The 2002 Chrysler Jeep Classic Speed Festival, which was to be held on Oct 20-21 was cancelled several weeks after the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Washington, D.C.
Held for the past four years on the U.S. Navy’s North Island Naval Air Station on San Diego’s Coronado Island, this year’s event was unfortunately cancelled due to the military’s need for security and a heigthened state of readiness.
In previous years, the U.S. Navy has closed one of its active runways and taxiways for the race and hosted the award ceremonies on its ships. According to Steve Earle, the race’s organizer, the decision to cancel the Speed Festival this year is the right one in light of the recent events. Earle emphasized, “The military has generously supported the Speed Festival each year, and now it’s our turn to return their support.”
