SVRA Brickyard Invitational (2014) – Recap & Photo Gallery

Over 700 cars showed up for the inaugural Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA) Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, staged June 5-8, 2014 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana. The cars, divided into 12 groups, raced on the newly redesigned 2.43 mile road course.

There was also a group of oval only entries that ran on the storied 2.5 mile oval, where spectators were treated to an incredible array of historical cars from the 1909 American Locomotive ‘Black Beast’ through the Kurtis, Miller and Watson roadsters to the Lotus 56 Turbine car and Mark Donohue’s 1972 race-winning McLaren. The grin factor these cars generated was huge. All the SVRA racing groups were also given time on the oval, and this proved to be quite an experience for the drivers that tried it.

A race unique to this gathering was the Indy Legends Charity Pro-Am, where 24 former Indy 500 drivers were partnered with Group Six drivers in a 45-minute race. Among the Indy drivers were Al Unser Jr., Willy T. Ribbs, Buddy, Jaques and Bob Lazier, Scott Goodyear, Lyn St. James, Eliseo Salazar and Robby Unser. The race was won by Al Unser Jr. and Peter Klutt in 1969 Chevrolet Corvette.

Two enduros were run at the 2014 SVRA Indy event, with Frank Beck in his 1972 Porsche 914/6 winning the Hawk Performance Vintage/Classic Enduro and Travis Engen’s 2005 Audi R8 LMP taking the checkers in the Hawk Historic GT/GTP Enduro.

Grand Marshal Parnelli Jones was reunited with Offenhauser-powered Watson Roadster he drove to victory in the 1963 Indy 500, while Bobby Unser was reunited with the Penske he drove to win in 1981. They were joined by Janet Guthrie, the first woman driver to race at Indy, Willy T. Ribbs, Al Unser Jr. and Robbie Unser for a symposium moderated by Donald Davidson.

If all of this isn’t wasn’t enough to make this a special event, there was the museum in the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that should be on every racing enthusiasts must-see list. On display were many of the Indy 500 race winners including the 1911 Marmon Wasp that won the inaugural 500 mile race. Other treats were the Ferrari 250 LM that won the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans, a 1955 Mercedes-Benz W196 and all the turbine cars that have participated in the race.

Still not enough? Grand Funk Railroad provided the music for the Saturday evening social event.

It is no surprise that this Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational was a memorable one for the SVRA members. What was a bit of a surprise is how impressed the Indianapolis Motor Speedway people were with the entries. They too were seen with grins on their faces. Congratulations to SVRA President Tony Parella and his hard-working staff for putting on a most successful and memorable event.

In addition to Michael DiPleco’s photo gallery, photographer David Ferguson also documented the 2014 SVRA Indy Brickyard Invitational, offering the following picture gallery that highlight the varied entrants and charm of the Speedway. We split up David’s 250 pictures into two galleries. The first gallery starting below features our favorite images, all displayed in the full-width view of Sports Car Digest, while the second gallery can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Main Photo Gallery (click image for larger picture and description)

Billly Jacobs, 71 Chevron B19

David Jacobs, 66 Lola T70 MK ll

Walo Bertschinger, 66 Corvette Grand Sport

Roy Walzer, 63 Lotus 23B and L. Jack Ruscilli, 64 Cooper Monaco.

Graham Adelman, 62 Lotus 23B

Dan Cowdrey, 66 Lola T70 MKll

Doc Bundy, 64 Lotus 23B

James Cullen, 70 Lola T70 MKlllB

Howard Cherry, 66 Porsche 910

Brian Garcia, 65 Cheetah

Bob Tkacik, 65 Lotus 30

Mac McCombs, 68 Superformance GT40R

Fred Burke, 62 Cooper Monaco-Ferrari

David Jacobs, 66 Lola T70 MKll

L. Jack Ruscilli, 64 Cooper Monaco

Ralph Thomas, 78 Mallock Mk 17

Robert Boden, 62 Lotus 19 – Climax

A.C. D’Augustine, 65Genie Mk-10B

Doc Bundy, 64 Lotus 23B

1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato

Bob Tkacik, 65 Lotus 30

John Weinberger, 65 Lotus 23C

Mac McCombs, 68 Superformance GT40R

Paul Joyaux, 63 Crossle C5S

Walo Bertschinger, Corvette Grand Sport

Fred Burke, 62 Cooper Monaco-Ferrari

Travis Engen, 62 Loyus 23B

The lovely Lola T70.

