The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2017 was held July 7-16 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An estimated crowd of more than 300,000 spectators visited the 10-day festival that culminated with the 35th annual races staged on the scenic, yet technically challenging circuit at Schenley Park.
The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP) is unique in America, as it’s the only vintage car race staged on public roads amidst the public 456-acre Schenley Park. The 2.33-mile circuit is comprised of 23 turns, complete with two lane roads, bridges with stone walls, curbs, manhole covers and telephone poles.
A field of nearly 150 vintage race cars participated in the 2017 Pittsburgh Vintage GP, grouped together by engine size and year of manufacture in six race classes and two featured races. There were practice warm-up sessions each morning, with qualifying races on Saturday and the featured races staged on Sunday. The top finishers pull into the Winner’s Circle immediately after each race and share their stories about the race in live interviews with the PVGP’s Ted Sohier over the PA system. Fans get a chance hear each racer being interviewed and are part of the celebration. All three top finishers along with the racer selected for the “Best Drive” are rewarded with medals and and 5 Litre mini-keg of Hofbräuhaus Bier.
The featured ‘Axis versus Allies’ race saw Joey Bojalad’s 1960 Elva Mk VI take the victory over the 1970 Porsche 914/6 of Chuck Kelly and the 1972 Porsche 914/6 of Gary Schultz. Other race winners at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2017 included Michael Barstow’s 1953 MG TD (Group 1 and 2 Pre-War, Select MG T, Preservation and Under 1-Litre); Charlie Dolan’s 1957 MG A (Group 3 Production Under 1.5 Litres); Dennis Wilson’s 1962 Lotus Super Seven (Group 4 Sports Cars Under 2 Litres); Perry Genova’s 1970 BMW 2002 (Group 5 Sports Cars Over 2.0 Litres); Joey Bojalad’s 1960 Elva Mk VI (Group 6 Vintage Sports Racers, Formula Vee and Formula Junior) and Christian Morici’s 1971 Lotus 69 FF (Group 7 Royale FF Challenge Series).
PVGP Chairman of the Board, Dan Taylor, was pleased with all 10 days of events and as the races concluded said, “I hope everyone will stop for a moment and savor the taste of victory. Thanks to all involved in this great race.”
Celebrating its 35th year, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix raised “hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School” in 2017, according to PVGP Executive Director Dan DelBianco.
Similar to 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, Sports Car Digest also documented the 2017 PVGP, with photographer Michael DiPleco offering the following pictures showing the field of historic race cars and the unique setting of the Schenley Park track.
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2017 – Photo Gallery (photos: Michael DiPleco)
Midnight.
Alfa Romeo Guilia SS.
50th Anniversary of the Camaro.
Yenko Stinger.
The Iron Dinosaur, Bonneville Land Speed Racer.
1969 Abarth Scorpione SS.
1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite.
1977 DKW 3/6.
1972 Alfa Romeo Spider- Dottie Bechtol.
1971 Alfa Romeo GT Jr.- Lee Poseidon.
1971 Lotus Elan- Joe Mendel.
1974 Renault Alpine A110- Najeeb Khan.
1954 Jaguar XK120M- Ralph Steinberg.
1959 Devin D- Cliff McCandless.
1974 Renault Alpine A110- Najeeb Khan.
1976 Porsche 914/4- Stephen Scholze.
1968 Datsun 510- Gary Reed.
1962 MGB- Michael Zappa.
1972 Porsche 914/6.
1983 BMW 320i- Steve Liadis.
1972 Porsche 911- James Southwood.
Door Brakes on the BMW 2002.
1972 Datson 240Z- John Jeffrey.
1958 V.A.Y. Special- David Gibson.
1963 Cooper T67 FJ- Stephen Morici.
1972 Crossle 25- Dan Helman.
1971 Alfa Romeo GT Jr- Lee Poseidon.
1972 Triumph GT6.
Triumphs GT6’s
School kids with Rich Maloumian’s A’56 Austin Healey 100/4.
Joisey.
Someone was not so lucky.
Mark Sherman heads downtown for the Drivers Reception at Orr’s Jewelry.
He’ll be out of karts soon.
Allard MPH
Allard J2X.
Allard J2X.
The Cat.
’52 Culbert shows some wear.
Nice Car
Forbes Street Drivers Reception.
