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Report of Coronado Speedfestival October 8-9th 2005 |
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Much to the surprise and delight of California vintage race fans, Steve Earle¹s General Racing Ltd. succeeded in organising one more race weekend at the Coronado Naval Base located across the bay from San Diego. When the Daimler - Chrysler corporation withdrew their sponsorship a few months ago, taking with them a reported their $450,000 contribution to the annual race, most thought it put finis to the event. Thanks to some local people stepping forward, including two BMW dealerships and the Navy League, enough support was found to get 225 cars on the track and to attract some 20,000 spectators. The race is special as it is one of the few that are still held on an airport. The course is bumpy and flat but brings to memory the first sports car races in America that, like Sebring and March AFB and Palm Springs, were also held at air bases. Most of the race cars at Coronado came from the West Coast and many had competed recently at the Monterey Historics. Once again, very few open wheel cars were invited to play with the exception of some pre-war cars, so no Lotus formula cars were to be found. There was a Seven S1 present, and a 26R and some 23's, but most Lotus cars competed in Group 3 for “Sports Racing Cars 1956-1960.” Dr. Richard Riddell came with his 1955 Lotus MK 9. The car has been owned by Richard for over 20 years, and while he once raced it and another one frequently he now enters only one or two events a year. The car had its problems on track. It first popped off its water hose while on course making quite a mess in the car and cockpit. A new hose was fitted but the car then lost all compression in the number 3 cylinder. Richard shall return. The Group 3 race included sports racing cars of any engine size produced from 1956-1960. Three Lister-Jags, two Ferrari Testa Rossas and two Maserati Birdcages joined with several American specials in a race with six Lotus Elevens.
Venerable and former Team Lotus driver Pete Lovely, who began racing in 1947 and was National Class F Champion in 1957, brought his 1959 Eleven S2 down from Seattle, and was the fastest of the Elevens. He was, in fact, faster than everyone on Saturday, On Sunday he was second to one of the Birdcages. The always gracious Pete regularly entertains fans and fellow drivers with stories of the old days and with his memories of driving at Le Mans, Laguna Seca and elsewhere. He remains a true gentleman driver. He’s fast too! The S2 Elevens of Bruce Miller and Richard Goldsmith battled the Listers for places 3 through 6. Lotus S1 # 202 (Peter Ross’s old car 105 JMH) driven by Bob Engberg was 7th, with Stewart Smith in #377 just behind. For its presentation and performance, Lotus 202 received the Group’s recognition trophy at the final evening’s ceremony held on board the aircraft carrier SS Ronald Reagan. The race announcers had a great time during the Group 3 race pointing out how the little Elevens were giving fits to the bigger cars. With only two relatively short straights, the course did favour the smaller cars. Of the first eight finishers in the Group, five were Lotus Elevens. Click here to see full results and participant lists,
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