Robert Kauffman's 1972 McLaren M8F/P DennisGray
Robert Kauffman\'s 1972 McLaren M8F/P
Vintage Car Racing

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Report and Photos

Avatar photoDennis Gray

The Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 was held June 2-5 at Sonoma Raceway Sears Point in Sonoma, California. Beautiful weather greeted the 350 vintage and historic cars that competed in 13 groups on the 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course in Northern California’s wine country.

The 2016 Sonoma Historics was the second year of Sonoma Raceway’s partnership with the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) after the organization merged with Steve Earle’s General Racing. The ‘Gold Medallion’ invitational event salutes and rewards race cars prepared to the rules of the era in which they were originally raced. This year’s vintage race celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Can-Am and the Trans-Am Series, offering spectators a trip down memory lane through one of the most exciting eras in America’s racing heritage.

In addition to the booming Can-Am and Trans-Am racers, other notable entrants at the 2016 SVRA Sonoma event included Greg Whitten’s 1932 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3; Erickson Shirley’s 1934 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3; Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35; Peter Giddings’ 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza; Charles McCabe’s 1936 ERA R6B; Joe Harding’s 1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans “Big Red”; Tom Price’s 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza Zagato and 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO; Cameron Healy’s 1970 Porsche 908/3; Chris MacAllister’s 1964 Ford GT40, 1955 Jaguar D-Type and 1964 Shelby 289 FIA Cobra; Dean Meiling’s 1954 Jaguar D-Type; Ranson Webster’s 1976 Porsche 935 K3; Stephen Thein’s 1967 Porsche 910; Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL and Jeff Abramson’s 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial Spider. The Sonoma Historic Trophy for ‘Excellence in Presentation’ was awarded to Nathanael Green’s 1925 Bugatti Type 35 and Robert Engberg’s 1957 Elva Mark IIB.

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Similar to 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2016 Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, with Senior Photographer Dennis Gray offering the following photos highlighting this year’s event. We split up Dennis’ pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, while the second gallery and race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all photographs.

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery

 

Lola T70.
Lola T70 Mk1 Spider of David Jacobs
Alex MacAllister’s 1964 Ford GT40.
Alex MacAllister’s 1964 Ford GT40.
Rick Carlile’s 1969 TVR Vixen S2
Rick Carlile’s 1969 TVR Vixen S2
Jim Gallucci’s 1970 Lola T163
Jim Gallucci’s 1970 Lola T163
Ed Swart’s 1971 Chevron B19
Ed Swart’s 1971 Chevron B19
Ranson Webster’s 1976 Porsche 935 K3
Ranson Webster’s 1976 Porsche 935 K3

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Dan Martine’s 1950 MG TD Von Neumann Special.
Dan Martine’s 1950 MG TD Von Neumann Special.
Jeff Abramson’s 1954 Ferrari Mondial.
Jeff Abramson’s 1954 Ferrari 500 Mondial.
Paddins Dowling’s 1934 ERA R2A and Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35.
Paddins Dowling’s 1934 ERA R2A and Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35.
Michael McGarry’s 1964 Huffaker Genie Mk. 10.
Michael McGarry’s 1964 Huffaker Genie Mk. 10.
David Martin’s 1962 Huffaker Genie Mk. V
David Martin’s 1962 Huffaker Genie Mk. V
Cameron Healy’s 1970 Porsche 908/3
Cameron Healy’s 1970 Porsche 908/3

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Jay Embree’s 1966 Lotus 47GT
Jay Embree’s 1966 Lotus 47 GT
1964 Ginetta G12 of Fred Della Noce
1964 Ginetta G12 of Fred Della Noce
Robert Kauffman’s 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am
Robert Kauffman’s 1970 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am
Bill Ockerlund’s 1970 Plymouth Cuda
Bill Ockerlund’s 1970 Plymouth Cuda
Richard Goldsmith’s 1970 Dodge Challenger
Richard Goldsmith’s 1970 Dodge Challenger
Ken Epsman’s 1971 AMC Javelin
Ken Epsman’s 1971 AMC Javelin

