The Sonoma Speed Festival 2019 took place on the weekend of May 31 to June 2 at the picturesque Sonoma Raceway (formerly known as Sears Point), in the heart of California’s wine country. The inaugural historic motorsports and culture event was highlighted by more than 300 street and historic racing cars in the paddock and on track, providing a memorable three days of historic racing, culture, gourmet food and wine.
Sonoma Speed Festival founder and vintage racer, Jeff O’Neill, wanted to create an event that had a more premium feel, where visitors and participants were treated to the best foods, wines and race cars. To that end, he succeeded in providing a motorsport gathering to match his vision.
Those who attended the Sonoma Speed Festival 2019 enjoyed unprecedented access to a selection of the world’s most historic and valuable racing cars both on and off the track, with notable cars that included Ferrari 250 GTOs; Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinettas; Talbot-Lagos; Ford GT40s; Porsche 917Ks; the Lotus Type 77 driven by Mario Andretti; a Jaguar D-Type; a Ferrari F40 LM; a Bugatti 37 Grand Prix; and a McLaren F1 GTR Longtail; just to name a few.
Ten race groups spanning from the Brass Era to cutting-edge modern racing machines took on the challenging hills of Sonoma Raceway during the 2019 Sonoma Speed Festival. In celebration of the track’s 50th anniversary, the event’s featured class was the 1966 to 1969 Historic Trans-Ams, highlighting the Trans-American Sedan Championship battle fought on the track between Mark Donohue and Parnelli Jones in 1969.
One of the highlights of the debut event were demonstration runs by Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport in the 2016 W07/04 Formula 1 car. The most successful individual chassis in the history of Formula 1, the Mercedes F1 W07/04 Hybrid was driven by Lewis Hamilton to 10 race victories, 9 poles and 14 total podium finishes in 2016. In Sonoma, W07/04 was driven by team simulator and development driver Esteban Gutierrez, who set a lap time of 1:15.430 on the full-course configuration, the fastest lap ever recorded on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile track.
At the other end of the spectrum, but equally exciting, was the 1939 Mercedes-Benz W154 that also took to the track over the weekend. As the final iteration of the ‘Silver Arrows’ before the end of the European Grand Prix Championship and the beginning of World War II, the Mercedes-Benz W154 is a historic machine before even considering its racing performance. In the hands of German ace driver Rudolf Caracciola, however, the W154 became immortal. Caracciola and the W154 never finished off the podium during the 1938 season, winning the championship handily from his teammates.
The paddock area featured the Radwood display with a selection of ‘Rad’ icons from the 1980s and ’90s such as the Audi Quattro, Porsche 959, Nissan Skyline GT-R and several other unique cars. The Driver’s Lounge offered race competitors and VIP guests a relaxation area with an exclusive view of the race track, while Bring a Trailer hosted an Alumni Gathering for vehicles previously bought or sold on its website. Also in the paddock area was the a Sip and Savor Pavilion featuring exceptional wines from a wide variety of California wineries and distilleries, in addition to a Food Park that offered gourmet food and chef demonstrations.
“The inaugural Sonoma Speed Festival was a great success,” said Ryan R. Turri, General Manager of the Sonoma Speed Festival. “We’ve exceeded our expectations in almost every way, and we’re thrilled with the experience we were able to provide for our guests and participants. We’d like to send a huge thank you to all that attended this year’s event.”
Sports Car Digest documented the Sonoma Speed Festival 2019, with photographer Victor Varela offering up a fantastic selection of images from the impressive debut event staged in the Northern California wine country.
