The 2005 edition of VIRginia International Raceway’s signature vintage racing event, the sixth annual Gold Cup Historic Races, will feature The Italian Challenge and the International Healey Challenge, sponsored by Moss Motors.
Perhaps no nation on earth has generated such a passion for racing automobiles as Italy, and the marques from that country constitute a large portion of the history of our sport. Manufacturers such as Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo and Fiat all achieved international renown through their efforts on the racetracks of the world, and will be celebrated in style at the Gold Cup Historic Races. Among the highlights will be a gathering of rare and significant under-1.0-liter Italian racing cars, including such marques as Siata, Bandini, Stanguellini and Abarth. While they may not be as well known as their larger compatriots, these little cars have written many chapters in the annals of racing history and are guaranteed to put on a competitive and crowd-pleasing performance.
The International Healey Challenge will also be one of the highlights of this year’s Gold Cup. VIR is hosting one of the anchor events of this multi-race series, which will pit Austin-Healey racers from Australia and the United Kingdom against their American counterparts for some friendly, but very hotly contested, competition.
Off-track activities will include the fourth annual Gold Cup Car Show, which will take place on Saturday, June 11. Also this year, for the first time, the Gold Cup Historic Races will feature a wide variety of vendors offering artwork, pottery and other crafts and goods that complement the vintage racing lifestyle.
For more information, visit the track’s Web site at www.virclub.com or contact VIR at (434) 822-7700.
