Trans Am Speedfest Laguna Seca 2019

Race cars and springtime weather set the stage for the historic and contemporary racing at one of the premier road courses in North America — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) hosted the Trans Am Speedfest on May 3-5, 2019 in Salinas, California. With a combination of clear and cloudy skies and cool, windy conditions throughout the weekend, the track conditions were ideal for the eleven groups of cars that took to the 11-turn, 2.238-mile road course on the Monterey Peninsula.

The three-day Trans Am Speedfest Laguna Seca 2019 featured a combination of the thunderous Trans Am Series presented by Pirelli and the vintage and historic racers of the SVRA. This included a featured reunion and race for Historic Trans Am cars from the 1960s and early 1970s.

The evocative Trans Am muscle cars stirred up strong memories for many spectators, with a strong field that included Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, AMC Javelins, Dodge Challengers, Plymouth Cudas and a selection of under 2.5-liter machines. Jim Hague’s 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302 and Jim Halsey’s 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 split the big-bore Historic Trans Am races, while Troy Ermish crossed the finish line first in both under 2.5-liter races in his 1971 Datsun 510.

In addition to the featured Trans Am racers, the Speedfest Laguna Seca 2019 provided a fantastic opportunity for racing enthusiasts to watch and hear some vintage race cars outside of the larger historic motorsport events. Some other notable cars that raced included Tom Dooley’s 1988 Porsche 962C; Doug Brower’s 1960 Sorrell Larkin Special; Greg Meyer’s 1959 Sadler Mk IV; Stan Anderes’ 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans; Thor Johnson’s 1974 BMW CSL 3.5 and a fantastic grouping of Porsche 356 Speedsters; to name just a few.

The quickest entry on the property was the 2005 Audi R8 LMP wheeled expertly by Travis Engen. Engen screamed to a best 1:25.812 lap time as he scored overall wins in the class combination SVRA Run Groups 9 and 11.

Trans Am Speedfest Laguna Seca 2019 – Photo Gallery (photos: Victor Varela)

Rial Barnett - 1969 BMW 2002 — Rial Barnett – 1969 BMW 2002

Bob Wass - 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV — Bob Wass – 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV

Jon Wactor - 1970 Porsche 914-6 — Jon Wactor – 1970 Porsche 914-6

Armin Ghorbani - 1969 Datsun 510 — Armin Ghorbani – 1969 Datsun 510

Chet Taylor - 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV — Chet Taylor – 1967 Alfa Romeo GTV

Paul Quackenbush - 1963 Lotus Super 7 S2 — Paul Quackenbush – 1963 Lotus Super 7 S2

Thor Johnson - 1974 BMW Schnitzer 2800 CSL — Thor Johnson – 1974 BMW Schnitzer 2800 CSL

Troy Ermish - 1971 Datsun 510 — Troy Ermish – 1971 Datsun 510

Dan Durr - 1968 BMW 2002 — Dan Durr – 1968 BMW 2002

Nick DeVitis - 1968 Ford Mustang Trans Am — Nick DeVitis – 1968 Ford Mustang Trans Am

Craig Conley - 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 — Craig Conley – 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Gary Underwood - 1967 Shelby Mustang — Gary Underwood – 1967 Shelby Mustang

Richard Goldsmith - 1970 Dodge Challenger — Richard Goldsmith – 1970 Dodge Challenger

Forrest Straight - 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 — Forrest Straight – 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Jim Halsey - 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 — Jim Halsey – 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Jim Hague - 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302 — Jim Hague – 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Don Tevini - 1959 Porsche 356 — Don Tevini – 1959 Porsche 356

Dean Collins - 1963 MG MGB — Dean Collins – 1963 MG MGB

Steve Walker - 1971 NSU 1200 TTS — Steve Walker – 1971 NSU 1200 TTS

William Lyon - 1957 Porsche 356 — William Lyon – 1957 Porsche 356

Tom Morgan - 1956 Morgan 4/4 — Tom Morgan – 1956 Morgan 4/4

Robert Kann - 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster — Robert Kann – 1958 Porsche 356A Speedster

John Burmann - 1965 Austin Mini-Cooper — John Burmann – 1965 Austin Mini-Cooper

Edward Hugo - 1963 Porsche 356B — Edward Hugo – 1963 Porsche 356B

Damian Friary - 1966 Chevrolet Corvette — Damian Friary – 1966 Chevrolet Corvette

Tom Diaz - 1965 Shelby GT 350 — Tom Diaz – 1965 Shelby GT 350

Kevin Sittner - 1966 Shelby GT 350, Jim Sandberg - 1969 Chevrolet Corvette — Kevin Sittner – 1966 Shelby GT 350, Jim Sandberg – 1969 Chevrolet Corvette

