Tag: Sonoma

Ferraris to race at Infineon Raceway April 29 – May 1

This is the 6th straight year the North American Ferrari Challenge Series begins its season at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma. The Ferrari Challenge was designed to permit Ferrari owners the opportunity to race against each other and on some of the greatest tracks in North America. It all started in 1994 with the first full season driving the Ferrari 348 and they have competed every year since. According to www.ferrarichallenge.com: “As newer mid/rear V8 models were announced — the 355, 360 and F430 — special Challenge versions of these cars were included in the series. As of 2011, the 458 Challenge, the newest special racer created just for the series, has filled the grids. The 458 Challenge will share the track alongside the F430 Challenge for the 2011 season. The cars will qualify for separate classes.”

A Ferrari F430 Challenge on the track at Infineon Raceway.
A Ferrari F430 Challenge on the track at Infineon Raceway.

TO PURCHASE TICKETS

“The weekend will be highlighted by the North American debut of the new Ferrari 458 Challenge, the fifth and latest generation of Challenge cars. Adding to the excitement, the Corse Clienti Department’s 599XX, FXX and F1 Clienti programs will also participate on track, and the Ferrari F430 Challenge will compete alongside its successor, the new Ferrari 458 Challenge.” reports www.infineonraceway.com.

Spectators are welcome to attend the race, and enjoy an open paddock area and the Ferrari-festival atmosphere. The weekend will feature practice on Friday with qualifying and racing in all classes set for Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com or by calling 800-870-RACE (7223).

The Ferrari Challenge Series is organized by Ferrari North America, Inc. and sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association. Complete Ferrari Challenge information can be found on www.ferrarichallenge.com.

The California Mille begins Sunday in San Francisco


The 21st Annual California Mille, which celebrates Italy’s most famous race, the “Mille Miglia”, starts Sunday, April 24th at the famous Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill in San Francisco. Over 70 historic race cars will be on display. There will be cars from Great Britain, Columbia, Switzerland, New Zealand, Canada and from all over the United States. Only cars that could have qualified for the Italian event which ran from 1927 to 1957, can participate in the California Mille. The public is invited to come see the cars and meet the drivers from 11:00am to 6:00pm.

The following morning, they begin their 1,000 mile tour which is more of a demanding drive than a race. They will cross the Golden Gate bridge for a four day trip through the back roads of Northern California. Along the way they will take some laps on two racetracks, Infineon Raceway in Sonoma and Thunderhill Raceway Park in Willows. They will end their journey on Thursday evening with a Banquet and Awards Dinner at the Lodge in Sonoma.

From www.californiamille.com, here is short summary of each day’s travels.

“On Day One we’re planning to do a few laps of Sears Point (Infineon) Raceway, before we lunch at Arturo Keller’s fabulous Petaluma hilltop museum. We’ll finish the day at Solage in Calistoga, where they treated us so well last year.

Day Two will consist of a beautiful drive up to the Little River Inn, and back to Calistoga.

On Day Three, we’ll go Northeast from Calistoga, on more of California’s magic country roads, lunching at Thunderhill Raceway, and putting in a few touring laps, then back on a different route to Solage.

The Fourth Day will prove that no matter which direction you travel from Calistoga, it’s a great driver’s road and scenic to boot.”

According to Martin Swig the Director and Dan Radowicz the event planner, “This is the first time we’ve tried a hub-and-spoke style route. We think you’ll enjoy it.”

For more information and a complete roster of the cars and drivers please visit: www.californiamille.com.

In 2010, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the California Mille, they produced a video with highlights from last year’s events.

To order your 30 minute DVD ,simply mail a check in the amount of $49 (includes tax & shipping) to:

Amici americani della Mille Miglia
154 Mitchell Boulevard
San Rafael, CA 94903.

(Be sure to include your shipping address)

Vintage Racing Returns to Infineon Raceway

The Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) kicks off its 44th season at Infineon Raceway, April 2-3. The event will feature open practice on Friday, with vintage racing slated for the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course on Saturday and Sunday.

The weekend will also feature the MG West Coast Reunion with nearly 100 MG’s slated to race in special MG-only race groups, an MG parade during the lunch break each day, as well as charity track rides on Saturday.

More than 250 vintage race cars in total will grace the road course over the weekend including Sports Racing, Formula and Production Sports Cars from the 1930s through the early 1970s. The groups will consist of many well-known machines, including Ferrari, Aston-Martin, Porsche, Shelby 350GT, Corvette and Jaguar.

Gates open at 8 a.m. each day. Admission is $25 each day or $40 for a weekend pass. Children 12 and under are admitted FREE. A major portion of ticket sales from the event weekend will benefit Rotary Central Marin Foundation and the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of Infineon Raceway.

For more information on the Classic Sports Racing Group, visit www.csrgracing.org.

CSRG returns to Infineon Raceway, Oct. 1-2, for the CSRG Charity Challenge. CSRG has contributed nearly $500,000 to Sonoma County youth organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities since 2002.