Bill Luken, 63 Lotus 23B

Larry Ligas, 61 Jaguar XKE

Jim Glass, 65 Corvette

Charles Harris, 73 Porsche 911 RSR

Richard Payne, 70 Corvette

John McKenna, 63 Shelby Cobra

Tour Auto Rally 2016

Steven Cole, 63 Corvette

Alan Sevadjian, 69 Corvette

Rick Mooney, 68 Corvette

Randy Williams, 67 Jaguar E-type

Mark Hilderbrand, 72 Corvette

Andre Ahrle, 65 Cobra CompR

John McKenna, 63 Shelby Cobra

Charles Harris, 73 Porsche 911 RSR

Michael Donohue, 63 Corvette

Roy Allen, 66 Shelby GT350

John Ware Jr., 06 Porsche 911 GT3

J. Derek Harling, 91 Lola T91/50

David Rankin, 97 Chevrolet Camaro

Forest Barber, 03 Doran JE4 Daytona Prototype.

Richard Blaha, 03 Chevrolet Camaro

David Roberts, 06 Chevrolet Camaro

Paul Fix, 00 Jaguar XJR

Dale Irwin, 58 Porsche 356

Patrick Byrne, 58 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce F

David Zavetsky, 61 Daimler/Jaguar

David Neidell, 59 Kellison J-5

Don Tevini, 59 Porsche Devin D

Robert Harvey, 57 Corvette

Frank Morelli, 61 Corvette

Will Painter, 66 Alfa GTV

Karen Perrin, 69 Ford Escort MKl

Owen Coon, 94 SCCA Spec Racer Ford

Patrick Bean, 59 Aston Martin DB4

John Higgins, 59 Porsche 718RSK

Thomas Grudovich, 60 Lola MKl

Glenn Stephens, 56 Lotus XI LeMans

George C. Balbach, 60 Porsche 356

Piers Gormly, 61 Morgan Plus 4

Don Tevini, 59 Porsche DevinD

Robert Sirna, 58 Scarab MK-l

Don Heth, 66 Ford Cortina Lotus

Charles Schwimer, 65 Maserati Tipo 151 ahead of a diverse group of racers.

Charles Schwimer, 65 Maserati TIPO 151

John Schrecker, 64 Porsche 356

Brian MacEachern, 56 Lotus XI

Max Heilman, 58 Jaguar XK150

Robert Sirna, 58 Kurtis 500H Indy Roadster

John Cloud, 98 Ford Mustang Cobra

John Bechtol, 72 Porsche 914/6

John Forbes, 70 Porsche 914/6

David Roberts, 69 Chevrolet Camaro

Sean Ryan, 71 Chevrolet Camaro

Paul Westberg, 01 Panoz GT2

Three Panoz heading to the front straight.

W. Dickson Rathbone, 66 Ford Mustang.

Jim Gallaugher, 65 Ford Mustang

John Forbes, 70 Porsche 914/6

Addison Brown, 68 Chevrolet Camaro

1955 Lancia Aurelia B20S

Michael Eberhardt, 72 Porsche 911

Steve Grundahl, 72 Porsche 911

Erich Bollman, 69 Ford Mustang Boss

Jim Pace, 68 McLaren M6B

Peter Krause, 84 Tiga SC84

Tom Malloy, 69 Lola T70 Coupe

Turner Woodard, 75 Chevron B31

Ford GT MK IV

Howard Katz, 75 Toj 205C

Henry Payne lV, 85 Lola T596

Jim Pace, 68 McLaren M6B

Richard Carlino, 76 Chevron B36

1966 Ford GT40 P AM2

Glenn Jividen Jr. in the beautiful 00 Carbir CS2.

