The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is about to begin its 25th Race Week and it improves with each year now that the event encompasses two full weekends, not just the one in Schenley Park. Things got under way this past weekend at BeaveRun Motorsports Complex with the Big-Block cars in action.
Things will move back to the city this week and the displays begin tonight, all leading up to Sunday's races on the 2.33 mile course that features 22 turns on dedicated city streets, the only vintage race of its kind in America. In its history the PVGP has donated over $2 million to its charities, the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School.
Here is a schedule of the events leading up to Sunday's races.
Today - Invitational Car Show from 5 to 9 p.m. on Walnut Street in Shadyside. This is a great opportunity to get a close look at some beautiful racecars and exotics as well as a chance to meet and talk with the owners.
Tuesday - PVGP Car Cruise at the Waterfront from 4 to 9 pm. This event in Homestead regularly attracts more than 500 cars of all makes and models. There also will be an appearance at 11:30 a.m. by NASCAR star Jeff Gordon.
Wednesday - Downtown Race Car Parade & Display from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the perfect excuse to get out of the office for a nice break from work. The sound of 50 race and show cars rumbling through downtown Pittsburgh should be worth the time. The cars will then be displayed at four locations in town, USX Tower, PPG Place, Market Square and Katz Plaza.
Wednesday - Grand Prix Tune-Up at Bossa Nova from 6 to 9 p.m. This Happy Hour event is pretty much to raise money for the PVGP charities. There are no advanced ticket sales and it does cost $30 at the door but you get some food and beverages.
Saturday - Schenley Park Car Shows and race qualifying from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a great day to head out if you want something a little less hectic than the Sunday races. The shuttles will take you anywhere you want around Schenley Park to see the British, American, German, Japanese and Italian cars on display on the park's golf course. This is a good time to walk through the paddock and view the cars that will race. It is also a nice opportunity to talk to the drivers in a somewhat more relaxed situation.
Sunday - Race Day in Schenley Park from noon to 5 p.m. The races begin at noon but the displays are available all day.
Jennerstown Speedway's future
There were plenty of doubts about Jennerstown's future before the season started and those doubts are still there.
One of the best shows you can see on a short asphalt oval, the ISMA SuperModifieds, were at the track Saturday night but there just were not many people in the stands.
That has been a problem at Jennerstown, arguably the nicest racing facility in western Pennsylvania, for years. Jennerstown owner Dave Wheeler expressed his frustration with the entire situation.
"Basically we are just not having a good year; the car count is down, the fan count is down too," Wheeler said. "I think it's more the economy too. They raised the minimum wage so I had to raise tickets prices. The track is for sale and if I can't do that I will attempt to lease it to someone for next year. I want to see weekly racing survive but the bottom line is I just don't have the time.
"Larry (former track GM Larry Mattingly) proved last year that you could put people in the seats with a great halftime show," Wheeler said. "We are better off financially without having to pay for the big halftime show. It's frustrating because if this track was 40 miles west of here I think we could pack it all the time. It's perception that we are so far away. From Monroeville we are just an hour and 10 minutes away, if that."
