Ray Shaffer Of Porsche Named PVGP's 2022 Grand Marshal

The PVGP Gears Up to Celebrate 40 Years and Honor Porsche as the Marque

Pittsburgh, PA February 4, 2022 The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is preparing to celebrate its 40th year this summer and honor Porsche as the Marque of the Year. Porsche vehicles of all years will be on display at the car shows, parties and parades during the July 15-24 Race Week. The PVGP expects 400 Porsche vehicles to participate in the Porsche Marque Show on the Schenley Park Golf Course on the July 23-24 weekend where they will take a parade lap of the track on Sunday’s opening ceremonies.

Porsche will be seen on the track as well. The PVGP Historics at Pittsburgh International Race Complex will showcase the best that Porsche has to offer including vintage 356, 911, 914 and 944 from the 70s and 80s up to modern Porsche GT3 Cup cars. The Pitt Race purpose-built track is 40 miles northwest of Pittsburgh and provides the perfect venue for racing legends to thunder through the Pennsylvania countryside while providing plenty of racing room and safety features. The addition of the 1.2-mile South Track now stretches the facility out to a heart-pounding 2.8 miles.

The street track in Schenley Park is a different story. The challenging stone walled track is limited to sports cars from the 40s, 50s and 60s. Porsche is best represented by the classic 356, and the popular 911 and select 914 models. A Porsche Marque Race is set for Sunday, July 24.

Burton Morris is working on the poster for 2022 that will feature a Porsche 911 on the familiar red, white and blue Brumos livery. We can’t wait to see it unveiled at the 2022 Greater Pittsburgh Auto Show on February 19, 2022.

Grand Marshal – Ray Shaffer

Ray Shaffer, the Porsche Classic Market Development Manager at Porsche Cars North America is coming home to Pittsburgh to serve as our Grand Marshal. Ray was born and raised in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh. Ray traces the roots of his career in the auto industry to a chance meeting he had with the late Coca-Cola Porsche racer, and Sebring 12 hour-winner, Bob Akin at the 1986 PVGP.

“It’s an honor to serve as Grand Marshal at the event that stoked my automotive passion as a teenager,” said Shaffer. “The friendships and connections I made then have been the backbone of my career, and led me on a path to Porsche Classic, where I am now part of a team of caretakers tasked with keeping dream cars alive.”

Ray began his career with Porsche in January 1999 when he joined the sales team at the Brumos Porsche dealership in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the next 10 years, he held the positions of Sales Consultant and Sales Manager, responsible for leading sales and leasing efforts. In January 2010, he was named General Manager, Brumos Porsche, where he oversaw all vehicle sales, customer service and marketing, including the dealership and race team’s journey into e-commerce and social media.

Shaffer assumed the position of Classic and Delivery Center Manager in November 2015 and was responsible for opening the Porsche Classic Factory Restoration workshop as well as creating and launching the New Vehicle Delivery Experience for the PEC Atlanta. With both operations successfully up and running, Ray took over the role of Porsche Classic Business Development Manager in October 2018. Today, his responsibilities include business and marketing development for Porsche Classic, including Factory Restoration. Additionally, Shaffer coordinates heritage vehicle exhibits for the thousands of visitors who come to experience the brand at its home in America.

Shaffer is a student of automotive management, marketing and history, having studied at both Robert Morris College and Northwood University. With over 35 years of experience in the automobile business and motorsport as a driver, Ray is a frequent panelist, podcast guest and speaker on Porsche and auto racing.

There is something at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix for anyone who has a fondness for things that go “vroom.” The following links help guide you to all things Porsche at the 2022 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix