Background

General Racing Ltd. was formed in 1970 to encourage the restoration, preservation and the use of historic sports and racing cars. Founder Steven J. Earle envisioned an event that would unite former racing greats with enthusiastic amateurs who owned some of the rare motorcars that once graced road courses worldwide. Mr. Earle’s vision forever changed the vintage racing landscape.
From the outset, General Racing ensured its events would be professionally organized with the emphasis on fun and to allow drivers to experience the car as they were intended. The venue also had to be authentic. After much deliberation, Mr. Earle settled on the demanding track at Laguna Seca, which was located near the old Pebble Beach Road Course. His proposal was enthusiastically accepted by SCRAMP (Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula), and received the support of Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance organizers, the late Lorin Tryon and Jules Heumann.

The Monterey Historic Automobile Races was born.

Through the guidance and tireless assistance of the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America), the inaugural one-day Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races in 1974 was successfully held and attracted a field of 66 cars and a handful of spectators. It also sparked the interest and vision for what would become the world’s premier historic auto race.

From there, owners of some of motorsports’ forgotten cars started to appear, emerging from private garages for the enjoyment of others, thereby preserving them for generations to come. In 1975, necessitated by ever-increasing spectator and participant interest, the Monterey Historics became a two-day affair.

General Racing’s expectations are high and have proven to set the gold standard in historic automobile racing. Only cars with documented racing pedigrees are accepted, and must bear the same livery details as they did in their racing years.

The success of the Monterey Historics spawned additional General Racing events. The 17th annual Wine Country Classic held at Infineon raceway (formerly Sears Point), has grown each year and in 1997, a third venue was needed to accommodate the interest. Thus, Speed Festival, at NAS Coronado was created, and is now in its sixth highly successful year.

Most recently, General Racing became involved with the creative team at Lime Rock CT and it's Rolex Lime Rock Park Vintage Festival, held over Labor Day weekend. Now in their second year, the synergy between the two organizations is creating a widely popular historic race on the east coast.