The fifth edition of California’s Velocity Invitational unfolded at Sonoma Raceway from October 4-6, 2024, and the Historic racing extravaganza’s upward trajectory continued with iconic race cars, world-renowned drivers and an all-new Hill Climb contest that thrilled spectators.
Seventy years of the Jaguar D-type, historic NASCARs, open-wheel racers and hypercars were some of the headline attractions for 2024, and these were complemented by eight additional Historic racing classes.
Scott Speed became the first Hill Climb winner, expertly piloting Subaru Motorsport USA’s WRX: Project Midnight machine to victory
However, it was Saturday’s inaugural Velocity Invitational Hill Climb that marked the event’s most significant development over previous editions. Former Formula 1 driver Scott Speed became the first Hill Climb winner, expertly piloting Subaru Motorsport USA’s WRX: Project Midnight machine to victory against ten other competitors.
Speed’s competitors included IndyCar drivers Tony Kanaan and JR Hildebrand, plus ex-Haas F1 driver Romain Grosjean, who finished runner-up. They piloted a McLaren Senna, an historic Hot Wheels NASCAR and a Ford GT MkIV respectively.
Jenson Button was another big name in attendance. The 2009 F1 World Champion got behind the wheel of three separate cars during the weekend: his own 1952 Jaguar C-type, a 1958 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and a 1968 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Junior.
Button clinched victory in Sunday evening’s Group 1 Feature Race with his C-type, commanding a substantial lead over John Buddenbaum’s 1950 Jaguar Parkinson Special. He also finished 17th in the Group 2 Feature Race with the Testa Rossa, and placed a respectable 11th in Group 5 driving the Alfa Romeo GTA.
Grosjean and Kanaan were spotted alongside IndyCar rivals Nolan Siegel and Christian Lundgaard in some of the most special machines to hit the track during the weekend, including the 1978 McLaren M24 ‘Red Roof’, a 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 302 originally driven by Parnelli Jones and the 1976 JPS-liveried Lotus 77 driven in period by Mario Andretti.
Rally extraordinaire and daredevil Travis Pastrana teamed up with Formula D driver Ryan Tuerck to put on a drifting demonstration that was smoky and spectacular in equal measure. Pastrana went sideways in his famous Subaru GL Family Huckster that is often seen at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, while Tuerck demonstrated his car control in his wild 650bhp Toyota Stout.
DirtFish added to the weekend with a breathtaking selection of Group B rally cars that were seen thundering around the Sonoma road course. Highlights included a 1985 Audi Sport Quattro S1 E2, a 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Corsa and a 1986 Peugeot 205 T16. These legendary Group B machines were complemented by rally-tuned Subaru BRZs that were on hand to delight fans with passenger rides and demonstration laps around the gravel rally stage.
Off-track activities included a cooking demonstration and autograph session with TV chef Tyler Florence, a lowrider parade and display, and a series of Women in Motorsports events. There was also panel discussions and autograph signings hosted by DirtFish, as well as on-camera interviews and meet-and-greets.
“This event is unlike anything else in North America, and I hope our guests enjoyed the exceptional variety of cars, drivers, entertainment, food and wine,” said event founder Jeff O’Neill. “We’re excited to come back to Sonoma Raceway next summer to celebrate with our friends in wine country.”
The sixth edition of the Velocity Invitational is scheduled for June 6-8, 2025. For tickets and more information, click here.
