MONTEREY, Calif., August 5, 2026 — The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion bursts into Monterey Car Week, Aug. 12-15, with more activities than ever before, making it a non-stop sensory experience for enthusiasts of all ages. For the first time in the event’s history, a group of ultra-rare hypercars will take spirited exhibition laps on Saturday. People have enjoyed them parked on the streets, but now they get to experience them at speed.
“We are also welcoming the six living World Champion GP riders who are reuniting for the first time to celebrate their dominance on Japanese motorcycles,” explains Bruce Canepa of Friends of Laguna Seca. “These six champions (Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Kenny Roberts Jr., Kevin Schwantz, and Freddie Spencer) haven’t been together in years, so you can only imagine the stories they’ll be telling at the autograph session and on stage.”
History will be made as iconic Japanese race cars and motorcycles ridden by the World Champions will be together for exhibition laps. Le Mans-winning prototypes, a Honda-powered Williams Formula 1 car, IMSA-winning GTOs and a NASCAR Toyota Camry will be among the cars surrounded by the MotoGP championship bikes to create a truly unique experience that will bring fans to the fences to witness.
1975 Yamaha OW3 — Daytona 1976 Kenny Roberts
Of the 13 different classes and more than 400 historic cars racing, one group stands out as a fan favorite: the Unser Family Cup featuring the original 1973-2006 IROC cars driven by legends of the sport. Racing in identically prepared cars, drivers will once again go head-to-head for the ultimate bragging rights. This year, seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson will be pushed to the limit by Kurt Busch, Zak Brown, Bruce Canepa, Bobby Labonte, Patrick Long, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan and Tomy Drissi, who returns to defend last year’s win.
Debuting this year is the historic IndyCar display that showcases the series’ evolution and innovation. Among the highlights are Bobby Rahal’s winning 1985 March and Alex Zanardi’s 1996 Reynard, who famously overtook Bryan Herta in what is known worldwide as “The Pass.” Among the drivers who will put some of these IndyCars through the paces are Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, Stefan Johansson, Geoff Brabham and Zak Brown.
Gordon Murray T.50 driven by Dario Franchitti
“This is a massive initial step in creating exciting new activities that celebrate the past, present and future to enhance guests’ overall experience at this annual gathering,” explains Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
“The history of Japanese motorsports will be celebrated through an incredible collection of more than 40 historic Japanese race cars and motorcycles in the feature display. These rarely seen cars come from museums, private collections, and automakers’ heritage collections for this year’s celebration. This is a whole new level of automotive entertainment,” Harder says.
Thirteen races are held daily featuring historic cars spanning six decades. From the early 1950s with cars that competed in the original Pebble Beach Road Races, to the purpose-built IMSA, ALMS and Grand-Am cars racing in the Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance, the full display of motorsport history will be represented.
With the addition of the inaugural Bonhams Laguna Seca Auction, extensive historic IndyCar and Japanese icons displays, and unprecedented participation by six American World Champion GP riders and IROC legends, this will be the liveliest Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion ever.
Jenson Button making new friends in 2025
Daily Fan Activities Guide
13 Race Groups Compete Daily
Friday, Aug. 7
Monterey Kick-Off Race Car Show
Monterey Car Week officially kicks off at 5 p.m. as 30 historic race cars roar onto Alvarado Street in downtown Monterey for a festive street party and car show. One of the highlights of the popular annual event occurs at 7 p.m. as each car revs up and leaves under CHP escort for their return drive to Laguna Seca where they will race for two days.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Corkscrew Hillclimb at the Monterey Pre-Reunion
Fans will be lining the fences between turns 11 and 8 to watch an unusual race unfold. Drivers will launch from the start/finish line and race reverse course toward turn 11 and its 90-degree right turn up the hillside to take the checkered flag after cresting the iconic Corkscrew. It’s a race against the clock, with Christine Sloss returning in her 2025 Ferrari SF90 XX Spider to defend her title.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Bonhams|CARS Laguna Seca Auction (10 a.m. start)
One of Bonhams’ premier global auctions of exceptional cars moves to Laguna Seca, expanding its presence and marking a new chapter for both Bonhams and the raceway. As the first auction ever held at Laguna Seca, it gives Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion guests an additional world-class attraction to enjoy.
Friday, Aug. 14
Hypercars Paddock Display
Always a head-turning showstopper when they arrive in the paddock are the very limited-production hypercars that are part of an exclusive rally.
Historic Indy Car Exhibition (2:40-3:05 p.m.)
A vibrant evolution of more than two dozen Indy Cars is presented that range from a 1911 National and 1931 Miller to the 1983 March 83C (the winner of the first Indy Car race at Laguna Seca) and the 2022 Dallara of Alex Palou. Among the drivers taking exhibition laps are Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, Stefan Johansson, Geoff Brabham and Zak Brown.
Japanese Cars & Motorcycles Exhibition (3:45-4:10 p.m.)
