This November 11 – 15, Bill Wagenblatt, Rex McAfee and Dennis Gray will be covering the 2021 Velocity Invitational for Sports Car Digest. My first impression upon arrival is it appears organizer Jeff O’Neil and his crew have once again assembled the wildest group of historic vintage race cars this side of the Atlantic. Porsche 917s to Eagle Indy cars to Ferrari GTOs are all here for fans to enjoy.
Through his many connections in the vintage car world, Jeff has arranged to bring Zak Brown and McLaren Motors Racing Ltd. along with driver Mika Häkkinen to pilot a selection of McLaren F1 and street cars. Porsche North America is coming with a display of their legendary 917s, to be seen both on and off the track. Ford Motor Corporation will have a group of Le Mans 24 veteran GTs. There will even be a couple of AAR Eagles on track.
Jeffrey O’Neill, Group 4A, 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO , creates beautiful sights and sounds. Photo © Rex McAfee
Race groups include Race Group 1: 1924 – 1939 Prewar Sports Racing cars. In this group, look for the 1935 Alfa Romeo 8c-35. Up close in the paddock, be sure to check out the sculpted engine and super charger; true works of art. Others to watch in Group 1 is any of the four ERA racers which go through the corners faster than you would expect.
Race Group 2 is for 1948-1957 Sports and Sports Racing cars. Nick Price in his 1953 Jaguar C type will undoubtedly put on a show piloting his car through the turns. Ned Spieker drives a piece of Italian sculpture known as a Maserati 200Si. A quick and beautiful piece of art.
Anthony Wang – 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa
Race Group 3 is for 1957-1961 Sports Racing Cars. This group is loaded with quick cars and quick drivers. Two Birdcage Maserati Tipo 61s, a Ferrari 250 Testa Rosa, Jim Hall’s Chaparral, a Porsche RS 60, and a two Sadlers; a Mk.4 and a Sadler-Meyer Special. But my favorites are the two cars that require a love of old race cars; the Buick powered Old Yeller ll and the “Monsterati” Special.
Race Group 4A is for 1957-1965 GT Cars over 2.5 liters. Loud and fast! These guys slide or drift the turns throwing dust and gravel behind them. They include Lynn Park and the “Park Gang’s” 289 Cobras, a bunch of Shelby GT350s, Walton’s Cobra Daytona Coupe, Erickson Shirley’s Ferrari 250 GTO and Jeff O’Neill’s Ferrari 250 GTO. Then for added Italian spice, watch out for Iso Grifo Lusso GT and a Bizzarrini 5300GT Strada.
David Perkins – 1965 Alfa Romeo GTZ
Race Group 4B is for 1957-1965 GT Cars under 2.5 Liters. Two Alfa Romeo TZ cars will mix it up with Porsche 356s, Porsche Abarth Carreras and Alfa Romeo Giuliettas. Quick and exciting to watch and hear.
Race Group 5 is 1962-1972 FIA Prototypes & SCCA Sports racing cars. A cross section of racing cars from the distant past. Fast cars built to race on legendary European tracks or American shorter tracks. But all built for all-out go. As an American-built special, there is McGarry’s Genie Mk.10. There will be a number of Porsche race cars in this group from a 908/2 and 908/3 to a 910, 908 and 906. A Ferrari 312PB will be on track along with several British built Lotus and Elva cars.
Race Group 6 is 1966-1980 Historic Formula One. Open wheeled cars of speed. Mostly British-built cars like McLaren M-23, Shadow DN5, Williams FW07B, a Lotus 77 MacAllister’s Ferrari 312T2 for added spice. Before anyone sends me an irate email, I know Shadow cars were an American team but these cars were built in England. If you have been watching the Netflix series Drive to Survive, these are the cars that lead directly to the cars featured in that series.
Steve Walker – 1973 BMW 3.5 CSL
Race Group 7 is 1966-1977 IMSA GT and FIA Grp 4. Jeff O’Neill has worked hard to bring a gaggle of Porsche’s famous RSR cars to this group. Along with the RSRs there will be two BMW 3.5 CSLs, a Datsun 240Z and an IMSA Corvette Wide Body among others. Another loud and fast group.
Race Group 8 is 1982 to 1990 IMSA GTP & GTP/L, FIA Group C &C2. While the cars in Group 7 are for the most part heavily modified street cars, these cars in Group 8 are pure racing machines designed on the drafting board to taken to the track. Look for a couple AAR Eagles, Zak Brown’s Lancia LC2 and a couple hot fast Chevrolet Camaro among others.
Richard Goldsmith – 1970 Dodge Challenger
Race Group 9 is 1966 -1972 Historic Trans-Am cars. For many, the reason for Historic Vintage racing is these cars. Big, loud, fast, they fill the track in the turns and often fill the track on Laguna’s limited straits. Just like the original Trans-Am races back in the 60s and 70s, it’s a rare race that finishes without some trading of paint. You can expect multiple changes of position on each lap. These guys put on a show that is worth watching. Look for Ken Epsman’s AMC Javelin, Bruce Canepa’s AMC Javelin, Jeffrey O’Neil’s Ford Boss 302 Mustang and for the Chevrolet fans, William Ockerlund’s Camaro Z/28. There is even a Chrysler; Richard Goldsmith’s Dodge Challenger. Again, loud fast and furious this is a great way to end a day watching these guys trade paint.
Just two of the many Minis entered in the night-time “Mini vs. Mustang” enguro. © Rex McAfee
Each day finishes with the Mini VS Mustang race! That’s correct; a track full of both loud, fast and big Mustangs racing small, buzzy Minis. With this race starting last there is a good possibility we may see some night or at least low lite racing from these guys. Good fun I am sure for both the drivers and spectators.
Jeff O’Neill has done a great job of bringing cars for the track and for Paddock display that we don’t often see. Rex, Bill and I will be posting stories and images from Laguna Seca daily. Be sure and let us know if you have a request for a particular car or driver.
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Your SCD crew,
Rex, Bill and Dennis
Porsche North America has arranged a display of six Porsche 917 race cars. © Rex McAfee
Very detailed write-up but you should have said where this is happening in the first paragraph.
Still hunting for the name and location of the track, availability of tickets and schedule for this Velocity Invit.
though I guess it’s in a warmer part of the US, late in the day and closed..