Race up the Laguna Seca Corkscrew Backwards? They’re Going to Do It Aug. 21

• Racers will run the famous Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca backwards as part of the post-Reunion revelry August 21.

• More than 60 cars from the Rolex Motorpsorts Reunion will do it.

• It'll take place the same day as 71st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, so maybe after dawn patrol you can see it.

You’ve driven it many times and may even think you have it wired—WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca’s iconic Corkscrew, the blind rise, dive-left, dive-right, drop-down-the-elevator-shaft corner that may be the most enjoyable in all of motorsports.

But have you ever tried doing it backwards?

“A different form of racing will quite literally ascend upon WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Sunday, August 21 after the conclusion of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion,” track management announced today. “For the first time in WeatherTech Raceway’s 65-year history, race cars and invited special guests will race counter-course from near the start/finish line up through the iconic Corkscrew, which has been the scene of so many famous downhill excursions, where they will finish.”

Crazy? Organizers say the racing line is ideally suited for such a run, with generous runoff areas and plenty of room for spectators to cheer you on. And since the Rolex Monterey Reunion ends on Saturday Aug. 21, the track was available and just sitting there on Sunday, Aug. 21. Not everyone in Monterey will be at 71st Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, after all.

“The Corkscrew Hillclimb concept emerged as a fun way to engage new fans visiting for the day, while allowing Rolex Reunion entrants and families a chance to unwind and enjoy the experience in a relaxed environment after four days of racing,” said John Narigi, president and general manager of the track. “Families and our community are encouraged to attend this event, as it’s a wonderful way to experience everything WeatherTech Raceway has to offer in an informal setting after an action-packed Monterey Car Week.”

There will be two hillclimb sessions that Sunday, culminating in a “People’s Choice Shootout” to crown the overall inaugural winner. The limited sessions will be open to 60 cars that competed in the historic races, along with selected special interest vehicles. Considering that this year’s featured marque at the Reunion will be the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there could be some really cool cars.

Some racers are already planning their reverse-assaults.

“There are several cars I’m considering entering,” said Monterey Motorsports Advisory Council member Bruce Canepa, who owns a couple 917s among a fleet of the world’s coolest cars. He added that the event will be “spectacular,” something he knows from experience.

“I’ve raced several times at the Goodwood Festival of Speed yet doing it at Laguna Seca up the Corkscrew is an unprecedented experience that’s really going to be exciting. I don’t know who will enjoy it more, the drivers or the fans.”

Find out Aug. 21. And save all that money you would have spent on tickets to Pebble!