Vintage Grand Prix to bestow honors on Jaguar
It’s race time again as the 24th annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix gets under way this weekend with a host of activities and a salute to Jaguar as the Marque of the Year.
The Historic Races are today and tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BeaveRun Motorsports Complex in Beaver Falls. The event features both vintage (pre-1960) and historic (post-1960) cars, and it’s a great chance to spot rare cars that are seldom seen either on the racetrack or the street.
Folks also will put on the Ritz today at the Black Tie & Tailpipes Gala, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Fox Chapel Golf Club.
No Vintage Grand Prix week would be complete without an emphasis on the classic and special interest cars, and this year is no different. Several events are scheduled for car enthusiasts.
The Invitational Car Show, to be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Monday on Walnut Street in Shadyside, is always one of the best places to hang out if you’re into cars and want to spot some classic models.
An even bigger event will be the Vintage Car Cruise from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at The Waterfront shopping and restaurant complex in Homestead. PVGP officials say to expect more than 500 cars, but each year the number seems to far exceed that.
They’re all there: Mustangs, Barracudas, Chevys, Cadillacs and a number of automobiles from all over the world. If you have a favorite, chances are you’ll see it and even have a chance to chat it up with owners and exchange car stories. They’re also more than happy to offer some tips if you are considering buying or restoring cars similar to theirs. It’s one of the biggest displays of vintage iron in the region.
Another opportunity for car spotting before the big race will be the Downtown Pittsburgh Car Display from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Gateway Center, PPG Plaza and the U.S. Steel Building, Downtown.
Race Weekend events include a Combined Car Show and British Car Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. next Saturday on the Schenley Park Golf Course.
That same day, Vintage Race Practice and Qualifying Heats will be held beginning at 9 a.m. It will give onlookers a chance to see more than 150 race cars dating to the 1920s practicing and qualifying for the big race day.
And that big race day happens to be July 16, when things kick off with a practice session from 8:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Opening ceremonies will be from 10:15 a.m. to noon, and will include the Marque of the Year parade and Patrons Parade.
Bibiana Boerio, managing director of Jaguar Cars in London and a native of Latrobe, will be on hand as grand marshal. She’s a graduate of Seton Hill University in Greensburg and has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.
There also will be the Larry Smith Memorial Car Show that day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring the best of Saturday’s car shows.
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, sponsored by Shop ‘n Save, benefits the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. The event has raised more than $1.75 million for the two organizations over the years.
For more information go to the event’s Web site, www.pvgp.org.
