The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is an event that we support and have participated in every year since 1997. Every year continues to get bigger and better and 2011 with the 29th annual event is no exception. Big news is that sanctioning for the vintage races held at both Schenley Park and at BeaveRun raceway has been transferred from the Vintage Sports Car Club of America(VSCCA) to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association (PVGPA). This means that now the race classes will be expanded to cover cars made well into the 1970s and thusly, lowering costs to racers participating in the events by $50.Also new for 2011 will be improvements to the Schenley Park race course. This is welcome news as 360 days a year the course serves as public roads around and through Schenley Park and the Schenly PArk Golf Course. This includes repaving and the addition of new timing equipment.
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is unique in the world of vintage sports car racing in that all of the racing takes place on city streets, just like in the old days. Since 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.5 million dollars for the benefit of the Allegheny Valley School and the Autism Society of Pittsburgh with 100% of the proceeds from the races and combined car shows going to charity. And has grown from a weekend event to a 10 motorsports festival filled with car shows, races, parades, parties, and much more.
This year the PVGP is set for July 10th through the 24th with race weekend and the famed international car show taking place July 23rd and 24th. The full schedule is available at www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com
Press release:
Vintage Racers,
As the 2011 racing season draws nearer, we are very excited to welcome everyone to the 29th renewal of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Plans are underway and we anticipate another outstanding event at Schenley Park.
The best news is that Schenley Park will be less expensive in 2011. For those participants who enter early, the entry fee will be reduced by $50. In addition, there will be an option for the entry of a second car at nearly half price. Other benefits are available for those who want to enter both the Schenley Park and the BeaveRun races together.
The PVGP continues to encourage sponsorship of cars. Sponsorship funds directly benefit children and adults throughout Pennsylvania with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities through the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. We anticipate continuing a car sponsorship program for 2011 with many benefits for both the sponsors and drivers.
We are going to continue the traditional large PVGP tent at the head of the paddock. It will be the site for the Friday night Happy Hour get-together and the Saturday night driver/volunteer dinner. Plans are underway to expand and upgrade the menu for the Saturday night dinner. As in the past, we will hold all driver meetings at this location and it will remain open during the event for dining and other functions.
Based on comments from prior participants, there will be changes in the dining arrangements. A continental breakfast will be provided on Saturday and Sunday mornings and is included with your entry. In addition, there will be several food vendors offering a wide variety of lunch items at reasonable prices. We hope that this will provide more flexibility and convenience for participants who make their own dining arrangements.
Improvements to the race course include repaving the start/finish straight as well as a permanent transponder line. If you have a transponder, you will be timed. Rentals will be available but limited. It is recommended that participants have their own transponder. As has been the case over the past several years, we are continuing to expand the eligibility in each of the groups to accommodate more cars. Rest assured that we are not going to open up eligibility to those cars that do not fit the unique course that is Schenley Park. We will not compromise safety for the cars, drivers or the spectators. All participants at Schenley are strongly encouraged to take notice of the PVGP Driver Policy as excessive exuberance or unsafe driving will not be tolerated.
Porsche will be the featured marque for 2011 and it is expected to draw a large number of participants in the marque race as well as a large representation on the show field. In addition, if participants wish to paddock together, we strongly encourage that they send the PVGP their space requirements. We are anticipating a large entry this year and paddock parking is expected to be very tight.
As Competition Director this year, I look forward to maintaining the tradition and uniqueness of the only city street road race in the country. I have been working in many capacities at the PVGP since its inception in 1983 and expect that the 2011 event will continue to provide all of the fun for participants and spectators that it has in the past. All of the PVGP team, including, Jim “Rocky” Farrar, Race Director, Mike Connolly, Assistant Race Director, Donna McDonough, Chief Registrar and all the other outstanding volunteers welcome and offer you the opportunity to enjoy and participate in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, recognized worldwide as a premier vintage racing event, through the spectacular Schenley Park in Pittsburgh.
Please join us in making the 29th running of the PVGP the very best ever.
Richard Barnes – PVGP Schenley Park Competition Director 412-767-8611
Jim “Rocky” Farrar - PVGP Race Director
Mike Connolly - PVGP Assistant Race Director
