Drive Staff March 06, 2023 All Feature Vehicles
The track portion of the event is scheduled over the weekend of the 6th and 7th of August 2022 NorCal Shelby begins the event Saturday early with its “TEAM SHELBY” Napa Cruise. Cool car enthusiasts collectively driving through Napa, Sonoma, and Petaluma. For those who like to put the top down on their convertibles and enjoy the scenic drive, this is the time. Cool California weather, awesome Sonoma valley views. Great way to start the fun-filled weekend. There will be scheduled stops during the drive for sightseeing and scenic photos and yes some excellent food.
Saturday will be highlighted by track time for all qualified participants. For a nominal fee, you and your car can take on the curves of the challenging Sonoma Raceway, after passing the tech inspection of course. All levels of skill are welcome, beginning to advanced, and all vehicle types are welcomed as well. This event is an excellent opportunity to put your skills and vehicle to the test on one of the most storied racetracks in the west. Open track continues throughout the day along with the Shelby Showdown.
Just across the paddock will be NorCal Shelby’s first Autocross! Dubbed the “Shelby Showdown ‘’ Hosted by NorCal Shelby sponsored by MotoVision and produced by Racing Byrds. Cars of all makes and models testing their skills around the uniquely designed autocross track. While spectators are watching the fun, they can also be walking through the Performance Pavilion checking out the latest cars by Ford Motor Company provided by Walnut Creek Ford, Napa Ford. Denbeste Motorsports will have a variety of performance engines and cars on display. So if you are looking for horsepower that you don’t have to plug into the wall it’s here! For those who like to tinker, Frozen Rotors, TMR Motorsports will be on display plus suspension components by Mike Maier Racing “we all want to be like Mikey right!” Pelle will get your shine on from Chemical Guys, Signature Wheels will have their latest and greatest wheels for any make and model to check out. Plus many more performance companies.
The day would not be complete without our first charity drive hosted by Sonoma Raceway for Speedway Children’s Charity. There will be various cars available to bid on, your favorite vintage or new car race car. This will prove to be a fun event with spirited historic cars leading the way. Expect to see Cobras, Shelby’s 350’s and 500’s, Fox Bodies, GTs, and more. Imagine you’ll be driven around the track by one of the many experienced drivers on hand. All for a great cause raising money for Speedway Children’s Charity.
Saturday wouldn’t be complete without ending the day at the track, sharing stories from the day on the big track or the autocross. We will all sit down and enjoy the scenic Sonoma Raceway at its “New “TURN 11” facility. Denbeste Motorsports will co-host the inaugural banquet at the track. Denbeste Motorsports is well known for their historic wall of Cobras and even more for their Shelby Engines they make. Many of these will be on display in the performance pavilion over the weekend and at the banquet. The evening will be filled with entertainment and guest speakers, one very special friend of the club will be on hand Gary Patterson President of Shelby American. We will all join in and celebrate together as it is Shelby American’s 60th anniversary! something you surely will not want to miss. All while overlooking the famous turn 11 at Sonoma Raceway.
For a nominal fee, you and your car can take on the curves of the challenging Sonoma Raceway
Sunday will start off with a big bang! Ford Fest! All FORD CAR SHOW, featuring early 1900 Model T, Model As, and Model Bs. including the elusive “SPEEDSTERS”. But let’s not forget about the next ninety-plus years of cool Ford cars. Grand Torino’s, Panteras, Pintos, Mustangs, Shelbys, Thunderbirds big and small, Fairlanes, Falcons, F100, Broncos, and yes even the “BOSS” will be there. If you’re lucky you might even see a California Special. So if you have a Ford we want “YOU”! We want to see every Ford made.
Looking at the agenda, this is no ordinary car club gathering NorCal Shelby is setting the bar high, and fun is at the top of the list. It seems to have the lofty goal of planning something for everyone. After all, they have much to offer if the racer’s family prefers to occupy themselves off track or even on track premises. But with the food, music, and fun that have been planned, it would be easy to spend time as a family sharing the experience at the spectacular Sonoma Raceway.
Sonoma Raceway (formerly Sears Point Raceway) will celebrate 50 years of reaching during its 2022 race season. The road course features 12 turns on a hilly curse with 160 feet of total revelation changes. The Sonoma Raceway has noted racings elite with names such as Rick Rudd, Dale Earnhardt and Ernie Irvan of NASCAR, NHRA legends Joe Amato (Top Fuel), and Mark Oswald (Funny Car) motorcycle racing, including the popular American Motorcycle Association national motocross races in the hills above Turn 7 as well as AMA Superbike racing dating back to 1977. The facility is also host to Moto America, SCCA Pro Racing World Challenge Ferrari Challenge, along with many other venerable racing organizations and other like 24 Hours of LeMons a distinctly unique event.
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