Lorne Leibel - 1964 Shelby Cobra — Lorne Leibel – 1964 Shelby Cobra

Ken Sutherland - 1965 Shelby Cobra — Ken Sutherland – 1965 Shelby Cobra

Alan Friedman - 1973 Porsche 911 RSR — Alan Friedman – 1973 Porsche 911 RSR

Russ Uzes - 1957 Chevrolet Corvette — Russ Uzes – 1957 Chevrolet Corvette

Greg Meyer - 1959 Sadler Mk IV — Greg Meyer – 1959 Sadler Mk IV

Thor Johnson - 1959 Lotus 17 — Thor Johnson – 1959 Lotus 17

Doug Brower - 1960 Sorrell Larkin Spl — Doug Brower – 1960 Sorrell Larkin Spl

Wes Abendroth - 1955 Chevrolet Mistral — Wes Abendroth – 1955 Chevrolet Mistral

Glenn Bilawsky - 1998 Swift F/A — Glenn Bilawsky – 1998 Swift F/A

Taz Harvey - 1991 Acura Spice SL91 — Taz Harvey – 1991 Acura Spice SL91

Travis Engen - 2005 Audi R8 LMP — Travis Engen – 2005 Audi R8 LMP

Tom Dooley - 1988 Porsche 962 — Tom Dooley – 1988 Porsche 962

Dalmo De Vasconcelos - 1980 Tyrrell 10 — Dalmo De Vasconcelos – 1980 Tyrrell 10

Rudy Revak - Chevrolet Camaro — Rudy Revak – Chevrolet Camaro

Tim Lynn - Chevrolet Camaro — Tim Lynn – Chevrolet Camaro

Tom Schnurbusch - 1967 Brabham BT21B — Tom Schnurbusch – 1967 Brabham BT21B

Bruce Leeson - 1969 Lotus 69 FB — Bruce Leeson – 1969 Lotus 69 FB

Lori Matassa - 1993 Euroswift SC93 — Lori Matassa – 1993 Euroswift SC93

Adom Moutafian - 1967 Merlyn MK11A — Adom Moutafian – 1967 Merlyn MK11A

Grant Perryman - 1967 Brabham BT21 — Grant Perryman – 1967 Brabham BT21

Eric Inkrott - 1979 Crossle FF — Eric Inkrott – 1979 Crossle FF

Will Thomas - 1967 Brabham BT21 — Will Thomas – 1967 Brabham BT21

Ron Hornig - 1971 Brabham BT35 — Ron Hornig – 1971 Brabham BT35

Kenneth Herbst - 1993 Euroswift SC93 — Kenneth Herbst – 1993 Euroswift SC93

Steve Davis - 1965 Brabham BT16 — Steve Davis – 1965 Brabham BT16

Stan Anderes - 1956 Lotus 11 LM — Stan Anderes – 1956 Lotus 11 LM

Geir Ramleth - 1963 Lotus 23B — Geir Ramleth – 1963 Lotus 23B

2012 - Caterham SP300R — 2012 – Caterham SP300R

Bruce Miller - 1963 Chevrolet Corvette — Bruce Miller – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

William Lyon - 1970 Porsche 914/6 IMSA — William Lyon – 1970 Porsche 914/6 IMSA

Ken Epsman - 1984 Pontiac Trans Am — Ken Epsman – 1984 Pontiac Trans Am

Michael Taradash - 1962 Lotus Seven — Michael Taradash – 1962 Lotus Seven

Thomas Dockery - 1971 Datsun 510 — Thomas Dockery – 1971 Datsun 510

Taz Harvey - 1969 Datsun 510 — Taz Harvey – 1969 Datsun 510

Keith Lippiatt - 1970 BMW 2002 — Keith Lippiatt – 1970 BMW 2002

Bob Rutledge - 1969 Datsun 510 — Bob Rutledge – 1969 Datsun 510

James Cotcher - 1969 Lotus 7 S3 — James Cotcher – 1969 Lotus 7 S3

Craig Conley - 1966 Shelby GT 350 — Craig Conley – 1966 Shelby GT 350

Michael Doyle - 1961 Jaguar E-Type — Michael Doyle – 1961 Jaguar E-Type

Kevin Sittner - 1966 Shelby GT 350 — Kevin Sittner – 1966 Shelby GT 350

Jay Parille - 1966 Shelby GT 350 — Jay Parille – 1966 Shelby GT 350

Chadwick Manista - 1963 Chevrolet Corvette — Chadwick Manista – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

Jim Sandberg - 1969 Chevrolet Corvette — Jim Sandberg – 1969 Chevrolet Corvette

Michael Eisenberg - 1963 Ford Falcon — Michael Eisenberg – 1963 Ford Falcon

Gary Underwood - 1967 Dodge Dart — Gary Underwood – 1967 Dodge Dart

Mike Eddy - 1964 Ford Falcon — Mike Eddy – 1964 Ford Falcon

James Bittle - 1968 Ford Mustang Tunnel Port 302 — James Bittle – 1968 Ford Mustang Tunnel Port 302

Thomas McIntyre - 1968 Chevrolet Camaro — Thomas McIntyre – 1968 Chevrolet Camaro

