Coronado Speed Festival Takes Victory Lap As Part of Only Fleet Week Celebration in the Nation

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The checkered flag has waved on this year's  Coronado Speed Festival held September 21-22 at Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), the flagship event for the nation's only Fleet Week celebration in 2013.  Concluding its 16^th year, the annual "Race at the Base" was granted special permission to run by the Pentagon.  Both race fans and the community eager to learn more about the U.S. Navy that serves them were not disappointed.

Over 250 historic – many gorgeous and rare – vehicles in nine race groups roared around the track for two solid days of thrills.  They were joined for a second year of professional racing by the SCCA Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup, featuring home-town favorite Elliott Skeer.  The 18-year-old Vista, CA native was fighting hard for the championship and the next step in the MAZDASPEED ladder. 

Though he did not win at Coronado Speed Festival, he has achieved his goal to at least podium at the end of every race the majority of this year. "The track itself is something completely different than we ever see. Since it's not a racetrack that we are all used to, it's a much wilder race out there," Skeer said of the 1.7-mile Speed Festival track, constructed on the Navy runway. "Standard rules don't really apply so it's one of those tracks you have to adapt to quickly and get through it to survive it."

During the Opening Ceremonies on Sunday, September 22, Coronado Speed Festival honored the 40^th Anniversary of the return of the Vietnam POWs. Four of those men joined honorary Grand Marshal, Tony Adamowicz and Captain Gary A. Mayes, Commanding Officer of Navy Base Coronado, in the procession that formed on the track in front of the grandstands. The group of Vietnam POWs included: Arthur N. Black, whose HH43B "Huskie" helicopter was shot down in 1965; Dennis A. Moore, whose F8 "Crusader" was shot down in 1965; Albert Molinare, whose F-4B Phantom was shot down in 1972; and Jack Ensch, whose F-4B Phantom fighter aircraft was shot down in 1972. All were coined honorary military grand marshals of the races and yelled a loud, "Start your engines!"

Whether continuing in the military or pursuing other careers, the service these men gave to America and what they endured is something for which to be commemorated.  "I just thought it was the greatest thing in the world to be asked to do this," said Moore.         

As part of the Navy Open House, the United States Navy supercarrier, USS Reagan, was open for tours. Nicknamed "America's Flagship," the Reagan is home to more than 2,800 sailors.  Visitors were able to take a short trolley ride from the Coronado Speed Festival entrance over to the great aircraft carrier and be guided by military men and women who described their jobs onboard ship.

Groups cheered after receiving a ride on the massive elevator carrying them to the flight deck, usually used for lifting large aircraft. Visitors were shown a video of the ship's recent efforts in providing aid to other countries, and they learned the ship's fire safety and precautionary measures.

Now a major highlight of Speed Festival weekend, the Military Pit Crew Challenge roared into its third year with no signs of slowing down.  From the sound of the air gun to the hustling feet carrying the 70-lb. tires, there are multiple jobs for the standard pit crew team – working together to return the car to the track as quickly as possible. Often times, it can make or break the chances of that car winning the championship. This year, 14 teams from regional military bases around NASNI competed for the top spot.  Rhine Enterprises provided the modified NASCAR cars that the 10-member teams used to test their pit crew skills. With only a week to practice, the teams came together and made it happen – most in under 35 seconds.

The winning team, HSC-15, included one girl amongst all of the guys. Put in charge of the catch can and helping the team push the car across the finish line, she said, "It was pretty intimidating at first. But, I found a job that I could do and rocked it."

Of course the "Race at the Base" wouldn't be complete without plenty of collector cars.  This year's marque was the Porsche 911, in honor of its 50^th Anniversary.  A tribute lap highlighted one car from each of the milestone years of Porsche 911 including driver Dean Watts' first-year production 1963 911 representing the oldest Porsche not only on display but on the track still racing today.

And the winners of the 2013 Coronado Speed Festival races are:

RACE GROUP TROPHY PRESENTATIONS
GROUP 1: THE CAPTAIN'S CUP
WINNER: Bill Lyon

GROUP 2: USS RONALD REAGAN CUP
WINNER: Stan Rinne

GROUP 3: NAM-POW CUP
WINNER: Gray Gregory

GROUP 4: NAVAL AIR FORCES CUP
WINNER: Steve Thein

GROUP 5: SAN DIEGO CUP
WINNER: Dean Watts

GROUP 6: PRESIDENT'S CUP
WINNER: Mark Cane

GROUP 7: CORONADO CUP
WINNER: Steve Schuler

GROUP 8: AMERICAN'S CUP
WINNER: Ron Myska

GROUP 9: FLEET WEEK CUP
WINNER: Terry Forland

AWARDS

Complete listings can be found here.

About Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego
The Coronado Speed Festival is Fleet Week San Diego's preeminent event featuring fast-paced, thrilling auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages.  Staged at one of racings' most distinctive locations – Naval Air Station North Island, the birthplace of Naval Aviation – it's the only place to see live racing on an active U.S. Navy runway. Proceeds for the event benefit the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation and the Navy Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) program.

Find Coronado Speed Festival at our website, http://coronadospeedfest.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/coronadospeedfestival or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SpeedFestSD.

About Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA)
The Coronado Speed Festival is produced and sanctioned by Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA). Established in 1977, HMSA specializes in race events with historic cars, emphasizing the preservation and proper use of historic race cars. For more information about HMSA, call 818-249-3515 or visit www.hmsausa.com or follow at www.facebook.com/hmsausa and www.twitter.com/hmsausa.

SOURCE San Diego Fleet Week and Coronado Speed Festival