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2020 Race Groups – Schenley

Pre-War

Recognized pre-war, classic sports and racing cars through 1940. MG T Series (MGTA, MGTB and MGTC) Roll bars, fuel cells and HANS devices are recommended, but not required for this group. Includes certain other immediate postwar sporting cars on an individual basis selected by VSCCA.

 

About Us

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association’s mission is to produce a world-class vintage automotive event to raise funds to help provide residential care, treatment and support for autistic and intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region. Because of the generous support and contributions from our sponsors, and the dedication of our volunteers, we have been able to donate $5.5 million to charity since 1983.”
In 2019 we celebrate our 37th annual event. Many volunteers never imagined we’d get to this point, but they are still here making it all happen each July. It’s a testament to the dedication of our volunteers and the allure of the Grand Prix.

Though our first race was in 1983, our organization actually started the year prior. Art McGovern and Mary Beth Gmitter envisioned the city streets winding through Schenley Park in as a perfect venue for vintage auto racing. Told that City of Pittsburgh approval hinged on assurance that any money raised would go to charity, they first approached Myron Cope of WTAE-TV Sports fame – also an autism awareness advocate. Meetings with the city’s parks people followed and then-Mayor Richard Caliguiri gave his enthusiastic approval. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association was created, consisting of volunteers, and net proceeds would be donated to charity. In April, 1983, during a meeting in vintage racer Alan Patterson’s Shadyside garage, the planning began for the first Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, scheduled for Labor Day of that same year.

An incredible amount of work ensued thanks to the volunteers from the Sports Car Club of America and the Vintage Sports Car Club of America. Some 75 entrants raced on what would become known as one of the most challenging vintage courses in the country. Five races, along with a parade of patrons, were scheduled, and the plan was put in motion.

We would be lying if we said that the first year went off without a hitch. The complications of a temporary track in the middle of one of Pittsburgh’s most popular public parks reared their heads almost immediately. Huge fence gaps and the labyrinth of infield trails left the course open to penetration from above and below. Recreational joggers were running with the cars zooming around the track. Our volunteer security struggled to overcome these logistical challenges. Nonetheless, the event was regarded as a success.

The experience only fueled our imaginations and motivations, and in 1984 the expansion began. We added an invitational car show and the Sunday tailgate known as Patron Parking. By 1985, our spectator count grew to 40,000 and included participants and fans from all over North America as well as Europe. The genesis of Race Week, in 1987, was ushered in with our first Kick-Off Rallye the preceding Sunday. Our volunteer army grew by leaps and bounds and by 1989 we reached 1,000 volunteers – many of whom still volunteer to this day. Race Week spectator draw has consistently grown throughout the years and is now estimated at close to a quarter-million.With the added size came added attention – from Pittsburgh and beyond. In 1996, Buick signed on as our first Presenting Sponsor. They also brought new models and concept cars to the event, and helped legitimize our stature within the auto industry. Modern race cars from the Indy 500, Le Mans, and elsewhere have blasted down the Boulevard of the Allies and snaked between Serpentine’s stone walls. Ferrari, Marque of the Year in 1993, showed up with museum-piece cars and actually put them on the track – in the rain. In 1994, Marque of the Year one-upmanship began as each attempted to better the proceeding’s donations and spectacle. The gauntlet, first thrown down by Porsche, has been eagerly picked up by BMW, Mustang, MINI and others since then. In 2018 BMW set the Marque record with $126,500 raised!

 

Shop ‘n Save took over the Presenting Sponsorship from 2001 through 2013 that oversaw many events being added to occupy 10 straight days of motorsport events. Sponsorship started to really grow after that and has led to a larger show and increased our charity donations.

In 2004 a second weekend of racing was added at Pittsburgh International Race Complex and it has developed into a self supportive historic racing event for newer historic bug-bore cars that are too fast for the city streets of Schenley Park. Now, with two weekends the PVGP has something for every racing fan.

A blacktie gala was started in 1997 and has established itself as a staple of the Pittsburgh summer social scene while becoming one of our biggest fundraisers. Our Tune-Up party was created in 2006 and has grown into a tremendous event that recently moved to Heinz Field to accommodate its growing popularity.

The Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation took the wheel as our presenting sponsor in 2014 and the partnership has driven our greatest growth! A Countryside Tour was started and filled Thursday, the last remaining Race Week open day. In 2017 a Jet Center Party was added, elevating our event to the top tier of world-wide automotive events. In 2018 we hosted the BMW Oktoberfest and in 2019 the national car clubs for Shelby and Alfa Romeo will hold their conventions at the PVGP. We are pleased that they chose to celebrate with us.

All the while, we’ve held true to our mission –to produce a world-class vintage automotive event to raise funds to help provide residential care, treatment and support for autistic and intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region. It has been 36 years since a cadre of car nuts met in Alan Patterson’s Shadyside garage, and each year brings its challenges. But, with the undying dedication of the volunteers and the enthusiasm of our racers, car show participants, sponsors, and spectators, we continue to grow and with 10 days of motorsport events and 250,000 spectators we have become one of the nation’s premier vintage sports car racing events….and the largest one run on city streets.

Our volunteers remain the heart of the organization and the event, with over 1,000 dedicated individuals working year round to stage this incredible event. Much credit goes to our racers and car show participants who share their cars to make our event possible.

Start Your Engines!

Dan DelBianco
Executive Director
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association

 

Vintage Sports Racers & Formula Racers

This group includes Pre-1961 Formula 2, Formula 3 (500cc), Formula Junior, Sports Racing including Modifieds, Pre-1963 1500cc & under, and Pre-1963 Lotus 7’s. Group managed by VSCCA.

Preservation & Production Under 1 Litre

MGTD and MGTF through 1955. Predominantly European sports cars run stock, just the way they were produced in the 50′s & 60′s when they were driven to the track. Small displacement (under 1 litre) sports cars in production prior to 1975, Formula 3 cars up to 1965. Roll bars, fuel cells and HANS devices are recommended, but not required for this group.

 

Production Under 1.5 Litres

Recognized sports cars and sedans under 1.5 liter displacement in production prior to 1975. All Formula Vees. Certain later model sports cars may be accepted on application.

Sports Cars Under 2.0 Litres

Recognized sports cars and sedans under 2.0 litre displacement in production prior to 1975. Certain later models may be accepted on application.

Sports Cars Over 2.0 Litres

Recognized production sports cars and sedans over 2.0 liters displacement in production prior to 1975. Certain later models may be accepted on application.

 

Axis vs Allies Challenge Race – Saturday

A Challenge race pitting German, Italian and Japanese cars against American, British and French cars. You must be registered for the weekend to be eligible. This exciting and fast single session 8-lap contest is the last race of the day on Saturday.

 

Driver’s Page – Schenley Park

July 25-26, 2020



Vintage Racers,

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is one of the premier vintage racing and charity events in the country. I am honored to be the new Competition Director for Schenley Park. I have participated in various roles in the Grand Prix since it’s inception: as a spectator, a car show participant, a photographer, a rallye driver, a member of the drivers and competition committees, and as a racer.

This is a one-of-a-kind event. The dominant features of other “street course” races are barriers and catch fences. Standing on a golf course or field and watching cars racing near you is a thing of the past everywhere else. We work very hard to keep it authentic, safe and fun!

2020 promises to be the best yet! We are reuniting with the VSCCA and they will be bolstering our Pre-War and Sports/Formula grids. Many of their racers have been with us since we started – and once again, they’ll be racing on the streets, they way they did at the beginning. The VRG will partner with us at the PVGP Historics at Pitt Race on the first weekend and we hope that many members will stick around or return the following weekend at Schenley Park.


jdteplitz@gmail.com
PVGP Competition Director – Schenley Park
#13 1969 Datsun 510

 

British Car Day

Saturday July 25, 2020

One of the highlights of Grand Prix Race Weekend in Schenley Park is British Car Day, sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Triumph Association (WPTA). It features over 500 of England’s best sport and luxury automobiles. 2019 will mark the 39th year of this great event and the 33rd year that it has taken place in conjunction with the PVGP in Schenley Park. During that time the WPTA has raised $160,000 for the Grand Prix charities!

Located in the middle of the golf course it is the anchor of our International Car Show. British Car Day is the largest annual British-only car show in Pennsylvania whose proceeds have always been contributed to charity. The WPTA’s British Car Day was first held at Hartwood Acres from 1981 to 1986. In joining the Grand Prix in 1987, an immediate synergy was evident. That relationship has continued to be a huge success with each event complimenting the other.