Like other vintage festivals across America this year, the fourth Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Chevrolet Corvette. Apart from legions of Corvettes circulating the undulating 2.52-mile Sonoma Raceway circuit, one of the weekend’s highlights was a well-attended panel discussion featuring selected figures from the marque’s six decades of history. Moderated by former Corvette public relations boss Rick Voegelin, the panel was comprised of Paul Reinhart, Bill Pollack, Joe Freitas and Dick Guldstrand, who talked of the early years of competing in Corvettes, mainly in California, while Michiganders Tony DeLorenzo and Corvette Racing Program Manager Doug Fehan covered more recent eras.
On the track, Corvettes were driven to victory in three of the event’s 15 races, one by Noel Park, who won Group 9, for 1955-’62 Production/GT over 2000-cc, with his 1958 Corvette, while Ross Thompson claimed top honors in Group 10, for 1962-’66 Production/GT over 2000-cc, with his 1964 model and Group 14, for 1973-’79 IMSA GT & 1964-’70 FIA Cars, with his 1976 Corvette. Further, Reinhart was awarded the Phil Hill Trophy for best presentation and performance overall, for his purple and orange 1957 Corvette roadster.
Event organizer Steve Earle, president of General Racing, Ltd., said, “The weather was perfect for great racing today, Sonoma Raceway is a terrific venue to showcase these valuable and significant cars that continue to be enjoyed, and we’re extremely proud to have joined in Corvette’s 60th anniversary celebration.”
