Coronado Historic Car Races - Sept 21-22

avidtest · **Posted:** Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:10 am

If you are a car lover, consider coming out to Coronado on the weekend of the 22nd. I'll be racing my vintage Datsun 510 in the largest race group of the weekend (typically 50 cars on a 1.44 mile track). I'll be up against Alfa's BMW's, lots of other Datsuns and the stray Volvo and Ginetta. Will I win? Highly unlikely. Will I have fun? Hell yeah (as long as the car doesn't break!).

If you've never been, it's a great event - a lot like the San Diego Air Show, but for car lovers instead. There are tons of historic race cars, all racing wheel to wheel in their respective groups, and the public/spectators get the opportunity to roam through the paddock and see it all up close.

There are car clubs that congregate according to their marquee. There is awesome stuff to be seen from Porsche, Ferrari, AC Cobra, hot rods, customs, drift cars, etc. There are food stands, a biergarden and car girls in short skirts and tall boots. The Navy puts on a show too by bringing out their hugemongous hovercraft onto the track in front of the spectators. It's pretty amazing. The drift cars come out to play too, usually around the lunch-time intermission. Don't be too close to the track for that one though or you'll be covered in a fine layer of black rubber dust. :lol:

Saturday is qualifying race day and Sunday is the full race day. Check it out if you haven't seen it before. And look for the 510 in my avatar. :bang:

Ticket info here: http://www.coronadospeedfest.com/tickets.html

Sometimes Groupon offers tics at half-price too.

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:21 am

Have a great race Shannon! Go fast, be safe.

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:38 am

The festivities got under way Friday, at the 2013 Coronado Festival of Speed,, and ramped up yesterday. Today is final race day.

It's my 1st time racing there. It's a little different. There are at least 3 different track surfaces on the tarmac which can make for some exciting transitions until you learn what to expect. And there is absolutely no banking anywhere - just a flat surface. With 30 cars in my group, it is nice that there is not much to hit if you make a mistake - except for a few tire barriers.... and concrete K-rails here and there....

Here's a vid of my pre-qualifying race. For those that don't know (and actually give a shit), the goal is simply to lay down the fastest single lap speed, which will then establishes the starting grid positions in the qualifying race. And then of course, the goal of the qualifying race is to get to the checkered flag 1st. The finish order will then determine starting grid position in the final race.

Anyway, in this pre-qualifying race, I ended up being the fastest Datsun (out of something like 7-10 cars) and ended up with the 7th fastest speed out of 30 cars. Those damned BMW's are just too fast - dealership sponsored cars with great drivers vs. my very well set up car with an average driver at the wheel.

I decided to upload this vid instead of the following qualifying race (qualified 6th for the final race, but not the fastest Datsun damnit!), just because there is a little more action in this one.

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:44 am

Thanks for the update -- I tried to find the qualifying results on line last night, but all I could locate was the Miata race results, and I didn't care about that -- 510's are much cooler cars! Great photo and video. Good luck today!

Canaan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 1:42 pm

That was a lot of fun to watch. I hope you got the results you wanted.

torsp · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 2:19 pm

Great video avidtest!

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:16 pm

Thanks for the comments guys. Didn't do quite as well as I'd wished. Lost a couple of spots at start into turn 1, but held my own thereafter. Had a great battle w/ another 510. Brain-farted toward the end and was in too high a gear coming out of a corner. The other 510 made his move and kept his new position on me. Ended up 9th overall, so I'm not complaining. How could I? I had a completely exhilarating, adrenaline-fueled race weekend; I got to see (and race against) spectacular cars; I hung out with great folks; and best of all, the car finished without breaking and I'm back home in one piece. I think I'll take a moment to contemplate, and savor the whole experience.

Ok. I'm done. When's the next ride!?

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 6:49 pm

Excellent. No twelve year old did THAT!

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:15 pm

Too funny. I won't push my luck though. Put a certain young Jedi in a car, and he'd likely be on the podium shortly thereafter.

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 22, 2013 7:22 pm

^^^ True, and we are all impressed by and proud of him, but you're way ahead for now!

avidtest · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 6:48 am

Ok - last video post about car racing for a while. Can't help muhself. This was the final race in my class:

And I'm lucky enough to also have a link to the in-car video from the car that was right behind me for most of the race (until the last damn lap!):

Dirtrider · **Posted:** Tue Sep 24, 2013 7:03 am

Great vids for sure. I found myself shifting my computer mouse :lol:

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:00 am

*bump* This is happening again next weekend Sept. 19-20. Will Lucky Number 13 be running this year? If so, have fun avidtest, and post photos!

avidtest · **Posted:** Sun Sep 13, 2015 12:15 pm

Yup. I'll be there Dan. And thanks for resurrecting a two year old thread for the well-wishes and good vibes! :thumbsup:

OldDogDan · **Posted:** Sat Feb 20, 2016 2:29 pm

Coronado Historic Car Races - Sept 21-22

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