Motorcycles at Rolex Monterey Motorsport ReunionYamaha52 years after Steve and Debbie Earle founded what was then called the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, motorcycles have finally made it to what is now called, half a century later and with a title sponsor, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. This year will see one of the largest gatherings of former World Champion MotoGP riders ever assembled.Most of the riders you'll see rode Japanese bikes. Between 1978 and 2000, seven American riders—Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts Jr., and Doug Chandler—captured 14 of 23 FIM 500cc World Championships, one of the most dominant eras by any nation or group of riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history.Eddie Lawson at the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at Donington ParkEMPICS Sport - EMPICS - Getty Images"There are currently more than two dozen confirmed drivers who will be racing or guiding exhibition cars through their paces and meeting guests this year, and more are contacting us every day," said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. "It is shaping up to be the largest gathering of former professional drivers and championship riders to participate in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion."IROC race in 2002.RacingOne - Getty ImagesThe IROC (International Race of Champions) Unser Family Cup group alone welcomes seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, who will be challenged by Zak Brown, Kurt Busch, Bruce Canepa, Dario Franchitti, Bobby Labonte, Patrick Long, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan, and Tomy Drissi, who returns to defend his 2025 win. Al Unser Jr. also returns to represent the Unser family, one of America's most famous racing names. While they are competing on track, their off-track activities include a variety of appearances and an autograph sessions.Denis Singleton in his 1970 CamaroDennis GrayOther groups include:AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Parnelli Jones Trans-Am Trophy celebrating one of the most thrilling eras in American road racing, featuring the legendary 1966–1972 Trans-Am cars that defined the muscle car wars. Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, Javelins, Barracudas, and other iconic V8-powered machines will recreate the manufacturer rivalries that captivated racing fans and helped establish Trans-Am as one of North America's premier racing series.Bill Lyon's 1967 Porsche 910WeatherTech Raceway Laguna SecaThe Pedro Rodriguez Trophy was named in honor of legendary endurance racer Pedro Rodríguez. Group 5 celebrates the golden era of the FIA World Manufacturers Championship, when the world's greatest sports prototypes battled for victory at iconic endurance races including Le Mans, Daytona, Sebring, Monza, and the Nürburgring. The field features an extraordinary collection of lightweight prototype racers that pushed the boundaries of engineering, aerodynamics and speed during one of motorsport's most innovative periods.There are many other racing groups competing in the Reunion. Check them out August 12 to August 15, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
