Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival – Results and Photo Gallery
Sports Car Digest | Jun 09, 2010 | Comments 14
Story and photos by Dennis Gray
The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival took place the weekend of June 4-6, 2010, at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. A strong field of 375 vintage race cars competing in 13 groups took to the technical 2.52 mile road course located in the Sonoma Valley. Organized by General Racing, with veteran leadership coming from Steve and Doug Earle, the event formerly known as the Wine Country Classic put together a vast offering of both on and off-track activities.
On-track action saw historic racing cars that spanned each decade of the 20th Century, including Pre-War Sports and Racing Cars, Sports Racing Cars, Formula Cars, Historic Trans-Am, Historic Can-Am, IMSA GTP and FIA Mfg., GT and Grand National cars. Chris MacAllister of Indianapolis, Indiana won the Sonoma Historic Cup “The Phil Hill Trophy” for top overall performance and presentation, impressing the crowds with his factory orange 1971 McLaren M8F.
Set-up day for the Sonoma Historics was on Thursday, while by Friday morning the pits were loaded with cars, trailers, eighteen-wheelers and trucks. Walking through the pits exposes the high grade of the competitor’s race and street cars, so much so that Sports Car Digest will do a follow-up story on the impressive paddock. It was obvious the fans enjoyed not only watching the action but also experiencing the paddock where they could reach out and touch the cars.
All of the 13 race groups had a good number of entrants, with each competing for 12 laps and many hard fought battles on track. A fine mix of cars and personalities took part in the racing, including former BRE Racing and SCCA Trans Am Champion in the 2.5 Liter Class, John Morton. He tended to the driving duties of the 1958 Scarab Sports Racer that was originally campaigned by Lance Reventlow and Chuck Daigh, in addition to piloting a 1964 Sunbeam Tiger and Lotus 23 SR. Morton commented, “I have a real affection for the history of racing and at these vintage races.”
Not all the action took place at the track, as thirty lucky participants were selected to drive their cars the 15 miles from the track to downtown Sonoma on Saturday evening where a lap was taken around the town’s square before a “pit stop” at a local vineyard. Inside the gates, more than 700 people – including competitors, their friends, family and townspeople – exchanged their $30 tickets for a wine glass and access to food and drink samplings from more than 11 area wineries and just as many restaurants.
“We appreciate the great gatherings and social events because to me vintage racing is 1/3 the people, 1/3 the history and 1/3 the racing opportunity,” said Cameron Healy, who raced his 1953 Cooper Porsche and 1968 Porsche 908K here.
Announced at the end of the evening, the people’s choice award for favorite classic race car was Dick DeLuna’s 1917 Hall-Scott. The crowd pleaser, with its hand built all-aluminum body, put together with 1000 rivets and housing a bi-plane engine, sat high above the others on its oversized spoke wheels, gleaming in the setting sun.
The overriding impression of the inaugural Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival was one of a real upgrade in both the class of cars, and vendors, over previous Wine Country events. Add to this the largest number of spectators I’ve seen at an historic race at Infineon Raceway and it all bodes well looking ahead to future Sonoma Historics.
Looking forward, General Racing announced McLaren would be the event’s featured marque for the event’s second edition in 2011. The legendary name has graced the halls of motorsports since its famed founder Bruce McLaren of New Zealand founded the McLaren racing team in 1963.
“McLaren, like Ferrari and Porsche and other great names in motorsports, created the bloodlines that we worship today in historic automobile racing,” said General Racing’s President Steve Earle, who is the originator of the Wine Country Classic that preceded the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival for 24 years. “Choosing McLaren as our marque means we will pay special tribute to the name, the teams, and the cars that McLaren has produced in the past and will produce in the future, adding another dimension of enjoyment for both competitors and spectators.”
Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Cars of Interest
1957 Aceca Bristol Chassis #BE603 - Chassis BE603 is one of sixteen RHD drive cars built in 1957 and the only one known to be racing. The car was originally sold to a buyer in Venezuela, repatriated to the UK in 1989 and built into an endurance racer by AC racer Adrian Hall. Powered by a six-cylinder Bristol D2 motor with triple Solex carbs. BE603 competed in various UK races, most notably the Coys International Historic Festival at Silverstone in 1992 and 1993. It also competed in the 1992 La Carrera Panamericana race. Purchased by Bruce McCaw in 1994 and imported to his Seattle collection. During McCaw’s ownership the car participated in the Copperstate 1000. McCaw sold it in 2001 and the owner participated in the Monterey Historics, twice at the Quail, and the California Mille. Rob Fisher bought the car in January of this year. This is the second outing for the pairing.
1970 Plymouth AAR 'Cuda Chassis 50211 - Currently raced by Andy Boone, this 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda was built by Dan Gurney’s All American Racers shop for the 1970 Trans-Am series and driven in period by Dan Gurney and Swede Savage. Chassis 50211 was first used as a photo model for Chrysler/Plymouth ads, then as the AAR pre-season test mule before going on to contest the full 1970 Trans-Am season. Gurney drove chassis number 50211 in the first two races of the season, with Savage driving the balance. The AAR Cuda was based on a production body, but acid dipped and fitted with numerous AAR titanium parts and a fiberglass hood to get this big car’s weight down. An aluminum NASCAR A833 close-ratio gearbox was used but the gearbox was iron coated to pass the SCCA’s magnet test. A Chrysler 340 was used as a power plant, however it was de-stroked to 303.8 CID and rated at 490hp. The small block MOPAR was fed by a single Holly four barrel and a rare Chrysler LD 340 aluminum intake. Goodyears mounted on Minilite rims combined with 12-inch discs with Lockeed calipers provide the traction and the stopping. Andy Boone bought the car in 2006 and often races it along side his ex-Gurney 1968 McLaren M6B McLeagle Can-Am car. The two cars make an impression, taking this writer back to the day when Gurney and Savage drove these cars.
Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival – Results and Photo Gallery
Group 1A (1963-1974 Grand National Cars)
1. David Hankin – 1968 Ford Torino, Redding, CA
2. Mark Mountanos – 1971 Pontiac Firebird, Ukiah, CA
3. Randy Peterson – 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Sonoma, CA
4. Jim Hague – 1972 Ford Gran Torino, Santa Clara, CA
5. Scott Rubin – 1966 Ford Galaxie, Santa Clara, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 1A Results
1968 Ford Torino of David Hankin finished 1st
Dan Radowicz in his 1959 Plymouth Savoy R
1966 Ford Galaxie driven by Vic Edelbrock
1971 Pontiac Firebird of Mark Mountanos
Lance Smith in his 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle
1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo driven by Randy Peterson
1966 Ford Galaxie piloted by Scott Rubin
Jim Hague's 1972 Ford Gran Torino leads Jim Koehler's 1963 Chevrolet Impala
Ken Epsman's 1964 Mercury Marauder
Group 2A (1948-1955 Sports Racing & GT Cars)
1. Rob Manson – 1952 Schaghticoke Manning Special, Barcelona, Spain
2. John Buddenbaum – 1949 Jaguar Parkinson Special, Sunnyvale, CA
3. Jim Herlinger – 1949 Baldwin Mercury Special, Woodside, CA
4. Bernard Juchli – 1955 Hagemann Jaguar, Sierra Madre, CA
5. Donald Racine – 1952 Aardvark H-Modified, Nevada City, NV
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 2A Results
Class winning 1952 Schaghticoke Manning Special of Rob Manson
