Swarming the Speed Festival
For the second year Yellow Swarm members met in Balboa Park to drive to the Coronado Speed Festival. Although this event is “car guy overload” I realize that not everyone enjoys this much “car stuff”. Laurie and I have been to all 12 editions of the Speed Festival and I have enjoyed both days all twelve years.
The 2009 edition began at 7 AM for the few “hearties” that met in Balboa Park, caravanned across the bridge, stopped at Tartine’s for coffee and pastries, and then paraded onto NAS North Island, home of the “Race on the Base.” Parking in the Car Club Corral gave the Swarm easy access to the entire event in addition to the recognition of being one of the many car clubs at the event.
Our yellow flamed Miata was entered in the Festival Car Show and was fortunate enough to win the Miata Class on Saturday. That meant that we were awarded not only a trophy but a parade lap on the track during the lunch break.
I am nominating for an honorary membership in the Yellow Swarm one of the race cars that participated.
Here is its story. Entered in group 7 is a Yellow 1960 Ginetta G4 with the number 4 proudly displayed on the doors. The Ginetta is an English sports car that was first produced in 1958. Although, out of production for many years, it went back into production in the mid 90s. You can buy a new one today.
Group 7 is made up with Ford Mustang GT350’s, Corvettes, Cobras, and the like. Most Americans expect successful race cars to have big powerful V8s, and sound like a jet plain taking off. The Ginetta, driven by Jeff Kline from Topanga, weighs 1300 pounds and has a 4 cylinder, 1600cc engine. As an owner and driver of a Miata I have come to appreciate what a small light weight car can do.
On Saturday afternoon during qualifying the Ginetta had a valve stem break and Jeff had to abandon the qualifying as the tire lost air. Because of that, he had to start in the 23rd position out of about 35 starters on Sunday. Having watched Jeff drive this car for several years I knew what to expect. I told those around me as the cars approached the starting line, “watch the little yellow car”. And I mean little. The Ginetta passed all 22 cars in front of it before finishing the 3rd lap. By the end of the 20 minute race it had lapped over half of the field and most people in the grandstands were standing and cheering every time the little Ginetta passed by.
So, there is my nomination. Picture below! Plan on attending next year and see if our honorary member continues to just blow past all of the big high powered race cars.
Steve Waid
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