Bill Warner Named Grand Marshal of Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

To usher in the 50th anniversary of historic racing in Monterey will be automobile impresario Bill Warner, who today was named Grand Marshal of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 14-17 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Mr. Warner was an early advocate of the original Monterey Historic Automobile Races, which for 36 years altered the vintage racing landscape. Since 2010, when the historic race was rebranded as the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, he has championed the gathering from multiple perspectives.

“My entire life has been dedicated to racing, cars, and the people who share my passion,” Warner explained. “To be named Grand Marshal of the most important race of its kind in North America is an honor that is hard to absorb. Honestly, I never expected nor pursued this recognition and responsibility. Being Chief Steward among my peers is great, but Grand Marshal is beyond my dreams. Words escape me and for those who know me, that is a rarity.”

Co-chair of the Reunion Advisory Council and Vice President of Friends of Laguna Seca Bruce Canepa said Bill is the perfect person to lead the Golden Anniversary celebration. “Bill has participated in nearly every event since 1988 as a journalist and photographer, racer and advisor. He has uniquely seen the event from every point of view to ensure it improves for all audiences each year,” Canepa said. “He richly deserves to be recognized this year for his invaluable input, knowledge and, of course, his frequent wit.”

Mr. Warner has been around automobiles his whole life. As a teenager he worked at the local Volkswagen dealership in the parts department and driving the delivery truck. On weekends, he was the “gopher” for the dealership racing team. Upon earning his degree in Electrical Engineering from The Citadel, he entered the family filter business and started working on the side for Sports Car Graphic Magazine.

In 1971, he began his relationship with Road & Track Magazine. His photographs and writing have appeared in all the major magazine titles, such as Road & Track, Car and Driver, The Atlantic Monthly, Automobile, Auto Motor und Sport, and Forza. His photography has won awards from The Los Angeles Art Directors, the Creative Arts Yearbook, and the Sports Car Club of America (Photographer of the Year 1970).

Mr. Warner started racing in 1978 in a Brabham BT-8 and later in the SCCA in an ex-Bob Sharp Racing Datsun B210. He finished 5th in the American Road Racing Amateur Championships at Road Atlanta in 1982 in GT-3. In 1984 he entered the International Motorsports Association Firehawk Series in a Camaro and repeatedly had podium finishes that earned him the IMSA Media Challenge (for racing journalists) in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

In 1996, Mr. Warner founded The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. In the 25-year history of the show, it has raised over $3.7 million for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, and the Shop with Cops Program of Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.

Among the many accolades bestowed on Mr. Warner are the 1998 National Volunteer of the Year, 2002 Meguiar’s Automobile Hobby Person of the Year, the 2003 inductee into the Road Racing Driver’s Club, one of the “Top 50 Players in the Classic Car World” in 2008 by Octane Magazine, and the Lee Iacocca Award for “Dedication to Excellence in Perpetuating an American Automotive Tradition.” 

Advance pricing on single and multi-day General Admission tickets is still available, and the exclusive Legends Club is the only VIP hospitality package remaining. For Legends Club, preferred parking and camping, call the Tickets and Accommodations specialists at 831-242-8200 or visit WeatherTechRaceway.com.