Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races Return to Infineon Raceway, May 30-31

Infineon Raceway, Highways 37 & 121, Sonoma (800-870-RACE).
May 30-31.

Schedule:

Saturday, May 30: Practice (all groups), 8:10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.; Qualifying (all groups), 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 31: Warm-up (all groups), 8:30 a.m.-11:55 a.m.; Main events (all groups), 12:40 p.m.-5 p.m.

Circuit/Race Length:

12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. All main events will span 10 laps.

Entries:

Nearly 300 racecars, ranging from the early 1900s to the mid 1980s, will compete in 11 race groups.

The Morgan:

The Morgan, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2009, will be the featured marque. There will be a variety of activities throughout the weekend, including a visit from Charles Morgan, the grandson of the company’s founder, and a Baby Doll reunion. Lew Spencer, a well-known Southern California Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) member, ordered these Morgan machines and named them Baby Dolls I-V. There will also be a special Morgan race.

Local drivers:

Dennis Adair (1955 Elva MK1, Fairfield);
Larry Ayers (1930 Morgan Super Aero, Vallejo);
Robert Bogle (1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta, San Ramon);
Robert Davis (1953 Siata 208S, San Francisco);
Peter Giddings (1931 Alfa Romeo Corto/Mille, Danville);
Gordon Gimble (1969 Mustang Boss 302, Roseville);
Charles McCabe (1934 Bugatti T-59, San Francisco);
Jack McCoy (1950 Dodge Stock Car, Modesto);
Mike McNally (1931 Riley 4 Port Ford, Sacramento);
Dave Olson (1950 Jaguar XK-120, Tiburon);
Tom Price (1932 Alfa Romeo, Larkspur);
Ferdinand Schoch (1953 MG-TD, Santa Rosa);
John Shirley (1954 Austin Healey, Sonoma);
Martin Swig (1953 Fiat, Sausalito);
Daryl Verkerk (1959 MGA, Lodi);
Ivan Zaremba (1951 Hudson Hornet, San Rafael).

2008 Winners:

Group 1: Peter Giddings (1935 Alfa-Romeo, Alamo);
Group 2: Robert Manson (1952 The Schaghticoke, Redwood City);
Group 3: Chris Orosco (Group 3, Monterey);
Group 4: Larry Bowman (1961 Ferrari, Redwood City);
Group 5: Arthur Hebert (1963 Lola, San Rafael);
Group 6: Paul Hoey (1973 McRae, Olympia, Wash.);
Group 7: Jeff Abramson (1966 Lotus, Danville);
Group 8: Jim Click (1965 Cobra, Tucson, Ariz.);
Group 9: Steve Cook (1968 McLaren, Yountville);
Group 10: Jim Halsey (1970 Boss Mustang, Los Angeles).

2008 Local Recap:

Larkspur’s Arthur Hebert claimed his first-ever Infineon Raceway victory when he took the checkers at the 2008 Wine Country Classic. Hebert started from the pole in his 1963 Lola, and went on to win the Group 5 main event (1958 – 1963 Formula Jr., F-1, F-1 Cars). …. Alamo's Peter Giddings (1935 Alfa-Romeo) also posted a win in Group 1 (Pre-War and Post-War to 1952) in 2008. It was his fourth win in the Wine Country Classic since 2001.

In addition:

The weekend will also be highlighted by the Wine Country Pavilion, which will feature gourmet wine and food from area purveyors. Entry to the pavilion is included with the price of admission.

Vintage Race Car Festival:

Following Saturday’s on-track action, 30 historic racecars will drive from Infineon Raceway to the Sonoma Plaza under a CHP escort at approximately 5 p.m. The event will also boast a sampling of food and wine. Tickets are $30 in advance (800-870-RACE). All proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities.

Admission:

Advance: $40 - Saturday; $40 - Sunday; $60 - weekend pass. Children 12-and-under are FREE. Parking is FREE. Call 800-870-RACE or visit www.infineonraceway.com or www.ticketmaster.com for more information.