More than 800 cars apply for Monterey Motorsports Reunion

The 2012 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Shelby Cobra, and more than 800 applications for participation have been received.

There will be 17 race groups at the track Aug. 17-19, but participation is limited to 550 cars.

The governing committee reviews each application to ensure authenticity, provenance and history before placing them into corresponding groups. Those applicants chosen to participate are to receive their acceptance letters this week.

Upon arrival at the event, each car undergoes a technical and safety inspection to assure its authenticity and historically appropriate representation.

A highlight will be the dedicated race group of authentic Shelby 289 and 427 Cobras on track. The Ford Motor Co. will have a history display for visitors to learn more about the legend and the relationship.

“The partnership between Ford and Shelby goes back half-century and has left an indelible mark on automotive history,” Jim Farley, group vice president marketing and sales at Ford, said in a release. “It's hard to imagine a better stage to pay homage to Carroll Shelby and his Cobras than one of the world's premier vintage-racing events.”

A party will be held on Aug. 11-12 to let early-arriving participants get track time before the main event weekend.

Tickets for the Monterey Motorsports Reunion can be purchased in advance for $50 a day, or a three-day pass costs $130. Children 12 years old and younger are admitted free with a paying adult. Check the Web site for more details and information.

The Monterey Week is packed with car shows, vintage racing and car auctions. Autoweek will be there providing streaming photo galleries and live coverage of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, historic racing at Laguna Seca, the Monterey car auctions and much more. Go to autoweek.com/monterey for complete coverage and live updates.

By David Arnouts