I’ve been a volunteer for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix for close to 15 years. As such, I’m a little surprised how few Pittsburghers know about this event, or the draw it creates both nationally and internationally. Often, it seems those outside our city know more than those inside.
Started in 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raises money for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. It has slowly grown from a 1-day set of races to a 10-day festival at various locations in southwestern PA and second in size only to the Regatta.
Some fun/unknown facts about the Grand Prix:
1) It is the longest continually-running vintage motorsports event in the country
2) It is the nation’s only vintage motorsports event run entirely on city streets
3) Nearly every event – including Race Weekend – is free to the public
4) Our volunteer family numbers close to 1,200 throughout Race Week
5) Until 2003, we were all-volunteer. To this day, only one position is paid – our Executive Director
6) Contestants from all over the US and Canada, as well as Europe and Japan, come for the chance to race the same way racers did in the 1930s andd 40s – on public roads.