San Diego, CA. November 6, 2007 –-The checkered flag has been waved over the 10th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, and the event has once again proved to be a winner. With record crowds and more to see and do than ever before, this year’s Speed Festival was a success. Over 22,000 racing enthusiasts turned out for a weekend full of high-speed cars, classic automobile masterpieces, and good old fashioned four wheeled fun. A new record was set and this year’s attendance was up 15%. Here is an overview of the highly victorious weekend: The Award Winners: Crowds roared and cheered for […]
San Diego, CA. November 6, 2007 –-The checkered flag has been waved over the 10th Annual Coronado Speed Festival, and the event has once again proved to be a winner. With record crowds and more to see and do than ever before, this year’s Speed Festival was a success. Over 22,000 racing enthusiasts turned out for a weekend full of high-speed cars, classic automobile masterpieces, and good old fashioned four wheeled fun. A new record was set and this year’s attendance was up 15%. Here is an overview of the highly victorious weekend:
The Award Winners:
Crowds roared and cheered for each of the nine competitive races, each competition specifically designed to test the fastest vintage cars from each era. Thousands of racing enthusiasts were able to wander into the drivers’ garages to tour the vintage race cars up close and personal and had the chance to talk to the drivers in person. With more racers than ever before and a specially added ninth race, the fans got to see great racing action all day long. The first place winners for each race are listed below:
Group 1 (Pre-1941 Sports & Racing Cars): Graham Wallis 1929 Lagonda 2L
Group 2 (1947-1955 Sports & Racing Cars): Bruce Lustman 1956 Jaguar D-Type
Group 3 (1956-1962 Sports Racing Cars): Richard Goldsmith (Kent Evans entrant) 1958 Lotus Eleven
Group 4 (1956-1962 Prod. Sports Cars): Ron Cressey 1959 Corvette
Group 5 (1962-1970 Prod. Sports Cars under 2000cc): Fred Della Noce 1964 Porsche 904 GTS
Group 6 (1962-1966 Prod. Sports Cars): William Cotter 1964 Cobra
Group 7 (1962-1966 Sports Racing Cars): Starr Cooke 1964 Bobsy-Corvair SR 3
Group 8 (1966-1976 Can-Am & FIA Sports Cars): Steve Thein 1966 McLaren M1B
Group 9 (1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am Cars): Andy Boone
Car Club Corral
The Car Club Corral at the 2007 Coronado Speed Festival contained more cars than ever before, making it once again one of the largest car shows in San Diego. With over 2,400 classic collectable automobiles, the Car Club Corral was one of the biggest attractions of the Speed Festival. Vintage automobiles lovers could spend hours getting lost in the sea of fine tuned vehicles. They also got an up close look at their favorite cars while getting the chance to talk with the owners for more in depth information.
California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) and Chrysler/Dodge SRT:
CaFCP and Chrysler/Dodge SRT exhibited a variety of new, interesting and innovative cars at the event. CaFCP exhibited several fuel cell cars, including the Ford Fusion 999, the car that recently broke a land speed record on the Salt Flats. Over 1,000 drivers got a chance to test-drive CaFCP cars and experience the future first hand. The 1,000 drivers was an increase of 600 from last year’s event, further showing the increasing enthusiasm for these cars.
Chrysler/Dodge SRT exhibited their new high-performance, entry-level car, the Dodge Caliber SRT4 and the 600 horsepower, unparalleled Dodge Viper. Lucky guests in attendance got the chance to get behind the wheel and feel the power of these SRT cars firsthand.
Vendor Village:
Vendor village was yet again a success at this year’s Speed Festival. Dozens of tents were set up providing a wide variety of automobile merchandise. From Meguiar’s car wax to engine parts and accessories, to Edelbrock booth, there was merchandise for automobile fans of all shapes and sizes. Along with merchandise, the food court and beer garden was again a fan favorite, keeping fans bellies full during the long weekend of racing.
Tribute to Rug Cunningham:
This year’s event featured a very special tribute and memorial to Coronado Speed Festival Co-Founder and race enthusiast Rug Cunningham. Guests in attendance had the chance to honor the late Cunningham for all of his hard work and dedication to not only the Coronado Speed Festival but the world of racing in general. The memorial truly celebrated the life of a man whose impact on the Coronado Speed Festival will live on for many years to come.
Again, thank you for all of your support and passion for the 10th Annual Coronado Speed Festival. Without the support of the media and the car enthusiasts this event would not nearly be the success that it was this year. We look forward to seeing you back out at the 11th Annual Coronado Speed Festival in 2008. If this year’s event was any indication, future Coronado Speed Festivals are only going to continue get bigger, better and more popular every year. See you there.
Ship Tours:
Another new addition to the 2007 premier auto event of the season was the addition of ship tours offered. The tours were aboard a destroyer and an amphibious assault ship. In addition to the static displays of military equipment and aircraft, guests had the opportunity to step aboard two real military ships and speak to the captains that sail them.
Wounded Warriors:
Additionally this year, we had the Wounded Warriors on -site, as well as well as the Sailors representing the commands at Naval Base Coronado, and held on-track rides for these young men and women, and the other invited guests. The Wounded Warriors’ mission is to provide support to the families of those who have been wounded, injured or killed during combat operations.
Active Duty Military Free Admission:
Last but not least, courtesy of the Escondido Auto Park and the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program, over 2,000 active duty military personnel and their immediate dependents (military ID holders) received free entry into the Coronado Speed Festival.