Coronado Speed Festival (2014) – Recap & Photo Gallery

Report and photos by Victor Varela

What a great way to end the summer of 2014 than to spend it outdoors with the sounds of thunderous vintage race cars! With the start of Fleet Week, the Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, played host once again to the sights and sounds of vintage race cars at the 2014 Coronado Speed Festival on September 19-21. A wide variety of historic race cars participated in this year’s road race event, including a multitude of Shelby and other Ford Mustangs in celebration of the car’s 50th anniversary.

This year marked the 17th year of this annual ‘Race at the Base’, which provided these historic race cars a temporary 1.7 mile course – constructed each year on the runways and taxiways of the Naval Air Station. Race fans enjoyed a weekend of racing with the various race classes that participated, as well as an open paddock – where the cars and drivers prepared for their time on the track.The weekend also included a stunt show by Aaron Colton and a special appearance by the Robby Gordon SUPER Trucks. Those who attended the Speed Festival also had access to numerous vendors, food stands, car club corrals and several military vehicles and aircraft on display. Racing and car aficionados, along with their families and friends, had a lot to see, eat and experience throughout the race weekend. I also had an exciting ride with Anthony Covelli in his 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint. Thanks, Anthony!

Racing legend George Follmer served as Honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s Speed Festival. Follmer’s distinctive racing career includes winning both the 1972 Can-Am Championship and the 1972 Trans-Am Championship, racing in Formula 1, Formula 5000, the Indy 500, Can Am, Trans Am, NASCAR and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

With the Ford Mustang celebrating its 50th anniversary, this legendary American muscle car was well represented at the Coronado Speed Festival 2014. To celebrate this milestone, an impressive contingent of Mustangs were present in both the car corral as well as on the race track throughout the weekend. Among the Mustangs on track were Steve Schuler’s 1991 Roush Ford Mustang; Craig Wright’s 1966 Shelby GT350; Michael Parson’s 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350; Jim Hague’s 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang; Mark Cane’s 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350; Bob Paris’ 1966 Ford Mustang; Tracy Chalmers’ 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 and Chris Liebenberg’s ex-George Follmer 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang.

Other notable and interesting entrants at the Fleet Week event included Alex Curtis’ 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing; John Goodman’s 1972 Ferrari 312P Sparling Special; 1958 Devin SS and 1964 Shelby Cobra; automotive artist Nicolas Hunziker in his 1969 Lotus 51C; Robert Ryan’s 1968 McLaren M6B and comedian Adam Carolla’s ex-Paul Newman 1977 Datsun 200SX. My favorites were a pair of 1970 Datsun 240Zs owned by Phil Mendelovitz and Gary Cook.

Similar to 2013, Victor Varela also documented the Coronado Speed Festival 2014. We split up Victor’s pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs. To see more from Victor, visit VictorVarela.com.

Coronado Speed Festival 2014 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

Andrew Barron in his 1969 Lotus Seven. © 2014 Victor Varela

Matt Parsons going into turn 11 in his 1969 Porsche 911. © 2014 Victor Varela

James Smith enters turn 11 in his 1962 Lotus Seven. © 2014 Victor Varela

The 1964 Morgan 4/4 of Mark Pladson. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bill Lyon and his 1967 Porsche 912. © 2014 Victor Varela

Gary Black going into turn 11 in his 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 Mk1.

Craig Wright in his 1966 Shelby GT350. © 2014 Victor Varela

John Goodman prepares for turn 10 in his 1964 Cobra.

Jim Migliaccio in his 1975 Ferrari 308 GT4. © 2014 Victor Varela

Michael Parson races towards turn 11 in his 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350. © 2014 Victor Varela

Chad Manista catches the back end of his 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. © 2014 Victor Varela

Patrick Costin in his 1967 Porsche 911.

Andrew Alcazar in his 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

Greg Johnson enters turn 10 in his 1969 Chevrolet Camaro. © 2014 Victor Varela

Nick Colonna locks up the front brakes on his 1963 Jaguar E-Type Low Drag.

Donald Stark exits turn 9 in his 1964 Lotus 23B. © 2014 Victor Varela

Joseph DiLoreto piloting his 1961 Dolphin. © 2014 Victor Varela

Gary Sousa in the 1995 Dale Earnhardt #3 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. © 2014 Victor Varela

The tail hangs out on the 1970 Chevrolet Camaro of Gregory Weirick. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jim Francies powers out of turn 11 in his 1967 Mercury Cougar. © 2014 Victor Varela

Vic Edelbrock in his 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bruce Canepa tosses the back end out on his 1970 AMC Javelin.

