Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races (2009) Dates Set

November 6, 2008

Press Release

The 36th annual Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races and auto exposition is scheduled Aug. 14-16, 2009, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif., General Racing has announced. Next year’s dates come in the still-buzzing aftermath of this year’s successful event during which special guest Mario Andretti drove his famous Lotus 79. Porsche, the manufacturer that has long intrigued compassionate global automobile enthusiasts, will be the featured marque.

“We are extremely excited to honor Porsche and its incredible racing heritage at the 36th Rolex Monterey Historic,” said Steve Earle, founder of the event and president of General Racing. “With great cars from the early 356 Speedsters and Spyders, to the 917’s, this event will be an auto enthusiasts dream and we look forward to seeing these vehicles on the track.”

The iconic 356 gave Porsche its first overall win in a major sports car racing event at the 1956 Targa Florio. The 356s Speedsters and Spyders are rarely in public view but will be showcased at Rolex Monterey Historic Races. The Porsche workmanship and craftsman has endured endless replications, improvements and technical evolution of the intervening 60 years.

The early 356’s lean curvatures, penned by engineer/aerodynamicist Erwin Komenda, are fundamental to Porsche products. The Porsche 917 was in its heyday the fastest series production car ever produced, and it was made into a movie star by Steve McQueen in his 1971 film Le Mans. The movie magnificently showcases the bright blue and orange livery Gulf 917K and Porsche Austria 917LH.

“Porsche won the Can-Am Championship here in 1972 and 1973 with one of the most iconic sports racing cars of all time,” said Gill Campbell, CEO/general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. “The 917 was known for its high speeds and high horsepower outputs and raced successfully here at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.”

Tickets, additional event information, parking directions and information for the 2009 season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca are available by calling (800) 327-SECA or online at www.laguna-seca.com.

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s 2009 racing schedule includes: The Festival of Speed featuring Rolex Grand-Am Series, May 15-17; Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix featuring MotoGP World Championship, July 3-5; 36th Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races August 14-16; and the Monterey Sports Car Championships featuring the American Le Mans Series, Oct. 9-11.

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