Pittsburgh Vintaage Grand Prix sets record donation $170,000

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, Presented by Shop ‘n Save, Takes a Victory Lap, Sets Record for the Third Consecutive Year

Pittsburgh, PA - 2007 was another exciting year for the Grand Prix and its two charities. Through sponsorship, merchandise sales, donations and driver entries the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix, presented by Shop ‘n Save, set a new annual donation record of $170,000 - the largest single donation in its 25-year history. The funds will be split equally between the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. This now brings the Grand Prix’s total donations to $2,250,000 since 1983 and marks the third consecutive year that a new donation record was set.

The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix Association’s President and Race Director Mike Connolly was thrilled with the donation as well as the support of all the volunteers when he addressed the gathering, “Setting another donation record for our charities is very special. 25 years ago we never imagined this little one day race would grow into the country’s largest vintage race event spanning 10 whole days. As I look around the room I see so many friends who have worked by my side all these years…thank you from the bottom of my heart. But I am also very encouraged by the newer faces who can take us through the next 25 years.”

The October 24th check presentation is called the “Victory Lap”, because it was a unique opportunity for everyone involved in this successful event to relax and enjoy the recognition. Presenting Sponsor Shop ‘n Save Vice President Lou Krebs summed it up best when he said “Shop ‘n Save is proud to present such a successful and long-standing event. The Grand Prix contributes so much in the communities served by our independent retailers.” Shop ‘n Save has been the presenting sponsor of the nation’s largest vintage race event since 2001.

(left to right) PVGP President & Race Director Mike Connolly, Lou Krebs of Shop ‘n Save, Allegheny Valley School Ambassador Brandon Fisher, Bill Lipsky of Shop ‘n Save, Autism Society Ambassador Anita Iyengar, Allegheny Valley School President & CEO Regis Champ.

Ambassadors representing each charity; Anita Iyengar - Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Brandon Fisher - Allegheny Valley School were on hand to receive the $170,000 check. Funds raised help provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals in the Pittsburgh region.

Over 175 people attended the October 24th check presentation at the Wyndham Hotel in Oakland, including Grand Prix volunteers, sponsors and supporters.

The Grand Prix has developed into a 10-day motorsport event that now includes two weekends of racing, a blacktie gala, road rallye and numerous car shows. For more information visit the official website http://www.pvgp.org/.

Since 1983 The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has raised over $2.25 million for The Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School. Proceeds from the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix provide residential care, treatment and support for developmentally disabled individuals at the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Valley School.

Source: Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix.

Cadillac CTS-V retires from SCCA World Challenge.......temporarily.

Cadillac has announced that it will retire from the SCCA Speed World Challenge to pursue other venues. This comes after Andy Pilgrim won his second race of 2007 this past weekend to secure Cadillac a Manufacturers Championship in the SCCA SWC. Cadillac finished out the season with 71 points followed by Porsche with 60, Chevrolet with 50, and Dodge with 24 points.

After the race, Cadillac announced that this would be the brand's last season in the series, at least temporarily. "With the second-generation CTS-V still a year away from its introduction, we'll close this chapter of Cadillac in racing and explore future opportunities to showcase the performance of the Cadillac portfolio," he said.

With this, Cadillac ends its dominant four-year run in the Speed World Challenge as the most successful team. Cadillac drivers racked up a total of twelve wins, the most of any manufacturer in the series, as well as two manufacturer championships for the Cadillac brand and General Motors.

With the second generation Cadillac CTS already on showroom floors and scoring rave reviews. And a new CTS-V already in the pipeline for 2009. I think it will only be a matter of time before we see Cadillac back in the Speed World Challenge.