John Buddenbaum's 1949 Jaguar Parkinson Special finished 2nd
3rd in class - Terry Gough's 1949 Baldwin Mercury Special
David Nelson's 1955 Triumph TR2
Hudson Hornet of Thomas Mittler
John Romano's 1955 Aston Martin DB3S
The Fabulous Hudson Hornet driven by Thomas Mittler
David Brown's 1955 Cooper Climax T-39
Bruce Glascock's 1961 Crosley Almquist Saber
1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 driven by Luca Maciucesan
Mike Heffernan's Jaguar XK 120 leads James Alder's Jaguar XK 120
Gary Winiger's 1954 Siata 300BC
Robert Davis in his 1953 Siata 208S
1954 Ferrari 500 MD driven by Erickson Shirley
Group 3A (1955-1962 GT Cars)
1. Scott Brown – 1957 MGA Mk I, Redwood City, CA
2. Brian Howlett – 1961 Morgan +4, Hacienda Heights, CA
3. Clint deWitt – 1960 Porsche 356B, Sacramento, CA
4. Ron Cressy – 1959 Chevrolet Corvette, Sherman Oaks, CA
5. Paul Ryan – 1962 Lotus Super 7, Coronado, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 3A Results
Winner Scott Brown's #41 MGA hunts the #31 MGA of Edward Lamantia
Jeff Hill's Alfa Romeo SZ leads the Ferrari 250 GT SWB of Larry Bowman
1959 Porsche 356 driven by Don Teveni
Tom Price in his 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Sharon Wardman's 1963 Rene Bonnet D'Jer and the 1956 MGA of Shawn DeLuna
Peter Inshaw in his Alfa Romeo Giulia Spyder
1961 Elva Courier Mk II driven by Sue Quackenbush
Kevin Adair in his 1960 Lotus Elite
Larry Bowman in his Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Rob Fisher's 1957 AC Aceca
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato of Tom Price
Les Alexander in his 1957 Chevrolet Corvette
Bill Lyon in his 1961 Porsche Abarth GTL
Rob Fisher's 1957 AC Aceca
Jerry Lynch in his 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Group 4A (1962-1968 GT Cars under 2000cc)
1. Tom Claridge – 1964 Ginetta G4R, Los Gatos, CA
2. Paul Quackenbush – 1963 Lotus S-7, Grass Valley, CA
3. Robert Forbes – 1964 Ginetta G4R, Emerald Hills, CA
4. Victor Avlia – 1964 Lotus 26R, Corona Del Mar, CA
5. Michael Taradash – 1966 Lotus 26E, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 4A Results
Tide Edbing's 1962 Triumph TR4
1965 Alfa Romeo GTA of Andre Lara Resende
Donald Racine's Austin Mini Cooper S
Paul Perry's 1967 Saab Sonnet
Frank Altamura's 1966 Porsche 911S
1965 Austin Mini Cooper of Robert Hoemke leads the 1968 Alfa GTA Jr. of Jeffery Rothman
1966 Lotus Elan 26 of Michael Taradash
Group 5A (1961-1965 Sports Racing Cars)
1. Dave Vegher – 1966 Elva Mk 8, Petaluma, CA
2. Mike Blackie – 1964 Genie Mk 10, Prescott, AZ
3. Greg Meyer – 1962 Dailu Mk 2, Los Altos, CA
4. Edith Arrowsmith – 1964 Brabham BT8, Scottsdale, AZ
5. Steve Schmidt – 1963 Lotus 23B, Newport Beach, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 5A Results
1964 Cheetah driven by Fred Yeakel
1963 Huffaker Genie Mk VIII driven by John Harden
Tom Claridge and his 1963 Bobsy SR-3
John Morton in a Lotus 23 SR
Huffaker Genie Mk 10 of Mike Blackie
1964 Cheetah of Fred Yeakel
Dave Olson and his Lotus 23C
1962 Dailu Mk 2 of Greg Myer
Edith Arrowsmith's 1964 Brabham BT8
Group 6A (1973-1980 IMSA GT, GTX/1982-91 Trans-Am)
1. Steve Petty – 1991 Chevrolet Camaro, Charles Town, WV
2. John Watkins – 1983 Huffaker Pontiac Fiero, Anderson, CA
3. Peter Baljet – 1990 Chevrolet Baretta, Duncan, BC
4; Kenneth Davis – 1985 Roush Mercury Capri, Escondido, CA
5. Phil Gallant – 1985 Ford Mustang, Oceanside, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 6A Results
Class Winner - 1991 Chevrolet Camaro of Steve Petty
Bradley Harris drove the 1975 Brumos Porsche RSR
Ranson Webster's 1976 Porsche 935 K3
The fast and loud 1976 Dekon Monza of Ken Epsman
Bruce Canepa's 1979 Porsche 935
Jim Lawrence in his 1977 Porsche 934.5
