Spring Classic brings vintage racecars from 1970s, '80s and '90s back to life

ABOVE: Bill Ockerlund’s 1969 Camaro that Roger Penske Racing built and campaigned with drivers Mark Donohue, Ronnie Bucknam, and Ed Leslie to earn Chevrolet a manufacturers Trans-Am championship in 1969 will be running in the 1966-1972 Trans-Am 2.5 Liter group at the Spring Classic. (Jimmy Huston photo)

Racing history from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s will roar back to life at the inaugural Spring Classic vintage car race and historic motorcycle exhibition at the iconic Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on May 19-21.

The vintage racing phenomenon continues to build steam, and this showcase takes place on a historic road course where much of the history behind the vehicles took place. Whether it's cars from the glory days of the Trans-Am and Can-Am Series, vintage Formula 1 machines, or stock cars like those that navigated the famous "Corkscrew" in the NASCAR Winston West Series, there is something for all types of motorsports fans.

The nine groups of historic race cars that will be in competition include 1967-1972 Formula B, 1973-1984 SCCA Production GT Cars, 1966-1972 Trans-Am, 1966-1974 Can-Am, 1973-1979 Formula Atlantic, 1966-1972 Trans-Am 2.5 Liter, 1983-2007 World Sports Car – Le Mans Prototype, 1979-1994 Historic Stock Cars, and 1967-1984 Formula 1. Two-wheel enthusiasts can also enjoy historic motorcycles making exhibition laps each day.

The relaxed showcase for phenomenal race cars will appeal to automotive enthusiasts nationwide. Fans will experience the thrill of fast cars from renowned eras of motorsports tackle the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course. The classic race cars will add to a memorable racing season in which Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

"Adding the Spring Classic to an exciting slate of events this season is a great way to celebrate 60 years of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca," said Gill Campbell, CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. "The response to vintage racing has sparked a demand by automobile enthusiasts all over the country. We are happy to be able to provide a showcase for race cars from those eras at the Spring Classic in addition to the earlier eras of automobile racing that are at the forefront of our Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion."

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is home to the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion (Aug. 17-20), the largest event during Monterey Classic Car Week, which is described as a museum springing to life. The high demand to participate in the event – 550 cars of historical significance are accepted based on authenticity, race provenance and period correctness out of more than 1,000 entries – and extraordinary popularity created the need for a new event for vintage cars from around the country to race on the historic track.

In addition to the Spring Classic, the major event season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca also includes the Ferrari Challenge, May 12-14; Motul FIM Superbike World Championship GEICO U.S. Round featuring MotoAmerica, July 7-9, Monterey Pre-Reunion, August 12-13; Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, August 17-20; Continental Tire Monterey Grand Prix (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship), September 21-24; and Pirelli World Challenge, October 12-15.

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