Larry Smith Award

Larry Smith was the driving force and spirit behind the Grand Prix’s car shows in the early days. His passion for cars was exceeded only by his love for people and a desire to see them enjoy their cars. The International Car Show at Schenley Park is the result of Larry’s work and dedication.

Each year in his memory we present the Larry Smith Award to the person who best exemplifies the spirit and commitment that Larry exhibited. The ceremony is held at approximately 3:00 PM on Sunday on the Grand Stage.

Larry Smith Award Winners

2024 Robert Speer

Bob has been a leader and an inspiration to the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix. He is a 38-year PVGP veteran with both our race and show areas. He assists with all race week car shows including the Schenley Park shows. Bob handed over the reins as the Car Show Chairman last year, and we thought 2024 was an appropriate time to recognize him as the Larry Smith Award winner. He is pictured with his wife Mary Anna and his daughter Meghan who are also outstanding PVGP volunteers.

2023 Ron George

The PVGP depends on volunteers to take ownership of various segments of the event. For three decades, Ron George has dedicated his volunteer time to the car show committee. During that time, he has been a mainstay with the American Car Show. You can always count on Ron to step up to help in any way and always with a smile.

2022 Mark Sheldon

Mark Sheldon has been a stalwart of the PVGP since becoming a volunteer in 2005. His list of responsibilities and accomplishments is long. He is the captain of the PVGP European Car Show at Schenley Park, a longstanding member of our Car Club Committee and the Operating Committee. He also serves as the representative for the Pittsburgh Mercedes-Benz Club and is ever present at our myriad car shows to set-up and tear down. He also represents the PVGP at national shows and auctions as he travels with his Mercedes-Benz collection. Always smiling and enthusiastic, Mark Sheldon represents all that the Larry Smith Award stands for.

2021 Jim Kinest

Jim is a longtime member of the Corvettes of PA Club. He jumped in to run the Corvette Marque of the Year duties in late 2019 and worked tirelessly for two years to pull together a great show. Jim coordinated efforts with the nine separate Corvette Clubs in the region and made 2021 Race Week a special event for all Corvettes with special displays at Pitt Race, Walnut Street, the Waterfront, the Downtown Car Display, the SouthSide Works Tune-Up and at Schenley Park where a total of 325 Corvettes attended Race Weekend. Jim’s enthusiasm and spirit are exactly why this award was created. Congratulations to Jim and all the Corvette Clubs that participated.

2020 Scott Drab

Scott was an avid car enthusiast, with a pristine collection of 20 antique and classic cars representing Jaguar, Bentley, Rolls Royce, and Maserati. As a member of the Rolls Royce Owners Club, The Jaguar Club of Pittsburgh and the PVGP, Scott was well known across the Pittsburgh car scene, winning countless awards throughout the years. Scott valiantly battled cancer for many years but passed away on July 27, 2020. His wife Amanda accepted the award posthumously for Scott during the Bentley Car Show on September 19, 2020.

2019 Cliff Laschon

Cliff joined the PVGP back in 2012 when he brought the Cars N Coffee display to our event. Pittsburgh Cars N Coffee is Western Pennsylvania’s Premier Exotic and Modern Performance Automotive Enthusiast Group and each of the last 8 years the exotic car show gets bigger and better and we have Cliff to thank for that. Cliff also serves on the PVGP’s Car Show Committee and Operating Committee.

Cliff-Laschon-receives-the-Larry-Smith-Award-from-Bob-Speer

2018 John Kerr

John Kerr is the face of the Grand Prix at so many events it’s easier to list the events that he doesn’t attend and work behind the scenes…the only one we can think of is the Blacktie Gala. John is not a tuxedo kind guy! But he is the kinda guy who does whatever is needed from hauling generators to repairing golf carts. He always has the answer and can fix anything! Best of all, he has enlisted his family and their friends and the whole crew anchors the clubhouse

2017 Ed Rice

Ed Rice was a fitting recipient of the Larry Smith Award during our 35th anniversary. Ed has guided the Porsche Club activities at the PVGP for many years and has been a supporter of the Allegheny Region of the Porsche Club of America. He was responsible for bringing the Janis Joplin Porsche 356 to our event in 2015 and has elevated the Porsche presence at the PVGP, which is hard to do when the bar is set so high! Speaking of bars, Ed’s law firm, Sherrard, German & Kelly, is also a PVGP sponsor. Ed also serves on the Car Show Committee and has a real passion for the PVGP mission and charities.

