It was warm, sunny and breezy at Sonoma for the first of the two-day Sonoma Historic Motorsport Festival. The weekend is devoted to the enjoyment of many finely-restored historic cars and wine country living. The good and bad news was that there were a lot of fans enjoying the cars up close and personal, which led to their keen pleasure, but difficulty for photogs trying to get a clean shot.
The theme of the weekend was “Moments in Time:a Celebration of the History of Motorsports.”
The highlight of Saturday morning was a panel discussion open to the public on the birth of sports car racing in California, and focusing on the three races through San Francisco’s famed Golden Gate Park in 1952-1954.
STEVE EARLE, promotor of the annual historic event, moderated the first half of the discussion, which included PETER GIDDINGS of Danville, veteran historic racer with roots in Northern California who races around the world; DICK GUILSTRAND, legendary Corvette driver and engineer; MICK MARSTON of Petaluma CA, who raced the first ever Huffaker Special starting in 1954; Grand Marshal BILL POLLACK – winner of the 1952 Golden Gate Park Road Race; and DON DICKEY of Grass Valley CA, who also raced in Golden Gate Park.
The second half of the discussion was moderated by GARY HORSTKORTA, co-author of “Golden Gate Remembered” with ART EVANS, which was published in 2007.
Among the interested participants in the front row were JOE HUFFAKER Sr and Jr, of Sonoma CA; and LOU PAVESI, owner of the Marston/Huffaker Special.
Pollack’s 2004 book “Red Wheels and White Walls: Confessions of an Allard Racer” has been reprinted.
The discussion was lively and many war stories were told. Back in the day of the GGP road races, the drivers recalled how close the drivers were to the spectators – almost close enough for high-fives. The corners were protected by hay bales. The first race drew 50,000 fans, growing to 100,000 in 1953 and up to 150,000 in 1954. Then bureaucracy stepped in and it wasn’t deemed safe enough for current conditions.
Four cars which raced in the Golden Gate Park Road Races were at Sonoma. Two were on display: the 1953 Tatum Special Wayne GC Special s/n DRF54952 raced in the 1953-1954 GGP races, on show in front of Wine Country Motorsports; and along side the Tatum was the Marsten/Huffaker Special, which also ran the GGP races the same years.
Marston’s car was built by JOE HUFFAKER Sr. The car raced for five years in a variety of professional series. In 2005, the car was restored by JOE HUFFAKER Jr, along with KRIS MELLON, SUE HUFFAKER MELLON and their crews.
Two other GGP cars were racing in Group Nine, for 1946-1955 Sports Racers & Production Cars: DON PEPPERDENE of Carmel Valley CA qualified his 1949 Baldwin Special on the pole for Sunday’s race, and JOHN BUDDENBAUM of Sunnyvale CA was fourth fastest in his 1949 Jaguar Parkinson Special in a group of 30 cars.
Pollack’s 2004 book “Red Wheels and White Walls: Confessions of an Allard Racer” has been reprinted.
The discussion was lively and many war stories were told. Back in the day of the GGP road races, the drivers recalled how close the drivers were to the spectators – almost close enough to high-five. The corners were protected by hay bales. The first race drew 50,000 fans, growing to 100,000 in 1953 and up to 150,000 in 1954. Then bureaucracy stepped in and it wasn’t deemed safe enough for current conditions.
Marston’s car was built by JOE HUFFAKER Sr, called the Marstan/Huffaker Special. The car raced for five years in a variety of professional series. In 2005, the car was restored by JOE HUFFAKER Jr, along with KRIS MELLON, SUE HUFFAKER MELLON and their crews. It also is on display.
One lucky driver was JOHN KERR of San Luis Obispo CA. He raced his 1932 Miller-Schofield/Ford in Group Eight for 1925-1941 Racing Cars. He qualified fifth in a field of 22 cars, despite taking a ride on the wild side. He got loose and started spinning all over the track, side to side before stopping Driver’s Left in Turn Nine – safe and sound. His buddy, CHARLIE SHALVOY of Menlo Park CA was following in his 1926 Bugatti T-39A. Shalvoy told Kerr afterwards he saw what was happening and backed off. He described the action as a choreographed ballet. Kerr said he felt more like it was a rodeo. Parts of it was rodeo and parts he was just a spectator along for the ride. But he was all smiles afterward, in his vintage racing gear. The Race Steward commended Kerr for his brilliant save.
Among the fifteen race groups for the weekend is Group 12 – 1973-1979 IMSA GT and 1964-1970 FIA Cars. One familiar car was the red and white 1970 Datsun 240Z which ran in the IMSA GTU category, as well as in SCCA C Production. The car originally was raced by BOB SHARP, and this weekend it’s driven by its owner, DAVE STONE of Menlo Park CA. He qualified sixth in a field of 24 cars.
As is standard in any Steve Earle event, no times are given. The cars are the stars, and Earle determines the final grids.
EARLE was all smiles this weekend. Friday, in practice, he drove BRUCE McCAW’s 1952 Mercedes Benz SL, the only Mercedes to win Le Mans – a rare car.
