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Wine Country Classic 2009 – Results and Photo Gallery

1975 Porsche 911 RSR James EdwardsThe 2009 Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races were held May 30-31 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California.

A very full field of 350 historic racecars – the most in the 23-year history of the Wine Country Classic – took part in the race weekend among 10 classes. The Morgan, which celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2009, was the featured car of the weekend.

One of the highlights of the race weekend was the reunion of the “Baby Doll” Morgans. Lew Spencer, a well-known Southern California Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) member, ordered these Morgan machines and named them Baby Dolls I-V. It was the ultimate Morgan racecar and a giant killer in racing circles in the 1960s, routinely beating small-block Corvettes, Porsches and Jaguars, among others, despite its smaller-displacement engines.

The winning tradition continued at Wine Country, as the Baby Doll IV 1959 Morgan +4 that won the 1962 SCCA C-Production National Championship was also victorious in Group 3 at the hands of Jeff Abramson.

Other race action saw Tom Price made it a clean sweep at Infineon Raceway, claiming his first win in Group 1 at the Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races. Price, who also won the qualifying race, started from the pole for the 10-lap main event and drove his 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 to the win in Group 1 (Pre-War Racing Cars & Sports Cars to 1952). He was followed by Danville’s Peter Giddings (1931 Alfa Romeo) and Medina, Washington’s Jon Shirley (1934 Alfa Romeo) to round out the top three.  It was Price’s first win at Infineon Raceway since 2003, when he won in Group 2 driving a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

Sports Car Digest was privileged to have photographer Dennis Gray on site to document this year’s racing action. We hope you enjoy his photos as much as we do. To see more of Dennis’ work, visit www.grayincolor.com.

2009 Wine Country Classic Historic Car Race Results and Picture Gallery (click picture for larger image)

Top-five main-event results Saturday from the Wine Country Classic Historic Car Races at Infineon Raceway. All races were contested on Infineon Raceway’s 12-turn, 2.52-mile road course. Car and hometown in parentheses:

Group 1: Pre-War Racing Cars & Sports Cars to 1952 (10 laps)

1. Tom Price, 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300, Larkspur, CA
2. Peter Giddings, 1931 Alfa Romeo Corto/Mille, Danville, CA
3. Jon Shirley, 1934 Alfa Romeo, Medina, WA
4. Jan Voboril, 1924 Ford T Barber-Warnock, Topanga, CA
5. David Duthu, 1925 Bugatti Type 35A, Seabrook, TX

Group 1 Winner Tom Price in his 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
Group 1 Winner Tom Price in his 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300
1925 Bugatti T35A David Duthu  and 1926 Bugatti T37A Jim Stranberg
1925 Bugatti T35A David Duthu and 1926 Bugatti T37A Jim Stranberg

1931 Alfa Romeo Corto/Mille Miglia Peter Giddings1929 Lagonda 2L Graham Wallis

1930 Morgan Super Aero, Larry Ayers1937 Morgan SS, J. Dale Barry

1939 BMW 328 John Fitzpatrick
1939 BMW 328 John Fitzpatrick
1934 Alfa Romeo P3 Jon Shirley and 1931 Alfa Romeo Corto/Mille Miglia Peter Giddings
1934 Alfa Romeo P3 Jon Shirley and 1931 Alfa Romeo Corto/Mille Miglia Peter Giddings

Group 2: 1948-1955 Sports Racing and Production Cars (10 laps)

1. Robert Manson, 1952 Schaghticoke Special, Redwood City, CA
2. Dave Olson, 1950 Jaguar XK120, Tiburon, CA
3. John Shirley, 1954 Austin Healey 100, Sonoma, CA
4. Leland Osborn, 1955 Crosley Special, San Miguel, CA
5. Bernard Juchli, 1955 Hageman Jaguar Special, Palo Alto, CA

1955 Hageman Jaguar Special Bernard Juchi
1955 Hageman Jaguar Special Bernard Juchi

1955 Morgan +4, Dick Jeffery and 1955 Cooper Bobtail, David Brown1954 Jaguar XK120, Brian Andrews

1955 Triumph TR2 David Nelson and 1955 Morgan +4 Dick Jeffery1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Luca Maciucescu

1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Luca Maciucescu
1953 Aston Martin DB 2/4 Luca Maciucescu

Group 3: 1956-1962 Production Cars (10 laps)

