Revs at Velocity Invitational 2026
There is something special about seeing a Revs car on track. The history, engineering, and years of stewardship come together in a way that simply can’t be replicated inside a museum. Velocity Invitational at Sonoma Raceway was a reminder that these cars were built to move.
Back at Sonoma
Sonoma Raceway has a way of welcoming you back. The rolling hills, familiar corners, and sound of race engines echoing through the paddock made for another memorable weekend. Revs arrived with two cars ready to compete: the Porsche 908/02 and Porsche 356 Speedster, both driven by Thomas Steuer.
The first session of practice began at 8:15 a.m. with the Speedster, followed by the 908/02 at 10:45 a.m. Throughout the weekend, the paddock was filled with enthusiasts, collectors, and historians brought together by a shared appreciation for the automobile and the stories these machines continue to tell.
Qualifying: Setting the Stage
Qualifying gave us plenty to be excited about. On Saturday during qualifying races, Steuer placed the Speedster P2 and the 908/02 P4, putting both cars in strong positions heading into race day. The cars performed beautifully and set the stage for a competitive weekend.
Race Day Results
When the checkered flag fell, Revs brought home strong results. The Porsche 908/02 finished fourth, while the Porsche 356 Speedster crossed the line in fifth.
More importantly, both cars did exactly what they were designed to do. They ran hard, performed flawlessly, and demonstrated that historic automobiles are at their best when they remain active participants in the stories they helped create.
We had a wonderful weekend both on and off the track, and we hope everyone who attended enjoyed the event as much as we did.
More Than a Display: The 1919 Ballot
While our Porsches were competing on track, another chapter of racing history was on display in the paddock.
The centerpiece of the Revs display was the 1919 Ballot Type 5/8LC, one of the most significant racing automobiles of the early twentieth century. Built in just over 100 days, the Ballot became the fastest car at Indianapolis in 1919 and the first automobile to exceed 100 miles per hour at the famed speedway. It represented a remarkable leap forward in engineering and performance at a pivotal moment in automotive history.
The Ballot was not displayed simply as an artifact. It stands as an example of the philosophy that guides Revs Institute’s work. Its preservation involved extensive research, documentation, and an archaeological approach to restoration that sought to understand and preserve the car’s history rather than recreate an idealized version of it.
Behind every vehicle in the Revs collection is a body of knowledge that extends far beyond the object itself. There are stories, documents, engineering insights, and evidence of how these cars were built, used, and modified over time. Preserving that information is just as important as preserving the automobile.
The Ballot serves as a powerful reminder that automotive history is not static. It continues to teach, inspire, and provide valuable insight into the people, technology, and culture that shaped the modern world.
Racing Is In our DNA
Velocity Invitational is a celebration of automobiles in motion. For Revs, that idea is central to our mission.
From the 1919 Ballot telling the story of racing’s earliest innovators to a pair of Porsches competing around Sonoma Raceway, the weekend reflected the full scope of automotive history and why it matters.
These cars are more than machines. They are historical records, research tools, and cultural artifacts. The best way to understand them is to study them, preserve them, and whenever possible, keep them moving.
Next up: Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion. See you there!
