It’s incredible to see a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO anywhere, but seeing four of them on the Laguna Seca track is unearthly.
Larry Chen / Velocity Invitational
For many of us, the past few years have been full of isolation, disappointment, and generally giving up many of the activities we love, all in the name of the common good. One of those things that I’ve missed the most is motorsport – and especially vintage motorsport. It has always been a part of my life and was the foundation of my love and interest in cars. Hearing and seeing the racing cars, smelling the exhaust and being in the hustle and bustle was something I couldn’t wait to get back to. So I was happy to finally find a kind of return to normal with the Velocity Invitational 2021.
If you’ve never heard of the Velocity Invitational, don’t worry. It’s still new and has yet to gain the same recognition as events like that Goodwood Revival or the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, but I think it will work. Like the Motorsports Reunion, the Velocity Invitational took place at the legendary Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca on the Californian peninsula of Monterey. This place is bursting with American motorsport history and is also one of the most beautiful racetracks in the country, if not the world. It’s one of my favorite places to watch cars and if you haven’t been there you have to go.
The Velocity Invitational has a few things in common with the Monterey Motorsports Reunion beyond its location. First and foremost was the quality of the cars that showed up. I have attended a lot of classic car events and auto events in general and like replicant Roy Batty, “I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe.” Nevertheless, I was impressed by some of the vehicles that are not only present at the Velocity Invitational, but that are seen and, above all, heard on the track.
The classic American trans-am performed and was a fan favorite on the track.
Larry Chen / Velocity Invitational
Dear Porsche? There was a bevy of 917s on display, both naturally aspirated hatchbacks that dominated Le Mans and the turbocharged Can-Am monsters. Mercedes? Check out Sterling Moss’ 300 SLR race car in what is likely its final escapade on the track before retiring Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. How about Ferraris? The Velocity Invitational featured no fewer than four 250 GTOs out of 36 ever built, including the only white one. It was overwhelming, even for a jaded car killer like me.
Guests of honor at the event included Ford CEO Jim Farley, who did a number of show laps behind the wheel of a Ford GT LM, and McLaren CEO Zak Brown, recently famous from Drive to Survive. Brown brought a handful of McLaren F1 cars, including V8 and V10-era cars, along with racing legend Mika Häkkinen to roll them down the track. McLaren was also represented by classic Formula 1 cars, including those driven by James Hunt and the brutal McLaren Can-Am cars with their 8.0-liter Chevrolet V8s.
The access given to me as a spectator was almost better than the cars themselves. Access is one of the best things about classic car racing in general – just being able to get close to the cars and talk to the owners and drivers – and there are few events that I believe offer such accessibility as the Velocity Invitational did. I also tend to believe that the most important part is that this access isn’t hidden behind an insanely expensive or exclusive ticket. Anyone who walks in can stroll through the paddock, hike to the corkscrew, or camp in the stands to enjoy a day of racing.
Motorsport is a living, breathing thing and cars like this should be heard and smelled, not just seen.
Larry Chen / Velocity Invitational
This free-flowing atmosphere also speaks for the very relaxed nature of the Invitational. Some events, especially those during Monterey Car Week, can be a little hectic or feel a little elitist, but this event had none of that. Since it takes place in November, flights to and from Monterey, hotel rooms are inexpensive, and getting around the peninsula is quick and easy. Try to get everywhere during Car Week, whatever the urgency, and you’ll appreciate the 10-minute drive from the road to town even more during the invitational.
That’s not to say that there aren’t some restricted access areas. There is a catered driver lounge located off the front straight, as well as the Sip and Savor Pavilion which is an additional fee above the standard ticket price but which has basically unlimited catered wine tastings and snacks with you Prime provides a place to catch the action on the track. There were many other food and drink vendors who could be reached with a basic ticket.
The people behind the Velocity Invitational seem to be working hard to make it the American version of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and for the most part they are successful. This year marks the first incarnation of the event – which used to be the Sonoma Speed Festival – and although it is currently lacking something of the Goodwood seal of approval due to its novelty, it is not far away and has the advantage of not having a passport or an insanely long one Flight there.
The Velocity Invitational brings out some of the best cars in the world
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