1. Jeff Abramson, 1959 Morgan +4, Danville, CA
2. Leonard Turnbeaugh, 1958 Porsche 356A, Markleeville, CA
3. Art Hebert, 1957 Porsche, San Rafael, CA
4. Scott Brown, 1957 MGA Mk 1, Redwood City, CA
5. Ed Lamantia, 1962 MGA Mk II, Redwood City, CA

Group 3 Winner Jeff Abramson driving his "Baby Doll" 1959 Morgan +4
Group 3 Winner Jeff Abramson driving his Baby Doll IV 1959 Morgan +4

1957 Chevrolet Corvette Paul Reinhart1961 Porsche Abarth  GTL Bill H. Lyon

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Tom Price
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Tom Price

1959 Porsche 356 Don Tevini
1959 Porsche 356 Don Tevini

1956 Morgan 4/4 Tom Morgan and 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint, Lawrence B. Haile1962 Sabra GT Jacob Shalit

1956 Triumph TR3 Michael Paradise and 1961 Porsche Abarth GTL Bill H. Lyon1960 Porsche Abarth GTL Ransom Webster

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Tom Price
1961 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato Tom Price

Group 4: 1955-1961 Sports Racing Cars (10 laps)

1. Rob Walton, 1958 Scarab Mk I, Paradise Valley, AZ
2. Ed Nigro, 1960 Lola Mk I, Las Vegas, NV
3. Carl Moore, 1960 Maserati T61 Birdcage, Alamo, CA
4. Kurt DelBene, 1960 Lola Mk I, Medina, WA
5. Frank Zucchi, 1960 Pirhana Sports Racer, Livermore, CA

Group 4 Winner Rob Walton driving his 1958 Scarab MK I
Group 4 Winner Rob Walton driving his 1958 Scarab MK I

1961 Elva MK6 Tom Thinesen and 1960 Porsche RS60 Bill H. Lyon1958 Devon SS John Goodman and 1959 Lister Jaguar Michael Silverman

1957 Ferrari 250 TR Jon Shirley
1957 Ferrari 250 TR Jon Shirley

1957 Lister Knobbly Tom Malloy and 1958 Lister Jaguar Steve Hilton1960 Porsche RS60 Bill H. Lyon

David Love's Ferrari TR 250 passes the 1960 Porsche RS60 of Bill H. Lyon
David Love's Ferrari TR 250 passes the 1960 Porsche RS60 of Bill H. Lyon

Group 5: 1958-1963 Formula Jr., F-2 and F-1 Cars (10 laps)

1. Nicholas Colyvas, 1963 Lotus 27, San Francisco, CA
2. Danny Baker, 1963 Lotus 27, San Francisco, CA
3. John Anderson, 1963 Lola Mk 5 A, Sebastopol, CA
4. Doug Mockett, 1961 Cooper T-56, Christiansted, VA
5. Jeremy Nickel, 1963 Lotus 27, Yountville, CA

1957 Maserati 250F Jeffery B. O'Neill
1957 Maserati 250F Jeffery B. O'Neill
1960 Kieft F-Jr. Marc Nichols, #54 1962 Lotus 22 F-Jr. Philip R. Trenholme, #33 1961 Cooper T-56 F-Jr. #127 1963 Lotus 27 F-Jr. Jeremy Nickel
1960 Kieft F-Jr. Marc Nichols, #54 1962 Lotus 22 F-Jr. Philip R. Trenholme, #33 1961 Cooper T-56 F-Jr. and #127 1963 Lotus 27 F-Jr. Jeremy Nickel

Group 6: 1963-1966 Production Sports Cars (10 laps)

1. John Delane, 1964 Lotus 26R, Redondo Beach, CA
2. Robert Forbes, 1964 Ginetta G4R, Hacienda Heights, CA
3. John Morton, 1964 Sunbeam Tiger, Manhattan Beach, CA
4. Herb Wetanson, 1961 Lotus Seven, New York, NY
5. Jason Len, 1964 Jaguar E-Type, San Luis Obispo, CA

Group 6 Winner John Delane driving his 1964 Lotus 26R leads the 1964 Ginetta G4R of Robert Forbes
Group 6 Winner John Delane driving his 1964 Lotus 26R leads the 1964 Ginetta G4R of Robert Forbes

1964 Morgan 4/4 Damian Friary and 1964 Jaguar E-Type Jason Len1964 Sunbeam Tiger John Morton leads 1964 Ginetta G4R of Robert Forbes and 1964 Lotus 26R of John Delane

1965 Morgan SLR, Keith Ahlers. Keith Ahlers and his Morgan SLR arrived for England for the Morgan reunion. Keith told Dennis Gray that he ran period correct Dunlap rubber making this the correct quick way around a corner. Lap after lap he hung the rear out and never looked like losing it.
1965 Morgan SLR, Keith Ahlers. Keith Ahlers and his Morgan SLR traved from England for the Morgan reunion. Keith told Dennis Gray that he ran period correct Dunlap rubber making this the correct quick way around a corner. Lap after lap he hung the rear out and never looked like losing it.

Group 7: 1961 – 1965 Sports Racing Cars (10 laps)

1. Tom Nuxoll, 1964 Elva Mk 8, Medina, WA
2. Dave Olson, 1964 Lotus 23C, Tiburon, CA
3. Nick Smith, 1962 Lotus 23, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
4. Chris Locke, 1965 Lotus 23B, San Anselmo, CA
5. Edith Arrowsmith, 1964 Brabham BT8, Scottsdale, AZ

1963 Huffaker Genie Mk 8 John Harden1965 Huffaker Genie Mk 10B driven by A. C. D'Augustine waves Dave Olsen's 1964 Lotus 23C by in turn two

1963 Huffaker Genie Mk 8 John Harden and 1964 Lotus 23B Don Stark
1963 Huffaker Genie Mk 8 John Harden and 1964 Lotus 23B Don Stark

Group 8: 1966-1972 Historic Trans-Am Cars (10 laps)

1. Bruce Canepa, 1970 AMC Javelin, Scotts Valley, CA
2. Jim Hague, 1972 AMC Javelin, Saratoga, CA
3. Chad Raynal, 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, San Jose, CA
4. Scott Rubin, 1970 Dodge Challenger, Saratoga, CA
5. Forrest Straight, 1970 Ford Mustang, Los Gatos, CA

Group 8 Winner Bruce Canepa driving his 1970 AMC Javelin
Group 8 Winner Bruce Canepa driving his 1970 AMC Javelin

Group 9: 1966-1972 Historic Can-Am Cars & FIA to 1978 (10 laps)

1. Bert Skidmore, 1976 Lola T286, Spark, NV
2. Steve Cook, 1968 McLaren M6B, Yountville, CA
3. Keith Frieser, 1972 Lola T290, Nisku, Canada
4. Tom Byrnes, 1978 Lola T298, Ross, CA
5. Tom Minnich, 1972 Lola T292, Pebble Beach, CA

Group 9 Winner Bert W. Skidmore driving his 1976 Lola T296
Group 9 Winner Bert W. Skidmore driving his 1976 Lola T296
1974 Shadow DN4 Fred Cziska
1974 Shadow DN4 Fred Cziska

1969 Lola T-163 Brian Blain1968 McLaren M6B Steve Cook and 1971 Lola T212 John Tompson

1968 Lola T160 Todd Glyer and McLaren M6B1968 McLeagle McLaren M6B Andy Boone and 1968 McLaren M6B Steve Cook

1969 Lola T163 Jim Gallucci, 1968 McLaren M6B Bob Lee and 1969 Lola T163 Brian Blane
1969 Lola T163 Jim Gallucci, 1968 McLaren M6B Bob Lee and 1969 Lola T163 Brian Blane
1968 McLeagle McLaren M6B Andy Boone and 1968 Lola T70 Mk 3 Steve Hilton
1968 McLeagle McLaren M6B Andy Boone and 1968 Lola T70 Mk 3 Steve Hilton

Group 10: 1971-1981 Historic IMSA GT & 1981-88 IMSA GTO Cars (10 laps)

1. Ranson Webster, 1976 Porsche 935, Reno, NV
2. Rob Walton, 1978 Porsche 935, Paradise Valley, AZ
3. Pat Costin, 1974 Porsche 911 RSR, Reno, NV
4. Phill Gallant, 1985 Ford Mustang, Oceanside, CA
5. John Watkins, 1985 Pontiac Fiero, Anderson, CA

Group 10 Winner Ransom Webster driving his 1976 Porsche 935
Group 10 Winner Ransom Webster driving his 1976 Porsche 935
1974 BMW 3.5 CSL Henry Schmitt
1974 BMW 3.5 CSL Henry Schmitt
1975 Porsche 911 RSR James Edwards
1975 Porsche 911 RSR James Edwards

[Source: Infineon Raceway; photo credit, Dennis Gray]