The PVGPA Historic races at BeaveRun were born over a drink at lunch in the summer of 2003. Mike Connolly and I along with other people involved in the running and planning of the PVGPA Grand Prix in Schenley Park, were having our wrap up meeting after another successful race. Mike leans over, looks me in the eye and says "well what are we going to do to make it bigger next year?" I answer back it would be neat if we could have a whole week of vintage events anchored at each weekend with vintage races. And it would be really nice if we could come up with a way for newer and bigger cars to come play with us. Mike then reveals to us that this may be doable as he has "connections" with the owners of the new race track going in just outside of Pittsburgh, BeaveRun. I responded with the appropriate noises and we all headed on our way back to where ever we called home. Imagine my surprise when Mike calls me late in the Fall to ask what I was doing about getting the Historic races going (we did not have a name then) I responded with something vague figuring we were talking about something for 2005. Well then Mike proceeds to tell me no, not 2005 but 2004, and get my butt in gear.

 I had been race director for VSCCA at Schenley park for a few years so I approached them about Beaver. The reception was tepid but I got an approval and off we went. 2004 dawned and before you knew it it was July and we were at BeaveRun. If memory serves correctly Mike and I scrounged up around 40-50 cars all told. We had great racing but it was obvious to all we needed to re-think our approach and I already had a plan B in mind. I dragged the president of the brand new VRG, Bob Girvin, into a meeting with Mike and myself. I think Mark Palmer was there too and if not he was quickly dragooned into the mix. I realized that VSCCA was more in step with the Vintage Grand Prix than the Historic races and while a club I truly enjoy was not the right fit for what I had in mind for BeaveRun, Let it be noted that Mike really had to go to bat for me to try plan B in 2005. Well with plan B in effect, the VRG on board and a lot of half answered questions we moved forward and the rest is history.

 150 cars showed up in 2005 and we have been floating near 200 since and this does not include all of the people who come to race in the Solo event! We have added a test and tune day on Friday, last year we added a skills school and the crowd just keeps getting bigger. My wife runs the charity rides we do at lunch and the lines get longer each year. We had to get a bigger tent to hold everyone who now comes to our Saturday party. With new and more sponsors coming on board each year we have grown into one of the premier vintage events held any where.

This year, 2008 will be our 5th year and we are planning on lots of new things to go along with many of the traditions we have already established so come on out and be a part of the new tradition in Vintage racing that is the PVGPA/VRG Historic Races at BeaveRun.

 I will personally guarantee that you will have a fine time and go home knowing you helped raise money for those who truly need our help

Thanks and see you there

Ralph Steinberg

 PVGPA Director of Competition BeaveRun Historic