Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion: Wandering the Paddock

formula 5000 rear tireUnrestricted paddock access is arguably the best part of your admission to the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion (“Monterey Historics” from here on out). We’re talking several acres of cars so incredible, seeing one on a random Tuesday afternoon, you’d tell your friends about it for a week. Walking the rows with one’s wife and kids lends opposite joy and stress of seeing them pick their own favorites (and even get to sit in a couple!) and OMFGDONTTOUCHTHAT! 
With no particular order or logic, here are some snaps courtesy of either myself or The Missus from around the paddock. While you’re at it, be sure to check out Greg and Badley’s (probably better) shots as well.

This rear tire/flare combo is just the right kind of preposterous.

Look carefully and you’ll notice a pretty sizable oil slick under this recently-flogged (likely 7 figure) Bugatti.

The  was The Missus’ favorite car from the whole event. Maybe that provides some context on why my driveway looks as it does. 
Sure, let’s just use some empties to keep the stacks on our V12 Lagonda clear.

Hard to pick a favorite.
I remember having a serious emotional response to the first real Cobra I ever saw in person. Walking the paddock in Monterey will numb you quickly.

My biggest regret of the weekend was timing my track time wrong and missing the TransAm races. With only five liter motors and twisty road courses, TransAm feels like a last counter-point against the increasing bloat contemporary to the late 60s and early 70s.

Bro, do you even brake drum?

Hooniverse at the Monterey Historics: where I don’t even bother with a GT350 picture but scramble to shoot a Saab 9-3 Kombi.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 64 MB. You can upload: image, audio, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here

  1. mr smee Avatar
    mr smee

    Great pics,, more F5000 please!

    1. mad_science Avatar

      I heard a (probably) New Zealander telling a story about how he blew his F5000 motor, then bought a $500 smallblock off craigslist and swapped the good heads and induction onto it. He was elated to not finish last.

  2. Jeff Glucker Avatar
    Jeff Glucker

    That rally Porsche makes me yell loud swears… I want it so badly.

  3. Tamerlane's Thoughts Avatar
    Tamerlane’s Thoughts

    That’s a post-facelift 9-3 like mine!

  4. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
    BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

    The Bimmers and the rally Porsche get my thumbs up!

  5. mdharrell Avatar

    Okay, okay, I’m beginning to see that perhaps there’s more to Monterey Week than driving 1000 miles to attend a four-hour car show, then immediately driving 1000 miles home. Maybe next time I’ll take another day or so of vacation.