Having a ball at the Coronado Speed Festival

The Coronado Speed Festival is a perfect example of the old adage, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Anyone attending it can’t walk away with any impression other than it is a successful event. The word “festival” is apt but maybe an understatement. This thing is over the top. Packed grandstands are clear evidence of that fact as event organizers believe they reached an all-time record this year approaching a very real 30,000 spectators.

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Successful events boast a culture and carry a theme through that acts as the adhesive to hold everything together. This is evident at Coronado, where the nexus of SoCal car culture and the character of the world’s most prestigious military force provide a magical weekend of sights and sounds.

True to their mission of supporting the morale, welfare and recreational opportunities for San Diego-area active military personnel the event’s organizers (the San Diego Fleetweek Foundation) have dialed in the right formula. It’s a mix of power-packed, awesome machines in the form of military equipment on display as well as the awesome racecars of the SportsCar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA).

Check out the array of images that only begins to tell the story of a multi-faceted event that is a terrific family-friendly celebration for members of the military and race fans alike. Consider some of the eye candy and features beyond the great vintage racing of SVRA.

• Kid zones packed with bounce houses, pedal “racecars” and other racing military or racing-themed entertainment.
• The Military Pit Crew Challenge of some 30 teams vying in an elimination tournament. This year’s winners were the “Dirty 30” crew of the world’s largest plane to land on aircraft carriers.
• More than a thousand cars either entered in a judged car show of numerous categories or car clubs parked together in corrals of such exotic brands as Ferrari and BMW.
• Battleship tours for ticket-buying guests – or free to active duty military and family.
• An array of in-service military assets – planes, amphibious vehicles, helicopters and terrain vehicles.
• The grand Jaguar presence and arrive-and-drive autocross by both Jag and BMW allowed anyone signing up to experience outstanding performance cars.
• Hot laps with several of the best drivers and race cars of the SVRA.

By all accounts, the SVRA’s first time at bat with the Coronado Speed Festival was home run. If you weren’t there, have a look at the images below and judge for yourself.

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