'Race at the Base' Revs Up Fleet Week
An estimated 25,000 fans add their cheers to the sound of vintage cars zooming around a track built right on the Naval Air Station's runways.
Coronado Patch/Kimberly Cunningham/September 29, 2010


The 13th Annual Coronado Speed Festival rumbled its way onto NAS North Island Sept. 25-26. More than 250 vintage cars raced in nine different categories, with an additional 2,000 cars on display. Some were priceless. Most were lightening fast. And they all united in a common goal: to burn some serious rubber!

An estimated crowd of 25,000 came to watch (and hear!) these speedsters zip around a 1.7-mile track built right on the Naval airport's runways.

As part of Fleet Week, military members were granted free admission. And for non-military visitors, the event offered a rare look at what happens on base.

Check out our pictures of the roaring Fleet Week event, and don't miss our videos that capture the excitement. But beware: "This is what it's all about—the noise!" said driver Wes Gibbs of Coronado. "People pay big money for the sounds!"

(Glenn Conelly)
John Goodman leads the pack in his 1958 Devin SS.




(Glenn Connelly)
Fans walk through booths set up for the two-day Coronado Speed Festival.
(Hillary & Sundaram are walking away from the camera, on the far left.)




(Glenn Connelly)
Thor Johnson (near) and Al Arciero race neck and neck.




(Glenn Connelly)
Cars in the 1953-1956 Production Cars class race down the backstretch.




(Glenn Connelly)
Bill Lyon and his silver 1961 Porsche Abarth GTC lead in the qualifying for the USS Carl Vinson Cup.



(Glenn Connelly)
Donald Anderson of San Diego roars around the track in his 1964 Bobsy-Porsche.



(Glenn Connelly)
Wes Gibbs of Coronado races his Caldwell D9B in the category for 1962-1972 Sports Racing and Formula cars under 2000cc.



(Glenn Connelly)
Mark Weatherup of San Diego is part of the "Race at the Base" acion in his 1979 Crossle 35F.



(Glenn Connelly)
Classic cars race at the Coronado Speedfest.



(Glenn Connelly)
Classic cars race at the Coronado Speedfest.



(Glenn Connelly)
Chris Farrell takes the lead in the race featuring 1969-1980 Sports Racing and Formula cars under 2000cc.



(Glenn Connelly)
Cars in the 1969-1980 Sports Racing and Formula cars compete in "The Race at the Base".





Speedfest 2010



Coronado Speedfest 62-72 Sports Racing/Formula