2025 Monterey Motorsports Reunion Program to Honor F1, IROC
It’s never too early to start planning to attend the invariably interesting Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in California, held each summer. In 2025, the Reunion will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Formula 1 with an exhibition that showcases “F1 cars through the ages—from the earliest years to contemporary with modern technology—to honor the history and progression of these sleek, high-revving machines that have raced at the highest level of international competition.”
A second, just-as-cool program will cover the original International Race of Champions series, which held races from 1973 to 2006. For the first time since 2002, IROC will return to the West Coast with a display of authentic IROC race cars, with many being piloted by past IROC competitors from NASCAR, Formula 1, IMSA, IndyCar, and Trans-Am. Various makes and models were used during IROC’s 30-plus year history, including Porsche Carrera RSRs, Chevrolet Camaros, Dodge Daytonas, Dodge Avengers, and, at the end, Pontiac Firebirds.
In addition, the race classes for 2025 have just been announced. The Reunion Advisory Council has spent considerable time reviewing past classes and analyzing the mix that will keep the on-track racing “at its highest level.” According to Reunion Advisory Council Chair Bruce Canepa, there were many factors to consider before finalizing the list. The races will showcase everything from pre-1955 Grand Prix cars to iconic, more modern-day prototypes. Each of the 13 race groups and two exhibition classes will be on track daily.
In addition to the racing, attendees can participate in various activities, including meet-and-greets with legendary drivers, and a chance to view some of the most iconic cars up close in the paddock.
Here are the 2025 Race Groups:
-1922-1955 Grand Prix
-1966-1985 Formula One
-1991-2011 IMSA, ALMS, Grand Am, FIA, World Challenge
-1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am
-1955-1967 SCCA Large Displacement Production
-1981-1991 IMSA GTP, GTO, Group C
-1973-1981 IMSA GT, GTU, GTX, FIA
-1963-1968 USRRC
-1960-1972 Saloon
-1950-1960 Small Displacement Production
-1947-1960 Front Engine GT and Sports Racers
-1961-1975 FIA Manufacturers Championship
-IROC
-Ragtime Racers Exhibition
-Formula One Exhibition
“The Advisory Council takes a very thorough look at each entry to determine the car’s authenticity, provenance and period-correctness,” Canepa said. “Replicas, continuations or overbuilt cars that differ from the day they originally raced are simply not accepted. We require, and visitors expect, only the best of the best real cars with racing pedigree and historical significance.” Applications for entry will be taken beginning December 2.
The Monterey Reunion will be held on August 13-16. For information, log onto WeatherTechRaceway.com.
The production based cars are my favorite but there are so many purpose built race cars to enjoy.