Jim Hague power slides his 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang out of turn 11.

Craig Conley exits turn 11 in his 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

Ken Adams in his 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tom Farrington and his 1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint.

Alex Curtis in his 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.

Jeffrey Tamkin in his 1959 Morgan +4. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bill Sadler in the patriotic liveried 1960 Sorrell/Larkin Special.

Terry Cowan in his 1960 Austin Healey Sebring Sprite. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bart Smith races towards turn 10 in his 1962 Austin Mini Cooper.

John Goodman in his 1958 Devin SS.

John Hurabiell prepares to enter turn 10 in his 1956 Lotus Eleven.

Kaid Marouf in his 1960 Alfa Romeo SZ.

Al Waterhouse in his 1958 Jaguar XK150.

David Buchanan in his 1966 Alfa Romeo Sebring.

Dewey deButts going into turn 10 in his 1960 Austin-Healey Sprite.

Taz Harvey in his 1969 Datsun 510. © 2014 Victor Varela

Kelvin Tse in his 1968 Datsun 510. © 2014 Victor Varela

Steve Pharr races towards turn 11 in his 1972 Datsun 510. © 2014 Victor Varela

Robert Spriggs in his 1966 Lotus Cortina.

Tom Brecht in his 1969 BMW 2002. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tim Brecht at speed in his 1969 BMW 2002 TA.

Jonathan Ornstein exits turn 9 in his 1973 Datsun 710. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jon Norman exits turn 9 in his 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV.

Jeff Thraen leads a pack of Bimmers in his 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super. © 2014 Victor Varela

Mike Thurlow in his 1973 Lola T294

Alan Frick in his 1969 Chevron B16. © 2014 Victor Varela

Mike Follmer races out of turn 9 in his 1982 Ralt RT5.

Joseph DiLoreto in his 1972 Lola T-290. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jeff Klein races towards turn 10 in his 1970 Chevron B16.

Steve Schuler races towards turn 10 in his 1991 Roush Ford Mustang.

Jim Stengel comes out of turn 9 in his 1972 McLaren M8FP.

Brent Berge and his 1978 Lola T133.

Steve Walker holds off the 914-6 in his 1976 BMW CSL.

Ranson Webster in his 1973 Porsche 911 RSR.

Brandon Adrian powers out of turn 9 in his 1967 Alfa Romer GTA. © 2014 Victor Varela

Wes Abendroth in his 1961 Elva Courier. © 2014 Victor Varela

Dave Brengle in his 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spyder. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tom Sakai in his 1964 Sunbeam Tiger. © 2014 Victor Varela

Mark Cane races towards turn 10 in his 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350.

John Goodman in his 1964 Cobra. © 2014 Victor Varela

Gary Cook in his 1970 Datsun 240Z.

Pete Whitehead heading towards turn 10 in his 1964 Iso Rivolta. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jay Parille in his 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350.

Bob Paris exits turn 11 in his 1966 Ford Mustang.

Sam Simpson exiting turn 9 in his 1972 Titan Mk6. © 2014 Victor Varela

Todd Gerstenberger I in his 1970 Titan Mk6. © 2014 Victor Varela

Don Anderson powers out of turn 9 in his 1964 Bobsy SR3. © 2014 Victor Varela

Si Robin races towards turn 10 in his 1963 Lotus 23. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tom Malloy enters turn 6 in his 1958 Lister Knobbly. © 2014 Victor Varela

Robert Engberg leads the pack into turn 6 in his 1957 Elva MkIIB. © 2014 Victor Varela

Steve Sanett aims for the turn 7 apex in his 1967 Lotus Eleven. © 2014 Victor Varela

Arthur Cook in his 1958 Lotus Eleven. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jim Brown points his 1955 Cooper T39 towards turn 6.

Paul Christensen in his 1956 Porsche 356A.

Alex Curtis brakes for turn 6 in his 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing.

Shelly Zide brakes into turn 6 in the 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV.

