Class Act: A Look at SVRA Competition Structure This Weekend at IMS
June 13, 2018 | By Paul Kelly, Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The 500 vintage race cars that will compete at the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational June 15-17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway cover every era of motorsports, from the early 1900s to recent years.
But to ensure fair competition among such a wide array of cars from many manufacturers, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) divides the action into 12 classes. Here’s a look at each of the classes racing on the 14-turn, 2.439-mile road course this weekend at IMS:
Class 1
Recognized small displacement production sports cars and sedans.
Examples: Sprite, Midget, Mini Cooper, Triumph Spitfire, Alfa Romeo Giulietta, MGA, Fiat-Abarth, Lotus 7. Select G and H-modifieds and D-Sports Racers, Formula Vee
Class 2
Pre-1973 formula cars conforming to the SVRA classic formula car regulations. Other cars may be accepted by invitation as appropriate.
Examples: Lotus; Brabham, Caldwell, Titan, Crossle, Merlyn, Royale, Elva, Hawke
Class 3
Recognized series-produced sports cars and sedans in production before 1972.
Examples: MGB, Triumph TR-3 and 4; Austin Healey 3000, Porsche 356, Elva Courier, Morgan, Daimler, Sunbeam Alpine, Volvo P1800
Class 4
Limited produced sports cars, racing “specials” and GT cars built or in production before 1960. This group represents the “Golden Age” of sports car racing in the United States and Europe. Other appropriate cars by invitation.
Examples: Scarab, Devin, Maserati, Ferrari, Lotus, Jaguar XK120/140, C, D; Maserati, Lister, Allard, Elva; Porsche RSK Spyder, Cunningham
Class 5
World Sports Car Championship and World Manufacturer’s Championship GT’s and prototypes as raced between 1960-72. All three classes of Sports 2000 cars, Spec Racer Fords and WSR cars.
Examples: Lotus 23, 30, 40; Porsche 904, 906, 907, 910; Elva Mk 7, 8; Lola 212, Lotus 11, 15, 17; Bobsy SR2.
Class 6
Selected big-bore production sports cars and sedans through 1972.
Examples: Corvette, Shelby GT-350, Cobra, Mustang, Camaro, Jaguar XKE, Barracuda, Cougar, Griffith, Porsche 911
Class 7
World Championship of Makes sports cars on slick tires. Under 2-liter sports cars as raced after 1972. Can-Am cars as raced after 1967. Center-seat Can-Am cars, SCCA ASR & BSR.
Examples: McLaren, Porsche 908, 917, 956, 962; Lola, Chevron, Ferrari 312, 512; Alfa Romeo T33, Lancia, Matra
Class 8
Recognized series-produced sports cars and sedans in production before 1979, and later cars by invitation.
Examples: Lotus Super 7, Datsun 240Z, BMW 2002, Sunbeam Tiger, Porsche 911, 914, 924; Datsun 510, Escort, Alfa Romeo GTV
Class 9
Wings-and-slicks formula cars complying with SVRA post-1973 formula car regulations.
Examples: Formula One and Indy Lights, Formula 5000, Formula 2, Formula Atlantic & Formula B (1600cc); Formula Super Vee (1600cc, air and water cooled); Formula Continental, Formula 3 (1100cc)
Class 10
Select GT sports cars and sedans raced between 1973 and 1999. NASCAR Cup and Busch Series stock cars. Trans Am and production-based contemporary as raced from 1999 to 2013.
Examples: Chevrolet Dekon Monza, Porsche 911 RSR, Ferrari 348, Audi S4, Chevrolet Corvette, DeTomaso Pantera, Dodge Viper
Class 11
GTP/Group C, ALMS, PSCR, WSC and GRAND-AM prototype cars and SCCA P1 and P2 cars as raced from 1981 to 2013.
Examples: Aston Martin AMR1, Intrepid, Audi R8, Ford Mustang Trans Am, Oldsmobile Aurora, Pontiac Grand Am, Porsche GT2 and Cup
Class 12
Select GT sports cars and sedans raced between 1973 and 2013. These are production-based cars such as Motorola Cup or any other stock/prepared racing series. Early IMSA GTO and GTU small-bore cars will be accepted on an individual basis.
Examples: Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, Ford Mustang, Panoz, Datsun Z cars, Nissan ZX and various BMW, Porsche and Ferrari models
Visit IMS.com to order tickets or learn more about the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational. Kids 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. All fans can access the paddock to see the cars up close and meet the drivers.