Many engines still are silent, and the race course at Schenley Park has yet to be lined with sport-car enthusiasts, but the excitement is beginning for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.
Some racing will begin this weekend, opening a week of events leading to the annual competition of classic cars that also includes displays and shows at the park in Oakland. The weekend of races and the International Car Show at the park will be July 23 and 24.
But first, there are other ways to get geared up for the excitement:
• Black Tie & Tailpipes , the annual formal get-together that opens activities, is Friday evening at the Longue Vue Country Club in Verona. Tickets are $200, but the event is sold out.
• Historic Races at BeaveRun near Koppel in Beaver County includes a competition of classic muscle cars and other racers up to 1972, a Porsche/BMW challenge and an opportunity to hit the track in go-carts. Test and tune-up sessions for grand prix racers begin on Friday and there are races beginning at 8 a.m Saturday and 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Entries are $350 for racers and $165 for a whole day of activity for the grand prix test and tune-up sessions. Admission for spectators is free Friday, $15 Saturday and Sunday and $25 for the whole weekend.
• Walnut Street Invitational Car Show , 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, is a collection of almost 150 classic and exotic cars on display in Shadyside. It is free.
• Car Cruise at the Waterfront , 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, is another collection of about 750 cars entered by their passionate owners. A $5 entry fee for each car benefits the Autism Society and the Allegheny Valley School, the overall beneficiaries of the grand prix.
• Downtown Parade and Car Rally , 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, will feature the entrants of the upcoming grand prix in a cruise through Downtown and then a display at PPG Place, USX Plaza and Market Square.
• Tune-up at Bossa Nova will cap off Wednesday's activities from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Downtown club. It will feature music by Johnny B and the Accelerators. A $35 ticket gets a guest free tapas and a complimentary drink.
Details on all the events: www.pittsburghvintagegrandprix.com .
