Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix 2010

[gilach]

hi there,

anyone planning on attending this weekend, July 24/25th show and vintage racing events? i'm thinking of going...would be my first time. would appreciate any suggestions in terms of where to stay, ie around the park vs downtown. best place to spectate, ie is it worth showing your car and then viewing the race from your marquee area, ie German-or can you park and walk to the spectator areas etc etc.
here's a link to the map:

http://pvgp2.schoolwires.net/pvgp/lib/pvgp/2009_Schenley_Map.pdf


thanks in advance, Paul.

[Zeke]

Wow, that looks so cool. We have a few historics around here, can't complain. But I do miss the old Downtown LA Grand Prix on the streets of LA. I wish we could do that at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

[jlex]

My wife, daughter & I will be going. We normally only go on Saturday as we want to see the static display of cars, not necessarily the racing on Sunday.
There are so many cars to see on Saturday, better get there early to see them all. Great venue. The cars are parked at various locations all over the golf course so you're walking around to see them. Time trials are being held on the road going thru Schenley Park so you'll get to see cars in various classes doing their thing.
I'm not sure you can just show up w/ your car, drive it onto the golf course & display it. We're a couple hours away so we haven't tried, but my understanding is you have to belong to the local Porsche, VW, Mercedes, etc. club to show your car & enjoy the hospitality tents. Call them for info on showing if you're interested.
If you have a good banking relationship, find out if your bank has a hospitality tent & see if they'll get you complimentary tickets. We did that for a few years when Mellon used to be a sponsor.
If you can't get into a hospitality tent, there are plenty of places to buy food & drink. Haven't needed to stay there overnight, so I don't have any recommendations.
This is a first class charity show with beautiful cars from all over, not a parking lot line-up. Lots of class. Weather is supposed to be good so you should have a great time.
http://pvgp2.schoolwires.net/67461041917826153/site/default.asp
I guess you can register:
http://www.pvgp.org/6746911219164243/lib/6746911219164243/2010_Porsche_Club_Car_Show.pdf
The Porsche section of the GP site: http://pvgp2.schoolwires.net/67461041917826153/blank/browse.asp?A=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&C=53419

[gilach]

agreed, using street cars to race on street roads is appealing on many levels. i always enjoy watching F1 races held on local roadways.

[not sharp]

Probably Saturday!!!!

[89911]

I can give more information later, but my Porsche club is the host and I have been going on and off for the past 12 years. If you want to see the races, Sunday is the better day. It is not as crowded and you can park easier then Saturday when they have many of the heats. Saturday is when most of the cars will be there for displays also. I would strongly recommend bringing a bike if you can. You can get around the different viewing points easier and save time walking. More tips to come.

[equality72521]

I went 2 years ago and it was a cool event. Won't make it this year though.

[89911]

The Grand Prix is held on a golf course and you need to register and pay to get on. The Form is here: http://www.arpca.com/events/forms/2010_social_pvgp.pdf

This is really the only way to be "in the mix" if you want to hang out with other Porsche owners. Otherwise, you are going to have to park off the course and walk it. This is where a bike comes in handy. It depends on what you want to do. As far as staying in the area, I would find a place in the outlying suburbs. Monroeville is an easy ride to the Grand Prix and there are plenty of hotels around. I think I am going this year. It is usually either very hot and there is little shade or it rains. Just prepare for both.

[msublett]

I'll be going for the first time too. Been visiting Pittsburgh area since my daughter moved there about 2 years ago. I'd definately stay in the downtown area, lots to do and good places to eat. My daughter lives right next to Point Park and we can walk just about anywhere. The Hilton is right next to her place but I can't tell you what else is available.

[FrinkFrog]

On accommodations: My girlfriend and I live 3 hours away from Pittsburgh and just returned from a 2 night stay last weekend (wish it had been this weekend). We stayed in Greentree (across the Monongahela) at the Radisson. We did the Priceline "bid your own price" and got to stay for two nights @$50 per night (unreal). The hotel was fine, albeit a little outside of the main downtown areas. We plan to go back sometime (maybe next year for this race) and we would stay closer to downtown as MSUBLETT suggests. I looked at the site for the race and they are partnered with the Wyndham Hotel in Oakland (very close to Schenley Park). If you stay at the Wyndham, you tell them you are with the race. Then the hotel donates $ to the race per rooms rented.

[jlex]

They have a "marque of the year" every year. I believe it's Audi this year. For 2011, it'll be Porsche... It'll be the featured make of car. Will probably have a race exclusively for Porsche. If you miss this year, next year should be neat.

[onboost]

Originally Posted by jlex

They have a "marque of the year" every year. For 2011, it'll be Porsche... It'll be the featured make of car.

That's what I wanted to hear! Will be there next year..

Last years Marque was BMW and they pulled out all the stops. Great event!