Schenley Park Race Weekend – Spectator Info

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association is a 501 c-3 non-profit organization that stages this event for the benefit of spectators and to raise important funds for our charity partners The PVGPA pays the full cost to host this event including rental and repair of the golf course, city services, trash removal, port-a-johns, security, insurance and tents. 

Race Weekend at Schenley Park August 3-4, 2024

Race Weekend at Schenley Park is the highlight of our event. It’s a vintage race through the streets of Schenley Park with dozens of viewing areas to watch 125 vintage sports cars roar past the Bob O’Connor Golf Course where we stage 3,000 show cars, sponsor tents, vendors and entertainment.

International Car Show 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Join us for a weekend full of family-friendly automobile-themed activities at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. Thousands of classic, antique and exotic vehicles fill the golf course for our International Car Show. If speed is more your thing, watch 125 vintage racers compete on the track each day. Visit the main stage, grab a snack at our food courtyard or shop at our Vendor Village. Register your car for the weekend Car Show. Charity donation for spectators aged 12 and over is only $10 for the weekend.

International Car Show  Cortile Car Show  Food CourtyardBritish Car Day Spectator Parking | Shuttle Buses | Donation Stations Vintage Ride Experience  Cars n Coffee | Vintage Motorbikes

Vintage Races 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Our vintage racers will be on track each day. Each of the race groups will run in practice sessions Saturday morning and qualifying sessions Saturday afternoon. On Sunday the warm up briefly in the morning the run the Helltown Brewing Featured Races.

Race Schedule | Race Groups | Vintage Ride ExperienceRace Entries  |  Schenley Park Race Circuit |  Track Map | Road Closures  | 

 

Tickets
Due to rising cost to host this event in 2021, we started asking for a donation for spectators. The suggested donation is $10 for the weekend and children aged 12 and under are still free. Our costs to stage this event are significant and we want to help our charity partners. Please help support this great event and its worthy charities. The contribution can be made when you enter the Bob O’Connor Golf Course and the Start/Finish Area or passes can be purchased online to help speed up the process and provide touchless entry.

The PVGP is a 501 c-3 charity that stages this world-class event to raise funds to support individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities, donating $6.7 million to Autism-Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School. We are fortunate to have the support of the greater Pittsburgh community to stage our event at Schenley Park since 1983.  We look forward to a great series of events spread out over the region each July.

Code of Conduct
The PVGP is committed to creating a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for attendees in Schenley Park and at all of our events. We want anyone attending to enjoy the experience in a responsible fashion. When attending an event you are required to refrain from the following behaviors:

  • Behavior that is unruly, disruptive, or illegal in nature is not permitted.
  • You will be removed if you are publicly Intoxicated or show other signs of impairment that result in irresponsible behavior.
  • Foul or abusive language or obscene gestures will not be tolerated.
  • You must follow the instructions of PVGP volunteers and security personnel.
  • You are not permitted to display or sell any materials that are deemed by the PVGP to be offensive or discriminatory and without the PVGP’s permission.

What spectators CAN bring
Sunscreen, cameras, coolers, picnic baskets, ponchos, blankets, folding chairs, baby strollers. Food and refreshment stands are available if you wish to purchase on-site.

What spectators CAN NOT bring
Spectators are not permitted to bring pop-up tents (this includes canopies, EZ-Ups, or camping tents) or beach umbrellas. These items are not permitted as they block views and can become a hazard in windy conditions. Cooking grills are not permitted unless you are a sponsor or car club, this includes gas, charcoal, and electric. Only PVGP approved golf carts are allowed on the premises – spectators are not permitted to bring a personal or rented golf cart. Bicycles are not permitted by the Schenley Park Golf Course because of the damage caused on fairways and around the greens. Frisbees and footballs or soccer balls are also not permitted because of the risk to spectators and show cars. Absolutely no weapons or fireworks are allowed.

Charity Rides
On Saturday at noon you can experience a lap of the track in a race car on a closed circuit with an experienced racer behind the wheel! The entrance to the track is next to the Lamar VIP Tent at turn 15 on the golf course. For a $50 per person donation on a first-come basis. Tickets can not be purchased in advance – cash and credit cards only. Rides run from noon until 12:50 PM only (weather and track conditions permitting). Details

Rest Rooms
There are portable restrooms placed throughout the park for your use. Handicap units are also available. The clubhouse restrooms are not open to the public.

Pets
Due to a large number of spectators, corporate tents and fast moving cars we strongly encourage you to not bring dogs or pets to the event. If you choose to bring your dog you must keep it on a leash and you will be responsible for clean-up and subject to a City fine if not disposed of properly.

Parking
|Spectator parking is available on Flagstaff Hill, across the street from Phipps Conservatory for a $30 donation per car per day – proceeds directly benefit our charities.  Your donation will also include 2 adult event admission wristbands per car. From 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM Free air-conditioned shuttle buses will take you to the golf course or over to the start/finish line. To get there turn right from Forbes Avenue onto Schenley Drive Extension, and proceed through first light and across the bridge. If you want to use a GPS plugin the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens at One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. There are parking lots and garages in Oakland and near Carnegie Mellon – but they do not offer free shuttle buses up the hill to Schenley Park. There is no parking available at the Schenley Park golf course clubhouse. Details

Shuttle Buses
Our event has grown to the point where we need our own transportation system. The shuttle system originates at Flagstaff Hill where all-day public parking is available for a $30 donation to our charities and includes weekend passes for 2 adults – children 12 and under are free. Free Show Side shuttles transport guests up to the golf course making stops at Frew Street, European Car Show, American Car Show and Vendor Village. Then it turns left onto Forbes Avenue and returns to Flagstaff Hill. A separate Start/Finish Connector shuttle goes up Forbes Avenue and stops at Schenley Drive and at Beacon Street and reverses course. The parking lot opens at 8:00 AM and shuttles run from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM Details

Hotels
The PVGP has partnered with EventConnect for room blocks that benefit our charities – details.

Handicap Parking & Accessibility
The Vietnam Pavilion along the Boulevard of the Allies provides a great view of the track and it is handicap accessible.  There is limited free parking available at the Vietnam Pavilion via Overlook Drive.  The Grand Prix does benefit handicapped individuals, but unfortunately, there is very little handicap parking available close to the races and car shows. There is no longer shuttle bus service to and from the Vietnam Pavilion.

First Aid
There is a First Aid station at the Schenley Park Golf Course Clubhouse. Hours of operation are 9:00 AM through 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday. There are also three EMS units in the park so if you have a true emergency please call 911.

Tents
Tents are only permitted if you are an official sponsor, a paying vendor, or a participating car club. Tents must be secured through the PVGP. The Grand Prix rents the golf course for the weekend and has the final approval of any tents or display structures on the property. Spectators are not permitted to bring pop-up tents or beach umbrellas as they block spectator views and can become a safety hazard in windy conditions. This is a charity event run by dedicated volunteers  – please cooperate with them, thank you.

Sponsors and Vendors
Organizations and individuals must be official sponsors or vendors of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in order to display, market, sell or solicit with Schenley Park or any event venue. Our event benefits charity – please obey our rules and do your part to help our charities. Violators will be removed and possibly prosecuted. Become a Sponsor

Golf Carts
Only PVGP volunteers and sponsors/car clubs are permitted to use golf carts. The Golf Course does not own golf carts; the PVGP contracts to bring them in to help run the event. They are not available for rent and can not be borrowed. You are not permitted to bring your own golf cart or powered cart onto the golf course for liability reasons unless approved by PVGP.

Volunteer
We are always looking for new volunteers. It takes over 1,200 people to stage the event. Please call Cathy Dernorsek at 412 824-2297 and she’ll get you started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I display or hang promotional materials in a tent or area?

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is a charitable event. Any sponsorship or promotion must be approved beforehand by the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. Contact the PVGP for more details. As a car show participant, you are not permitted to promote any organization other than your approved car club.

What happens in case of rain or severe weather?

There is no rain date for any of our events. Because of the time constraints and street closures, we are unable to reschedule events and we try our best to hold all events if weather permits. If wet conditions are severe at Schenley Park the golf course superintendent has the right to close the course to vehicle traffic arriving and leaving. We ask that you be patient and follow the instructions of the PVGP staff.

Can I bring food and drink into Schenley Park?

There are food and refreshment stands located strategically throughout Schenley Park including the Food Court. You are permitted to bring your own food, but grills and open flames are not permitted. Please dispose of your trash and recyclables in the receptacles provided.

What you can deduct for charitable contributions:

The PVGP is a 501 (c) (3) organization and any direct donations can be deductible. Any value you receive from a fee paid for a particular event must be subtracted from the value received. Example: For the Black Tie & Tailpipes event the value of the dinner and entertainment (approximately $100) is not deductible, the remaining cost per ticket is. The value received for a Jet Center ticket is $100. For the International, Car Shows the entire fee paid is deductible. For Patron Parking $20 from each parking spot is not deductible. Please contact the PVGP for more details and tax documentation.