SVRA U.S. Vintage Grand Prix (2013) – Report and Photos

The U.S. Vintage Grand Prix 2013 was held September 4-8 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. SVRA’s largest and most popular event saw a field of nearly 350 entrants battle on the famed 3.67 mile, 11-turn road circuit.

The Glenora Wine Cellars U.S. Vintage Grand Prix presented by Welliver featured cars on track throughout the weekend with qualifying sessions on Friday and races on Saturday and Sunday.

On Friday evening, the Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen brought racing back to the streets. Cars competing at Watkins Glen International participated in a race reenactment in the village of Watkins Glen, driving the original 6.6-mile road course in tribute to the 1948 Grand Prix.

There were two feature races amongst the eleven different classes, with a field of MGs racing in the 29th annual Collier Cup and the Historic Trans-Am group competing for the Governor’s Cup. The iconic Mini (old and new variants) was the featured marque for the weekend.

The Group 7 race was named in honor of long-time SVRA competitor and perennial group 7 participant, Joel Finn. In addition to being a vintage competitor, Finn is an author of several books dealing with motorsports history. SVRA President and CEO Tony Parella, commented, “Joel’s involvement in Vintage Racing at Watkins Glen, which dates to a Vintage race that preceded the 1974 United States Grand Prix, makes naming our group 7 race in his honor a fitting tribute to Joel’s many contributions to our sport.”

—

Similar to the 2010, 2011 and 2012 races, photographer Michael DiPleco also documented the vintage racing action from the 2013 U.S. Vintage Grand Prix by SVRA, offering the following pictures of the historic race cars navigating the famed Watkins Glen road course. We split up Michael’s 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 and race results can be found on the last page of the article and gives a comprehensive view of all the photographs.

U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Watkins Glen 2013 – Featured Photo Gallery

1958 Porsche 356A Coupe.

1972 BMW 3.0 CSL.

1985 Ford Cobra IV.

1978 Lola T298.

1949 MG-TC.

1962 Lotus Super 7.

1966 Ginetta G4.

1972 Euro Escort Mk1.

1967 Mercury Cougar.

1969 Ford Boss 302.

1970 Dodge Challenger.

1971 AMC Javelin.

1971 Alfa Romeo GTV.

1966 Ginetta G4.

1934 Chevrolet Indy.

1934 MG-NE.

1961 Lotus Elite.

1969 Austin Cooper.

1966 Porsche 911.

1965 Triumph Spitfire.

Jim Haque 1971 Ford Boss 302.

New York Govenor’s Cup race for Historic Trans Am.

1963 Ford Falcon.

1971 AMC Javelin.

1988 Porsche 962.

Travis Engen, Audi R8 LMP, takes Group 11 into Turn 1.

1967 Lola T70 Mk3B.

1968 Chevrolet Camaro.

1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo B “P3”.

1969 Lynx B Formula Jr.

Keenan Motors Classic Enduro. 1961 Porsche 356B Roadster.

Keenan Motors Classic Enduro.1961 Porsche 356.1964 Morris Cooper S,

1960 Chevrolet Corvette.

1965 Yenko Stinger.

1958 Jaguar XK150.

1967 Triumph TR4A.

Green Flag for the Historic Trans Am.

1967 Chevrolet Camaro and Group Historic Trans Am.

1954 Devin Jaguar.

Dave Morgan, 1968 Austin Mini Cooper, brings Group 1 into Turn 2.

Start of the Keenan Motors Historic Enduro.

1988 Porsche 962.

2005 Audi R8 LMP.

1963 Chevrolet Corvette.

Keenan Motors Classic Enduro.

Green Flag, Keenan Motors Classic Enduro.

1978 March BMW 782 Formula Atlantic

1969 Brabham BT29.

(Results will be posted when available).

[Source: SVRA; photos: Michael DiPleco]