Vintage Grand Prix returns to Schenley Park after 2020 cancellation

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is ready to get back on track at Schenley Park this summer after the pandemic forced its cancellation a year ago.

Presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Foundation, events are scheduled to begin on July 16 and run through Race Weekend in Schenley Park on July 24 and 25.

“Skipping one year was tough,” Dan DelBianco, executive director of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, said. “We didn’t want to cancel two years in a row.”

Events include a Blacktie & Tailpipes Gala at Valley Brook Country Club, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Historic at Pitt Race Complex, a Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix car cruise at The Waterfront and a Tune-Up Party at the SouthSide Works.

The main event, Race Weekend at Schenley Park, will feature Corvette as the 2021 Marque of the Year. With over 2,500 vehicles of all makes and years, the show will span over 450 acres at Bob O’Connor Golf Course and throughout the park.

Vintage racers will take to the roads surrounding Schenley Park, and guests can visit car displays and vendors.

“Our racers are extremely excited to get back on the track this summer,” said James Dolan, Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix racer and chairman of the board. “We have opened registration, and our volunteer teams are hard at work planning events.”

Vintage Indy will join the event for the first time, bringing 10 to 15 Indy cars that raced in the Indianapolis 500. Fans can watch the cars drive exhibition laps through Schenley Park each afternoon and view them on display throughout Race Weekend.

“The members of Vintage Indy are honored with the invitation to bring these iconic Indianapolis cars to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix,” Michael Lashmett, CEO of Vintage Indy, said. “We all acknowledge the history of this storied event and look forward to bringing these historic cars before the throngs of fans along this scenic street course. A first really, the roar of vintage Indy cars in Schenley Park and all for a wonderful charitable cause.”

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, a nonprofit organization, has raised nearly $6 million for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School for individuals with autism and intellectual or developmental disabilities.

“We appreciate the community support that has helped us raise $5.9 million for our autism charities since we started in 1983,” DelBianco said.

An entrance fee will be required this year, though past events had been free to enter, DelBianco said. Adults and children 12 and older will pay $5, while children under 12 can enter for free.

“It’s come to the point where it’s too expensive to hold the event,” DelBianco said. “We didn’t have many events last year, and it’s a way to give a boost to our charities.”

With covid-19 capacity restrictions lifting on Memorial Day, DelBianco said this year’s event should look very similar to those in pre-pandemic years. While the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will abide by any covid-19 mitigation measures in place at the time, DelBianco said it is “very possible” that the event will draw a crowd equivalent to those before the pandemic. During Race Weekend, he estimated that 50,000 to 75,000 people could be visiting the event daily.

“Our auto crowd is very enthusiastic,” he said. “We’re hoping to return to as close to normal as possible.”

Additional details and a full calendar of events are available on the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix website.