CONTACT:
Dan DelBianco – Executive Director
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association
Cell 412.559.3500 delbianco@pvgp.org
For Immediate Release
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Shifting Gears
Canceling Race Week while Featuring Smaller Driving Events
PITTSBURGH, PA (May 21) The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation, today announced major schedule changes to this year’s events in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
After consulting with city officials and stakeholders, the PVGP is canceling its July 17-26 Race Week. Participants and fans of the nation’s largest vintage race event will be pleased to hear the event is planning a full return in 2021 on July 16-25 and Corvette will remain as the Marque of the Year.
The Race Weekend at Schenley Park, PVGP Historics at Pitt Race, Blacktie & Tailpipes Gala, Walnut Street Car Show, Downtown Parade, Tune-Up Party, Jet Center Party and Kick-Off Rallye will return next year.
PVGP Chairman James Dolan stated, “Our priority is to protect the health and safety of the fans, racers, volunteers and sponsors involved. We care deeply about this significant event and arrived at this decision after much consideration. We understand how disappointing this will be to our dedicated volunteers, racers, sponsors, participants and charities.
The PVGP is still planning to host its Waterfront Car Cruise on July 21 and the Countryside Tour to Jamison Farm on July 23. In the months ahead the PVGP will work with their car club partners and sponsors to launch a series of driving tours, car shows and fund raisers to continue to support our charities who have been hit hard during this pandemic.
PVGP Executive Director Dan DelBianco stated “We have explored every avenue for staging our traditional races and car shows in Schenley Park along with our 10-days of Race Week events, but it is just not possible to proceed under current circumstances. To provide outlets for eager car enthusiasts, we plan to create smaller events this year to raise funds for our charities. I would like to thank our fans and sponsors for their support and patience in these challenging times. We look forward to hosting a full slate of events next year to carry on this great tradition.”
The PVGP’s Presenting Sponsor is the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association. “We worked in close partnership with the PVGP to bring together the regional car community” said GPADA CEO Lisa MacIntyre. “While this decision was difficult to make, we believe it was the right one and we are already discussing ways to help support our automotive community moving forward. We plan to continue sponsoring this event that is vital to our automotive members.”
2020 Schedule
Waterfront Car Cruise
Tuesday, July 21 4:00 -9:00 PM
Just about any var can be found among this impressive gathering of approximately 600 vehicles at the Waterfront Shopping Center in Homestead. The show is open to all vehicle makes and years for a suggested $5 donation to our charities. Vendors will be present. Details
Sponsored by Guardian Storage and the Waterfront
Countryside Tour
Thursday July 23 – 10:00 am– 3:00 pm
If you have a vintage car (1983 and older), you’re invited to come tour the Laurel Highlands with us. The route changes each year. We are excited to announce that the tour is returning to Jamison Farm for an incredible lunch and continuing through southwestern Pennsylvania countryside. Please note that this event is still happening in 2020 on Thursday, July 23. Details
Sponsored by Jamison Farm
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation, is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission to host a world-class vintage automotive event. The organization was founded in 1983 and has raised nearly $6 million for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
