Bobby Rahal set to celebrate Indy Cars at Rolex Reunion

Bobby Rahal, the three-time Indy 500 winner who also won three consecutive Indy Car races at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca beginning in 1985 will have a feature role at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.

Rahal will be part of the celebration of a historic Indy Car group that originally competed between 1963 and 1978. It will be run for the first time in an exhibition August 12-15 during Monterey Auto Week.

The introduction of rear-engine Indy Cars, starting at the Indianapolis 500 in 1963, changed the sport. A front-engine car and its driver would never win the Indy 500 again after 1965.

Rahal, who has Rahal Straight at the Laguna Seca racetrack named for him, will debut his recently restored 1966 Eagle with a 255 4-cam Ford V-8 engine at the Reunion.

Three Indianapolis 500 winning cars will be at the track. The 1964 Indy winning Watson, driven to victory by A.J. Foyt; the 1970 Indy winning Colt, piloted by Al Unser; and the 1973 Indy winning Eagle which captured the checkered flag with Gordon Johncock driving.

“The roar of authentic Indy Cars navigating the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit will be music to the ears of race fans,” said Barry Toepke, director of heritage events and public relations at WeatherTech Raceway. “This exhibition will be something special that can’t be found anywhere else, which is a hallmark of what the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion has come to represent.”

Bobby Rahal Honored Guest at Rolex Reunion

Another winner on display includes the 1964 Lotus Type 34, which Parnelli Jones drove to victory at Trenton in 1964 and A.J. Foyt in 1965 to a remarkable seven poles and three victories during the 1965 USAC Championship season.

The 1975 McLaren M16E-001 which was raced at the three 500-mile superspeedway races by Johnny Rutherford as the #2 Gatorade entry with its best finish of second at the 1975 Indianapolis 500 will also be at the Reunion, Joining the McLaren at the Rolex Reunnion will be a 1968 Eagle Mk IV, which started Team Penske’s Indy Car program 53 years ago.

Spectators will also be treated to seeing the 1978 Penske PC-6, which was driven by Tom Sneva in the 1978 USAC Championship season on track. Sneva posted six 2nd place finishes and 12 top-five finishes to win the National Championship in 1978 without winning a single race.

“Fans will be treated to a quality collection of Indy Cars all under one tent,” said Ellen Bireley, who curated the historic Indy Car heritage display. “They will be able to view these historical jewels up close. I personally am grateful the owners agreed to share these treasures with the fans.”

The Rolex Reunion features several new family fun activities.

In addition to the collection of race cars in the paddock and on track, there is a go-kart track in the Hagerty Marketplace where families can experience the thrill of sitting behind the wheel of their own kart, in addition to other engaging areas for children of all ages.

The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion features several new family fun activities. In addition to the incredible collection of race cars in the paddock and on track, there is a go-kart track in the Hagerty Marketplace where families can experience the thrill of sitting behind the wheel of their own kart, in addition to other engaging areas.
Ticket information and other event details are available at WeatherTechRaceway.com or via phone 831-242-8200.

RELATED CONTENT

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca set for return
WeatherTech Raceway adjust to Covid-19
West Coast Bike Race set for WeatherTech Raceway debut