Last year, vintage car driver Chris Longo recalled being worried something might be wrong with his vehicle before a race.

Then he noticed some people nearby.

The MGB GT’s condition became secondary.

“We met a group of children with autism, and they were happy just to talk with us and take pictures and get hugs,” said Longo, of Verona, who will be one of the competitors in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday in Schenley Park.

The annual event is celebrating its 40th anniversary. It benefits Autism-Pittsburgh and Merakey Allegheny Valley School, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The grand prix has raised more than $6 million for charity in the past four decades.

“Being able to make those kids smile just melted our hearts,” Longo said. “We love to race, but we do it because it benefits these wonderful charities.”

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The cars are the vehicles to attract people to support the cause, Longo said. The event showcases historic, vintage and exotic vehicles. Happenings are planned all week from car shows to the races.

Marque of the Year

Porsche is the Marque of the Year.

On Friday, owners displayed their Porsches near the Grand Concourse at Station Square for the Black Tie & Tailpipes Gala.

“These cars are cool,” said Steve Mader of Adams Township, who attended the gala with his wife, Martina Hahn.

He drove a 2021 Porsche — blue with green stripes — which he bought as 64th birthday present in March for himself. His wife purchased the couple’s first Porsche Boxster in 2014. Driving a 2013 Porsche Boxster was Donna Bell, of Franklin Park. She wore a dress to complement the hue of her car: racing yellow.

She accessorized with a miniature car-shaped handbag. A real yellow rose adorned the interior of the vehicle.

“I love the way this car handles,” Bell said. “It’s sexy and a lot of fun.”

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John Malobicky, of Fawn, who is the chairperson for the Allegheny Region Porsche Club of America, which has 1,100 members, said the grand prix is a wonderful marketing tool for people to see some cool cars all while raising money. He said they “take out all the stops” looking for sponsorships and donations.

He and his wife Lisa Malobicky share a love of Porsches. She drives a 1970 911 and is the social coordinator for the club. There is a specific group for women that hosts events for the ladies led by another member of the club.

“Being part of this club is like being part of a big family,” John Malobicky said. “When we see someone with a Porsche, we stop and talk to them. We share a passion for Porsches.”

Courtesy of Terry Koziara Terry Koziara poses with his modified 1972 Porsche 911.  

So do Terry and Mary Koziara of Greensburg.

Terry Koziara said the Porsche is a favorite because it’s an interesting car.

“Porsche has a large following,” said Terry Koziara, who has volunteered at the grand prix. “The car has amazing engineering and performance. We have made friends all over the world through Porsche. It’s a community.”

His wife enjoys driving one, too.

“They are fun,” she said. “We go on day trips. Sometimes we both drive, and sometimes we go in the same car. It is quite a sight to see all the cars lined up at an event.”

Attendees from all over the world

Terry Koziara said it is pretty cool that this event attracts people from all over the world.

“A lot of car enthusiasts pay to be a part of this because they know the money is going to help people with autism,” he said. “I love to walk by the pits and see all the different license plates.”

Races for the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix in Schenley Park are this Saturday and Sunday ???? Courtesy of Chris Longo pic.twitter.com/jYeDQvUeWM

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) July 18, 2022

A cool aspect of this event is it’s the only vintage car race held on city streets in the U.S.

“This event is right up my alley,” said Longo, who restores vintage sports cars, specializing in MGBs, but can work on other British sports cars such as MG Midgets, some Triumphs and Austin Healeys.

Longo started road racing in 2001 at Pitt Race and is currently a lead instructor. He began vintage racing in 2014 at the grand prix. Racers must pass a driver’s school to earn a racing license before competing in a race. Cars have to pass an inspection.

Terrible Towel

Longo raced a GT40 owned by Francis Kress of O’Hara last weekend at Pittsburgh International Race Track Complex in Beaver Falls. Owner of Kress Shirts in Highland Park, Kress has been involved in racing for decades. He has a connection to the Terrible Towel, which is owned by Merakey Allegheny Valley School — which provides services to nearly 800 individuals through 125 programs and facilities in nine counties across Pennsylvania.

Late Steelers broadcaster Myron Cope came up with the idea for the towel in 1975 as a way to connect fans to the game during the team’s playoff run. It’s become a staple at games and has been featured throughout the world. In 1996, Cope gave the rights to the school, which has helped his son Danny, who is mentally disabled. Kress was invited by a contact at then Gimbels department store to design a prototype for the gold towel with black lettering.

Kress printed 215,000 the first year and delivered some himself to get them into stores because they were so popular. He has one of the original designs. Kress met Longo through his father Vince Longo, of Monroeville, who is a high school classmate from Central Catholic in Oakland.

Longo learned to drive on his father’s 1975 MGB.

“I love the grand prix,” said Longo. “I have been around cars all my life. And to be able to drive a car to help raise money for autism that is more than worth taking a ride around the track.”

Take a drive

The 40th annual Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has a week full of events leading up to a weekend of racing. This year the grand prix is launching a live stream via its YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram channels. Viewers can tune in for opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Sunday followed by Helltown Brewing Winner’s Circle which will feature 30 minute races.

Here are the week’s events:

Waterfront Car Cruise

4-9 p.m. Tuesday. There will be 750 cars at The Waterfront in Homestead. Open to vehicles of all makes and years. $10 donation per vehicle. Sponsored by Guardian Storage.

Downtown Car Display

10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday. Race and show cars will be displayed at U.S. Steel Plaza, PPG Place and Market Square. $15 donation per car.

Tune-Up at Southside Works

6-9 p.m. Wednesday. The SouthSide Works will host a showcase of race cars, exotics, antiques and show cars along the streets surrounding Town Square. Free. Sponsored by Bank of America and the SouthSide Works.

Countryside Tour

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday. A tour of the Laurel Highlands countryside will make a stop in Latrobe for lunch at Jamison Farm. Open to vintage cars from 1983 and earlier. $75 per car. Sponsored by Jamison Farm.

Passport to Elegance Jet Center Party

6-10 p.m. Thursday. The Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport will host a soiree of rare and exotic vintage cars. There will be upscale food and drinks. Tickets are $375. Sponsored by UBS Walnut Health Management Group.

Forbes Avenue of Speed

6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday

Meet vintage race car drivers as they parade through Squirrel Hill and park along Forbes Avenue. A reception will be held at the location of the event’s sponsor, Orr’s Jewelers.

Vintage racing

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Noon: Porsche Marque Race – Sponsored by Sewickley Porsche

12:45 p.m.: Pre-War and Preservation Cars

1:30 p.m.: Large-Bore Sportscars

2:15 p.m.: Sports Racers & Formula Fords

3 p.m.: Medium-Bore Sportscars

3:45 p.m.: Small-Bore Sportscars

Attendees can take a tour of the track in a Rahal Pace Car or an actual race car for a $50 donation at noon on Saturday. Opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Sunday, with a parade to follow.

International Car Show

9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

There will be 3,000 vehicles at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Schenley Park. There will special displays for Porsche Marque of the Year and Viper spotlight. Others include American, British Car Day Asian cars, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Audi, Mini and Cars N Coffee Exotic Cars.

Cost to display a car is $50. Suggested donation for spectators is $5.

Details: pvgp.org

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