Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Donates $275,000 to Charity and Takes a Victory Lap
PITTSBURGH, PA (December 5, 2023) The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix dropped the checkered flag on its 2023 event by presenting a $275,000 donation check to their charity partners.
On November 29, 2023, the staff and residents of Merakey Allegheny Valley School along with Elizabeth Cope, appeared with the donation check that resulted from this year’s Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.
The Victory Lap event was held at the Double Tree Hilton in Cranberry on November 29. Sponsors and Car Club Partners were acknowledged, and volunteers were honored with checkered flags.
“At the Victory Lap, Ted Sohier told the volunteers and sponsors stories from our first ten years. Famous drivers like Sam Posey, Renee Dreyfus, Chip Robinson, and the historic cars that raced in Schenley Park in the early years. The PVGP is an important part of the history of vintage racing in America. As we look ahead to the future, the PVGP created a strategic plan to elevate this Motorsports festival to an international event, showcasing our long history, its unique setting in Schenley Park, and the community-wide involvement of our events and volunteers. The strategy is to increase our charitable mission while showcasing the City of Pittsburgh, Oakland, the Universities, and the rich history of Western Pennsylvania,” said James Dolan, PVGP Chairman.
Danny Yanda also regaled the early days of the Grand Prix and fondly recalled the times he spent with former Race Director and Board member Mike Connolly organizing the races – sadly, Mike passed away just after the event this year.
Merakey Allegheny Valley School, Senior Regional Executive Director Roni Erath shared, “We are incredibly grateful to the PVGP community for its year-long commitment and salute your efforts to this world-class event. Your energy helps to focus attention on Pittsburgh and provides supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and autism.
Jesse Torisky, CEO of Autism-Pittsburgh, stated “We express our gratitude for the hard work and dedication of so many people who work to make the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix a top-level fundraising event. This enables us to continue to serve the autism community in fifteen counties here in Western Pennsylvania.
Our 2023 PVGP Checkered Flag Winners (left to right starting on top row): Joe Baird, Colt Dalmaso, Tim Gilkey, Paula Hawthorne, Dwight Heron, Linda Lips, Caitlin Murin, Will Stewart and Nicole Tripp. Not shown: Dave Ley, Kenny Giehll, and Lou Nudi.
“Charitable donations are just one part of the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. We are proud to recognize all of our sponsors and partners. The checkered flags are a token of appreciation for our volunteer’s winning efforts. I wish we could give everyone a checkered flag – they are all winners,” stated Dan DelBianco, PVGP Executive Director. PVGP Checkered Flag History
2024 PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX
RACE WEEK SCHEDULE
Kick-Off Rallye at Dual Devils Garage Sunday, July 21 Details
Walnut Street Invitational Car Show Monday, July 22 Details
Blacktie & Tailpipes Gala at PPG Wintergarden Friday, July 26 Details
Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex July 26-28 Details
Sewickley Stampede & Roundup Tuesday, July 30 Details
Waterfront Car Cruise Tuesday, July 30 Details
Downtown Pittsburgh Car Display Wednesday, July 31 Details
Tune-Up at SouthSide Works Wednesday, July 31 Details
Countryside Tour Thursday, August 1 Details
Passport to Elegance Party Thursday, August 1 Details
Race Weekend and International Car Show at Schenley Park August 3-4 Details
Click here for a full detailed schedule or click the Details links next to each event above. Registration for racers and most events opens in January.
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX
Begun in 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Motorsport Festival features two weekends of racing action. The first weekend is the PVGP Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex. The second weekend is racing through a 2.33-mile road course set on the streets of Schenley Park. Between our race weekends we stage car shows, parties, road rallies, a blacktie formal and a hangar party. The PVGP is driven by 1,200 individuals, dedicated to staging the country’s largest and longest running vintage race event. It is also a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a mission to provide residential care, treatment and support for people with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities – donating $6.7 million to the Autism-Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School.
PVGP CONTACTS:
Dan DelBianco Phone (412) 559-3500 delbianco@pvgp.org
Bernard Martin Phone (412) 996-5700 bernardtmartin@pvgp.org