If ever there’s a stretch of time filled with events that a Corvette lover should see at
least once in a lifetime, it’s the middle of August on Northern California’s Monterey
Peninsula. There are nearly two dozen events scheduled then, with the two most famous to
Vette lovers bring the Rolex Monterey Historic Races (at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca), and the
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

At Laguna Seca, you’ll see vintage race-prepared Vettes doing what they do best—charging

around the 2.238-mile road course that’s been at the heart of NorCal sports car racing for
over half a century. The race groups that include the Corvettes race on Sunday afternoon
(this year, that’s August 10th), plus they have practice sessions on the two preceding days.  

When they’re not on the track, you’ll want to take a closer look at them in the paddock—where
you’re bound to see “familiar” faces like Dick Guldstrand, Phil Hill, Dan Gurney and other

sports-car racing legends walking about, much like you will be. Plus, there are special club
parking areas at MRLS for car clubs who get at least 35 members to tour together to the
track, then park together after they arrive. (Sort of a bonus show-within-the-event, even
before you enter the track proper!)  

Can’t make it this year? Not to worry—start planning your pilgrimage for next year by
visiting the Historics’ web site, www.montereyhistoric.com. There, you’ll get the lowdown on
when next years event will be and how to get there, plus you can buy tickets online and get
info on local lodging (HINT: Book early!).

The signature event of the weekend is the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, where the
finest-of-the-finest fill the 18th fairway on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, and turn it into a
car-lovers’ heaven.

This year--on August 17th--there’s a special “Motorama” class for GM
“Dream Cars,” honoring GM’s 100th Anniversary. Also on the list of classes for ’08: Postwar
Preservation (through 1967), and General Motors-Powered Sports Cars.  Think you’ll see a
Corvette in any of them? Be there and see for yourself!

Get all the information you’ll need—if you’re going this year, or planning for a future
one—by logging onto the Concours’ website at www.pebblebeachconcours.net. When you click
on “Events”, you’ll get info on Concours related events like the Road Tour, Auction, automotive
fine-art gallery and much more.

Either way, you’ll want to drive your Corvette to either, or both, of these events. The
winding, twisty roads that lead you to the Monterey Peninsula are the best reasons for
driving your Vette there, especially with the top down or off. That includes California
Highway 1 along the coast, US Highway 101 just inland of it, or California Highway 152
westward from I-5 past the San Luis Reservoir and through Gilroy to Watsonville (on your way
to Highway 1).

And there’s no good excuse for not going to either of these events at least once!