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Alex MacAllister’s 1964 Ford GT40.
Alex MacAllister’s 1964 Ford GT40.
Martin Lauber’s Chevron B16
Martin Lauber’s Chevron B16
Unlisted Alfa Romeo GTV or GTA.
Alfa Romeo GTA
Kevin Adair’s 1962 MGB.
Kevin Adair’s 1962 MGB.
David Buchanan’s 1956 Alfa Romeo Sebring Spider.
David Buchanan’s 1956 Alfa Romeo Sebring Spider.
Greg Mitchell’s 1969 Lola T163.
Greg Mitchell’s 1969 Lola T163.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Dennis Losher in his 1971 Shadow Mk II
Dennis Losher in his 1971 Shadow Mk II
Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL
Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL
Steve Schmidt’s Porsche 935 K3
Steve Schmidt’s Porsche 935 K3
Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL
Henry Schmitt’s 1974 BMW 3.5 CSL
Steve Walker’s 1973 BMW CSL
Steve Walker’s 1973 BMW CSL
Bill Ockerlund 1991 Camaro
Bill Ockerlund’s 1991 Chevrolet Camaro

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

Steven Earle’s 1965 Ford Galaxie.
Steven Earle’s 1965 Ford Galaxie.
1964 Mercury driven by Greg Umphenour.
1964 Mercury driven by Greg Umphenour.
Nick DeVitis in his 1966 Ford Shelby GT350.
Nick DeVitis in his 1966 Ford Shelby GT350.
Earl Whitehead’s 1964 Iso Rivolta.
Earl Whitehead’s 1964 Iso Rivolta.
Chris Macallister’s Shelby Cobra FIA.
Chris Macallister’s 1964 Shelby 289 FIA Cobra.
Jeff Abramson’s 1964 Corvette.
Jeff Abramson’s 1964 Corvette.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

1964 Porsche Platypus driven by Neil Alexander.
1964 Porsche Platypus driven by Neil Alexander.
Luca Maciucescu in his 1959 EDP Special Chevrolet.
Luca Maciucescu in his 1959 EDP Special Chevrolet.
1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans driven by Stan Anderes.
1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans driven by Stan Anderes.
Cameron Healy’s Cooper Porsche Special "Pooper"
Cameron Healy’s Cooper Porsche Special “Pooper”
1957 Elva Mk. II B driven by Robert Engberg.
1957 Elva Mk. II B driven by Robert Engberg.
Greg Whitten in his 1960 Witton Special.
Greg Whitten in his 1960 Witton Special.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

Donald Racine’s 1952 Aardvark Special.
Donald Racine’s 1952 Aardvark Special.
Don Balocchi’s 1954 NARDI Crosley Special.
Don Balocchi’s 1954 NARDI Crosley Special.
Paul Perry’s 1960 SAAB Phoenix H-Modified.
Paul Perry’s 1960 SAAB Phoenix H-Modified.
Jack Perkin’s in his 1954 Warrior Bristol.
Jack Perkin’s in his 1954 Warrior Bristol.
Chris MacAllister’s 1955 Jaguar D-Type.
Chris MacAllister’s 1955 Jaguar D-Type.
William Lyon’s 1952 MG TD Schiaretti Special
William Lyon’s 1952 MG TD Schiaretti Special

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

Dean Meiling’s 1954 Jaguar D-Type.
Dean Meiling’s 1954 Jaguar D-Type.
Robert William’s 1952 Siata Daina.
Robert William’s 1952 Siata Daina.
1958 Devin SS driven by Nick Colonna.
1958 Devin SS driven by Nick Colonna.
David Swig’s 1957 Monsterati Special.
David Swig’s 1957 Monsterati Special.
Tom Price in his 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza Zagato.
Tom Price in his 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza Zagato.
Nathanael Green’s 1925 Bugatti T35.
Nathanael Green’s 1925 Bugatti T35.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

 

Tom Price’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
Tom Price’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.
Dennis racine in his 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S.
Dennis racine in his 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S.
1964 Ginetta G12 of Fred Della Noce
1964 Ginetta G12 of Fred Della Noce
Jim Hague’s 1971 Ford Boss 302
Jim Hague’s 1971 Ford Boss 302
Linda Mountanous in a 1966 Chevrolet Nova
Linda Mountanous in a 1966 Chevrolet Nova
Andrew Alcazar’s 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Andrew Alcazar’s 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

 

