When F1natics got invited to Velocity Invitational just days before the event, we did what any responsible adult would do.
We immediately rearranged our weekend plans (one of our editors literally cancelled a camping trip to Pinnacles) and drove to Sonoma Raceway.
Over the next three days, we found ourselves chatting with Yuki Tsunoda about his future restaurant plans, discussing Formula 1 broadcasting and technical regulations with Alex Brundle, catching up with automotive photographer Larry Chen, meeting Sung Kang, Dai Yoshihara and Lia Block, watching everything from 1910s race cars to historic Formula machinery, and strapping our founder into an Ultra4 race vehicle for one of the most insane rides he’s ever experienced – and he has raced cars.
After spending Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the event, we came away convinced that Velocity Invitational occupies a unique place in American motorsport. It isn’t trying to be Formula 1. It isn’t trying to be Monterey Car Week. It isn’t trying to be a social media influencer convention with a few cars parked in the background.
This is an event built by motorsport fans for motorsport fans.
And that’s exactly why it works.
A Different Kind Of Crowd
One of the first things that stood out throughout the weekend was the crowd itself. While some events can feel overcrowded and driven by hype, the atmosphere at Sonoma was remarkably manageable throughout all three days.
The people who were there largely wanted to be there for the cars, the racing, and the personalities that make motorsport special.
You weren’t fighting through crowds trying to get a glimpse of a celebrity. You weren’t surrounded by people more interested in posting that they attended than actually experiencing the event.
Instead, you found yourself standing next to enthusiasts discussing suspension setups on a vintage race car, debating the merits of different eras of Formula racing, or comparing favorite moments from decades of motorsport history.
The result was an event that felt authentic.
Friday: Sung Kang, Larry Chen, And A Celebration Of Car Culture
Friday was arguably the most relaxed day of the weekend and offered an opportunity to explore the paddock before the larger Saturday crowds arrived.
One of the highlights was spending time with Sung Kang, Larry Chen, and Dai Yoshihara.
For many enthusiasts, Sung Kang will always be known as Han from the Fast & Furious franchise. What impressed me most wasn’t the celebrity factor, but how much time he devoted to fans throughout the day. He signed seemingly everything put in front of him, handed out stickers, posed for photos, and made sure everyone who approached him felt appreciated.
The same could be said for Larry Chen.
For us personally, meeting Larry carried a different meaning. Long before he became one of the most recognizable automotive photographers in the world, Larry was filming and documenting grassroots track day culture.
That included some of our own events back during our Redline Time Attack days.
Watching someone go from documenting local track events to becoming one of the premier motorsport photographers on the planet has been incredible to see. His work now spans Formula 1, drifting, endurance racing, tuner culture, and virtually every corner of the automotive world, but he remains approachable and genuinely passionate about the community that helped launch his career.
Dai Yoshihara was equally welcoming, though one thing became immediately apparent throughout the weekend.
Surprisingly few people seemed to recognize either Dai or Alex Brundle.
For hardcore motorsport fans, both are incredibly accomplished figures. Yet there were multiple moments throughout the weekend where they could move around relatively unnoticed while larger crowds formed elsewhere.
For those who did stop and chat with them, however, it often led to some of the most interesting conversations of the entire event.
The Cars: A Century Of Motorsport In Motion
One of Velocity Invitational’s greatest strengths is its willingness to put everything on track.
This isn’t a static museum display.
The cars run.
And they run hard.
Throughout the weekend, everything from brass-era race cars from the 1910s to modern hypercars took to Sonoma Raceway.
There is something uniquely fascinating about watching cars from completely different eras attack the same corners.
One moment you’re watching machinery that predates World War I. The next you’re watching historic Formula cars scream down the straight. Then a collection of GT cars arrives. Then prototypes. Then NASCAR stock cars.
For someone who loves motorsport history, it felt like a living timeline.
We particularly enjoyed the historic Formula categories – we are F1natics after all.
Watching old Formula Juniors and Formula B cars offers a reminder of how different racing once was. The cars are smaller, lighter, and often appear deceptively simple compared to modern machinery. Yet seeing them driven in anger around Sonoma’s elevation changes highlights just how talented those drivers had to be.
The early 1910s-era race cars were equally captivating.
Modern motorsport fans sometimes forget how far the sport has evolved. Watching those pioneering machines circulate the track provides a direct connection to the origins of racing itself.
Mini Vs Muscle Was The Weekend’s Best Race
Of all the racing on display, one event stood above the rest for me.
Mini vs Muscle.
On paper, it sounds ridiculous.
In one corner you have lightweight Minis producing roughly 100 horsepower. In the other, American muscle cars with roughly three times the power.
The result is one of the most entertaining racing concepts imaginable.
The Minis carry speed through every corner and rely entirely on momentum. The muscle cars make up massive chunks of time through sheer horsepower.
Every lap becomes a battle between two completely different philosophies of racing.
Momentum versus power.
Precision versus brute force.
Watching those contrasting approaches fight for lap time around Sonoma Raceway created some of the most entertaining action of the weekend and easily became my favorite race to watch.
