Wine Country Classic rolls into Sears Point Raceway

Vintage race cars return to grace Sears Point Circuit at Wine Country Classic.

SONOMA, Calif. - The 16th annual Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Wine Country Classic Vintage Car Races return to Sears Point Raceway with a variety of vintage car activities.

Festivities begin on Wednesday, May 28, with an evening of Hot Rod Drag Racing. This hot-rod happening allows car owners of all kinds to bring out their pre-1973 vehicles to Sears Point Raceway for a chance to compete on the famed quarter-mile drag strip. This event will be hosted in association with the weekly Wednesday Night Drags program. The event spans from 3-10 p.m.

The weekend (May 31-June 2) will feature beautiful vintage cars including Jaguar, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari, Bugatti, and Alfa Romeo gliding around the 12-turn, 2.52-mile circuit. The open paddock, which allows fans to talk to drivers and view these classic machines, and a day-long racing schedule gives fans ample opportunity to witness the splendor of these vintage roadsters.

For the first time this year, the weekend will feature three classes of historic machines. Fans will enjoy the return of the Trans-Am muscle cars like Camaro and Firebird, FIA Manufacturer Championship Cars including Porsche and McLaren, and the vintage Formula One cars from the makes of Tyrrell and Williams.

As a fine complement to the power and beauty on-track, the Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge Wine Country Classic features a Food and Wine Pavilion with a sampling of some of Sonoma Valley's finest. Located on the grassy area behind Turn 11, fans are welcomed to taste the wares of local wineries and restaurants and view the exciting racing action in the dynamic hairpin turn of Sears Point Raceway.

Following Saturday's festivities, fans are invited to the Sonoma Valley Vintage Race Car Festival. Thirty vintage race cars will parade from Sears Point to the Sonoma Square, where they will drive around the square before parking in the Sonoma Plaza. Amid quaint downtown Sonoma will be the vintage car display, as well as wine tasting and a selection of gourmet foods. Proceeds from this event benefit the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and the Education Foundation.

For information, please call 800-870-RACE or visit www.searspoint.com or www.tickets.com.

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