Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2010 - Results and Photo Gallery

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 of Rob Fisher gets crossed up — **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.

AAR 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda — **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 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 — Jim Hague’s 1972 Ford Gran Torino leads Jim Koehler’s 1963 Chevrolet Impala

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 — 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 — David Nelson’s 1955 Triumph TR2

John Romano - 1955 Aston Martin DB3S — John Romano – 1955 Aston Martin DB3S

The Fabulous Hudson Hornet driven by Thomas Mittler

David Brown - 1955 Cooper Climax T-39 — David Brown – 1955 Cooper Climax T-39

Bruce Glascock's 1961 Crosley Almquist Saber — 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 — Mike Heffernan’s Jaguar XK 120 leads James Alder’s Jaguar XK 120

Gary Winiger's 1954 Siata 300BC — Gary Winiger’s 1954 Siata 300BC

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 — 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 — Jeff Hill’s Alfa Romeo SZ leads the Ferrari 250 GT SWB of Larry Bowman

1959 Porsche 356 - Don Teveni — 1959 Porsche 356 – Don Teveni

Tom Price in his 1961 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

1963 Rene Bonnet D'Jer and 1956 MGA — 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 - Sue Quackenbush — 1961 Elva Courier Mk II driven by Sue Quackenbush

Kevin Adair - 1960 Lotus Elite — Kevin Adair in his 1960 Lotus Elite

Rob Fisher's 1957 AC Aceca — Rob Fisher’s 1957 AC Aceca

Les Alexander in his 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Bill Lyon in his 1961 Porsche Abarth GTL

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 — Tide Edbing’s 1962 Triumph TR4

1965 Alfa Romeo GTA of Andre Lara Resende

Donald Racine\'s Austin Mini Cooper S — Donald Racine\’s Austin Mini Cooper S

Paul Perry\'s 1967 Saab Sonnet — Paul Perry\’s 1967 Saab Sonnet

Frank Altamura's 1966 Porsche 911S — Frank Altamura’s 1966 Porsche 911S

1965 Austin Mini Cooper of Robert Hoemke leads the 1968 Alfa GTA Jr. of Jeffery Rothman

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 - Fred Yeakel — 1964 Cheetah driven by Fred Yeakel

1963 Huffaker Genie Mk VIII - John Harden — 1963 Huffaker Genie Mk VIII driven by John Harden

Edith Arrowsmith's 1964 Brabham BT8 — 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 — Class Winner – 1991 Chevrolet Camaro of Steve Petty

Bradley Harris drove the 1975 Brumos Porsche RSR

Ranson Webster - 1976 Porsche 935 K3 — Ranson Webster – 1976 Porsche 935 K3

The fast and loud 1976 Dekon Monza of Ken Epsman

Bruce Canepa - 1979 Porsche 935 — Bruce Canepa – 1979 Porsche 935

Bruce Canepa's Porsche 935 leads Ranson Webster's 935 K3 — 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

1971 McLaren M8F - Chris MacAllister — Overall winner – 1971 McLaren M8F of Chris MacAllister

Andy Boone - McLaren M68 McLeagle — Fast and pretty – Andy Boone’s McLaren M68 McLeagle finished 2nd

Tony Garmey's quick 1970 McLaren M8C — Tony Garmey finished third in his quick 1970 McLaren M8C

McLaren M8E and Lola T163 — Tom Malloy’s McLaren M8E leads Jim Gallucci’s Lola T163

Lola T163 - Don Bell — Lola T163 – Don Bell

Jim Gallucci's 1969 Lola T163 — Jim Gallucci’s 1969 Lola T163

Jo Bonnier 1968 McLaren M6B — Bob Lee’s 1968 McLaren M6B, ex-Jo Bonnier

Simoniz Special - 1969 Lola T163 — 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 — Peter Gidding’s 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo 8C-35

1934 Bugatti Type 59 driven by Charles McCabe

V12-powered 1939 Lagonda driven by Richard Morrison

Mark Sange's Austin 7 Monoposto — Mark Sange’s Austin 7 Monoposto

Peter Mulin's 1927 Bugatti Type 35C — 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 — John Morton piloted the Collier Collection’s 1958 Scarab SR

1957 Lister Jaguar Knobbly and 1956 Lister Maserati — Brent Backman’s 1957 Lister Jaguar Knobbly leads the 1956 Lister Maserati of John Chip Fudge

Bob Hardison's 1958 Echidna Special — Bob Hardison’s 1958 Echidna Special

John Morton's Scarab leads Tom Hollfelder's Devin SS and David Swig's Monsterrati — John Morton’s Scarab leads Tom Hollfelder’s Devin SS and David Swig’s Monsterrati

Nick Colonna's Lister Chevy leads Brent Backman's Lister Jaguar — 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 — 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 — 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 — John Morton’s 1964 Sunbeam Tiger

John Goodman's 1964 Cobra leads Lynn Park's 1964 Cobra — 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 — 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 — Tom Hollfelder’s Ferrari 512F

1982 Porsche 956 driven by Ranson Webster

Tight racing as Randall Smith's Chevron B19 peeks inside — Tight racing as Randall Smith’s Chevron B19 peeks inside

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

1972 AMC Javelin - Jim Hague — Race winning 1972 AMC Javelin of Jim Hague

Andy Boone's AAR 1970 Plymouth 'Cuda — Andy Boone’s AAR 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda

Jon Norman's 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV — Jon Norman’s 1971 Alfa Romeo GTV

Tony Hart in the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Bruce Canepa's 1970 AMC Javelin — Bruce Canepa’s 1970 AMC Javelin

1967 Sunoco Chevrolet Camaro of Tom Mcintyre

Ken Epsman's 1970 Dodge Challenger — Ken Epsman’s 1970 Dodge Challenger

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[Source: Dennis Gray]