Rick Knoops's 1972 McLaren M8F with 8357cc.
    Vintage Races & Rallies

    Sonoma Historic Festival (2014) – Report and Photos

    Dennis Gray

    The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2014 was held May 16-18 at Sonoma Raceway Sears Point in Sonoma, California. Sunny and warm weather greeted the nearly 350 vintage and historic cars that competed in 14 groups on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course in Northern California’s wine country. This year’s Historics celebrated the Can-Am Series, which ran from 1966 to 1974, with a focus on the unique Shadow race cars that competed from 1970-1974.

    From a 1929 Lagonda, a 1911 National 40, to a cadre of booming McLaren Can-Am cars from the ’60s and ‘70s, and the fan-favorite Trans-Am cars of the same era, an enthusiastic crowd was treated to close competition among many classic race cars from the last 100 years.

    Other notable entrants included the 1970 Gulf Porsche 917K; 1959 Ferrari 250 GT LWB Tour de France; 1953 Jaguar C-Type; 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35; 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage; 1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight; 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL; 1976 Porsche 935 K3; 1964 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA; 1928 Bugatti 35B; 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 MM and 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

    The featured race at the 4th annual Sonoma Historics – 1966-1974 Historic Can-Am Cars – was won by Spencer Trenery in a black 1970 McLaren M8C, followed by the 1972 McLaren M8F of Rick Knoop and the 1968 McLaren M6B of Robert Ryan. Fred Cziska’s 1972 Shadow DN2 and Dennis Losher’s 1971 Shadow MKII finished fifth and eighth, respectively.

    Dyke Ridgley posted double-header victories, taking the victory in both Group 3 (1946-1955 Sports Racing and Production Cars) with his 1953 Jaguar C-Type and Group 5 (1955-1960 Sports Racing Cars) in his 1960 Maserati Type 61 Birdcage. Additional race winners included a 1970 Porsche 908/3 driven by Cameron Healy, a 1936 ERA R6B, raced by Charles McCabe, a 1962 Lotus 22 Formula Junior piloted by Carl Moore and a 1971 Chevron B-19 driven by Randall Smith.

    “The weekend was successful once again,” said Steve Earle, president of General Racing, Ltd. “We are very proud of the quality of our drivers. We had only one minor incident, but otherwise it was a good, clean, fun weekend for all the participants and fans. That’s what it’s supposed to be, and has always been.”

    Similar to 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, Senior Photographer Dennis Gray also documented the 2014 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, offering the following images that highlight the quality field at this year’s event. We split up Dennis’ 180 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 and race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

    Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery

    Car of Interest, 1953 Jaguar XK 120C – Chassis 053 is the last C-Type built in 1953 and one of the three lightweights built that year. These three lightweight cars used disc brakes, thinner alloy body panels mounted to thinner and smaller chassis tubes. Weber carburetors were used for the first time on a factory Jaguar race car. The rear suspension was modified with Panhard Rod and upper trailing arms. The three lightweights were among the first race cars to use a rubber bladder fuel cell. Chassis O53 Was a factory car in 1953 then migrated to the Ecurie Ecosse team in 1954. 053 is the only lightweight retaining its original bodywork. Finished 2nd overall at 1953 Le Mans 24 Hours Moss/Walker; 1953 Lisbon Gran Prix Moss 2nd OA; 1953 Goodwood Nine Hours Whitehead/Stewart 3rd OA; 1953 Tourist Trophy Moss/Walker 3rd OA; 1954 Castle Combe Stewart 2nd OA; 1954 Zandvoort Sanderson 1st OA; 1954 Barcelona Sanderson 3rd OA. Powered by a Jaguar 3.823cc DOHC inline 6, iron block with aluminum cylinder head, wet sump, 12.0 to 1 compression, three Weber 45 DCO3 carburetors. 323 b.h.p. with a 6,500 r.p.m. redline. 146 m.p.h. top speed with the current gearing. Dunlop Disc brakes with six piston front and four piston rear calipers. The gearbox drives a hydraulic brake booster. For the 2014 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, chassis 053 carried the number 17 as it did during the 1953 Le Mans event.
    Car of Interest, 1970 Porsche 908/3 – Porsche 908/3-007 is one of 11 Mark 3 examples built for the 1970 and ’71 seasons. 007 was a factory or works race car originally built and raced as a closed low drag coupe. Chassis 007 was first entered in the 1970 Targa Florio as a works car with the “sunburst” livery it wears today. Driven by Vic Elford and Hans Herman it crashed on the first lap and was retired. (Brother cars 008 and 009 finished first and second). 908/3-007 next raced at the 1971 1,000kms of Nurburgring under Martini Racing livery, finishing third driven by Gijs von Lennep and Helmet Marko. At the end of the 1971 season 007 was sold to a privateer team. Since 2012 Cameron Healy has owned and campaigned the car out of Portland, Oregon.
    Car of Interest, 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL – Drive of the weekend goes to Henry Schmitt in this 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL, chassis number 987. This car was raced by Hans Stuck and Sam Posey in the 1974 and ’75 IMSA season. The story about what makes this car/driver/crew combination so interesting is that the car has been undergoing an engine and chassis rebuild for two years. Bill Watson’s RoadRockets garage at Sears Point first got the CSL up-and-running late Saturday afternoon. Henry took to the track Sunday afternoon in the Group 13a with no seat time in the car for the past year or more. Starting 21st of 22 cars, Henry drove the CSL through the pack ending the race in fourth overall and second in class. Watching Schmitt wheel the CSL in traffic was an education in clean, fast driving.
    1971 Shadow MK II driven by Dennis Losher.
    1928 Bugatti Type 35B
    1911 National driven by Brian Blain and his intrepid riding mechanic.
    Charles McCabe in his 1936 ERA R6B.
    Over the hill between turns three and four Tom price in his 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300MM.
    Jim Putnam and is riding mechanic experience real open air touring. 1912 Packard 30.
    Steve Earle in the 1953 Jaguar
    C-Type. Two weeks ago we featured this car in the California Milla driven by Tom Price.
    Howard Swig’s 1951 Chrysler Sartoga, 5424cc. Stop by the pits and talk with Howard about this car and his family history with it.
    Up the hill out of turn three, Rob Manson in the Baldwin Mercury Special. 4834cc Of Mike Ryan built flat head Mercury power.
    1957 Cooper T-43 F2 driven by Luca Maciucesca in turn three.
    Chris MacAllister’s 1970 Gulf Porsche 917K.
    Temperature gauge paint on the 917K brake disc. Once the car comes in from the track the paint color is compared to a color chart to find the running temperature.
    1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, Chassis 0754
    John Goodman’s 1972 Ferrari 312P.
    Chris MacAllister’s 1970 Gulf Porsche 917K leads the Group 13b pack into turn eight.
    Stephen Thein in his 1967 Porsche 910 in the esses.
    Cameron Healy’s 1970 Porsche 908/3 in the esses.
    Cameron Healy’s 1953 Cooper Porsche ‘Pooper”.
    Jim Domingos’ 1960 Cooper T-52-F.Jr. leads through the esses.
    Quick dry dust in turn eleven.
    Bill Ockerlund’s 1991 Camaro in turn two.
    Philip Mendelouitz’s 1989 Nissan exits turn two.
    Marnix Dillenius in his 1964 Alfa romeo TZ. That’s fuel spilling out the back.
    Alec Hugo in his 1962 Porsche 356B in turn eleven. A well prepared car driven quickly by this young driver.
    Chris MacAllister’s 1964 Cobra FIA 289ci in turn eleven.
    Nick Colonna’s 1963 Lt. Wt. Jaguar XKE in turn eleven.
    Ed Archer’s 1915 Ford T in turn nine.
    Ivan Zaremba’s 1935 Railton in turn nine.
    Paddins Dowling’s 1939 Maserati 4 CL in turn nine Sunday morning.
    Peter Gidding’s 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35 in the esses.
    Mark Mountanos in his 1971 Pontiac Firebird in turn nine Sunday morning.
    Linda Mountanos in her 1966 Chevelle.
    Rob Fisher’s 1957 ACECA Bristol in turn ten during Sunday’s race.
    Tom Price in his 1962 Ferrari 250GTO.
    Over the ridge exiting turn three, Greg Umphenour in his 1964 Mercury Comet.
    Chris MacAllister’s 1964 Cobra FIA 289ci in turn three during Sunday’s race.
    Jimmy Gallucci’s 1969 McLaren M8C exits turn two during Sunday’s race.
    Possibly the weekend’s fastest combo Spencer Trenery in his Mclaren M8C, 5800cc.
    Dennis Losher’s 1971 Shadow exits turn two.
    Ed Swart in his 1968 Mclaren M6B.
    Rick Knoops’s 1972 McLaren M8F with 8357cc.
    Fred Cziska’s 1972 Shadow DN2 in turn two during Sunday’s race.
    Greg Mitchell’s 1969 Lola T163 in turn two during Sunday’s race.
    Ken Epsman’s 1976 Dekon Monza in turn two during Sunday’s race.
    Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL in turn two.
    Sunday’s Group 13a 1970 to 1979 IMSA GT cars had two good, good races. One saturday with the 320 Epsman Dekon Monza going from last to third and Sunday’s race with the Schmitt 3.5 CSL going from near last to fourth, Fast, clean and fascinating to watch racing.
    Jim Galzia’a 1973 Porsche 911 RSR. A great looking machine.
    1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR driven by Thomas Van Overbeek.
    Steve Schmidt in is 1976 Porsche 935 K-3 up the hill to turn two.
    Carl Moore’s 1962 Lotus 22 F Jr. exits turn ten.
    Jeff Abramson in his 1960 Cooper F-1.
    If you love Devin Specials this was the event for you. This one is the 1957 Devin Ryan Special driven by Robert Bodin, 5000cc.
    Stewart Smith in his 1957 Lotus Eleven exiting turn ten.
    John Miller in the 1961 Hatch Park Special. Next time your in the pits stop by and check this car out. Another of the interesting Devin Specials.
    Gregory Campbell in another of the Devin Specials this one the 1955 Devin Porsche 356 Special.
    Ex-Jim Hall Maserati Tipo 61 driven by Dyke Ridgley. For those of you into helmets enough said.
    Erickson Shirley’s 1959 Costin Lister Chevrolet. Erickson runs a period correct Rochester FI on this car.
    David Swig’s 1957 5751cc Monsterati exits turn ten.
    Michael Reischi’s quick 1967 Chevron GT.
    1962 Dailu Mk2 Special driven by Greg Meyer.
    Chris MacAllister’s 1970 Gulf Porsche 917K in turn ten. Look closely there are three cars in the shot.
    Charles Wagner’s 1959 Ferrari 250LWB exits turn ten.
    Orwin Middleton’s 1959 Corvette.
    1970 Porsche 908/3 driven by Cameron Healy.
    Craig Jackson in the Ex-Dan Gurney 1970 Plymouth Barracuda.
    Don Lee’s 1965 Cobra accelerates out of turn ten. Don’s Cobra is a 427ci or 7000cc car.
    Nick Colonna’s 1963 Lt. Wt. Jaguar XKE. This car is similar to the Lindner Nocker Lt. Wt Jaguar.
    Ranson Webster’s 1976 Porsche 935 K3.
    The driver of the Ferrari 250 GTO must be lost.

