Join The World's Best Iconic & Vintage Car Community >>

SVRA Indy Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Report and Photos

Bruce Linsmeyer, 68 Lotus 56 Turbine Indy Car. Picasa
Bruce Linsmeyer, 68 Lotus 56 Turbine Indy Car.

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

 

1909 American Locomotive coming out of Gasoline Alley.
1909 American Locomotive coming out of Gasoline Alley.
August Grasis, 33 Studebaker Indy Special
August Grasis, 33 Studebaker Indy Special
Doesn't it look like Tom Fraelich (79 March Super Vee) is clapping?
Doesn’t it look like Tom Fraelich (79 March Super Vee) is clapping?
Tom Malloy(?), 81 Penske PC-9B
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser in his 1981 winning Penske PC-9B

[full_width_banners]

Bruce Linsmeyer, 68 Lotus 56 Turbine Indy Car.
Bruce Linsmeyer, 68 Lotus 56 Turbine Indy Car.
Robert Dicks in the 63 Watson Tribute Car. Note the scarf covering his mouth.
Robert Dicks in the 63 Watson Tribute Car. Note the scarf covering his mouth.
A mini racing at Indy. Ever think you'd see that?
A mini racing at Indy. Ever think you’d see that?
Keith Frieser, 73 Shadow DN1 - F1
Keith Frieser, 73 Shadow DN1 – F1

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Two

 

1972 McLaren that Mark Donohue won the 500 with. It was Roger Penske's first win as an owner.
1972 McLaren that Mark Donohue won the 500 with. It was Roger Penske’s first win as an owner.
Nick Gojmeric, 80 March 802
Nick Gojmeric, 80 March 802
Peter Giddings, 31 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
Peter Giddings, 1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
Toney Edwards, 68 Gerhardt
Toney Edwards, 68 Gerhardt

[full_width_banners]

Oh yes! That's the 68 Lotus 56 turbine car.
Oh yes! That’s the 68 Lotus 56 turbine car.
Bud Taylor, 64 Watson Roadster
Bud Taylor, 64 Watson Roadster
Ned Fry, 62 USAC Chevy Sprint Car
Ned Fry, 62 USAC Chevy Sprint Car
Pat Kennedy, 48 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster
Pat Kennedy, 48 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Robert Hoemke, 65 Mini Cooper
Robert Hoemke, 65 Mini Cooper
Karen Berry, 1960 BMC-Huffaker Formula Junior
Karen Berry, 1960 BMC-Huffaker Formula Junior
Hugh Ruthven ll, 59 Bandini Formula Junior
Hugh Ruthven II, 59 Bandini Formula Junior
Bruce Revennaugh, 60 Lotus 18
Bruce Revennaugh, 60 Lotus 18

[full_width_banners]

Ira Schoen, 71 Ford Capri ahead of two Lotus Sevens.
Ira Schoen, 71 Ford Capri ahead of two Lotus Sevens.
Brent knoll, 86 Porsche 944
Brent knoll, 86 Porsche 944
David Ritter, 69 Lola T70 MKlll
David Ritter, 69 Lola T70 MK III
Jim Pace, 68 McLaren M6B
Jim Pace, 68 McLaren M6B

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Four

 

Ford GT MK IV
Ford GT MK IV
Tom Malloy, 69 Lola T70 Coupe
Tom Malloy, 69 Lola T70 Coupe
Henry Payne lV, 85 Lola T596
Henry Payne lV, 85 Lola T596
Peter Krause, 84 Tiga SC84
Peter Krause, 84 Tiga SC84

[full_width_banners]

John Forbes, 70 Porsche 914/6
John Forbes, 70 Porsche 914/6
Robert Sirna, 58 Kurtis 500H Indy Roadster
Robert Sirna, 58 Kurtis 500H Indy Roadster
Brian MacEachern, 56 Lotus XI
Brian MacEachern, 56 Lotus XI
Charles Schwimer, 65 Maserati Tipo 151 ahead of a diverse group of racers.
Charles Schwimer, 65 Maserati Tipo 151 ahead of a diverse group of racers.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Five

 

Tony Parella, 34 Chevrolet Bigcar
SVRA President Tony Parella, 1934 Chevrolet Bigcar
Mick Anderson, 75 Wilhelm Dirt Champ Car
Mick Anderson, 75 Wilhelm Dirt Champ Car
Peter Giddings, 31 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
Peter Giddings, 1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3
George Davidson, 30 Bugatti T-35
George Davidson, 30 Bugatti Type 35

[full_width_banners]

Ford Heacock, 29 Ford Roadster
Ford Heacock, 29 Ford Roadster
Brian French, 97 Benetton B197
Brian French, 97 Benetton B197
Stuart Lush, 73 McRae GM1-015
Stuart Lush, 73 McRae GM1-015
Tony Adamowicz, 69 Eagle F5000
Tony Adamowicz, 69 Eagle F5000

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Six

 

Bill Akin, 53 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster
Bill Akin, 53 Kurtis Kraft Indy Roadster
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.
Not sure, but looking at rollbar design, I’m guessing that is Parnelli Jones and the 1963 Indy 500-winning Watson Indy Roadster leading the pack.
Oval racing.
Oval racing.
Indy legends gather for photo session before the start of the Pro/Am.
Indy legends gather for photo session before the start of the Pro-Am.

