Daniel Panoz Named 2023 Honorary Race Director, as PVGP Spotlights Panoz Cars
PITTSBURGH, PA (April 25, 2023) The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is excited to announce that Daniel Panoz will serve as the Honorary Race Director of the 2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix and his creation, Panoz Cars, will be a featured Spotlight, with a special display of cars from the Panoz Museum.
The Panoz family has deep roots in Pittsburgh, with Dr. Don Panoz attending Greenbrier Military School in West Virginia before moving to Pittsburgh to study business at Duquesne University. Don Panoz was a lifelong enthusiast of motorsports, and was involved in racing as a team owner and sponsor,. In 1989, Don’s son Daniel founded Panoz Auto Development and designed, engineered, and manufactured the MK1 and MK2 Panoz Roadsters, using modular construction techniques and pioneering many industry firsts in lightweighting through several key aluminum technologies. In 1999, the Panoz vision for a premier event for endurance racing gave birth to the American Le Mans Series, which ran until 2013 when it merged with the Grand Am Road Racing Series.
Honorary Race Director
Daniel Panoz will serve as the Honorary Race Director of the 2023 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. You can meet Daniel on Race Weekend at Schenley Park, he will be there with a special display of Panoz cars on the July 22/23 Race Weekend on the 18th fairway near the Bob O’Connor Clubhouse. Daniel is also appearing as a honored guest with other PVGP dignitaries for a relaxing evening at the historic Pittsburgh Golf Club on Friday, July 21. A strolling dinner and cash bar accompanied by some live entertainment while you enjoy the evening inside the clubhouse and a private preview of the 2023 Marque of the Year and Spotlight Cars. Details
The Panoz name is synonymous with quality and performance, with their cars winning some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Sebring 12-hour endurance race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2 class. Panoz cars have competed in various forms of motorsport, including the American Le Mans Series, United Sportscar Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series, FIA Sportscar Championship, and IMSA GT Championship.
The Panoz Esperante has also dominated the Trans Am series, winning seven times, coming in second three times, and coming in third twice. The Spotlight car display will be a tribute to the Panoz family’s legacy in the world of motorsports and a celebration of their contributions to the industry. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is excited to feature Panoz and to share the family’s story with racing fans from around the world.
CONTACTS:
Dan DelBianco (412) 559-3500 delbianco@pvgp.org
Bernie Martin (412) 996-5700 bernardtmartin@pvgp.org
About the PVGP
Begun in 1983, the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is a 10 day Motorsport Festival that features two weekends of racing action. The first weekend is the PVGP Historics at Pitt Race and the second weekend is contested over a 2.33-mile road course set on the streets of Schenley Park. Between the race weekends there are car shows, parties, car shows road rallies, and more. The PVGP is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization driven by 1,200 volunteers. Since 1983, the PVGP has donated $6.4 million to provide residential care, treatment and support for people with autism and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
