Between the rolling hills of the Monterey Peninsula and the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, four revered events will take place next week: the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex, The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®. Magnificent individually, they come together to tell stories that have shaped motoring history through the decades. Rolex is at the heart of the week-long spectacle, having supported this festival of automotive excellence in California since 1997.
« The owners’ love for the cars runs deep, » says Rolex Testimonee Mark Webber. « These machines are presented in their original form and each one is a piece of art. Rolex and these events appreciate the meticulous precision it takes to make something elegant and timeless that can be cherished forever. »
From Wednesday 12 to Saturday 15 August, more than 400 vehicles – from pre-1920 automobiles to 2010s sports cars – will take to the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. This year’s edition marks the 25th anniversary of the Swiss watchmaker’s partnership with the event, for which it became Title Sponsor in 2010. During this time the Reunion’s mission has been to honour motor racing’s greatest eras by allowing these historic machines to perform as originally intended. The IROC (International Race of Champions) category returns for a second year, with Rolex Testimonee Scott Pruett set to line up alongside fellow greats from across the motor sport world. Pruett’s competitive record at this track spans five decades, and fittingly, his achievements have been honoured through a race category bearing his name. Pruett reflects: « I raced at Laguna last year in one of my old cars that I won with in the IROC at Daytona in 1991. It was fun, but more importantly, it was about celebrating the heritage of a bygone era. Fans had the opportunity to speak with the drivers and view the cars as they would have been all those years ago. That is what motor sport is all about and it’s what we love about the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. »
The action shifts from the raceway to California’s famed coastal roads on Thursday 13 August for the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® presented by Rolex. When the morning sun breaks over the Monterey Peninsula, anticipation grows as a collection of 150 exquisite vehicles gather. By mid-morning, the engines roar to life and the rolling museum begins its 105-kilometre (65-mile) journey – a picturesque loop passing the Rolex clock outside the clubhouse at Pebble Beach Golf Links® and along 17-Mile Drive, Highway One and Big Sur, before returning to Portola Road. The Tour enables spectators to witness these vehicles in motion and serves as a crucial certification before judging takes place at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on Sunday.
At The Quail by The Peninsula, A Motorsports Gathering automotive lineage is showcased in a unique garden party setting on Friday 14 August. Rolex became Official Timepiece of the event in 2005 and has supported its evolution into a global platform where manufacturers unveil bold innovations alongside carefully preserved masterpieces. This year’s edition features five celebrated categories: the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the vehicles that traversed America’s legendary highway; the trailblazing Lamborghini Diablo; a legacy of Japanese grand touring cars; the Great Ferraris; and the Bruce Mayer Collection. Of all these rare collectors’ items, just one vehicle will be awarded the event’s highest honour, the Rolex Best of Show. In recognition of the commitment to their craft, the owner will receive a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Datejust and admission to the Rolex Circle of Champions.
Since 1997, Rolex has kept time on some of the greatest moments in Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® history, and this year will be no exception. Taking place on Sunday 16 August, the Concours will celebrate its 75th edition by once again assembling the most stylish, innovative and distinguished machines. Ferrari is the featured marque, reflecting the Italian manufacturer’s pivotal role since the event’s early years and its dominance in the world’s most prestigious races, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For three quarters of a century, entries from all corners of the globe have converged on the Pebble Beach Golf Links®, each with its own story to tell. Throughout the day, cars are judged on their authenticity and originality by experts – designers, engineers, historians and drivers. As the afternoon draws to a close, the Best of Show is announced and the winner is awarded a specially engraved Perpetual 1908, honouring their journey of dedication and devotion. Rolex Testimonee and endurance racing legend Tom Kristensen, an Honorary Judge on multiple occasions, says:
« The Best of Show award represents excellence and timeless elegance, values that I closely identify with Rolex. At the end of the day, the right car always wins. »
Delphine Clavel,