sports 24 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 28-october 4, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com As the manager of product communications for Porsche North America, Frank Wiesmann is well placed to describe the festivities of Rennsport Reunion. For instance, during the event, the manufacturer will premier a vehicle so new and hot that only those involved in its production know its details. Just what is this car about to be revealed to the world? “I can’t talk about that, yet,” Wiesmann says. Well…How about Saturday night’s concert lineup? At the most recent Rennsport, in 2018, attendees soaked it in as Seal, Bob Weir, Ian Astbury of The Cult, Alison Mosshart, Dhani Harrison and others jammed on stage. One can expect similar starpower this time around, right? “We like to keep it a surprise,” Wiesmann explains. Ah. It’s not that he’s hedging. As a gathering, Rennsport can be a bit difficult to explain. It’s a celebration of all things Porsche, so there are cars on display and tearing around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. But there is also music, food, fashion— think Rennsport sneakers, for one—a movie night, kids’ zones, panel discussions and more. As far as the musical lineup goes, it will be big. Word is that the Doobie Brothers will be reunited for the first time in 25 years. Given all that, there is one thing Wiesmann can share with certainty. “There will not be a dull moment,” he says. Rennsport comes as a surprise in many ways. One eye-opener is the scope of the event, especially one that receives little fanfare compared to other major auto happenings. In 2018, a record 81,500 people descended on Laguna Seca for the sixth edition of Rennsport. Early ticket sales suggest that many or more for Rennsport VII over a four-day span, with enthusiasts arriving from across the world. In addition, there are some 300 vintage Porsches set to race in different classes. The Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America—a current series—will compete for the first time at Rennsport, as well. There are also Porsche royalty, in the form of engineers, executives, artists and legendary drivers. The event includes people like artist Macarena Luzi and ultramarathon runner Nicki Lange. Hot Wheels will reveal a new model dedicated to Porsche. Natalie Ebel, founder of the design brand Backdrop, inspired a Dream Walls Experience—one of many pavilions located around the paddock, in this case allowing guests to play with vivid and imaginative colors. For race fans, Rennsport is a living hall of fame: Hurley Haywood, who dominated at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring; two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk, “the Flying Dutchman”; Mark Webber, who won nine Formula 1 races; Belgian legend Jacky Ickx; former Formula 1 driver David Hobbs, who also made his name as a television analyst (and voice of David Hobbscap in Hollywood’s Cars 2); and others. “The drivers—you can see them walking around,” says Wiesmann with a touch of awe. “It’s very accessible.” Rennsport began in 2001 as a way for Porsche to honor its racing history and celebrate with fans and car owners. With the move to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2011, the periodic event began to expand, drawing a then-impressive 35,000 attendees. By 2015 it had grown to be the biggest Porsche gathering in the world, when 60,000 convened at the track. This year may see the largest turnout yet. After all, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of Porsche as a car manufacturer and 60 years of the iconic 911. And there is pent-up demand, after Covid-19 forced Porsche to delay the seventh iteration until this year. But the gathering is not all about cars. The annual tractor race—yes, Porsche built farm vehicles—is one of the slowest but most anticipated competitions during Rennsport. Movie night for the seventh edition of Rennsport features Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. On hand at the track will be the Autobot Mirage from the film, as well as other movie vehicles. “It’s meant to be a family experience,” Wiesmann says. Quite probably, no other marque could attract such a crowd of enthusiasts to such a unique, encompassing, yet difficult-to-explain automotive convention. The mystique of the brand—the cool focus of Steve McQueen in Le Mans, partying Tom Cruise donning Wayfarers and spouting “Porsche, there is no substitute” in Risky Business—is part of the draw. Yet defining the allure of Porsche is as tricky as pinning down Rennsport itself. Wiesmann observes that at the “experience centers” Porsche operates to allow people the opportunity to power around corners in a 911, you see a transformation. “You have to have been in one,” he says. “The joy that a car can bring— for a lot of people, these cars are an escape. It’s a culture with a lot of passion and camaraderie.” And a couple of secrets yet to be revealed. Rennsport Reunion VII takes place Thursday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Oct. 1. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 1021 Highway 68, Salinas. $100-$135; free/children ages 15 and under (with paying adult). 242-8200, weathertechraceway.com. No Substitute Rennsport is a one-of-a-kind gathering of Porsche enthusiasts, the largest in the world. By Dave Faries “It’s a culture with a lot of passion and camaraderie.” Porsche introduced tractor races at a previous Rennsport Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Below left, cars from the 2018 event line the track. Below right, a real-life version of Sally Carrera from Cars. Porsche North America Porsche North America Porsche North America
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