Keith Frieser, 72 Lola T290

David Ritter, 69 Lola T70 MKlll

Robert Fairbanks has his 61 Austin Mini Cooper all wound up.

Jacob Shalit, 62 Sabra Sport

Robert Hoemke, 65 Mini Cooper

Michael Silverman, 57 MG A Mk1

Doug Radix, 55 Mercedes 190 SL

1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ 1

Brent knoll, 86 Porsche 944

Rob Davenport, 72 Alfa Romeo GTV

Wayne Baker, 67 Porsche 911S

Bill Bauman, 69 Porsche 911S

Bill Abel, 66 Alfa Romeo GTV discarding one of the cones he collected.

Peter Schick, 70 Porsche 914/6

Ira Schoen, 71 Ford Capri ahead of two Lotus Sevens.

Ed Magner, 94 Oldsmobile Achieva

Thomas Grudovich, 66 Ginetta G4

Jerald Dulski, 72 Dasun 240Z

Randall Wade, 73 Porsche 911T

Ross Bremer in his ex Paul Newman 72 Euro Ford Escort MKl.

A storied place.

Bobby Brown, 71 Brabham BT35

Bruce Revennaugh, 60 Lotus 18

Robert McNeill, 79 Royale RP26

Marvin Primack, 60 Lotus 18

Ron Hornig, 71 Brabham BT35

Hugh Ruthven ll, 59 Bandini Formula Junior

Karen Berry, 1960 BMC-Huffaker Formula Junior

Travis Engen, 70 Chevron B17b

David Mock, 69 Merlyn MK11a

James Yule, 61 Cooper T-56

Robert Hoemke, 65 Mini Cooper

Lou Marchant, 59 MGA

Tony Adamowicz, 69 Eagle F5000

Michel Gensini, 91 Dallara F1 BMS-191

Charles Parsons, 76 Lola 332C

Stuart Lush, 73 McRae GM1-015

Tom Malloy, 74 AAR Eagle 755-001

Brian French, 97 Benetton B197

Chris Pedersen, 72 Lola T300

Keith Frieser, 73 Shadow DN1 – F1

Ford Heacock, 29 Ford Roadster

Ray Morgan, 28 Riley Brookland Sp.

Rex Barrett, 33 Ford Indy Car

Tony Parella, 34 Chevrolet Bigcar

Bill Stelcher, 29 Ford Model A Speedster

John Kerr, 32 Miller Scofield/Ford

George Davidson, 30 Bugatti T-35

Peter Giddings, 31 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3

Mike Barstow, 53 MG TD

Charles Test, 1911 National Speedway

Richard Korrow, 47 Kurtis Kraft Midget

Mick Anderson, 75 Wilhelm Dirt Champ Car

Jerry Sullivan, 60 Watson Tribute Car

Les Neidell, 32 Plymouth Dirt Track

Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

Eric Johnson, Audi A4 DTM

Phil Lasco, 95 Roush Mustang

Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4

Theo Bean, 90 Chevrolet Intrepid GTP

Frank Beck, 2007 Porsche GT3 Cup

Don Soenen, 95 Ford Mustang TA

Toby Bean, 90 Chevrolet Intrepid GTP

Mark Brannon, 01 Riley and Scott 3C

Peter McLaughlin, 86 Ferrari Spice Camel

Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

Debbie Cloud, 00 Ford Mustang Cobra

Jeff Borghesi, 99 Lola B2K4

Jim Stengel, 72 McLaren M8F

Charles O’Brien lll, 74 Porsche 911 RS

Craig Reed, 01 Ferrari 360 Challenge

Maurice Hull, 06 Dodge Charger

Chuck Hebing, 05 Dodge Charger

Rib Regna, 80 Corvette

David Neidell, 77 Oldsmobile Cutlass

Gordon Johnson, 00 Ford Taurus

Mark Hupfer, 79 Porsche 911SC

Ken McKinnon, 72 Porsche 911 RSR

John Wolff, 97 Corvette T/A

Jeff Lewis, 74 Porsche 911 RSR

Robby, Janet, Al Jr., Parnelli, Bobby and Willy.