2016 Cathy Dernorsek

Anybody who has volunteered with the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix knows Cathy Dernorsek. The longer you’re with the organization the more you appreciate her. Always smiling and always ready to offer help. Cathy started with us back in 1985, 32 years ago! Cathy does so much, serving on the PVGP Executive Committee, managing our volunteers and supervising the security at Schenley Park…how does she do it? Cathy is passionate about our charities and her husband Jack is also involved too. It’s all in the family.

2015 Greg Farrell

Greg has been a key part of the Grand Prix since 1997. He has served on our Executive Committee along with his wife Christine. Greg was also the Car Show Chairman for many years and currently is the captain of our ever-popular Walnut Street Invitational Car Show. If there is a PVGP event Greg is usually there – although we never know which car he will bring, could be a Mustang, Porsche 911, maybe even his Mercury Cyclone GT!

2014 Meghan Speer

Meghan manages the Asian Car Show at Schenley Park and has an eternal smile on her face the entire race weekend. Meghan works year-round on the management of the car shows with her parents, Bob and Mary Ann (pictured with her to the left). Meghan began volunteering in 2000 and each year she improves the Asian Car Show – now her father must find more room for the Subaru’s, Nissan’s and Mazda’s!

2013 Eric Zagrocki

Eric has been influential in the growth of the BMW Club and establishing the BMW car display as a premier show at Schenley Park as well as a major sponsor. His tireless work over the last 6 years has resulted in over $100,000 donated to our charities. It must be noted the Bill Permar, Brett Sutton and the rest of the Allegheny Region BMW Club work year-round to bring in additional sponsors. The BMW show on German Hill has become a destination for spectators. Eric and the Club also host the BMW tent during our Historic Race weekend at PIRC and they bring in several dozen BMW racers to add to the excitement.

2012 Bud Osbourne

For the second year in a row Bud Osbourne, and his wife Cindy, stepped up to help with the Marque of the Year festivities. It is a year-long effort and requires coordination of all activities related to MG’s during the PVGP Race Week. Jerry Longstreth, PVGP Executive Committee member who worked alongside Bud and Cindy said it best “For the past two years Bud has immersed himself in the Grand Prix. His leadership helped elevate our marque efforts to new heights. Mustang is the Marque in 2013 so unless the Osbourne’s buy a pony car soon it looks like they will get a break to enjoy British Car Day next year.

2011 Paul Miller

Paul handles the massive task of our car show registration. For the last seven years Paul, and his wife Sharon, have managed the database of over 1,200 cars that sign up for our International Car Show. Each entry includes endless columns of information that needs input on a timely and accurate basis. Additionally, Paul also handles the databases for all of our Race Week events such as our Blacktie Gala and our Kick-Off Rallye. As the event draws near the workload increases exponentially. Paul burns the midnight oil to get it done and never complains. Larry Smith would be proud to see how large the car shows have become and he would be equally proud of the attitude and passion that the Miller’s exhibit.

Sharon and Paul Miller Kick-Off Rallye at Dual Devils Garage 2022 #PVGP

2010 Don Privett

Don is one of our hardest working and well-liked volunteers. His enthusiasm for our event is incredible. You can find him volunteering or showing his MG at most events but he dedicates the bulk of his time to managing the Waterfront Car Cruise, Vendor Village and the Kick-Off Rallye. Don joined our volunteer team in 2008 and we’re sure glad he did.

Don Privett - Kick-Off Rallye by CR Bennett 2019 #PVGP

2009 Bernie Martin

Bernie Martin joined the Grand Prix in 2008 and immediately jumped in with both feet, chairing the Italian Marque of the Year for 2008. He expanded on the concept the next year and established the highly successful Italian Cortile Car Show that grows each year. He also manages our growing social media program. His enthusiasm and efforts are boundless!

2008 Ken Merusi

The 2008 recipient was Ken Merusi. He captained the Walnut Street Invitational Car Show for many years in addition to assisting with the International Car Show in Schenley Park. Thankfully Ken has also continued Larry’s wonderful tradition of corned beef sandwiches for invited guests. Ken and his Auburn are always on the American Car Show Fairway on Saturday and Sunday at Schenley Park. Congratulations Ken and thanks for all that you do to make the PVGP Cars Shows something of which Larry would be proud.

2007 Jerry Longstreth

PVGP Car Show Coordinator Ron George (left) presents the 2007 Larry Smith Award to Jerry Longstreth. Jerry is active in many PVGP events and his wife Barbara assists with merchandise sales. Jerry has been a member of the PVGP Executive Committee and works tirelessly year-round on the car shows and the marque of the year. Jerry joined the Grand Prix in 1989 and his wife Barbara joined him in 1992 – what a