ausauto News Article

It happend in Monterey

As they say in the classics, there were more things to do than you could shake a stick at. If you're a classic car or historic motorsport enthusiast the second full week of August is the perfect time to find yourself in the Monterey Peninsula. Situated about two hours south of San Francisco and 5½ hours north of Los Angeles, the Monterey Peninsula draws enthusiasts not only from all over North America but around the world.

It's a time of the year when only in Monterey will you see such marques as Delahaye, Lancia, Delage, Duesenberg, Cisitalia and Cord parked on the street and all in one day.

There are not many places where you can sip champagne at 11pm to the sound of the auctioneer's hammer as yet another Ferrari goes to a well heeled buyer.

My wife and I had accepted a long standing invitation to attend the Monterey Historics held at the Laguna Seca Raceway and while prepared for a day at the races we had no idea at the number of auctions, concours, car displays and automobilia sales that you could spend your time and money at.

However, for the sake of Historic Motorsport let's just look at three events. The Quail Lodge is a resort for the well to do in Carmel Valley and for one day of the year it is certainly the place for diehard historic racing car enthusiasts. At US$250 a ticket, it's not cheap to get in, plus you have to book months ahead to ensure your entry.

However, for your hard earned dollars you have use of the facilities as well as a superb lunch with fine Californian wines. It is a very popular event, with thousands cheek by jowl by late morning.

This year at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering' the main theme was the Sebring 12-hour race with actual cars that had taken part in the race on display on a large expanse of lawn.

In addition, there was a circle of Eagle racecars created by legendary American grand prix driver Dan Gurney (pictured) and selections of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

If that wasn't all, there was also a jaw dropping mixture of both racecars and bikes.

Pride of place amongst the manicured lawns was a single Corvette Grand Sport and I particularly liked the Ferrari California on a scissor hoist and just fell in love with the 1947 Cisitalia D46 Monoposto that was previous raced in Australia during the 1950s by Bill and Jim Leech of Frankston, Victoria.

A Day at the Races

Friday was The Quail and the following day enthusiasts made a beeline for the Monterey Historics. Organised by the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula (SCRAMP) the races have been held annually for 35 years and have become renowned as "THE" historic race meeting in North America.

The 3.6mile circuit is "uphill and down dale" with perhaps "The Corkscrew" the best-known corner of any US circuit. While the meeting extends over 3 days, the 10-lap races don't start until lunchtime on Saturday and Sunday.

Perhaps only at the famed Goodwood circuit in England and at Monterey can you see such iconic cars as a Maserati Birdcage, US built Scarab and Ferrari Testa Rossa out on the circuit at the same time.

Or, if something a little older is to your taste, what about a 1939 Maserati 4CL, 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 and a 1934 ERA? Needless to say, I spent most of my time wandering the paddock, camera in hand, wishing I had a zillion dollars.

It was truly exciting to see more modern F1 cars such as the six-wheel Tyrrell P34 leading a race against the likes of as Lotus 79 and Ferrari 312.

It was also wonderful to witness a small contingent of Australians taking part including Roger Ealand, Don Thallon and Bill Hemming all visiting in their Formula Juniors for the FJ 50th Anniversary races, while Victorian Rusty French was also enjoying himself in his Porsche 935.

Pebble Beach

It was Sunday morning and the place to be was Pebble Beach.In its 58th year the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance was just mind-boggling.

The setting, on the 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links, is perfect. We were not the only people dressed to the nines at 7am and to see so many cocktail dresses at that time of the morning is interesting. Whilst most cars were superbly restored exotic classics there were quite a few competition cars to create an interest.

Just loved the 1954 Lancia D24 Sports Spyder that was driven by Piero Taruffi at the Oporto Grand Prix in Portugal and the freshly restored 1937 Maserati 8CL was to die for. Plus I didn't mind the selection of US Scarabs on the 1950s Fiat transporter.

However I will say that while they weren't racing cars I found myself completely taken by the collection of General Motors Motorama Concept Cars from the early 1950s.

Surely a once in a lifetime chance to see such historically significant motorcars. If you find yourself in Monterey during August take the time to have a good look at what's going one. You won't regret it.