Steve Link - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 — Steve Link – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28

Dalmo de Vasconcelos - 1980 Tyrrell 010/2-2 — Dalmo de Vasconcelos – 1980 Tyrrell 010/2-2

Rick Lee - 2002 Swift Atlantic — Rick Lee – 2002 Swift Atlantic

David Alvarado - 1976 March 76b — David Alvarado – 1976 March 76b

Robert Manson - 1952 The Streets Manning Special Sports Racer — Robert Manson – 1952 The Streets Manning Special Sports Racer

David Smoker - 1971 Brabham BT35 — David Smoker – 1971 Brabham BT35

Geir Ramleth - 1970 Titan Mk 6 — Geir Ramleth – 1970 Titan Mk 6

James Stiehr - 1969 Winkelmann WDF1 — James Stiehr – 1969 Winkelmann WDF1

Jim Edmonds - 1994 Van Diemen RF94 — Jim Edmonds – 1994 Van Diemen RF94

Steve Schmidt - 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster — Steve Schmidt – 1958 Porsche 356 Speedster

Alec Hugo - 1962 Porsche 356B — Alec Hugo – 1962 Porsche 356B

Thomas Turner - 1962 Triumph Spitfire 4 — Thomas Turner – 1962 Triumph Spitfire 4

Jean-Pierre Molerus - 1965 Austin Mini Cooper — Jean-Pierre Molerus – 1965 Austin Mini Cooper

Rick Carlile - 1969 TVR Vixen S2 — Rick Carlile – 1969 TVR Vixen S2

Tomy Drissi - Chevrolet Camaro — Tomy Drissi – Chevrolet Camaro

John Cavanaugh - 1996 Mustang TA — John Cavanaugh – 1996 Mustang TA

Philip Mendelovitz - 1989 Nissan GTU — Philip Mendelovitz – 1989 Nissan GTU

Les Werling - 1982 Mercury Capri — Les Werling – 1982 Mercury Capri

Michael Sweeney Sr - 1997 Porsche 911 RSR — Michael Sweeney Sr – 1997 Porsche 911 RSR

Richard Goldsmith - 1976 DeKon Monza — Richard Goldsmith – 1976 DeKon Monza

Dirk Leuenberger - Dodge Viper — Dirk Leuenberger – Dodge Viper

Bob Hardison - 1990 Oldsmobile TransAm Newman Sharp Racing — Bob Hardison – 1990 Oldsmobile TransAm Newman Sharp Racing

Eric Smith - 1969 Porsche 911 — Eric Smith – 1969 Porsche 911

Terry Forland - 1968 BMW 2002 — Terry Forland – 1968 BMW 2002

Marc Nichols - 1964 Lotus Super 7 S2 — Marc Nichols – 1964 Lotus Super 7 S2

John Yandell - 1973 Ford Capri — John Yandell – 1973 Ford Capri

Rick Jeffery - 1966 Alfa Romeo GTA — Rick Jeffery – 1966 Alfa Romeo GTA

Michael Anderson - 1968 Datsun Fairlady — Michael Anderson – 1968 Datsun Fairlady

Alexander Motola - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Trans Am — Alexander Motola – 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Trans Am

John Hildebrand - 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO — John Hildebrand – 1964 Pontiac Tempest GTO

Dan Payne - 1963 Chevrolet Corvette — Dan Payne – 1963 Chevrolet Corvette

Jeff Abramson - 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster — Jeff Abramson – 1964 Chevrolet Corvette Roadster

Bruce Wing - 1980 Porsche 911SC — Bruce Wing – 1980 Porsche 911SC

Kelly Craig - 1965 Chevrolet Corvette — Kelly Craig – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette

Michael Evans - 1968 Ford Mustang — Michael Evans – 1968 Ford Mustang

Robert Stockwell - 1965 Ford Mustang — Robert Stockwell – 1965 Ford Mustang

A.C. D'Augustine - 1965 Chevrolet Corvette L88 — A.C. D\’Augustine – 1965 Chevrolet Corvette L88

Kyle Kelley - 1966 Chevrolet Corvette — Kyle Kelley – 1966 Chevrolet Corvette

David Jans - 2012 Ave-Riley AR-2 — David Jans – 2012 Ave-Riley AR-2

Spencer Trenery - 2006 Riley Daytona Prototype Gen 1 — Spencer Trenery – 2006 Riley Daytona Prototype Gen 1

Earl Whitehead - 1964 Iso Rivolta — Earl Whitehead – 1964 Iso Rivolta

Travis Engen - 1970 Chevron B17b — Travis Engen – 1970 Chevron B17b

John Levitt - 1972 Datsun 1200 — John Levitt – 1972 Datsun 1200

Mike Denman - 1966 Marcos 1800 GT — Mike Denman – 1966 Marcos 1800 GT

Marc Hugo - 1964 Porsche 356C — Marc Hugo – 1964 Porsche 356C

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