[full_width_banners]

Paddins Dowling, 39 Maserati 4CL
Paddins Dowling, 39 Maserati 4CL
Michael Defenbau, 73 Porsche 911 RSR
Michael Defenbau, 73 Porsche 911 RSR
A Kodak moment.
A Kodak moment.
Peter Giddings and his 31 Alfa Romeo crossing the bricks.
Peter Giddings and his 1931 Alfa Romeo Tipo B P3 crossing the bricks.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Seven

 

Robert Sirna, 58 Scarab MK-l
Robert Sirna, 58 Scarab MK I
Don Tevini, 59 Porsche DevinD
Don Tevini, 59 Porsche Devin D
Thomas Grudovich, 60 Lola MKl
Thomas Grudovich, 60 Lola MK I
John Higgins, 59 Porsche 718RSK
John Higgins, 59 Porsche 718 RSK

[full_width_banners]

Will Painter, 66 Alfa GTV
Will Painter, 66 Alfa GTV
Frank Morelli, 61 Corvette
Frank Morelli, 61 Corvette
David Neidell, 59 Kellison J-5
David Neidell, 59 Kellison J-5
Patrick Byrne, 58 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce F
Patrick Byrne, 58 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce F

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eight

 

John McKenna, 63 Shelby Cobra
John McKenna, 1963 Shelby Cobra
Paul Fix, 00 Jaguar XJR
Paul Fix, 00 Jaguar XJR
Roy Allen, 66 Shelby GT350
Roy Allen, 66 Shelby GT350
Charles Harris, 73 Porsche 911 RSR
Charles Harris, 73 Porsche 911 RSR

[full_width_banners]

Rick Mooney, 68 Corvette
Rick Mooney, 68 Chevrolet Corvette
John McKenna, 63 Shelby Cobra
John McKenna, 63 Shelby Cobra
Larry Ligas, 61 Jaguar XKE
Larry Ligas, 61 Jaguar E-Type
The lovely Lola T70.
The lovely Lola T70.

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Nine

 

L. Jack Ruscilli, 64 Cooper Monaco
L. Jack Ruscilli, 64 Cooper Monaco
Doc Bundy, 64 Lotus 23B
Doc Bundy, 64 Lotus 23B
Two Cobras.
Two Cobras.
Michael Defenbau, 72 Porsche 911 RSR tries to find the quickest way around turn one.
Michael Defenbau, 72 Porsche 911 RSR tries to find the quickest way around turn one.

[full_width_banners]

Group 6 racing is always action packed.
Group 6 racing is always action packed.
Travis Engen, 05 Audi R8 LMP
Travis Engen, 05 Audi R8 LMP
Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4
Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4
Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F
Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Ten

 

John McKenna, 75 Parnelli VPJ4 F1
John McKenna, 75 Parnelli VPJ4 F1
Mick Anderon, 60 Watson Tribute Car
Mick Anderon, 60 Watson Tribute Car
Words aren't enough.
Words aren’t enough.
Jeff Lewis, 74 Porsche 911 RSR
Jeff Lewis, 74 Porsche 911 RSR

[full_width_banners]

Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4
Craig Bennett, 74 Shadow DN4
Eric Johnson, Audi A4 DTM
Eric Johnson, Audi A4 DTM
Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F
Chris MacAllister, 71 McLaren M8F
Jerry Sullivan, 60 Watson Tribute Car
Jerry Sullivan, 60 Watson Tribute Car

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

SVRA Indianapolis Brickyard Invitational 2014 – Featured Photo Gallery Page Eleven

 

Fred Burke, 62 Cooper Monaco-Ferrari
Fred Burke, 62 Cooper Monaco-Ferrari
Mac McCombs, 68 Superformance GT40R
Mac McCombs, 68 Superformance GT40R
Graham Adelman, 62 Lotus 23B
Graham Adelman, 62 Lotus 23B
Dan Cowdrey, 66 Lola T70 MKll
Dan Cowdrey, 66 Lola T70 MK II

[full_width_banners]

James Cullen, 70 Lola T70 MKlllB
James Cullen, 70 Lola T70 MK IIIB
Howard Cherry, 66 Porsche 910
Howard Cherry, 66 Porsche 910
Bob Tkacik, 65 Lotus 30
Bob Tkacik, 65 Lotus 30
David Jacobs, 66 Lola T70 MKll
David Jacobs, 66 Lola T70 MK II

 

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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

The unauthorized use and/or duplication of any editorial or photographic content from sportscardigest.com without express and written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to sportscardigest.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

[Source: SVRA; photos: David Ferguson]