racephan Sonoma exploring

While visiting the San Francisco area, we took two separate day trips north out of the city to explore the coast and wine country. Our first and longest day trip was up the Pacific Coast Highway to visit Muir Woods and than onto Santa Rosa for a beercation must-do stop at Russian River Brewing. On our way back to San Francisco through Sonoma, we passed right by Infineon Raceway. Unfortunately, it was late in the day so the track and store was closed.

On our way back to Sonoma two days later, we stopped at the raceway again so I could check out the on site motorsports store called Wine Country Motor Sports. It was really the only thing open to the public though I joked with the gate security guard about taking my rental car out on the track. Probably not the first time they have heard that!

Once inside the store, I chatted with the staff about their collection of motorsports swag and I was particularly impressed with the vastness of their merchandise and specialty products. Most speedway and race track stores I have been to are either a. all NASCAR merchandise b. a collection of amateur racer products or c. non-existant. WCMS had a massive selection of DVDs, books, clothing, race gear and raceway logo swag. To my surprise, they also had a fair amount of Formula 1 and road racing merchandise including autographed items from famous F1 drivers.

I geeked out a little bit and snapped some pics of the F1 items that the staff pointed out to me but that was all I could do given their price tag. Included in their collection of items for sale were:

-World Champions Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Michael Schumacher autographed hard cards from the 2005 GP of Bahrain

-Ruben Barrichello's autographed race suit and gloves that he wore in his win at the 2003 GP of Japan

-Schumacher, Barrichello, Raikkonen and Felipe Massa autographed Ferrari hat, race shoes and gloves.

I also got a good laugh out of a kid's story book about Milka Duno, the female Venezuelan driver currently stinking it up in the IndyCar Series and recently voted the worst driver in IndyCar history. While she is pretty bad, I disagree that she is the worst. Regardless, I couldn't help but laugh how the book presented her as a sexy, grease under the nails, speed demon. In her defense, I can say that Milka is great with the fans and sponsors. I have met her on 4 different occasions - twice at VIR during her Grand Am Rolex Series days and twice at RIR during IndyCar Series race weekends. Sponsor and fan appeal is a big part of racing which seems to be the part Milka has down pat, much like fellow IndyCar star - Danica Patrick.

Perhaps one day we will make it back to Sonoma for another beer AND racing tour in wine country since IndyCar currently races at the raceway in August.