Bruce Canepa's Porsche 935 leads Ranson Webster's 935 K3
Group 7A (1966-1974 Historic Can-Am Cars)
1. Chris MacAllister – 1971 McLaren M8F, Sonoma, CA
2. Andy Boone – 1968 McLaren McLeagle, Laguna Beach, CA
3. Tony Garmey – 1970 McLaren M8C, Maple Valley, WA
4. Scott Drnek – 1974 Sting, Hayward, CA
5. Don Bell – 1969 Lola T163, Woodside, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 7A Results
Overall winner - 1971 McLaren M8F of Chris MacAllister
Fast and pretty - Andy Boone's McLaren M68 McLeagle finished 2nd
Tony Garmey finished third in his quick 1970 McLaren M8C
Tom Malloy's McLaren M8E leads Jim Gallucci's Lola T163
1971 McLaren M8-E driven by Tom Gardner
Norm Cowdrey's 1967 McKee MK10
Lola T163 of Don Bell
1970 McLaren M8C of Tony Garmey
Jim Gallucci's 1969 Lola T163
Bob Lee's 1968 McLaren M6B, ex-Jo Bonnier
Simoniz Special - 1969 Lola T163 of Don Bell leads Lola T70 Mk 3B of Nick Colonna
Phil Hill Trophy Winner - 1971 McLaren M8F of Chris MacAllister
Group 1B (1914-1949 Pre-War Sport & Racing Cars
1. Peter Giddings – 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35, Danville, CA
2. Peter Greenfield – 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C-35, Freepoint, NY
3. Tom Price – 1936 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 MM, Larkspur, CA
4. Nathanael Greene 1925 Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix, Peterborough, NH
5. Gregory Whitten – 1932 Alfa-Romeo P3, Medina, WA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 1B Results
Peter Gidding's 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35
1917 Hall-Scott driven by Dick DeLuna
1934 Bugatti Type 59 driven by Charles McCabe
V12-powered 1939 Lagonda driven by Richard Morrison
1914 Ford Racer driven by Tom DeMund
1915 Ford driven by Ed Archer
Mark Sange's Austin 7 Monoposto
BMW 328 driven by John Fitzpatrick
Peter Mulin's 1927 Bugatti Type 35C
Group 2B (1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars)
1. Donald Orosco – 1958 Lotus 15, Monterey, CA
2. Edward Nigro – 1960 Lola Mk I, Las Vegas, NV
3. John Morton – 1958 Scarab SR, El Segundo, CA
4. Cameron Healy – 1953 Cooper “Pooper” Porsche, Portland, OR
5. David Swig – 1957 Monsterati Special, Sausalito, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 2B Results
John Morton piloted the Collier Collection's 1958 Scarab SR
Brent Backman's 1957 Lister Jaguar Knobbly leads the 1956 Lister Maserati of John Chip Fudge
Bob Hardison's 1958 Echidna Special
John Morton's Scarab SR leads Tom Hollfelder's Devin SS and David Swig's Monsterati Special
Nick Colonna's Lister Chevy leads Brent Backman's Lister Jaguar
Group 3B (1962-1967 GT Cars over 2000cc)
1. Terry Gough – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette, Reno, NV
2. Jim Hague – 1966 Shelby GT350, Santa Clara, CA
3. John Morton – 1964 Sunbeam Tiger, El Segundo, CA
4. Craig Wright – 1966 Shelby GT350, La Jolla, CA
5. Jason Len – 1964 Jaguar E-Type, San Luis Obispo, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 3B Results
Head of the Class - Terry Gough in his very fast 1965 Chevrolet Corvette
Lynn Park's 1964 Cobra 289 leads the 1963 Corvette of Dan Payne
Darrell Mountjoy's 1964 Sunbeam Le Mans Tiger
John Morton's 1964 Sunbeam Tiger
1965 Sunbeam Tiger of Chris Gruys
John Goodman's 1964 Cobra leads Lynn Park's 1964 Cobra
Jason Len three wheels over the crest in his 1964 Jaguar E-Type
Lynn Park's 1964 Cobra 289
Group 4B (1958-1963 Formula Cars – Formula Jr. and Formula One)
1. Art Hebert – 1963 Lola F-Jr., Larkspur, CA
2. Danny Baker – 1963 Lotus F-Jr., San Francisco, CA
3. Douglas Mockett – 1961 Cooper T-56, Christiansted, St. Thomas
4. Jimmy Domingos – 1962 Cooper F-Jr., Carmel, CA
5. J.G. Ball – 1963 Lola F-Jr., Dallas, TX
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 4B Results
