Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix founder will be missed
This summer's Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will have an air of sadness with the recent passing of its founder, Alan Patterson.
Patterson, 85, of Shadyside, died June 30. He was a vintage racing legend and served as grand prix's first race director in 1983. The organization's first meetings were in his Shadyside garage.
Patterson raced vintage sports cars at some of the most prestigious tracks in the world — from Sebring, Fla., to Monterey, Calif., and the top historic races in France, England and Monaco — but he always said that Pittsburgh's Schenley Park, setting for the only U.S. vintage races still run on city streets, was his favorite venue.
Besides his love of motorsport, Patterson was proud of his family's involvement in his passion for racing — including his daughter, Elizabeth; his sons, Alan III and Christopher; his nephew, Peter, and Peter and Jennifer's daughter Kelsey, 24, and son Spencer, 22, who raced in last year's Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and will be among the drivers participating in race activities that start July 7. His entire family has enjoyed and supported him in his hobby, Alan Patterson III said.
Nephew Peter Patterson, of Edgewood, said that Alan Patterson passed away unexpectedly and was planning to race in this year's grand prix. Alan's son, Alan III, hopes to drive his father's favorite vintage cars in his honor in the vintage races on Schenley Park Race Day on July 16.
Alan Patterson was honored as a “Legend of Schenley Park” last year. Longtime friend and fellow racer Andy McSwigan wrote in the 2016 race program, “If there really is a legend of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, it's Alan Patterson. No one else comes close.”
Patterson got started in vintage racing in about 1950 as part of the Buzzy Kountz Racing Team at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Every year since the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix got off the ground in 1983, Patterson competed in one of his classic race cars, “whichever was running well at the time,” McSwigan said, adding that, “Alan was racing cars that he purchased new since the 50s — an amazing feat.”
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix started out as a single day race in Schenley Park. Thirty-five years later, it has grown into a 10-day celebration spanning six venues and two counties. Dedicated to helping its local charities, the grand prix has donated $4.75 million to the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School since 1983, including a record $405,500 in 2016, according to Dan DelBianco, the race's executive director.
Alan Patterson's family said a memorial service will be held at a later date.
Candy Williams is a Tribune-Review contributing writer.