1974 BMW 2002- Adrienne Hughes.
1974 BMW 2002- John Barhydt.
1967 Jaguar XKE.
1961 Jaguar E-Type- Alan Patterson III.
1972 Datsun 240Z.
1971 Porsche 914/6- Scott Ryan.
1972 Datsun 240Z.
1964 Jaguar XKE- Kelsey Patterson.
1961 Jaguar E-Type- Alan Patterson III.
1967 Zinc C-4 FV- Alan Harriman.
1953 Jabro MkII- Paul Wilson.
1960 Elva MkVI- Joey Bojalad.
1962 Lotus 7- Tom Chisholm.
1953 MG-TD- Michael Barstow.
1959 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 GT- Joe Parlanti.
1939 MG-TB Special- Frank Mount.
1962 Austin Healey Sprite- David Thomas
1959 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 GT- Joe Parlanti.
Allard J2x- Alan Patterson III.
1958 MGA- Monroe Snider.
Allard J2x- Alan Patterson III.
1933 Plymouth Speedster- Lester Neidell.
1951 MG-TD- Kurt Byrnes . 1959 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 GT- Joe Parlanti. 1953 MG-TD- Michael Barstow.
1933 Plymouth Speedster- Lester Neidell.
1967 Ford GT40 MkIV- First American car to win LeMans with American Drivers. AJ Foyt/Dan Gurney.
1967 Ford GT40 MkIV- First American car to win LeMans with American Drivers. AJ Foyt/Dan Gurney.
1961 Austin Healey Sprite- Alan Patterson III.
Nial McCabe- 1967 MG Midget.
1961 Austin Healey Sprite- Alan Patterson III.
1967 Mini Cooper S- Joseph Plunkett.
1957 MGA- Charlie Dolan.
Nial McCabe- 1967 MG Midget.
1962 Austin Healey Sprite- Petre McCarthy.
1965 Mini Cooper- Holly Murphy.
1962 Austin Mini Cooper- Manny Bansal.
1968 Saab Sonett- Stefan Vapaa.
1972 Triumph GT6- Brian Dolan.
1974 Renauly Alpine 110- Najeep Khan.
Panther guards the bridge.
Alfa GTA enetrs the Pather Hollow Bridge.
1985 BMW 325i- Raymond Peterson.
1959 Jabro Mkl II- Paul Wilson.
1958 V.A.Y. Special Sports Racer- David Gibson.
1960 Elva Mk VI- Joey Bojalad.
Lotus 18-
1959 Jabro Mkl II- Paul Wilson.
1960 Lotus 18- David Allison.
1960 Lotus 18- David Allison.
1958 V.A.Y. Special Sports Racer- David Gibson.
1939 MG-TB Special- Frank Mount.
1953 MG-TD- Mark Sherman.
’63 Corvette.
1957 MGA Charlie Dolan.
1963 Austin Mini S- Bruce Whipple.
1961 Triumph TR3A- Jeff Snook.
1969 Porsche 911ST- Randy Evans.
Michael Zappa in the middle .
1959 Elva Courier- Norman Berke.
1962 Triumph TR4- Michael Moore.
1974 Renault Alpine A110- Najeeb Khan.
Tight
1962 Triumph TR4- Michael Moore.
1962 MGB-Michael Zappa.
1971 Alfa Romeo GT Jr- Lee Poseidon.
1965 Alfa Romeo GTV-John Breslow and Najeeb Khan 1974 Renault Alpine 110.
1954 Jaguar 120M- Ralph Steinberg.
1967 Volvo 122 Amazon- Bob Criss Sr.
1976 Porsche 914-4- Stephen Scholze.
1974 Renault Alpine A110- Najeeb Khan.
Michael Zappa, MGB.
1976 Porsche 914-4- Stephen Scholze.
Austin Healey 100/4- Rich Maloumian Jr.
Spencer Patterson 1967 XKE leads his sister Kelsey in a 1964 XKE.
1972 Datsun 240Z- John Jeffrey.
1972 Datsun 240Z- Matthew Kuli.
1972 Porsche 914/6- Gary Schultz.
1972 Porsche 911- James Southwood.
1963 Formcar Mk1 FV- William Kovick.
1958 V.A.Y. Special- David Gibson.
1972 Mallock 11B- Chris DeMinco.
1959 Lotus Seven- George Vappa.
1959 Jabro MkII- Paul Wilson.
1959 Lotus Seven- George Vappa.
1967 Zinc c-4 FV- Alan Harriman.
1958 V.A.Y. Special- David Gibson.
1958 V.A.Y. Special- David Gibson.
1960 Elva Mk VI- Joey Bojalad.
1960 Lotus 18- David Allison.
1971 Lotus 69 FF- Christian Morici.
1970 Merlyn Mk11A/17 FF- Andrew Stein.
Formula Fords.
1972 Crossle 25- Dan Helman.
1978 Crossle 32F- Chris Cogswell.
1970 Merlyn Mk17- Jane Tapp.
Heading toward the green.
