Sonoma Speed Festival 2019: Masters Historic Formula One USA

It has been a clean quick start this morning for these very fast Masters Historic Formula One USA Cars. Here at Sonoma, many spectators may have never before seen these cars in action, illustrated by the visible gasps and cheers heard in appreciation, at the thrill of seeing these iconic cars zoom by.
James Hagan was unfortunate with a spin in the very beginning of the Carousel. He couldn’t start on his own again and caused a 3 laps safety car on track. The winner, Californian native Steve Romak (1985 Tyrrell 012-6), who qualified on pole, enjoyed the race with Gregory Thornton from the UK (1982 Lotus 91/5) challenging him the entire run.

Steve Romak: “Lots more fun when someone is in your mirrors the entire time.” Gregory said it was a fair fight, Steve never closed the door on him but he pledged to pass him tomorrow on Sunday, “it’s against the rules to pass on Saturdays.”
There were less than a couple of nano seconds between them.

Nick Colyvas drove well coming in third, the top three taking positions just as they had qualified. The next five drivers were all within a second of each other, so tomorrow’s race should be interesting as well.

Great weather for racing today, full California sunshine. The pre-grid lined up with Steve
Romak (1985 Tyrrell 112-6) on pole, he was the quickest all weekend in every session, followed by Gregory Thornton (1982 Lotus 91/5) and Nicolas Colyvas in his 1974 Tyrrell 007.
It was an interesting race, no one exactly ran away with it from the start. Gregory Thornton and Steve Romak had a very good battle which was won by Greg Thornton in the end placed 1st having started 3rd, a Steve Romak became 2nd and Nick Colyvas third.

Bud Moeller, a very fine driver with a few fastest laps at circuits, and very experienced at this track, came in fifth in his Ensign MN179 after Martin Lauber (1974 March 741) who had started 2nd.

You get the idea, there were enough position changes to keep the spectators’ rapt attention. Ron Maydon came in 7th having moved up a position, lots of changes from yesterday’s race.

Romak said “Thornton came close a critical corner and he had to let him pass”. Nick Colyvas said his goal was to pass Martin Lauber today! A nice compliment from Chris Locke for Ron Maydon, saying it’s great to be a part of his Masters Series on both sides of the Atlantic.

We look forward to seeing the cars and drivers at Mt. Tremblant in Canada and Road America next and then two weekends in August at Laguna Seca Raceway for the Monterey Car Week.