The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix: A Roaring Success for 33 Years

July 22, 2015/Rick Handler

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Two older vintage, open-wheel racers jockey for position.
Racing in the beautiful environs of Schenley Park.
The Marques of Italy was the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix's Marque of the Year 2015. Ferrari pictured.
Two Porsches displayed side by side.
Parties and picnics abounded all along the fairways. Many sponsors had hospitality tents for customers and employees.
A corner crew watching the 210 car race by.
A track marshal waves the Faster Car Approaching Flag to alert the blue car driver.
American cars were proudly on display, such as this Chevrolet Chevelle SS.
A 1960s Corvette convertible, ready for action.
Many beautiful cars of different makes and models lined the fairways. Patrons could buy a parking pass and drive on to the golf course.
A Plymouth Road Runner in all its glory.
This Mercury Comet convertible has its top down and is ready for some summertime fun.
The Jaguar pace car leads the pack to start the race with the 139 and 26 racers in the first row.
The 97 and 41 cars emerge from the sharp curve.
The rest of the pack come roaring up the hill and into the curve.
The 13 car is making a hard run for the front.
It's hard to miss the colorfully painted 551 car.
The 124 car has good vibes with its flower power images.
Racers running full throttle down a straightaway.

Two older vintage, open-wheel racers jockey for position.

Racing in the beautiful environs of Schenley Park.

The Marques of Italy was the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix's Marque of the Year 2015. Ferrari pictured.

A corner crew watching the 210 car race by.

Flag person waving the Faster Car Approaching Flag to alert blue car driver.

American cars were proudly on display, such as this Chevrolet Chevelle SS.

A 1960s Corvette convertible ready to strike.

Many beautiful cars of different makes and models line the greens.

The Jaguar pace car leads the pack to start the race with the 139 and 26 racers in the first row.

The 97 and 41 cars emerge from the sharp curve.

The 13 car is making a hard run for the front.

It's hard to miss the colorfully painted 551 car.

The 124 car has good vibes with its flower power images.

Click on the photo to start the slider.

A festival was held on the grounds of the Bob O’Connor Golf Course and surrounding Schenley Park this past weekend. It featured booths where one could buy festival memorabilia, crafts and trinkets, as well as tasty festival food such as gyros, French fries, Italian sausage, and Italian Ice. Festival goers had driven to the pleasant, summertime festival in many remarkable cars, and people were picnicking and partying all over the fairways. Then a roar rose up in the distance, getting closer and louder. In Pittsburgh, this combination of fun activities could only be the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.

After a series of race week events, including car shows in various Pittsburgh neighborhoods, the Blacktie & Tailpipes Gala, Cars & Guitars party at the Hard Rock Cafe, and even a rally through the countryside, the cars ran race-qualifying heats on Saturday. On Sunday, race car drivers—whose cars were of many different brands and years—waited for the green flag to drop to square off against one another. Their singular goal: to be the first to cross the finish line and take the checkered flag. Most importantly, however, this event greatly benefits the disabled in our area. Proceeds, nearly $4 million over the years, go to two very deserving charities: the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. As the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix site so aptly says, it’s “A race where everybody wins.”

Photos: Rick Handler

Rick Handler is the executive producer of Entertainment Central and has enjoyed attending the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix for many years.