August 19, 2004

F-1 Ferrari a crowd pleaser at premier races

Race fans cheer on famous names at Monterey Historic Automobile Races

By Sean Eastwood
Special to the Times

Almaden race fans along with local race car drivers and car club members got revved up last weekend for the premier Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Presented by Chrysler, the 31st edition of the popular vintage event included San Jose drivers Jack Perkins driving his 1954 Warrior-Bristol and David Brodsky driving his 1953 Crosley Special.

Crowds cheer local driver Jack Perkins driving his 1954 Warrior-Bristol.

More than 40,000 race fans cheered 405 cars in the popular event that featured Ferrari. Fans were treated to the largest gathering of Ferrari GTOs in one place when 20 of the fabulous machines raced for 10 laps.

Famous names of racing—Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche, Bugatti, Shelby, Lotus, Aston Martin, Maserati and Mustang—were represented by drivers and owners. In addition to the cars, some of the greatest drivers in racing history appeared, including Phil Hill, Dan Gurney, and Sir Stirling Moss.

The powerful red “prancing horses” were the favorites at the event, which also included an exciting exhibition featuring Michael Schumacher’s 900-horsepower, V-10 Formula One

Ferrari, in which he won his sixth world championship last year. The large crowd moved close to barriers in to get the best look possible at the fast, sleek machine driven by Ferrari factory test driver Andrea Bertolini.

Bertolini put the Schumacher car through its paces driving it like a slot car on the 11-turn road course. However, the F-1 car finished about 1.4 seconds short, averaging 116 mph. For now, Helio Castroneves, driving for Champ Car World Marlboro Team Penske, will keep his 1999 Laguna Seca record at 1:07.722 or 118.969 mph in the history books.

Laguna Seca General Manager Gill Campbell said he “never thought the Monterey Historic Automobile Races could get any better, but today proved that everyone’s enthusiasm has made this an incredible premier worldwide event.”
Schumaker F-1 a real crowd pleaser.

Fourth year title sponsor Walter Fischer, chairman of Rolex
Watch U.S.A., was also pleased with race, the weather, and the turnout. “I love it here,” he said.

The Historic Automobile Races are the largest event held during the renowned classic car weekend in Monterey Calif. The event greatly supports the Sports Car Racing Association of the Monterey Peninsula’s (SCRAMP) contribution to local charities. Last year, SCRAMP donated $507,500 to 70 Central Coast charitable and service organizations.