Comedian Carolla To Join Historic Races

Fine cars and wine country living are the perfect pair at the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival at Infineon Raceway this weekend. Spectators will not only enjoy beautiful cars racing on the 12-turn, 2.52 mile road course, but fans are invited to sample some of the Sonoma and Napa valleys’ finest regional wines and cuisine in the Wine Country Pavilion.

Admission to the Wine Country Pavilion, as well as a number of food and wine samples, are included with a race-day admission ticket.  The pavilion will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Proceeds generated from the pavilion will go to Sonoma County youth organizations through Speedway Children’s Charities, the charitable arm of the raceway.

In addition to the beautiful cars, gentlemen racers and wine country aperitifs, below is a list of other exciting events that fans can expect:

Adam Carolla to Race at Historics
Comedian/actor Adam Carolla will trade Hollywood for the Sonoma Valley this weekend. Carolla is probably best known as co-host and co-creator of the television show, “The Man Show”, but of late, he has burned up the airwaves with his popular podcast “The Adam Carolla Show.” Carolla will race his 1971 Datsun 510 throughout the weekend as well as perform a show at the Uptown Theater in Napa on Saturday, June 2.  Enjoy a Q&A with Carolla on Saturday, plus your race-day ticket, for just $45.

Featured Car Corrals
Featured clubs include the NorCal Mini’s Car Club, the Redwood Empire Mini Club, the BMW Golden Gate Chapter, the Porsche Club of America (Redwood Region), Zonc, the North Bay British Car Club and the Shelby Club and will be dotted throughout the raceway. 

Panel Discussion with Grand Marshal Bill Pollack

Five legendary California race-car drivers will take part in a seminar discussing the birth of the popularity of sports-car racing in California and the United States on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Driver’s Lounge. This FREE event will feature Grand Marshal Bill Pollack, winner of the main event at the 1952 Golden Gate Park Road Races in San Francisco; Grass Valley’s Don Dickey and Petaluma’s Mick Marston, who competed at Golden Gate Park in the ‘50s; Burbank’s Dick Guldstrand, renowned Corvette driver and engineer; and British driver Peter Giddings of Danville.

Bill Pollack Book Signings

Grand Marshal Bill Pollack will be available at the trackside store, Wine Country Motorsports, to sign his newly reprinted book, “Red Wheels and White Sidewalls: Confessions of an Allard Racer,” originally published in 2004. Book signings will take place on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Historic Race Car Festival

Following Saturday’s practice and qualifying sessions, the action shifts to the historic Sonoma Plaza.  This evening is a true celebration of Sonoma, featuring historic cars on display and food and wine tasting.  All proceeds benefit the Sonoma Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 at the event. Contact 800-870-RACE (7223) for tickets.

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival Poster
This year’s poster depicts a 1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo B driven by Danville’s Peter Giddings. The piece was created by local artist David Grandin (Pleasant Hill), who will be on-site this weekend in the Wine Country Pavilion. He will autograph posters for $10, with proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities.

Academy of Art University Display

The Academy of Art University will host a display in the main paddock of one of the most significant pre-war Alfa Romeo competition cars. This Berlinetta Aerodinamica was conceived for the famed Le Mans race of 1939, and opinions vary as to whether one or two were built. The last time one was seen was in 1940 at the Mille Miglia.  The recreated custom bodywork of this car was crafted by Ing. Anderloni, the former head of Carrozzeria Touring, Italy. 

Artist Robert Carter

Robert Carter resides in Northern California and is an established contemporary automotive artist of classic cars and motorcycles. Carter's work has been published in both the U.K. and the United States, and he currently has works on display at the Petersen Museum, in the NHRA Wally Parks Museum in Los Angeles and in many private collections. His artwork will be displayed this weekend in the Wine Country Pavilion and throughout the raceway.

For tickets or for more information on the Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, visit infineonraceway.com/historics or call 800-870-RACE (7223).

If you go:

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival
WHAT: Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival
WHEN: June 2-3
CIRCUIT: 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course
TICKETS:  $40 day/$60 weekend; Youth (Ages 13-20): $20 day/$30 weekend; Children 12-and-under FREE and parking is FREE. Each ticket includes entry to the Wine Country Pavilion.
INFORMATION: 800-870-RACE (7223), infineonraceway/historcs.com or ticketmaster.com.