Shannon Johnson slows her 1969 Datsun 510 before entering turn 6. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jim Stengel in his 1972 McRae GM-1. © 2014 Victor Varela

David Alvarado enters turn 6 in his 1972 March 722. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jeff Klein races into turn 6 in his 1970 Chevron B16. © 2014 Victor Varela

R. Gray Gregory in his 1974 Chevron B26. © 2014 Victor Varela

Ranson Webster in his 1973 Porsche 911 RSR. © 2014 Victor Varela

Robert Ryan entering turn 7 in his 1968 McLaren M6B.

David Leyvas on the turn 7 apex in his 1974 Porsche 911 RSR. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bill Lyon handles turn 7 in his 1970 Porsche 914/6. © 2014 Victor Varela

Racing legend George Follmer served as Honorary Grand Marshal for this year’s Speed Festival. © 2014 Victor Varela

Bill Sadler races past the start/finish in 1960 Sorrell/Larkin Special.

Frank Arciero in the 1958 Lotus Eleven S2. © 2014 Victor Varela

Anthony Covelli exits turn 11 in his 1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint.

Don Forrester in his 1969 Alfa Romeo GTV. © 2014 Victor Varela

David DeRosier in his 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT.

Comedian Adam Carolla drives the ex-Paul Newman 1977 Datsun 200SX.

Ken Davis exits turn 9 in his 1985 Ford Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

John Goodman’s 1972 Ferrari 312P Special.

Robert Ryan on the apex of turn 10 in his 1968 McLaren M6B.

Steve Walker races towards turn 11 in his 1976 BMW CSL. © 2014 Victor Varela

Steven Byrnes in his 1965 Ginetta G4.

Erich Wilms keeps the #5 Porsche behind his 1967 Porsche 911S.

Doug Manista exits turn 11 in his 1965 Chevrolet Corvette. © 2014 Victor Varela

Gary Cook in his 1970 Datsun 240Z. © 2014 Victor Varela

Matt Parent lifts the right front wheel on his 1969 Chevrolet Corvette. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tracy Chalmers in the 1966 Shelby Mustang GT 350. © 2014 Victor Varela

Phil Mendelovitz in the 1970 Datsun 240Z. © 2014 Victor Varela

The 1973 Titan of Si Robin. © 2014 Victor Varela

Sam Simpson in the 1972 Titan Mk6. © 2014 Victor Varela

Automotive artist, Nicolas Hunziker in his 1969 Lotus 51C. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tim Malloy on the apex in his 1969 Brabham BT18. © 2014 Victor Varela

Ed Lauber in the 1970 Titan Mk6A. © 2014 Victor Varela

The 2010 BMW GT2 #92 car of Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner.

Ron Myska in his 1969 Ford Talladega. © 2014 Victor Varela

Tony Hart in his 1967 Chevrolet Corvette.

Andrew Alcazar in his 1969 Ford Boss 302 Mustang. © 2014 Victor Varela

Christi Edelbrock in her 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. © 2014 Victor Varela

Jere Clark in the 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. © 2014 Victor Varela

Chris Liebenberg in his 1970 Ford Boss 302 Mustang coming out of turn 9.

Bill Cord on the front straight in his 1977 Chevron B39. © 2014 Victor Varela

Dan Marvin on the front straight in his 1976 March 76B. © 2014 Victor Varela

James Sparks races by in his 1974 Chevron B27. © 2014 Victor Varela

Edward Carden in his 1965 Chevron B2. © 2014 Victor Varela

Excuse him while he races by… Jimmy Hendrix in his 1986 Porsche 944.

Ken Pien enters turn 10 in his 1963 Elva Courier. © 2014 Victor Varela

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Coronado Speed Festival 2014 – Award Winners

Group 1 – Frank Arciero – Lotus Eleven

Group 2 – Shelly Zide Alfa Romeo GTV

Group 3 – Mike Follmer – Ralt RT5

Group 4 – Jim Stengel – McLaren M8F

Group 5 – Paul Konkle and Randy Stark – MGB

Group 6 – Craig Wright – Shelby GT 350

Group 7 – Si Robin – Lotus 23

Group 8 – Steve Thomas – Ford T-Bird

Group 9 – Chris Liebenberg – 1970 Boss 302 Mustang

Admiral’s Trophy – Jim Rogerson – 1966 Ford Mustang

Briggs Cunningham Award – Ranson Webster

President’s Award – Beth Philion – 2000 Dodge Intrepid

Rookie Award – Michel Stern – Datsun 710