The 2026 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion will feature a dedicated grid marking the 45th anniversary of the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype category – the Hurley Haywood GTP/Group C Run Group. It will form part of the event’s broader theme, Salute to Japanese Motorsports: A Tradition of Precision & Heritage, when it all kicks off at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on August 12-15, 2026.
Launched in 1981, IMSA GTP became one of North America’s most technologically ambitious and manufacturer-driven racing formulas. Nissan, Porsche, Jaguar, Ford, Toyota, Mazda and BMW were among those to develop advanced prototype machinery during a period that blended innovation with intense rivalry. The GTP name was revived in 2023 for IMSA’s new generation of hybrid-powered endurance prototypes, several of which will also compete at Laguna Seca later in the 2026 season as part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“Grand Touring Prototype stands as one of the most exciting chapters in American Sports Car racing history,” said Mel Harder, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “Marking its 45th anniversary with a special run group, particularly one honouring the legacy of Hurley Haywood, makes for an exceptional opportunity for fans and competitors to experience the magic of this iconic category.”
Hurley Haywood – five-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner, three-time Le Mans 24 Hours champion – said: “I spent many miles in GTP cars – that was great racing. Great teams, drivers and cars. I am honoured to have my name attached to that run group. The fans will have a great treat watching these incredible cars in action.”
The 2026 Reunion will allow spectators to see many of these prototypes return to the circuit where several once competed at the height of their performance. The GTP/Group C grid will join a wide roster of Historic racing categories, demonstrations and other highlights scheduled across the four-day event.
The announcement follows WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s recent recognition at the International Historic Motoring Awards, where the 2025 edition of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion was named Motorsport Event of the Year.
Participant registration opens on December 2, and tickets for the 2026 event are now available here.
