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2006 Monterey Historic Automobile Races
By: Drew Phillips
Photos by Drew Phillips and Nathan Leach-Proffer
September 07, 2006

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This year marked the fiftieth anniversary of Laguna Seca, perhaps the most famous race in the United States. The Historic Races have been running for a majority of that, thirty-three years to be exact, making it one of the longest running consistent racing events in the country. Event founder Steven J. Earle explained the importance of the event: ““The Rolex Monterey Historic Presented by Toyota brings together automotive enthusiasts from around the globe to participate in a living celebration of motorsports. In addition to preserving racing history and commemorating significant drivers and their achievements, the Historic provides attendees a glimpse into the evolution of race cars throughout much of the last century. It not only entertains, but through the variety of racecars, owners and drivers, it also educates.” The races play a large part of the Pebble Beach weekend, offering three days of racing action throughout the weekend. The setting is laid back and relaxed compared to the concours events also held throughout the weekend, and car enthusiasts get to see the automobiles driven like they were supposed to be driven. This year was the largest field of cars ever assembled, with over 400 vehicles spanning eight decades. Anything from a classic Bugatti to a Boss 302 Mustang can be seen racing wheel to wheel just like they used to years ago. The array of drivers is as impressive as the cars. Automotive celebrities such as Bobby Rahal, CART driver Danny Sullivan, and racecar driver Boris Said all piloted cars this year. This year’s Historic celebrated the Cooper Car Company and honored the achievements of Sir Jack Brabham who was in attendance. The Historics also welcomed Toyota has the lead sponsor, who brought their TF106 Formula 1 car to race for a few laps as well as a handful of other historic Toyota race cars.

The Cooper Car Company was the feature marque of the event, The Cooper Car Company was founded in 1947 by Charles and John Cooper. The company was run out of a small garage in Surrey, England where they built racecars. The company hit its peak in the lat 1950’s and early 1960’s when they revolutionized racing with their rear-engine layout and raced successfully in Formula 1 and at the Indy 500. Joining several other Cooper drivers from around the world, Michael Cooper, son of John Cooper, was honored at the event. While several of the groups included Cooper cars, Group 5A was the largest with 22 Coopers being raced. Cooper driver Sir Jack Brabham was also honored at the event, who claimed two back-to-back world championships driving Coopers in 1959 and 1960. The new Mini bearing the Cooper name was also honored at the event. The Historics offered the first North American glimpse of the new John Cooper Works GP Mini, with dozens participating in parade laps around the track with several other Mini Cooper owners.

While the Coopers were the featured cars, it was the Trans-Am cars of Group 6A that were the most memorable during the weekend. The mix of Mustangs, Camaros, Cougars and Barracudas exhibited the most exciting racing action, with several lead changes and daring passes throughout the ten lap race. The sound of the cars roaring over the hill on the front straight towards the first turn was one of the most exhilarating sights and sounds of the whole weekend. In the end it was Jamey Mazzotta’s 1970 Boss 302 Mustang that edged out Terry Miller’s 1967 Camaro Z28. Other memorable cars included the Historic F1 racecars from 1966 to 1977 in Group 7A that featured several rare McLarens.

One of the best parts of the historic races at Laguna Seca is off track in the paddock. There is an opportunity to see the cars close up and personal, as well as talk with the owners and drivers of the cars. There are also official displays, most importantly the Rolex Moments in Time Display that presents six cars representing significant moments in racing history. This years feature cars included Niki Lauda’s 1976 Ferrari 312 T2 F1, the 1961 Cooper Climax that raced at Indy, and a 1903 De Dion Bouton Model S that participated in the Paris-Madrid race.

Toyota’s lead sponsorship of the event also meant the appearance of their TF106 Formula 1 car. The last time an F1 car appeared at Laguna Seca was two years ago in 2004 when Ferrari brought a year-old F2003. Ferrari made several attempts to break the lap record at Laguna Seca set by Helio Castronevez of 1:07.722 set six years ago. Toyota was determined to not suffer the same fate, and brought their current model car and a full team of engineers to properly set up the car for the track. After only one installation lap, Toyota test driver Ricardo Zonta set the new record at 1:07.587 seconds at 119.206 mph. The car reached an estimated 195 mph top speed. Zonta wasn’t finished, however, and continued to break his own record throughout the weekend, lapping at 1:06.596 seconds on Saturday and eventually achieving a lap at 1:06.309 seconds at well over 120 mph on Sunday. Afterwards Zonta commented, “It’s a great feeling to be the fastest man ever around Laguna Seca. It was fun, and it’s nice to leave Laguna Seca knowing I’ve got this record.”

Toyota also offered a rare opportunity to see a Formula 1 car up close. Generally, F1 racecars are difficult to see in detail, with race teams keeping prying eyes away from the car. Toyota, however, allowed spectators to get as close as they wanted to. “In bringing the F1 car to Monterey, Toyota wants to provide an unusual and exciting opportunity for race participants and spectators to view an F1 car up close on the track and in the garage,” said Jim Farley, Toyota vice president of marketing. He also stated that it would be the only time it would be easily accessible for viewing by spectators.

With the beautiful sunshine, diverse array of vintage cars, exciting racing action, and even a Formula 1 car, the 2006 Monterey Historic Autombile Races ended all too soon. We wait eagerly for next year’s event and what it will bring.