The Hottest Tickets on Sale Now for the Hottest Race in Town

SAN DIEGO, July 1, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On sale now, tickets to the 14th annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival – the place to be to fill your need for speed – at www.fleetweeksandiego.org.  The laid-back lifestyle of Coronado Island will get some serious velocity when the starting gun goes off for this year's event, September 24-25.  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 Centennial of Naval Aviation at its birthplace: Naval Air Station North Island, and the 100th Anniversary of Chevrolet.  From the Corvette to the Camaro, Chevy has a rich race history thanks to the company's uniquely American ingenuity, invention and legend.

Marquee Attractions

3rd Annual Car Parade – don't miss 40 hand-selected race cars parade off Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI) through the streets of Coronado on Thursday, September 22, beginning at 3:30 pm.  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 two of the auto industry's leading manufacturers: Chevrolet and BMW.  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.

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 6th Annual Car Show in the Car Club Corral to find out.

Stock Car Race Series Military Pit Crew Challenge – NEW THIS YEAR! 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

Once again, all active duty, active reserve and their direct-depend military ID-holders will enjoy free admission to this year's event. Active duty military, active reservists and dependent ID-holders will not need tickets and will enter through a specially-designated gate. Admission is free for children 12 and under, both military and non-military.  Thanks to our sponsors who have enabled this event to honor our nation's military in this way.

Lunchtime Activities

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 25 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.

Car Show Parade Laps – Winners will parade around the track during lunchtime Saturday and Sunday.

Drift Circuit – Drifting is an untimed freestyle motor sport that is judged based on achievement of the supreme sideways angle and speed in the corner. Drifters gain maximum points through stylized movements and skilled maneuvering techniques. Major consideration is given to style and crowd-appeal. Originating on twisted, narrow mountain roads in Japan, drifting teams and individuals compete for respect and glory of being "number one on the mountain."

Drifting exhibitions will be during lunchtime on both Saturday and Sunday, as well as following the final race on Saturday.

Ship Tours

The Commanders of the Navy's Third Fleet and Naval Surface Forces once again invite visitors to step aboard three Navy ships, the USS Ronald Reagan, the USS Benfold and the USS Gary.

USS Ronald Reagan: The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is a Nimitz-class supercarrier, named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan. Upon her christening, she was the first ship to be named for a still-living former president.

USS Benfold: The USS Benfold (DDG-65) is a guided-missile destroyer, named for Hospital Corpsman Edward Clyde Benfold. She is equipped with the AEGIS air-defense system and the Mark-41 Vertical Launch System for multiple types of guided missiles, and is capable of defensive and offensive operations against warplanes, anti-ship missiles, surface ships, submarines, and shore targets.

USS Gary: The USS Gary (FFG-51) is a guided-missile frigate, named for Commander Donald A. Gary who was awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II for his heroism aboard the USS Franklin, braving extreme hazards to lead 300 men trapped in a fire caused by a Japanese air attack to safety.

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.

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 San Diego Fleet Week Foundation