The Velocity Invitational is known for highlighting some of the automotive industry’s most historic racecars – and the 2022 event in Larkspur, Calif., was no exception.
In fact, some of the world’s most historic racecars were showcased in the Velocity Invitational event this year, among them the 1996 McLaren F1 GT12R, Ayrton Senna’s 1990 F1 World Championship car, and rally cars along with on-track appearances by drivers Mario Andretti, Tanner Foust, Mika Häkkinen, and Pato O’Ward
The annual three-day event included vintage racing, special exhibitions, plenty of food, and wine – all at the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
More than 15,000 attended the Oct. 14-16 event and more than 600,000 followers caught the live stream on Youtube.
Although hundreds of iconic race cars were showcased, the 1996 McLaren F1 GT12R grabbed much of the attention.
The same car competed in the 1996 24 Hours Of Le Mans and took four wins in the BPR Global Sportscar Championship. It was driven by Tanner Foust throughout the weekend. (Several other McLaren F1 road cars were in attendance at the Larkspur event as well).
Check out:What is the History of McLaren? – How this Greatness Arose
Legend Mario Andretti, one of the most successful drivers in the history of motorsports, drove a modern Formula 1 car (2013 McLaren MP4/28A). IndyCar star Pato O’Ward and Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen spent time behind the wheel of Ayrton Senna’s 1990 F1 World Championship-winning car, the McLaren MP4/5B-07 and with Alain Prost’s MP4/2B-3, which won the 1985 F1 World Championship.
Six rally vehicles from Seattle’s DirtFish Rally School were also in attendance. They ranged from the Group B Lancia Rally 037 and MG Metro 6R4 to some of Subaru’s best Imprezas and the Peugeot 206 WRC that dominated the World Rally Championship in the early 2000s.
Alister McRae and his son Max McRae drove and drifted those cars.
“Velocity Invitational was introduced with a vision of revitalizing the motorsports experience for all generations of enthusiasts and their families to enjoy,” said event founder Jeff O’Neill.
At other times during the weekend cars from Hennessey, Czinger, Mclaren, and Zenvo were seen both on track and on display in the paddock alongside hundreds of race cars from as early as 1920.
The event’s “Sip & Savor” Pavilion also provided a hub for local vendors to offer gourmet food and wine tastings from brands like Robert Hall, Rombauer Vineyards, Langtry Farms, and Ryder Estate.
This year’s event included a successful charity auction offering a chance to bid on two tickets to the highly anticipated event and an exclusive ride-along experience in the McLaren Artura supercar, accompanied by Mika Hakkinen or Pato O’ Ward. The final bid in the auction – put together by McLaren and Bring a Trailer – finished at $3,200, which will go to Inspire Motorsport’s The Path to the Pits efforts to diversify the racing world and welcome new fans.
Velocity Invitational was created to highlight the best race cars and collections from around the world.
The main goal of the event is to showcase the best racing and sports cars the world has to offer while bringing in the finest wines and food in the region.
For more information, visit velocityinvitational.com.
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