Words aren’t enough.

Mick Anderon, 60 Watson Tribute Car

Peter Giddings and his 31 Alfa Romeo crossing the bricks.

J. Dale Barry, 35 Riley-Ford

George Davidson and his 1930 Bugatti take the chequered flag.

The green flag waves!

Mark Brannon, 01 Riley and Scott

Ken McKinnon, 72 Porsche 911 RSR

Glenn Jividen Jr., 00 Carbir CS2

Scott Blackett, 67 Chevrolet Camaro

A Kodak moment.

Michael Defenbau, 73 Porsche 911 RSR

John Gatto, 84 March 84S

Pre War cars in action.

Paddins Dowling, 39 Maserati 4CL

Mac McCombs, 68 Superformance GT40R

Hobart Buppert, 69 Lola T70 Mklll

Lotuses getting chequered flag.

Oval racing.

Not sure, but looking at rollbar design, I’m guessing that it’s Parnelli Jones and the 1963 race winning Watson Indy Roadster are leading the pack.

Parnelli Jones in the Watson Offenhauser that he won the 1963 500 with.

Jim Dilamarter, 79 Troyer Pinto

Dave Thomas, 63 Watson Roadster

Bill Akin, 53 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster

Pat Kennedy, 48 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster

No gloves.

Turn one. Note the skidmarks from the james Hinchcliffe – Ed Carpenter accident.

Ned Fry, 62 USAC Chevy Sprint Car

Phil Pete, 59 Midget Roadster

Bill Akin, 62 Epperly Roadster

Bud Taylor, 64 Watson Roadster

Allen Washatko, 71 Triumph TR6

Tom Malloy, 86 March 86C

Oh yes! That’s the 68 Lotus 56 turbine car.

Travis Engen, 01 Lola T97/20

1972 McLaren that Mark Donohue won the 500 with. It was Roger Penske’s first win as an owner.

Toney Edwards, 68 Gerhardt

Tom Malloy, 86 March 86C

Jerry Sneva, 72 McLaren Offenhauser

Peter Giddings, 31 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3

Nick Gojmeric, 80 March 802

Keith Frieser, 73 Shadow DN1 – F1

Mark Harmer, 69 Surtees TS-5

Blown engine.

Jacob Shalit gets to add another track decal on the 62 Sabra Sport’s trunk lid.

A mini racing at Indy. Ever think you’d see that?

Robert Dicks in the 63 Watson Tribute Car. Note the scarf covering his mouth.

Bruce Linsmeyer, 68 Lotus 56 Turbine Indy Car.

Tom Malloy(?), 81 Penske PC-9B

Doesn’t it look like Tom Fraelich (79 March Super Vee) is clapping?

1909 Amercan Locomotive coming out of Gasoline Alley.

August Grasis, 33 Studebaker Indy Special

Indy legends gather for photo session before the start of the Pro/Am.

John McKenna, 75 Parnelli VPJ4 F1

Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

Tom McGlynn, 97 Porsche GT2 Evo

Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4

Travis Engen, 05 Audi R8 LMP

Group 6 racing is always action packed.

Michael Defenbau, 72 Porsche 911 RSR tries to find the quickest way around turn one.

Two Cobras.

Chris MacAllister’s Cobra seems to be leaking something. Peter Maehling, 72 Porsche 911 RSR seems to have found it.

Jody O’Donnell, 69 Corvette ended up as the group 6.1 race winner.

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[Source: SVRA; photos: David Ferguson]