Southlake, TX (January 10, 2013) – The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) has named Heacock Classic Insurance as the Official Insurance Company of SVRA and as the title sponsor of the final East Coast event of its 2013 season. In recognition of this partnership the race will be named The Heacock Classic Gold Cup presented by SVRA and will be held September 26-29 at Virginia International Raceway.
Organization President & CEO, Tony Parella, stated, “SVRA is extremely proud to have Heacock Classic Insurance as a partner for what promises to be A watershed year for Vintage Racing. Heacock Classic’s broad range of insurance products and their extensive involvement in Collector Car activities is certain to be of benefit to our membership and to the organization as well.” Parella also stated, “Without Ford Heacock’s life long dedication and enthusiasm, the sport of Vintage Racing would not be where it is today.”
Heacock Classic founder and President Ford Heacock III commented, “I’m thrilled to be re-engaged with SVRA and Tony Parella. When I hear Tony talk about the sport of vintage racing today and his plans for building SVRA I get very excited. I can see in him the same energy I felt over 30 years ago when SVRA was in its infancy. To come full circle with SVRA – from having birthed the organization in 1980 to now returning as one of its major sponsors, is a great feeling.”
About SVRA: Founded in 1978, the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (originally called the Southeast Vintage Racing Association) has conducted Vintage Racing events at legendary tracks in the East and Southeast area of the country, including Watkins Glen International, Sebring International Raceway, Virginia International Raceway, Road America, and the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
Acquired by Texas businessman and Vintage Racer, Tony Parella, in September 2012, the organization has embarked on an aggressive program designed to bring the sport of Vintage Racing to a new level of professionalism and prominence. Among the key elements of this program are: the acquisition of the West Coast Vintage organization, Historic Sportscar Racing–West (HSR-West); the announcement of a set of simplified set of rules enforcement procedures; and an expansion of its East and West Coast race schedules to a record setting total of 17 events for the 2013 season. Additionally, the emergence of SVRA as Vintage Racing’s only national organization will give competitors an unrivaled opportunity to experience events on both coasts, as well as Vintage Racing’s first ever National Championship.
Further information on the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association can be found at www.svra.com , on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
About Heacock Classic Insurance: Thousands of new people are getting involved in the collector and vintage car hobby each year. Whether it’s rebuilding an old classic, purchasing the vehicle of their dreams, or participating in a Vintage Racing event, there are millions of these vehicle owners in the U.S. Heacock Classic offers a broad range of insurance policy options that can be tailored to how a vehicle may be used, and in some cases, even who will operate it. Heacock’s long involvement and experience with Vintage Racing also enables them to offer very competitive rates for Vintage, sports and exotic cars.
Heacock Classic founder and President, Ford Heacock III, is a serious automobile enthusiast. As a native of Sebring, FL, Ford’s family was intimately involved in the heyday of Sebring’s international sports car races. His grandfather (Ford Sr.) was the first local chairman of the Sebring 12 Hours of Endurance and is a member of the Sebring Race Hall of Fame. After returning to Sebring following college, Ford III, took an active interest in the vintage sports car racing hobby. He founded the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association as well as the sports premier publication, Vintage Motorsport. Today, in addition to his duties as President of Heacock Classic, Ford also finds time to organize the annual Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival in downtown Lakeland, FL. Heacock also recently completed the restoration of a 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster.
Heacock Classic is a division of the Heacock Insurance Group, based in Sebring, FL and is a full-service independent insurance agency that has been in business since 1922. Additional information about Heacock Classic, its products, and services can be found on their website, www.heacockclassic.com or by calling their toll free number 800.678.5173.