Sonoma Speed Festival 2019 – Photo Gallery (photos: Victor Varela)
1939 Mercedes Benz W154
1976 Lotus 77
1939 Mercedes Benz W154
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
1982 Tyrrell 011 Blue
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1969 Ford Boss 302
Tony Hart – 1967 Chevrolet Z28 Camaro
Jim Storer – 1966 Ginetta G4R
Jeff Lewis – 1967 Porsche 911
Datsun 510
Gunner Jenette – 1966 Ford GT40
Cameron Healey – 1970 Porsche 908/3
Steve Schmidt – 1974 Porsche RSR
William Lyon – 1970 Porsche 914-6
Charles Wegner – 1981 Ferrari 512 BBLM
Art Hebert – 1999 Picchio SR2
Michael Sweeney – 1997 Porsche 911 RSR
Spencer Trenery – 2006 Riley Daytona Prototype Gen 1
James Hagan – 2011 Oreca FLM09
Joe Calleja – 1973 March 73S
Dan Chapman – 1965 Brabham BT8
1960 Ferrari 250SWB
Museum Mullin – 1950 Talbot T26C Grand Prix
Museum Mullin – 1950 Talbot T26C Grand Prix
Lancia on the Lawn
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Erickson Shirley – 1934 Alfa Romeo P3
Paddins Dowling – 1934 ERA B-Type
Chris MacAllister – 1938 ERA R14B
Charles McCabe – 1936 ERA # R6B
Dick Jeffrey – 1936 Atnstrong-Siddel Special
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Don Dimitriadis – 1969 Ford Boss 302
Bill Ockerlund – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
Nick DeVitis – 1968 Ford Mustang
Bruce Canepa – 1970 AMC Javelin
Ken Adams – 1969 Ford Boss 302
Don Dimitriadis – 1969 Ford Boss 302
Tom McIntyre – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Jim Hague – 1970 Ford Boss 302
Jere Clark – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS RS
Daniel Goldsmith – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro
Rick Jeffery – 1966 Alfa Romeo GTA
Jeff Lewis – 1967 Porsche 911
John Baird – 1967 Lotus Elan SE
Brandon Adrian – 1966 Alfa Romeo GTA
Danny Baker – 1976 McLaren M23
Andrew Beaumont – 1974 Lotus 76
Ron Maydon – 1977 LEC CRP1
Nicolas Colyvas – 1974 Tyrrell 007
Steve Cook – 1972 March 721G
Dan Marvin – 1974 Brabham BT44
Dalmo de Vasconcelos – 1980 Tyrrell 010
James Hagan – 1982 Tyrrell 011 Blue
Chris Locke – 1976 Lotus 77
Gregory Thornton – 1982 Lotus 91
Stephen Romak – 1985 Tyrrell 012
James Hagan – 1982 Tyrrell 011 Blue
Andrew Beaumont – 1974 Lotus 76
Chris Bender – 1983 Arrows A6
Charles Warner – 1979 Shadow DN9
Chip Fudge – 1961 1968 Bizzarini GT
Chris MacAllister – 1969 Porsche 917K
Geir Ramleth – 1963 Lotus 23B
1967 Porsche 910
Johannes van Overbeek – 1971 Ferrari 312PB
Dominic Dobson – 1961 Cooper Monaco-Buick
Gunner Jenette – 1966 Ford GT40
Dan Chapman – 1965 Brabham BT8
Bruce Canepa – 1969 Porsche 917K
Steve Schmidt – 1974 Porsche RSR
Henry Schmitt – 1978 BMW 320i Turbo
David Martin – 1976 Datsun 240 Z
Ranson Webster – 1976 Porsche 935
Thor Johnson – 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL
Cameron Healey – 1977 Porsche Carrera RSR
William Lyon – 1970 Porsche 914-6
Martin Lauber – 1975 Porsche Carrera RSR
Martin Lauber – 1975 Porsche Carrera RSR
Rob Walton – 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/C Speciale
Peter Reed – 1966 Shelby GT350
Charles Wegner – 1959 Ferrari 250 GT TdF
Susan Patterson – 1962 MG MGA
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
Sandra McNeil – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 3647GT
Ned Spieker – 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB
Greg Whitten – 1954 Lancia D24R Spider
Keith Frieser – 2013 ORECA LMPC
Travis Engen – 2005 Audi R8 LMP
James Hagan – 2011 Oreca FLM09
James Hagan – 2011 Oreca FLM09
Chris MacAllister – 1955 Jaguar D Type
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1960 Maserati T61 Birdcage
Ned Spieker – 1957 Maserati 200SI
Mark Sange – 1956 Lotus 11 Le Mans
Nick Colonna – 1958 Devin SS
