When we finally pulled into the campground and I could hear the thunder of Trans-Am
cars running, I knew we were going to have a good weekend. It had been our goal to
reach the track by Noon on Friday, but the parking lot on Highway 101 had dashed that
dream and turned it into a 5PM arrival. Adam had gotten to the track at 7AM to get us a
camping spot, so he had entertained himself all day scouting out the venue.
We woke up Saturday morning to a cold Pacific Ocean fog, but by the time practice started at 9AM we were in sunshine. We spent the morning wandering around the paddock drooling at just about every car we saw. It is hard to describe the thrill of looking at these cars and realizing the history behind them.
After lunch, we headed for the grandstands to watch the Bentley parade and the rest of the lunchtime demonstrations. After seeing Phil Hill do exhibition laps in a Bentley and two different Ferraris, we headed for the hillside above the paddock to watch the seven afternoon races.
The first race was Pre-1931 Sports Touring cars. From there it ran the gambit to the seventh race which was 1966 to 1983 historic Formula One cars. All of the groups had between 20 and 25 cars each so it made for some exciting racing
Day Two dawned just like Saturday, cold and foggy. Adam was not responding to the wake up call, so Diana and I walked down to the vendor's tents. It was not as crowded as it was Saturday, so it was much easier for me to part with my next couple of months allowance. The quality and quantity of the automobilia that was for sale was astounding – as were most of the prices. At about 10AM we headed up the hillside to meet Adam and settle in for the rest of the day's activities. At Noon, demonstration laps were run in the 1997 Le Mans winning Mazda. With four rotors spinning, I believe it is the loudest car I have ever heard, but what a thing of speed and beauty.
The seven races run Sunday afternoon were all very interesting, but the last race had 34 1966-1972 historic Trans-Am cars. We walked up to the corkscrew to view this race and were rewarded with one of the most awesome displays of sound and horsepower I have ever seen.
I am already making plans to return next year. We did not get out to see any of the other events that happen on that weekend in the Monterey area, so next time……..