Peter Lyon
September 7, 2025
On the heels of a successful 2025 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca has announced that it will celebrate icons of Japanese motorsports as the featured marque for its 2026 gathering.
Next year’s event, slated for Aug. 12-15, 2026, promises dozens of legendary machines from Japanese motor racing history, featuring iconic vehicles from the 1991 Le Mans winning Mazda 787B, to legendary race cars from Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Lexus, Acura, Infiniti and Mitsubishi, and motorcycles Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda, and more. The celebration will embrace the rich diversity of all forms of motorsport where Japanese brands have excelled, including INDYCAR, NASCAR, Formula 1, Formula E, endurance racing, sportscar racing, off road, rally, motorcycle, drifting, 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. 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,” said two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Takuma Sato, who was on hand for the announcement at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca after piloting Nigel Mansell’s 1986 Williams FW11 for on-track demonstration laps. “It reflects how far our motorsport culture has come, and it inspires the next generation of Japanese drivers and riders to carry this legacy forward on the world stage.”
“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,” said April Henderson, director of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. “This featured marque gives us an opportunity to explore so many new and exciting elements of motorsports history, as well as the present and future of automotive innovation, and we know it will deliver unforgettable moments for our guests.”
CARLIST THOUGHTS
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is an annual high-speed exhibition featuring the finest examples of authentic and period-correct racing machines. Events like this give you the chance to see and hear some of the greatest race cars ever–like the Mazda 787B, which boasts (arguably!!) the best sounding exhaust note you will ever hear. For more than 50 years, this unique gathering has offered a remarkable tribute to the rich tapestry of motorsport history and served as a must-attend event for racing enthusiasts during Monterey Car Week.
