is a more welcoming atmosphere. The spectators and the drivers mingle in-between races and spectators have permission to walk around the pits to look at the cars, which will be competing. However, despite this ‘official’ status it still enjoys the publicity enjoyed by many semi-pro events. In addition, some cars divisions can be inter-linked or cars switched from one race to another at a moments notice, normally because of logistical problems or because the top speed is either to slow or too fast for that particular car.

Television highlight are viewed on various channels with Speed Channel being the most prominent by showing highlights o races from previous years and the present. Racing Magazines do features of the event and local newspapers and radio stations take an interest in the annual event.

There are many different types and divisions of races at this event and all are quite popular among the spectators. These include 1908-1950 Grand Prix cars and Indy roadsters, 1955-63 Formula one cars, Historic Trans Am racers, which usually only compete in the 5 liter class, and other various production and championship cars produced around the world.

Indeed, the future looks bright for Monterey.

By Dean Sherwin

Dean is based in Ireland and has extensive writing experience, especially in the area of the auto industry writing car features, reviews and blogs, as well as other cultural and sporting events, and the gaming industry.

http://www.artofstinginess.com- Owner and Editor

www.deansherwin.com Freelance Technology, Culture and Opinion Writer