Monterey Classic Car Week kicks off August 8th

MONTEREY, Calif., July 7, 2015 – The heart of historic downtown Monterey will be transformed into an outdoor motorsports museum when historic race cars line Alvarado Street between 5 and 7 p.m. on Friday, August 7 as Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca kicks off the annual Monterey Classic Car Week activities.
 
The race car show lines the street allowing visitors the chance to freely walk among the race cars, take pictures beside them and ask questions of their owners. This event marks the start of an exhilarating week on the central coast and allows visitors to gain an up-close look at the weekend’s biggest automotive stars. In addition to its motorsports attractions, the race car show will also feature raffle prizes, music and driver interviews.
 
With the support of the Old Monterey Business Association, the show features a select group of classic race cars that are competing in both the Monterey Pre-Reunion, Aug. 8 and 9, and the week’s cornerstone event Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Under CHP escort, this band of historic race cars will depart the race track, drive down Highway 68 and finish their journey in beautiful Old Monterey where they will be on display for the downtown community.
 
Among the 30 diverse race cars planning to participate are a 1956 Lotus Eleven, 1956 Alfa Romeo, 1966 Shelby GT350H, 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza and 1987 Corvette Trans-Am. 
 
For race participants it is an opportunity to showcase their cars to the community in a festive family environment. Cibo Ristorante Italiano (www.cibo.com) located at 301 Alvarado is a generous supporter of the event. Cibo is hosting a driver reception that will be open to the public at 5 p.m. with complimentary appetizers until 7 p.m. and live jazz music beginning at 5:30.
 
Part competition and part pageantry, racing history comes to life as cars from nearly every era grace Mazda Raceway August 13-16 at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. The cars, which are selected for their historical significance, authenticity and period-correctness, are divided into 15 classes, based on type of car, displacement and era of origin.
 
For information on the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion or to purchase tickets call 831-242-8200 or visit www.MazdaRaceway.com.