DEL MONTE TROPHY RACE GROUP – 2023 BULLETIN 3
Rolex Monterey Hstoric Reunion 18-20 August 2023 at Laguna Seca
Good Morning, It’s a beautiful Sunday morning here in Carmel Valley. We’re just a few short weeks off from the Historics at Laguna Seca. I wouldn’t be surprised if at least a few of you are in the garage, under the car, hoping that there isn’t much more to do to get the thing ready to race… Those of you who are entered will have seen that we have quite a good turn out this year. We are a combined group with the 1955-1960 front engined folks. It’s a large grid: of the 37 or so cars DMTRG, represents half the field. We have two new cars joining us: John Mote should have his spectacular Sorrel Kurtis Special on track for the first time. Bill Rooklidge has his Jaguar D-Type ready to go following a meticulous restoration. Jeff Abramson is bringing out the von Neumann MG Special after a several year hiatus. The other half is mostly Lotus 17, Lotus 11, Lola Mk1 along with three big Chevy-engine Specials.
We will again have an area in the paddock reserved for DMTRG entries. I will send out location details when I have them from the organizers.
As in previous years there will be a race car run from the track to downtown Monterey on the Friday (August 11) of the Pre-Reunion. This is limited to 30 cars. If you are interested in participating, contact ContrerasF@laguna-seca.com now.
All of this year’s entries are eligible to participate in the Sunday (August 20) Hill Climb. It’s a fun extra that is open to the general spectator public. If you’re not going to the Concours or in a rush to get home, let’s “Run The Hill”, in this case the Corkscrew in reverse.
Hope to see you all here, those of us who have entered and those of us just attending Car Week, in a month.
Further events in 2023
CSRG’s “Charity Challenge” annual fixture at Sonoma Raceway September 8-10. is very well run and a lot of fun. For those of us who have entered the Velocity Invitational it is also an excellent opportunity to get some seat time on the Sonoma circuit. CSRG.org.
CSRG and the Laguna Seca Foundation’s “Laps For Laguna” October 13-15 was a very well run, fun, club event that we did last year with 10 or so DMTRG entries. CSRG.org.
Then, of course, there is what should be this year’s highlight event Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway, November 9-12. Our entry of 26 cars is one of the best looking grids that we’ve had in a number of years. As in previous Velocity events, we will have a dedicated race group and our own tent in the paddock. For Velocity we will again have new cars joining the Group.
Gary Cox will bring out the recently restored Sutton Jaguar Special. The 1951 Barlow Simca Special will be back on the track for its first outing since 19??. As we’ve come to expect, we’ll have a great turnout of Jaguars, the 120s being joined by Nick Price in the C-Type and Bill Rooklidge and Alex MacAllister in D-Types. There are numerous California Specials and joining us are several very interesting entries that Steve Earle has rounded up. DMTRG will do another full spectator display with several new historic panels by artist, David Gentry.
Looking forward to seeing you, Rob Manson