The Japanese Heritage Display comes alive when the cars and motorcycles leave their static display and head onto the circuit for celebratory exhibition laps. This is the first time that World Championship riders and bikes share the same track with historic cars and Le Mans-winning prototypes.
Kaiju Company X SuperDrive JDM Legends (6:20-6:35 p.m. parade laps)
More than 65 privately owned Japanese cars, ranging from an early 1970 Datsun 240Z and Datsun Bluebird to the advanced 2025 Toyota GR86, will be on display on the island with interactive fan activities, in the car corral, and in parade laps. Spanning all-original examples to highly modified builds, the enthusiastic gathering highlights the broad appeal and appreciation of Japanese automobile history.
Saturday, Aug. 15
World Champion GP Riders Autograph Session (10-10:30 a.m.)
A rare chance to meet six living American World Champion GP riders Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, and Kenny Roberts Jr., whose exploits are legendary. Combined, they captured 14 of 23 FIM 500cc World Championships, one of the most dominant eras by any nation or group of riders in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history.
Peter Brock & IROC Legend Autograph Session (11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.)
Grand Marshal Peter Brock will join the Unser Family Cup group session with expected legends seven-time NASCAR Champion Jimmie Johnson, Kurt Busch, Zak Brown, Bobby Labonte, Patrick Long, Scott Pruett, Danny Sullivan, and Tomy Drissi available for photo opportunities and autographs before their afternoon race.
Prize-Giving Ceremony (12:20-1:10 p.m.)
Join drivers and teams for an entertaining prize-giving ceremony celebrating sportsmanship and their remarkable race cars. The ceremony concludes with the announcement of the featured activities planned for 2027.
Japanese Cars & Motorcycles Exhibition (2:05-2:30 p.m.)
The historic race cars and motorcycles leave their space inside the paddock Heritage Display for exhibition laps. It will be an energetic scene as the cars fire up and depart toward pit lane.
Hypercars Exhibition (2:35-2:55 p.m.)
Where function and artistry meet performance may best describe this first Hypercar rally. This collection of extreme exotics will be on display, and then out for spirited exhibition laps. It will be a session unlike any other, where enthusiasts can see and hear these extraordinary machines.
Czinger Exhibition Laps (3-3:20 p.m.)
Celebrating significant production milestones, Czinger 21C hypercars will showcase their performance in a special demonstration. The 21C holds the production car track records at both Laguna Seca (1:22.30) and Circuit of the Americas (2:10.70).
World Champion GP Riders Panel Session (3:15-3:55 p.m.)
Stories, and perhaps a few “exaggerated memories,” will entertain enthusiasts as all six American World Champion GP riders share the stage. It will be nonstop fun with Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kevin Schwantz, and Kenny Roberts Jr.
Historic Indy Car Exhibition (4:30-4:55 p.m.)
The vintage Indy Cars once again roll out of their dedicated paddock display to participate in exhibition laps.
Kaiju Company X SuperDrive JDM Legends
Raffles and interactive fan activities will add to the all-day festivities planned for the island and car corrals where more than 65 privately owned Japanese cars will celebrate Japanese automotive history. It is the ultimate expression of the JDM movement, with models ranging from all original to highly modified.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a celebration of motorsport history. It is widely considered a Moving Museum and is the premier event during Monterey Car Week where enthusiasts can fully experience the thrill of watching legendary race cars at speed.
Daily, multi-day, and VIP experience packages are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200. Tickets are also available for purchase at the admissions gates on South Boundary Road or the main Highway 68 entrance.
About the ROLEX Monterey Motorsports Reunion
Recognized as one of the world’s premier motorsport lifestyle gatherings, the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will celebrate Japanese Performance as its featured marque. Led by Grand Marshal Peter Brock, the event will showcase legendary race cars and manufacturers that helped shape global motorsports, including Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Yamaha, Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, and Mitsubishi.
The four-day celebration, August 12-15, 2026, also features Bonhams|Cars auction, the return of Historic IROC, a new JDM Car Show, historic INDYCARS and hundreds of the world's finest historic race cars and motorcycles competing on the iconic 11-turn circuit, creating an unforgettable experience for racing enthusiasts and collectors alike. Tickets and hospitality packages are available at weathertechraceway.com.
About WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is a world-renowned motorsport facility located in Monterey, California, operated and managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, a 501c(3) non-profit. Nestled among scenic hills, it has a rich history of hosting premier racing events, making it a favorite destination for motorsport enthusiasts from around the world. The 2.238-mile raceway features 11 challenging turns and approximately 180 feet of elevation change, including the world-famous Corkscrew, providing a thrilling experience for both drivers and fans. Friends of Laguna Seca is committed to delivering top-tier racing and entertainment experiences year after year. Find out how you can get involved at FriendsOfLagunaSeca.org.
Share:
Corkscrew Hillclimb Provides Thrilling Reverse Course Challenges