About Us
SVRA Today
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) is the largest and one of the oldest Vintage racing organizations in the United States. Originally called the Southeast Vintage Racing Association, the organization was founded in 1978 by Ford Heacock III following the success of the Kendall Vintage Grand Prix held as part of the annual 12 Hours of Sebring. With an initial membership of approximately 25 drivers and supporters, the organization has become the premier vintage racing organization in the United States with over 2,500 licensed competitors.
Currently, SVRA conducts Vintage events at legendary race tracks throughout the country including Road America, Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen International, Auto Club Speedway, and Virginia International Raceway. In its first year the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway immediately became the largest Vintage race in the United States drawing over 700 entries. Additionally, The U.S. Vintage Racing National Championship has become a premier event in American Vintage racing drawing over 450 participants to the Circuit of the Americas track each fall seeking one of the 30 plus National Championships.
At the heart of SVRA are the core values that our events will provide; Safe, Fair and Fun competition for the enjoyment of our competitors, their crews and our fans.
SAFE: Our events feature a century of Classic and Historic racing cars, restored to their original racing specifications and livery, but equipped with state of the art safety equipment and the latest driver protection gear. Our professional staff is on hand at each track to verify the presence and operation of this equipment. On track driver behavior is closely monitored to insure close competition while maintaining the spirit of sportsmanship that is a hallmark of Vintage racing.
FAIR: SVRA events provide wheel to wheel competition with similar cars, of the same era, restored to a condition consistent with their original, as-raced, specifications. Pre-race inspections and post- race follow-ups ensure that the preparation of each car is in accordance with the appropriate rules for its category and making sure that the only on track advantage lies with the driver.
FUN: Our weekends provide a variety of activities designed to provide a fun experience for all involved. Driver and crew parties with live entertainment and fireworks displays allow competitors the chance to rekindle old friendships and develop new ones at the end of a long day on track. Car shows and a wide variety of vendors provide spectators with activities to fill the gaps between on track action. The addition of collector car auto auctions at selected events will further enhance the fun factor for both competitors and spectators. Lastly the “open pits” at all SVRA races allow spectators the chance to get up close and personal with the cars, drivers, and crews providing an experience unparalleled in other forms of motorsports.
Connect with SVRA
In short, SVRA provides race weekends at legendary tracks throughout the country that are open to virtually any type of vintage/historic race car. Our goal is to make these events both memorable and enjoyable for everyone involved. We cordially invite you participate in one of these events and find out first-hand what Safe, Fair and Fun Vintage racing is all about.
SVRA History
SVRA is the largest and one of the oldest Vintage Racing organizations in the United States. Originally named the Southeast Vintage Racing Association, it was founded in 1978 by Ford Heacock III. Beginning with an initial membership of approximately 25 drivers and supporters, the organization currently has more than 2000 licensed members. With the acquisition of West HSR-West in 2012 and merger with General Racing in 2014, SVRA has become Vintage Racing’s only national organization. Events are conducted at legendary race tracks throughout the country including Sonoma Raceway, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sebring, Virginia International Raceway, and Auto Club Speedway, to name but a few.
The phrase, some people collect art… we race it aptly describes our events where classic Jaguars, Triumphs, BMWs, MGs, and Lotuses as well as contemporary Camaros, Audis, Porsches and Corvettes compete. The organization is guided by a philosophy that encourages the restoration, preservation, and racing of historically significant automobiles that are configured as closely as possible to their original design and construction.
The expansion of SVRA since 2012 has gone beyond simply adding more events. Live concerts and fireworks display are presented for the enjoyment of competitors and race fans along with car shows and expanded vendor areas. The inaugural Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2014 immediately became the largest Vintage Racing event ever held in the United States with over 700 entrants. Additionally, its Pro Am Charity race, that paired former Indy 500 drivers with SVRA drivers in a 45 minute race, garnered unprecedented media attention. The U.S. Vintage Racing National Championships, now in its 3rd year, continues to grow in stature and brings together the best Vintage racing cars from throughout the world to compete for one of the coveted Bell Vintage Racing National Championship Helmets. In 2015 SVRA begins involvement in three premier West Coast events at Sonoma Raceway, Portland International Raceway and the Coronado Speed Festival that will continue the organization’s goal to present the best Vintage Racing events at the best venues in the United States.
Through the support of our competitors, partners, and fans, the health of SVRA has never been better. We encourage you to become a part of this history-in-the-making journey and look forward to seeing you and an upcoming event!