Race winning 1963 Lola Mk 5A F- Jr. driven by Art Hebert
1961 Cooper T-56 F-Jr driven by Doug Mockett holds off the BMC Mk I F-Jr. of Dan Marvin
1959 Rytune Scorpion 500S F-Jr. driven by Tupper Robinson
Group 5B (1965-1988 FIA Mfg./IMSA GTP Cars)
1. Dave Vegher – 1976 Lola T286, Sparks, NV
2. Randall Smith – 1971 Chevron B19, Petaluma, CA
3. Ed Swart – 1971 Chevron B19, Rolling Hills, CA
4. Brian Groza – 1975 Sauber C4, Bend, OR;
5. Dwight Matheson – 1973 Chevron B23, Meadow Vista, CA
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 5B Results
1966 Ford GT40 driven by Chris MacAllister
Tom Hollfelder's Ferrari 512F
1982 Porsche 956 driven by Ranson Webster
1973 Porsche 3.0 RSR of Brad Hook
Tight racing as Randall Smith's Chevron B19 peeks inside
1966 Ford GT40 driven by Tom Armstrong
1977 Lola T297 driven by Tom Minnich
Porsche 908K driven by Cameron Healy
Group 6B (1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am Cars)
1. Jim Hague – 1972 AMC Javelin, Santa Clara, CA
2. Ken Epsman – 1970 Dodge Challenger, Saratoga, CA
3. Forrest Straight – 1970 Ford Mustang, Mountain View, CA
4. Chad Raynal – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, San Jose, CA
5. Craig Jackson – 1969 AMC Javelin, Scottsdale, AZ
Click for complete Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 – Race 6B Results
Race winning 1972 AMC Javelin of Jim Hague
Andy Boone's AAR 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda
Jon Norman's 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV
Tony Hart in the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Bruce Canepa's 1970 AMC Javelin
1967 Sunoco Chevrolet Camaro of Tom Mcintyre
Ken Epsman's 1970 Dodge Challenger
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[Source: Dennis Gray]
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Great coverage! Dennis really captures the essence of the event.
Cheers!
Nice pictures
That’s the last great photo of Andy Boone’s AAr for a while. He got tangled up in a wreck in turn 11, last lap, last group of the event. Car was pretty banged up.
Goerenger’s Mustang had major damge to the front end.
Jim Halsey’s Boss fared a little better, but still an unfortunate happening for all.
Hope all can be repaired so they can share these with us again, out on the track, where they were meant to be.
I appreciate the in depth coverage with plenty of fabulous photos. Good job Dennis!
Great job Dennis. Complete and fun to spend some time with.
Larry thanks for the comment, much appreciated.Dennis
Fantastic job Dennis!!
I echo Larry Crane’s comment – a lot of fun reading this and seeing the pictures and results.
Stupendous coverage, what great photos – best in a long time; especially deep and vibrant colors, crisp focus, given the bright white light of CA at this time of year.
The turnout of cars, just wonderful.
Thanks for sharing!
Excellent photography of the race events! Capturing cars with wheels off the track… tremendous! But, hey, it is Dennis Gray, after all. Cheers, DG. Great images as always.
Fantastic coverage and photos—Thank you Dennis. I spent my race behind the wall in turn 11 after shearing off a half shaft. There was a great battle between Andy Boone and Tony Garmy for second place in gp 7A and Andy passed for the lead on the last lap in turn 11
Bob.
Hope to see you guys back on track soon. Will miss you and the Alfa at Laguna and the M6B at the next HMSA event.
Another excellent group of photos to compliment Dennis’s story. Some exciting driving performances for the race fans at Sears Pt.
Another great job by Dennis Gray, Sonoma must have been a great time for drivers and watchers. Looking at Dennis’ images got my imagination jumping gears, without bending any metal. Thanks for the entertainment.