Renowned Driver Boris Said Named 2011 Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Honorary Grand Marshal

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The excitement is revving up for the 14th Annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival, September 24-25, with the announcement of this year's Honorary Grand Marshal, none other than Carlsbad, CA native Boris Said, known as the "road course ringer" in NASCAR circles.

Said has been racing professionally for more than 20 years, competing across North America and Europe in a variety of classes and racecars. His NASCAR career began in 1995 as a "road course ringer" due to his extensive road-racing experience, and he's now known as one of the best road racers in the business.  In 2003, Said won his first NASCAR Cup Pole at Infineon Raceway driving for the injured Jerry Nadeau in the No. 1 U.S. Army Pontiac.

Active duty military will be in for a special treat Friday, September 23 when Said will be behind the wheel offering hot laps around the 1.7-mile track at Naval Air Station North Island.

Coronado Speed Festival attendees should keep their eyes out for Said Heads, or Boris Said fans that can be recognized by the hats they wear which mimic the driver's signature brunette afro.  At his races they have been known to chant, "Fear the 'fro!"

All good Said Heads will know their favorite driver used to race BMWs.  Now they can emulate him along with other would-be racers who test drive the high-performance vehicles BMW will bring to Coronado Speed Festival.  Drivers ages 18 and older are accompanied by trained product specialists who point out vehicle features and answer questions to get the feel of their top-of-the-line cars.

Tickets are now on sale for the "Race at the Base," and are available at http://www.fleetweeksandiego.org/tickets.html.  In advance, single-day tickets cost $25, or $35 for both days.  Tickets will also be available at the venue ($35 one day and $45 for both days).  Once again, all active duty, active reserve and their direct-depend military ID-holders will enjoy FREE admission to this year's event.  Admission is free for children 12 and under, both military and non-military.

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.

The San Diego Fleet Week Foundation is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation. In addition to honoring the military services through the annual Fleet Week events, the Foundation's goals are to foster awareness of the contributions made by enlisted 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 raise funds for charitable efforts benefiting enlisted service members and their families.  

For more information, or for a complete listing of all of the Fleet Week events, please visit www.fleetweeksandiego.org or you can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fleetweeksd or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fleetweeksd.

SOURCE Coronado Speed Festival and Fleet Week San Diego