Monterey Car Week’s premier vintage racing event will showcase iconic Japanese cars and motorcycles next year.
Following a record-setting 2025 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion last month, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has announced that Japanese motorsports heritage will be the featured theme for the 2026 edition, scheduled for Aug. 12-15.
The celebration will bring together an extraordinary lineup of machines from Japan’s greatest racing moments, featuring marques including Mazda, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Yamaha. The showcase will span decades and disciplines, highlighting achievements across Formula 1, INDYCAR, NASCAR, endurance racing, sportscar racing, off-road, rally, drifting, motorcycles, and more.
“As a Japanese driver, it is an honor to see Japan’s racing heritage recognized as the featured marque at Monterey’s historic reunion,” said two-time Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato, who attended the announcement after driving Nigel Mansell’s 1986 Honda-powered Williams FW11 during on-track demonstration laps. “Japanese cars and motorcycles have long carried the spirit of innovation and passion onto racetracks worldwide, and I am proud to see this legacy celebrated on such a prestigious stage.”
April Henderson, director of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, echoed the excitement: “Japanese racers and car makers have helped deliver some of the most memorable cars and moments in motorsports history. We can’t wait to celebrate these iconic machines and their incredible stories next year,” she said.
Widely regarded as the crown jewel of vintage racing during Monterey Car Week, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion has celebrated more than 50 years of authentic, period-correct racing. The annual exhibition not only pays homage to motorsport’s greatest eras but also offers a rare opportunity to witness legendary racing cars and motorcycles at speed on the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca circuit.
Tickets for the 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will go on sale later this year.
Image Source: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
