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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Dan Panoz and Wayne Long Pittsburgh, PA - The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix has announced that Panoz will be the Spotlight car for 2023, with a special display of cars from the Panoz museum. The Panoz family has deep roots in Pittsburgh, with Dr. Don Panoz attending Greenbrier Military School in West Virginia before moving to Pittsburgh to study business at Duquesne University. Don Panoz was a lifelong enthusiast of motorsports, and was involved in racing as a team owner, sponsor, and driver. In 1989, Don's son Daniel founded Panoz Auto Development and designed, engineered, and manufactured the MK1 and MK2 Panoz Roadsters, using modular construction techniques and pioneering many industry firsts in lightweighting through several key aluminum technologies. In 1999, Don's vision for a premier event for endurance racing gave birth to the American Le Mans Series, which ran until 2013 when it merged with the Grand Am road racing series. The Panoz name is synonymous with quality and performance, with their cars winning some of the most prestigious races in the world, including the Sebring 12-hour endurance race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2 class. Panoz cars have competed in various forms of motorsport, including the American Le Mans Series, United Sportscar Championship, Rolex Sports Car Series, FIA Sportscar Championship, and IMSA GT Championship. The Panoz Esperante has also dominated the Trans Am series, winning seven times, coming in second three times, and coming in third twice. The Spotlight car display will be a tribute to the Panoz family's legacy in the world of motorsports and a celebration of their contributions to the industry. The Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is excited to feature Panoz as the Spotlight car for 2023 and to share the Panoz family's story with racing fans from around the world. List of Panoz CLuB EVentsThe Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix is a 10 day motorsports festival that is celebrating its 41st year in 2023. Although there are things to do and see throughout the entire 10 day celebration, Panoz Club members will be participating in the following events. Passport to Elegance - Hanger Party Thursday, July 20 – 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm The PVGP hangar party is located at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport. This year’s party will take you back through time to experience the growth and innovation of the past 100 years. Get immersed in the beauty and evolution of our automotive and aviation heritage with special display of Ferrari and Panoz Cars. This is a festive party in a lavish atmosphere featuring scrumptious passed hors devours, strolling food stations and top-shelf open bars. The evening will also include live music, silent and live auctions and other surprises you won’t want to miss. Sponsored by UBS, produced by LUXE Creative & styled by TWIN PINE Marque of the Year Dinner Friday, July 21 – 5:30 pm– 9:30 pm This event will be held at the historic Pittsburgh Golf Club on Schenley Park. Attendees will be a group of VIP's, Ferrari owners and Panoz owners. The dinner provides a great opportunity to get the lay of the land for the weekends events as well as socialize with like minded people that enjoy sports cars and sports car racing.  The Panoz Spotlight Car Show at the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix will be staged surrounding the putting green in front of the The Arnold Palmer Learning Center at The First Tee, Schenley Park Golf Club. Entry to the showfield will be through the American Car Show Entrance on Schenley Drive. YOU CANNOT REACH THE SHOWFIELD FROM THE PARKING LOT Schenley Park Race Weekend Saturday, July 23International Car Show 9:30 am – 5:00 pm Join us for a day full of family-friendly automobile-themed activities at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. Thousands of classic, antique and exotic vehicles fill the golf course for our International Car Show. If speed is more your thing, watch 150 vintage racers compete on the track all day to qualify for Sunday’s featured races. Panoz Spotlight Display 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Panoz owners and friends will be gathering at the Panoz spotlight tent during the International Car Show. The Panoz Factory will have cars on display along with the Panoz owners group of personnel cars. Dan Panoz will be on hand to meet and greet show attendees. Vintage Race Practice 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Our vintage racers will be on track all day. Each of the 5 race groups will run in practice sessions starting at 8:30 am. At noon racers with passenger seats come up to the VIP Tent at turn 14 and for $50 you can experience a real lap of the track. The track goes hot at 1:00 with all 5 groups racing in qualifying sessions. The last race of the day is the Donna Mae Mims Sprite-Midget Race pitting Austin-Healey Sprites versus MG Midgets. Schenley Park Race DaY Sunday, July 24International Car Show 9:30 am – 4:30 pm Our 10-day event closes with a roar as we continue with our races and car shows all day long at the Bob O’Connor Golf Course in Pittsburgh’s Schenley Park. Most of the of classic, antique and exotic vehicles that appeared on Saturday return for Race Day at the International Car Show. Vintage Races 8:30 am – 4:30 pm At 8:30 each race groups come out for 20 minute warm-up sessions in preparation for the featured afternoon races. At 11:00 we begin the Opening Ceremonies with Parade laps by Patron Parkers and a select group of 100 cars led by Grand Marshal TBD and Honorary Race Director TBD The afternoon races start at noon with the Marque Race sponsored followed by the featured race for each of the 5 groups with top finishers recognized in the Helltown Brewing Winner’s Circle. Panoz Spotlight Display 9:30 am - 5:00 pm Panoz owners and friends will be gathering at the Panoz spotlight tent during the International Car Show. The Panoz Factory will have cars on display along with the Panoz owners group of personnel cars. Dan Panoz will be on hand to meet and greet show attendees. Wine on 9 Our Sunday events are focused on the #PVGP Racing. Plan to spend the morning go over and check out the check out and view the Patron Parking parties then plan on heading down to the Paddock on one of the shuttle buses It's a great day to kick off with a tour of the Paddock Race cars and then have a shady lunch at our private viewing area in the Westinghouse Pond for "Wine on 9". Wine tasting during the opening ceremonies and afternoon of races. Your Panoz badges will get you admission to the Wine on 9 event at the Westinghouse Pond on Turn 9 of the the Race Course. 
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 Dan Panoz and Wayne Long at the Panoz Factory picking up the 2002 Panoz Esperante GTLM The First Annual Amelia Island Coastal Motoring Tour hosted several unique cars including this very special, 2002 Panoz Esperante GTLM Coupe that was custom built for Patrick Dempsey when he was just starting his racing career. Wayne Long talks to the new owner, Dr. Brad Warden, during the Coastal Motoring Tour final destination at the Grand Motoring Tour Hanger night. This Panoz Esperante was 1 of only 500 hand built the cars just north of Atlanta, Georgia at the Panoz factory. It has an Aluminum Chassis as well as aluminum body panels. The body panels are non-structural. The Chassis is modular, build in 5 sections. It is is a mid-engine, front engine car with almost a 50/50 weight distribution. It is powered by a 32 valve Ford SVT supercharged motor with a Tremec 56 6 speed transmission. |
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