The Monterey Classic Car Week is a collection of several independent events that take place on or near the Monterey Peninsula in California. Four of the pinnacle moments are: the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex (14 August), The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering (15 August), the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance (17 August) and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (15 -17 August).
The roots can be traced back to 1950 when a group of sports car owners decided to create a road race and concours at Pebble Beach. Over the succeeding 60 or so years, the number of events that make up the week have grown in number and diversity, and spectators are drawn to the peninsula from around the world.
The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has been held on its traditional third Sunday in August since 1972, and during proceedings approximately 200 of the most prized collector cars take pride of place on the famous 18th fairway at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Vehicles are judged for historical accuracy, technical merit and style. While class wins are highly valued, the most coveted prize of all is the “Best of Show”.
The Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance presented by Rolex was created to acknowledge the original road race and showcase the automobile in motion. Tracing parts of the peninsula’s gloriously scenic 17-Mile Drive, the Tour underscores the very earliest history of Monterey Classic Car Week and takes cars and drivers on an 88-mile round trip to Big Sur.
The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is located on immaculate lawns overlooking the beautiful crescent-shaped beach at Carmel, combining the viewing of some 200 landmark vehicles with a sophisticated culinary experience.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion contrasts starkly with other Monterey Classic Car Week events in that it features wheel-to-wheel racing for more than 550 historic and period-correct cars divided into 15 race groups. The Reunion’s races take place at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2013 (picture: Rolex / Tom O’Neal)
