The 1979 Monaco Grand Prix had featured a support race for historic cars, won by Martin Morris in ERA R11B. Additional historic races had been held in support of the 1982 (winner Bruce Halford was in attendance at this event) and 1983 events under the suggestion of the Hon. Patrick Lindsay. His son Valentine, along with Peter Hannen and Max Poggi, were responsible for organising the 1997 event to tie in with the 700th anniversary. Valentine's two brothers would race in the event itself: James drove an Alfa Romeo 8C Monza in Race A (crashing out in practice), while Ludovic drove a Ferrari 375 in Race B and a Maserati 250F in Race C. Ludovic crashed in practice for Race B, sustaining minor injuries, but still raced.