Historic Motorsports - Fine Cars, Fine Wine Highlight Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival McLaren Featured Marque Of Race Weekend

SONOMA, May 24, 2011: The 2nd annual Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival roars into Infineon Raceway, June 4-5, highlighted by 400 historic racecars gracing the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course.

From a 1915 Ford Racer to a 1991 Riley & Scott Trans-Am Camaro, nearly every marque produced and raced worldwide during the last 70 years will be featured on track in 13 different racing classes. Four-hundred entries, some coming from as far away as St. Croix, Australia, Brazil, Canada and New Zealand, will compete in a series of "time capsule" historic races each day.

Twenty-six entries will represent McLaren, the iconic marque featured during the weekend. One of the historically significant McLarens competing in the event is the 1967 McLaren M6A/1 in which Bruce McLaren won the 1967 Can-Am Championship (entered and driven by Richard Griot, Milton, Wash.). Among the historic Formula One race cars entered is the 1973 Yardley-McLaren M23/3 that Jody Scheckter raced at the French and British GPs that year. It is entered and driven by Bob Baker, of Sun Valley, Idaho.

In addition to the fantastic collection of cars on track, race fans will also enjoy the popular Wine Country Pavilion, which is free with your race ticket, as well as a bustling motor-sports midway. They can also check out the car club displays throughout the facility, including groups from The Golden Gate Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America, the Nor Cal Shelby Club, Morgan, Porsche and more.

Race enthusiasts will want to pick up this year’s event poster featuring the No. 4 McLaren driven by Bruce McLaren in the 1968 SCCA Can-Am Series, which was produced by noted Bay Area artist David Grandin from Pleasant Hill. This marks the ninth poster in the series, which dates back to 2002. Cost for the poster is $10 with proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities.

On Saturday night, fans will be treated to the Historic Race Car Festival, presented by PG&E, on the Sonoma Plaza. Following the on-track action, 30 historic racecars will depart the raceway at approximately 5 p.m. under a full CHP escort to the beautiful town of Sonoma. The cars will take a ceremonial lap around the Town Square before settling into the Plaza for viewing. This is a separate event (5:30-8 p.m.) and tickets are $30 (advance) or $35 (at event). All proceeds from this specific event benefit Speedway Children’s Charities.

Whether it’s the fine cars, fine wine or beautiful scenery, there is sure to be something for every car enthusiast during the Sonoma Historics. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit infineonraceway.com/historics