Other

For most Porschephiles, the action for this year’s Historics Week in Monterey started on Friday, August 19th with the Legends of the Autobahn Concours at Rancho Canada Golf Course in Carmel Valley, CA. With an increase of 300% in registrations over the inFor most Porschephiles, the action for this year’s Historics Week in Monterey started on Friday, August 19^th with the Legends of the Autobahn Concours at Rancho Canada Golf Course in Carmel Valley, CA. With an increase of 300% in registrations over the inaugural event last year, some spectacular cars from Mercedes, BMW and Porsche were sure to be on display. Karen and I drove down on Thursday just to be ready for a full day of exotic car viewing.

Bob McLaughlin said he always look forward to this exciting week in Monterey each summer. There is so much going on that it is not possible to take it all in:  excellent racing, a number of high end auctions, numerous Concours with stunning automobiles, and much more. Bob had convoyed down I-5 on Thursday to Santa Nella with friends Rich and Cindy Wyett, and took CA 152 to Monterey where they picked up their tickets at the Embassy Suites and then headed to their hotels. Bob’s was a distance away in Gilroy (OK so he’s cheap).  Arriving at his hotel, Bob said he found that some of the Ferrari guys were staying there also. It is nice to know that they are not big spenders either…

Kevin and Jennifer join Judy Watts (center) in the paddock during the vintage races. (Photo by B McLaughlin)Friday morning found Rich, Cindy, and Bob meeting in Salinas at MacDonald's for breakfast.  A nice drive to Carmel Valley put them on the beautiful Rancho Canada Golf Course for the second annual "Legends of the Autobahn" Concours. The director of the Porsche part of the Concours, Zone 7 Rep Sharon Neidel, placed their cars in the most prominent position in the Porsche section.  When the judges arrived after lunch, to Bob’s horror they found dust on the door hinges and a few tiny specks of paper in the arm rest (Bob said he didn't even know they opened up).  Well, even though Rich and Cindy carefully prepared their spectacular 2011 Boxster Spyder, no one in the group received a trophy but they sure had lots of fun and gathered a lot interest from the spectators. Rumor has it that they gathered almost as much interest from some law enforcement types on the drive down, although the “looks” were all admiring.

Pat Costin, Crew Chief Charlie, Rich Wyett, Dean Watts and Cindy Wyett pose together between practice sessions at Laguna Seca. (Photo by B McLaughlin)From a spectator’s perspective the Concours cars were simply amazing; beautiful with perfect paint and interiors. Many were rare cars.  During the morning there was a fly over of T6 airplanes. After a catered lunch, each of the three sponsoring clubs (Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche) gave out trophies.  Several of Rich’s friends were awarded trophies.   PCA President Manny Alban attended the event and said that The Legends of the Autobahn had become one of the premier events of the summer. After the Concours was over, and since Bob’s hotel was so far away, Rich's friends invited him to spend a few hours at their house in Monterey. That evening the whole group went to dinner at a small restaurant in Carmel Valley. It sounded like a very enjoyable evening. 

Dean Watts leads a group of vintage racers out of Turn 4 at world famous Laguna Seca. (Photo by D Aynesworth)The vintage racing segment of the weekend, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2011(formerly Monterey Historics),  was held August 19-21 at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. This year the event celebrated the racing heritage of Jaguar. The paddock area featured the Jaguar Heritage Display, a group of spectacular museum quality cars covering the spectrum of Jaguar history.  The field featured many of the legendary British race cars and included the Jaguar Invitation Class as well as many C and D types along with the iconic XK’s. The weekend also honored the 50^th anniversary of the Ferrari GTO with its own race of 14 1961-1963 250 GTO’s. A total of 550 cars were entered in 17 classes. Cars came from 27 states and 14 countries and ranged from as far back as a 1911 Fiat S74.

Bob McLaughlin stands quietly next to his 997 GT3RS after the crowds have passed at The Legends of the Autobahn Concours. (Photo by R O’Larey)Saturday we all arrived at Laguna Seca early to get good parking places. The day started out overcast and cool, but the action on the track was fast and hot. The sun broke out in mid afternoon and the racing, both Saturday and Sunday was outstanding. We visited friends who were racing their cars, and saw others that were visiting just as we were. SNR members Dean Watts (1964 Porsche 901) and Pat Costin (1974 911 IMSA Spec) raced their cars to very competitive results within their groups. We also visited the vendor village and purchased things we just couldn't be without. We took lots of pictures and of course we did our share of eating. There was so much to do, it was hard to remember it all. 

Rich, Cindy and Bob not go back to the track on Sunday, but instead have a leisurely breakfast at Denny's in Gilroy and then drive home.  We stayed and enjoyed Sunday’s racing and even spent some time sightseeing as well. For us, it was a great weekend attending the Legends of the Autobahn Concours, looking at the spectacular cars in the paddock at Laguna Seca, watching the classic cars on the track, cheering for our local drivers and enjoying the beauty of the Monterey Peninsula. Historics Week in Monterey, with the concours, vintage racing and all of the related activities is something that everyone who enjoys sports cars should experience.