Bonhams|Cars is pulling its flagship Monterey Car Week auction out of the manicured lawns of The Quail and parking it beside the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The move drops the sale into the middle of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and is expected to reset where collectors, consignors, and bidders spend their time during Car Week. Organizers say the new setup will give the auction room to grow and a much tighter link to on-track action.
According to the Silicon Valley Business Journal, Bonhams has signed a multi-year agreement with WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca to host its Monterey sale at the track. The deal moves the auction away from The Quail and embeds it directly into the Reunion paddock weekend. Bonhams executives told the paper they expect the fresh location to lift preview attendance and keep bidders more engaged.
The auction is scheduled for August 13, with previews beginning during the Pre-Reunion weekend on August 11-12, Magneto reported. Whitney Maxwell, Bonhams Cars' global managing director, said, "I’m delighted to confirm the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca as the new home for the Bonhams Cars sale in Monterey Car Week." Magneto noted that the move comes as Bonhams seeks to increase both the volume and quality of consignments for its flagship Monterey sale.
The Bonhams sale has been tied to Quail Lodge events for decades, and the Silicon Valley Business Journal reports this will be the first venue change in 29 years. Organizers at The Quail have evolved that gathering into a garden-party staple with a distinctly different crowd, and Bonhams leadership said that shift played into the decision to seek a more racing-focused audience. It is part of a broader trend of auction houses rethinking preview footprints, hospitality, and bidder access during Car Week.
What Laguna Seca Brings
WeatherTech Raceway's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion draws thousands of racers, crews, and fans and offers extensive paddock and hospitality space, according to WeatherTech Raceway. As part of the new deal, Bonhams will add expanded trackside activations and support for the Drivers' Lounge, Magneto reported, which should let the house stage larger previews and hospitality programs on site. The track has invested in upgraded fan experiences and reserved hospitality in recent seasons, a selling point for an auction that wants its previews to feel like part of the same motorsport weekend.
What Collectors Should Know
Buyers and consignors should expect previews that are closer to the on-track action and a shift in logistics from Quail-based shuttles to trackside hospitality. Bonhams says it will publish preview and catalog details ahead of the summer sale. Local businesses that depend on Car Week traffic may see some patterns change as more activity concentrates at Laguna Seca, but organizers are pitching the move as a win for both collectors and race fans. Watch Bonhams and WeatherTech Raceway for consignment news and ticket information as the August auction calendar firms up.
