Top Things to do at Velocity Invitational

The Velocity Invitational returns to Sonoma Raceway, Oct. 4-6, for the ultimate weekend of cars, food, wine and family-friendly fun. Here are 10 reasons you don’t want to miss this unparalleled event:

Meet our 2024 Invited Drivers

Time: Saturday 1 PM & Sunday 1:15 PM

Location: Event Plaza

This is your chance to meet the racing stars up close, get their autographs, and snap some unforgettable photos. Come by and grab a piece of racing history—this session is sure to be a highlight of your day! Get your autographs from all the drivers. 

Tony Kanaan

Tony Kanaan is a celebrated Brazilian racing driver with a storied open-wheel career. Regarded as one of the most successful drivers in INDYCAR Series history, Tony secured the 2004 IndyCar Championship and famously won the 2013 Indianapolis 500. He remains the series’ record holder with 318 consecutive starts made from the Portland Grand Prix in 2001 through the first race of the 2020 season at Texas Motor Speedway.

Romain Grosjean

Romain Grosjean is a prominent French driver renowned for his impactful career in both Formula 1 and INDYCAR. After making a name for himself in F1 with teams like Lotus and Haas, Grosjean transitioned to IndyCar, where he quickly adapted and showcased his skill. Known for his aggressive driving and resilience, Grosjean has posted three pole positions and six podium finishes so far  in his NTT DATA INDYCAR SERIES career.

Jenson Button

Jenson Button is one of the UK’s most successful racing drivers. He was the 2009 FIA Formula 1 World Champion and enjoyed an 18-year career at the pinnacle of world motorsport. During his career, he won 15 Grands Prix and drove for renowned teams including Williams, Renault, Honda and McLaren. He currently competes in the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship with Hertz Team Jota and enjoys racing his 1952 Jaguar C-Type at historic racing events.

Travis Pastrana

Travis Pastrana candidly refers to rallying as “motocross with a roll cage!” and has  driven a Subaru rally car from day one of his career in the sport. He dominated rallying in the U.S. from 2006-2009, winning four consecutive championships with Subaru Rally Team USA after switching his focus from Freestyle Motocross (FMX).

Pippa Mann

Pippa Mann is British born racing driver who has competed at the Indianapolis 500 and a race winner in the GT4 class at the 24 hour race at the Nurburgring. One of three women to win in Indy Nxt and she was also the first woman in history to turn a 230 mph lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Currently Pippa competes in a variety of sports car series and as the CEO of Shift Up Now, and Vice President of the Shift Up Now Foundation, she invests a significant amount of her time working to help reduce the funding gap for female racers in motorsport.

Christian Lundgaard

Christian Lundgaard posted his first career INDYCAR series victory on the streets of Toronto in 2023 and he notched three podium finishes and two poles. Christian was at the top of this year’s class of IndyCar free agents and will join Arrow McLaren for 2025.

Nolan Siegel

Nolan Siegel, a 19 year-old from Northern California, is a talented, up-and-coming driver who recently won the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 class. Siegel joined Arrow McLaren midseason this year after signing a multiyear contract.

Ryan Tuerck

Ryan “Hampshaa” Tuerck is a high-horsepower personality best known for his innovative drifting style and mind-bending builds. Tuerck will hit the track in two of his signature rides during Velocity Invitational: he’ll drift his 650-horsepower 1966 Toyota Stout around the 12-turn road course and compete in the Global Time Attack class behind the wheel of his Judd 4GV V10-powered @Mobil1 Toyota Supra. You don’t want to miss this!

James Kirkham

James Kirkham, Race Service cofounder, has spent his career in the competitive driving world, racing cars and bringing his creativity to motorsport. His experience provides an authentic perspective of racing spirit, drivers, car culture, performance, and the subcultures revolving around this world.

Josie Rimmer

Josie Rimmer is the founder of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Initiative. After searching for and finding very little content on women in rally, she began seeking out stories and writing articles to tell them – so, the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Initiative was born. DirtFish now runs year-round All-Women’s Driving Programs, as well as an annual WiM Summit event which in 2024, saw 600 participants live and 6,000 streamers virtually. Her focus lies in building a platform for women, then handing them the microphone.

Scott Speed

NorCal native Scott Speed returns to his hometown track behind the wheel of Subaru Motorsports USA’s “WRX: Project Midnight,” the standout entry at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. After initially making waves in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso, Speed transitioned to rallycross, where he excelled in the Global RallyCross Championship and World Rallycross series. Speed is no stranger to Sonoma Raceway, having made three NASCAR Cup Series starts on the challenging road course. He’ll hit the track as part of the Global Time Attack class throughout the weekend.

Michele Abbate

Michele Abbate is a trailblazing figure in motorsport, known for her impressive achievements in a male-dominated field. As an up-and-coming driver in the Trans-Am Series, Abbate has demonstrated exceptional skill and determination, earning recognition for her performances. Michele’s career is marked by her resilience and drive and as she continues to make strides on the track, Michele is not only building a promising career but also inspiring future generations of female racers.

