2011 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix FACT SHEET

There is so much to cover when it comes to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Here is a quick list of facts about our one-of-a-kind event:

Porsche Honored as Marque – Each year the PVGP selects a marque, or car manufacturer to honor. In 2011 Porsche will be recognized as the marque. Schenley Park will be the focus of activities consisting of a parade and a dedicated tent for all participants. AND The 356 Registry is joining us to celebrate the event

Spotlight on the Cars of Carroll Shelby – The PVGP rejuvinated the Spotlight Car Show in 2009 when VW was recognized for their contributions to the PVGP. Last year Corvette was the Spotlight in honor of PVGP volunteer Donna Mae Mims. In 2011 Carroll Shelby will be making their first appearance and we will welcome all Shelby cars; Cobras, Mustangs, GT350, GT500, GT-40, Daytona Coupes, even Shelby's Chargers, Vipers an other Dodge products.

29th Anniversary – The PVGP is our nation’s longest running vintage race event, celebrating 29 consecutive years in 2011.

How it got started - There is an interesting story about how the event got started including the first meeting in a Shadyside garage in 1982. Many who attended the meeting are still with the Grand Prix today. The first event in 1983 was a 1-day race held on September 3rd…the Grand Prix has now grown to a 10-day festival spanning two counties and 9 separate events.

Volunteers – There are nearly 1,000 individuals who volunteer each year to stage the Grand Prix. Race side job functions include corner workers, tow truck operators, timing/scoring officials, pit/paddock directors and food preparation. On the show side; volunteers direct traffic, empty trash, manage car shows, sell merchandise, take donations and direct the parade. The PVGP is the largest volunteer-based event in vintage racing. In 2010 our volunteers consumed 3 tons of ice, 300 cases of soft drinks and 600 cases of water.

One of a Kind – The PVGP is the nation’s only vintage race staged on public roads. 2.3 miles of Pittsburgh city streets in Schenley Park are closed over the July 23/24 weekend. Approximately 200 vintage cars are raced on two lane roads and bridges with stone walls, curbs and telephone poles. Just like this country’s first sports car racing was done in the 1950’s.

Charity – The PVGP has raised $2.75 million since 1983 for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. Staff and families of these charities are an integral part of the PVGP volunteer staff. $150,000 was donated in 2010.

Ambassadors – To help put a face on the race’s charities Ambassadors from each charity are selected each year and their stories help to define what each charity does and how the PVGP donations help individuals.

Course Set-up – The 2.33 mile race course that winds through Schenley Park public streets has 22 turns and is set-up and torn down in just a few days by volunteers. In the construction of the temporary track the following materials are required: 243 tons of concrete Jersey barriers, 2 miles of snow fence with 1300 fence posts, 1,700 hay bales and 4,000 zip-ties.

Free Event – Since the PVGP is held on city streets amid a 456 acre public park there are no gates or admission fees charged. Race Week attendance is estimated at a quarter million people with over 200,000 attending the Schenley Park weekend…making it our country’s largest vintage racing spectator event.

Cars – Approximately 200 vintage cars race at Schenley Park each year. With an average value of $50,000 per race car that equates to over $10 million on the track!. Many are unusual and rare. Some examples include a $2 million dollar 1953 C-Type Jaguar with European racing provenance and several 1930’s Alfa Romeo 6C racers, a 1929 Ardent Alligator and several Bugatti’s from the 1920’s.

Historic Races at BeaveRun – Starting in 2004 the PVGP introduced an additional weekend of racing at BeaveRun MotorSports Complex in nearby Beaver Falls, PA. This venue allows fan to see American muscle cars and big-bore racers that are too big and fast for Schenley Park’s circuit. It’s a loud and exciting start to a weeklong celebration of the automobile. Admission is $15 per day.

Sponsors – Shop’n Save supermarkets have been the Presenting Sponsor since 2001, in addition to being the largest contributor they also host the Hospitality Tent at the center of the golf course; it raises money for the charities as well. Ford is the next largest sponsor and is the “Official Truck of the PVGP”. Lamar Advertising, Subaru, RR Donnelley/Hoechstetter Printing Rahal Motor Company, Cadillac and Sewickley Car Store are also major sponsors.

Car Shows – The weekend’s International Car Show at Schenley Park attracts 2,000 show cars on the golf course with their respective car clubs. The largest club is the Western Pennsylvania Triumph Association, marking their twenty fifth year as the sponsors of “British Car Day” which bring 600 British cars on Saturday, July 24. There is major support from the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Clubs as well as participation from clubs representing MINI, BMW, Jaguar, VW, Mustang, Pontiac GTO, Mazda and Austin Healey. 

Public Parking – Public parking is available on Flagstaff Hill, across the street from Phipps Conservatory for $15 per day. Free shuttle buses provided by Pittsburgh Transportation Group will take you to/from the golf course and to the start/finish line. Each car will be given a certificate good for a free race program.

For more information, contacts or photos please contact:
Daniel DelBianco/Executive Director
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association
1000 Gamma Drive, Suite 106 Pittsburgh, PA 15238
email: delbianco@pvgp.org
Phone: 412 559-3500 Fax: 412 781-0887