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Volvo honors its famed “souped-down Ferrari” at 28th Monterey Historic Automobile Races By Dave Barton - SoCal VCOA I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Historic Races in Monterey… my first trip to this event, even though this was their 28th year. It was definitely a worthwhile trip from SoCal, but the part of this year’s Historics that made it really great for a Volvonut was the very special Volvo gathering at trackside, which was organized by Bryon Farnsworth, an executive with Freeman/McCue Public Relations in Orange County, and generously sponsored by Volvo Cars of North America. Bryon’s P.R. firm handles such projects for VCNA and he was assigned to manage getting this thing off the ground. Volvo wanted to honor the P1800’s 40th birthday with a bash at the Laguna Seca event - so it was Bryon’s task to see how many Volvo club members, particularly those with P1800’s, would be interested in bringing their cars out for the weekend. The goal was fifty 1800’s. Most 1800 owners were excited by the prospect and even though the time frame was short (planning began in late April) things worked out very nicely and the turn-out was great. The parking area was chock full of Volvos, mostly 1800’s, but all models were well represented. At final count, there were fifty-three 1800’s in attendance along with enough other models to completely fill Volvo’s 100 space parking compound. A huge track-side display and parking area was secured from the race promoter. It was a great location right next to turn two. Volvo brought in their big truck with the huge video screen that rises out of the top, they set up tents and brought out their full line of new cars. Irv Gordon was there with his 1.9 million mile '66 1800S (actual mileage at this event: 1,969,450). Volvo really stepped up to the plate for club members. They provided members who attended a hundred free passes for the weekend, got us a discount at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, brought cool T-shirts and fed us Champagne, Swedish Meatballs, Fondue and Smoked Salmon! |
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The big video screen really came in handy during the races. If being trackside wasn't nice enough, it turned out we had the best seats in the house as the numerous television cameras recording the races were broadcast straight to our big screen. On Saturday evening, the people from Volvo put on a wonderful banquet for club attendees, complete with a "Volvo for Life" ice carving. Volvo Cars of North America CEO Dan Werbin presented guest of honor Irv Gordon with a remarkable oil painting of Irv's famous car parked in front of a Route 66 Cafe. Irv was honored for his world record achievement and he offered a gracious speech about the vehicle choice he made 35 years ago and the great service his Volvo has returned to him over all those years.
Sunday brought a new day of racing and fun. We got to see the only Volvo actually selected to race in the Historics. Number 51, a red 1962 P1800 racer driven by
Rick Hayden of Harbor City, California, ran on Sunday afternoon in Group 1B (1954-1962 GT Cars), finishing 10th out of 31 starters. |
