Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion 2017 - Chance Taken

360 view: 60 degrees cool; 180 degree turns; 360 degree perspective

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Aug 17-20 2017 - Longtime automobile part supplier, collector and race car driver Tom McIntyre has driven his Penske #6 Camaro at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion for a number of recent years. For the 2017 event he brought his very original 1966 Shelby Cobra back to the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Unraced since the 80s, it was the Cobra's time.

"You only get so many chances to be here" explains Tom, on the car switch to the Cobra and 1957 T-Bird for racing at Laguna this year. Getting a couple of cars transported and sorted for a weekend of racing is a big commitment and involves a lot of people and moving parts across a field of 550 cars.

With so many cars accommodated into so little schedule, you only get a few 20 minute romps around the loop. With less than 2% of their weekend actually on the track, drivers and teams need the patience of a zen master. All the time and effort is obviously worth the chance to do what most humans can only dream of.

Upon returning to the pits after a qualifying run, Tom summed it up with a warm tribute to his prized possession. "The car performed as Carroll Shelby always said it would - it's like an old friend."