Skip to Main Content

News & Multimedia

Al Unser Jr.
Unser, Ribbs Plan Return to Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational

Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. and Willy T. Ribbs, the first African-American driver to qualify for “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” recently announced they are entering the fifth running of the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational Indy Legends Charity Pro-Am on Saturday, June 14 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1992 and 1994 Indianapolis 500 winner Unser and Ribbs both stood on the podium of the inaugural Charity Pro-Am during the 2014 event at IMS. Unser won, with Ribbs finishing third. Unser also finished on the podium in the A Production race last year, while Ribbs led the 2017 Pro-Am late in the race before a mechanical malfunction in his Corvette.

“I have total respect for the SVRA and its members,” Unser said. “I can tell you that those so-called amateurs in the Pro-Am have the pace to lay down laps as fast or faster than their professional co-driver.”

Said Ribbs: “As Al and I looked at the SVRA brand, we liked what we saw in its quality and appeal. We like and respect the leader and his organization, and we believe we have something to offer their members.”

The Indy Legends Pro-Am is the Saturday feature event of the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, which takes place June 15-17 at IMS. The Indianapolis 500 veterans will be in 1963 to 1972 vintage Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs of SVRA “Group 6” A and B Production. The professionals will be paired with amateur drivers, splitting their stints at the wheel. Additional Indy 500 drivers will be announced as they enter in the coming weeks.

In addition to the Pro-Am, there will be a festival of other activities at the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational including the Sunday, June 17 feature race by the professional Trans Am series headed by 2017 champion Ernie Francis Jr. The weekend also presents the Hagerty Insurance “shine and show” car corral, vintage motorcycle racing, and 500-plus vintage racers ranging over 100 years of automotive history racing in SVRA Groups 1 through 12. An oval exhibition featuring a race car show of judged competition for the A.J. Watson and Sir Jack Brabham trophies led by IMS Historian Donald Davidson will also take place.

In addition to their entries in the Pro-Am, Unser and Ribbs also announced they have formed a business partnership, Unser-Ribbs Vintage Racing. Initial services include coaching, mentoring and even dining and recreational activities with Unser and Ribbs. They are supported with car setup and engineering services by their friend and business partner Steve Erickson, owner of Automotive Business Solutions. Erickson is a long-time Indy car engineer.



Show More Show Less