The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) is revving up excitement with the announcement of its "Evening of Speed" scheduled for Friday, August 2, 2024. This exclusive event marks a vibrant prelude to the weekend's racing festivities, drawing together PVGP race drivers, their crews, VIPs, and a select number of ticketed guests.
The PVGP Driver Reception, traditionally held at Orr's Jewelry Store on Forbes Avenue, will transition to the elegant Frick Fine Arts Building on the University of Pittsburgh campus. With limited tickets available at $100 each, this event offers a rare opportunity to mingle with racers and enthusiasts in a historic setting.
The day begins at 4:00 PM with the iconic GT40 race car taking pride of place on the Frick's front lawn, highlighting the same location where the Grand Prix hosted its inaugural car show in 1984. By 4:30 PM, Flagstaff Hill's gates will open for parking, setting the stage for a 5:00 PM parade of drivers and their vintage machines.
This parade will begin at the PVGP paddock, winding around the track, over the Panther Hollow Bridge, and finishing at the Frick Fine Arts Building, weaving a path past the Ragtime Racers and Vintage Indy Displays in front of Phipps Conservatory.
From 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Phipps becomes the center for interaction, hosting a meet and greet with the Ragtime Racers and Vintage Indy participants. The Frick Fine Arts Building, a landmark since its 1965 opening and dedicated to the memory of Henry Clay Frick by his daughter Helen Clay Frick, will offer guests a chance to enjoy its art and architectural marvels, including replicas of Florentine Renaissance artworks.
The event will feature a 5:30 PM interview session in the Schenley Plaza Tent with University Formula SAE team students, including Panther Racing, Carnegie Mellon Racing, and Penn State's Nittany Racing. They will discuss their cutting-edge developments in EV-powered race cars alongside noted automotive engineers and designers Kip Wasenko and Brian Willis.
The highlight of the evening, the "Legends of Schenley" Awards Presentation, is set for 6:00 PM, followed by remarks from this year's Grand Marshal, Bill Warner. A strolling dinner commences at 6:15 PM, allowing guests to relax and engage further in this unique setting.
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Bill Warner will captivate the audience again at 7:00 PM with his talk on "Motorsports Photography Then and Now," appealing especially to photography aficionados and social media enthusiasts. The vintage race cars will make their return to the paddock by 8:30 PM, ensuring they are securely in place before sunset.
The "Evening of Speed" is more than an event; it's a celebration of automotive history, innovation, and the enduring spirit of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, promising an unforgettable start to "The Vintage" weekend of vintage racing and car shows at Schenley Park.
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