St. James, Ribbs and Dismore Early Entries
The Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) today announced the “Indy Legends Charity Pro-Am” race will return to the second running of their Brickyard Invitational Vintage Racing weekend at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway June 11-14. The Pro-Am will take place on Saturday, June 13 with an even larger field than last year when 24 drivers took the green flag and Al Unser Jr. drove to victory. This year cars have been arranged for as many as 33 former drivers of the Indianapolis 500 to compete on the Speedway’s 2.43-mile Grand Prix road course.
Like last year, the first three drivers to throw their hats into the ring are Lyn St. James, Willy T. Ribbs and Mark Dismore. St. James was 1992 rookie of the year while Ribbs became the first African-American to qualify for the race and Dismore came back from a devastating accident in 1991 to nearly win 10 years later before gearbox failure dashed his chances in the 2001 Indianapolis 500.
The cars for the Pro-Am will be 1963 to 1972 vintage Corvettes, Camaros and Mustangs with an engine displacement limit of 355 cubic inches. The Indianapolis 500 veterans will be paired with amateur drivers in a 45-minute timed race. The drivers will determine how they split their time at the wheel.
The ever-quotable Ribbs, who scored a podium finish last year, gave a warning of sorts to his competitors and fans alike saying, “I’m happy to be back for the second annual Indy Legends Pro Am. Last year was a get to know you round, but this year bring your Geritol, Depends and Viagra.”
For Dismore, the 2014 race was one of his year’s high points and he, too, is out to win, “To be honest, the 2014 event was a real joy to be a part of and I thank Tony Parella, the CEO of SVRA for having me. Let me be clear though, I’m serious about racing in this thing. I want to win.”
St. James, who races occasionally in additional SVRA events and pulled double duty at the Brickyard in 2014 is impressed with the growth of the series. “Tony Parella is really taking vintage racing to the next level. The professionalism in their paddock is outstanding and I believe in his vision of establishing vintage racing as a recognized motorsports alternative for fans and drivers.”
The Indy Legends Pro-Am is the crowning event of the Brickyard Invitational but there is literally a festival of other activities. Like last year, the storied 2.5-mile oval will be utilized with exhibition runs by a wide variety of cars including several of the crowd-favorite 1950’s Indianapolis 500 “roadsters.”
This time around the weekend not only promises a huge gathering of race cars but also some of the finest collector cars. Motostalgia, with offices in Austin, Mexico City and Monaco will stage an auction showcasing select premier classic and rare automobiles from around the world on June 12. The Brickyard Invitational will also expand out onto the world-famous infield IMS golf course with car corrals for various organizations and clubs united by special marques and vintages.
The SVRA has 11 groups of race cars spanning 100 years of vintage machines and all will be in action at IMS. The exciting array of entries include exquisite examples of select pre-war machines, classic sports cars, Formula One and Le Mans prototypes as current as 2009. Race fans can enjoy every minute of the action by taking advantage of overnight camping inside the Speedway.
The Pro-Am cars and drivers will also participate in a Fan Walk through the starting grid prior to the opening ceremonies allowing fans to see the cars up close, take photos and chat with the drivers. All entry fees will be donated to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum Foundation.
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 as well.