Miguel Sánchez
Photographs: Unai Ona
It's just over three and a half kilometers. First an exit straight slightly tending to the left. In the end, it becomes inevitable to brake before tackling a first turn. It is a 180º screen. The place where the inertia begins to feed on the less trained necks and the weaker chassis. Behind this await five long straights threaded through four curves at scrupulous right angles. At times, the succession of stops and accelerations can stun even the most experienced. And that's not to mention the brakes or how unresponsive vehicles lag behind at low revs. In addition, at this point the Laguna Seca Circuit has only shown half of his face.
The most demanding remains. The place where some of the most spectacular overtaking events in the history of the Motorcycle World Championship have taken place. This is turn number eight. The corkscrew. Some say they call it that because of its twisted shape. Others point to the way the mix of inertia and gravity handles pilots like corks coming out of a bottle. Be that as it may, the truth is that the ground disappears at almost 200 kilometers per hour. Instinctively you have to turn left and then right. Probably with a wheel off the ground. Everything happens in a moment, like a brutal jolt.
After it you arrive smoothly at the next bend. The most open circuit. Possibly as a prize for all those who received their baptism of gravitational forces when passing through the Corkscrew. In any case, there are still dozens of laps ahead in which follow in the footsteps of Stirling Moss with his lightweight Lotus 19 or Bruce McLaren with his tremendous M6A of the Can Am. Two of the many motoring legends who have raced at the Laguna Seca Circuit. The same place where, every year, dozens of racing classics meet to celebrate one of the most vibrant tracks in world motorsport.
LAGUNA SECA 2022, A SUCCESSION OF ICONS
More or less on the same dates as Monterey Motor Week, the Laguna Seca Speedway serves as the stage for one of the best concentrations related to classic racing. Thus, it is convenient to go with the objective prepared and a good notebook where to write down the best of everything that is rolling around there. And well, the truth is that every year you see icons at the highest level.
In any case, at this point in the story, perhaps someone is thinking that the term "icons" is excessive. However, the choice is justified by the appearance of the Porsche 356 Gmund Coupe. Bill first Porsche Motorsport model. Entered by the brand itself on the starting grid of Le Mans 1951, thus contradicting its recurring strategy based on cooperating with private teams. Therefore, this 356 is no less than a prophet for those who profess faith in the German house and its official appearance on the circuits.
Thus the things, those of Stuttgart had to have an exceptional debut. For this reason, since they could only get 356 hp out of the 46's meager engine, efforts were focused on reducing weight and improving aerodynamics. Result? A small but spirited coupé with only 635 kilos and striking fairings in the wheel arches. With three times less displacement than the winning Jaguar C-Type that year, true. But able to sweep his class and even reach a more than worthy position number twenty in the absolute classification. Quite an accolade for Porsche Motorsport, setting the mood for developing the notorious 550 1953 Spyder.
A PORSCHE WITH A HISPANIC TOUCH
Within the races at Laguna Seca 2022 there was special attention to the Group C. Characteristic of Le Mans during the eighties and early nineties, in the eyes of a Spanish spectator, the Porsche 962C of the Swiss team Brun stood out. One of the last manufactured – between 1988 and 1990 – to be part of the lot of three awarded to the team when it was sponsored by Repsol. An interesting moment for fans of national advertising stamps, as at least one of them featured the RACE emblem on the front of the rear wheel arches.
Of course, although the 962C won two consecutive times at Le Mans – giving continuity to the four of the 956 – after 1987 it was swept away by Jaguar and Peugeot. Moreover, Porsche did not win again until 1996 with the appearance of the WSC-95. Eight years in which, moreover, the most interesting victories of the McLaren F1 GTR and the Mazda 787B with a rotary engine were given. By the way, speaking of the latter, at Laguna Seca 2022 a 767B could be seen. Obviously not as well known as the 1991 Le Mans winner, but also with a rotary engine. Being therefore a prologue and essay necessary for the definitive arrival of the excellent winner.
THE WONDER OF THE SPECIFIC
360CV. 544 kilos. Victorious in almost three quarters of the races in which he was entered. Competitive for ten years, reaping victories in the World Championship for Manufacturers until 1980 despite having been released in the 1970 season and designed in 1969. Only 13 units built. Specifically designed for the Nürburgring and Targa-Florio, the most winding events in the World Cup. Flat eight-cylinder engine... With these coordinates on the table, the Porsche 908/3 can only be remembered as one of the best racing cars in history.
Faithful squire of the 917 in races where it could never have reached its full potential, the 908/3 is one of the best creations in the entire history of the brand on circuits. Furthermore, it is also one of the most refined samples in relation to the concept of lightness. Also, if all this was not enough, the Porsche 908/3 seen in Laguna Seca 2022 belonged to the John Wyer Automotive team. Come on, the one sponsored by Gulf Oil with the mythical blue and orange colors.
Now housed at the Revs Institute, this 1971 unit is a true gem set on the tarmac. Definitely, one of the best cars seen this year at Laguna Seca. That place that takes your breath away not only because of the inertia of its famous curve number eight.
Photographs: Unai Ona