Julien Bronson – 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Dennis Adair – 1955 Elva Mk1
Chris MacAllister – 1955 Jaguar D Type
Robert Bodin – 1957 Devin Ryan Special
Michael Malone – 1959 Ferrari 290 MM/250 TR
Charles Wegner – 1981 Ferrari 512 BB LM
Henry Schmitt – 1978 BMW 320i Turbo
Nick Price – 1953 Jaguar C-Type
Joe Calleja – 1952 Allard J2X
John Mote – 1950 Allard K2
Wesley Abendroth – 1955 Mistral Special
Cameron Healy – 1955 Cooper Porsche Special
2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
1955 Mercedes-Benz W196 “Stromlinienwagen” Grand Prix Car
1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
Ned Spieker – 1957 Maserati 200SI
Michael Malone – 1959 Ferrari 290 MM/250 TR
Chris MacAllister – 1955 Jaguar D Type
1967 Porsche 911
1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
Stephen Romak – 1985 Tyrrell 012
Homage to Gilles
James Hagan – 1982 Tyrrell 011 Blue
Andrew Beaumont – 1974 Lotus 76
1980 Tyrrell 010
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Ivan Zaremba – 1939 Mercedes Benz W154
1939 Mercedes Benz W154
Chris MacAllister – 1938 ERA R14B
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Museum Mullin – 1950 Talbot T26C Grand Prix
Museum Mullin – 1950 Talbot T26C Grand Prix
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Ivan Zaremba – 1939 Mercedes Benz W154
Ivan Zaremba – 1939 Mercedes Benz W154
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
Johannes van Overbeek – 1992 Ferrari F40 LM
Spencer Trenery – 2006 Riley Daytona Prototype Gen 1
Johannes van Overbeek – 1992 Ferrari F40 LM
Kevin Buckler – 2003 Porsche GT3RS
Johannes van Overbeek – 1992 Ferrari F40 LM
Jim Froula – 1971 Datsun 510
Michael Malone – 1965 Lotus 26R
Rob Walton – 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2
Howard Swig – 1968 Alfa Romeo Romeo 1300 GTA
Ned Spieker – 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ1
Greg Whitten – 1964 Lotus 26R
Nick Price – 1965 Alfa Romeo GTA
Jim Storer – 1966 Ginetta G4R
Ed Matsuishi – 1967 Porsche 911 S/R
Joshua Feiber – 1964 Lotus 26R
Mark Nettesheim – 1969 Datsun 510
Mark Nettesheim – 1969 Datsun 510
Gunner Jenette – 1964 Alfa Romeo GTZ
Chris MacAllister – 1938 ERA R14B
Museum Mullin – 1950 Talbot T26C Grand Prix
Paddins Dowling – 1934 ERA B-Type
Luca Maciucescu – 1928 Bugatti 37A
Chris MacAllister – 1938 ERA R14B
Jeffrey O’Neill – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 4757GT
Sandra McNeil – 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, s/n 3647GT
Michael Doyle – 1961 Jaguar E-Type
Paul Christensen – 1956 Porsche 356
Gregory Thornton – 1982 Lotus 91
Chris Locke – 1976 Lotus 77
James Hagan – 1982 Tyrrell 011 Blue
Gregory Thornton – 1982 Lotus 91
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
1997 McLaren F1 GTR Longtail
Rob Manson – 1953 Kurtis 500S Dodge
James Alder – 1952 Jaguar XK120
Wesley Abendroth – 1955 Mistral Special
Alex Curtis – 1955 Mercedes 300SL Gullwing
Cresting the hill
Jeff Abramson – 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial
Bill Rooklidge – 1952 Jaguar XK 120
Nick Price – 1953 Jaguar C-Type
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Esteban Gutierrez – 2016 Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid
Ivan Zaremba – 1939 Mercedes Benz W154
Ivan Zaremba – 1939 Mercedes Benz W154
Johannes van Overbeek – 1971 Ferrari 312PB
Alex MacAllister – 1966 Ford GT40
Denis Bigioni – 1962 Dailu Mk2
Gunner Jenette – 1966 Ford GT40
1967 Porsche 910
Cameron Healey – 1970 Porsche 908/3
Joe Calleja – 1973 March 73S
Ernie Prisbe – 1971 Ferrari 312pb
Johannes van Overbeek – 1971 Ferrari 312PB
Chris MacAllister – 1969 Porsche 917K
Kurt Uzbay – 1963 Shelby Cobra 289
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