Defending “Indy Legends” Charity Pro-Am Champ Bob Lazier and Son Jaques Back At IMS
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) today announced that Bob Lazier, last year’s winner of Brickyard Invitational “Indy Legends” Charity Pro-Am, will return to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to defend his title. Jaques Lazier has also entered the contest joining his father during the Father’s Day weekend event, June 16-19.
“The Laziers are a class act and it’s special to have a father and son combination racing with us during our first Father’s Day weekend race meet,” said SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella. “Bob is the defending champion of our Pro-Am and I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome him and Jaques back.”
The Pro-Am feature the Laziers will compete in is a 40-minute race of American muscle cars on the Speedway’s 2.43-mile Grand Prix road course on Saturday, June 18. The cars are 1963 to 1972 vintage Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs of the “Group 6” SVRA class. The addition of the Laziers further adds to an impressive entry list packed with talent. Drivers already entered include the Unser cousins, Al Jr., Robby and Johnny as well another famous family represented by Larry Foyt and AJ Foyt IV. Paul Tracy, a 2003 Indy car champion is entered for the first time while Davey Hamilton, Johnny Parsons Jr., Jimmy Kite, Donnie Beechler, Lyn St. James, Pete Halsmer and Mark Dismore are returning. A special “Garage 34” promoter’s option entry for NASCAR champions Bill Elliott and Ray Evernham, who will share a car, has been filed as well. As in the previous two years, the professionals will be paired with amateur drivers, splitting stints at the wheel at their discretion. SVRA officials expect 33 Indy 500 veterans to compete in the contest.
Bob Lazier, the patriarch of the famous Lazier racing family, last raced in the Indianapolis 500 35 years ago. A skilled road racer, he earned three top-five finishes on his way to winning the Indy car Rookie-of-the-Year Award in 1981. A successful businessman and self-made man, he is the founder of the highly acclaimed Tivoli Lodge in Vail. Action oriented and an avid skier he started racing cars in 1969 and cut his teeth in SCCA road racing. He progressed steadily through the open wheel ranks in VW Gold Cup, Formula Vee, Super Vee, Formula 5000 and on to Indy cars.
Jaques Lazier is a six-time starter of the Indianapolis 500 and holds the distinction of being the race’s most recent relief driver when he filled in for Robby Gordon who had to depart for Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte after rain delays in 2004. Lazier, the brother of 1996 Indianapolis 500 winner Buddy Lazier, drove for a number of top teams during his Indy car career including Target-Chip Ganassi, A.J. Foyt Enterprises, Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Team Menard. He won the Chicagoland Speedway Indy car race in 2001 for Menard.
While the SVRA Pro-Am is the crowning event of the Brickyard Invitational, there is also a festival of other activities. As in previous years the SVRA will present exhibition runs on the storied 2.5-mile oval by a wide variety of cars including several of the crowd-favorite 1950’s Indianapolis 500 “roadsters.” The 2016 weekend not only promises a huge gathering of race cars but also some of the finest collector cars. Motostalgia, with offices in Austin, Texas, Mexico City and Monaco will stage an auction of select automobiles from around the world. The Brickyard Invitational will also expand out onto the world-famous infield IMS golf course with car corrals for organizations and clubs united by special marques and vintages as well as its “Shine and Show” car show. Saturday evening entertainment will include a concert by the legendary rock band, “Three Dog Night,” capped off by a trademark SVRA mega-fireworks show.
The SVRA has 11 groups of racecars spanning 100 years of vintage machines. The array of entries at IMS will include select pre-war machines, classic sports cars, Formula One and Le Mans prototypes as current as 2011. Race fans can enjoy every minute of the action with overnight camping inside IMS. Pro-Am cars and drivers will also participate in a Fan Walk through the starting grid prior to the opening ceremonies allowing spectators to see the cars up close, take photos and chat with the drivers. All entry fees will be donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum Foundation and the Hagerty Education Program.
Brickyard Invitational ticket information: Fans can order Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational tickets for all or any one of the four days of the event online through the Speedway or by calling 800-822-INDY or 317-492-6700 between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday. Fans can also visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at 4790 West 16th Street between 8 a.m.-5 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. Children 12 and under are admitted free each day when accompanied by an adult. Tent camping passes in the IMS infield start at $30 and are available all four days.