Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival Salutes the Nation's Military, Celebrates Shelby American Marque at 13th Annual 'Race at the Base'

SAN DIEGO, July 28, 2010; It's recognized as the birthplace of naval aviation, but on Sept. 25-26, Naval Air Station North Island will highlight a different type of machine as 250 prestigious historic racecars gather for the 13th annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival. Known as the "Race at the Base," the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival features nine different race groups divided according to make, age and horsepower. The cars race at high speeds on a spectator-friendly 1.7-mile course constructed in mere days on the runways and taxiways of the military base. The track is set against the stunning backdrop of San Diego Bay. This year's marque will celebrate the rich race heritage of Shelby American cars, from the legendary Cobra and the Daytona Coupe to the GT40 and GT350. These amazing vehicles have always pushed the envelope of performance and promise a thrill for event spectators. Aside from being set up on a live Naval tarmac, one of the event's most distinct features is its open paddock, which allows fans the opportunity to walk right up to the cars and interact with the drivers and crew. The family friendly event also presents a car club exhibit featuring more than 1,200 cars, a stunning array of military static displays and a vendor midway. The Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival is first and foremost an event that pays tribute to and honors the men and women of our military. The festival offers free admission for active duty military and their dependents. The general public is welcomed onto the base for a weekend of racing, making it the only open house offered by the Navy on the West Coast. Source : http://www.theautochannel.com    (7/28/2010)