MONTEREY, Calif. — Complementing the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary kick-off celebration will be record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans champion Tom Kristensen who will serve as Grand Marshal of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion.
Affectionately known as Mr. Le Mans, this year marks the 25th anniversary of his first overall win in 1997 when he co-drove with Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson in Joest Racing’s Porsche WSC-95, setting a new lap record, and a trip to victory lane.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Aug. 17-20 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, celebrates motorsports history with only the best of the best authentic and historic race cars. And when a motorsports fan or historian thinks of the best of Le Mans, Rolex Testimonee Tom Kristensen is at the top of anyone’s list. He won an impressive 50 percent of his 24 Hours of Le Mans starts
Except for 2003 when he drove for Team Bentley, the Danish born athlete has piloted German brands. The first three years he piloted a Porsche and BMW, followed by his longstanding Audi affiliation of 14 appearances with seven overall wins. In 2004 and 2005, he drove an Audi R8 for privateer teams Japan Team Goh and American Champion Racing, respectively. He surpassed the legendary Jacky Ickx, who amassed six overall 24 Hours wins in 2005 to become the winningest driver.
“I look forward to being back at Laguna Seca and the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” Kristensen says. “It’s a circuit I really like and respect with its blind corners, elevation changes and ever-present changing grip conditions throughout the day. It is an honor to celebrate the heritage of motorsport with entrants who work hard at preserving these race cars. And, it is an absolute honor to see longtime friends and be part of the celebration of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
“We are thrilled to welcome such an international legend back to Monterey for the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” says John Narigi, president and general manager of WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. “I look forward to meeting him, as everything I hear is that he is such a gracious person who always takes time for giving an autograph or stopping for a photo with a fan.”