Steve Earle didn't want racing history to just rust away.
"There was nothing older on the track than last year's race cars," Earle said. "A lot of these old race cars were just sitting around, falling apart. There were airplane shows, dog shows, car shows, but nothing for these wonderful race cars."
So, Earle and friends started an event to keep the motors running of both vintage racers and car lovers.
This weekend, their Monterey Historic Automobile Races, the granddaddy of vintage car racing, celebrates its 35th anniversary in style at Laguna Seca.
More than 450 vintage race and sports cars will take to the demanding road course. The field is worth an estimated $1 billion, although some of the vehicles are simply priceless.
That includes a 1908 Grand Prix Mercedes.
"It ran in the first grand prix, and it's the only one in the world," said Earle, who still serves as the event's president and organizer. "It's going to run in a race just because it should be out there. … It's awesome to see."
Racing icon Mario Andretti, the event's guest of honor, brought a favorite. Today and Saturday, Andretti will take some hot laps in the same Lotus 79 he drove to the 1978 Formula One title.
"Laguna Seca has always been one of my favorite tracks," Andretti told reporters about why he'll be at the Historics. "For a driver, it's a truly technical and challenging course that provides immense satisfaction. For a spectator, it's phenomenal because of the many vantage points."
In addition, current F-1 driver Timo Glock will join Derek Bell, Eddie Cheever, Alan Jones, Danny Sullivan and other past greats for an F-1 legends race.
Sacramento's Mike McNally returns to Laguna Seca with his 1931 Riley Ford race car, which will be pitted against several speedy Alfa Romeo grand prix cars.
"Spectators get to see cars they never get to see anywhere else," McNally said. "It makes it fun."
Grass Valley's Paul and Sue Quackenbush, who regularly race their Lotus and Elva Courier at historic events, have attended the Monterey Historics for several years.
"You see some of the most incredible equipment in all the world," he said, " … and they're driving the wheels off these things. It's a kick."
That's what makes these races so much more than a car show; it's rolling history.
"People don't realize how fast some of these cars can go," Earle said. "It's live. It's real. And the guys lucky enough to have one of these cars are willing to share."
Call The Bee's Debbie Arrington, (916) 326-5514.
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