In the Fall 1983 issue of Vintage Motorsport, Roger Cope wrote, “If the organizers can get the bugs out of the system, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix can become a staple on the Vintage Racing calendar.”
Now in its 41st year, it is safe to say the PVGP has done that—and more.
The Western-Pennsylvania-in-July staple has even expanded to two race weekends and a slew of auto-centric events in between. With that ever-evolving ethos in mind, organizers have once again done some re-tooling ahead of the 2023 event.
Atop the to-do list in the off season was a rebrand and logo update. “The new logo features an open-wheel grand prix racer speeding over a red, white and blue flag. The car number is 83–representing our founding in 1983. We are now the longest-running vintage street race in the country,” said PVGP executive director Dan DelBianco. “We just finished our 40th year and we said, ‘We’ve grown from a one-day race to a 10-day motorsports festival. Let’s reflect that a little more accurately.'”
In addition to the new logo, the design team put together a graphic to show both details of the new logo, and also the evolution of the PVGP logo over the years.
New logo in place, it was time to design a poster for the 2023 event. Like many motorsports events, the race poster is an important marker of each year’s event to fans and organizers alike. PVGP even has a webpage dedicated to the history of its event posters.
Toronto artist Tavis Coburn created this year’s poster which depicts a 1963 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta racing on track with a 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 FIA Roadster in hot pursuit, the way they would have raced 60 years ago. The Ford vs Ferrari theme mirrors the fact that the PVGP is honoring both Ferrari and Shelby this summer.
The cars of Maranello, Italy are the honored Marque this year. Ferrari owners from around the country are planning to converge on Pittsburgh come mid-July. According to Bernie Martin, Managing Director of the Italian Cortile, “the PVGP will pay homage to NART, the North American Racing Team. Ferraris will be featured at the Cortile della Corsa at Schenley Park on July 22/23 and during all 10 days of the PVGP.
In addition, The Shelby American Automobile Club (SAAC) and Team Shelby are combining forces to stage their 48th national convention during the PVGP Historics at Pitt Race July 13-15. Enthusiasts will participate on track Thursday and Friday building toward Saturday with a massive car show and a Shelby Race featuring Shelby Cobras, Mustang GT350s and GT40s.
“We’re excited to return to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, one of the most exciting heritage motorsports events in the country,” said Aaron Shelby, member of the Carroll Shelby International board. “With the Carroll Shelby Centennial celebrated during the week, we encourage the Shelby community to attend.”
The 2023 event is set to kick off July 13 with the PVGP Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex and culminate with the Schenley Park Race Day Sunday, July 23. More details about the race weekends, car shows, parties, rallies, and parades, click HERE.
