Pittsburgh’s Time Machine

The romantic notion of vintage cars racing on a woodsy road, bordered by cobblestone walls, bridges, hay bales and snow fence is a true throwback to an era of racing that lies in the memories of few—and the imaginations of many.  Sadly, there are fewer of these events left in the world as even the great historic tracks have been “updated” to the latest safety standards—and are a catch-fence-lined shadow of their former glory.  While venues like the famed driveway hillclimb at the Goodwood Estate in the UK remain, events like this in the U.S. are almost an anomaly.

At the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix (PVGP), now in its 34^th year, large crowds gather for nostalgia, car culture and a look at what racing was truly like prior to 1953, when the nation began to reject the concept of racing on municipal roads. The PVGP is held in July, at Schenley Park, in the shadow of downtown Pittsburgh, and allows the attendee and participant-alike the experience of vintage racing—in an authentic vintage setting.