FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(May 16, Pittsburgh) —The 2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will honor Ferrari as its Marque of the Year throughout race week, so as befits the Italian icon, it only makes sense that the motorsport festival will also feature classic Italian cuisine. Pittsburgh’s Caliente Pizza & Draft House has been named the title sponsor of the event’s International Car Show, as well as two new awards.
Held over Race Weekend on July 22 and 23 in Schenley Park, the newly named Caliente International Car Show features 3,000 vintage vehicles on display, highlighted by the “Cortile della Corsa,” a courtyard of Italian makes and models displayed in front of the Pittsburgh Golf Club in Schenley Park where Caliente will be serving their world-famous pizza and subs, and the restaurant will also sponsor the July 20 Passport to Elegance Party at Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport.
Additionally, Caliente purchased a 1967 Triumph Spitfire to compete in the Grand Prix itself, with Josh Hartman, cousin to Caliente founder Bogacz, serving as driver. The car, chosen and collaboratively designed by Perry Bogacz, son of Nick Bogacz, bears Caliente’s unmistakable branding, while also retaining its vintage feel and charm.
“Cars and pizza have always been my two greatest passions,” said Perry Bogacz. “Seeing a Caliente-branded car racing in the Grand Prix is a dream come true for me. It’s an exhilarating fusion of speed and flavor, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of it.”
The organizations are also collaborating on some firsts in Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix History — the inaugural Spirit Awards. The “Spirit of Show” and the “Spirit of the Race,” each presented by Caliente, will go to an International Car Show participant and a racer, respectively, who have best represented the values and essence of the event over the years.
“Caliente has a long history of charitable endeavors, along with being a world-class brand that brings pride to our city — just like the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix,” said Dan DelBianco, PVGP’s executive director. “It’s only natural to team up with these world pizza champs. We can’t wait to get started raising money together for our charitable partners, and to uniquely honor the people who make this event so special.”
“We think big, and I can’t think of many charitable events on the calendar bigger than the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix,” said Nick Bogacz, Caliente’s founder and owner. “Pittsburgh has given us a lot, so it’s great to be able to give back in every way we can.”
Funds raised from the week’s events, including fees for car show participants and Caliente’s sales, will go to Autism-Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School, a pair of organizations that help provide resources, support, residential care and more to individuals with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
CONTACT
Dan DelBianco, PVGP Executive Director
Christina Keiser, Caliente Pizza & Draft House
Maggie Medoff, WordWrite
ABOUT CALIENTE PIZZA & DRAFT HOUSE
Caliente Pizza & Draft House, founded in 2012, is an award-winning, locally owned and operated pizza restaurant known for their roster of gourmet pizzas and craft beers. With seven locations in the Pittsburgh area, as well as locations in Acrisure Stadium, PPG Paints Arena and PNC Park, Caliente is also known internationally as three-time World Pizza Champions and represents Pittsburgh on the World Pizza Champions Team. In 2019, Caliente’s Mee-Maw Pizza earned the title of Best Pizza in America, and in 2022, Caliente was named the Official Pizza of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The restaurant won its latest World Championship at the 2023 International Pizza Expo in the pizza triathlon category. For locations and more information, visit www.worldsbestpizza.com.
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.
