Rain and Sunshine
Sunday, 05 June 2021 20:21
SECOND ANNUAL SONOMA HISTORIC MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL A SUCCESS
SONOMA, Calif. (June 5, 2021) - Despite rain showers that disrupted racing action on Saturday, Sunday's races at the Second Annual Historic Motorsports Festival at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., featuring the McLaren marque, were successfully completed under primarily dry conditions.
Only the early race groups of the 13 held on Sunday faced wet conditions, while the remainder enjoyed a cool yet dry surface on the 2.52-mile circuit in the heart of Northern California's wine country.
More than 1000 people per day visited the Wine Country Pavilion in the paddock area, enjoying local fare and wines, after passing through the dynamic McLaren Automotive display featuring significant McLaren race cars that were raced internationally through the years and the new 2012 McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car.
"It's unfortunate that we had to endure rain showers on Friday and Saturday," said event organizer Steve Earle, "but race day turned out to be a great day of racing and it appears that each of the 400 entrants enjoyed the competition. And I know the fans were treated to some exciting racing action, not to mention the opportunity to see so many important race cars, including all the McLarens that were here.
"It was a privilege to meet Bruce McLaren's daughter Amanda and to have her share in the festivities as the Honorary Starter for the Formula 1 and Can-Am cars in which the McLaren marque was so strongly represented. The Infineon Raceway staff was at its best, as usual, and we’re expecting sunny skies at next year’s event.”
Race winners today:
Group 1A - 1955-1962 GT - Jeff Abramson, 1959 Morgan +4
Group 2A - 1949-1955 Sports Racing & GT - Rob Manson, 1952 Schaghticoke Manning
Group 3A - 1960-1965 Sports Racing - Byron Sanborn, 1965 Elva MK8
Group 4A - 1963-1966 GT over 2500cc - John Morton, 1964 Sunbeam Tiger
Group 5A - 1955-1964 Formula Jr, F2, F1/GP - Art Hebert, 1963 Lola MK5A F-Jr.
Group 6A - 1966-1974 Historic Formula One - Danny Baker, 1977 McLaren M23
Group 7A - 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am - Ken Epsman, 1970 Dodge Challenger
Group 1B - 1911-1926, 1927-1949 Sport and Racing - Peter Greenfield, 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo-C
Group 2B - 1955-1960 Sports Racing - Donald Orosco - 1958 Lotus 15
Group 3B - 1962-1967 GT under 2500cc - Paul Quackenbush, 1963 Lotus S-7
Group 4B - 1966-1980 FIA Makes, IMSA GT - Bert Skidmore, 1976 Lola T-286
Group 5B - 1966-1974 Historic Can-Am - Chris MacAllister, 1971 McLaren M8F
Group 6B - 1981-1991 IMSA GTO, Trans-Am - Peter Baljet, 1990 Beretta
2011 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Awards
The Sonoma Historic Cup - "The Phil Hill Trophy"
Presented for Best Presentation and Performance Overall
Winner: Peter Greenfield, Freeport, NY, 1935 Alfa Romeo Tipo C
The Sonoma Historic Trophy , Pre-1940 Category
Presented for Excellence in Presentation
Winner: Jon Shirley, Medina, Wash., 1934 Alfa Romeo P3
The Sonoma Historic Trophy, Post 1940 Category
Presented for Excellence in Presentation
Winner: Chris MacAllister, Indianapolis, Ind., 1967 Lotus 49 R2
The Sonoma Historic Award
Presented for Presentation and Performance in Race Group
Winner Race 1A: Brian Howlett, Hacienda Heights, Calif., 1961 Morgan +4
Winner Race 2A: Graham Smith, Melbourne, Australia 1950 Allard J2-Cadillac
Winner Race 3A: David Jacobs, Boulder, Colo.,1964 McLaren -Elva M1A
Winner Race 4A: Tom Fry, Morgan Hill, Calif., 1966 Shelby GT-350
Winner Race 5A: Jeffrey O'Neill, Kentfield, Calif., 1957 Maserati 250F
Winner Race 6A: Scott Drnek, Hayward, Calif., 1970 McLaren M14A
Winner Race 7A: Forrest Straight, Mountain View, Calif., 1970 Boss 302 Moustang
Winner Race 1B: Jim Stranberg, Berthound, Colo., 1949 Talbot Lago T26C
Winner Race 2B: Thor Johnson, Kirkland, Wash., 1959 Lotus 17
Winner Race 3B: James LaMantia, Loomis, Calif., 1963 MGB
Winner Race 4B: Stephen Harris, Incline Village, Nev., 1979 Porsche 935J
Winner Race 5B: Roger Williams, Auckland, New Zealand, 1970 McLaren M8E/F
Winner Race 6B: Peter Baljet, Duncan, BC, 1990 Beretta