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    Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2014 – Race Results

    Group 1, Pre-1927 Sports Touring Cars
    1. Dick Jeffery, Hillsborough, Calif., 1937 Triumph Special
    2. Robert F. Williams, Sunnyvale, Calif., 1952 Siata Diana
    3. Ed Archer, Hayward, Calif., 1915 Ford Model T

    Group 2, 1925-1941 Racing Cars
    1. Charles McCabe, San Francisco, Calif., 1936 ERA R6B
    2. Paddins Dowling, Sausalito, Calif., 1939 Maserati 4CL
    3. Peter Giddings, Danville, Calif., 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35

    Group 3, 1946-1955 Sports Racing and Production Cars
    1. Dyke Ridgley, Willamette, Ill., 1953 Jaguar C-Type
    2. Rob Manson, Barcelona, Spain, 1952 Baldwin-Mercury Special
    3. John Buddenbaum, Sunnyvale, Calif., 1949 Jaguar Parkinson Special

    Group 4, 1956-1963 Formula Jr., F-2, F1 Cars
    1. Carl Moore, Alamo, Calif., 1962 Lotus 22 Formula Junior
    2. Jeff Abramson, Alamo, Calif., 1960 Cooper Formula One
    3. Maurice McCaig, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1961 Cooper T-56 Formula Junior

    Group 5, 1955-1960 Sports Racing Cars
    1. Dyke Ridgley, Willamette, Ill., 1960 Maserati Tipo 61 Birdcage
    2. Frank Zucchi, Livermore, Calif., 1960 Piranha
    3. David Swig, Sausalito, Calif., 1957 Monsterati Special

    Group 6 and 13b, 1959-1966 Sports Racing Cars and 1964-1970 FIA Cars
    1. Cameron Healy, Portland, Ore., 1970 Porsche 908/3
    2. John Goodman, Seattle, Wash., 1972 Ferrari 312P Sparling
    3. Michael Reischl, Kent, Wash., 1967 Chevron GT

