Celebrations at The Monterey Peninsula: Rolex Champions Four Automotive Events In California
5 min read
Rolex's connections to motorsport goes back to Sir Malcolm Campbell's World Land Speed Record victories in the 1930s, when he drove his automobile, Bluebird, to be the first driver to surpass 300 mph (483 km/h).
And now, the Monterey Peninsula, which has hosted an annual gathering of like-minded automobile lovers looking to immerse themselves in tradition and closely observe the future of engineering, has become a beacon of automotive excellence since the first Pebble Beach Road Race in 1950. From Wednesday, August 16, to Sunday, August 20, Rolex champions four distinctive events with a shared dedication to style and human endeavor: the Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Many of the most well-known marques in the world are getting ready to sit side by side on immaculate lawns and compete wheel to wheel as they did in their heyday with the celebrations in California just over a week away.
Three-time FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, who this year marks 55 years since joining the Rolex family of Testimonees, says: “Rolex has always set the standard and is perfectly aligned with these classic automotive celebrations where we can learn so much about the evolution of the car. The elegance and splendor of the machines that race in Monterey, as well as those on show throughout the week, represent the ultimate in motoring aesthetics. These events underline Rolex’s commitment to the sport, ensuring the achievements of the past will be remembered and their legacies will last forever.”
From Wednesday, August 16, to Saturday, August 19, the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will host up to 450 high-revving racing vehicles, including vintage Formula 1® cars and roaring Can-Am and Trans-Am vehicles. Rolex joined forces with the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion in 2001 and later became the event's title sponsor. Many sporting heroes have now been reunited with the vehicles that gave rise to their successes on the track. The iconic Corkscrew turn on the track, which has an elevation difference of five and a half stories, presents one of motor racing's greatest obstacles and a breathtaking sight for the thousands of spectators that watch the event over the course of the four days.
The Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance® presented by Rolex will create an enthralling moving museum of automobile design on Thursday, August 17. More than 150 vehicles will depart from the Pebble Beach Golf Links® and travel through Big Sur through parts of the famed 17-Mile Drive and Highway 1 before turning around and heading back. Since 2007, Rolex has supported the Tour as the Official Timepiece, paying tribute to the classic elegance of these moving monuments. As a precursor to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance®, the Tour offers the first look at the numerous exceptional cars as each competitor tries to establish their vehicle's roadworthiness before the Sunday judging.
On Friday, August 18, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering will mark 20 years. Just two years after the event's start, in 2005, Rolex joined up with this highly regarded occasion as the Official Timepiece, backing the automotive expertise on display. The Quail, one of the most cutting-edge events of its kind, is regarded as the pinnacle of car week; it is here that many of the world's top automakers and independent coachbuilders chose to introduce their avant-garde models and cutting-edge prototypes. The Quail Lodge & Golf Club's featured themes this year include the Early Bentley 1950s R-Type Coupe, the 50th Anniversary of the 1973 RS Carrera, and Eyes on Italian Design.
Jenson Button, the 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers’ World Champion and a Rolex Testimonee, who will attend, says: “It’s always wonderful to be among the passionate crowds at these events – each has its own special aura and showcases the ongoing influence of the motoring world. The Quail is particularly inspiring, with everyone coming to see the exhibition of beautifully maintained and pioneering machines. As a racing driver and vintage enthusiast, I love seeing Rolex’s support of these events, which continue to stand the test of time, while evolving year after year.”
Lastly, Porsche will celebrate its 75th anniversary by showcasing a collection of one-of-a-kind and historically significant cars from 1948 to 1973, including some of its most notable and successful prototypes and race winners. Lamborghini celebrates its 60th anniversary at the Concours ahead of the Italian manufacturer's eagerly anticipated return to the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following year, and McLaren, one of the longest-running Formula 1® teams still in action, marks 60 years of elite competition. Rolex recognizes the Best of Show winner on Sunday afternoon, honoring their commitment to excellence and thorough upkeep of the winning vehicle.
