On Sale Now! Fill Your Need for Speed with Tickets to Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival

SAN DIEGO, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The hottest tickets in town to the hottest races in town – the 15th annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival – are on sale now at www.fleetweeksandiego.org.  Come out to Naval Air Station North Island for vintage auto racing at its finest featuring Formula 1, Porsche and historic NASCAR, September 22-23.  The festival is one of San Diego's most successful fundraisers for the military and offers a variety of pulse-quickening events.

The outstanding array of attractions at the "Race At the Base" can't be beat for an exciting way to spend a day or an entire weekend that's fun for all ages.  The event will honor the 50th Anniversary of the Navy SEALs for their outstanding service to the United States of America.  Plus, NEW THIS YEAR, Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival is pleased to be an official event on the Mazda MX-5 Cup circuit.

Marquee Attractions

Mazda MX-5 Cup – The 2012 MX-5 Cup series will consist of 11 races held on eight high-profile race weekends and is the entry level of production car-based competition in SCCA Pro Racing.

4th Annual Car Procession – don't miss 40 hand-selected race cars proceed off Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) through the streets of Coronado on Thursday, September 20, beginning at 3:30 p.m.  These cars – all of which will be racing over the course of the weekend – will travel down Orange Avenue then park at the Rotary Plaza at Isabella Avenue for closer inspection.  This event is free!  After gazing at these racing beauties, do a little sight-seeing, shopping and dining in one of Southern California's most charming tourist destinations.

Ride & Drive – Would-be racers test drive high-performance vehicles from four of the auto industry's leading manufacturers: Chevrolet, BMW, Mazda and VW.  Drivers ages 18 and older are accompanied by trained product specialists who point out vehicle features and answer questions as you get the feel of their top-of-the-line cars.

Driven2Dare Military Tribute Safety Tour – NEW THIS YEAR!  Kawasaki Nine Time World Champion Rickey Gadson will sign autographs at the Kawasaki motorcycle simulator booth.  NASCAR Rusty Wallace Racing Experience will test your tire changing skills and win a Ride with a Pro at Auto Club Speedway, and much more!

Car Show Showdown – See Southern California's finest examples of muscle cars, hotrods and sports cars battle it out for Best in Show. Who will it be: Chevy, Ford? Mopar? Or will we have a European or Japanese champion? Come visit the 7th Annual Car Show in the Car Club Corral to find out.

Stock Car Race Series Military Pit Crew Challenge – BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 16 Navy command teams will race against each other in a full pit stop (tire change, fuel) relay to the finish.

Military and Kids FREE

Fleet Week San Diego is pleased to announce Sycuan's sponsorship of the "Thank You Military" program which will make it possible for all active duty military to enter Coronado Speed Festival for free just by saying "Sycuan" at the gate.  Retired military and veterans will get in for half-price by showing their Sycuan Military Freedom Card at the gate.  Military Freedom Cards are available at Sycuan casino. Admission is free for children 12 and under, both military and non-military. 

For the public, tickets cost $25 for one day and $35 for both days, in advance.  Tickets will also be available at the venue ($35 one day and $45 for both days).

Navy Open House

Flyovers – The rumble of the thunderous engines of these aircraft as they fly overhead will send shivers down your spine.

Leap Frogs – The Navy Parachute Team, a.k.a the Leap Frogs, will demonstrate their skill and precision on Sunday, September 23, during the opening ceremony. The San Diego-based Leap Frogs perform precision, free-fall parachute demonstrations across the United States to showcase Navy excellence. They will be available after the jump for autographs at the Navy display in Vendor Village.

The Commanders of the Navy's Third Fleet and Naval Surface Forces once again invite visitors to step aboard three Navy ships, the USS Boxer, USS Halsey and the USS Momsen.

USS Boxer (LHD-4): a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy. She is the sixth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for a British ship captured by the Americans during the War of 1812.

USS Halsey (DDG-97): an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer in the United States Navy. Halsey is named in honor of Fleet Admiral William Frederick "Bull" Halsey Jr.

USS Momsen (DDG-92): an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer named after Vice Admiral Charles B. "Swede" Momsen. Vice Admiral Momsen made many contributions to the Navy such as the invention of the Momsen Lung when he was assigned to the Bureau of Construction and Repair. Momsen was also involved in the first successful rescue of a crew of a sunken submarine, USS Squalus (SS-192).

Garage Tours

One of the Coronado Speed Festival's most unique attractions is the Garage Tours.  Unlike most racing events, visitors are encouraged to freely explore the garage area, inspect the cars and talk with owners and drivers of these fascinating vehicles.

Learn about the history of these magnificent cars straight from the pros that drive and maintain them. Witness first hand mechanics prepping the classic machines for racing on the 1.7 mile track.

About Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego

The Coronado Speed Festival is Fleet Week San Diego's preeminent event. Fast-paced, thrilling auto racing and exhibitions for car enthusiasts of all ages mark the widespread draw of this event.  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.

Fleet Week San Diego 2012 events will take place from September 8 through October 14. The non-profit, 501(c)(3) foundation was created by community and business leaders who understood the great depth of public support for our Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. In addition to honoring the military services through the annual Fleet Week San Diego events, the foundation's goals are to foster awareness of the contributions made by military personnel and their families; to enhance relationships between the civilian, business and military communities; to provide events that military personnel and their families can attend at little or no cost; and to promote other organizations that provide services to military personnel and their families.  Fleet Week San Diego is funded solely through the generosity of individuals and corporate contributions. More information is available at http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/donate.html.

A schedule of the events that fall under Fleet Week San Diego is also posted at www.fleetweeksandiego.org/events.html or you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fleetweeksd or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fleetweeksd.

SOURCE San Diego Fleet Week Foundation