The Sonoma Speed Festival has brought an impressive collection of racing machines, world-class food and wine along with interactive displays to Sonoma Raceway.
Today is the event’s final day, when the 10-time Grand Prix-winning Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Forumla 1 car of Lewis Hamilton, driven by test driver Esteban Gutierrez, will take demonstration laps on the 12-turn road course.
The car has the most successful individual chassis in the history of Formula 1 racing, and its current racing team have arrived straight from the Monaco Grand Prix to work on the car.
The speed festival has drawn vehicles in 10 invited race groups that represent various stages of motorsports history, from the Brass Era to the modern times. Among the vehicles participating are the Porsche 917K, Ferrari 250 GTO and the John Player Special Mk.II Lotus 77 Formula 1 car.
A list of accepted cars and entry list is available online at www.sonomaspeedfestival.com/attending-cars.
This is one of several events taking place during Sonoma Raceway’s celebration of its 50th anniversary this year. To honor this milestone, the Historic Trans-Am class will commemorate the legendary 1969 Trans-American Championship race at Sonoma with on-track competition between Trans-Am racing vehicles, including Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros and AMC Javelins.
Those attending the event are getting to try a curated collection of local wineries and distilleries in the Sip & Savor Pavilion. The pavilion has some of the most notable wines from the region paired with charcuterie and sweet creations by Chef Izzy Kurtz, of Joseph Phelps/Calistoga Ranch.
Outside that Pavilion, patrons also will find other wine-focused experiences Day Owl Rose, Harken Wine and Line 39 Wine. In the Food Park, Viansa Sonoma will curate an Italian marketplace serving wine country picnic fare and wines. Rob Larman’s Cochon Valant BBQ is serving slow-cooked barbecue next door.
Tickets for Sonoma Speed Festival are available at www.sonomaspeedfestival.com.
