Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

rodneym · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2015, 11:38 PM

It was my first time and certainly not my last. This is a bucket list item for anyone who loves old cars and racing.

Former race driver Andre Ahrle borrowed my trailer for his 289, so we hung out with him and the crew most of the day. The 63-66 GTs (over 2.5l) raced morning and afternoon. Lynn Park was there with his two sons (but he missed the 2nd race??), as well as Mike McGovern in a 289, who had 2 flawless races and never lost first position.

Andre started the first race in 4th, jumped to 2nd but couldn't catch McGovern. He eventually dropped to 4th with fuel starvation issues

.

The second race was repeating itself lap after lap until a play was made by Andre coming in on the outside and getting clipped by Jim Click (who also owns McGovern's Cobra). Damage? All in a day's play time.

Seeing these old cars was incredible: Alfas, Bugattis, Jags, Masers, old F1s, et al. Not to mention a certain well heeled person with a Ferrari GTO, 250 TR and a Birdcage. That's sick money.

Enjoy the crappy iPhone pics...

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 02:12 AM

those races are a great place to see the old cars run and I think it is an enjoyable time. Brings back a lot of memories and you get to see cars that you may never see otherwise. Every car person who has a chance to attend one of the events should go. Thanks for the pictures.

Ron

Jamo · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 02:19 AM

But damn it was a bit hot! Normally get some fog in the morning's and afternoons to keep it cool, but not this year. Incredible collection of cars (just like every year). Been going for decades and it just never gets old.

xb-60 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 04:19 AM

Yes, definitely on my bucket list.

I've heard of how steep some parts of Laguna Seca are; many thanks for posting the pictures.

Cheers,
Glen

acinider · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 07:21 AM

If anyone has more photos of the Shelby's at Monterey, please do post em! Flickr.com works great for posting groups of photos. Thanks!

Brent

rodneym · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 07:30 AM

Jamo,
Did you go this year?
The people I was with said this was their 20th something year, and usually they need sweaters! Ha! I don't believe it.

my427cobra · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 07:35 AM

Fantastic weekend was, I'm sure had by all. The turnout of GT350's was outstanding as were the Cobras.

What a show the F5000 cars put on! My favorites next to the Can-Am cars (which were not there this year).

I got these three fine gentlemen to sign my helmet:

Also got Peter Brock to sign my Sunburst wheel next to Carroll Shelby's autograph. (pics of helmet and wheel to come).

Cheers
Greg

Ron61 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 07:52 AM

Also got Peter Brock to sign my Sunburst wheel next to Carroll Shelby's autograph.

That is great. I gave a T-Shirt that he signed for me and Shelby signed the dash of my Coupe. Fortunately I have pictures of him signing the Coupe. Brock is a verey nice person I think.

Ron

my427cobra · #9 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 08:09 AM

Hi Ron. Had the good fortune at various times over the weekend to talk to all three at length. All great fun to talk with and fine gentlemen too.

Sounds like you had a great time too.

There were probably enough Cobra Forum members there that we could have had our own tent.

Cheers
Greg

1985 CCX · #10 (**permalink**) 08-17-2015, 08:16 AM

Great to see Bob made it.......

tkb289 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-18-2015, 12:21 AM

I have been going to Laguna Seca since 1970 and it never gets old. As noted, for 2015 the featured marque this year was the ’65 (and ’66) GT350 and as one would expect there was a significant gathering of GT350s on display, in the pits and in the Shelby Club corral. Lots of Cobras as always and so many other great cars as noted above, it is something to see and experience. Along with the vintage cars, there was the new Ford GT and the GT350, both are impressive! There was also CSX3065, which if I understand correctly, is the first of the ‘Competition Cobras’, and it is stunning with excellent fit & finish.

Not Cobra related, but very interesting, I have included a couple of photos of Ron Goodman’s 1954 Porsche 356. I met Ron last year and again this year, he is absolutely a great guy who has built a very fast 356, which he hopes to race at Le Mans. Below is a link with more info on his team’s effort and a few photos to add to Rodney’s.

Enjoy !

- Tim

Pace Lap

CSX3065

A great car for a great cause

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqlA0_7qSbk[/ame]

SunDude · #12 (**permalink**) 08-18-2015, 06:16 AM

Great post, Tim! And thanks for the photos.

xb-60 · #13 (**permalink**) 08-18-2015, 04:30 PM

Great shots as always, Tim. Thanks for posting.
I had no idea there was going to be an Australian Porsche presence at Monterey this year. Ron Goodman's 356 is an amazing car....how many early '50s cars corner are that fast and can corner like that?
A nice showing of GT350s, as well as the mandatory Cobras

Cheers,
Glen