Track management had agreed to make costly improvements in hopes of getting the event.
Porsche- It will be the fourth time the Porsche Rennsport Reunion has graced Laguna Seca.
- The first Rennsport Reunion took place at Lime Rock in 2001 as a way to celebrate the racing heritage of Porsche.
- Look for all your favorite drivers and cars to attend.
The seventh (not annual!) Rennsport Reunion will return to Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, 2023, Porsche announced yesterday. The official word ends speculation about where the popular Porsche party might end up.
“This will be the seventh running of the Rennsport Reunion and marks the fourth time that the iconic California race circuit is the stage for a celebration of the motorsports heart of Porsche. Further information on themes and ticket sales will be announced in due course.”
The first Rennsport Reunion took place at Lime Rock in 2001 after legendary Porsche 908 driver Brian Redman and then-Porsche PR guy the late Bob Carlson conceived of the event as a way to “celebrate the racing heritage of Porsche,” according to Porsche Cars North America, which organizes the event. “They envisioned an event at which drivers and enthusiasts could gather to celebrate racing and pay tribute to the people and cars that have helped build the Porsche legacy. Since its inaugural event at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut over 20 years ago, Rennsport has continuously grown in appeal, drawing in 80,000 fans over the course of the last event in 2018.”
Every type of racing Porsche will be represented at the Reunion.
Porsche
That last event was also at Laguna Seca, btw. Past Rennsports have seen not only great Porsche race cars from all eras of motorsport in which the company participated, but also the greatest drivers from the marque’s storied past. If you ever loved or even just liked Porsche racing heritage, from whatever era, it’s worth planning now to be in Monterey in 2023.
Laguna Seca lobbied hard to get the event, one of its most popular all year. The track is owned by the County of Monterey, California, and serves as a major source of county revenue, given that hotels and restaurants fill up whenever a motorsports event rolls into town. The track’s President and General Manager John Narigi successfully pitched the County Board of Supervisors to fund improvements to the facility, claiming Porsche was awaiting the board’s commitment before deciding whether to hold its Reunion there again. At the time, Porsche called Narigi’s claims “speculation.”
The board, which holds the purse strings to the county park that includes the race track, voted Dec. 8 to repave the track surface, replace the rickety wooden pedestrian bridge at start/finish, and even continue work toward a better hospitality suite at Turn 3. This is after all those nice new hospitality suites were built over the pit straight in 2003. The repaving and the bridge will cost just under $10 million, while the Turn 3 hospitality space had previously received $750,000 in funding.
The improvements will no doubt make for a better event.
“We’re all excited to be able to announce the return of the Rennsport Reunion, which is always a highlight of Porsche motorsports enthusiasm and heritage,” said Kjell Gruner, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “Rennsport Reunion has grown quickly over the years into a truly one-of-a-kind experience of sight, sound, and emotions. For a few days, it feels like everyone thrilled by the brand is united in one place, on and off the track, as one Porsche family … Our ambition is to make Rennsport Reunion VII the best one yet.”
Specifics about exactly which cars and which drivers will attend will be decided at a later date, but you can check out previous Rennsports to get an idea. Suffice to say whatever Porsche or Porsche driver you love will be represented, and more.
“During the four-day event, fans of all ages will not only get to experience exciting racing action with vintage and contemporary Porsche race cars on track, but also be able to see many rare Porsche vehicles, enjoy new vehicle reveals, E-sports, fan zones, and take part in opportunities to meet and interact with drivers as they share their exciting racing experiences,” Porsche promised. “Rennsport Reunion will also offer a host of other off-track activities.”
So get the 911 back in running shape and plan to drive to Monterey in 2023.
Keyword: Porsche Confirms Rennsport Reunion Return to Laguna Seca in 2023