Attendance records broken with more than 81,000 at Rennsport Reunion at Laguna Seca.

You could say the semi-annual Porsche reunion known as Rennsport is a showcase of classic race cars. You could also call it a gathering of enthusiasts or another round of fast laps by historic cars around Laguna Seca.

In each case, you would be right—kind of.

You see, Rennsport Reunion VI is unlike any other motorsports event, any other festival celebrating a marque. An initial tally by WeatherTeach Raceway Laguna Seca official places attendance at the four-day assembly that wrapped up on Sunday at 81,550—not only the largest attendance figure at the track in five years, but also a new mark for Rennsport.

The previous record was just over 60,000 at the 2015 rally, also hosted by Laguna Seca.

Even before gates opened on Thursday, WeatherTech Raceway’s Brad Littlefield had predicted a crush of Porsche and racing fans. This year’s reunion featured legendary drivers, some of Porsche’s top current drivers, hundreds of race cars from the past, on-track action, hot new vehicles and future concepts—perhaps 2,000 vehicles on display.

“These Rennsports are really special,” observes Hurley Haywood, who won the 24 Hours of LeMans (three times) and the 24 Hours of Daytona (five times) while driving Porsches, starting in 1973. “The fans come up—’Oh, I’ve followed your career.’ It feels like a close-knit family.”

Alex Welch of Englewood, Colorado, an amateur who races in the World Challenge series with professional James Sofronas, brought a 1991 911 GT2 and a 2004 996 GT3 RSR to the track.

“People are bringing cars that run only every three years, just for this,” he points out. “Porsche racing history is so deep. It’s a vintage spirit, it’s the camaraderie.”

Entries came from across the U.S., as well as Germany, France, Belgium, New Zealand and other countries. In line to pick up tickets or register vehicles on Thursday morning were a group from Brazil who claim never to miss the reunion, a couple from Texas making their first visit, Porsche factory engineers from German and locals who happen to own the brand.

At the track on Sunday morning there were fans recording every moment on their phones, autograph seekers and a constant cluster around a 1971 Gulf Porsche 917.

“The people are passionate,” says former Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal. “I don’t think you could do this with any other brand. There’s something about that word ‘Porsche.’”

Local residents participating in the event included Max Jamiesson of Carmel Valley, who tested The Corkscrew in his 1957 356 Speedster. Doug Sallen of Monterey showed off a 1966 911. Alan Benjamin of Salinas brought a 1967 911 S for Robert Ames to drive.

A showroom behind the paddock put some of the most historic Porsche racers on display—endurance cars, rally cars and the famous 917.

“When I think of the Longtail prototype—they’re magical to walk around,” observes Jeff Zwart, who pushed Porsches to the limit on Pike’s Peak, winning the daunting climb eight times.

In addition to the classics, Porsche put the 919 Hybrid Evo on display. And there was a lot of interest in the Mission E electric concept.

“You don’t know where to look,” Rahal agrees.

Well, there was a moment when all eyes near Turn 5 or a monitor were fixed on the course of a loose wheel that popped off a car entering the corner during the morning’s PCA Sholar-Friedman Cup race. The heavy wheel and tire bounded across the gravel trap directly toward an SUV entering the parking area on the other side of the wall. The wheel hit a barrier and launched over the wall—and fortunately a few feet over the roof of the SUV and its unsuspecting driver.

The tractor races also drew crowds.

Yes, Porsche did once produce workhorse farm vehicles. But Rennsport is almost as much about continuing the Porsche obsession into the future as it is about celebrating the past.

“When you look at the 919 and what it’s capable of, it’s pretty exciting,” Haywood points out.

Rennsport was inspired in part by the historic racing at Laguna Seca during Car Week. It was held for the first time in 2001 at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.