This year’s PVGP will be a special celebration as Ferrari has been named the Marque of the Year, with a focus on the remarkable history of the North American Racing Team (NART). Luigi Chinetti Jr.’s family legacy and his own illustrious racing career make him the perfect choice for this prestigious role.

Luigi Chinetti Sr., the father of Luigi Chinetti Jr., played a pivotal role in developing the North American dealer network for Ferrari. Through his efforts and his dealership network he established a strong foundation for Ferrari’s presence in North America. The success of the North American sales significantly contributed to Ferrari’s financial stability, providing the resources necessary to support their racing programs.

Luigi Chinetti, Sr. holds a remarkable place in Ferrari’s history at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, having scored the marque’s first win at the race in 1949 as a driver, then its ninth and last to date in 1965 as a team owner. Luigi Chinetti Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps, not only as a prominent figure in the Ferrari world but also as a talented racing driver. His biography is a testament to his dedication and passion for racing and the Ferrari Marque.

Luigi Chinetti Jr. began his racing career in the late 1960s racing at the 24 hours at Daytona and at Sebring’s 12 hour races between 1970 and 1973. He shared piloting the endurance cars with the likes of Alain de Cadenet, Peter Revson and Sam Posey. However, it was at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971, at 29 years old, where Luigi Chinetti Jr. joined fellow competitors to make the first rolling start at the Circuit de la Sarthe.

He competed in the iconic endurance race three times with NART Ferraris: in 1971 finishing 5th with Bob Grossman, in 1972 with 1965 LeMans winner Masten Gregory with a retirement, and in 1973 with François Migault finishing 13th. Beyond his achievements as a driver, Luigi Chinetti Jr. also made significant contributions to the automotive industry as a designer. He played a pivotal role in the development of several notable cars. In 1967, Chinetti, Jr. was given a green light to have a go at design which became the now famous 1972 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Shooting Brake “extended coupe”. In 1969, he planned to offer existing Chinetti clientele a luxurious and sophisticated, high-performance, four-seat bespoke automobile at a reasonable cost. He took the front-wheel-drive engine and sub-frame from the Cadillac Eldorado and put it inside a body constructed by Zagato. It made it debut at the Turin auto show in 1971 but then sales of Ferrari skyrocketed in North America and the project was shelved. Luigi Chinetti Jr. has been an ambassador for Ferrari and the NART legacy. He has worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the rich history of NART, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate its significance in the world of motorsport.

As the Grand Marshal of the 2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, Luigi Chinetti Jr. will attend Race Weekend in Schenley, sharing his invaluable experiences and insights with fellow enthusiasts, fans, and participants. His involvement will undoubtedly elevate the event and make it a truly unforgettable experience. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is honored to welcome Luigi Chinetti Jr. as the Grand Marshal, commemorating the legacy of NART and celebrating Ferrari as the Marque of the Year. This year’s event promises to be a remarkable tribute to motorsport history, bringing together enthusiasts from all over the world.

ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH VINTAGE GRAND PRIX

Begun in 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Motorsport Festival features two weekends of racing action. The first weekend is the PVGP Historics at Pitt Race. The second weekend is racing on a 2.33-mile road course set on the streets of Schenley Park, a city park adjacent to the Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh campuses. Between the race weekends there are car shows, parties, road rallies, and more. PVGP is a volunteer-run event with 1,200 volunteers. The PVGP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a charity mission and has raised $6.4 million for Autism-Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School for individuals with intellectual disabilities and autism.