Williams F-1 eSport Simulators
sponsored by Catalyst

Time: Friday-Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM

Location: Catalyst Booth in the Event Plaza

Experience the iconic feel of racing a Williams F1 car from the cockpit of the Williams F1 esports simulator sleds. Guests can virtually get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car. While you’re there, grab a sample of the energy drink, Catalyst. 

Polestar Ride & Drive

Time: Friday-Sunday 9 AM – 5 PM

Location: Polestar Booth

Come and take a test drive around the roads of Sonoma Raceway in the Polestar 3. 

Polestar is pleased to showcase a new generation of electric performance at this year’s Velocity Invitational. With up to 517 horsepower and 0-60 in as little as 4.5 seconds, it truly is the SUV that drives like a sports car. Also on display will be the Polestar 4, the SUV coupe where you can see the innovative technology that led to form and function.

DirtFish Rally Car Racing and Ride-along Experience

Time: Saturday-Sunday 9 AM – 11 AM and 1 PM- 3 PM

Location: Gravel Course

Ride along with professional drivers in raucous rally cars! The lineup of DirtFish Rally experiences will include rides in Group B and modern-day rally cars. Gravel Rally Car experiences, which include a ride with a professional rally driver in a rally-tuned DirtFish Subaru BRZ on a complete gravel rally stage.

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Taylor Farms’ Sip and Savor Pavilion

Time: Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 5 PM Sunday 11 AM – 4 PM

Location: Turn 1

Enjoy access to the private Taylor Farm’s Sip and Savor Pavilion with premier wine tasting from more than ten wineries and light bites in a climate controlled environment, and enjoy great views at Turn 1 with exclusive indoor and outdoor seating. Some of the participating wineries are Langtry Wine, St. Avalo, Highway 12, Olet’te, Bastiste Rum, Robert Hall, Intercept, Rabble and so much more!

Tickets!

Women in Motorsport Panel Discussion & Autograph Session

Time: Saturday Panel Discussion 11:45 AM, Autograph: 1:45 PM

Location: Event Plaza & Mobil 1’s Booth

Hosted by Velocity and DirtFish and presented by Mobil 1, an inspiring Women in Motorsport Driver Panel Discussion will feature trailblazing drivers who are breaking barriers and making history! These incredible women are leading the charge in the motorsport industry, and now’s your chance to hear their stories, challenges, and triumphs. Moderated by Josie Rimmer with panelists Pippa Mann, Michele Abbate, Sabré Cook, and Ashley Freiberg. Following the panel discussion, meet these amazing women for a photo and autograph session at Mobil 1’s activation booth.

Pro Driver Panel Discussion

Time: Saturday 10:15 AM

Location: Turn 11 Experience

A part of the Turn 11 Experience, join an exclusive Pro Driver Panel Discussion featuring some of the most skilled drivers in the racing. Get behind-the-scenes insights as these racing pros share their experiences, challenges, and high-speed strategies. Whether you’re a fan of precision driving or want to hear stories from the fast lane, this is your front-row seat to all the adrenaline-fueled action!

Tickets

Tyler Florence Live Cooking Demo & Book Signing

Time: Saturday Cooking Demo: 2:30 PM, Book signing: 3 PM

Sunday Cooking Demo: 11:45 AM, Book signing: 12:15 PM

Location: Event Plaza

Celebrated chef and Food Network TV star Tyler Florence will host live cooking demonstrations sharing tips and tricks to elevate your own kitchen game. After the demo, get a copy of his latest cookbook, “American Grill” during the book signing. Watch culinary magic unfold and take home some mouth-watering inspiration. 

Global Time Attack

Time:  Friday 9:55 a.m & 4:50 PM

Saturday 9:10 AM & 4:55 PM

Sunday 8:55 am & 4:40 PM

Eight cars will hit the track in a Global Time Attack class throughout the weekend as these high-horsepower machines compete to set new track and class records. In addition to entries in the Unlimited, Limited, Street and Enthusiast classes, Northern California native Scott Speed will join the competition with Subaru Motorsports USA’s “WRX: Project Midnight,” while Formula Drift driver Ryan Tuerck will compete in his Judd 4GV V10-powered Mobil 1 Toyota Supra. Race Service’s James Kirkham will also hit the track in the Mercedes AMG GTS ‘Raw Spec.’ All three cars will be featured alongside a collection of Time Attack cars on track and in a main paddock display.

Hill Climb

Time: Saturday 11:40 PM

Nearly a dozen cars, including Subaru’s “Project Midnight,” will tackle a brand-new Velocity Invitational Hill Climb. This challenging circuit, which travels counter-course from Sonoma Raceway’s start/finish line up to Turn 4, will host an all-out battle for supremacy as competitors tackle more than 10 stories of elevation change. 

Travis Pastrana
Drifting in the
Family Huckster

Time: 11:25 AM & 12:15 PM & 2:48 PM Pastrana will delight attendees with demonstration drift laps in the 1983 Subaru GL Family Huckster.

D Type Jaguar Exhibition Lap

Time:  Saturday 10:50 AM

Sunday 10:30 AM

Celebrating 70 years of the Jaguar D-Type, the Jaguar class will host eight cars celebrating the creation and racing success of the factory D-Types with a focus on the West Coast. Formula 1 champion Jenson Button will join the class with his 1952 Jaguar C-Type.

Lowrider Parade

Time: Saturday 11:20 AMAM & Sunday 11:05 AM

Location: Velocity Lane – Paddock

Our lowrider parade is cruising through the paddock down Velocity Lane, showing off classic style and serious swagger. These jaw-dropping rides are packed with personality and sure to turn heads—don’t miss out on these cool cars!

McLaren Formula 1 driver Lando Norris, along with McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown and Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team drivers Pato O’Ward, Alexander Rossi and Tony Kanaan, will meet with fans and hit the track during the Velocity Invitational. The team has also assembled the largest collection of heritage cars it has ever run in the event, many of which are rarely seen in North America. If you love cool cars, Formula 1 or IndyCar, this is your only chance to see all three in Northern California.

Find out more!

Velocity Invitational celebrates the world’s most iconic, rare and valuable cars with thrilling on-track action. Modern hypercars, historic Formula 1 race cars, popular vintage racing groups, the Mustangs vs. Minis enduro and McLaren’s 60th Anniversary cars will all tackle Sonoma’s challenging 12-turn road course throughout the weekend.

Classes & Participants

There is nowhere else in the country where you can stroll through a paddock of some of the rarest cars in the world while sipping a glass of world-class wine and chatting with the most exciting drivers and owners in motorsports. The Velocity Invitational paddock is designed to provide an intimate look at these rare cars, as well as a chance to chat with the drivers, owners and technicians who love and preserve them. 

Tickets!

DirtFish Rally School will offer an incredible opportunity to ride along with professional rally drivers at speed during the Velocity Invitational. British and Asia-Pacific Rally Champion Alister McRae, European Rally Championship driver Max McRae and IndyCar Series driver Benjamin Pedersen will be among the drivers on hand to pilot you around the racing circuit and a custom-built off-road course for an exhilarating experience. DirtFish will offer two immersive ride-along experiences, both of which include a chance to meet with the drivers and learn expert tips on operating and driving a rally car. 

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The Velocity Invitational paddock will be brimming with an incredible collection of desirable vehicles of every description. Whether you love hypercars, supercars, sports cars or all of the above, there will be plenty of eye candy on display. Gunther Werks will be on hand with a display of their high-performance, bespoke vehicles, while the McLaren Ultimate Series showcases the highest tier of McLaren production models. Take your time strolling through these incredible collections – you don’t want to miss a detail!

There’s something for the entire family in the kid-friendly family fun zone. Located in the event plaza in the main paddock, you’ll find a kid’s race ramp, lawn games and more to entertain even the youngest gearhead.  And remember, kids ages 15 and under are admitted free!

Tickets!

Put yourself in the virtual driver’s seat with a few laps in the professional SimVosi driving simulators. These life-like simulators give you a driver’s-eye view of what it takes to tackle a challenging circuit. 

The Taylor Farms Sip & Savor Pavilion features tasting booths from local wine, spirits and food vendors, plus live entertainment, all in an incredible trackside location. Pair charcuterie and delicious snacks from Taylor Farms with wine tastings from more than a dozen wineries, including Harken, Robert Hall, Rabble, Intercept, Ram’s Gate, Langtry Farms, Keller Estate, St. Avalo, Grounded, Freeman Estate and Deerfield Ranch. Access to the Taylor Farms Sip & Savor Pavilion is included in the Wine Experience and Driver’s Experience packages and is limited to guests 21 and older. The pavilion will be open on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tickets!

Located in the main paddock, the event plaza is the epicenter of Velocity Invitational activities. This is the place to check out a wide variety of vendors, including High Camp Flasks, Rosso Corsa products and Jamah leather goods, as well as enjoy delectable treats from local food vendors and a drink from O’Neill Vintners and Distillers. You can also get an up-close look at the incredible cars in the McLaren Automotive and Price Family Dealership displays or find a spot to watch the cars go by on Velocity Lane.

Come and take a test drive around the roads of Sonoma Raceway in the Polestar 3. 

Polestar is pleased to showcase a new generation of electric performance at this year’s Velocity Invitational. With up to 517 horsepower and 0-60 in as little as 4.5 seconds, it truly is the SUV that drives like a sports car. Also on display will be the Polestar 4, the SUV coupe where you can see the innovative technology that led to form and function.

Pre-enroll for your experience here:

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