MONTEREY, Calif., July 17, 2026 — Some of the most important race cars and motorcycles ever to emerge from Japanese brands will be assembled to honor Japanese Motorsports History at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 12-15. The exhibition includes two 24 Hours of Le Mans overall winners together for the first time: The 1991 Mazda 787B, which was the first Japanese car to capture the crown, and the 2018 Toyota GAZOO Racing’s TS050 Hybrid that gave Toyota its first overall victory.
This special exhibition traces Japanese motorsport history through more than 40 historic cars and two dozen motorcycles from private collections, museums, and automakers. It will be the largest showcase of Japanese racing accomplishments in the 52-year history of the historic racing event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
The Honda-powered Williams FW11 represents the pinnacle of Japanese F1 performance.
Honda and Acura are showcasing their motorsport prowess from the early 1968 Honda S800 RSC and 1969 Honda N600 Baja to the dominating Honda-powered Williams FW11 Formula 1 car driven by Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell, to its IMSA-winning Acura ARX Daytona Prototype.
Alongside the Le Mans-winning Toyota TS050 are such important cars as the Toyota 7, its first full-fledged prototype race car developed with Yamaha, the AAR Toyota Celica and Eagle that dominated IMSA GTO and GTP racing, and the 2007 Toyota NASCAR Camry.
Rotary-engine enthusiasts will appreciate the Mazda 787B, but Mazda’s history began earlier with the 1967 Mazda Cosmo Sport, and evolved with the 1991 Mazda RX-7 GTO, and 1992 Mazda RX-792P.
Toyota captured its first overall 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 2018 with its Toyota TS050.
The masterful Mazda 787B made history in 1991 by being the first Japanese marque to win overall honors at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In honor of Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion Grand Marshal and BRE founder Peter Brock, Nissan will feature a strong lineup ranging from the 1969 BRE Datsun 2000 Roadster and BRE Datsun 510 to the 1988 Nissan GTP ZX-T and championship-winning Nissan NPT-90.
Rally champion Subaru showcases its tremendous rally pedigree through a trio of its iconic and highly competitive Subaru Impreza WRXs that have been driven to wins by Travis Pastrana, Colin McRae, and Ken Block.
America's "Kentucky Kid" - the late Nicky Hayden - will be celebrated with his iconic championship-winning Honda.
Japanese motorsport heritage would be incomplete without motorcycles. For the first time at the historic racing event, a major tribute will showcase world championship machines from Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha. The curated collection includes bikes ridden by legends such as Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, and the Honda RC211V that Nicky Hayden captured back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006 at Laguna Seca, which led to his 2006 MotoGP world championship.
From the punishing terrain of Baja and hillside rally stages to the advanced arenas of Formula 1, INDYCAR, and endurance racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Japanese manufacturers have left their mark. Their success also extends to championship motorcycle racing, on both dirt and pavement, completing this broad legacy of achievement.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a celebration of motorsport history that features more than 400 historic, authentic race cars in 13 different race groups competing each day. It is widely considered a Moving Museum and is the only event during Monterey Car Week where enthusiasts can see, hear, and fully experience legendary race cars at speed.
Daily, multi-day, and VIP experience packages are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or by calling 831-242-8200.
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 package 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:
MotoAmerica Brings America's Premier Motorcycle Championship Back to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca