The Extraordinary Velocity Invitational

Where the Genius of Yester-year Meets the Marvels of Now

By Jake Grubb

Bringing to life the racecars of wide-ranging eras – all in one place and a great many on track with engines at full song – the 2022 Velocity Invitational was an event like no other. Whether suddenly recognizing the face and countenance of a race driver of a certain time period, or being mesmerized by a rarest-of-rare racecar from the 1960s, ‘70s, ‘80s ‘90s or beyond – or experiencing the sights and sounds of racecar fields that spanned a half-dozen decades – visitors to the 2022 Velocity Invitational found their senses overflowing.

With an aura of all things racing that combined classic European racecars and brought the most compelling of USA racing legend and lore to today’s real life, nowhere could one find such an alchemy of racing culture and racecars displayed in real time that was so strikingly dimensional. There was a memorable sight and sound for every man, lady, boy and girl of all ages, whether they be first time visitors to an automobile racing event or dedicated historians of car racing eras.

And all of this was complemented with epicurean experiences from the Sip and Savor Pavilion, with an array of gourmet foods, beverages and wine tastings from such notables as Robert Hall, Rombauer Vineyards, Langtry Farms, Ryder Estate and more. Jeff O’Neill, founder of the event, characterized it succinctly: “Velocity Invitational was introduced with a vision of revitalizing the motorsports experience for all generations of enthusiasts and their families to enjoy. This is the only event in the United States that combines the best in food, wine and motorsports at this level. We are amazed by the support and excitement from the community, and thank our partners, sponsors and everyone who attended for making this weekend such a success.”

And with that, the roar of historic Trans Am cars on the Weathertech Laguna Seca racetrack authenticated the moment! For two consecutive days, competition groups of cars old and new thundered down the fast front straightaway, left-right turns 1 through 6, world famous serpentine Corkskrew, hair-raising Rainey Curve and hairpin Turn-11, to the breath-holding fascination of spectating crowds. Wave after wave of racecars from wide-ranging time periods competed lap after lap for the sake of pure sport, displaying in sound and color a matchless variety of racecars and virtuoso examples of race driving, delivered with the thrilling authenticity of the most important cars from yester-year and today, all in one place, to become etched in the memories of all who were present.

Just a few extraordinary examples of the 200+ multi-era racecars included the 1996 McLaren F1 GT12R that competed in the 24-Hours of Le Mans and notched four wins in the ’96 BPR Global Sportscar Championship. Driven by the renowned Tanner Foust at the Velocity Invitational, this car performed as it did in its day, enhancing the presence of several McLaren F1 road cars in attendance.

Current Indy racing front-runner Pato O’Ward and former Formula 1 champion Mika Hakkinen were adjoined with actual McLaren Formula 1 championship cars of 1985 and 1990, driving these cars at full clip around the track, transporting onlookers to times and technologies that few could ever hope to experience “in the flesh.” Both drivers blistered the Weathertech Laguna Seca racetrack, driving the actual 1990 Formula 1 World-Championship McLaren MP4/5B-07 of the great Ayrton Senna and the McLaren MP4/2B-3 of Alain Prost, a car that won the 1985 F1 World Championship.

And – incredibly – the illustrious Mario Andretti, topmost among the finest race drivers in American history, was given the opportunity to drive a modern Formula 1 McLaren racecar at speed around Weathertech Laguna Raceway for multiple laps. This man, at 82 years of age, mastered the 2013 McLaren MP4/28A, a racecar the likes of which Mario Andretti could scarcely have imagined at the time he retired from racing in 1995 after 30-years of racing. Fantastic.

Further showcasing the depth and breath of historic and modern generation racecars of varied categories, the Velocity Invitational also hosted six rally vehicles from Seattle’s DirtFish Rally School, ranging from the outrageous Group B Lancia Rally 037 and MG Metro 6R4, through some of Subaru’s very best Imprezas, as well as the Peugeot 206 WRC that dominated the World Rally Championship in the early 2000s. Cars from this lineup[ were driven and drifted by veteran Alister McRae and his son Max McRae.

“Jet age” hypercars from Hennessey, Czinger, McLaren and Zenvo were seen both on track and on display in the paddock, alongside hundreds of racecars from as early as 1920. Through partnerships with McLaren and Bring-a-Trailer, this year’s event conducted a successful charity auction that offered participants chances to bid on two tickets to Velocity Invitational and an exclusive ride-along experience in the McLaren Artura supercar – accompanied by pro drivers Mika Hakkinen or Pato O’Ward.

Presenting audiences archetype examples of racecars that span decades of motor sport from the early 1900s to modern eras, the Velocity Invitational promises a continuance of iconic cars, drivers and its kaleidoscopic views into motorsports technology and culture, past and present, evidencing a bright future for this wonderful event and its energized enthusiasts. Get your tickets early for Velocity 2023!

---