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Vintage Racers Encourage Fan Engagement at IMS
Vintage Racers Encourage Fan Engagement at IMS

Race fans wanting to meet drivers, get close to historic racecars and speak with knowledgeable car owners will enjoy attending the inaugural Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, June 6-8, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) is hosting the three-day event that will feature more than 700 racecars competing on the reconfigured IMS road course, as well as participate in exhibition runs on the famed IMS 2.5-mile oval. The Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational marks the first time that a vintage racing series has ever competed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Qualifying and racing will be virtually non-stop each day from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. In addition, when not on the track, all cars will be on display in the IMS infield providing fans up- close access to the racecars and their owners.

“Fans can talk to the car owners and learn about how they got started in racing. They have a wealth of information about the business, plus they’re so approachable,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “They welcome the fan engagement, and they thrive on it.

“That’s the difference that makes this type of racing different - the fan engagement. Fans can get up close to the cars, and one of the things we wanted to have is a collectable, so for every racecar here, the drivers are getting what we call a ‘hero baseball card.’ A photo accompanies all the specs and stats of the car. Some even have a picture of the driver, so kids can go through here and collect 700 baseball cards that tell the history of these cars, and that makes it awesome.”

Fans can also participate in a Fan Walk on the starting grid beginning at 11:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 8 where they can visit with 26 Indianapolis 500 drivers who will compete in the 

Charity Indy Legends Pro-Am race at 12:30 p.m. Fans will have the opportunity to see the cars up close, take photos and chat with the drivers right before they take the green flag to start the race.

“During the Fan Walk, fans can have an autograph signed or get their picture taken with their favorite racing heroes,” Parella said. “Where can you do that anywhere else? It’s incredible.”

The Charity Indy Legends Pro-Am race will be held on the IMS 2.43-mile road course featuring Indianapolis 500 veterans paired with amateur drivers with each taking a 20-minute stint behind the wheel. The cars used in the Pro-Am race will be 1963 to 1972 vintage Chevrolet Corvettes and Camaros, and Ford Mustangs.

A longtime fan of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis 500, Parella was confident that the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational would be received well in Indianapolis.

“To be honest, it’s overwhelming,” he said. “The fan base here is like no other automotive fan base in the world. After having the chance to be here and immerse myself in this community for the last six months, I’m really starting to understand it. As a boy watching the Indianapolis 500 on a black and white TV, to come in here now and roll cars through Gasoline Alley myself, is incredible.

“I’ve got drivers out on the grid that are tearing up before they get on the track, and they’re thanking me because I have some ability to do this. It’s a privilege.”

Additional information on the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association, a complete schedule for the weekend and an entry list for the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational can be found on the SVRA website, http://www.svra.com.

Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational Tickets: A three-day general admission pass including Friday, June 6 through Sunday, June 8 costs $40. Single day general admission tickets are $15 on Friday, June 6, $20 on Saturday, June 7 and $25 on Sunday, June 8. Children 12 and under are admitted free each day when accompanied by an adult.

Tent camping passes in Turn 3 of the IMS infield are available beginning Thursday afternoon, June 5 for $30, with RV camping available in the Northwest gravel lot for $60.

Fans can order Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational tickets at www.ims.com/tickets, by calling 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by visiting the IMS Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.


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2014 ticket information: Ticket information is available for the remaining events in 2014 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, Kroger Super Weekend at the Brickyard and Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

Fans can order tickets at www.ims.com/tickets, by calling 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or by visiting the Ticket Office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street between 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday.

Tickets for groups of 20 or more also are available. Contact the IMS Group Sales Department at (866) 221-8775 for more information.
 

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