Alec Hugo in his Porsche 356.
Alec Hugo in his Porsche 356.
Dalmo de Vasconcelos in his 1965 Lotus Elan S 26R.
Dalmo de Vasconcelos in his 1965 Lotus Elan S 26R.
1925 Bugatti T35 driven by Nathanael Greene.
1925 Bugatti T35 driven by Nathanael Greene.
Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35.
Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35.
1916 National AC driven by Eric Ramos.
1916 National AC driven by Eric Ramos.
1932 Alfa Romeo P3 driven by Greg Whitten.
1932 Alfa Romeo P3 driven by Greg Whitten.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Twelve

 

Ranson Webster’s 1960 Porsche Abarth Carrera.
Ranson Webster’s 1960 Porsche 356 Abarth Carrera.
1959 Porsche 356 driven by Chuck Christensen.
1959 Porsche 356 driven by Chuck Christensen.
1958 Porsche 356 Speedster driven by Steve Schmidt.
1958 Porsche 356 Speedster driven by Steve Schmidt.
Thomas Turner’s 1962 Triumph Spitfire 4.
Thomas Turner’s 1962 Triumph Spitfire 4.
Unlisted Alfa Romeo GTV or GTA.
Alfa Romeo GTA.
Edward Lamintia’s 1962 MGA Mk.II.
Edward Lamintia’s 1962 MG A Mk II

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Thirteen

 

Broody Blain in his 1989 Oldsmobile Trans -Am
Broody Blain in his 1989 Oldsmobile Trans -Am
Steven Earle’s 1965 Ford Galaxie.
Steven Earle’s 1965 Ford Galaxie.
Chris Macallister’s Cobra.
Chris Macallister’s 1964 Shelby 289 FIA Cobra
1969 Corvette driven by Randy Peterson.
Shelby Mustang GT350 driven by Michael Parsons
Dennis racine in his 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S.
Dennis Racine in his 1966 Morris Mini Cooper S.
Michael Reischl’s 1967 Porsche.
Michael Reischl’s 1967 Porsche 911

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fourteen

 

Stephen Thein’s 1967 Porsche 910.
Stephen Thein’s 1967 Porsche 910.
Lola T70.
Lola T70 Mk1 Spider of David Jacobs
Michael McGarry’s 1964 Huffaker Genie Mk. 10.
Michael McGarry’s 1964 Huffaker Genie Mk. 10.
John Fudge’s 1963 Genie Mk. VII.
John Fudge’s 1963 Genie Mk. VII.
1959 Deutsch Bonnet HBR5 driven by Arthur Cook.
1959 Deutsch Bonnet HBR5 driven by Arthur Cook.
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Fifteen

 

Joe Harding’s "Big Red" 1939 Lagonda V12 LeMans.
Joe Harding’s “Big Red” 1939 Lagonda V12 Le Mans.
Charles McCabe’s 1936 ERA R6B.
Charles McCabe’s 1936 ERA R6B.
Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35, Peter Giddings 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza.
Peter Greenfield’s 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35 and Peter Giddings’ 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2600 Monza.
Erickson Shirley’s 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 in turn four.
Erickson Shirley’s 1934 Alfa Romeo P3 in turn four.
Phillip Ribbs - 1963 Lotus 27 F-Jr.
Phillip Ribbs – 1963 Lotus 27 F-Jr.
A.C. D Augustine’s 1965 Genie Mk. 10B.
A.C. D Augustine’s 1965 Genie Mk. 10B.

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Sixteen

 

Emmett Murphy’s 1972 McLaren M8F.
Emmett Murphy’s 1972 McLaren M8F.
John Delane’s 1971 Lola T212
John Delane’s 1971 Lola T212
Cameron Healy’s 1977 Porsche 911RSR
Cameron Healy’s 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera RSR
Frank Zucchi’s Alfa Romeo GTV
Frank Zucchi’s Alfa Romeo GTV
John Hildebrand’s 1978 Camaro leads Group Twelve in turn two.
John Hildebrand’s 1978 Camaro leads Group Twelve in turn two.
Robert Kauffman’s 1972 McLaren M8F/P
Robert Kauffman’s 1972 McLaren M8F/P

 

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Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

 

[nggallery id=916 images=15]

 

Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival 2016 – Race Results

Group 1
1. Paddins Dowling, 1934 ERA R2A
2. Peter Greenfield, 1935 Alfa Romeo 8C-35
3. Max Jamiesson, 1935 Ford Sprint Car

Group 2
1. Cameron Healy, 1953 Cooper Porsche ‘Pooper’
2. Gregory Campbell, 1955 Porsche Devin Speedster
3. David Swig, 1957 Monsterati Special

Group 3
1. Paul Quackenbush, 1963 Lotus Super 7
2. Rick Laws, 1965 Lotus Super 7
3. Dalmo De Vasconcelos, 1965 Lotus Elan 26R

Group 4
1. Art Hebert, 1963 Lola Mk5A Formula Junior
2. Marty Benck, 1962 Lotus 22 Formula Junior
3. Nicholas Colyvas, 1962 Cooper T-59 Formula Junior

Group 5
1. Jim Hague, 1972 Ford Gran Torino
2. Linda Mountanos, 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
3. Lance Smith, 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle

Group 6
1. Ken Sutherland, 1968 Ford Mustang 427
2. Jeff Abramson, 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster
3. Chris MacAllister, 1964 Shelby Cobra FIA 289

Group 7
1. Martin Lauber, 1969 Chevron B16
2. Alan Frick, 1969 Chevron B16
3. A.C. D’Augustine, 1965 Huffaker Genie MK 10B

Group 8
1. Randall Smith, 1969 Brabham BT-29
2. Ethan Shippert, 1981 Crossle 45F
3. Ron Horning, 1971 Brabham BT-35

Group 9
1. Fred Della Noce, 1964 Ginetta G12
2. Jay Embree, 1966 Lotus 47GT
3. Jim Froula, 1971 Datsun 510

Group 10
1. Ken Epsman, 1971 AMC Javelin
2. Jim Hague, 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302
3. Bill Ockerlund, 1970 Plymouth AAR ‘Cuda

Group 11
1. Scott Drnek, 1974 Sting GWI Can-Am
2. Brian Blain, 1969 Lola T163 Can-Am
3. Emmett Murphy, 1972 McLaren M8F Can-Am

Group 12
1. John Hildebrand, 1978 Chevrolet Camaro
2. Ranson Webster, 1976 Porsche 935 K3
3. Mike Thurlow, 1975 Chevrolet Corvette

Group 13
1. Chris Liebenberg, 1991 Ford Mustang
2. Ken Epsman, 1984 Pontiac Trans-Am
3. Gordon Johnson, 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass

The Sonoma Historic Award – Presented for Presentation and Performance in Race Group

Group 1 – Brian Blain, 1916 Sturtivant-Auburn Racer
Group 2 – Don Tevini, 1959 Devin D Porsche
Group 3 – Paul Christensen, 1956 Porsche 356A
Group 4 – Karen Barry, 1960 MBC-Huffaker F-Jr.
Group 5 – Linda Mountanos, 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle
Group 6 – Michael Doyle, 1961 Jaguar E-Type
Group 7 – Martin Lauber, 1969 Chevron B-16
Group 8 – Ron Horning, 1971 Brabham BT-35
Group 9 – Ed Matsuishi, 1965 Porsche 911
Group 10 – Drew Alcazar, 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302
Group 11 – Emmett Murphy, 1972 McLaren M8F
Group 12 – Steve Walker, 1973 BMW CSL
Group 13 – Chris Liedenberg, 1991 Ford Mustang

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[Source: SVRA; photos: Dennis Gray]

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Dennis Gray
Senior Photographer Dennis Gray was team photographer for George Dyer Racing when they won the 12-Hours of Sebring in 1977, team photographer for Tom Spalding’s Can-Am team in 1978 and the RJR photographer for the IMSA series in 1979 and 1980. Created images for many auto firms and print publications. He is a member of the American Auto Racing Writers and Broadcasters Association. Learn more.
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7 Comments

  3. Great work Dennis, the images are outstanding and truly position the viewer to sense the action, especially the shot of John Delane leading in a battle of Lolas, McLarens and what happens sometimes. The “up front and personal” image of Cameron Healey’s 908 is excellent.

  6. Thanks Dennis. Re the 1969 TVR Vixen: I always knew my dad had a great car. He puts a lot into the racing sport. I’ll have a hard time getting him down out of the clouds now.