PVGP Takes a Victory Lap

Over 75 sponsors and car clubs were on hand to be recognized for their support – receiving plaques and framed posters to mark their efforts. PVGP executive director Dan DelBianco summed it up by saying “everyone in this room plays a key part in the success of the Grand Prix. Tonight we have our generous sponsors and vendors, our dedicated volunteers, our strategic partners, the City of Pittsburgh and our car clubs and racers that make up our shows. We could not do this without the coordinated effort of everyone.”

List of 2019 PVGP sponsors  and Car Club Partners and our Grand Volunteers

John Putzier, CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association, and Presenting Sponsor of the PVGP since 2014 took the podium to announce that their Foundation approved their presenting sponsorship again for 2020, and that they are honored to be a part of such a great organization of loyal volunteers. The Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association (GPADA) represents all 150 franchise new car dealerships in Western PA which makes major charitable contributions throughout the region through its Foundation, the GPADF.

Marque of the Year Fundraising Record
Last year, the BMW Club and the Pittsburgh BMW dealers set the record for PVGP Marque of the Year fundraising with $126,500. This year Shelby and Mustang exceeded that record with $132,500! This amount represents the funds raised through the sponsorship of the Neighborhood Ford Store, Ford Performance and the Shelby American Automobile Club convention. It also includes Mustang and Shelby race entries and proceeds from the Mustang owners appearing at car shows and parties.. The Greater Pittsburgh Mustang Club members supported the efforts all week long and brought more than 200 cars to Schenley Park!

“Neighborhood Ford Store worked closely with the Shelby Convention, Ford Performance, the Greater Pittsburgh Mustang Club and our region’s Ford Dealers to ensure Shelby and Mustang displayed leadership as the Marque of the Year for the 2019 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix,” said Joseph Thurby, Chairman of Neighborhood Ford Store.“That leadership also involved the joy of raising a record donation to support local autism charities. We are privileged to support families in our communities that can benefit from our participation.” The Neighborhood Ford Store is a regional organization of 80 Ford Dealers throughout western Pennsylvania, central and northern West Virginia, the panhandle of Maryland and eastern Ohio that have been Platinum sponsors of the PVGP since 2005.

 

Checkered Flag Winners
Starting back in 2009, the PVGP began awarding checkered flags to recognize the extraordinary efforts of its volunteers and partners. The first flag was awarded posthumously to our Chief Starter Don “Downtown” Brown, one of our original volunteers and the man who waved the checkered flag at the PVGP for 26 years.  Since then we have presented the checkered flag to more than one hundred volunteers and supporters.  Complete list of winners.