2009 Coronado Speed Festival, the 12th annual race at the base
2009 Coronado Speed Festival - Click above for high-res image gallery
Ever since we first attended the Coronado Speed Festival, we've made sure to mark our calendars and set aside the weekend every year for the annual vintage races in San Diego, CA. The sunny skies, the cool ocean breezes, and dozens of classic sports cars make for a fantastic combination that's more than worth the two hour drive from Los Angeles.
This year, the responsibility for handling the event was given to the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA), an organization that encourages the restoration, preservation and use of historic sports and racing cars. For the most part, the event was the same, but the lineup of cars did see a few changes.
Some of our favorites from previous years, the Ferrari 250TR and Aston Martin DBR2 ,were sorely absent, but a Historic NASCAR class brought out some of the most legendary stock cars to battle it out on the road course. On-track entertainment was also provided by the Shelby Mustangs, Corvettes, and a beautiful Bizzarrini 5300 GT Corsa in the 1962-1966 Production Cars over 2000cc, the legendary muscle cars in the 1966-1972 Trans-Am class, as well as racecars in the seven other groups. Browse through the high-res gallery below to find your favorites.
Gallery: 2009 Coronado Speed Festival
Photos copyright ©2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
HotRodzNKustoms 5:11PM (9/28/2009)
I'm surprised to see so many sports racers there this year. I was told they weren't going to be running many if any big sports racers. Glad to see some cars not normally seen in the area as well as some that are extremely familiar.
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ytilanigiroon 5:31PM (9/28/2009)
It kind of makes sense; the guys that could have had a professional ride had the manufacturers, suppliers, et al, drop out of sponsorship roles these guys are either trying to keep their name out there for sponsors or just driving because they love it.
They can't make up the whole field, obviously, but the amateur races are (I can only suppose) a good way to keep your reflexes up.
HotRodzNKustoms 9:38PM (9/28/2009)
oh no this is 100% passion these guys are all funded their own wallets just for the love of the cars and the speed
zamafir 10:06AM (9/29/2009)
@HotRodzNKustoms - yup, and most are real stand up guys/gals. though funding does vary from owner to owner, some even so detached from their cars that private groups repair, prep, etc.
john 5:16PM (9/28/2009)
thanks this is very cool the way racing should be ...
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naggs 7:02PM (9/28/2009)
i was there on the practice and test day, sat
walking the pit rows is amazing, seeing a birdcage run in anger and then get partially rebuilt is about the car nerd equivalent of porn
in motion the jag e-type is the best looking racecar ever
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TimO 7:15PM (9/28/2009)
What!?
That looks awesome. I love classic racers.
I'm blowing it for not knowing about this. Hell, I lived in San Diego for 5 years.
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zamafir 7:21PM (9/28/2009)
Awesome shots of an awesome event. Drew what were you shooting with and why no shots of the cheeta :/? Like you I was a little sad not to see the 250TR this year, or all the cars normally in that race, though several other moments made up for it (the cheeta spinning and almost getting eaten by a mustang being one of them.
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zamafir 7:26PM (9/28/2009)
Also, where's that first shot from? The turn 7 armco accessible only by the humvee?
leftybass4 7:31PM (9/28/2009)
Next year, why not consider covering more events in the eastern US such as the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. It attracts over 200,000 people and is the only vintage grand prix where participants race on public roads. The main 2.33 mile race course is run through Schenley Park and has 22 turns in addition to the beautiful setting. Starting in 2004 the PVGP introduced a second weekend of racing at BeaveRun MotorSports Complex in nearby Beaver Falls, PA. This venue allows fan to see American muscle cars and big-bore racers that are too big and fast for Schenley Park’s circuit. It’s a loud and exciting start to a weeklong celebration of the automobile.
Here is a link to the PVGP website for people who can't make it to the California vintage car events:
http://pvgp2.schoolwires.net/674697122014490/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=53051
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zamafir 12:48AM (9/29/2009)
why? maybe because Drew's in so-cal and it's a lot easier to cover an event near home? :)
jhjacobson43 9:12PM (9/28/2009)
I live in Coronado in the winter. Will be heading there in about two weeks. If the breeze is right you can smell the fuel and always hear the engines. Thanks to the Navy for allowing this event on the North Island Naval Air Station.
It's a real plus for the community and it's as much fun walking through the parking lot as it is the pits. The 4-wheel eye candy is a sight to behold.
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Hamhock 11:09PM (9/28/2009)
Beautiful, thanks! I love the late 60s early 70s Trans Am cars... Looking at the yellow '70 Camaro road racer makes me wish that the next gen of Camaro revives the line of the 70-73 the way the current one honors the 67-69....
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tetrong 3:46AM (9/29/2009)
This event was awesome! I live right across from the base in Pt. Loma and could here and see everything from my balcony the entire time-albeit with a scope.
The cars sounded unreal. The owners should be very proud of the tuning. I've heard a lot of cars, but these ones had an edgy character. Just mean.
Got so caught up in the sounds I ended up dropping everything that weekend to volunteer at the event. Managed to snag tons of video and high quality audio.
Something special about watching these old cars try to hustle around corners and not lose it. One of my favorites was the #42 Plymouth with the purple paint in the gallery below. So badass;)
To top it all off, I got to test drive all the new AMG Mercedes cars-even the SL. First time I've ever gotten the chance to flog a car with 500+horsepower.
MCAS Miramar(Top Gun) air show coming up - can't wait!!!
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bee1000 11:08AM (9/29/2009)
I've been to all of the Coronado events but 2003, and it's always a great time. This year's races weren't as exciting as I remember prior years' to have been, but I loved seeing the Tim Brecht's Mini, and Craig Jackson drove a heck of race to win in his Javelin. Nevertheless, great fun to see the cars on track as well as up-close in the pits. I recommend checking Youtube for on-board videos to get a better idea of what the entire track is like. Other than the main straight the drivers are very busy, almost constantly going into or coming out of a turn. It's no wonder guys run out of brakes after 20 minutes.
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DCLXVI 8:35AM (9/30/2009)
That is for some really nice pictures once again. Thank you !
But now I'm sad... I was not there... I can only imagine the sound of these beauties...
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