Japanese Makes Coming to Laguna SecaRolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionJapanese brands are slowly increasing their recognition throughout the collector car and vintage racing world, and the best and most impressive example of that might be a big gathering of racing cars and motorcycles planned for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 12–15."This special exhibition traces Japanese motorsport history through more than 40 historic cars and two dozen motorcycles from private collections, museums, and automakers," organizers said. "It will be the largest showcase of Japanese racing accomplishments in the 52-year history of the historic racing event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca."1991 Mazda 787BRolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionOne of the highlights of the exhibition will be two Le Mans winners brought together for the first time: The 1991 Mazda 787B, which was the first Japanese car to capture the crown, and the 2018 Toyota GAZOO Racing's TS050 Hybrid that gave Toyota its first overall victory.Rolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionFor Honda/Acura, people may think of the Honda Formula 1 engines that powered Williams to championships in the Honda-powered Williams FWB 11. The Williams-Honda era resulted in 23 grand prix victories before the engine partnership concluded at the end of the 1987 season. So one of the F1 cars will be there.AdvertisementAdvertisementBut Honda's start in four-wheeled motorsport will be represented by a 1968 Honda S800 RSC—the marque's first entry—and a 1969 Honda N600 Baja that raced down the peninsula in 1970. (The N600 was specially modified for the 1000 with a stripped-down 1,500-pound frame, a 598cc air-cooled twin-cylinder engine, roll cage, and a 15-gallon fuel cell. Though it didn't get to La Paz, it remains a celebrated piece of American Honda motorsport history.)Toyota TS050Rolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionAnd while you'd expect Toyota's Le Mans-winning TS050 to be there, you will also see the Toyota 7, the brand's first full-fledged prototype race car, developed with Yamaha, as well as the AAR Toyota Celica and Eagle that dominated IMSA GTO and GTP racing, and the 2007 Toyota NASCAR Camry.Screaming Mazda rotaries will be present in the form of the 787B shown at top, but Mazda's earlier history will be showcased by a 1967 Cosmo Sport, a 1991 Mazda RX-7 GTO, and later by a 1992 Mazda RX-792P.The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Grand Marshal will be Pete Brock, famous for the BRE Datsun 510s that won two Trans Am championships. Nissan will also show a 1969 BRE Datsun 2000 Roadster and the 1988 Nissan GTP ZX-T and championship-winning Nissan NPT-90.AdvertisementAdvertisementRally champion Subaru will showcase its dirt pedigree with WRXs that have been driven to wins by Travis Pastrana, Colin McRae, and Ken Block.America's "Kentucky Kid" - the late Nicky Hayden - will be celebrated with his iconic championship-winning Honda.Rolex Monterey Motorsports ReunionFor the first time at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, a major tribute will showcase world championship motorcycles from Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. The curated collection includes bikes ridden by legends such as Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, and the Honda RC211V in which Nicky Hayden captured back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006 at Laguna Seca, which led to his 2006 MotoGP world championship."From the punishing terrain of Baja and hillside rally stages to the advanced arenas of Formula 1, IndyCar, and endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Japanese manufacturers have left their mark," the Rolex said. "Their success also extends to championship motorcycle racing, on both dirt and pavement, completing this broad legacy of achievement."The Reunion will feature more than 400 historic, authentic race cars in 13 different race groups this year. Advanced pricing ends July 31.
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