The Most Insane Thing We Did All Weekend
As entertaining as the racing was, the most memorable experience of the entire weekend may have happened away from Sonoma Raceway’s asphalt.
We signed up for the Ultra4 ride-along experience.
On paper, it sounds straightforward enough. Climb into the passenger seat of a purpose-built Ultra4 race vehicle and take a few laps around a specially constructed off-road course.
In reality, it feels like willingly strapping yourself into controlled violence.
These are the same machines built to compete in events like King of the Hammers, where desert racing speed meets rock-crawling capability. The vehicles are engineered to absorb punishment that would destroy most race cars, and the drivers have absolutely no interest in taking it easy on their passengers.
The moment the harnesses were tightened, it became clear this wasn’t going to be a gentle demonstration.
Acceleration came instantly. Dirt flew everywhere. The vehicle launched over bumps, slid through corners, and attacked obstacles that seemed completely unreasonable to hit at speed. Every time we thought the driver might back off, they found another gear.
Calling it a ride doesn’t really do it justice.
It felt more like being inside a highlight reel.
What impressed us most was the level of control. From the passenger seat it feels like absolute chaos, yet the driver always knew exactly where the vehicle was going and how much grip remained underneath them.
It’s loud. It’s physical. It’s slightly terrifying.
And it was absolutely incredible.
We’ve been fortunate enough to experience a lot of motorsport-related activities over the years, but the Ultra4 experience was unlike anything else at Velocity Invitational. If the goal was to demonstrate what these machines are capable of, mission accomplished.
We climbed out laughing, slightly disoriented, and immediately understanding why off-road racing has such a devoted following.
Saturday: Meeting Yuki Tsunoda
Saturday’s headline attraction was undoubtedly Yuki Tsunoda.
Formula 1 drivers remain relatively rare sightings in Northern California, so the excitement surrounding his appearance was understandable.
What stood out wasn’t simply the size of the crowd but how he interacted with fans.
Even as handlers attempted to keep the line moving, Yuki consistently took time to chat with people, answer questions, and engage with fans beyond the standard autograph-and-photo routine.
That extra effort matters.
Fans remember those moments.
One of the more amusing exchanges involved his long-running promise to eventually open a restaurant, something he assured fans would happen one day.
Given how often the topic comes up, there may be as much anticipation for the restaurant as some Formula 1 races.
Seeing him later take historic machinery onto Sonoma Raceway only reinforced one of Velocity Invitational’s best qualities: its ability to place modern stars into completely different motorsport contexts.
Talking F1 With Alex Brundle
One of the most fascinating conversations of the weekend came with Alex Brundle.
Most fans know him from his broadcasting work, but hearing him discuss the preparation that goes into Formula 1 coverage offered a perspective rarely seen by viewers.
Much of the audience sees the final broadcast.
What they don’t see is the enormous amount of preparation that occurs beforehand.
Brundle spoke about the extensive research and analysis undertaken before each race weekend, the data reviewed, and the countless details commentators absorb before ever going live.
He also spoke highly of Davide Valsecchi and the work that goes into creating insightful analysis for viewers.
The conversation drifted into technical discussions as well, including thoughts on hybrid systems and how changing power-unit regulations for 2027 will likely create unintended consequences for teams that have designed cars around a very specific ruleset.
It was exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes discussion that hardcore Formula 1 fans rarely get access to.
Sunday: Lia Block And The Next Generation
Sunday brought another standout guest in Lia Block.
Throughout the day, one thing became increasingly clear.
Lia’s presence resonates strongly with younger fans.
Repeatedly, children approached her for photos and autographs. Families lined up for opportunities to meet her. Young children in particular seemed excited to see someone they could identify with competing at a high level within motorsport.
It was impossible not to notice.
Motorsport constantly talks about attracting the next generation of fans.
Lia was actively doing it.
Despite her growing profile, she remained approachable, friendly, and generous with her time throughout the day.
The number of photo opportunities and fan interactions she participated in demonstrated exactly why her popularity continues to grow.
Why Velocity Invitational Works
After three days at Sonoma Raceway, we think the answer is surprisingly simple.
Velocity Invitational understands that motorsport is bigger than any single series.
Formula 1 fans can enjoy it.
Drift fans can enjoy it.
Historic racing fans can enjoy it.
Hypercar enthusiasts can enjoy it.
Photography fans can enjoy it.
Families can enjoy it.
And because the event remains focused on enthusiasts rather than pure spectacle, the atmosphere feels more personal than many larger motorsport gatherings.
The ability to walk through the paddock, get close to the machinery, speak with drivers, and experience a century of motorsport history in motion creates something genuinely special.
There are bigger events.
There are more famous events.
But few events combine accessibility, variety, and authenticity quite like Velocity Invitational.
As someone who attended all three days, it’s easy to understand why so many people describe it as one of North America’s premier celebrations of automotive culture.
And if Velocity Invitational returns in 2027, don’t be surprised if F1natics finds ourselves rearranging our schedule once again.
PHOTO DUMP WILL BE INCOMING!