A few years ago, a vintage racing festival in Northern California called Velocity Invitational started a new class called Mini vs. Mustang. It’s an exciting race where big American cars with powerful engines go against small British cars.
They race at the end of the day when it’s getting dark, adding to the excitement with bright lights. It’s like the old story of David and Goliath, with the small Minis fighting against the big Mustangs. I watched this race at Laguna Seca a couple of years ago, but in 2023, it moved to Sonoma Raceway.
Sonoma Raceway has long straight roads and fast corners, which are good for the Mustangs with their powerful engines. But there are also tight turns where the light and nimble Minis have an advantage. The race lasts for 50 minutes, which is long for a vintage event. Each car has two drivers, and they have to switch drivers during the race, which adds to the excitement.
In vintage races like this, you see drivers of different skill levels and cars prepared differently. Some drivers just want to enjoy the weekend, while others are serious about winning. The race is often decided at the last turn, with drivers using different strategies to catch up. It might not be the best race of the year, but it’s definitely worth watching. So, if you get the chance, go check it out and enjoy the action. Who do you think will win?