1970 Porsche 914/6- Chuck Kelly.
1960 Elva Courier- Kevin Michael.
1960 Elva Courier- Kevin Michael.
1972 Porsche 914/6- Gary Schultz.
1956 Austin Healey 100/4- Rich Maloumian Jr.
1959 Porsche 356A- William Swartz.
1956 Austin Healey 100/4- Rich Maloumian Jr.
1956 Austin Healey 100/4- Rich Maloumian Jr.
1959 MGA- Dave Good.
1953 MG-TD- Michael Barstow.
1953 MG-TD- Michael Barstow.
1951 MG-TD, George Shafer.
Mark Sherman- 1953 MG-TD.
1939 Ford Board Track Racer- JJ. Rodman.
1962 Austin Healey Sprite- David Thomas.
1956 Austin Healey 100/4- Michael Stien.
1950 Allard J2 andn1952 Allard J2x- Peter and Alan Patterson.
1962 Mini Cooper- Bob Fairbanks.
1950 Allard J2- Peter Patterson.
1955 Panhard Dyna Jr- Robert Duell.
1953 MG-TD Ed Cronin.
1939 MG-TB Special- Frank Mount.
1953 MG-TD – Mark Sherman.
1933 Plymouth Speedster- Lester Neidel.
1962 Mini Cooper- Bob Fairbanks.
1959 Fiat Abarth Zagato 750 GT- Joe Parlanti.
1955 Panhard Dyna Jr- Robert Duell.
1952 Allard J2x- Alan Patterson III.
Austin Healey 100/4 sneaks up on Turn 19a.
1951 MG-TD Kurt Byrnes.
1953 MG-TD – Michael Barstow.
1959 Austin Healey Sprite- Michael Richmond.
Kurt Byrnes and Michael Barstow battle it out. MG-TD’s
1958 MGA- Monroe Snider.
#1- Chevrolet Camaro
1960 Elva Mk VI- Joey Bojalad.
1962 Lotus 7- Tom Chisholm.
1959 Jabro Mkl II- Paul Wilson.
1967 Zinc C-4 FV- Alan Harriman.
1968 Lotus 51C FF- Stewart Bartley.
1988 Chevron B67-88FF- Robert Albert.
1972 Crossle 25- Dan Helman.
Lotus T-61 FF- John Mihalich.
1977 Tiga FFA- R. Scott Durbin.
1968 Lotus 51C FF- Stewart Bartley.
1978 Lola T440 FF- Blake Chesbro.
1970 Merlyn Mk17- Jane Tapp.
Nice tight start.
1961 Austin Mini- Ian Wisbon.
1959 Porsche 356A- William Swartz.
Aim Here- Charlie Dolan- 1957 MGA.
Haybale Chicane- ’62 Austin Healey Sprite of Peter McCarthy.
1957 MGA- David Holmes.
1959 Porsche 356A- William Swartz.
1958 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite- Jeff Graham.
1961 Austin Mini Cooper- Manny Bansel.
1959 Elva Courier- Norman Berke.
1968 Saab Sonett- Stefan Vapaa.
A pair of Lotus Elans.
1974 Renault Alpine 110- Najeep Khan.
1974 Renault Alpine 110- Najeep Khan.
1969 Porsche 911 ST- Randy Evans.
1967 Jaguar XKE- Spencer Patterson.
3 Jags= 3 Patterson’s.
1970 BMW 2002- Perry Genova.
1967 Jaguar XKE- Spencer Patterson.
1972 Porsche 914/6- Gary Schultz.
1972 Porsche 914/6- Gary Schultz.
1974 Porsche 911- Michael Schindel.
Alan Patterson III- 1961 Jaguar E-Type.
THe Terrible Towel.
1960 Elva Mk VI- Joey Bojalad.
1963 Cooper T67 Fj- Stephen Morici.
1959 Jabro Mk II- Paul Wilson.
1971 Lotus 69FF- Christian Morici.
Lotus T61 FF- John Mihalich.
Pace lap.
1959 Austin Healey Bugeye- Adolfo Massari.
#99- 1950- Allard J2 – # 1952 Allard J2x.
1939 Ford Board Track Racer- JJ. Rodman- and 1939 Mercury Sprint- John Guehl.
1939 Ford Board Track Racer- JJ. Rodman- and 1939 Mercury Sprint- John Guehl.
David Thomas- 1962 Austin Healey Sprite.
1958 MGA- Monroe Snider.
1933 Plymouth Speedster.
1953 MG-TD- Michael Barstow.
1939 MG TB Special of Frank Mount.
Camaro SS.
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