    Group 7, 1955-1962 Production GT Cars
    1. Noel Park, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., 1958 Chevrolet Corvette
    2. Brian Howlett, Hacienda Heights, Calif., 1961 Morgan +4
    3. Bill H. Lyon, Newport Beach, Calif., 1961 Porsche 356 Abarth

    Group 8, 1963-1973 Grand National Stock Cars
    1. Ron Myska, Fairfield, Calif., 1969 Ford Talladega
    2. Jim Hague, Santa Clara, Calif., 1972 Ford Torino
    3. Linda Mountanos, Ukiah, Calif., 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle

    Group 9, 1962-1967 Production/GT Cars over 2000cc
    1. Jeff Abramson, Alamo, Calif., 1964 Chevrolet Corvette
    2. Chris MacAllister, Indianapolis, Ind., 1964 Shelby Cobra 289
    3. Don Lee, Portola Valley, Calif., 1965 Shelby Cobra 427

    Group 10, 1962-1967 Production Cars under 2000cc
    1. Dalmo de Vasconcelos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1965 Lotus Elan
    2. Fred Della Noce, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1967 Alfa Romeo GTAm
    3. Martin Lauber, Tiburon, Calif., 1967 Alfa Romeo Sprint GT

    Group 11, 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am Cars
    1. Jim Halsey, Los Angeles, Calif., 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302
    2. Ken Epsman, Santa Clara, Calif., 1972 AMC Javelin
    3. Jim Hague, Santa Clara, Calif., 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

    Group 12, 1966-1974 Historic Can-Am Cars
    1. Spencer Trenery, Emeryville, Calif., 1970 McLaren M8C
    2. Rick Knoop, Laguna Beach, Calif., 1972 McLaren M8F
    3. Robert Ryan, Avila Beach, Calif., 1968 McLaren M6B

    Group 13a, 1970-1979 IMSA GT and 1971-1979 FIA Cars
    1. Randall Smith, Petaluma, Calif., 1971 Chevron B-19
    2. Alex MacAllister, Indianapolis, Ind., 1971 Chevron B-19
    3. Richard Harris, Incline Village, Calif., 1979 Porsche 935 J

    Group 14, 1982-1991 Historic IMSA GTO/SCCA Trans-Am Cars
    1. Mike Gagen, La Mesa, Calif., 1988 Chevrolet Camaro
    2. Ken Epsman, Santa Clara, Calif., 1984 Pontiac Firebird
    3. Chris Liebenberg, Boyertown, Penn., 1982 Ford Mustang

    The Sonoma Historic Cup – “The Phil Hill Trophy” – Presented for Best Presentation and Performance Overall
    Charles McCabe, San Francisco, Calif., 1936 ERA R6B

    The Sonoma Historic Trophy, Post-1940 Category – Presented for Excellence in Presentation
    Mike Eddy, Gardena, Calif., 1963 Ford Falcon

    The Sonoma Historic Trophy, Post 1940 Category – Presented for Excellence in Presentation
    Paddins Dowling, Sausalito, Calif., 1939 Maserati 4 CL

    The Sonoma Historic Award – Presented for Presentation and Performance in Race Group
    Group 1 – Jim Nix, Saratoga, Calif., 1926 Rajo Ford
    Group 2 – Steve Walker, Amity, Ore., 1935 BMW 315/1
    Group 3 – Timothy Barnes, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 1951 Jaguar XK120
    Group 4 – Maurice McCaig, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 1961 Cooper T-56 F-Jr.
    Group 5 – Erickson Shirley, Vail, Colo., 1959 Lister-Chevrolet
    Group 6 – Michael Reischl, Kent, Wash., 1967 Chevron GT
    Group 7 – Ronald Cressey, Sherman Oaks, Calif., 1959 Chevrolet Corvette
    Group 8 – Trace Chalmers, Irvine, Calif., 1971 Plymouth Roadrunner
    Group 9 – John Goodman, Seattle, Wash., 1964 Shelby Cobra
    Group 10 – Fred Della Noce, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 1967 Alfa Romeo GTAm
    Group 11 – Greg Weirick, Malibu, Calif., 1970 Chevrolet Camaro
    Group 12 – Fred Cziska, Petaluma, Calif., 1972 Shadow DN2
    Group 13 – Alex McAllister, Indianapolis, Ind., 1971 Chevron B-19
    Group 14 – Chris Liebenberg, Boyertown, Pa., 1982 Ford Mustang

    Purchase Dennis Gray Photos

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    [Source: General Racing; Dennis Gray]

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