Specific Date Of Popular Vintage Race Meet Will Be Announced Later This Summer
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) today announced that the popular Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational will return to “The Racing Capital of the World” in 2016. It will mark the third time the SVRA will host hundreds of racers in a multi-day format that uses both the IMS 2.434-mile road course and the track’s storied 2.5-mile oval. The specific date of the 2016 event will be confirmed in coming weeks.
“Coming off what I saw as a highly successful race meet earlier this month we are riding a wave of momentum,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “So many people have contacted me about plans for next year I thought it was important to confirm with race fans and our participants alike that we will be back in 2016. All I can say is stay tuned because more information will follow.”
“We see a lot of upside with the Brickyard Invitational,” said IMS President Doug Boles. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with SVRA so we can grow this event each year. We understand how important it is to some of our most enthusiastic Speedway fans and with the 100th Running of the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race next year we have a lot to celebrate.”
The centerpiece of the three-day racing event is the “Indy Legends” Celebrity Pro-Am which this year featured 33 veteran drivers of the Indianapolis 500. The timed 50-minute race of American muscle cars on the Speedway’s 2.434-mile road course used 1963 to 1972 vintage 355 cubic inch Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs of the “Group 6” SVRA class. The professionals were paired with amateur drivers, splitting stints at the wheel at their discretion.
Bob Lazier, father of 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier and himself a starter in the 1981 Indianapolis 500, won this year’s Pro-Am with co-driver Jim Caudle in the latter’s 1969 Corvette. Lazier heartily endorses both the Pro-Am and the entire race weekend.
“Tony is a man of vision,” Lazier says. “He has created more than a race meet. He has created an experience, a wonderful atmosphere where legendary drivers, mechanics, owners, crews and fans are so relaxed they have the time to mingle. They celebrate with each other and there is so much to do and see.”
The 2015 Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, which will continue to grow in 2016, offered a variety of features including:
Eleven groups of race cars spanning 100 years of vintage machines competing on both the IMS road course and oval. Next year the field, composed of select pre-war machines, classic sports cars, Formula One and Le Mans prototypes will include racecars as recent as 2010.
• The previously mentioned “Indy Legends” Charity Pro-Am included a pit lane fan walk just prior to the race, creating unique opportunities for conversations, pictures and autographs with some of auto racing’s biggest names.
• The Jaguar “Arrive and Drive” where anyone with a license could test drive the latest Jaguar models all supervised by former 24 Hours of Le Mans champion and Indianapolis 500 veteran Davy Jones.
• The Jaguar hospitality pavilion open to all visitors.
• The Motostalgia auction of some of the finest select collector automobiles from around the world.
• The “Shine and Show” car show where car guys – and gals – displayed their pride and joy machines while competing for recognition awards and enjoying fellowship.
• Garage Area displays of some of the most legendary cars of the Indianapolis 500 such as the 1950’s vintage roadsters, the first generation rear engine cars and even a car that competed in the first Indianapolis 500.
• A Saturday evening concert by the iconic rock band, “Blood Sweat and Tears.”
• The awarding of the A.J. Watson and Sir Jack Brabham Trophies for the best examples of Indianapolis “roadsters” and Brabham race cars. Best of Show and Pre-War trophies were presented as well as the winning machines were on display in the Pagoda Plaza Saturday night.
• Overnight camping packages allowing fans to spend every minute of their weekend at IMS – and witness the stunning sight of the famous Pagoda lit up after dark.