Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival is full

Steve Earle, the granddaddy of vintage racing in America, has picked 375 historic race cars to fill the field at his Sonoma Historic Motorsports Festival, June 5-6 at Infineon Raceway in California's wine country.

"The cars are the stars," said Earle. "And when they aren't racing, they are easily accessible in this area for the fans for that up-close and personal experience of inspecting engines, talking with owners or otherwise learning more about the sport and the restoration and maintenance of vintage cars."

Earle said the event will continue the tradition of the Monterey Historic Automobile Races, which he founded 37 years ago. The Monterey Historics is now being managed by SCRAMP, the volunteer organization that runs Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Sonoma Historics builds on Earle's popular Wine Country Classic that his company, General Racing, has produced in Sonoma for 23 years. This year's event includes 100 more cars than the 2009 Wine Country Classic. Any way you look at it, the Sonoma Historics means more vintage motorsports for the public and the participants.

In addition to the racing and full access for fans in the paddock, the Sonoma Historics will feature the Wine Country Pavilion, featuring Napa and Sonoma wineries and restaurants. For tickets, go to www.infineonraceway.com.

And don't forget the Marin Sonoma Concours d'Elegance on May 16 at the Marin Center Fairgrounds, of which General Racing is a sponsor. Porsche is the featured marque at that concours.

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